Love this one...thanks Colie!

A Birth Certificate shows that we were born.
A Death Certificate shows that we died.
Pictures show that we lived!
Have a seat . . . Relax . . . And read this slowly.
I Believe...
That just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other.And just because they don't argue,it doesn't mean they do love each other.
I Believe...That we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.
I Believe...That no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.
I Believe...That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.
I Believe....That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.
I Believe...That it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.
I Believe...That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.
I Believe...That you can keep going long after you think you can't.
I Believe...That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.
I Believe...That either you control your attitude or it controls you.
I Believe...That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.
I Believe...That money is a lousy way of keeping score.
I Believe...That my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.
I Believe...That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down, will be the ones to help you get back up.
I Believe...That sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.
I Believe...That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.
I Believe...That it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others; sometimes, you have to learn to forgive yourself.
I Believe...That no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.
I Believe...That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but, we are responsible for who we become.
I Believe...That you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.
I Believe...Two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.
I Believe...That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.
I Believe...That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you - you will find the strength to help.
I Believe...That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.
I Believe...That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.
I Believe...The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything;they just make the most of everything

Proud

I have to brag on my little guy. He gave a talk in Primary today on Baptism and did a wonderful job. I am so proud of him!!

Also, I found this little gem. I laughed so hard I was crying! Most of them are G rated, but there is a PG cake here and there, so viewer beware. http://cakewreck.blogspot.com

Congratulations!

My little brother, Zac, finished his first half marathon yesterday. I couldn't be prouder of him. It has been fun keeping tabs on each other with our running. He finished with a faster time that what he had originally planned on. Must be that clean air in Logan. 

My big run is a week from today...I am so excited for it! I have a schedule of light running this week. A couple 2 and 3 milers. Jack is signed up for the kids marathon (1k) and he is getting excited. He reminds me, "Mommy, we have to go out and practice our running!" So we will stretch a little bit. He pops in his iPod...which doesn't stay in his ears during our run...and off we go! He runs with such reckless abandon. I remember running like that as a kid. Just going as fast as I could with arms a flailin'. A little like Phoebe on Friends. He just enjoys every moment. He will run all out for a few minutes and then lets me know it is time to walk. He is almost up to a mile. I love so much spending one on one time with him.

When we get back from Disneyland, Jack starts Kindergarten. He is so excited. He misses his preschool teachers, Miss Dee and Miss Allie, but I think he is going to love whoever his new teacher is. I think my son had his first crush in Miss Allie. He has his placement testing next Tuesday...so it will be fun to see him do that. My baby is growing up and it is bittersweet. He has grown to be such a caring, sweet boy. He loves to joke and tease. I think he might have a little class clown in him...probably inherited from my Dad. He can be shy at first, but once he gets comfortable, he likes to be the center of attention. He'll crack jokes and make up words to songs. He likes to go with what works...once he can make someone laugh, he will repeat the joke over and over. He just loves to see people happy. 

On another note, Miss Sadie seems to be doing well. It has been fun the last several times I have seen her to see that smile back. As well as that little devious belly laugh. You can catch up with her on her blog at sadiehuish.blogspot.com.

I feel so blessed.

Family

Last night, Ian's cousin had a family dinner as he is getting married today. What a wonderful evening it was. It was so nice to just sit back and visit with family. Eileen, when introducing me to someone, called me her daughter, then corrected herself and said daughter in law. She laughed and said "she belongs to me anyway." I had to laugh. I said "Well, if I don't belong to you now, I don't think I ever will." We looked back on the 12 years that I have been part of their family and was so thankful for the heavenly laws that can bind a family. 12 years is an incredibly short time when compared with eternity. I consider it one of the most choice blessings to be sealed to family for eternity...I feel doubly blessed that we really get along with our extended family. Jackson loves his cousins, Ian and his siblings have great relationships, and I have a pretty cool little brother. We have fantastic parents who have taught us important and true life principles that we hope to pass onto our son.

