Update

I just wanted you all to know how much I'm enjoying teaching first grade. It's been a fun, tough, stressful, enjoyable and exhausting transition from teaching older grades. They are so cute and say the funniest things! I'm grateful to be teaching again, and for the joy my students bring into my life. I'm learning a lot about how to teach reading and about this age group! What a fun and trying year that lies ahead for me. I'm excited for the challenges and growth that will take place not only in my students, but for me as their teacher as well!

Also, I had my surgery yesterday. Same surgery I had 15 months ago, dang butt of mine! I had cysts on the end of my tailbone. It runs in my family-my dad and all of my older siblings have had the exact same procedure done. You just wait Tabbi and Trina, you're next! The surgery seems to be going easier for me the second time around. I'm having an easier time getting out of bed, and although I'm exhausted, I'm still able to do other things. I think it's because this time around I have a lot of other things to worry about (my students!) that keep me going. I just wanted to thank all of you that have kept me in your thoughts and prayers, as this is not an easy procedure to deal with, especially at this stressful time in my life with my career and the transition to moving back. It meant the world to me yesterday and warmed my heart to see so many of you call me, text me, email me, or leave me messages on Facebook. I feel like I have the best family and friends that a girl could ever ask for! This is just the beginning of a hard few months of recovery for me, but I know I can make it through and REFUSE to have to do this surgery again if I just can stay on top of it! But thank you again! And a huge thanks to my mom for taking care of me. It's not going to be easy for her to have to change my packing, seriously so painful for me but I know it's more painful for her because she's the one inflicting the pain! So thank you mom for putting up with me!

Reminder

Isn't it so great how life works sometimes? When we are reminded of what makes our life so wonderful, so meaningful, so worth it all. Today has been that kind of day for me. I ran into someone I haven't seen in years, who made a huge impact on my life during my late high school years and early 20s. The funny thing is, I have been thinking a lot about her lately, and pow! There she is! (Positive thoughts in the Universe, the Secret works, I tell you what!) My hour long chat with her was exactly what I needed, and so many things were brought back to my memory. What a great thing our past can be in helping shape our present lives. She reminded me of what is most important in my life, and what I need to do to improve my current situation. She did this without even realizing it! Everyday I wear something that she gave to me several years ago, it's a daily reminder for me of who I was, and who I want to be.

I was reminded today that I am so grateful for the people that have been a part of my life throughout all the stages of it. I don't think it's any small coincidence that they are or were in my life. I think a loving Father in Heaven is so mindful of each of us and connects us to people who can influence us and change our lives for the better. I've always been blessed with the best of people that I surround myself with, who remind me of who I truly am, and bring out the best sides of me.

Music

Music is probably the most important thing in my life, outside of my family, the gospel and teaching. It has always played a central part of my life, and is the way that I express myself, my testimony, and it's the way I can escape from my reality and get back to who I am, whether it be through playing the piano, singing, or listening to it. I'm always on the hunt for new songs, new artists that speak to my soul. Tonight has been one of those nights for me. With what has been going on in my life lately, I've been needing a solace, and I found just that tonight. My new favorite artist tonight is Matthew Perryman Jones. Youtube him. It will change your life! His song, Out of Reach, is not on Youtube yet, but this song is my song tonight. Here are the lyrics:

You're always bound to fall
there's nothing you can do
the weight of gravity begins
to pull you down again
so what are you to do now?
stuck between the hope and doubt
you get so close to clarity
makes you question everything

You're so far away
so far away from me
Is it starting to break
underneath my feet
You're so far away
Am I just out of reach?

We keep talking in circles
staring out with empty eyes
wanting to be known again
but so afraid of letting in
so do i leave it all to history?
will you ever answer me ?
do you still recognize my voice
or is it lost among the noise

You're so far away
so far away from me
Is it starting to break
underneath my feet
You're so far away
Am I just out of reach?

While the world unravels
we're kicking at shadows
and everyone around us
is making up chaos
oh, I cannot find you
I'm walking like I'm blinded
am I saying anything at all?

You're so far away
so far away from me
Is it starting to break
underneath my feet
Is it set in stone
could someone tell me please?
Am I all alone?
Am I just out of reach?

It takes a long time to grow old friends

I forgot to mention in my half marathon blog, that immediately after, I met up with a bunch of old high school friends, one of which also ran the half marathon as well! It was so fun catching up with you girls-Kelly, April, Amber, Kim (who ran the half), Kristin, Kearston, Cammie, Tiffany and Afton. We missed the rest of the group that weren't there. We definitely need to catch up more often! These women helped shape my life when I was younger, and they all hold a special place in my heart!

