For the Love of a Simple Life

It's crazy how the first step of a daunting task sometimes gives you great clarity.

As I began my first run in training for the Utah Valley Marathon, this morning,
my mind was very far from the pounding of my feet.

In one of my favorite movies, You've Got Mail, Kathleen Kelly writes:

Sometimes I wonder about my life. I lead a small life - well, valuable, but small - and sometimes I wonder, do I do it because I like it, or because I haven't been brave?

I have a friend who is always traveling some place or another, seeing this and that, and always having crazy adventures.

I feel as if my life is somewhere in between. My life isn't small but nor is it one string of adventures after another.
My life is simple. Wonderful and simple with bouts of adventurism.


I don't have a million blog followers, but I have many incredibly wonderful friends.
I haven't been on a mission to convert hundreds of people, but I try to magnify my calling and make a difference in my sphere of influence.
I am no sports hero, but I love to run and love the challenge that it presents.
I haven't traveled the whole world, but what I've seen has taught me a great deal about how blessed I am.
I don't have millions of dollars, but I am self sufficient and hard working.
I have very little claim to fame, but I have wonderful supporters and rocks in my life.
My life is by no means perfect, but it's perfect for me. Simple and wonderful.

Simplicity is perfect for me.
Whenever I complicate life and get frustrated, I miss out on the finer things of life--time with family, beautiful sunrises, reading a book, making a new friend, having a good hair day, singing along to a great song, beautiful sunny days, laughter with good friends or achieving a small goal.
And aren't those the things that make life beautiful?

Whatever kind of life you live, be sure that it is the life that you've always dreamed of.
There may be circumstances that you can't change, challenges that are difficult to overcome, but there are many things that you do have control over.
Enjoy the finer things of life. Simply the things that you can.
Have some crazy adventures. Be brave. But because you have the power, make it the very best.

For the Love of Summer

Summer Lovin #1: Ragnar Running

Team Lock & Load

Summer Loving #2: BYU Soccer Camp Coaching
(Thanks to Coach Jen, I looked just like part of the team. 
Which lead to the love of cute little girls, soccer ball signing, and feeling like a star!)

 

Team "Too Legit to Quit"

Summer Lovin #3: Boating

At Yuba Lake

Summer Lovin #4: Sunsets

Although fires across the state are continuously destroying many things, they sure make for beautiful sunsets.

I absolutely cannot believe how crazy-busy-fun Summer is in Provo. There is so much going on all the time and I love it!! However, my sleeping habits are not loving it. Some days I feel so tired I can't even make rational decisions. About anything. 

Oh the tragedy, right? 

Thus, yesterday I resolved:  

I'll Sleep When I'm Dead. 

Bring it on, Summer!

For the Love: Neon and Nail Polish

I'd say it's high time for an update on life.

Firstly: I am in love with my new Neon Shirt.

I know you are in love now too.
(Courtesy of The Gap. Gonna go back and get me more tomorrow.)


















Secondly: Who'da thought of all the possibilities of nail polish?

Surely pinterest...
Now my totally "un-smart" phone looks extremely legit.

Happy Tuesday!

For the Love of Coming Home

Going to Europe was one of the most incredible experiences that I have ever had! 

I loved it so much!!

But there is something to be said about the benefits of coming home again after being away for a while:

Room Covered in Clean Laundry

• having clean laundry
• sleeping in my own bed
• running whenever I want
• non-salty foods (Europeans love their salt!)
• not having to pay to use the bathroom!
• bright lights in the bathroom (for adequate eyebrow plucking of course)

But the best part about being home is having  

tons of wonderful memories 

to look back upon and share with everyone!! 

Here is a sneak peak. More coming soon!

St. Charles Bridge: Prague, Czech Republic

Prague Castle: Prague, Czech Republic

Beautiful Prague, Czech Republic

For the Love of Changing Seasons

The other day I went for a beautiful run and all of a sudden I spotted these little beauties off in a field behind a house (see #1 below). The owner probably thought I was crazy. The longer I ran, and every run since then, I have noticed more and more that Spring is upon us! 

Oh how I love the change in seasons!!

However, being a Utah-an, I am fully aware that we really don't have Spring. We have Sprinter.

Sprinter = Spring + Winter

Sprinter, Summer, Fall, Winter. Sprinter, Summer, Fall, Winter.

That's how the seasons roll in Utah.

Welcome Sprinter. (My theory is adequately proved by the soft snow that was falling on my way to work this morning.)

As Sprinter as it may be, I will still fully enjoy the beauty of a coming spring.

1. See above.
2. Dark early morning runs have been beautifully emerging into daylight the last few days... Love sunrises.
3. The first flowers I saw this Spring! (At the Provo Temple last week.)
4. This cute little duck has been hanging out at a creek that I frequently run past. Every time I pass him, I fear that he will peck away my feet. He is actually scared of me--found that out while trying to snap a picture this morning.
5. This beauty popped up in our flower bed yesterday! I swear it happened in one day! It greets me every time I come home.

Spring also brings the beloved Color Festival.

Our beautiful, chalky, "tan" lines.

This caught my eye on Facebook this morning. So true. ha ha

Welcome Spring!

For the Love of Peanut Butter

There is nothing quite like a newly opened jar of peanut butter:

2 Weeks Ago

And nothing sadder than scraping the last bit out of the jar. Every. Last. Bit.

Today...

Yep. 2 weeks. That's as long as an entire jar lasts in my cupboard.

Peanut Butter is one of those mostest delicious foods that can go with anything.
And when recipes like the following are discovered, it's difficult not to go out and buy a whole case of peanut butter.

Because, ya know, the most tempting isle in the grocery store is the peanut butter isle. It's a good thing (sort of) that peanut butter is so expensive and I have to try and limit my peanut butter intake.

• Homemade Peanut Butter Cups
• Peanut Butter Cupcakes
• Peanut Butter Frosting
• Triple Peanut Butter Cookies
• Peanut Butter Crepes
• Peanut Butter Oatmeal
• Peanut Butter Doughnuts
• Chocolate and Peanut Butter Parfaits
• Peanut Butter Pancakes
• Peanut Butter Cheese Ball
• Peanut Butter Meatballs
• Peanut Butter Soup
• Peanut Butter Pork Kabobs
• Peanut Butter Noodles

Yes yes it all sounds delicious. Well, peanut butter meatballs might be pushing it. But my favoritest ways to eat peanut butter are:

• PB&J
• Peanut Butter and Pretzels
• Peanut Butter and Apples
• Peanut Butter and Celery
• But best of all, Peanut Butter by the spoonfuls.

Peanut Butter should be enjoyed by it's full flavor--sometimes with nothing else added.

You know you're craving it right now.
Be my guest.
Peanut Butter is healthy.
(Within balance of course...)

FYI: Skippy Reduced Fat Creamy Peanut Butter is my most favoritest. But don't be fooled. They might have taken out a whole 25% of the fat, but they added about that much sugar to it. Thus, the deliciousness of eating it by the spoonful.

Oh and for the record:
Dear Future Husband: the way to my heart is through peanut butter. However, I still expect flowers every once in a while.

P.S. I want to start doing some "consistent updates." Lots of bloggers out there are doing things such as Top Things Happening This Week, Pinterest (of course), TV Show Updates and Comments, etc. I needed something original. Be on the lookout for more "For the Love of..." posts--featuring my particular "loves" in my life!