Happy Birthday Max!

Max.

My now 13 year old running buddy!

We've been paired up for almost a whole year now! Me & Ragnar have ran almost 1,000 miles in 4 states for him!  Running for him makes every mile more special and meaningful.

Here's a little more about my super cute buddy:

Max has Down Syndrome combined with a spinal cord injury so he's in a wheel chair and on a ventilator full time.  

BUT! That doesn't stop him from playing baseball and swimming.

He LOVES Iron Man and Minions 

(my mom made him a little minion beanie for Valentines Day).

I have yet to meet Max in person because he lives in California. However, I'm saving my pennies so the next chance I get to go out to Cali I can meet him.

He's so cute! His mom sends me pictures of him and boy can that kid smile!

I love sending him photos and videos of Ragnar being the weirdo that she is, just so he can laugh and smile.  It seriously warms my heart and I LOVE that kid!

His mom is a superhero too- that woman loves her kids so much and works so hard so that Max and his older brother Leo (who is a lot like Max) can experience the joys in life that their sister and other kids get to. She is a true role model.

Having Max in my life has become a great blessing that I can't imagine being without anymore.

Happy Birthday buddy from Ragnar & I 

We Love You! :)

Temple and Waffles

Our Temple Date turned into a very busy day.
Davis Track Invitational (6+hours out in the rain btw)

Mount Timpanogos Temple where there were some epic puddles in the parking lot.

Sealings occurred. That much closer to finishing the names Aunt Marj sent us almost 2 years ago.

It was a great way to celebrate Tyler & Kris's wedding anniversary- doing sealings for couples at the temple where Tyler & Kris sealed their family :) We even got the sealer to show us the room that they were sealed in.

Waffle Luv- stalked down their food truck.  We first saw the truck on a Draper Temple trip.

Red Monster. Highly recommend.  You won't be disappointed!

I AM IN LOVE! I totally don't mind stalking down this food truck again!

Cabelas happened. Derek was sucked into the gun area while Tyler & I were over whelmed by all the "adventurous people".

We finished off the night with pizza and Star Wars (we've been slowly watching the entire saga).

More Books...

Here's some more books to add to my list!

Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin
pg.200

I read this book with 2 of my students- they were reading it for their book reports for history. I read this book back in high school and loved it! This time around I was more skeptical about all of it. But it's still a great book and I think everyone should read it.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42603.Black_Like_Me?from_search=true

****

Notes from the Midnight Driver by Jordan Sonnenblick
pg.265

We read this as a class and it's super funny.  It's also a great discussion book because the main character is in trouble due to some not so great choices- thus a great book for our students to read in English.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/547866.Notes_from_the_Midnight_Driver?from_search=true

***

Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie
pg.273

This book goes hand in hand with the Midnight Driver book.  But if you read this and are an emotional person, be prepared to cry. A lot. I had no shame tearing up in front of the class- mostly because some of the younger students were tearing up too.  It's a fast read and worth it.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/318404.Drums_Girls_Dangerous_Pie

***

A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin
pg.784 (small print, ugh)

Oh Mr. Martin and your love of killing off people's favorite characters... and I just have a hard time reading his writing.  Book 1 was hard, and this book was even harder.  So much pointless stuff! Thus I won't be finishing the series.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10572.A_Clash_of_Kings?from_search=true

***

You Don't Know Me by David Klass
pg.352

Another book written in the same style as Dangerous Pie and Midnight Driver.  So funny though! Some kids were able to relate to this book because the main character was coming from a not so great background.  But it also lead to some great class discussions.  Our English teacher does a great job picking out books for these kids! 

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/457557.You_Don_t_Know_Me?from_search=true

***

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
pg.485

I have access to lots of audio books from school and when I was planning my Zion Half trip I figured why not listen to a book on the long drive rather than listen to music? So I played Russian Book Roulette with the audio books and landed on this. It's not the best book but I enjoyed it. I'll eventually try out book 2 just to see if the series could hold out. Me and Derek rented the movie version of this and holy cow... I know movies based on books stray to make for time and everything but freak.  The movie was a wreak! Don't waste your time with the movie.  Good think I had a free redbox code for that one.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/256683.City_of_Bones?from_search=true

***

UnWholly by Neal Shusterman
pg.402

The 2nd book in the Unwind series.  
I had high hopes for this book after UnWind left me wanting more.
This was kinda a let down.  Yes it did introudce new elements.  Yes it kept the same characters what were still alive at the end of book 1.  However, I just had a hard time reading it.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13406423-unwholly 

**.*

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Ok so this book doesn't count towards my yearly goal because I didn't finish reading it.

