Girls on the Run

The first night we went out for dessert and I got the most amazing peach cobbler.

Doesn't it make your mouth water? It was wonderful!
The gals we trained with, what an amazing group of ladies.
Rebecca, Me, Molly, Carrie and Sheri

The four of us will be starting the program here in Mankato.

This week I got to go to Charlotte, NC for a few days. I was at a Girls on the Run training meeting for two days and I had a great time. Girls on the Run is a wonderful program that was started by Molly Barker. I had the privilege of meeting Molly and what a wonderful, fun person she is. The program is for young girls ages 8 to 13 to teach them how to have a positive self image of themselves and others. Throughout the program we also train with the girls, so that they are able to run a 5k at the end of the 12 week program. I have volunteered to be a coach and I'm also helping to get the program started here in Mankato. I was very inspired after the two day training. It was wonderful to hear Molly's story of what inspired her to start this amazing program. I am looking forward to starting our first season, which will hopefully start sometime after the first of the year. We got to know many of the ladies in our group and the first night after training about ten of us went out to dinner. It was fun to get to know these ladies and to hear some of the stories they had to share. For more information about GOTR, go to their official website at http://girlsontherun.org

Happy Birthday Jon!

Yesterday was Jon's 31st birthday. Being that it was General Conference weekend, we had a relaxing day. After the morning session, we went to some friends the Camps, for brunch. They had invited Jon and I and four other friends. We had french toast, breakfast casserole, fruit and juice. It was perfect! We left the Camp's house to join the Andersons to watch conference at their home. We ended up spending the rest of the evening at the Andersons eating, playing games, visiting and watching a movie.
I also surprised Jon with a birthday party Friday night. Four other couples met us at Olive Garden for dinner, which was a surprise to Jon. We had a great time at dinner, and then we all went to our house for dessert and games. Rita Anderson came up with a matching game using pictures of Jon at different ages. Once a match was made, Jon had to tell us a memory from that time in his life. I also did a slideshow with memories about Jon. I emailed family and friends and asked them to respond with a memory they had of Jon. I then put the memories in to a slideshow and we watched it at the party. It made for some good laughs and everyone got to know Jon a little bit better. Thanks to Carrie and Shannon, we had two wonderful desserts cheese cake and chocolate cake to indulge in, as if we hadn't had enough to eat at dinner. All in all it was a great weekend and Jon had a good time. He got to open his presents at midnight on his birthday October 5th. He just couldn't wait until he woke up, he had to open them before he went to bed. He may be 31, but he's still a kid at heart, when it comes to presents.

Seven Wodnerful Years!

The roses Jon gave me for our anniversary.

Today is our seventh anniversary. I can't believe it's been that long. We've had some wonderful times and some hard times too, but all in all the past seven years together have been wonderful. We have lived in three different states during that time and have made life long friends. We have been so blessed throughout our marriage. We look forward to many, many more years together. Jon surprised me yesterday with 25 beautiful roses. He knows me pretty well by now. I gave him a movie and an MSU hat with a box of Reese's Pieces. We really wanted to do something fun for our anniversary, but the past few weeks have been so busy with work and school for both of us. We didn't get anything planned in time and this past week, Jon has been fighting a cold. It turned out for the better that we didn't plan anything. Jon was able to rest and get over his cold and I spent several hours studying yesterday, which was much needed study time. We did celebrate Friday evening by going to dinner at The Neighbors, a local Italian restaurant that has amazing food. We splurged a little and I left overly stuffed, but it was worth every bite. I just want Jon to know how much I love him and how much I look forward to being with him forever. I love you!

Happiness

I have been in such a great mood today. I just feel so happy and so alive. As I was sitting here eating my breakfast, I thought I'd check my email and then read a few blogs before getting ready. I happened to read my sisters blog this morning and she had a post entitled "Happiness" she wrote exactly what I am feeling, so I am stealing her idea and going to write a few of the small things that are making me so happy today.
-the sun shining and blue skies
-the feel of fall in the air
-a great visit with my nurse practitioner
-a wonderful husband
-just being alive
-the smell of the apple cider candle in my house, it smells wonderful!
-the beautiful view out our sliding glass door
-the cool fall breeze
-my family
Like my sister, I've been reading about other's who have had some tragic losses in their lives lately and yet, they seem to remain so positive. They continue to look for the good in their lives, to look for what still makes them happy. I have been strengthened by their testimonies of the gospel. I have been feeling much closer to the spirit lately, and it has brought me such happiness. I have much to be thankful for. I live in this amazing country, even with all of its problems, we are blessed. I have a wonderful husband who loves and supports me and a family I love so much. We have wonderful friends who make life fun, and the knowledge of a loving Heavenly Father and Savior. What more could I ask for? I hope each of you have a wonderful day too, and can find the little things that make you happy. Thanks Nicole for the idea.

First week of school

As some of you may know, and many of you may not know, I have started going to school again. I have decided I'd like to get my bachelors degree, and with Jon's benefits, I can go without paying for tuition. I was a little nervous about what it would be like, since it's been five years since I graduated with my AAS degree. It's been a pretty good week. I don't think it will be too difficult, but I haven't started my Psych Stats class yet either. As Jon put it, I have my "secret weapon" to get me through the class. I don't know that I would be all that anxious to take the class if I didn't have Jon to help me through. It's been even longer than five years since I took my last math class. Well, wish me luck!

My flowers

Pretty roses

The flaux I thought would die.

Aren't they beautfiul?

After I trimmed the rose bush.

Before I trimmed it.

Can you believe how long that is?

Now that we have our own house, its been fun planting plants and flowers around the house. I planted 3 rose bushes and they have been doing so well. We also transplanted some flaux from our friends and I was sure they wouldn't make it. They were pulling through before we went to Utah, but what a surprise when we got back, to see them in full bloom, covered with purple flowers. I had to take pictures to show my green thumb. Thanks to Shannon for keeping my plants and flowers watered while we were gone, otherwise they probably would have died. Maybe next year I'll try planting a vegetable garden. One of my rose bushes had a new growth that just kept on growing and by the time we got home, it was a little too long. I cut it after I took the picture, but I had to show how well it was growing. Miracle Grow is great stuff. Thanks for the suggestion Dad!

YW Campout

The YW near the waterfall.

Jon standing on the "hiking" path.

Not much of a hike.

Another view of the "hiking" path.

The four young women we "hiked" with.

Friday night, Jon and I got the opportunity to campout with some of the young women in our ward. The girls needed to do some certification and for an overnighter two priesthood holders are needed, so Jon was asked to go and I got to come along. Unfortunately a lot of the girls weren't able to be there, but we had fun with the few that were. We had a yummy dinner, roasted marshmallows for S'mores and played games. I wasn't quite sure what camping in Minnesota would be like, I'm used to camping in the mountains where its quite a bit cooler than in the valley. It was very pleasant at night, but it was a little cold the next morning. After breakfast we drove to the water fall and then we went on a 3 mile "hike". In comparison to the hike we went on in Utah, you can see the pictures on a previous post, this was a nice prairie walk. It was a good walk though. The older I get the more I find things that I don't like about camping. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy it, but the bugs are the number one thing I hate about camping, and there are lots of bugs in Minnesota. All in all we had a good time.