Running will never be the same.

I've always been a runner.

I started my freshman year in high school.

The track coach practically begged me to join the team,

and then cross country started.

I couldn't help myself.

It's always been something that is just mine.

Something I could and did all on my own.

It's an addiction.

I ran the St. George Marathon in 2011 and fell in love with marathons.

The way you can watch the sun rise over those purple mountains.

It's beautiful.

It's almost spiritual.

To train for something for months and perform is amazing.

To push through every thought that tells you that you can't 

and finish something that others will never do.

I'm running the St. George Marathon this year.

This is the first time I've thought of a marathon and been scared.

I have adult onset exercise induced asthma.

Running will never be the same.

It started to effect me last autumn and I thought it would pass,

but it didn't.

So I went to the doctor,

and they gave me an inhaler.

I used it and it was amazing to be able to breathe again,

to feel my muscles getting sore before my lungs,

and not feel as if I'm drowning after every tiny push.

My throat stayed open,

and dry,

and I saw a light of hope.

Then I had my first bad day, and had to use my inhaler to rescue me.

Maybe the pollen was bad, the air cooler than usual. . .

And I realized running will never be the same for me.

I think about the marathon and (I won't lie) it scares me to death.

I'll be running 26.2 miles without air.

I had to sit and cry a little before a realized:

I have two choices,

either I quit and let asthma kill my love of running,

or I give myself a break and realize I'm going to have good and bad days.

I could quit, or fight.

I'm not going to give up running, I can't.

It's part of me.

So I guess I will be pushing through.

Marathons never scared me until now,

but now I have something to fight for.

I'm going to be the best asthma runner I can be.

New Oven!

Oh ho!

That's right!

We got ourselves a new oven!

Our old oven was from 1985 and was starting to go out.

Big surprise, since it's six years older than me.

The burners were bent and it took David 1 hour to cook a chicken breast.

I had given up completely on our oven,

which is sad because I love baking and cooking.

I really like our land lords, because they get stuff done quickly whenever we call.

The guy came today and gave us our new oven!

You can really see the difference in ages, since the microwave above it is the same age, color, and brand as our old oven.

Maybe it's not brand new top of the line. . . But it has an oven light,

and a lock on the oven door,

and a self clean button,

and a working clock display,

and a timer that actually works. . .

You can see why I am so excited.

I was so giddy I had to bake something,

but we don't have anything bake worthy since I had given up on baking,

so I made Top Ramen (chicken flavor, my favorite).

I'm so excited to make recipes I couldn't really make before,

and maybe now my cookies won't burn,

and my banana bread will hopefully cook evenly.

St. George Marathon 2014

That's right ladies and gents!

I have officially signed up for the St. George Marathon on October 4, 2014.

Moment of silence for soda, which I will not be drinking until then.

I've been running and training for the last couple of months and decided it's time to run it again.

I ran it in 2011.

I'm so excited! It's a beautiful course through Central, Veyo, Snow Canyon, and the center of St. George.

We run while the sun rises and the purple mountain shine.

I'll meet people from all over the world.

I also can't wait for summer workouts.

I don't know why, but I love the hot air and sun beating down on me.

You don't really sweat when it's cold out, and it's not. . . Natural.

Also, I breathe better so that's good.

Time to train my heart out.

Maybe I'll even do better than last time!

My Husband's Addiction is Now My Addiction

My husband has addiction.

For the past weeks he's been watching. . .

Chuck.

I know it's not a big deal. . .

I used to have a problem with it taking up time, but I started watching it and to tell you the truth

it's a really hilarious show!

But for reals, there should be a rehab for stuff like this.

Chuck is about a guy who gets kicked out of college and the friend who got him kicked out sends him an email with something called "the intersect" in it.

He watches a video with all these CIA secrets about evil organizations and they get downloaded into his brain.

Anyway,

it's a comedy and it's hilarious and you should check it out.

I mean, I did and now I'm hooked.

My husband and I. . .

We're watching it right now. . .

So if you'll excuse me. . .

Canada!

Better late than never. . .
This past July we said goodbye to America and hello to Canada. It was my first time out of the country. David is fulfilling his promise to me when we got married that we would go places I've never been and have many adventures together.
We went to national parks, we went on a boathouse, staying with our friends; the Atwoods; and it was wonderful. More pictures to come. These first few were from my phone.
Unfortunately, I get some pretty bad motion sickness I has to deal with almost the entire experience. Medications that prevent this make you sleepy, so most of the time I didn't take it. . . Because I'm dumb. . . Always take your meds. . .
Coming soon! Christmas is Georgia! Again, a place I've never been.

Whoa!

Okay,

I won't pretend I've been a great blogger.

It's not really my fault.

The V's don't have internet access at home.

Okay,

a lot has happened,

but guessing that a lot of the people reading this have me on Facebook too. . .

I'm going to skip through.

New couch

New TV remote (YES!)

Second new couch

New church calling

Summer heat

Went hiking in Salt Lake

New phone (No T-Mobile!)

New job

Whoooooooooooooo!

Yay!

So lots of things have happened

Now to the post what this post was supposed to be posting about

. . . We have to teach on Sunday. . .

There, now you share my pain.

