Celebrity Look Alike

Throughout our lives, we get told, you look like so-and-so or you look like so-and-so. Over the years I've gotten Kiera Knightly, Angelina Jolie, Beth Richman (from the new show Ready for Love) and others.
Although I'm flattered, I've never thought that I look like any of them.


Over the last few weeks, a bunch of people have told me that I looked like this girl off of American Idol.

Of course, out of "idol" curiosity, I had to look her up.

Angie Miller, American Idol Season 12. 
Other than her hair being lighter and bigger and that little dimple, I could totally pass for her on stage.
Maybe. Oh wait. Have you heard her??

Ok. So I probably couldn't pass for her on stage, but we're definitely closer in genetics than any of the above mentioned.

Woulda thought?

Letters

Dear Sunshine:
I am so glad that we have been able to spend more quality time together lately. My skin has desperately needed that bit of color that you so willingly provide. However, I wish very much that you would rise earlier in the mornings (I know, it's hard for all of us to do), but I really love it when it's light outside when I run. 6:00am would be ideal. Thank you.

Dear Clean Eating:
We don't have a perfect relationship but when I'm good, you make me feel so great! And boy, there are so many options for delicious meals:

1. Celery with homemade natural peanut butter! So delicious and incredibly easy! (And we all know how much I love Peanut Butter. After having REAL peanut butter, I can never go back to the store bought kind. Seriously.) Celery is also wonderful with homemade hummus.
2. Yummy Lunch Salads: Lettuce, red peppers, chicken, carrots, celery and oil & vinegar dressing.
3. Cucumber Salad! My favorite! Cucumbers sliced, red pepper, chicken, 1 spoonful of plain yogurt and seasonings! (I used black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder.)
4. Stuffed Red Peppers: red pepper stuffed with cooked and seasoned barley, topped with mozzarella cheese and broiled in oven until cheese melted. Tomatoes added on top. Could also put in cooked chicken or beef with barley.

Some of my other favorites have been: hard boiled eggs, Peanut Butter Quinoa Bites (sweet enough for me without agave or chocolate!), green smoothies, Plain Whey Protein Isolate (add to oatmeal, green smoothies, fruit smoothies, etc.), carrot chips, Cinnamon Quinoa Bars, and Banana Egg Pancakes.
And can't wait to try: Raspberry Eggs and Lemon Crepes!

Dear Weekend:
I want you to come faster. Conference, home, family, sunshine, sleeping in, and home cooked meals.

Dear Rue 21:
Although you drained a good chunk out of my bank account last week, I sure am loving all my new summery outfits. Most favorite--white pants, plaid shirt, tan flats.

Dear Race Training:
Unfortunately my sanity is not allowing me to run the Utah Valley Marathon (thank goodness I can defer my registration to 2014), but Ragnar here we come! I am ecstatic!

Dear Thyroid:
From the signs, I'm assuming that its you that's been giving me all the troubles lately--dry skin, breaking nails, falling out eyelashes, fatigue, and worst of all, forgetfulness--not acceptable in my job. Something will have to be done soon.

Dear Lake Powell:
I am desperately missing you these days. I can't wait to try out my new water ski on your beautiful blue waters this summer. Please don't miss me too much.

Dear Y Awards:
You are coming up so quickly! Amazingly, I am not feeling stressed yet. We have definitely done a good job of prioritizing our tasks. Can't wait for you to get here April 10th! Miss Gillian and I will be grateful when we pull you off successfully as the event of the century!

Dear New York:
Our plans to see each other are going to have to wait another year and a half. Some changes have come about. However...

Dear San Francisco:
I am now hoping to see you sometime soon instead!

Sincerely,

 

An Ode to My Closet

Dear Closet:

Do you see how full you are?
Do you know how much I love shopping?
Do you see how we have a problem?
Do you know that most shopaholic girls would just go buy more hangers?
Do you see how you are chock full and another hanger would not fit?
Do you know that I love having new clothes to wear?
Do you see that I have also bought a lot of the clothes on great sales?
Do you know that you also have to spend money to save money?
Do you see that your hanger rod might come out of the wall someday?
Do you know that all my dresser drawers and under-my-bed-totes are also full of clothes?
Do you see that I have more than 50 pairs of shoes?
Do you know that I pay lots of money for my tiny room and tiny closet?
Do you see how I have to get rid of older-much-still-in-style-shirts in order to fit the new ones?
Do you know that most of the time I don't really even miss those shirts?
Do you see how I have an absolutely first world problem?

Thank you. I appreciate you listening.

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.

At a Years Beginning

At a years beginning, it is time for reflecting, laughing, crying, remembering, savoring, pondering, and resolving.

As long as I can remember, my sweet mother has had me write down News Years Resolutions at the beginning of January.

Through the years, some goals, were achieved. Some were not.

Through the years, I've learned that setting goals is important in this life. Some goals are small, some are huge, some are life changing, but all are important.

Through the years, I've learned that setting goals sets in motion habit forming which can potentially set in a life changing attribute.

Through the years, I've learned that goal setting needs to be realistic but stretching and strengthening.

Some set goals with New Years Resolutions. Some set goals with "100 things to do before I die" lists. Some set little goals every single day.
But however, the goals are manifest, they are imperative for mortal progression.

In carrying on a good habit:

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!

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   

 

Moving Day

On a whim today, I decided I was going to move. Yep. You read that right. On. A. Whim.

I know. I know. It's totally not like me is it? I decided to add a little spontaneity to my life.

And I moved.

 To my bathroom.

Confused? Well that ugly stuff that you can actually see on my floor (aka casino carpet), is being replaced tomorrow! Wahoo!

I have had to move everything off my floor in my room.
And much to my surprise, I have SO MUCH STUFF.
You'd think after moving 7 times in the last 4 years, I wouldn't have so much.
Clarification: I am not a pack rat. I'm just very organized.

A Shiny New Set of Wheels

Remember this day? When the anticipation was killing me??

Well thanks to a wonderful Daddy, my shiny new set of wheels is all finished!!

Wahoo!!

 Yep. Lovin me some Mazda!
Check #53: Own a Mazda.

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!