Thanksgiving?

The last week or so I have tried to focus my studies on the Savior for obvious reasons. It is the season to celebrate his birth, life, and sacrifice for us all. In the process, I can't help but have a spirit of Thanksgiving and start thinking of everything I am grateful for. First and foremost, I am grateful for my Savior. I have learned so much from him these past few months and am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for the blessing that I don't deserve.



Ever since I got the job in March 2010, BYU Sports Camps seemed to be my calling in life. A job that worked with teenagers, coaches, and required us to play with them both on the field and off. What a dream.
More importantly, coming up to the Summer of 2011, it was going to be my lifesaver. I was coming off of a rough semester of too much work and no play topped off with a rough dating life. I looked at Sports Camps as a way to get me through the summer to the day I could turn in my mission papers.

Summer went as planned. I met some cool guys to hang out with but that was all. There was one in particular though that just seemed to have something different. If you would have asked me first impression of Michael, a fellow counselor, it would have been a good-looking guy with quiet confidence. Unfortunately, the "quiet" just wasn't my type. So in my mind, I didn't look into it. But of course there was that feeling of wanting to get to know him, and I didn't know why.

We had a fun summer as friends. We met at the work retreat, ate lunch together in the Cannon just about everyday (this is where Michael will say that he never saw me showered or out of gym shorts the whole summer), played/I watched him play volleyball (sand volleyball:) every day, and I even had the pleasure of seeing him send off his missionary. I was even the friend asking him why he didn't have her stay. Oh man am I glad that he didn't listen.

He asked me out on our first date the end of July. We made dinner (spinach and goat cheese stuffed chicken and grapes) and hiked the Y. A few roadtrips to California and a mission call later, we are engaged to be sealed for time and all eternity in the Sacramento Temple.



So what am I grateful for? I am grateful for Michael. So so sooooo grateful. But more importantly, I am grateful for prayer and the Spirit. God knew what was right for me when I didn't, and thanks to the Spirit, I was able to make the best decision of my forever.

Is this real life?

The invitations came yesterday, talk about making it real. Couldn't be happier!

Lots has been happening this last week and it all has to do with the wedding but I need a break so lets switch gears. Deal?

I slipped up on my gluten free diet today. Oops. I had a Krispy Kreme. My next thing to give up in preparation for the wedding...DIET COKE. Kill me now. But really, I'm convinced it makes you crave sweet things. And even if thats just all in my head, then I can't have it in my head or else it will be in my mouth.
But for all of you diet coke addicts, LOVE this...



OKLAHOMA IN SIX DAYYYYYYYYYYYYS WOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOO

And now for the wedding teaser...

Trying something new

I have been reading my cousin's blog and shes has been talking about how great she has felt with running as a vegan. So I thought I would try something new...

Gluten free. And I love it so far.
Biggest task for the holidays: staying away from sweets.

Bring on finals. Home in seven days. Oklahoma in nineteen:)

Happy December!!

Oh ya...

And I'm alive. I'm debating on posting wedding plan updates or just making it a surprise?? So here's a teaser...



In the meantime, Christmas is here. My favorite thing about the Holidays thus far: JB Christmas, Christmas devo, Temple lights... yeah the list isn't too long. At least not until finals are over.

11/11/11 :)

Singapore will have to wait.

Craigers !!

Love you babycakes. Happy birthday!!

I'm obsessed.

HRG posted this website on her blog this morning for a giveaway. They even have an intimates section. Runner's lingerie; go figure. I love it.

Relief.

Guys, I did it. Twenty three miles from Heber to Provo.




It was gorgeous. From Heber to the top of the canyon had beautiful rolling hills, Deer Creek, and lots of roadkill. Going through the canyon was a little torturous.. my wall always come around twelve (early I know)... until I met up with Alexander Morgan and we finished the rest in the dark!
Then I got to recover with Babsy and some chocolate milk. Life is good.

St. George, here I come.

ps...if you want to come to st george let me know! it will be a party.

