A Little of This and That

There are so many creative people in this world! I wish I had the knack for it all. If you are looking for a fun, cute, light-hearted blog to follow, may I suggest lovelypraiseworthy.blogspot.com! Jenni Collier, a family friend, and her cute friends out in the Seattle area write it together, and they come up with some of the greatest thoughts and crafts. Check it out!

As I was catching up with this blog I got a brainstorm session going. I have a few things that I have been wanting to do and other treats I've been wanting to make. Summer is just around the corner and what better time to have some fun projects than summer? Free from the likes of school and I will actually have some time to sit around and relax. So here is the list I have compiled. Please feel free to add ideas to my list! But remember, a college student is on a tight buget:)

1. Learn to can different things. Peaches, pears, jam, etc. My mom has been doing this since I can remember, and I want to learn to do it so that my kids someday might be able to enjoy the sweet taste of homemade jam.
2. Find a pattern for a fun everyday bag. Of course, make the bag!

3. Learn/re-learn basic sewing skills. Mom isn't going to be there all my life to fix wardbrobe malfunctions. I want to learn to hem, sew all buttons, and patch up pants.

4. I have always wanted to make a cute skirt! Hopefully it'll end up cute...

5. Learn to play the organ. I have wondered how the organ works compared to the piano. Heaven forbid I'll actually get called to play in church, but it would be fun to learn!

6. Make my own homemade pie with the homemade pie crust. You know, one of those pies that the crust is in a weaved pattern on top? Wish me luck!

7. I have been tempted to take a flower arrangement class at BYU, but due to lack of room in my schedule, and the cost of the class, unfortunately I don't think it'll happen. It would still be fun to make a flower arrangement for the apartment. Spice things up a little!

8. At Robert's Arts and Crafts they have those photographs that spell words out of letters. That was obvious ha ha. You know, where someone takes pictures of objects that look like letters, and then they arrange the pictures to spell a word such as: "FAITH", "HOPE", "LOVE"? I have decided that since the ones to buy are expensive and not as personal as it would be if I did it myself, I am going to buckle down and finally do it! Any word suggestions?

9. As I read praiseworthy's blog I found a recipe for tri-color cupcakes. These would be fun for birthdays, baby showers, bridal showers, or just for a fun treat! Quick and Easy! Check it out!http://lovelypraiseworthy.blogspot.com/2010/02/tri-color-cupcakes.html

So here I am about to embark on a new adventure of trying new things! A little of this and that!

Spring Fever

I don't know about the rest of the world, but the weather in Provo has been gorgeous! March 1st and Mother Nature is saying, "Welcome Spring!" I am constantly reminding myself that March and April are well known to be unpredictable and wet, but it's days like these that make it all worth it. Isn't it amazing how easily the weather can affect our moods? I know it did mine today. I woke up this morning and only needed a light jacket to walk to school in which I got a little toasty! Yes, I think I am catching Spring Fever. Be careful everyone, it may be contagious! I've been thinking about fun things I can't wait to do in the warmth. Here are a few:

1. Run! I am training for a half marathon, cross your fingers, and I ran for the first time since surgery today! 7 whole minutes. Slow, but I did it. It's a start! 

2. Ultimate Frisbee. No more cherry picking for me! I will be the one of the lucky to run around

3. Soccer!! I pray that I have had my fare share of injuries, but I love soccer enough to say goodbye to it just yet. It's all worth the pain!

4. Evening walks. Audrey- are you ready for it? Walking buddy. We've gotta keep it up if we're going to be two old ladies still going on walks with our walkers that have tennis balls on the legs.

5. Playing in the WARM rain! Cold rain just doesn't do it.

6. Green! Welcome back beautiful, living, nature. It has been too long. 

7. Spring flowers. We need flowers to brighten the world

8. Flip Flops. I use to refuse to wear flip flops as a kid. I was the girl with socks and sandals that created a nice chicken feet tan line. I have graduated from that fashion, and I love me my flip flops!

9. Tans. Thank you to Mom and Dad for sharing the skin pigments. I am grateful for how easily I get color, and oh how I miss my color. 

10. Driving with the windows down. Need I say more?

11. Light! I know daylight savings will come again, but I always miss the days filled with light during Winter. Warm, spring days in the sun.

Are you excited for Spring yet? I know I am! Spring fever is a bitter sweet feeling, but oh how I love it!

"The Love of God" By President Uchtdorf

I came across President Uchtdorf's talk, "The Love of God," and I can't tell you how much I love it. Practically the whole talk is highlighted, underlined, and has notes all over. My wonderful roommate Kat taught Relief Society a few weeks ago and gave her lesson on this talk specifically. She highlighted one of my favorite things in his talk, and I decided to share it with you all.

