Happy Trails

I just wanted to post quickly about my running. In no way am I posting this to brag but just to document how far I've come. After many weeks of physical therapy and still running in pain, I think my knees are finally there (knock on wood). Last week I flat-out ran 5 miles with no problems whatsoever. Yesterday I ran 4.25 miles and my knees feel great, even today.

A few months ago I was barely able to run a mile without feeling exhausted. It was just a frustrating thing for me because I used to run at a 7.0 for 30 minutes with no problem. I got pretty down on myself. While I'm not quite up to running that fast again, I have definitely increased my distance. I finally feel strong when I get off the treadmill instead of like I'm going to die. :) While the weight isn't coming off yet, if I keep it up it has no choice, right?

Now I am able to do sprints (still makes my legs sore) and my lungs don't explode and I don't cheat like I used to when I ran. I used to hang on to the sides for the last 10 minutes or so when I got tired. But this time when I started running again, I decided if I'm going to do it, I'm going to do it right - so I don't hang on at all when I run now.

So I've come along way. I just want to tell my body that I'm happy with it for pushing through and making progress even though my clothes still don't fit. It did give me a good excuse to go buy some new cute ones though. And now I know I can do it and make my body do things that were hard for it, and with time, it all gets better.

Here We Go Again

We are so excited we got called back to the nursery! It was made official yesterday. The bishopric said they felt VERY strongly that nursery was where we needed to be. We are actually the nursery leaders now, in charge of both the senior and junior nursery. Everything is still super disorganized with only two helpers called so far but we're hoping by next week we can start getting the routine up and running. We had a few new kids yesterday who will be transitioning soon and they did great. They don't know the rules yet but seemed really happy and excited to be there. The usuals are so great and they are starting to talk to so much! It's amazing what a few weeks will do. Now they will mimick words I ask them to say. My goal is for them to recognize the prophet before we leave.

We're still focusing our attnetion on the junior nursery since they recognize our faces there. I had a run-in with the senior nursery and all the brethern that like to bring in their babies and hang out in there to avoid Sunday School. And the kids in the older nursery are so rough. Two kids hit each other non-stop until one threw a huge toy at the other one's head - that warranted a timeout. Yikes! The littler ones are so much better behaved! I love those kids though and we're having such a fun time. They make us laugh so hard. We secretly had been hoping to get that calling again and we're so happy to be there!

Home Sweet Home

After two long weeks, Dallin is finally home. He seemed to have a good trip but by the end was ready to sleep in his own bed and not have to hang out with the guys from his work anymore.

We had a really good time in Seattle. I flew in Wednesday night and Thursday we met up for lunch (after I ran 5 miles!) and then I went shopping while he went back to work. I had a REALLY good time shopping. :) Nordstrom Rack and H&M were my favorites. We did have a Loft you could see from our hotel room which I also had to check out. That night we went to a Mariner's game and scalped tickets which ended up being on the first row behind the Ranger's dugout (see the picture above!) They were great seats and I even got a foul ground ball off of Ichiro's bat. I'd always wanted a ball from a game and this was even a MLB game!


Friday Dallin went to work and I worked out and met him for lunch again. Later that day we went on an underground tour since current Seattle is built on burnt-down Seattle from the 1880's. Seattle was basically built on logging and prostitution so it was kind of a weird tour. We went out for a really nice dinner that night and had fun spending the day together.

Saturday we went to Pike's market and watched them throw the fish, then we went to the Aquarium and went to lunch at the Spaghetti Factory - the second one ever built. Then we took a harbor cruise around and got to see the beautiful skyline. I ended up getting sunburned. It was like 85 and hot the whole time I was there (except Sunday, it was rainy and a little chilly). Then we were beat and took a nap and went to Fox Sports Grill for dinner and to watch the UFC fights.

Sunday we walked to the Space Needle and the Experience Music Project Museum where they had Michael Jackson's sequined glove and a Rock Band type area. We played the bass and drums. Then it was time for lunch and for me to head to the airport. Sad! It was so good to spend time with him. Luckily the days went by quickly even though the weeks dragged on.

We celebrated our 6 month anniversary while he was away too. He sent me this beautiful bouquet of flowers (sorry the pic is sideways). I can't believe how fast the time has gone by - and I'd do it all over again!

Harry Potter

I saw the new Harry Potter last night. I was fabulous - you all must see it!

Harmonious

I don't have any Seattle pictures yet since Dallin has the camera with the good pictures, so I'll post of last night's adventures. After months of waiting, the American Idols stopped in Utah! I got my in-laws into AI this year and we had such a blast! The boy singers were a lot better than I even anticipated. Props to Anoop, Matt, Danny, Kris and Adam! The usher people wouldn't let anyone get close to take a good picture of Kris or Adam, that is why I only have a close-up of Danny.

I'm still so conflicted as to who I would have liked to win the competition. Not that it matters any, but I loved Danny from the start, then Adam blew me away and Matt had these sparks of utter greatness that left me speechless. Matt turned in some awesome performances last night and I'm glad he made it as far as he did. I was always a big Allison fan but after last night, I think she should have gotten voted off before him.

People with amazing musical talent make me so jealous. Just to have the guts to get up and sing in front of people is amazing in and of itself. But I've been known to cry after brilliant musical performance, even on TV shows. There is just something that is so magical and beautiful. When I get to heaven - I'm going to learn how to sing, and well.

Us on the 26th row!!

We heart Danny.

Such an amazing performer.



How cool is this guy?

Happy Birthday

If absence makes the heart grow fonder - I'm bursting with fondness! I hope you have a wonderful day where you are. I'll be thinking about you all day. Here are 27 reasons why I love you:

1. You love me more than BYU football. And that's a LOT.

2. You kill spiders for me.

3. You are a worthy and wonderful man, even if you don't think you are sometimes.

4. You are so cute with kids and I know you'll make an awesome and fun dad someday.

5. You never complain.

6. You are laid back and calm.

7. You are good with money and aren't cheap.

8. You aren't messy and are always so helpful around the house.

9. You always volunteer to help those in need without thinking of yourself.

10. You make me laugh.

11. You're snuggly and wiggly.

12. You care about how you look and always want to be presentable.

13. You like shopping for shoes and don't mind going to the Loft with me. :)

14. You cook dinner on Tuesdays and it's good!

15. You don't criticize me even when I'm being unreasonable.

16. You are thoughtful and caring to those around you.

17. You love unconditionally.

18. You always make adversity in your life a positive.

19. You are so generous with everything you have.

20. You listen and always give thoughtful feedback.

21. You are a hard worker and give 110%.

22. You'll do things with me even if you don't want to.

23. You are the hottest guy I know - inside and out.

24. You decorated our house so nice - it looks like it's out of a catalog!

25. You always smell so good.

26. You are dutiful in our church responsibilities.

27. You were worthy to take me to the temple to be sealed for time and all eternity.

Happy Birthday to the man that makes me heart beat a little faster and my days a lot brighter. Can't wait to celebrate many more with you. XOXO

Hermanas

Every so often a group of us sisters from the mission try to get together for lunch at some central location. It's alway so fun to see who shows up and what is going on in their lives. Even though distance and time separate us more and more, we all share this special little bond from Ecuador. We always seem to pick up right where we left off. This time we had Erin join us all the way from Texas. We hadn't seen her in years and it was good to touch bases with her! We hope more of you sisters can join us next time (and the next time, etc.!) Love you gals! El Mundo Real - Buena Fe. :)