Ready or Not?!?!?

For the past year I've been toying with the idea of running.Not just any run
but a race.A big fat Half Marathon Race.
Not just ANY half
but a half marathon at the only place you SHOULD run...

Disneyland!

What seems like an eternity ago, (12 years = eternity), I used to run.
I ran a lot.
6 mile runs.
4 times a week.
I ran to stay "skinny." (I was never skinny). It was the only cardio I liked that would keep my leg muscles slim. I have massive leg muscles. I liked running. I craved running. I guess that's what you call a runner's high. I didn't know it back then, because I just ran so that I could eat 50 cookies that week.

And then I stopped running.
But, I kept eating 50 cookies.
And I got fat.
Super fat.
(And let's be honest here, I was super fat. No need to be nice and say that I wasn't, because I was... and I knew it.)

There is a time and place for everyone to figure out that hey, it's time to change. It was time for me to change.

I was ready to run. I missed running. I missed my old body. I missed my somewhat smaller boobs. I needed my body back.

I will go into details about what I've been doing later on... when I'm finished. Because, I'm not quite finished. I've got a little ways to go before I get my full body back.

BUT I AM RUNNING!

Not a lot, but enough to give me that high back! Slowly, but surely, I'm getting my runners legs back.

AND.I.LOVE.IT.

I crave it!!!!

The past few weeks I keep getting sick with random colds/viruses. I wouldn't allow myself to do my work outs because I know that it makes me even more sick. So I would sit and try to recover so that I could.. what?!?!... RUN!

AND READY OR NOT
We're running this race!
Disneyland, HERE WE COME!

I have an awesome friend that inspires me to run.
She's a real runner.
One of those... holy crap she can actually run FAST... runners.
She's coming with me!!!
RIGHT BRIDGET?!?!?

I also have an awesome sister. I've talked her into doing this race with me. She didn't need much talking into. I mean, it's Disneyland, AND she's a health teacher and always fit! Kind of an easy breeze task there!

There is a reason I wanted to run it with her.

She's had my back, my #1 supporter!

When I was skinny, she was young, but always worked out with me.
She came to my kick boxing classes I would teach, she would run with me when the gym was closed and I needed someone to run with.
She never cared that I was fat.
She knew I could do it.
We had conversations all the time about "someday" when I got my body back, and how she knew I could do it.
It wasn't a matter of knowing, just a matter of WHEN.
Timing is everything.

Aside, from Trent, she's for sure my #1 supporter. Every time we go to visit, she ALWAYS says how awesome I look. Even when it's only a few pounds or been a few weeks, it's the first thing she mentions.
And, she MEANS IT!
And I love it!
So.... I gotta share this run WITH HER!

SO... READY OR NOT... this run is officially on!

MM = FF

A long long time ago, I did this thing called Memory Monday.  Today isn't Monday, so we'll call it Flashback Friday.  So MM becomes FF.  I didn't want to wait until Monday to put this picture up because I just scanned it with my new negative scanner!  I had a bunch of negatives and lost pictures.... so this way I don't have to develop the film... i can just scan it in myself.  I found this one, and laughed.  I thought this picture was long gone and there were no other existing pictures of us from this day.

I was a femme bott for Halloween.  Ya know, Austin Powers?  What?  You don't know?  Am I that old?!?! haha My friend Danica and our boss Janie dressed up for work.  We worked at the beauty supply store so don't worry, only women saw us.  (Until later that night when we went out to dinner with our boyfriends hahaha).  What I  find extremely hilarious about this photo, is that is how I looked the first time I met my boyfriends mom.  Uhhhhhhhhhhhh.... no wonder she didn't like or trust me!!! hahahaha  Skanky skanky!  Mom, aren't you proud of your oldest daughter?!?!?! BAHAHA

My sister in law, Andrea, and her mom helped us make our costumes.  She was probably so disgusted as she was sewing the material, or what you can call material, onto just a bra.  That's right, it's just a bra.  We sewed on some boas, some see through material, and wore some white boy shorts underneath.  So, basically we walked around in our skivvies!  WOOT.  I was purple, Danica was pink, and Janie was blue.  We had matching slippers and fake tattoos and fake eyelashes!  The entire works!  We even sprayed ourselves with the Sexy Spray on Glitter tan! hahah I know Janie's mom took pictures of the 3 of us together... I wonder if they're floating around somewhere.  Too too funny.