If you have this edition of the Ensign it's on page 22 in the first column. He says, "...God does not need us to love Him. But oh, how we need to love God! For what we love determines what we seek. What we seek determines what we think and do. What we think and do determines who we are-and who we will become." As I thought about this concept, and with the help of Kat, I was able to put it into a diagram. I wish I could draw it for you, but for lack of knowledge on blogger.com, I will have to use the keys on the keyboar. So...

Love--> Seek--> Think & Do--> Who We Are-->Become

This little picture has put words, powerful words, into perspective for me. In the end, what we love, and what we seek, is ultimately what/who we become. If we love a particular movie star, or musician/singer, we will seek them out, we will begin to think and do as they do, it will determine who we are, and in the long run we will become like that person. This doesn't have to only apply to people. If we love food, we seek food, and ultimately we become sick, and full of.... well, food. However, if we love the Lord and Jesus Christ, we will seek them in all things, we will think and do as they would want us to, it determines who we are in this life, and we will ultimately become Gods one day. I love this concept because it has helped me to analyze my life and the things that I love and seek out. Are they good for me in the long run? Do I want to become that particular thing? Of course there is moderation in all things, but I know I want to become like God one day, and so I am striving to love and seek out those good and precious things that he does.

Am I Crazy?!...

Just the other day I talked to my physical therapist about running. It's coming so soon I just can't believe it! 11 days and counting :) 

I was sitting at work yesterday pondering this wonderful idea... actually, it was more like daydreaming, but you get the picture. A thought came to my mind that, "Hey! The Turkey Trot that I ran with Dad on Thanksgiving Day was so much fun! I wasn't even really tired afterwards. I should train for another 5k!" Then my thoughts turned to, "I've done numerous 5k's. I should try a 10k." You think I stopped there? Nope! I have officially decided to run a half marathon!! Now my question comes into play- Am I crazy? Maybe, but I am motivated, and more excited than ever. I text one of my best friends, Kaitlin, who has been my running buddy for a few years now- even though we don't go as much as we use to, or at all... I asked her if she wanted to run a half marathon with me. I think it was literally 10 seconds later that I got her call. The first words out of her mouth were, "Are you crazy? Um, what are you thinking, and why all of a sudden would you want to do such a thing? You know how long that is right?" (Not her exact words, but pretty much right on track.) We talked for a while and decided it would be something really fun and intrinsically rewarding. How cool would it be to say, "I ran and finished a half marathon!"

Some of the half marathons I have looked at are Park City half marathon on August 21, Provo Canyon half marathon in August, and The Top of Utah half marathon in Logan on September 18. I personally want to do the Park City one b/c the scenery is more appealing to me than Logan. But I've heard that the Logan trail is all downhill and it's a very gradual downhill. Wouldn't that be ideal? So I have some goals leading up to my half marathon:

1. Start speed walking/light jogging on February 10

2. Make a Training plan with Kaitlin on February 13

3. Be running at full strength by March 3

4. Run a 5K

5. Sign up for half marathon

6. Run a 10K

7. Run the Park City half marathon on August 21

I have a lot of work to do, and I have to be smart while training b/c of my special conditions, but I know I can do it, and I can't wait to get started! If anyone knows of good training techniques or tips, please let me know. Wish me luck, and make sure that I'm alive in August, cause Heaven knows I'll be exhausted ha ha. 

It's Been Too Long...

Holy cow! Where has all of the time gone? I am such a slacker in the blogging world. Please forgive me... all of you who actually read my posts and desire to keep up with my "eventful" life. The life of a poor, single, college student. The best years of my life also.

Well, on December 15th I finished 5 finals and dashed off to prepare for my ACL surgery. Wednesday morning, the 16th of December was a very nerve wracking time of day. I never knew I could be so nervous. Cute lil' ol' brother Carlisle from across the street was kind enough to make his way over to our house to help Dad give me a blessing before we headed over to the hospital. Though my nerves did not cease, I slowly felt relief a little at a time. I am so grateful to have a father who lives worthily to hold the priesthood and exercise this authority in our home. 

At the hospital there were a lot of procedures to go through, all of you who have had any kind of surgery know that you see about 5-10 different people before you actually go into surgery. You know my opinion? The one thing I would put in their little suggestion box is to inform the patients when they call the day before surgery that they will need to give a urine sample! No one told us, and they probably didn't think it made that much of a difference, but when your surgery is scheduled for 8:45am, most likely you have already gone to the bathroom. I have also been told that I have a "shy bladder" by the urinalysis people who do drug tests. It took a lot longer than I had hoped to get even the slightest sample. 

The surgery went really well. I was told after the surgery that they repaired my ACL, and they stitched up a small tear in my meniscus. Because of the meniscus tear I would be required to use crutches for 4 weeks. Christmas break started early for me in the fact that I literally layed around and watched movies for a few weeks. 

