August Update

I am in complete denial about the fact that summer is almost over.  Not because I'll miss the hot weather but because that means school is starting and my Coleman is starting FIRST grade.  I don't remember giving him permission to keep growing up so we need to sit down and talk...

There are so many things up update about.  I'm just going to pick in random order because I'm cool like that.  I just want you to know that my boys are taking their weekly Sunday nap and I'm forgoing that to update the 'ol blog.  You're welcome.

* Danny's grandparents celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary!! Danny made a delicious cake for them and we had them cut the cake and feed it to each other.  There was a great program put on by his family and it was a great tribute to these wonderful people.  I'm jealous of the kind of relationship Danny has with his Grandparents.  They have had such an impact on all the people they have come into contact with.  They have served either 2 or 3 missions (can't remember right now) and go walking every morning together.  His GrandDad is 90!! They are such a good example of how to treat each other and how to love your family unconditionally.  Here's a pic of the cake.  I took some editing liberties...

Are they not the CUTEST couple ever? I love this picture.  I think Gma Anderson is laughing at the "ding dong" joke.  It's an inside joke, people.  Way inside...

* I have been training HARD at work.  I kind of feel like I'm at the MTC.  Mostly because I've been in training for 5 weeks and still have 2 weeks to go.  It has been so awesome and so overwhelming (only because there is SO much to learn and I'm a perfectionist).  I can't believe how lucky I am to work there and how blessed I am to be hired for the position I was hired for.  This position I'm training for is more on the "back end" of order placing.  It's processing faxes, emails, phone verification with doctors offices, and dealing with more legal/procedural type stuff.  It's kind of scary to know that the choices I make every day have to be in accordance with certain policies or I could be violating major laws with serious repercussions :) Thankfully we are trained hard but thoroughly.  I trust the people I work with implicitly and I know that their # 1 goal is to satisfy the customer.

* Saturday was my first 5K.  Back in June I decided that I was going to do a 5K.  It seems like everyone I know has done one except for me.  It's pretty trendy to be active and in shape which is awesome.  Plus, everyone on Danny's side of the family is dropping weight like nobody's biz so it helped motivate me to action.  Danny's sister Amy joined me and we trained during the summer.  After starting at 1-800-Contacts, I started training in their gym.  So imagine my culture shock when my training was on a treadmill in a freezing cold gym, with a huge fan blowing cold air on me while either watching TV or listening to music.  The race day was hot, my iPod wasn't charged so I had no music, I was on real terrain and the sun was beating down on me.  Pretty different circumstances but I did it anyway :) It was hard but awesome.  I'm slow and I'm not about to brag about my time but I am proud of myself for setting a somewhat lofty goal (for my level of activity and fitness) and accomplishing it.  I had found motivation within myself and didn't compare myself to anyone else.  The first mile was actually the hardest because I was trying to get used to not having something in my ears.  It was basically quiet except for the kids weaving in and out (not awesome).  It took some time for me to get into "the zone".  I found my pace and was able to be content with my thoughts.  I got pretty focused and everything else kind of disappeared.  I walked a minute here and a minute there but overall, I'm really happy with how I did.  I'm like an ox.  Slow but steady.  Danny's Dad surprised us and showed up (it was clear down in Provo) and met us along the route a few times.  It sounds cheesy but it really meant a lot to me that he drove all the way down there to be supportive.  I was seriously encouraged when I saw him so I'm glad he came.

At the finish line, Cole ran out to greet me and busted out with "race me!" so even though I wanted to fall over dead--I sprinted across the finish line.  And I beat him.  That's right.  I beat my 5 year old son.  I'm amazing.

 Before

 

Waiting for the signal

Yes Amy, I cropped you out because I knew you'd kill me if I posted this one of you. 

  

The finish line with Cole.  (Number 236 is someone I kind of paced myself with and I felt pretty good that I was going as "fast" as her considering the fact that she's so skinny) :) 

THIS JUST IN:

The 10K started 10 minutes before us so I can actually deduct 10 minutes from the time shown here.  I have to admit, it does make me feel a little better :)

One of my wicked blisters.  I need some real shoes.

That's all you get.  I swore on my life that I wouldn't put an "after" shot of Amy and I because we both look so lovely.  I'm true to my word.  You can thank me later.

* This one is super random but I am feeling extremely blessed to be in our ward.  I LOVE this ward.  This feels like the ward I grew up in.  There is a strong spirit of unity and the leadership is solid.  I am so impressed with both the YM/YW program and the Primary leaders.  I wish we could stay in this ward while Cole grows up.  Maybe eventually one of the homes will go up for sale and we can stay permanently.  That would be sweet. Honestly though, this is by far the best ward we've been in since we've been married.  I am loving my calling as the Senior Primary chorister.  It's a difficult calling because it really does require preparation, passion, patience (wow, alliteration) and holy cow another "p"...prayer.  (Haha, I seriously didn't plan that AT ALL).  I know all callings require that--but honestly I have really prayed about how to connect with these older kids.  It's a large Primary and even though I've been a chorister before, each group is so different.  I've been feeling like I need to know them individually so today Danny helped me take pictures of every single one of them with a name tag.  I am going to make a poster and hang it up in my bedroom.  It really is important to me that I know their names.  There are so many of them and I know this is the fastest way to get it done.  It is so rewarding after a good Sunday (like today) to find something that clicks with them and also to know that I get to help teach them songs that will hopefully strengthen their budding testimonies and lead them down the right path.  I love my calling!