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| I have so much fun with these two |
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| Dancing Queens |
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| My twin |
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| We laughed when we walked out and had the same color jackets as well. I just need tights and then I'd be set |
Monday, December 12, 2011
Balboa Christmas Cruise
Every year my ward does a Christmas Cruise before the holiday around Balboa Island. This year we had a catered dinner, dancing, and a photo booth on our sail around the island. Of the past 3 years, this year was probably one of the best ones. I had a lot of time and spent a lot of the night on the dance floor...does that really surprise anyone though?!
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
10 Year Reunion
I cannot believe its been 10 years since I graduated from High School. I feel like it was just yesterday that my life consisted of seminary, water polo or swim, DECA, boys and homework.
It was so much fun to get to see everyone and hear how all of their lives have changed in the past 10 years. Pretty much everyone looked the same as they did in highschool, they just all now have careers, most of them are married and some have kids. I could have stayed all night and chatted with a lot of these people. I wish I would have gotten more pictures, but I was just too busy catching up with everyone. I'm so glad I went and can't wait for the next reunion!
It was so much fun to get to see everyone and hear how all of their lives have changed in the past 10 years. Pretty much everyone looked the same as they did in highschool, they just all now have careers, most of them are married and some have kids. I could have stayed all night and chatted with a lot of these people. I wish I would have gotten more pictures, but I was just too busy catching up with everyone. I'm so glad I went and can't wait for the next reunion!
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| Lindsey Young who I've known since preschool and Erin who swam with me and we were also in DECA (a club) together |
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| Lifetime friends |
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| My freshman crush |
Monday, December 5, 2011
Thanksgiving
This Thanksgiving was one of the most amazing Thanksgivings we've ever had. We started out the morning with our tradition of walk/running a Turkey Trot. Growing up we always went down to Dana Point and ran that race, but we've changed things up a little in the past few years and have now started doing the Huntington Beach Turkey Trot.
After our run we relaxed, made dinner and ate way too much. Dinner is what made this Thanksgiving the most unforgettable Thanksgiving we've ever had. There were lots of tears and laughter all at the same time. More to come on a later date about our dinner and why it was so unforgettable... ;)
Happy 1st Birthday
Happy 1st birthday to Rylee and Brandon. I cannot get over that these two are already 1. I feel like it was just last week that I was in the hospital for 2 weeks with Anna and Steve as the doctors were trying to prevent Rylee from being born way too early and then a month later getting the call from Kelly about Brandon being born. Rylee and Brandon were only supposed to be a week apart, but since Rylee decided to come early they are a month apart. I can't imagine my life without these two! They bring to much joy and laughter to all of my families lives!
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| Ry was interested in the candle |
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| Dad and Papa helping Rylee out |
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| Diggin in |
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| She loved her cake. She would take a bite and the say "YUM!" |
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| B-Boy getting ready for his cake |
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| After a few bites of his cake. |
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| How can you not just love this kid? |
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| He was so dirty and covered in cake so we put him in the sink to get him rinsed off :) |
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Virginia Half Marathon
I'm not the best or fastest runner...I'm actually the slowest runner in my family, but I still enjoy getting out with the family and participating in all of the races. When I first heard that all of my dad's brothers and sisters were doing the Virgina half or full marathon and the wives and some of the kids were also signing up, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to join! 1. It gave me an excuse to see all the family 2. I've never been to the east coast and I've always wanted to 3. It gave me something to train for and 4. I've always said I would do at least one half marathon.
After months and months of training the day finally came for mom, dad and I to hop on a plane and fly across the country to see everyone and run our race. Our first flight was delayed due to mechanical problems which made us miss our next flight in Michigan by a matter of seconds. Dad literally saw the guy close the door to the jetway. Because of that we had to sit in the airport for 4 hours and didn't get to Virginia until after midnight. We were all exhausted since we had literally spent the whole day traveling. Needless to say we slept in the next day and enjoyed not having to get up for work.
The day of the race was an early morning. We were all up around 4 for us to get to the race on time.
It was about 30 degrees so needless to say we were all bundled up before the race trying to stay warm. Luckily it started warming up right as the race started. By the first mile I had gotten rid of my jacket and my long sleeve shirt was around my waist.
