Happy Easter!

Every year my family gets together and colors Easter eggs. No matter how old I get I never get sick of it. This year we had all sorts of creativity running around. My personal favorite is Callie's series, "Where The Wild Things Are".

The first group has my name egg. (It goes inside your basket), Gir, a bit of Japanese pride, hearts and the Irkin Empire flag.

The second group is Nick's name egg, Tim Burton egg and some typical Easter eggs.

The third group is my bee, Marlyn, Dori, and V for Vendetta.

Happy Easter everyone!

The Provo City Half Marathon

Today I ran the Provo City Half Marathon. Probably the hardest thing I've ever done. Here is the harrowing tale and some pictures to go along with it.

We woke up at 6:30am and ate some runner's breakfast. Toast and peanut butter. We drank some nasty energy/vitamin stuff that made me gag and dry heave. I have very sensitive gag reflexes in the morning.

7am out the door praying that the snow would stop.

7:30am. Arrived at the starting line and started to warm up. The starting line was 100 South and University Ave. We mostly stretched out to keep from freezing to death before the race.

8am. The gun was fired and we were off. Up over the viaduct and around the mall. Down around some of the surrounding neighborhoods until mile 3. At mile 3 my mom pulled out our water and her camera. She was great to come to 4 stops and take pictures for us.

The first 7 miles were through the city and neighborhoods and when we hit mile 8 we were on the Provo trail that runs by the river. We stayed on the trail unitl about mile 11 and then we were back into the city.

At mile 9 Linsay and I seperated. She was having some hip pains and cramping and needed to go at a slower pace so I went on ahead of her. She ended up only being about 7 minutes behind me when I crossed the finish line though so she kept running despite her discomfort.

By mile 11 I though I was going to die and when I came around the corner to mile 13 and saw the finish line I almost cried because I was so happy. I did it! I worked and trained for 6 months to run the race and I did it in 2 hours and 40 minutes.

There is nothing more satifying than knowing that I accomplished something that I thought was impossible for me to do 6 months ago. We had a good time and now.... on to the full marathon!

Special thanks to my mom for stopping at 4 stations to take pictures, cheer us on, and give us water.

Inkspell

"You cannot fully read a book without being alone. But through this very solitude you become intimately involved with people whom you might never have met otherwise, either because they have been dead for centuries or because they spoke languages you cannot understand. And nonetheless, they have become your closest friends, your wisest advisors, the wizards the hypnotize you, the lovers you have always dreamed of."

Antonio Munoz Molinas, "The Power of the Pen"

There is something magical hidden between the lines of books. Something that whispers your name and pulls you deep inside the story. Every word serves as a carriage that takes you far away from all thing ordinary and plants you in places you've only seen in your dreams.

Books have always been my sanctuary when I was alone or afraid. Many times I've flown to Neverland, sat in the Gryffindor common room, and stepped through the wardrobe to Narnia. My love of books grew from reading when I was alone or afraid and turned into a craving for the spell that they cast. Whenever I have a spare moment I use it to throw my spirit into a new adventure. Run through unexplored lands, meet people whose lives are so unlike my own, taste the foreign air, and thrust out my chin defiantly when the villian stands before me.

I recently read a book called Inkspell, part of a pretty good series, but it was the title that I loved so much. The idea that ink can cast a spell over the reader and make you forget for a while where you came from and those you left behind. I know that feeling. The magic is very real to me. Many times I've been pulled out of a book by the voice of a family member, leaving me feeling disoriented and wondering how I came to be at my house. Have you felt that before?

Sadly, with all of the new media avaliable to the public, books have become lonely beings. They sit on the shelves gathering dust, the enchantments forgotten. The characters trapped behind the covers and their stories untold. When was the last time you read a book for strictly for enjoyment? I hope you answer is, "I'm reading one right now!"

Let the ink cover you. Let it free your mind and take you on amazing adventures. Escape into the pages.

Welcome Home!

I remember thinking that 2 years was FOREVER! Well strangely enough time keeps ticking away and days turn into months which turn into years.

Welcome home Cory and Alex! The first of the my brothers to come home.

When I was in high school I was dubbed "one of the guys" by my peeps and it stayed that way. I had a few girl friends but for the most part I had a group of boys that were like my brother's and watched over me, making sure that the guys I dated were worthy and reminding me to always be better.

