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.

Christmas via My Phone

I finally did it. I got a smart phone. And I love it. Obviously.
Christmas was full of great entertainment, parties, friends, and adventures.
(Sorry for some Instragram repeats...)

1. Snickerdoodle hot chocolate. Nuff said. --with April Cazier
2. Temple Square --with Saryn Haynie
3. Mexican Train --with the fam
4. Ugly Sweater Friend party, yep. The party that I wore a University of Utah sweater too...
5. Tis the Season for Fuzzy Socks --with the fam
6. Frigid Manti
7. Loving my new flats from Christmas!
8. Family love
9. To Run or Not to Run in the snow. Yes, we did run. --with Kelli
10. Beautiful Christmas Day --with Kelli
11. New Waterskis for Christmas!!! Can't wait to use them! --with Kelli
12. Beautiful Manti is in the middle of no-where.
13. Christmas dinner table setting, courtesy of pinterest
14. Gorgeous Manti Temple. Miss this place already.

Happy Christmas!

Sports are My Life

Between BYU Soccer-ing for Halloween,

(and my gorgeous Sis as Pretty Woman)

BYU Football Games,

Dixie State Football Games,

Zion Canyon Race Running,

(2nd place in my Age Group! With my sweet Aunt Joan and Uncle Byron)

And Frigid Soccer Games,

My life is full of sporting events. 

Good thing it's what I love! 

The Adventure of Fall

Oh what joys the fall season brings. 

Aside from craziness of work, the fall adventuring has been in full force.

Canyon Walks and Soccer Games

Visits from Parentals for BYU Football

Visits to Good Ol' Manti

Sighting in Guns... Just wait for it.

You guessed it. For the first time in my life I went hunting. Legit hunting.
Here's how the story went:

February 2011
     Dad: "Do you want to put in for the deer hunt?"
     Me: "What??"
     Dad: "Do you want to put in for the deer hunt?!"
     Me: "Dad. I've never been hunting in my life."
     Dad: "I know! I think it's about time you went!"
     Me: "Dad, I have no idea where I will be in October. I could be in Timbuktu for all I know."
     Dad: "Well then, it'll give you a good reason to come home!"
     Me: "Ok fine. Go for it."
**Didn't draw out in 2011.

February 2012
     Dad: "Do you want to put in for the deer hunt again? We'll most likely go this year!"
     Me: "Sure. I'll only be in Provo in October. Easily done."
**Drew out for October 2012 Rifle Deer Hunt.

Although Bambi lived to see another day, 

we did see lots of great sites, beautiful animals, and gorgeous skies.

Parachute, All American Rejects, and Boys Like Girls Concert!

All in all,
the adventuring has been a wild, fun ride!
Oh how I love fall!!

I Know

I know that I have some truly incredible examples in my life.

I know that today, this scripture was meant for me:

Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed. D&C 123:17

I know that Fall is an incredibly beautiful time of year. I wouldn't switch Fall in Utah for anything!

I know that Sister Missionaries are extraordinary people. Thank you Sister Kendra. You made my whole day.

I know that I have one fabulous family and I'm so grateful that we will be together forever!

I know that God has a plan for me.

I know that we have magnificent freedoms that so many have sacrificed a great deal for. 

I know that there should be no place for simply "averageness" in my life.

I know that when amazing opportunities come your way, you have to seize them, cause you might never get that opportunity again.

I know that I was placed here at this time for a reason.

I know that running makes any day better. :)

I know that if I have faith everything will work out exactly how it's supposed to, in exactly the right timing.

I know that some days are tough but even more, I know that the tough days make the glorious days that much more glorious!

I know that a life well lived leaves no room for regrets.

Love you Lil' Sis + Photoshooting

From the first moment that she came into my life,
we've been best friends.

Like all best friends, we had our ups and downs. We loved to play together, tease each other and fight with each other.

In fact, I remember telling her one time that "Mom and Dad are going to have to send one of us away because we fight too much. And they are going to keep me because they love me more because I am older."
Typical older sister right?

To this day, I am incredibly grateful that our parents didn't give either of us away!!!

A sister shares childhood memories and grown-up dreams.  

~Author Unknown

As we grew up, we each went through our struggles, but friends we remained.

The best thing about having a sister was that I always had a friend.  

~Cali Rae Turner

Eventually, we parted ways as we grew up. But coming home to play, to pamper, 

and to hang out, 

made for some of the best memories through my college experience.

 
 







 




 

A turning point in our relationship came when we overcame great struggles and ran a half marathon together. It was then that we became equals. 

No longer older and younger, but sister to sister, friend to friend.

One of the best days of my life was when I got the job at BYU and realized that I would be moving to Provo and would finally live in the same town as my sister again. 

The last year has been such an incredible journey full of fun, laughter, many sporting events, random adventures, a few tears, but amazing growth.

Sisters is probably the most competitive relationship within the family, 

but once the sisters are grown, 

it becomes the strongest relationship.  

~Margaret Mead

To my fabulous and amazing sister, KelliAnne,  
I love you more than words could ever describe.
You've been my rock, my adviser, my teacher, sometimes my mother, my inspiration, my competitor, my example, my friend, my fellow adventurer, my opponent, my enthusiast, my confidant, 
but best of all, my sister. Forever.

 Photoshoot by: Kylie secondstarphotography.blogspot.com

She is your mirror, shining back at you with a world of possibilities.  She is your witness, who sees you at your worst and best, and loves you anyway.  She is your partner in crime, your midnight companion, someone who knows when you are smiling, even in the dark.  She is your teacher, your defense attorney, your personal press agent, even your shrink.  Some days, she's the reason you wish you were an only child.  

~Barbara Alpert   

 

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!