How I became a runner

I've always kind of run.
Playing soccer for years sort of automatically signs you up for it.
But, it wasn't until just recently that I have really enjoyed running.


Before, when I would run it was simply so that I could eat whatever I wanted without gaining weight, which is still a plus, but is no longer the main motivation behind it. Now, I go because I love the way I feel after I run. I love the feeling of accomplishment after I've completed a long, hot run. I love that I know now that I can do hard things.


Equal to those benefits is the quality conversation. I run with a good friend, Andrae, and I really look forward to talking with her. She is the Stake Primary President, has two kids and her husband is applying to Physician Assistant school, so we never tire of things to talk about. Running is the one truly social part of my day and it is good for my soul to get out and do something active while also chatting.

Changes

Things around these parts are changing. Mostly they have changed since I haven't blogged in a month and a half, but there are changes, none the less. 


Peter started his new job in the middle of June and he is really enjoying it. He is already in charge of an entire lab and is getting a lot of valuable experience. He rides his motorcycle to work and his commute is only about 15 minutes. He enjoys riding his motorcycle and I am glad that it is getting used and we are saving gas money!


I also started a new job about the same time. I am working at Emeritus Assisted Living Center in the memory care section, working with residents with dementia and Alzheimers. I actually like it a lot more than I expected to and I have become fairly attached to the residents in a short period of time. One of the residents had a fall last week and two more in the last couple of days, leading to her passing away last night. I was not prepared for how deeply the news affected me. My eyes filled with tears and all day at work I was looking for her. I sure will miss her. I am also learning a lot about how to work with residents with dementia and Alzheimers, which can be fairly difficult. It has been a great experience so far.


The next really wonderful change is having Connor Joseph join the family! My sister-in-law, Amy, had him on June 30th, the day before her birthday. A great birthday present to us all! I cannot get enough of his cuteness. I could seriously hold him and look at him all day long. He had a little stint in the NICU, but is doing great now. His big sisters and brother ADORE him. Max calls him his buddy-probably the cutest thing I have ever heard.

 Peter needs a baby, don't you think?? 

I adore this picture because this is exactly what happens when you sit down to hold Connor. He has quite the fan club for such a little guy.

On to more changes: Yay for married friends!! Kate got married June 1st and Jessica got married June 6th. Now if only I could convince them to move to Salt Lake so we can hang out more....

Pretty sisters

Pretty friends

So beautiful and happy

The last change is that my friend, Britny, went on a mission today. She is going to her absolute favorite place in the world, New York City, and I could only be happier for her if she wasn't leaving me. We all went to lunch on Monday because it's tradition to go to lunch for all our July birthdays (Britny's is the 17th, mine is the 18th, and Kate's is the 31st), and to say good-bye to Brit. It was as enjoyable as always, but we missed Shannon.

I remembered one more change, this one not happy. One of my counselors got called to the Stake Relief Society Presidency, so I have to get a new one. This happened almost three weeks ago and I am no closer to a full presidency. It is so stressful to figure it all out. I'm sure the Bishop is wondering what is taking me so long, but I just do not know what to do. I am working on it, but it sure is slow going.

Making a house a home

I don't know why it took me so long to figure this out, but I am so much happier when I live in a place that feels good to me. Seems like common sense, right?


I think the hardest part was convincing myself it is okay to spend money on this house even though we won't be here forever. The investment is definitely worth the good effect it has on my mental health. 


We are slowly putting our house together and making it something that really reflects what I like and makes me happy to come home to.


We have done a lot of painting. (We did start with bright, yellow walls, after all. I really need to find those pictures. They are pretty epic.) We have also done some decorating, but I would never consider myself an expert at all in that area. We have also refinished some furniture. Most recently, we planted flowers in front of our house and also added some strawberries, cucumbers and tomatoes on the back patio.


It is really pretty great to have your own house. I was a little very overwhelmed when we moved in at the thought of trying to decorate such a large space, but I am learning to just take it one project at a time. 

How to: Write a Primary Program

Here's how it goes, as far as I can tell:


Come up with a few ideas
Ask a few veteran primary presidents what you should do
Try to take their ideas and put them together (because they know what they are doing and you do not)
Try to explain your vision to your presidency (which doesn't go well)
Rehash all your ideas and realize you don't even know the vision
Start over


I hope what comes next is a really awesome program, but that remains to be seen.

Snippet of conversation

Last night as Peter and I were making dinner, I did something silly/stupid and this is the conversation that followed:

Peter: Are you smoking dope?

Me: Umm, I don't even know what dope is.

Peter: I'm 90% sure it's marijuana.

Me: Our kids are in such trouble.

Apparently we are going to have to research such things before kids come along.

That one time when Peter got a new job

Hallelujah!
Praise the heavens!
Thank goodness!
{Insert any joyous exclamation you please!}


Peter got a new job!
Which means: no more driving an hour to and from work
                     Monday through Friday, 9-5
                     no more driving an hour to and from work
                     engineering work
                     no more driving an hour to and from work


I am pretty excited about all the money and time we are going to save because Peter's new job is only 12 minutes away. Not to mention we now have our Saturdays back, to do all sorts of normal Saturday things on, like yard and house work. Oh the little things. 


He is going to be working at Specialty Lens Corporation and it is 8 miles from our house. It is still not our ideal and we will be looking to keep moving up, but it is definitely a step in the right direction. 


I should probably mention that Peter might be most excited about the fact that he won't be working with a bunch of girls and the drama will be much less while working with other analyticals like himself. 


Oh, and he'll be getting paid more, but that really is so low on the happy list. We are, however, grateful for that, too.

Finals

2 days of clinicals
3 tests
1 portfolio


Almost done.
Just 12 days until I am done with my first year of nursing school. (First year sounds so much more accomplished than second semester.)
I can do it. I just need some motivation to study. 


The fun things intermixed with all that work:
1 baby shower
3 days of family reunioning in Midway-yes I am going on vacation in the middle of finals week, thank you very much.


Oh, how am I ever going to get it all done?


Pep talk, anyone??