It's a new take on the Cinderella story and it just wasn't for me.  I enjoy reading YA books but this was just too much. And unbelievable.  Yes I know it's a fantasy book hence not "real" to begin with, but they introduced the main love interest in the first 2 pages with them already hitting it off without back stories or anything besides the "plague" they've got going on in their time.  It just didn't seem like the story line was completely figured out. In most books I can forgive the author of that, but in this case... don't waste your time.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11235712-cinder

*

Total Book count thus far for the year: 16\52
Page Totals: 2,761= 5,624

Goals 2014: Temples

New Year, Same Temple Goal...

those far out temples like Manti and Vernal and Monticello didn't make it to the list last year.

So hopefully this year it will be a different story!

January: Brigham City, Sealing's

We also didn't get to go in because I'm super smart and left my wallet at home, Derek leaving his temple bag at home as well.  Lucky for us the Temple Recorder quickly pulled up my records and our Bishop, he got me all cleared to go! Then the workers let Derek borrow a kit that they normally let missionaries use.  The workers did everything they could to make sure we stayed to do the work.

The Sealing's were awesome! Before each page the Sealer would have us listen for a certain phrase or for an answer to his question. It made it all the more special!

February: Logan, Endowment

Tried to convince the boys to do baptisms but they both wouldn't have it! They slip and slide all over the font! It was our first time seeing one of the new films (past months have been short trips).  Still not sure how I feel about it, and it seems like some of the words are different- like new information different.

 

March: Draper, Endowment

Barely made it to the last session and it was worth it!  We finished the female family names that Aunt Marj sent in this session, just a few male names and sealing's! It's exciting! I love the depth the art on the ceilings have!

Here we also solved the puzzle of what one of the temple stamps were on one of the name cards: Ciudad Juarez, México

 

March part Deux: St. George

Since I was in St. George for the race, I went down an extra day so I could go to the temple with Dani.  As the day went on things kept pushing back my trip, but I made it down in time for the last session. Best part was that during my race the following morning, as I took in the beauty all around me, I couldn't help but think of certain things that were said during the creation :)

Vernal, Manti, and Monticello trips are in the planning now! :)

The Hydropouch

After basically a year of anticipation and months of "training"...

The Zion Half Marathon finally happened!

 

I use the term "training" loosely because ever since that apple ambush, progress has been slow.
 You know if you can't do jumping jacks it's just sad! ;)

I went down Thursday and stayed with the Hardings/Johnsons- they're so awesome!

Friday:

After a shake out run I went up to Cedar City to have lunch with a friend... and hit up the SUU bookstore lol I also stopped by the PE building to see some old professors.  All but one where out of their offices, the one that was there: Doc. Taylor, my favorite :)

We spent about an hour talking and I couldn't believe that she remembered me! It's been 6 years since graduation! I felt pretty dang special :)

Oh yeah... I'm part of the "Coaching Factory" 

Car Issues

Packet Pick

 

 

 

Dinner

Temple

 

 

Saturday:

The morning came very quickly.

It was a little chilly and windy waiting to start, but they had a huge warming tent and we stayed in there until the last possible moment.

The miles flew by! And the view was breath-taking! I absolutely LOVE Zion's!

When I lived in St. George I went almost every weekend,

I miss having it so close :s

Then mile 5.58 happened-

The sudden and overwhelming urge to use the lou...

waited in line for 10 minutes... ok really 9 minutes

FOR NOTHING!

Thanks Body... Thanks A LOT!

At least it was right before the big hill so with that drama out of the way it was easy to make up time.

Thank goodness I know how to take advantage of hills!

The more Zion came into view, the more I kept thinking about the night before in the temple.

If this world, especially Zion's, is considered the "lone and dreary world", what is it going to look like after the Second Coming?

I can't even imagine it!

Then mile 11.5 came, my ankle wasn't doing so well- I lost feeling in my foot and pretty sure the blood flow was starting to stop. So I stopped and walked for half a mile. It pains me to have to HAVE to walk in a race- especially since that was the only part where people passed me (besides the potty wait). 

But I rather suffer that than another surgery.

The last mile and half was a painful one.

But I finished, dehydrated from not being smart enough to figure out the hydropouch, but I finished.

I loved it. One to do again!

My friends did amazing too! And Leslie's little family was there to support Josh- the kids were tired of course and more than willing to share my food with me.  They're so stinkin cute!

Josh, Me, Weir, Jared

Our "injury" photo... (Josh's calf was causing problems, I don't know what Weir was doing)

 

 

Hiking:

After the run I decided that it wasn't a good idea for my ankle to hike Angel's landing.  Derek was so relieved- he's so cute. So instead we did the Trifecta hikes. Dani and Bryan came hiking with us too- Dani brought me some Orange Peel too! One reason why she's the best!

 

The Riverside Walk

Doesn't it look like a nose? I was even runny...

Former Teammates still running together-ish

Can you see the climbers?

 

Canyon Overlook

First time I have EVER seen big horned sheep in the park! So cool!

