I gotta brag for a minute {September 24, 2012}

I have to brag about how gorgeous my little niece McKall is! She was so generous and let me dress her up and take her picture for my blog this week, and she looked amazing! Here are some of my favorites.

What a gorgeous girl she is! 

Marathon Time- Number 8 {September 21, 2012}

The marathon is starting to get close, only a couple of weeks left. I can't help but look back on my past years around this time.

 Last year at this time, I was recovering from my car crash. I had been told not to run the marathon, and by this time last year I knew I physically couldn't do it. This time last year was extremely difficult for me. I was devastated. 

Two years ago at this time I was almost in the same place I am now. I had trained, and I was excited to run. I was running for the second year in a row with my sisters and looking forward to a great run with them, and it was. It was a good time for me. 

Its crazy how so much can change in one or two years. I have literally come full circle.  Here are all the marathons I have run (all 7 of them). It seems absolutely crazy to me that I have run 7 marathons. The lazy out-of-shape high school girl that couldn't run the mile and a half is going to run her 8th race. I have to say, I am proud of what I have worked so hard to accomplish. Its a part of me now. 

St. George 2006 

St. George 2007  

St. George 2008

St. George 2009

Salt Lake Marathon 2009 

Salt Lake Marathon 2010 

St. George 2010 

I feel so many different things when I look over these pictures, and extreme since of pride and accomplishment is first of all what I feel. The second thing I feel is an overwhelming feeling of humble respect for the race. The course is incredibly spiritual and demands respect. I feel so lucky that I have been able to run so many times, and hope and pray I can keep running for many many years! 

It feels a little crazy that I haven't run one since 2010. I did run the last 4 miles of last years with my mom. It was the most difficult 4 miles of my whole life, but I am so glad I could be there with her to support her. I am beyond excited to run this year. I have never set a time goal, and I don't plan to ever set one. I just want to go up and have fun and finish. I am very excited for this year and cannot wait to get started. 

Yeah for the marathon! 

Gator {September 21, 2012}

Gator always looks so sad when I get ready for work. This is what he does every morning. 

He makes me feel so bad, and for like 5 minutes before I leave he won't even look at me. I swear he is a real person. Another reason we are weird dog people. 

My tips {September 20, 2012}

It seems like everywhere you look people have tips or tricks to save money or to loose weight or to be happier. You literally can get a tip on just about anything anymore. After I read through my billionth tip article, I said to my self "Self, you have tips, you know things." So, I will share some tips I have acquired over the years:

1. Never spend a lot on a vacation, there's no need. You can travel a lot farther and a lot more often if you find a good deal. For example: I have gone to NYC for the weekend and paid $350 for flight and hotel. Shop and around and be flexible, it really pays off.

2. Stay close to your family

3. Never pay full price for a photo book. Shutterfly.com sends me free book coupons all the time. So, I put together a few photo books I want, wait for the coupon and then get them for free. Simple, easy, and way more affordable.

4. Nothing can replace a good run.

5. If you are feeling down or sad, do something nice for someone else. It works.

6. Sleeping is done much easier in a clean house.

7. Nothing can replace planning and preparing.

8. Write your goals down.

9. Don't listen to everything everyone tells you, but listen to something some people tell you.

10. If you want to loose weight: eat less, exercise more, sleep, and drink water. Period.

Just a few tips according to Kacee.. :) 

Currently {September 18, 2012}

Listening: Pandora... Taylor Swift Station mixed with Katy Perry... Its pretty good, I only have to skip a few songs.

Eating: This super delish yogurt I heard a lady talking about at the store. She was seriously having a come apart about how awesome this yogurt is. Its seriously $3 a container, but pretty tasty. Its called Noosa. I am eating the Raspberry kind.

Drinking: Water... icy cold, just the way I like it.

Wearing: A zebra pencil skirt and blouse... seriously the only thing I ever wear.  

Feeling: Tired, and happy. 

Weather: Gorgeous. I have the door propped open at my office and its so nice.

Wanting: To get my hands on our new Iphones... they won't be here for a few weeks though.

Needing: A nap. 

Thinking: About running, sleeping, and going on vacation soon.

Enjoying: The nice weather, the fact that we have grass in the back yard, Carly Rae Jepson on Pandora, and my healthy and yummy yogurt.

I feel pretty simple minded right now, and I think its showing.  

