Au Revoir L'été [Goodbye Summer]

Today I spent two hours in Starbucks sipping a cold brew (it's coffee people!) and getting some quality journaling in. I filled eleven blank pages with every thought that has been circling around my head the past few days, and when I finished I shook out the cramp in my hand and breathed a sigh of relief.

There is something oh so therapeutic about writing. 

And I realized just how much I have missed it.

I'm hesitant for summer to end. I have thoroughly enjoyed the late night trips to the hotsprings, the grass volleyball, and the summer camps

 (church camp for college kids, you ask? Heck. Yes.)

There have been a few ups and downs, no doubt, but I am grateful for all of the memories I have made. 

When school starts, free time will be far and few between.

This summer has flown by, and as I contemplate what this next season of my life is going to look like, I feel the inescapable urge to write down how I'm feeling. So here goes. I'm feeling nervous.

Nervous to run for a new team. Nervous to be a transfer student and not know how anything works at this new place. Nervous to take upper division classes and somehow balance a full day of classes, practice, and homework while still aiming for 8-9 hours of sleep a night (I'm an athlete... we need it!) I can't help imagining myself failing miserably. Not living up to others' expectations of me. Or my expectations of myself...

But then I remember that this is supposed to be exciting. I have been given the amazing opportunity to extend my education at an incredible school. I have been offered a spot on a competitive xc/track team and will undoubtedly grow as a runner in the process. I get to go to school with my sister and best friend. And I get to stay involved at my church which is growing exponentially and now has about 1/3 of the Boise State football players involved.

Honestly, I'm so blessed. And though I often feel inadequate, I have to remember that it is in my weakness that God's strength shines through.

 So I am more than enough.

So here is to a new season. I still have a week or so to catch my breath before the storm, so I'll be relishing the moments undoubtedly. But I am going to look forward with cheerful expectation. God has a lot for me this year, and I can't wait to share everything on this blog. If you are willing to read (and even if I am sending this out into the atmosphere for no one but myself), 

I am happy to write.

Play

I have two weeks left of school. Not even two. A week and a half. 

But I already feel like it's summer. 

The weather is perfect, the majority of my friends are done with school, and track is over. I feel completely unmotivated to do anything but lay out in the sun, have bonfires, and eat ice cream. 

And go camping. I definitely want to go camping. 

My head is swimming with glorious thoughts of summer, 

and I am so excited to play. 

Perfect Day

Yesterday was a nearly perfect day. 

Everything I needed to get me ready for the craziness to come these next few weeks!

And because I know you all want to know every detail of my life... I'm going to tell you all about it! :)

I started off the day with a hill repeat workout (still getting ready for xc!) followed by a short, but intense lifting session at the gym. 

You want to hear a secret? I love lifting weights. More than running sometimes! And I love the gym. Everyone their is just, super jazzed about fitness. It's great. 

You want to hear another secret? I used my sister's gym card to get in.... :) 

I'm the only person in my family without a membership, because usually I can just use my school's gym. But as I am home for now, I couldn't. 

I feel bad, but they don't use theirs' that often, so just once, it seems ok. 

Then I made protein pancakes (my favorite days always start with pancakes!), did some journaling, caught up on my new favorite Netflix tv show, Dance Academy (its all the cheesy drama of ABC family with an Australian twist), and got ready. 

Around noon, my little sister, Liberty, and I, went with another friend to go get TCBY frozen yogurt (their hard-serve froyo is my favorite dessert of all times) and brought it back to the house for a day of movie watching and art projects. 

It was the perfect, relaxing day. 

The day continued to get better when my sister and I decided to go on a date at the Cheesecake Factory before church. 

 Hanging out with her is always a good time... :)

I love her so much. It is unreal how much she has grown up the last couple of years. I look up to her in so many ways... she is not my "little" sister anymore!!!

Then church was great, as always, and I am sad that the school year is starting, because I won't be able to go as often on Thursday nights anymore. I have so many great friends there, and I keep meeting new people each week. 

I'm ready for this new season, though. At least... 

I'm trying to be. 

And I was so encouraged by Colossians 1:11-14 today (Message version)

As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you'll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us.

 God rescued us from dead-end alleys and dark dungeons. He's set us up in the kingdom of the Son he loves so much, the Son who got us out of the pit we were in, got rid of the sins we were doomed to keep repeating.