This was a good day.  We had a lot of laughs and some really fun times this day.  I'm just glad I snapped at least 1 picture.... which I took to send to a missionary I was writing.   Man, I was cool! (Um not..hah)

Have a good weekend!  I will be on VACAY for 2 weeks!  So.... hit me up cause I'll be in UTAH!  : ) : )

Red Mango Anyone?

I miss Red Mango. Prooooooooobably more than I should. The first time I ever tried it, I thought it was majorly disgusting. Didn't try it again for a few years. THEN, I got pregnant with Dirk.

Halfway through my pregnancy, at one of my OB appointments, I had sugar in my urine. My Doctor said it was nothing to worry about, it can happen. (DANG those Mini Cadburry Eggs and Dr. Pepper!) But, I did NOT NOT NOT want to get Gestational Diabetes. When I was pregnant with Brenika, I was on the higher end of the scale at my test so I had to watch my sugar intake a little. Well, this had me freaked.

What was I going to do??? I needed some sort of sweet treat. I would eat fruit for snacks and treats, but some days that just wasn't cutting it. I went off ALL sugar for about 2 months of my pregnancy. And let me tell you, when you stop eating sugar, Red Mango tastes like PURE HEAVEN! Yuuuuuuuuummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm! It's all natural ingredients, made with stevia to sweeten, has pro-biotics, and is basically like a greek/health food store/yogurt that is the consistency of ice cream.


Still to.this.day, I cannot eat regular ice cream without feeling sick afterward. I don't like Cold Stone at all anymore, shakes are gross, and there is only 1 type of ice cream I'll eat from the grocery store. (Stupid Wilcoxson's Graham Slam HEHE)

On facebook today they posted this...

*Did you know*...Red Mango was THE FIRST...retail outlet to qualify for, and receive, the National Yogurt Association’ seal of approval for “Live and Active Culture” Yogurt; the first-ever frozen yogurt retailer to become Certified Gluten Free by the Gluten Free Certification Organization; the first-ever frozen yogurt retailer with proprietary frozen yogurt made only with 100% natural ingredients; the first-ever frozen yogurt retailer to enter into strategic and exclusive partnerships with highly-respected brands like POM Wonderful and Ghirardelli; and the first-ever to offer the patented Ganeden BC30 probiotic, the only type used in frozen yogurt desserts that have clinical studies that support real health benefits. Red Mango...Treat yourself Well!

Does that not want to make you a fan or what?!?!

That is the reason I love that place. PLUS... they have all sorts of toppings you can put on your yogurt.


Some are sugary and gross, (which seems pointless to add that crap on the goodness), but, they also have fresh fruits! Never once has their fruit been gross for me. I usually get pineapple on mine, or the occasional chocolate drizzle. Let's face it, I'm a chocolate addict. Even with no toppings, it's still amazing. AMAZING I TELL YOU!!!!!

So, do me.... and yourself..... a favor, and go get some today.

Right now...
Go....
DO IT....

They even have PEANUT BUTTER FLAVORED right now. Freak in the freak.... I want to try it so bad. So, try it for me and tell me how great it is! PLEASE!!!!

I miss you, Red Mango.
THE.END.

2011 Year in Review

My super awesome sister put this on her blog. I thought it was a good idea... and since I still don't have my picture cord, I'll fill this out, for journaling purposes only. :) (And I'll add some pictures just so this isn't so boring. HAHA)

2011 YEAR IN REVIEW

*What was the best part of last year?
Dirk joining our family, and going to Disneyland. Teehee




*What was the worst part of last year?
My Grandpa dying, and maybe moving. HAHA It's not like it's BAD that we moved, but it's been rough on me. AND... Trent and I turned the big 3-0.



*What was the biggest surprise of last year?
That we were having a boy for baby #2... and that I actually LOVE it!!!! (I was worried... just because I've never been around many baby boys.)

*What are you most looking forward to next year?
Being in our own place. Growing together as a family. And possibly a trip to Disneyland?!?!?! HA

*Is there anything you are not looking forward to next year?
I am really not looking forward to Dirk getting so big! I want him to stay my little baby forever! I am also not looking forward to spending the entire year without my dog. It's starting to get REALLY hard. BOO.

*Which new years resolutions did you keep last year?
I don't think I made any.

*Which new years resolutions did you break last year?
Same as above.