Just a few of us-me, Amber, Kristin, Tiffany. Kearston, I want you to post the other pics so I can steal them!

Camping is Wonderful!

I had a great Labor Day weekend camping with good friends. What a perfect break for me after a hard first week of teaching first graders! We went up Payson Canyon. It was fun eating, chatting around the fire, driving through the canyon and seeing Utah Lake, Payson Lake, Devil's Kitchen and other beautiful sites in nature. Thanks for a fun weekend Nik, Shay and Megg!

Me, Shay, Megg

Who knows..

Devil's Kitchen. Beautiful!

Looking out over Devil's Kitchen. Man, I'm a midget!

This picture makes me laugh. Nik looks like he's about to eat my head!

Meggan and I at Devil's Kitchen

Goal Accomplished: Running a Half Marathon

It finally came: the day I had been training for, planning for, and anxiously anticipating. The Top of Utah half marathon. I'll be honest, since I moved back to Utah, my training had suffered a bit and I was feeling nervous about the big run. A week before the race, Jen and I ran 9.45 miles of the course, and I felt really good about that run, so it helped me a lot mentally to prepare for the 13.1 mile run. The night before, I was surprisingly calm...until we went to pick up our packets and I noticed all the other runners. I can't help it, I have a problem with comparing myself to other people that run. So I had some thoughts creep in that weren't so great for me mentally. We then drove the 4 miles of the course that we hadn't ran the weekend before, and that again calmed me down a bit. We then went to eat. Pasta of course! We went to Le Nonne, an Italian restaurant in Logan that I've wanted to eat at for years but never had the opportunity to do so. It took FOREVER to get seated, and again, thoughts were creeping in that weren't the best but I kept trying to fight them off. Le Nonne hit the spot, and we went back home to bed, and I felt ready. I woke up, feeling ready and wanting to just do it. The first 7 miles of the race were great for me. It was perfect weather, perfect scenery and I had some great tunes to keep me going. Miles 7-10 were a little rough but I was doing good, ahead of the goal time I wanted. But then mile 11 came, and my spirit just broke. My body was tired, I was ready to be done. I hadn't trained past 9 miles of running so I hadn't built up enough endurance. But right when I was starting to have my breakdown, I spotted Jenna, an angel in disguise. She will never know what seeing her did for me, and how much it meant to me. She ran with me, talked me out of my negative thoughts, and coached me through to mile 12. I could see the finish line. It was so close, yet so far. She left me at mile 12 so I could run the last mile alone. It was a tough mile for me, but I couldn't help but feel so proud of myself. I was accomplishing something I never thought possible! A few hundred feet from the finish, I spotted my mom. Like Jenna, I had no idea my parents would be there. That got me through to the end where my brother Mick, my nieces Abbie, Libby and Aspen, my close friend Meggan, my dad, and Jen (she finished a few minutes before me) were waiting and cheering me on. I did it! I just completed a half marathon. It was one of the greatest highs I have ever experienced. It was a good run for me overall. I was proud of myself! I even finished 5 minutes before my goal time!

I thought a lot during my run, especially about people in my life, and what I'm grateful for. I'm so grateful I have a body that allows me to do physical things that are so motivating and so good for me, not only physically but emotionally and mentally. I'm so grateful for people who support me, and encourage me to do things that may seem impossible. I'm grateful for answered prayers! Thanks Meggan for being there, and for taking these pictures and letting me steal them for the blog!

My niece Libby, waiting for Jen and I to run to the finish.

My niece Aspen waiting patiently!

Abbie wondering when we would be done!

Me running to the finish..

Immediately after finishing. Can you guess what I'm thinking?!

I was needing some serious meds. Notice the frizzy hair?! Totally earned it!

Jen and I posing after the run.

Posing at the finish line, well after most people had left

Stretching out

Box Elder County Fair and Rodeo

Since moving to Tremonton at the age of 6, I have been able to attend the big event: The Box Elder County Fair and Rodeo. It's the biggest thing that comes to Tremonton every year. And it's the best fair I've ever attended, hands down. Last year I wasn't able to go because I had just moved to Colorado and it was so hard for me! I was very tempted to drive home that weekend, just so I could go. Needless to say, I was looking forward to attending it this year. It didn't fail me! The best part of the fair is the food. Can't ever get enough of the hamburgers, corn dogs, nachos, funnel cakes. Very fattening, but very good! The fair came at a great time this year too. I spent all of August in my classroom and was really needing a break before school started. And of course, it's always fun to spend time with close friends!

Meggan and I at the rodeo

Nik, Shay, me and Laci. We missed you Gail!