Weekend In Review

This weekend was simply relaxing and just what we needed.

Friday

Friday was had a date-in, sometimes those are just what you need. We stayed up late, cuddled on the couch, and watched a movie.

Saturday

Pristine.

We threw on our hiking gear, hopped in the car, and headed out to find a trail. We drove about an hour or so south until we found our desired trail head. We hiked on two different trails, for a total of about two miles and saw two different waterfalls.

I found the first trail head.

Andy.

Andy & I. We're just a little excited!

Andy & I.

Me.

The second trail head.

It is definitely fall here in Oregon and it made for perfect hiking conditions. The temperature was just right, not too hot and not too cold. It was overcast and sprinkled a little bit on us.

Pinard Falls.

Me & Andy

Having fun!

Love him!

Beauty.

Throwing rocks.

...

The deciduous trees are changing color right now and the colors are absolutely stunning against the green of the evergreen trees. I tried to snap a few pictures but the pictures don't compare to the vibrant colors and beauty we saw.

I think one of the reasons I love hiking is because it reminds me that God exists. He created the beautiful scenery for me to enjoy and I can't help but feel His love when I am on the trail.

One of the two rainbows.

On our way homes the heavens opened and it poured. The rain was a welcomed gift, it hasn't rained here in sooo long. I can't remember the last time that it really rained, spring time...maybe? I love the rain and have really missed it. Along with the rain came a beautiful double rainbow.

I can't wait to go hiking again! I has been four long months since I have been able to hike, that is four months too long. Thank you stress fracture (sarcasm). Here's hoping my foot will continue to heal.

Sunday

We went to church. I know I say it every week, but I'm going to say it again. I LOVE going to church each Sunday!

I can't go to church and leave not feeling uplifted and edified. All of the meetings were wonderful. I think the thing that stood out most to me though was a thought shared by one of the Young Women. She has just gotten home from Youth Conference the night before and shared this thought.

She said something along the lines of this, "People say God won't give you more than you can handle. We all face trials and hardships, the trials are to help us learn and grow. When life gets hard, it's our job to pick ourselves up out of the dirt and keep pressing on. We need to have faith the God knows what he is doing." --I love this! It is so true!

Thursday Thought

With thoughts from General Conference still running through my mind, I think it is only natural to share one of my favorite quotes from the meetings.

This thought was shared by Elder Quentin L. Cook and comes from a psychology study. The thought is this, "Self-control is like a muscle: the more you use it, the stronger it gets."

As soon as these words were said, a smile crept across my face. Andy looked at me and he couldn't help smiling either because these words are so true! Self-control really is like using a muscle.

With the background I have in health and wellness, this quote really hit home for me. As a society, we are constantly told what we "SHOULD NOT" be doing. You should not drink, you should not smoke, you should not do drugs, you should not eat trans fats, you should not stay up all night, you should not eat doughnuts or lots of sweets, etc. With all the things we are constantly told that we should NOT be doing, I think we have almost changed the definition of the word self-control. Self-control no longer means controlling ones actions or behaviors, it means restraining oneself. Self-control is seen as a negative connotation. Eat one doughnut and FAIL! You lack self-control. This "new" definition of self-control makes me sad and to be honest, I think a lot of people cringe when they hear the word self-control.

For me, self-control means disciplining (not punishing) oneself by making positive changes in your life. Like building a muscle, making changes in your life doesn't always come easily. But with time, you will find that just as a muscle gets stronger, it will be easier and may even be fun to make these changes in your life. Go to the gym, eat healthier, get a solid eight hours of sleep, smile, laugh, dance, recreate, meditate, create, dream, envision, serve, compliment others, express gratitude.

In order to make a change in your life you first have to recognize the need change and then you have to actually have a desire to change. At this point, it would be wise to make two lists, one list will enumerate the reasons you feel you need and want to change. The other list contain the cons to making said change. Your list of pros will need to out weigh the cons. On the days you don't feel like sticking with your goal, look back at your list of reasons for making the goal in the first place and stick with it. You can do anything you set your mind to!

Process of Change:

1. Recognize the need to change
2. Desire to change
3. List the pros and cons of making said change
4. Come up with game plan to make your change
5. Execute!

Now that you have decided you need to change and that you actually want to change, and you have weighed the pros and the cons, it is time to come up with your game plan for implementing the changes in your life. What are you going to do? How are you going to do it?

It's okay to start out small and do said positive change once a week and work up to making it an everyday change, eventually it will become your lifestyle. These changes are small and they don't just happen overnight, they happen over the course of a lifetime. Don't punish your self because you didn't make your goal every single day. But instead, reward yourself for the progress you have made. Remember, we are all human and we all slip up at times and that's okay. Sometimes, it's okay to eat the doughnut, just not everyday.

