best.deal.ever.

I realize I haven't been in the blogging world much lately {sniff sniff} but I have been slightly preoccupied. Hopefully a few people still check my blog to see this awesome promotion. As I mentioned a few posts back I have been traveling/working/launching/loving Minky Couture. Things are going great! We started to get requests for Facebook (don't forget to 'become a fan' and Blogging Buttons...and their officially here! Right now we are offering a free mini minky for ANYONE who posts our button on their blog or website. Just click on my button {up in the corner}, it will take you to the website, follow a few steps and a free mini minky {of your choice} will show up on your doorstep!!! Even if you don't have a baby/toddler to give this mini minky to....they work great for gifts, little girl's baby dolls, etc. And you can check out our adult selection.

Happy Blogging!!!

p.s. I am not sure how long we are running this promo so the sooner the better:)

a wild one

I will forever remember the summer of 2010.

It has been full.

So full that I would have forgotten half the stuff that kept me busy if I didn't have pictures as a reminder.

SO if you aren't into long posts...here is your warning.

To start the summer off, in early June we officially broke ground and started our {lovely} journey of building our house. Of course Jake was the biggest help of all:

THEN...

This guy:

Zane {Jake's PA at the Pediatrician's office} invited me to join the RAGNAR team he was organizing. It was so much fun. I haven't laughed that hard in ages. And the running...well let's just say that the company was definitely the best part!

Meet Richard {aka Chard}.

We met the day of the race. Seriously hilarious. His mom let us borrow her van {what a sweetheart}. Hopefully that won't be the last time I see him.

The girl running is Heather {sure do love ya}. I actually threw this pic in for the girl whose back is showing. That's the lovely Aspen. She is an amazing girl! I met her just before the race too. Apparently I liked her SO much that I didn't even get a pic with her. Good thing we are running the Top of Utah this weekend together...

Now for the St. Georgians. Heather and Jake. They were kind enough to make the trek to come race with me. It wouldn't have been the same without them. Everyone needs friends like these guys. Down. to. earth. Miss you guys!

I can't even remember the full name of our team. But this statement was written across our van. I think after running the RAGNAR hill....I am going to start listening to warnings like this.

The Whole Gang.

We didn't see Van 1 much, but they were awesome.

Me...smiling in ignorance BEFORE the RAGNAR hill.

I had no idea what awaited me.

Let me fill you in if you haven't heard about this hill. Its 4 miles straight up hill. I can't remember {or have blocked it out} the exact altitude INCREASE, but it's something like 1600 ft. Still not sure how I was assigned this leg...but it was definitely a challenge. Just a heads up: running a marathon weeks before does NOT mean you can run this hill. Sadly, I learned this the hard way. I know how every race I talk about something 'emotional'...but this was it. I was basically alone except the passing of my van every few minutes and a few other team vans doing the same for their runners. But I was amazed at the generosity of the other teams. They would stop just to cheer me on, dump water on me, or offer me a drink. It got to the point I couldn't even look at them because I was getting too emotional {well that and I couldn't drink anymore without it coming back up}. Once again, I relate this to life. I realize it may seem like a race at times, but how much more meaningful it is when we stop to help others along the way.

Something I hope I can remember always.

Just a glimpse of me attempting to run the hill...even though power walking seemed to be much faster.

My little monkey can't seem to get enough of being outside. Every morning he wakes up and says, "Side mommy, side" So out he goes out in his PJ's while I make him breakfast. My boy is growing up. That is going to have to be a post all on it's own.

LAKE POWELL {Thomas Style}

Do you know how much I love this little person? And his cute little body? Mmmm.

Just like his momma. I swear tubing is one of my favorites. I realize it requires almost no skill...but I still feel like a kid every time I take a ride. The Jakester got a kick out of it as well!

And he's a fish. I had a hard time keeping him out of the water.

Lovin' uncle Eric's {aka Egic} homemade slide.

Although summer has been completely crazy with everything, THIS below is probably the biggest reason. For the past 6 months or so I have been working a bit {ok a lot} extra. In the month of July/August I have been to L.A. and Vegas to do shows for Minky Couture {a new venture my boss and I have been working on}. It has been a lot of work, but so much fun.

The L.A. Gift show.

My friend Dez and I had such a good time! Even if it was mostly work.

The Las Vegas Market.

I liked the show in L.A., But LOVED the show in Vegas. The show was a lot better, and I had a lot of fun meeting new people.

SIDENOTE: If you are interested in these blankets send me an email {info@minkycouture.com} and I will send you a discount code. Also there is button on my sidebar if you want to check out our website.

The hubs met me down there the last day of the show...Sadly this is the only picture we got. Or I should say he got! Notice the lady that jumped in there at the last minute. That's awesome. And my eyes are closed, even better.

Just kidding. I got one pic of him {looking oh so excited}. On our way out of Vegas we stopped at the famous

Pawn Stars pawn shop. I still think it's crazy how fast something so small can blow up and become so popular.

This is just the tip of the iceberg {can I say that even though it's so hot outside?} of the summer....but I am so excited that my life is kind of getting back to normal.