You have hereby been called to serve...

Speaking...

Grateful.

“Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he has been robbed. The fact is that most putts don’t drop, most beef is tough, most children grow up to be just like people, most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration, and most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. Life is just like an old time rail journey...delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride.” Jenkin Jones

I'm not a fan of the whole carpe diem/live, laugh, love/I love life mottos. They are great; I just feel they are so cliche.
So although this quote may encompass these themes, I just appreciate how it is said and how true it is.

Overcoming adversity is one of the most valued lessons we can learn here... because when it is overcome, happiness is that much sweeter. I always check my attitude by evaluating my perspective...do I view experiences as life lessons or as bad days/weeks/months?


On the other hand, I feel like right now is straight up bliss. Looking back over the last year makes me appreciate the place I'm at right now. The Lord loves us and truly does give us adversity so we can grow and be grateful for the blessings we're given.

So...what am I most grateful for? Put simply, I'm grateful for open doors. Yup, most definitely...I'm grateful for the unknown.

Torture...

...is being left in Provo without your best friend. Even worse is seeing all the pictures on Facebook of her in London!! Lyss, I miss you babygirl.




P.S. Lyss...I'm so happy for you...I just need a self-loathing post so you can see how miserable I am without you. All I can say is you better bring me back a picture of you kissing a babe on the Eiffel Tower.

Thank you Dede.

This last weekend we went to the Mt. Timp Storytelling Festival up Provo Canyon. So beautiful/fun/perfect. Just another thing to remind me that Provo is not so bad.

I'm getting old.

Kidding. That was a joke. But really, I have been thinking of some fitness goals I want to accomplish before I'm thirty.

And besides...I've heard that having long term goals helps you accomplish the short term goals.
Thinking through it, I'm guessing the logic is that knowing you have a long term goal makes the short term ones look easier?
Sometimes I confuse myself.
Well, here they are.

Ironman
mainly because these people are legit


Western States
to have something to compare the ironman to



Mt. Kilimanjaro
just look at it

Woot woot!

Happy anniversary! Twenty six years and counting :)

Coincidence?

This talk right here has popped up three times in the last two days. Knock me upside the head, why don't ya??

Lets ignore the fact that school starts in a week, tuition is due, and my life is currently up in the air.

I'm going to start some new goals for St. George. Phew. Something I can do.

Here are some new ones...

1. NO Diet Coke.
2. NO crackers.
3. NO pb or nuts.
4. One sweet a week=health conscious sweet (if that even exists? think froyo)
5. Two-a-day workouts 3x week.
6. Abs e'eryday. Now that summer is over might as well start, right?

With the slim chance that someone still reads this, let me just put in an apology about my blog goal-setting. I don't know why, but it works.

I may or may not be back later with a post about this last week but if not, hopefully this will suffice.

I don't even know.

Let's see. So this post is just going to be all over the place. Feel free to hit the back button now.

Sports Camps ends TODAY. What theeee heckkkkk... There is a good chance I won't be around next year to be a counselor and as sad as it is that I won't be able to, I am so glad I had the chance to do it again this summer. I have learned so much and met people that have had HUGE impacts on my life.

I leave FRIDAY for Missouri for Jordan and Will's big day! I am so excited that I can go and be there. Slash I am pumped for our roommate reunion. Love these girls.


Right after the proposal :)

I get to go home for two weeks and see my family!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Then back to Provo for what is looking to be a good semester. Yes, I am still in denial about the fact that Lyss is leaving me for London.



Step Up 3D..the beginning my friends.

It's game time

Twenty-miler: check.

That's right folks! I finished my first twenty mile run for my training and it felt
goooooood. I am right on track for October. But there are a few things I want to change to get just a little more into running shape...



1) One sweet a week...that means cutting out desserts and most added sugars. So I have started lifting weights and it has definitely made me stronger. For my first marathon I cut out sweets and I noticed a difference for sure. I am going to try to get back to that for St. George.