The more positive self-control you have in your life, the happier you will be!

Carpe Diem!

Banana Lips

Many years ago, my cousins taught me how to do this thing we call banana lips. The other night as we were headed out the door to go on a walk, I asked Andy to stand by the door and I instructed him on how to make banana lips. While he made banana lips, I snapped the following pictures.

We had so much fun! Andy laughed so hard. I enjoyed seeing the sheer joy on his face and listening to his laughter. Sometimes things get a little crazy (in a good way) in our home.

Weekend In Review

Can I just say, this weekend was great? I know I say it all the time, but this weekend really was GREAT!

Friday

Friday night Andy and I went out on a date. Going on a date every week is something we try to do, but it doesn't always happen. It was so much fun to go out! We went to a local restaurant that we had never been to before. The service was great, but the food was nothing spectacular-- we are food snobs. We enjoyed each others company and chatting with one another.

Our next stop was the mall. I can't recall the last time I went to the mall to just go shopping. Strange right? I guess that is what happens when you do the majority of your shopping at the thrift store.

I have been in need of some new tennis shoes for work. Because of my stress fracture and the swelling that happened as a result, I can't wear most of my favorite shoes (Toms, Converse, ect). I have to wear shoes that can fit an arch support, a metatarsal pad, and said shoes have to have a wide toe box. Said feet problems make finding shoes a difficult task. Luck was on my side and I managed to find one cute pair of shoes that fit. I feel so fortunate.

Saturday

We made whole wheat crepes for breakfast and watched General Conference. I just love hearing the words the prophet and apostles, they really are inspired.

We managed to squeeze some time in to clean the house and ended the evening with two rounds of Skipbo. We each won one round.

Sunday

We watched more General Conference addresses, I feel so uplifted and edified by the words that were shared. In case you missed General Conference you can find the addresses on www.lds.org.

We made some vegan chocolate chip cookies, went on a nice long walk, played another round of Skipbo (I won, hehe), counted our blessings, and just enjoyed each others company.

Life is so good!

Thursday Thought

I just love Thursdays! Don't you? Thursday mean that I get a chance to share what's been on my mind. Thursday also means that there is only one work day before I get to chill with my husband for the weekend. And well, weekends with my husband are always the BEST!

Fall is upon us and it seems like a lot of people are back in school. It's weird to be done with college and not in school. For some reason whenever I see school supplies for sale and when the weather starts to charge, I just itch to be back in school and running cross country. I have fond memories of being in the classroom learning and out running on the trails after school.

I have been thinking a lot about education. President Hinckley once said, "You must get all the education that you possibly can." He also said, "Education unlocks the door of opportunities. You will rise according to your education. Work at it. Sacrifice for it. Do it. Pray about it, and the Lord will bless you. You will see yourselves rise and become men and women of strength and capacity."

With these thoughts in mind, I think it is important to keep learning. Learning doesn't just end when you step outside of the classroom or get a diploma. Learning is a lifelong process. And the knowledge we gain in this life, is one of the few things we take with us when we die.

If I could go back and redo college would I study Exercise Science again? Likely. But, I would probably declare a minor as well and maybe go on to grad school (who knows, that may still happen).

Since I graduated I have fallen in love with nutrition and I have an interest in dietetics. I read about various topics in these two areas, frequently and I feel like I have learned a lot.

I guess what I am trying to say is, learning doesn't have to be in a classroom. If there is something you are interested in learning more about, by all means learn about it. Read journals and scholarly articles. Check out books from your local library- you may be amazed at the selection you find.

I recently wanted to learn more about a particular disease, so I went to the library and checked out a monster sized pile of books. I have been eating these books up like candy. I have learned a ton! I can't wait to finish the book am on, so I can start the next one.

Keep your mind sharp and keep yourself educated. Now go find a good book to read and read it! Maybe throw on some pj's and enjoy indulging in your new found friend.

Carpe Diem!

A Man Trip

Every year Dad tries to plan a man trip to Alaska. Last year, Andy was able to make the trip up to Ketchikan and he had a great time! This was his first experience ocean fishing. Needless to say, he was excited to learn that there would be another man trip this year and he was excited to go.

A fishing boat in the harbor.

The harbor.

The end of the rainbow.

Beauty.

Isn't it majestic?

The group that went up this year was a lot smaller. It consisted of Dad, Andy, Jake and little Russell. They spent just under three full days out on the water and caught 31 keepers. Most of the fish caught weighed 10-12 pounds on average.

The Big One.

See how big he is?

Playing with fish eggs. Something only a boy would do.

Dad & Jake with his rockfish.

Russell waiting for a fish to bite.

Love that toothless smile!

The Boys: Dad, Russell & Jake.