26.2...yes it's true

We did it!

{Brooke, Me, Sandra}

I couldn't ask for a better group of girls to train and run a Marathon with. I had the best time with these girls and it was an unforgettable experience! I am actually quite surprised at how much I learned from doing this. The human body is amazing. We were created by someone who knew exactly what they were doing. Although I have known this all along, I was reminded often how strong our mind and body actually are. Often times, I focus on what my body isn't rather than what it is. I am a healthy {almost} 26 year old that is able to do my daily tasks without many restrictions and for that I am very grateful. It is so fun to see the different people out there running and achieving their goals. My friends and I came across these 'older fellas' that called themselves the Locomotions {or something like that}. They were so much fun to visit with and I couldn't believe how much they run. I can guarantee you I won't be running when I am that old!

Sandra just moved on Monday. I hate Mondays. I am so sad to see her leave. We had so much fun being neighbors and becoming life long friends.


Oh the feeling of Victory!

I realize I look cross-eyed and don't even know a picture is being taken...but this definately captures how truly happy I was. Especially to see my family at the finish line. My mom, dad, Zach, Clay {father in law}, and of course Mike & Jake.

Thanks everyone for supporting my crazy addiction!

p.s. I do have to add that it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. Just in case you want to try it out.

one of those moms

Tonight I had to run to the store to grab a few things. It was almost 9:00 p.m. Yes my child should have been in bed. But he wasn't. I couldn't bare to see the look on his face if I told him he had to stay home. I packed him up...jammies, jacket, Puma's (with no socks of course), and a Jazz hat that he just had to have. Quite the combination. Jake told me stories as we walked the aisles. They consisted mainly of Buzz, Woody, and Mama Lu Lu. Pretty sure they were the same stories I heard earlier, but even better this time. Now he is in bed and I miss him. I am supposed to be picking out things for our house, instead I am looking at random pictures on the computer. Its amazing the things my mind can forget in such a short amount of time.

{lovin him some coke}

{really? did i seriously pay money for those jammies? not one of my better days. don't worry those weren't the ones he wore to the store tonight.}

{middle of winter and he chooses silly summer PJ's. it's called compromising.}

{love the face. and the food down the shirt.}

Each of these pictures possess something that I swore I would never do, let my kid wear, etc. Now I think its hilarious.

I guess I really am just 'one of those moms'.

admitting defeat

I have been thinking about this post for awhile.

Everytime I think about posting it, my pride gets in the way and I decide I am not ready to admit defeat. I walk a fine line between being completely stressed and loving my hectic schedule. Which, for the most part, is self inflicted. Yes I have to work, yes I have to take care of a VERY active 20 month old, but aside from that most everything else is because I choose to. I choose to blog, I choose to train for various races, I choose to be on the go, etc. I feel like if I am not doing something every moment of everyday I am not being productive. Is that crazy? But somewhere in between all this running around I get this sense of panic. What if I don't remember this time in my life because I was so consumed with it?

I can't let this happen.

So here's to focusing on things that really matter.

To pick a few things that are important {to me and my family} and let the rest of the stuff go.

my boy is growing up. maybe this is why i am starting to panic.


he is such a little man. i love him.

p.s. its been a week without the binky. good boy.

an easter story

Without many words. His first look at the loot that the Easter Bunny left him.

So SURPRISED!

What is this? Looks ok, I think I will keep it.

Oh no way! Toy Story 2?

menenems....does it get any better than this?

I guess it does....

Kit Kat at not even eight o'clock in the morning? Some say unhealthy. We call it breakfast.

Nothing finer than a tired mom {can't ya tell?} and a toddler on a sugar high.

Once the sugar high wore off we were able to sit down for an enjoyable Spring General Conference. I guess I am getting older {whether I like it or not} and I have found myself enjoying the last few a lot more than I ever have. It was very uplifting and {as usual} a good reminder of the things we should be doing. Not to mention topics, stories, and words that are just what I needed to hear. Isn't it great how that happens? Incredible.

i guess it's time

to say...goodbye. {our first home}

I think I have been delaying this post. In fact I know I have. I actually wrote this 'goodbye' post a few weeks ago and right before I published it, it disappeared. I guess it wasn't time. We recently moved out of our 1st home. It seemed like a good time to take advantage of the market and our house sold a lot quicker than we expected. Good, but sad. A few weeks ago, I had a few things to discuss with the new owners. I parked the car across the street {at miss Sandra's} and ran up my old driveway. I felt like I was just coming home from a run or picking up the mail, only this time when I reached the door I had to ring the bell. As we talked I couldn't help but realize it wasn't my home anymore. Even the smell had changed {is that weird that I mentioned it?}. Not bad, just different. As I left, my mind raced with memories that took place in that home. Our first baby, putting in the yard, finishing college, our great ward, dinners on the back patio, baking Sunday treats, running with my friend, and many more. I know this move is good, I am just one that hates when I know there is something that you can't get back. I don't want the house, just the memories that go along with it.

Besides I met the nice family that moved in, and I know that it's in good hands.