Still Racing...

I recently started a new exercise program called "Insanity" and let me tell you, it is truly insane! The best part is...

I love every minute of it!

I am dripping sweat by the time the warm up is over but...

I love every minute of it!

It works me at an intensity level that I have never been worked before and...

I love every minute of it!!!

I wanted to start the program months ago, but figured I couldn't properly train for a race (in regards to getting miles in) and do this program at the same time, so I figured I better wait until my race was over. Here are some photos from the race. I did the Utah Marathon Relay, where each team has five runners that run approximatly 5.2 miles each to complete a full marathon. I was really pleased with the results and I had a great time as always. This is my fifth year in a row to run this particular race!

Our team took seventh overall and second out of all of the co-ed teams. However, the co-ed team that beat us only had one girl on their team, which in my mind doesn't truly qualify for a co-ed team. It doesn't sound like I am making up excuses does it?

The starting line...


Waiting to cheer Tanner (runner one) one. I was the next runner, can you tell by the look on my face?


Waiting in the chute to get the official hand off from Tanner. I thought the sun made for a very aesthetic photo!


When I saw this picture, I couldn't figure out what in the world I was doing. Apparently I was stretching...


After the race... Yeah for being done!


Here is an intro to my team. Runner One, Tanner Beckstrand


Runner Two: Me!


Runner 3: Barry Beckstrand (the principal at my school)


Runner Four: My roommate Kari Newman


Runner Five: Jake Rees


What a great race! Now for a little insanity!

Saying Hello and Goodbye

Living long distance from your fiance is not ideal and is certainly NOT fun. There are certain days that I deal with it in a dignified manner and there are other days that I miss him so much I can't help but break down and cry.

I know... I probably sound pathetic.

Scott is living in Henderson Nevada right now and I am still up in Pleasant Grove. I get to see his face on skype every night, which helps, but it's just not the same as having him there in person.

When I get to see him after a long drought, the reunion is always wonderful and everything is once again right with the world. However, as good as the "hello reunions" are, the goodbyes are perfectly dreadful...

I went to St. George and Las Vegas this last weekend and it was wonderful, but the time I got to see Scott was a measly 24 hours and it just wasn't enough. Plus, every time I have to say goodbye, the goodbye's just get more difficult. I am not one to hide my emotion well and I couldn't help but have my eyes get all teary as I had to say goodbye... again...

Every goodbye gets harder.

And harder.

Did I mention that the goodbyes get harder?

I did? Okay. Just wanted to make sure you understood.

I can't wait until I no longer have to say goodbye.

The trip was fantastic, regardless of the fact that it ended with another goodbye. My friends and I stopped in St. George Friday night and saw the Little Mermaid at Tuacahn near St. George. I had a good time, but I always feel bad when I get to go out and do fun things when I know Scott is at home, studying his little heart out. He works so hard and I'm so proud of him.





Saturday morning we headed to Las Vegas, where Scott got to take a break from his books and study groups and join us on a boat at Lake Las Vegas. Wow, what a fun time!! The heat and the water combo was just perfect. Plus, Lake Las Vegas is where Scott proposed!













I got to spend the rest of the evening with Scott. We took care of some wedding plans and we saw the movie "The Help" since the two of us both read the book this summer. The weekend was wonderful and at least this goodbye is only for a week since I get to see him again this coming weekend.

This kind of think strengthens your character right? I know that sounds super cheesy, but I'm trying to look at the bright side of things...

I'm shouting from the treetops...

In my past relationships, many people felt the need to ask me if I was engaged... all the time... They would ask me this on a regular basis... weekly even. They would even ask if I had only been dating this person for a few weeks...

Did these said people really think that I wouldn't tell them if I had gotten engaged? Did they think I was going to try to hide it from them? Try to keep it a secret?

I think not.

I told them in a joking manner (yet with major serious undertones) that when the blessed day came in which I found the right person to marry, I would be shouting the good news from the treetops.

They wouldn't have to ask to find out... I would definitely make sure they knew. No secrets.

Well folks, I am officially shouting from the treetops (figuratively speaking of course)...

This last weekend, Scott Allen asked me to marry him and I said yes!

I didn't know one person could experience such happiness. Scott was well worth the wait.. Scott is one of the most amazing people I know. First off, he is super skillful. He's got whistling skills, bow hunting skills, tie making skills...

But beyond his incredible skillset, he is loving, kind, a super hard worker, goal oriented, a family man and let's not forget the most important thing... he loves me as much as I love him. December 20th is the big day and I couldn't be more thrilled.

So in case any of you thought I might be keeping such news a secret, I am letting the cat out of the bag. I'm engaged!

I'm a Hobbler

It has been a few years since I have done a half marathon, so I figured it was time again. I signed up to do one in Springville Canyon called "The Hobbler". I found this to be a very appropriate name, see that I am now walking like a Hobbler!



I followed a very strict schedule for twelve weeks trying to prepare, but I wasn't quite prepared for the downhill. Who ever thinks... Hey, I better go out and practice doing some downhills today?

Yeah, I know.

So I did plenty of miles and speed workouts, but I didn't train on the hills. I am pleased with my overall time, but my knees are super stiff and I have some pretty crazy blisters to show for it.

The best part of the day, besides the fact that the half marathon was over... was that these beautiful flowers came to my door. Two dozen beautiful roses. Scott couldn't be here for my race and he knew that I was super nervous about it. What an amazing guy.

I'm an Aunt... Again...

Welcome Baby Grant! I am now an aunt to 22 little ones. I am so blessed.

Where in the World?

My brother Jordan and his wife Lina live in Newfoundland, St. Johns, Canada. For those of you who have no idea where that is, follow a map as far East as you possibly can and you will locate St. Johns. Since it is in Canada, I figured it couldn't be that far away. I was wrong... It took me four planes to get there. St. Johns is so far east, that if you were to go directly south from Newfoundland down towards Florida, you would still be about 1,000 miles into the Atlantic Ocean. Newfoundland is much closer to London than it is to Utah.

I had many fantastic adventures while I was there. It was really fun to be on the Atlantic Ocean. One day, Jordan and I took a whale watch boat ride and saw tons of whales and birds.









We went to various parks and coastline view that were fantastic!



















One day we went to an outside natural bird conservatory where over 700,000 birds live. The birds could be heard from over a half mile away... you could smell them too!









There were two sisters in Jordan and Lina's ward that were originally from Uganda! I was very excited about this since I spent my entire summer in Uganda last year. We had them over for dinner and they brought some Chapatti and Beans with them, which was one of my favorite Ugandan meals while I was there. I was so excited!







The trip was awesome!

Long Distance...

See the handsome man pictured above?

Handsome man = Long Distance

On the 24th of June, I flew out to Newfoundland Canada to visit my brother and his wife. This was a fantastic adventure and one I had been looking forward to, but it was also a rather bittersweet embarkment. While I was gone, Scott (the fantastic guy pictures above) moved. Not to another house...

No, that would be too easy...

To another state...

He started a Physical Therapy Graduate program this week. This means that when I returned home from Canada, he was no longer here. Long distance is not fun, but it can be done. Thank goodness for skype. It's nice to be able to see his face every day, even if it is two-dimensional.

We have many fun adventures planned for the months ahead and I will still get to see him as much as our schedules will allow. Until our next adventures, here are some photos from our last big trip. We went on a road trip with four other friends to Yosemite National Park. It was the first time for either of us to go and the trip was amazing. We hiked to the top of Yosemite Falls, which are the highest falls in the United States. I would love to go back some day. Here are some pictures to document our trip.