It's my first lesson ever that I'm going to teach.

I'm not much of a talker at all!

My husband will always disagree,

but I'm just not.

I can even be like,

"Oh well, it'll only be for 40 FREAKING MINUTES!"

No, sir, that does not calm me down.
Because I can barely make a sacrament talk last ten.
That's something husband WILL agree on.

It's a good thing the spirit is there to help.

. . . And it wouldn't be so bad if everyone in the room had something to comment.

Anyway, I should probably get planning my lesson. . .

Maybe I'll bring treats. . .

Everyone loves treats, right. . .?

My last Saturday

This is my

last

Saturday

single.

While it probably won't really hit me until we start the wedding madness,

this coming Wednesday.

It's true though, this is my last weekend as a unmarried woman.

It started out great,

even though David is in California with his family at another wedding.

My morning was all

hot cocoa,

warm blankets,

comfy pillows,

David's sweater (and shirt. . . Sorry babe),

and Pinterest.

Then I cleaned up the basement to make room for the family coming all next week.

It'll be a packed house.

My oldest brother, Mike.

His wife, Tammy.

Their kids, Kylie and Kayla and Jayden.

My second oldest brother, Scott.

His wife, Jaimie.

Their kids, Tanner and Hanna.

My only sister, Rebecca.

Her husband, Devon.

I'm SO excited to see all my family!!

After cleaning, I went to work at my NEW JOB!!

I now work at In-N-Out Burger in Washington, Utah and today was my third day.

Needless to say I smell like fries. . .

But at least I have an awesome job,

with awesome people,

that pays well.

I'm being looked after.

My mom then took me to McDonald's

and we got ShamRock Shakes.

It was a great way to

celebrate

my last Saturday

as an unmarried woman.

I can't wait until next week. . .

Marriage License

Just to clarify. . . I'm posting twice, because I didn't want to post something huge.

Today David and I went and got our marriage license,

so technically we could just run somewhere and elope. . .

I mean Vegas is what? An  hour and a half away!

But we won't. . .

Maybe. . .

It's just so stressful planning every single tiny detail of such a huge event.

What shoes,

what colors,

what food,

what ties,

what dress,

what hairstyle,

where at,

what time,

who to invite,

find an apartment,

make

label

send invites,

blah, blah, blah. . .

One thing I know is that on any given day any or all of these things will come at me all at once

and I feel like I can't make a quick decision

and I end up making a few, but shutting the rest out until I can have some me time.

Which, by the way,

me time

is hard to find now-a-days.

One thing I have been starting to do is having at least an hour or two to be alone with myself at night before bed or in the morning when I wake up.

I work out,

or read a book,

or pinterest,

or take a bubble bath,

or (in this case) blog.
And it's a nice way to start and/or end a day.

After I've started doing this

I notice that I've been able to handle a lot more stress

than I would have.

And I've been a lot more calm when things start clashing.

Still though. . .

We could elope.

;)

Why yes! I do want to use your computer to blog!

I have the best future husband ever.

Just saying,

because this guy looked at me tonight and said,

"do you want to take my computer tonight so you can blog?"

I have the best future husband ever.

My computer's power cord gave out and I was bumming off my mom's cord for a while,

until the interchangeable attachment to my computer and the power cord was lost.

Hence me not posting anything,

but I didn't even complain and he was already offering.

I am back with updates.

David and I took engagements in California a few weeks ago

with the very talented Terina Matthews. 

We look amazing and she's very talented.

Thanks so much to her and all the time she put into those photos.

Our invites got out right on schedule and were received by some early this week.

The bridesmaids are all dressed and looking stunning in their skirts made by Julie.

My sister's dress is done and made by my talented mother.

My nieces will be twirling in their puffy yellow skirts made by Linda.

My nephews will soon be spiffy in suspenders and bow ties.

The only thing is to get my groom fitted for a tux,

and with our schedules so jammed full of pre-wedding/post-wedding madness it's no small thing.

I meet with The BellTower Courtyard (my reception hall) to decide the final details.

Planning the wedding is stressful, but so rewarding.

David and I have connected on so many levels simply through getting each other through the stressful moments.

Let's just say he's seen me cry over a tiny detail more than once.

He takes such good care of me,

and I am so lucky.

I love him so much

2012

I'm writing this because I've been busy with wedding stuff and deserve a nice retreat for a few minutes.

:)

I'd love to look back and see 2012 years from now.

This is the year I met,

fell in love with,

and got engaged to

David VanAuker.

This post will be a sort of time capsule of sorts.

 This year was a big year.

I grew sooo much in the past year

spiritually

mentally

emotionally.

It blows my mind.

Since I feel in a little bit of a mushy mood, and this is the first post of my blog I will lay it all out in dates of our relationship.

May 28- I met David at an activity at our church

June 16- Our first date (Dinner at Benja's then Hairspray at Tuacahn)

June 23- Our first kiss & we started going steady

July 4- Held hands after some awesome fireworks

July 20-24- I met David's family

August 1- I told him I love him & he said it back

September 22- David asked me to marry him & I said yes!

That makes an amazing year!

Two months to the wedding!

Here's a video of a bunch of 2012 songs mashed together. Happy New Year!