Its amazing how a little time reading the 
Bible can encourage me so much!!!

Mornings and Memories

This morning I got up at 5 a.m.

Why on earth, in the summertime, would I do that? 

Well, here is why.

First, I love mornings.

•       I love everything about them. 
•       Running with the sunrise while the world is still sleeping. 
•       The promise of a new day. 
•       A hot cup of coffee. 
•       Breakfast!  (I could eat breakfast all day, everyday.)

Secondly, today is my beautiful mother's birthday. 

• So we went out for birthday breakfast at 8 a.m. 
• And I have a training schedule to stick to!
• Which includes running in the morning. 
• I don't know why, but I prefer it SO much to running at night. I like to get my runs out of the way. Start off the day on the right foot. Not think about how I'm going to have to squeeze a run in later. 

Third, the haze that is covering the valley is deadly.

• Crazy summer wild fires are causing unbearable smog all over the state. Everyone is advised to limit strenuous physical activity outside... 
• So I went to the gym and used the treadmill. 
• And I LOVE the gym. It's worth the little drive. Plugging my headphones in to the television on the treadmill and zoning out for seven miles... sometimes, that's just what the doctor ordered!

So I got up at 5 a.m.

And I ran seven miles. 

And then I went out to breakfast with my family in downtown Boise. 

My favorite place. My favorite people. 

And celebrated my most amazing mother at the cutest

 coffee shop I have ever been to.

Think iced coffee in mason jars. 

My little sister is really happy about hers, as you can see!

And guys, this is serious: If you haven't tried steamed eggs, drive to the nearest restaurant that serves them and ORDER THEM. It will change your life. 

You know that scene in Runaway Bride where 

they talk about her favorite way to cook eggs?

If yes.... then I have finally decided my favorite way to cook eggs 

- and therefore, my identity. 

If no, then please disregard this paragraph... I sound crazy!

My mom is seriously the most remarkable woman I know. She gives and gives. She is not simply just my biggest support, my greatest ally, and a role model. She is one of my best friends. 

Going out to breakfast is one of my favorite things to do, 

and going with such a lovely family made it all the better. 

After, I headed back to school for the work week. But before I left, I had to say goodbye to my sister, her husband, by baby nephew, and their dog. They leave to go back to Texas on Wednesday, where they are on base.

I shed a little tear. I won't lie. I love them so much. 

It's been a long day, but a very good one! I am feeling blessed right now. 

Are you a morning person?

What's your favorite way to cook eggs?

Are you close with your mom? 

Running WIth Friends, Specialty Ice Cream, and Goals

I honestly feel like my weekends are busier than my weeks! They are filled up with errands, seeing friends, running, and church. I don't get much sleep, and I am all over the place. But I like it this way!

This morning I met up with my friend Laura for a 10.5 mile run in the beautiful Boise foothills. She is my favorite running partner... we have been friends since our first week of cross country practice our sophomore year of high school, and we have seen each other through the ups and downs of cross country, basketball, and track seasons. 

This is my old cross country team!!! 

 Five years later, we are both running at different colleges. 

(Sometimes, she borrows my sweatshirts and reps my school :))  

But we love to meet up when we are still in town for workouts, long runs, and great conversation!!!

Afterword, I did some errands in downtown Boise (never a chore, because I love it there), and I went to meet my lovely friend Christi for Coldstone Ice Cream. Coldstone was sort of our tradition for awhile, but we hadn't been for awhile so we decided to meet up there. 

For how expensive this specialty ice cream is, however, I have decided it is not my favorite. I'd much rather spend money on Baskin Robin's or TCBY. 

Sorry, Christi, but I think we
may have to put our Coldstone tradition behind us! 

I did not take that picture, by the way. Google images baby :)

She goes back to school next weekend, and I do not want to say goodbye!!! 

Today, during our run, we started talking about our goals for next year. I was asked what my running goals are, and the first thing that came out of my mouth was "I don't know". I immediately realized that I DO know. I just am not really confident in them right now. But that is no way to reach goals. I am working so hard for this, and I should be confident that my hard work is going to pay back eventually. 