What rich blessings we have been given. I thank the Lord daily for His hand in my life. I consider myself a pretty lucky girl.

The Dark Knight and other tasty treats

Okay...saw this flick for the second time. For the three of you out there who haven't seen it...go see it! One of those rare movies out there that really makes you feel like you want to be a better person when you leave the theater. It is not a "feel good" movie (for that, go hit Mamma Mia...another must see of the summer) It is dark, but makes you think.

Big ups to those Batman fans that hung in there even during the sad Tim Burton sequels...ALL of them. You hung in there...you loved the Caped Crusader even when the movies were terrible. Your patience has been rewarded! And ladies, Christian Bale is not one you are going to kick out of bed for eating crackers. And Aaron Eckhardt? Wow...tempts me to go to the dark side.

Another BIG reason to see it again...the Twilight trailer is on there. Whoopie!!!! I have to confess, I thought the movie looked kinda dumb from the trailers on Stephenie's website. But to see it on the Big screen...wow. Calls for another girls night out, ladies. All 25 of us! Which also reminds me...there will be invites coming soon for our little special book club reunion for Breaking Dawn.

Holy Cow!

I went on my last long run before the half marathon in a couple weeks. There was a big hill on my route that I usually kinda half walk, half run (do we call that a wun?) Anyway, I was just ticked off enough that I decided I was gonna run the whole dang thing...and you know what? I did!  I felt like I could have conquered the world after that. Rockin'!

Consistency is really everything. Consistency breeds success. A river does not have to be big and strong to carve a canyon. It just has to be consistent.

Also...can anyone tell me how in the heck I can dress up my little corner of the internet? I have no idea how to upload photos or put those cool little backgrounds up. PinkPrincess, I have no idea how to add your blog to my blog like you asked me to do...so, uh, hang tight with me. Like my cuz Marsha said, I could probably track down some little 8 year old to tell me how to do it. 

My run tonight

I just finished my run tonight and had one of those "a ha!" moments. I have undergone a change that I didn't think possible. I actually enjoy running. Tiens...as the French would say. Several  months ago when my crazy cousin proposed that we set a lofty goal of participating in the Disneyland Half Marathon, I thought she was kidding. I quickly agreed thinking that she would change her mind after ten minutes and I would be let off the hook and not made to look like I was the one chickening out. Once I realized she was really serious, I strapped on the shoes and told anyone who would listen that I would consider it a BIG win if I could just get to the point of not HATING to run. Well, folks, BIG win achieved! 

I have had a bit of a hurt ankle that has kept me down for a week. Tonight when I got out there, I realized that this was something I actually enjoyed doing. Getting out of the house is the hardest part. Once it is just me, my shoes, and my trusty iPod, I am a free woman. Out there living by my rules.

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a bit of a Broadway nerd. Well, a song from the musical Wicked has become somewhat of a theme song for me. It is the song Elphaba sings once she decides to embrace the fact that she is different and that she can really accomplish great things. Here's a taste of the lyrics:

Something has changed within me

Something is not the same

I'm through playing by

the rules of someone else's game

Too late for second guessing

Too late to go back to sleep.

It's time to trust my instincts, 

Close my eyes and leap.

Its time to try defying gravity

I think I'll try defying gravity 

And you can't pull me down.

I'm through accepting limits

'Cause someone says they're so.

Some things I can not change

But 'til I try I 'll never know.

Too long I've been afraid of

Losing love I guess I'd lost

Well, if that's love

It comes at much too high a cost.

and soon I'll try defying gravity

Kiss me good-bye, I'm defying gravity 

And you can't pull me down 

So if you care to find me

Look to the Western sky

As someone told me lately

Everyone deserves a chance to fly

And if I am flying solo

At least I am flying free

To those who'd ground me

Take a message back from me:

Tell them that I am defying gravity

I'm flying high defying gravity

And soon I'll match them in renown

And nobody in all of Oz

No Wizard that there is or was

Is ever gonna bring me down. 

So...go out there and DEFY GRAVITY!!!