Dad & Jake.

Dad.

Jacob.

Andy.

Andy.

Andy caught the largest fish, a salmon weighing in at 16 pounds! He was super proud of himself.  Russell caught about half of the 31 fish! Crazy right? I talked with him on the phone one day and he told me he caught a "hog". He is such a funny boy, I don't know where he comes up with all this stuff.


I'm glad the boys were able to get away for a few days and have a great time bonding and fishing, despite some of the rainy weather. 

Weekend In Review

Andy spent several days up fishing in Alaska. I knew he would be flying back into Washington sometime over the weekend, but didn't know what day or time (one of the perks of flying standby). I had really been wanting to make a trip home and the fair was going to be going on, so that was a little more incentive for me to go up.

Friday

I got off work a little early and spent more time than I would have liked to driving home. Getting stuck in Portland traffic is the worst! I think it is comparable to Seattle rush hour.

On my way up, I drove past a chicken walking on the shoulder of I-5, I literally laughed out loud. When I was about an hour away from home, I called my sister and she asked me to stop by and see her new place. She even offered to make me dinner, she is an amazing cook so I couldn't turn her down.

When I arrived, she was waiting for me on the front porch with a kitten. We weren't sure who the kitten belonged to, but it walked right in the front door when she opened it to let me in. It was funny! The kitty made itself right at home, by jumping up onto the kitchen table and counter tops. We named it Bentley because its tail was bent at the end.

Sadie cooked me a steak and steamed veggies for dinner, it was amazing! We hung out and talked for several hours.

Her new place is cute and is the perfect size for her!

It was getting late and I was supposed to have a sleep over with my other sister, so I decided I should probably head out. As I was driving down the highway, two state troopers past me headed the other direction (towards I-5). As I approached the next on/off ramp I couldn't help but notice several cops with their lights on. At this point I started thinking, "Something big must be going on". I happened to glance in my review mirror and saw a long line of flashing lights, way down the road. It seemed as though they were headed to I-5. Now, I was starting to think, "Something really big is going on."

A minute or so later a dark car came flying up on my side followed by a long line of cops with their lights flashing. I quickly pulled over and waited for the line of cops to pass.  I would guess their were 20-30 state troopers. I attempted to pull back onto the highway about 3-4 times only to have to pull back over because another line of cops came flying past.

Eventually, I was able to get back on the road. As I was driving I couldn't help but notice cops blocking all of the on ramps, I was passing. Something huge was going on and somehow I managed to be caught in the middle of it.

I proceeded to drive toward my sisters house and hopped onto another highway. As I came around a bend in the road, traffic came to a complete stop. By complete stop, I mean put your car in park and turn it off cause it's going to be awhile. I sat there for a good 20 minutes or so before the traffic started to move.

As luck would have it, the high speed chase ended on this other highway that I was on. I'm not sure what happened but the car looked like it had crashed and the cops had it surrounded. I tried to look the chase up on the news the next day, but couldn't find any information on it.

I am so grateful that I was kept safe that night and that I didn't end up getting hurt in the chase. I know the Lord is aware of me and he watches and protects me.

Saturday

Saturday Megan, Mom, Daniel, and I went to the Puyallup Fair. Sadie was supposed to join us, but she woke up too late. I loved looking at all of the animals and eating the fattening fair food. The only time, I really eat corn dogs is at the fair. Mmm Krusty Pups, they are serious so good! I ate so much food, even Andy was surprised when I told him. It's a wonder I didn't get sick.

Cows.

Piglets.

 

Goats.

Poop!

Flower Man on stilts.

Daniel, Megan & Me.

The Face.

Megan & Me.

Big lips and the face.

Megan, Mom, & Me.

Something about the fair just makes me happy inside. Maybe it's all those childhood and teenage memories of time spent at the fair. Or it could be all the cute baby animals.

I wish we had had more time a the fair to look at all of the art and floral exhibits. Maybe next year.

The rest of the evening was spent with my sister's and their boyfriends. We ate yummy Zuppa Tuscano Soup that Sadie made and I made a huge salad. We played games, talked a lot, looked at old childhood photos, laughed a ton and stayed up later than I would like to admit watching the Cokeville Miracle. Which has fast become one of my favorite movies.

Sadie playing the air keyboard.

Sunday

My sister offered to let me sleep in her bed, she claims she actually likes sleeping on the floor. What a nice sister, huh? When we woke up in the morning we just talked. It was like when we were teenagers. She would come in my room in the morning, sit in my beanbag chair and we would just talk. Then we headed to Daniel's and went on a four mile walk.

After our walk she headed to church and I went to pick up my husband. It was so good to see him! We quickly loaded up his stuff and hit the road and made the five hour drive back to Eugene.