*What will be your new years resolutions next year?
I really want to get into shape. I can't work hard core at it until I am done breastfeeding, but then it's GAME ON!



*Which resolution are you most likely to break?
I'm not going to break it, I have no where to go but down. On the scale that is. I am tired of being fat... literally.

*Which resolution are you most likely to keep?
It's DONE... I am doing it!



*What did you do on New Years Eve?
We were in Montana with Trent's brother and sister. We played the game "Things" with them and their friends, and watched TV, and ate yummy food, and lit off sweet illegal fireworks. I'd say it was a successful New Years Eve.



*Who do you kiss on New Years?
Trent was busy doing fireworks so I forgot to KISS him right away... but I did later.

*What was the best song of last year?
Hmmm... well, Britney came out with her new album and I loved it. I also really liked SuperBass from Nicki Minaj. Yes, I am still 20 years old at heart.



*What was the best TV show of last year?
I'd have to say Survivor is always the BEST.



*What was the best book you read last year?
I read a new John Grisham that I really liked, The Confession. It didn't end how you'd think, and I like that in books. I wish I had more time to read.



*What was the best film of last year?
We don't watch a lot of movies anymore. We did go see Harry Potter in the theater and it was good. Maybe Winnie the Pooh and Cars 2. HAHAHA



*What change would you like to make to your life next year?
As above mentioned, my body. And always my attitude. I am such a huge snobby butt hole most of the time. Even though it doesn't seem like it, I am always working on it.

*What change would you like to see in the world next year?
I really would like to see Mitt Romney become President. I am not very into politics, but I really like him. I like his outlook on things, and obviously we have the same beliefs. I would like SOMETHING to happen with the healthcare reform. I never worried about it much until I had to start getting my own health insurance. It would be nice to be able to afford decent coverage for my family.

Memory Monday....Skinny Me

I don't have much time today... busy day... but I saw my sister's blog and her skinny pictures of me... so I thought I'd throw some on. Yeah, remember when I was hot and skinny? Long time ago....

K, so I'm really not vain, I took these pictures to send to my boyfriend that was on a mission. Skanky, I know. He was a good missionary though... don't worry. So here's to the old skinny me!

Notice the date on these pictures... who'd have known that 7 years later I'd have a little girl. HAHA

Yeah, total skank.

This was before the days of the CHI iron.... man, my hair is frizzy.

Boogers anyone??

Must've had some boogers... cause now I'm picking my nose. HAHAHA Man, I thought I was so funny. But hey... when you're hot, you can do whatever you want!!!

FYI... it was SO HARD for me to look good... I worked my BUTT off... and anyone who knew me back then, knew that I was CRAZY/PSYCHO when it came to eating and working out.... so much that it was unhealthy... just FYI

TAGGED

How to play this game. Post these rules on your blog: List 3 Joys, 3 Fears, 3 Goals, 3 Current Obsessions/Collections, and 3 Random Surprising Facts About Yourself. Tag 5people at the end of your post by leaving their names.

3 JOYS
* Spending quality time with my husband... I love him and everything we do together is always so much fun.
* Feeling my baby move and kick me... though I don't like it when she jumps on my bladder and a little pee comes out! HA
* My family... I love everything about my family... and I don't care if other people think we're weird!

3 FEARS
*Severe Obesity... I guess it's been a fear my entire life (thanks mom). I'm so deathly afraid of not being able to fit on a roller coaster or in a movie theater seat, or have health problems because of being too fat.
* Losing my baby... if you haven't had a miscarriage, or another pregnancy related problem, or an actual loss of a child, you don't understand. (well you might understand, but it's different) I'm terrified of having a preemie right now and having it not survive.
* Losing my husband... He wants to be a Helicopter pilot... high risk? YEAH! I don't know what I would do if he wasn't around to spend the rest of my life with! I could never replace him entirely... and I'm pretty sure no one could fill his shoes!

3 GOALS
* Raise my family righteously in the church, and strive to always try harder to be a better person and make it to the Celestial Kingdom.
* Lose weight after I have this baby... it's back to kickin my own butt!
* Put my husband through school, move to a different state (or St. George), not have to work anymore... ya know, live our life the way we envision it!