Compared to my left ACL surgery, this recovery was so much better. I don't know if physically is was better, or if it was simply because I'd been through it before and knew what I needed to do early on to benefit me later, but I am so grateful for the quick recovery I have been having. In my follow-up visit with Dr. Holmstrom ( I recommend him to anyone), he told me that I was ahead of the game in my recovery timeline. WAHOO! That'll bring you happiness. 

This past Wednesday was the 4 weeks mark of my surgery, and do you know what that meant? Get rid of those ol' crutches! What a relief. Granted I was a little slower and my muscles are still weak, but it's nice to have the freedom, and less baggage to carry around. Wednesday also marked the first day in 4 weeks that I have worn jeans :) What a great feeling. As of today I hardly walk without a limp and I can almost go down the stairs normally! I have about 3 weeks of physical therapy left, and I feel so blessed with how everything is going. Though I may not see what the blessings have resulted specifically from this injury and experience, I know there are many and I am grateful for all I have learned, and all I will continue to learn. 

 

Love to All of You

I am surrounded with absolutely amazing people! I have been so blessed to be associated with all of you and to have you in my life. My love for you is so great that I wanted to publicly say thanks for being a part of my life! I've been thinking about the good ol' times and thought I'd share either something I admire about you/love about you, or a memory. Hope I get everyone!

Audge- Where to start? Too many! Simply... sister from another mister. Love you chica!
Kaitlin- You are always there to listen. Scaring you multiple times! I always laugh. Clogging. Dancing around in the apartment. Being CRAZY!
Kat- Late night runs to pretty much everywhere! Playing in the rain! You are one of my very best friends. "You have to love me!"
Heather- Good morning boys and girls... welcome to primary! All the good talks. Love you!
Siri- You have the brightest happiest smile and always make me so happy! You give the best hugs :)
Mandy- You are one of a kind! The kindest person I know. Too many great memories... staring at each other through our mirrors. Charly! Oh how I miss you.
Amber- Need I say more? You got your own post :) GIMP forever.
Alex- We will always be the best of friends! "Oh dear..." haha! Glad I can be a part of your most embarrassing moment.
Stevie- So happy! You always have a smile on your face and you give great hugs.
Bryce- You genuinely care about people. And you are always smiling :) Free lasic surgery for you! "Smile!... I can't!" haha. I feel like I've known you much longer, and I can't wait for the good times to keep a rollin'. Thanks for EVERYTHING.
Darin- I never know what to expect from you and I love it! So spontaneous and you make me laugh all the time! Thanks for all the advice and talks. Love all your soccer whiffs haha!
Josh- You are seriously another family member. Trips to Ogden, laughing under our breath about the same thing without having to explain, favorite memory is when we talked outside my apt. after frisbee for about 2 hours about everything. Time flies when you're having fun!
Jordan- You were a great friend before you decided to marry my best friend. Love ya! "What? Who? Where? Why? How? Como?!" Trips to the Health Center. Welcome to my life! And thanks!
Jeff- You probably won't read this, but you have been amazing. Thanks for EVERYTHING. Too many inside jokes and laughs over the years. See you in May!
Spencer- Only one more month! My favorite story is Girls Pref with our bouncy balls "Who sat on my head?!" and the quarter incident. Knocked you to the floor haha... glad you were laughing. See you in December!
Erin- I LOVE YOU! Grocery sack dance. Laughing without end. Piano duets! Especially the last time you came. Laughed forever. Brandon gave us dirty looks... haha.

I have so many more people that I love and adore, but I have run out of room and am getting arthritis in my hands. Not really, but know that I love you! Once again, thank you for being a part of my life. You have made an impact on me in one way or another and you probably haven't even noticed.

Ode to Amber

If I were a classical musician, this is what I would name my piece that I would write about Amber. I feel like I have so much to thank her for and I am indebted to her for ever. This summer was one of the best summers I've ever had even though I was injured for most of the time. A lot of this is because of a sweet, smiley, and happy go lucky girl named Amber. Where have you been all my life? I feel like we are sisters separated at birth, partners in crime, and fellow gimps.

I admire you so much for the person that you are. You are one of the greatest examples to me and I have learned so much from you. You are one of the most positive and uplifting people out there. You make everyone feel like one of a kind and your smile is contagious. Thanks for always laughing with me and lets face it- we're dorks, but we have fun! Some of the greatest memories I have made this summer I owe to you! What would I have done without you? I hope you know how much I love you and I look forward to seeing your bright shining face every chance I get. I feel genuinely happy when I'm with you, and you always know when I need a little uplifting. You're always there and I appreciate you so so much!

I get the blessing of having Amber sleep over this weekend, and I can only imagine the bundles of fun that await us! Can it come soon enough? I don't think so! I sure do love you!

Can I end with a song? ehem ehem... mi mi mi! mi ma mo, mi ma mo... ok, we're ready!

You are my sunshine! My only sunshine,

You make me happy when skies are grey.

You'll never know dear, how much I love you.

Please don't take my sunshine away :)