So, here are my goals. Written down for EVERYONE to see. I'm not showing them so anyone can compare their personal bests to mine. I compare myself to people so much, and honestly... it's just about me being MY best. Pushing myself to MY limit. 

Cross Country

5k PR: 18:27

Goal: 17:55

Track

10k PR: 38:01

Goal: Break 37 

After everything I am going through for this, I have to be confident that I am capable. I CAN do this.

A Wedding Weekend

8.4.12. 

The best day. The most delicious food. The most amazing people. The most beautiful decorations. 

My brother's wedding was literally the best one I have ever been to. 

And I have been to a lot!!!!

A classy country(ish) 

wedding in the middle

of a field in a small town 

that most people have

never heard of... 

but it couldn't have been more perfect. 

The bride and groom 

couldn't have 

been more in love....

My brother couldn't 

have been happier....

 

I love brother. He is so charming and wonderful.

And I love my new sister. And her dress was lovely!!!! 

 I bonded with my cousins and other family and friends... 

I ate the most wonderful food!!! They had the best food: cocktails, pink lemonade in mason jars, blackberry glazed salmon, salted carmel brownies, brown butter rice crispy treats, red velvet cupcakes... And then a "late night snack" of french fries and chex mix. And, lets not forget about the bonfire with s'mores. They really went all out!

My little sister took every picture in this post (except the ones she is in). 

She is so amazing and talented. 

We danced under strung Christmas lights until

 our feet couldn't take anymore. 

And then we kept dancing. 

And my brother and his new wife..... 

They headed off on a vespa with a sparkler getaway! 

(The reception went very late, and it was passed dark at this point). 

It was such a perfect weekend. And such an exhausting weekend. A getaway from the real world, really. And coming back to real life is always a little difficult. 

But that's why you have to seize those moments of pure joy when they come. Take pictures in your mind, and keep them there. Life is beautiful. Love is beautiful. 

The World's Most All Over The Place Post

I really wish that I could be more consistent with blogging. 

Or that my posts each had a theme, with the thoughts tying together. 

But blogging has been kind of an after thought lately. 

I love it, and I want to keep doing it as often as possible.

There are so many times throughout each week that I think "I have to blog about that" or 

"Wouldn't the whole blog world be excited to hear about how great this day was!!!??"(Maybe not though, because I always get excited about really little things that no one else cares about.) 

:)

But life has been so busy lately!

During the week, I do nothing but work and train. I get up early, run, lift, go to work, go back to my dorm room, eat dinner, and go to bed early so I can do it all over again. 

During the weekends I catch up on errands (grocery shopping, doctors/dentists appointments), and I PLAY. And I play hard:

Going to Generation Church Downtown Thursday night and getting rocked by Jesus with a whole bunch of awesome Boise State kids.

Fanci Freeze ice cream (a dipped cone for me... chocolate and coconut!) to follow.

And Merrits (an all night diner) with about thirty GDCers.

And family coming in to town.

And getting up after four hours of sleep and running for two hours.

And family breakfasts.

And volunteering at the Ronald McDonald house.

And watching car races at a speedway (new experiences, anyone?)

And going to opening ceremony parties!!! Let's go America!

This hasn't left very much time for blogging. But I wanted to say a few things today. Because some really important things have happened this last week!!!

1. Anthony, my brother in law, got home from Afghanistan on Friday. We met him at the airport - he met his son for the first time. 

2. The Olympics started. I am obsessed with the olympics and that is all I will think about/talk about for the next two weeks. And I'm also obsessed with London (In case you didn't read this blog from the beginning, I talk all about my obsession here) so I am on cloud nine right now. I will be British one day. I love tea and the queen. It's perfect. 

3. I hired a Sport's Nutritionist. With all of the running I'm doing, I really feel like it's necessary right now to get some help in that department. I know all about eating healthy and stuff, but I need to know what to eat to perform well. And I want to perform well. So I'm taking this step. It's a pretty big step. I'll write more about it later. But I will say that I think it might be exactly what I need to get me to the Olympics in the marathon one day :)

4. My brother's wedding is in less than a week! It is going to be a huge weekend event because it is two hours away... I'm so excited!!!

How cute are they???

I'm off to enjoy the rest of my Sunday, but I'll try to pop in more this week. I have had so many thoughts lately, and I just have to figure out how to put them into words!!! 