Whoo hoo, Grass! {September 17, 2012}

We have been talking about landscaping our backyard since we moved in more than 3 years ago, well thanks to my hard working husband and dad, we now have grass and rocks in the back yard.

Here are the before and after pictures, I am so excited to keep adding and working on it, and to throw some fun backyard parties here!

Before

After

Before

After

Before

After

The changes we made: 

Rock

 Grass

 Concrete patio

 Mini table set

 AC unit

( I know you didn't notice that one, but we did!)

Vinyl gates

Changes still to make:

Plant trees and bushes in the rock

New fence

Small fence and gate in front of the shed

Rock on the other side of the house

Lights

New back patio light

Yea for home-ownership!

Thought of the day- Thoughts I just Love

More Personal History

Religion:
*How did you gain your testimony of the Gospel?  Write your testimony.
I feel like this is a loaded question, because I don't feel like I have fully gained my testimony yet. I feel like its consistently a work in progress. I will say that I have gained a testimony is so many different ways most of which were very difficult and trying times in life. I also have gained a testimony from some of the easiest and most beautiful times in life. Its a ever changing ever growing combination of really great experiences and really hard ones. 

So, here's part of my testimony:

I know that prayers are answered. I know that our Heavenly Father knows us all so personally and has an amazing plan for each of us, that is so amazing we can't even imagine it. I believe in life after death. I believe my loved ones that have passed can see me and my family and are very close to us. I believe that if we ask for help we can receive it. I believe that Heavenly Father will only gives us trials that we are able to handle, or he won't let us fully understand our trial until we are able to handle it. I know that the values the church teaches are for our benefit and go above and beyond just obedience. I believe that good things are waiting for all of us, and that hard things are too. I believe that Heavenly Father provides us with answers and directions when the time is right, and not when we think we are ready for it. I believe in the power of prayer. I have felt answers and have had so many undeniable experiences of answered prayers. I believe that Heavenly Father expects us to help answer our own prayers. I believe the church is true. I believe the Book of Mormon is a powerful book full of guidance and direction. I believe in the power of the priesthood. I believe that families can be together forever. I believe the temple is the house of God and that angels are there all the time. I believe that I am a child of God, and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

*How has the Gospel and knowledge of Heavenly Father's plan helped you in your life?
In so many ways. Sometimes I think living the gospel is hard and that it takes so much work and time, but I am so glad to have it in my life. I know that the standard and values that  I am taught have shielded me from a lot of heart ache and grieve. I think the number one way the Gospel has helped me is that it brings peace into chaos. 

*What ordinances have you completed?  (Baptism, Blessing, Endowment, Sealing, etc.)  Describe the day, circumstances, who was there, any advice you were given, how you felt, etc.
I was blessed as baby. I have been Baptized. I have received my endowment, and Sam and I have been sealed. Most of those days are a huge blur to me. I think the thing I took most out of my experiences and the advise I would give is that months and years after each of those experiences they have continued to mean more to me with time. When each happened I felt overwhelmed and didn't really understand it, but as time as passed it means more and more to me. 

*What callings have you had?  Which were your favorite and least favorite?  What did you learn from them?
I know I have been in young women presidencies, and camp groups. I have been in charge of the bulletin board, and now I am a primary teacher. I loved being in charge of the bulletin board, and I love teaching primary. I learned that I have a lot to learn. 

*What is  your favorite scripture/hymn/Conference talk?  Why?
I went to EFY as a teenager and when I was there I read in the book of Mormon (like the actual book not the entire book) and I just loved it. I marked it all up and I think I re-read it 4 or 5 times. I love the primary song I love to see the Temple and the hymn Praise to the Man. 
 *Did you serve a mission?  (See the "Just for RM's" tab on top for more in-depth questions!)
Nope, no mission for me. 

Thought of the day- Quotes I would put on a little kid's wall

Ok I wouldn't put this one on their wall, but I really loved it:

Kate's Engagements {September 13, 2012}

This past weekend we went to SLC to take Kate and Justin's engagement pictures. It was an exhausting but fun weekend. I forgot to take pictures with my camera until the end, but luckily her friend posted some to facebook and I stole them. Aren't they amazing??

Here are some I took with my camera:

Here's the tree I fell asleep under at one of the spots- actually really beautiful:

I am so happy that I was able to go up and be a part of this really special time for Kate. She is just the sweetest sister and I just love her! She is one beautiful girl, and is going to make a gorgeous bride!