3 CURRENT OBSESSIONS/COLLECTIONS
* Getting my Nails done... I need to part with it, but I can't bring myself to! I've had them for almost 2 years now, and I'm afraid I won't know how to function without them. But, the gas is getting ridiculous, and I really shouldn't spend that much money on myself every month. HELP!
* Blonde hair... ALWAYS! I try to go back brown, but I hate it and think that I'm ugly. I don't know how I ever liked my brown hair... it's hideous! Thanks Becs for making me Blonde again!!!! YAY
* Crocheting... I love crocheting, especially if it's something new that I've never made before! I'm currently making a cute dress for my baby girl... so much fun!

3 RANDOM SURPRISING FACTS
* I lost contact with one of my close friends... which I never thought would happen to me because I hold all my frienships close to my heart... and I miss him dearly! I have googled him thousands of times, and looked for anyone and everyone that might know where he is... but, no such luck. I need to get on Maury to find him! HAHAHA I miss you BEN BEER! Maybe someday he'll turn up!
* I was bulimic for a few months of my life in college... not cool. Nor am I proud of the stupidity in myself. I honestly thought I was HUGE... and that was the skinniest I HAVE EVER BEEN, and not from barfing, I was skinny before! I thought I needed to be skinnier... I was a freak I tell ya!
* I lived with my Grandma's cousin, Uncle Charles, in St. George for 2 years. He was 80yrs old at the time and is now living in an assisted living home. I miss him and his funny ways... even though most of the time he drove me crazy. I can guarantee I drove him crazy too! I'm so afraid that we won't be notified when he passes away. His step daughter takes care of him, and she is the biggest HAG and never ever liked me. She never told us he moved... I stopped to visit him one day, and some random people were living in his house. It freaked me out cause I thought he had died! I don't think he'll ever really know how much I appreciate him. I've told him.. but his mind is halfway gone now, and sometimes I'm not even sure if he remembers me!

Those were some lame facts... but, I couldn't think of anything else! :)

I TAG

MONICA
ELIZABETH
AMANDA
HILLARY
TRISHA

Say What?

I get to pick up my Exercise Bike today so I had to drive my husband's truck to work! Yeah... it took me SLAMMING back to my Snow College days when I had to drive a Big old Ford down to school. I hate driving trucks.... really. I would gladly drive a car any day!

I got so much done this weekend! I'm READY for Christmas.... I finally finished decorating my Charlie Brown Christmas Tree! We cut our own trees down by my Grandpa's cabin in Spring City. They are kind of.... sage brushy looking. HAHA But... my tree decorations are SO CUTE that you can't even see the ugly tree that they're on! I took a picture... I'll post it sometime... when I get around to it. I finished wrapping all my presents and shopping for Trent. I have a few more gifts coming in the mail, and a few odds and ends on some other presents, and then I'm DONE! Trent has NO IDEA what I got him for Christmas... and lets just say.... he's going to LOVE IT!!!!! It's really small... and so I wrapped it in the huge huge box, and put a big old book in there so that it was heavy to throw him off.... he was trying to shake it and figure out what it was! HAHAHA I know him all too well. He's like a little kid.... I swear. But... that's why I love him!!!!

I'm SO EXCITED for my family that is coming to town! I LOVE my nieces and nephews SO MUCH! I haven't seen them since July but it feels like FOREVER! I can't wait... I think they get here on Thursday???? Not sure... and I'm also excited to go to Montana this weekend! We get to see a few of Trent's good friends, Teran, Garett, and John Boy. John Boy just had a baby girl... so we're REALLY excited to see them! AND..... we get to see Trent's family too..... so that is ALWAYS fun! They just got a new little puppy.... and I LOVE DOGS! HAHAHA

Anyway.... I better get back to work.... ya know, so I don't get in trouble for slacking on the job! No one EVER does that around here!!!!!

I'm a WINNER!

So in May of this year at work, they did a weight loss competition. I didn't do all that great... but after the 12 weeks... they decided to do a "Maintain your Weight loss Challenge." To see if you could keep off the weight that you'd lost. So.... since I hadn't lost much... I thought I would stay in it! I didn't lose much more for the past couple of months... only like 10 pounds, but I lost tons of inches! Apparently I did better than anyone else because I WON! I get a top of the line Exercise Bike! HA... how freakin cool is that?!?!?! I never win anything... so I'm pretty stoked! Merry Christmas to me!!!! HAHAHA Perseverence really does pay off sometimes! Now if I just keep going... maybe I'll get back to where I want to be!!!!