The problem with having mostly guy friends is that they all left at once for their missions and I was mostly alone. I did make a few new friends while they were gone but no one can take their place in my heart and now some of them are starting to return from their service.

Cory was the first and about a month later Alex joined us. I have only 9 more months until Nick, my real brother (twin), gets home... for some reason his mission seems to be taking an extra long time. :)

Now that some of the boys are returning the nights of movies, games, food, laughter and not going to bed until incredibly late are back in full force.

The Book Garden

I LOVE used book stores. Where else can you find 10 childhood classics in leather bound, hard back for $3.50 a piece? I'm like a fat kid in a candy store!

There is a small store in Bountiful called The Book Garden where I spend hours on the weekends. The ladies who run the store are so nice and always remember me and my sisters when we go in to shop.

Last visit I bought a book about the Beatles, Heidi, Treasure Island, Wind in the Willows, Alice in Wonderland, Charlotte's Webb, Stuart Little, A Little Princess, Robin Hood, The Swiss Family Robinson, and many others.

I'm starting a collection of children's books for when I have kids of my own, plus who doesn't love reading the books that remind them of childhood?

The first time I was there I found the Complete works of Winnie the Pooh with all of the classic illustrations as well as The Jungle Books which I was very excited to read. I've only ever read two or three of the stories and have always wanted to get the complete collection.

The whole place smells like old pages and leather spines. The shelves are filled with magical stories that I loved my whole life and books I haven't seen since I was a child. They also carry old books like the 2nd edition Peter Pan I wanted so badly. It was several thousand dollars so I held myself back.

The only thing I don't love about going to that store is that I have to beat my sisters off of the books I want. There was a debate about who would take home the complete collection of the Havard Classics hardcover for only $100. Linsay was the winner. :)

If you get the chance, go in and see what you can find. Shoppers beware, though. The store and it's contents are highly addictive.

"Some books are meant to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested;" -Francis Bacon

A waste?

Is love a waste if it's not appreciated or reciprocated?

I occasionally get discouraged when faced with the same brick walls over and over and over again. Who wouldn't? Why waste your heart on those who don't appreciate how you feel or those who don't feel the same way? Because love is still love.

Think of the greatest act of love in the whole history of the world. Suffered for all mankind in a garden by the Son. Was that a waste just because there are those who don't appreciate it? Of course not.

Is a mother always appreciated by her children? No but she loves them unconditionally and learns to savor the moments when appreciation is shown.

Love is still love and is never a waste. Even when those we love don't love us back, or in the way that we would wish them to. If we steel our hearts away then eventually the heart will forget what kindness tastes like and the warmth that compassion brings.

The cuts and bruises that come from love only serve to keep our hearts tender and teach us to love even greater the next time around. If you let them...

Open your heart. Without reservation. Without fear. Don't let pass burns fester and grow. Air out the wound and let it heal. Then start over and fall in love again. There is somebody for everybody...

If you ain't where you are, you're no place...

I was sitting at my desk thinking about how much I would love to be any where other than at my desk and it occurred to me that I was being ungrateful.

This life is the only one we have and so why not take every moment to find the beauty that it offers even if your just sitting at your desk. "If you ain't where you are, you're no place."

It occurred to me that I was just making myself miserable thinking about where I wanted to be, what I wish I had, and what I wanted to be doing instead of being grateful for the things I do have.

I am surrounded by family who watches out for me and make me smile. Sisters that I can call for advice and brother's who poke holes in my food and throw things in my water glass. That alone is a reason to be filled with gratitude, not to mention friends who know me better than I know myself and who are always there for me. I may not have the job I want but I'm rich in love and encompassed by beauty and I've decided to appreciate that more.

Life is awe inspiring and there are breath taking moments to be had every hour of everyday. Take time to stop and look around. Notice the small things and you'll be suprised (as I was) at how fast the small things add up until you are filled with wonder at how blessed you really are.

This morning, just before the sun came up, the clouds where tipped in pink like upside-down cupcakes. I saw birds flying around a pond. How can they fly so fast and close together without hitting into one another? The air this morning smelled like Spring and there is something magical about being the only one awake.

At 7am the mountains are a deep royal blue and the snow is a brilliant white. The breeze is just waking up and the moon is on it's way to bed. What a enchanting way to start the day. Stop long enough to notice.

Slow down. Take a deep breath. Look around. Listen.