The race ended up being so much more fun than I could ever imagine. In the first 3-4 miles everyone in my coral was passing me, but by mile 6 and 7 I was passing everyone who started out too fast. I felt amazing and didn't stop once until a little after mile 10. At mile 10 my knees were done and I had to walk a little bit. The next 2 miles were a mental game for me because of how much my knees were killing me. The last mile there were tons of people lining the course, it was down hill and seeing my family really helped. I would explain my last mile as a Runners High. I forgot about my knees and my last mile I did in an 8:45, which is not a pace I normally run. I was loving life as I crossed the finish line! I wanted to finish the race in about 2 hours and 30 minutes and I was so excited to cross the finish line in 2 hours and 20 minutes. I think next half marathon I can get a little more time off as long as I keep up the training.
After months and months of training the day finally came for mom, dad and I to hop on a plane and fly across the country to see everyone and run our race. Our first flight was delayed due to mechanical problems which made us miss our next flight in Michigan by a matter of seconds. Dad literally saw the guy close the door to the jetway. Because of that we had to sit in the airport for 4 hours and didn't get to Virginia until after midnight. We were all exhausted since we had literally spent the whole day traveling. Needless to say we slept in the next day and enjoyed not having to get up for work.
The day of the race was an early morning. We were all up around 4 for us to get to the race on time.
It was about 30 degrees so needless to say we were all bundled up before the race trying to stay warm. Luckily it started warming up right as the race started. By the first mile I had gotten rid of my jacket and my long sleeve shirt was around my waist.
The race ended up being so much more fun than I could ever imagine. In the first 3-4 miles everyone in my coral was passing me, but by mile 6 and 7 I was passing everyone who started out too fast. I felt amazing and didn't stop once until a little after mile 10. At mile 10 my knees were done and I had to walk a little bit. The next 2 miles were a mental game for me because of how much my knees were killing me. The last mile there were tons of people lining the course, it was down hill and seeing my family really helped. I would explain my last mile as a Runners High. I forgot about my knees and my last mile I did in an 8:45, which is not a pace I normally run. I was loving life as I crossed the finish line! I wanted to finish the race in about 2 hours and 30 minutes and I was so excited to cross the finish line in 2 hours and 20 minutes. I think next half marathon I can get a little more time off as long as I keep up the training.
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| Me and Beth trying to stay warm in our snuggies |
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| The kids getting ready to run the 8k |
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| Before their races. Beth-full marathon, Jana-half marathon, Kristin-full marathon, Kathy-half marathon |
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| About to cross the finish line |
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| 11 out of 14 of us that ran the Suntrust Richmond Virginia races |
Ridiculous Obstacle Challenge (ROC) Race
My coworker found a 5k race that sounded like a ton of fun, so a group of us from work ran the race together. This has officially become one of my favorite 5ks. I'm already excited for next year. In 3.2 miles there 20 obstacles ranging from climbing over walls, crawling through mud, monkey bars, bleachers, slip and slides, etc. The race was a lot of fun and I'm so glad that all of us from work were able to do it together.
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| Showing off our cool arm bands :) |
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| The Course Map |
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| All of us girls who ran the race together |
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| One of the last obstacles |
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| Another one of the obstacles |
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| We ran into one of my coworkers at the race |
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| Me and Amy after the race |
4th Annual Seacliff Ward Canoe Trip
I look forward to the Seacliff Ward Canoe Trip every year. Its such a fun 2 day trip. We canoe 12 miles in 2 days, go on hikes, cliff jump, and relax in the hot springs. It's actually a pretty relaxing trip for the most part.
This year was a little more of an adventure than all of the other years because of animals. I've never brought a tent and have slept under the stars every year, but this year I was wishing for a tent. The few people who had tents actually got some sleep. When we first got to camp, I went to set up camp where I have slept for the past 3 years and there were red ants everywhere. We finally found a spot that didn't have very many spots and set up camp. After we were all set up it was dinner time. As we were all sitting around the campfire my dad got bit 3 times, but we weren't sure exactly what it was. Then I got bit 4 times, and man they hurt!! We still aren't sure if they were flying ants, wasps, or some other flying bug that bites. Our next animal adventure was a skunk. We got to deal with the skunk coming in and our of our camp all night long, walking over some of the girls, hitting the girl sleeping next to me with his tail, and him trying to get into our bags.