Posing with race bib and finisher medal was required for the Trifecta Club so I wasn't the only weirdo posing like this lol

 

Kolob Canyon (Timber Creek Overlook)

 

 

 

 

 

It was an amazing weekend! I love seeing my friends down there and spending time in Zion National Park! Josh & Jared are now doing the Yellowstone Half with me! Woot woot!

2 months to master the Hydropouch.

Bonus part: I got my America The Beautiful Parks Pass



Goals of 2014: Books

Last year Tyler and Kris had a goal to read 52 books in the year.

I really liked the idea so I stole it for one of our goals for 2014.

Books must be over 100 pages to count.

I can get a lot of reading done over the summer- esp. of books that I want to read, rather the YA magical books my students like to read (still expect to see some of those books on this list since I'll be reading some of the same books as a few students to encourage them to read more).
Derek is reading the Lord of the Rings trilogy.. well listening to it while he is at work.

Here's what I've read thus far..

I've also attached the good reads link to the book so I don't have to summarize what it's about:

Adventurers Wanted: Albrek's Tomb, by M.L. Forman
pg.504

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12184913-albrek-s-tomb

Considering the age group it's written for, I rather quite enjoyed this book.  Although I have noticed a trend with this series that it's not about the "Main Event" or main battle (which is kind of anti-climatic), it's the journey the main character Alex goes through.

***

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

pg.137

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/47281.Number_the_Stars?from_search=true

We read this book as a class in part of our 11 million steps project.  This story is a work of fiction HOWEVER, it is based on true events and stories of the Danish role during WWII.

****

Nathaniel Cade Series by Christopher Farnsworth

Blood Oath pg.390

The President's Vampire pg.337

Red, White, & Blood pg.383

http://www.goodreads.com/series/49835-nathaniel-cade

3 books thus far for this series. Super easy reads since it only took me 2 days to read each one- not full days either. If you're into vampires this is an interesting view point- no he doesn't sparkle.

A friend suggest this series to me and I rather enjoyed it- can't wait for book #4 to come out.

****

Seven American Deaths and Disasters by Kenneth Goldsmith

pg.176

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16071842-seven-american-deaths-and-disasters?from_search=true

Waste. Of. Time.

I will never get those 3 hours of my life back from reading this book.  First it was an adventure trying to find it at the library- the main branch too for those of you Ogden folk who understand the interesting smells and sights of the WORKERS there.  The homeless were more decent!

I hated this "book".  But I painfully read it. It was over 100 pages. It counts.

No stars. Don't read this.

June 1941 Hitler and Stalin by John Luckacs

pg.192

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/716603.June_1941?from_search=true

Another small book. When I was at the library looking for "waste of time" and saw how small that book was, I randomly picked an aisle, a row, a book to read.

This was that book. Easy and fast to read.

It was a pretty decent book.  Didn't learn anything new which I was rather bummed about.

Well, I guess that's what you get for playing Russian Roulette for a book.

Pun!

**

Blood of Gods by Conn Iggulden

pg.409

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16093551-the-blood-of-gods?from_search=true

I just about died when I discovered this book. Why? Because the first 4 books known as the Emperor series is like.. MY FAVORIATE book series ever! Historical Fiction covering Julius Caesar's life.  This book, Blood of Gods, picks up where #4 left off and I wasn't disappointed at all! Which is what I needed after reading those other two smaller books. I don't know how I missed this book coming out but now I am on the hunt to find it in hardback to join the others in my collection.

*****

Unwind by Neal Shusterman

pg.335

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/764347.Unwind?from_search=true

Unwind series book #1

I saw this book on one of those book lists and was intrigued. Turned out a few of my students have read this book and highly recommended it- that could be good or horridly, tragically wrong.

It's a keeper!

Kris even read this book with me.  I stayed up all night reading it so I could talk to Kris about it (she's a super fast reader). I loved it.  And it also TOALLY CREEPED ME OUT! Seriously check this one out.. the creepy part is this "unwinding" could totally happen in our future if the nation continues to keep on losing it's moral principles. I'm on the hold list at the library waiting for the next 2 books!

*****

Book Total: 9

Week # 9.. the start of that is.

Page Totals: 2,863



Valentines 2014

This year for Valentines I decided to do the 14 days of Valentines for Derek since I was not sure as to how the Simplot Games were going to shake down and I wanted to make sure that Derek still got little special something's.

 

Most of them were Minecraft themed to which led to some cute flirting while at work- which to me was the best part of the first have of them month :)

 

Then came Valentines day and the stress of "Am I or aren't I" going to spend all day and night in Idaho... ended up not having to have to go to ISU so I was able to

make (well experiment) with dinner.

Lemon Berry Chicken in a puffed pastry

Apple Pie Roses

Derek loved it.

Nailed it.

 

(Some are not pictured)

 

I love being able to spend time with Derek on his off week- I miss him a lot every other week. He got me flowers, chocolate, AND hot cocoa- that's the best part.

Derek knows how to comfort me when he's not home :)