Have a great rest of the day bloggers!!!

National Ice Cream Day!!!

Today may be my new favorite day of the whole year. 

Why, you ask? 

Ice cream. 

National Ice Cream Day, to be exact!!! 

That's right, it's today :) I was pleasantly surprised to find that out just now, and of course I had to let the world know immediately!!!! 

Ice cream is by far my favorite food.

Here's a little google history for you all!!!

"In 1984, President Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday of the month as National Ice Cream Day. He recognized ice cream as a fun and nutritious food that is enjoyed by a full 90 percent of the nation's population. In the proclamation, President Reagan called for all people of the United States to observe these events with 'appropriate ceremonies and activities.'" 

My favorite ice cream flavors lately have been maple, salted carmel, icing on the cake (Baskin Robbins), and anything toffee, peanut butter, peppermint, or chocolate. 

Apparently I have a lot of favorites actually :)

Puts a smile on my face :) 

Priest River Post Card!!!

Welcome to Priest River, Idaho!!! 

  

A cute little town that people pass through on the way to Priest Lake for camping!

Population: small

Things to do: Not many. 

(Except lay out in the water and relax, go boating, and eat ice cream. PERFECT for vacation)

I got to spend catching up with old friends in Spokane!!!

 

Spokane is THE coolest city. 

We went out to sushi, shopped around, and hit up an adorable cupcake shop!!!!

And going on lovely walks with my Grandma :)

And eating breakfast on the front porch!!

And eating THE BEST ice cream in the world

(A cherry dipped cone from Dubs = the best, cheapest ice cream ever). 

Eaten while strolling on Sandpoint Beach. 

And hanging out at my old stomping grounds......

And hiking!!!! 

I only have a couple days left here and I'm doing my best to slow down and relax. The pace here is so much slower, and life is so much more peaceful!!! Tomorrow I'll be going to my old church, and it will be fun to see how much it has changed. I moved away from here five years ago this month!!!!

Loving vacation life :)

One Hundred Random Thoughts

You guys. 

This is my 100th post!!! 

That is a big deal. 

No, not a "It's our two week anniversary, babe. Why didn't you remember?" kind of big deal...

But more of a milestone kind of big deal. 

I wish I had something beyond exciting to share with the world on this epic occasion, but to be honest, I did not know this was going to be my hundredth post until about... five seconds ago. So instead, I'm going to just share one hundred random thoughts. 

Don't go away! I promise that there are some valuable thoughts in this post, even if a few of them are just about chocolate chips. 

1. We picked up this bad boy from Cost-Co on Friday. There is no better snack in the world than a handful of chocolate chips. Probably only about half of this will actually go into baking. 

2. Do you remember Laguna Beach? I thought I did. But a Laguna Beach Netflix Marathon on Friday night proved me wrong. I had no idea what bad quality that show actually was. 

Luckily we enjoy making fun of bad television and we had tons of Nutella and graham crackers to keep us happy!

3. I tackled a moderately long run on Saturday morning (1 hr. and 40 min), and I really felt like I wanted to keep going. I was tired, yes. And I was definitely sunburnt (Need to buy sunscreen!!!). But I like running longer distances way better these days. 

When I got back, I felt so accomplished. Three bowls of cereal and a shower later, though, the soreness finally started to kick in! Do anyone else's hips hurt really bad after long runs? 

Oh well, it's all part of the sport!

4. The last few days have been somewhat challenging, and I found myself feeling frustrated with the fact that I still struggle with little problems, even though I am whole heartedly pursuing God. I thought "Why can't I just get my act together already?"

Today I realized, though, that instead of being embarrassed about my weaknesses or feeling vulnerable after I talk to someone about them, in my weakness He is made strong!!!! 

2nd Corinthians 12:9-10. Go read it. I even linked it so it would be easy for you :)

5. The last few days have been equally as amazing as they were challenging! And I am beyond excited to leave for vacation to this beautiful place tomorrow!

Picture courtesy of my sister Liberty :)

And I get to see my sweet grandma!!!

 

And this girl!!!

So apparently I just had five random thoughts!

I like to exaggerate :)

Have a lovely rest of your day!!! 

I'll be checking in while I'm on vacation from time to time, but mostly I will just be laying out by the river. Life is good.