Besides our animal adventures and no sleep, the trip was a lot of fun! We were a really small group this year, which was awesome because we all got to know each other more and it made the trip a little more relaxed.
This year was a little more of an adventure than all of the other years because of animals. I've never brought a tent and have slept under the stars every year, but this year I was wishing for a tent. The few people who had tents actually got some sleep. When we first got to camp, I went to set up camp where I have slept for the past 3 years and there were red ants everywhere. We finally found a spot that didn't have very many spots and set up camp. After we were all set up it was dinner time. As we were all sitting around the campfire my dad got bit 3 times, but we weren't sure exactly what it was. Then I got bit 4 times, and man they hurt!! We still aren't sure if they were flying ants, wasps, or some other flying bug that bites. Our next animal adventure was a skunk. We got to deal with the skunk coming in and our of our camp all night long, walking over some of the girls, hitting the girl sleeping next to me with his tail, and him trying to get into our bags.
Besides our animal adventures and no sleep, the trip was a lot of fun! We were a really small group this year, which was awesome because we all got to know each other more and it made the trip a little more relaxed.
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| Me and Julie, my canoe partner before leaving the Hoover Dam |
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| Hanging out at our first stop |
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| The Ward's who went on the trip. We missed you Justin! |
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| On our way back from our first hike. This is by far the best hike of the trip. |
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| Leaving the first hike and heading down the river to have lunch |
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| I love my sister! |
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| I don't know what I would do without this girl. She makes life much more entertaining!! |
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| Love these girls!! |
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| Day 2 on the river |
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| The whole group. Much smaller than our group of 60 last year |
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| Family |
Sunday, November 20, 2011
An Answer after 7 Years
Have you ever struggled with something, even though you know everything will work out the way its supposed to? That seems to be the story of my life right now!
About 7 years ago I started having pelvic pain and every doctor I saw ran test after test and couldn't figure anything out. I've had MRIs, CAT scans, ultra sound after ultra sound, surgery, a colonoscopy, and many other tests that all came back negative. Needless to say, all of these procedures put me into major debt, and debt for no answers so I wasn't too happy about it.
Recently my pain has been getting worse and it was getting to the point where I couldn't handle it much longer. I was talking to my cousin about how I needed a doctor, but didn't know of any in the area. She recommended her OBGYN who she loves and who I have officially fallen in love with! :) I saw him a few weeks ago and after talking to him about my pain and telling him all the procedures I've been through he decided to put me on birth control to help with the pain. He then told me he wanted me to come back a few days later for an ultra sound. In my head I was thinking, great, another ultra sound for me to pay for and for him to come back and tell me they couldn't find anything.
The day of the ultra sound came and I was praying for answers. I've been in pain for so many years and I was pretty much sick of it! The ultra sound tech who I had was awesome! She was so sweet and explained everything that she doing during the ultra sound. At the end of the ultra sound she hadn't said anything about what she found or hadn't found so I asked her about it. She told me that she think she found something, but she wouldn't tell me what. She said that the doctor had to look at the results and be the one to call me.
The next day was the longest day of my life. Did she find something bad? Is it something that's going to affect the rest of my life? Something that can be easily taken care of? Will I finally have an answer after all of these years? The answer is YES!! The doctor did find something and after all of these years I do have an answer.
The doctor called me while I was in Walmart so I couldn't hear a whole lot. I caught what I had, something about getting insulin shots when I was trying to get pregnant, and to make sure I started taking my birth control that next week. I ran back to work and looked up what I had. I have whats called PCOS (Polysystic Ovary Syndrome). As I sat at work reading everything about my condition there are some symptoms that I don't have and there are ones that answered some of my questions I've been having of the last few years. As I kept reading, I saw that this condition is the leading condition for infertility and miscarriages. Right there at my desk, I broke into tears. This is why my doctor stated that when I want to start trying to get pregnant they I will have to start taking insulin shots.
All my life all I've ever wanted is to get married, have children and be a stay at home mom, if possible. Reading about how PCOS could possibly not let me bear children was the worst news I think I've ever gotten! After my little breakdown at work all I could think about is that things will work out the way they are supposed to and everything will be ok. That night I was at our monthly Girls Night Out dinner and as I was telling everyone that I finally had answers I couldn't help but cry when I told them there is a chance that I will have to deal with infertility issues.
That night when I got home, the first thing I did was read my Patriarchal Blessing to put my mind at ease. My blessing does state that I will have the opportunity to experience motherhood. I don't know if I will be able to bear my own children or if I will have to adopt, but again, I know things will work out the way they are supposed to. Even though I do know this, and I will love my children no matter how the come into my life, I still have little moments when I struggle.
About 7 years ago I started having pelvic pain and every doctor I saw ran test after test and couldn't figure anything out. I've had MRIs, CAT scans, ultra sound after ultra sound, surgery, a colonoscopy, and many other tests that all came back negative. Needless to say, all of these procedures put me into major debt, and debt for no answers so I wasn't too happy about it.
Recently my pain has been getting worse and it was getting to the point where I couldn't handle it much longer. I was talking to my cousin about how I needed a doctor, but didn't know of any in the area. She recommended her OBGYN who she loves and who I have officially fallen in love with! :) I saw him a few weeks ago and after talking to him about my pain and telling him all the procedures I've been through he decided to put me on birth control to help with the pain. He then told me he wanted me to come back a few days later for an ultra sound. In my head I was thinking, great, another ultra sound for me to pay for and for him to come back and tell me they couldn't find anything.
The day of the ultra sound came and I was praying for answers. I've been in pain for so many years and I was pretty much sick of it! The ultra sound tech who I had was awesome! She was so sweet and explained everything that she doing during the ultra sound. At the end of the ultra sound she hadn't said anything about what she found or hadn't found so I asked her about it. She told me that she think she found something, but she wouldn't tell me what. She said that the doctor had to look at the results and be the one to call me.
The next day was the longest day of my life. Did she find something bad? Is it something that's going to affect the rest of my life? Something that can be easily taken care of? Will I finally have an answer after all of these years? The answer is YES!! The doctor did find something and after all of these years I do have an answer.
The doctor called me while I was in Walmart so I couldn't hear a whole lot. I caught what I had, something about getting insulin shots when I was trying to get pregnant, and to make sure I started taking my birth control that next week. I ran back to work and looked up what I had. I have whats called PCOS (Polysystic Ovary Syndrome). As I sat at work reading everything about my condition there are some symptoms that I don't have and there are ones that answered some of my questions I've been having of the last few years. As I kept reading, I saw that this condition is the leading condition for infertility and miscarriages. Right there at my desk, I broke into tears. This is why my doctor stated that when I want to start trying to get pregnant they I will have to start taking insulin shots.
All my life all I've ever wanted is to get married, have children and be a stay at home mom, if possible. Reading about how PCOS could possibly not let me bear children was the worst news I think I've ever gotten! After my little breakdown at work all I could think about is that things will work out the way they are supposed to and everything will be ok. That night I was at our monthly Girls Night Out dinner and as I was telling everyone that I finally had answers I couldn't help but cry when I told them there is a chance that I will have to deal with infertility issues.
That night when I got home, the first thing I did was read my Patriarchal Blessing to put my mind at ease. My blessing does state that I will have the opportunity to experience motherhood. I don't know if I will be able to bear my own children or if I will have to adopt, but again, I know things will work out the way they are supposed to. Even though I do know this, and I will love my children no matter how the come into my life, I still have little moments when I struggle.
Going Commando At It Again
Team Going Commando had some changes to it for the Napa Valley Ragnar Race, but we still had a few of the original team as well. After every race, I want to do another one. I just might have to put every Ragnar race on my bucket list! If not all of them, Florida Keys for sure!! This race was by far my best race that I've ever had. My times drop so much from last race, it was crazy! I was really happy with my times and how I ran this race. I can't wait for my next Ragnar!
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| The whole team before the race |
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| Van 1 about to start our second legs |
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| We stopped at a Vineyard after our second legs It was very pretty |
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| Everyone on the team who had their tattoo on their leg |
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| All of us who got the Gold Rush medal. You got the special medal if you ran So Cal and Napa Valley Ragnars |
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| The Ward Family |
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| Van 1 |
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| Van 2 |
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| Thank you Tracey for coming up and supporting us!! |
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