2) Take speed workouts seriously...I love running. I really do. Letting my thoughts run wild with the help of endorphins is my form of entertainment. But tempo runs? Mile repeats? Blehhhh. So I am going to have a better attitude and NOT let myself slack off on pace times.

3) Run on x-train days...three days a week I either bike, elliptical, or swim. I am going to add a twenty minute run to these days to keep my legs loose.

4) Stretch...I would love to say that I will dedicate ten minutes a day to stretching but I know that isn't going to happen. So lets start with three days a week?

"Get on your knees and pray, then get on your feet and work"

I have been thinking alot lately about what makes the difference in my mood. Why are there some days where I feel I have the world in my hand and others when I just want to curl up and cry?
Many times we blame our bad days on circumstance and events, but more often than not it is completely in our control to make it a good one.
I believe the difference to be service...

"Often, the answer to our prayer does not come while we’re on our knees but while we’re on our feet serving the Lord and serving those around us. Selfless acts of service and consecration refine our spirits, remove the scales from our spiritual eyes, and open the windows of heaven. By becoming the answer to someone’s prayer, we often find the answer to our own." -Dieter F. Uchtdorf

One great example of service in my life is this guy right here.




He is an administrator at Rocklin High School and I can honestly say he has been an answer to my prayers in many ways. He goes above and beyond his job description and puts his own needs aside for his family, friends, and students.

Moroni 7:46- Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all...

Seriously?

Is it almost August already?

Quick picture update and I'm off.

My life= Sports Camps. The end.



Stadium of Fiyaaaa



Love me some rugby



Surprise trip to Tahoe!



Harry Potter...such a sad day



MoTab and lots of Pettey family time!



And just good company in general...Kate Keenan, I love you

Let's do it again

First and foremost, we have found our summer theme song.
"Let's do it again" - J Boog.
Check it out.


California was a DREAM. Just what the doctor ordered. Thinking back on what we did, I realized it was fun stuff and all, but it was really the fact that I got to spend 24/7 with these lovely people. I am so lucky to have such awesome friends.



AND, Alex finished his first marathon. Woooohooooooo way to go! The course was oh so beautiful and the weather was perfect. Couldn't have asked for a better first race.

Funny story. We were running and right when we passed mile marker 19, Alex turned to me and said...
"Cheryl, I think I hit my wall."
To which I replied, "Okay, how can I help you?"



Oh man, Alex you're the best.

______________________________________

Okay sidenote...
I went to the temple today and was sitting in the font area waiting for my turn. The brother in the font was baptizing very delicately and slowly, focusing on each word and pronouncing each syllable with care.
When my turn came up, they switched the brother in the font. He was a 300 lb tongan man and because he went so quickly, I got to do fifteen names instead of the normal five.
Wow.
It got me thinking. What is more important? Is there a right or wrong way to perform these ordinances?
In the church, there are many ways to go about things. There are some days when we have to show up, whip it out, and get as much work done as possible.
Contrastingly, there are some things that should be done gently and with deep thought and consideration
So yeah...Just made me want to evaluate how I do things, just a thought.

Have a great day :)

All Smiles

All smiles has become my slogan for Spring. I have started to remember what its like to have time to hang out with friends. So I am taking the opportunity to publicy apologize for my disappearance Winter semester. I'm back.

And now I'm off to LA for the weekend.

Alex and I are running the Palos Verdes Marathon and Cam and Alyssa are going to be there cheering us on! Ahhh I can't wait. I love roadtrips.
And running.
And my friends.
Someone sent me an email yesterday with this in it and it made me smile. Sometimes I love being short.


Have a wonderful weekend!

BFF'S

For those of you who didn't know, Harry Potter Seven (not seven and a half) was released a couple weeks ago.
Let's just say it has not been taken out of my DVD player. And let's not even talk about how many times I have fallen asleep on my couch watching it. Let's also not talk about how many times I have cried over this movie.
Or wait, we might just have to.
This scene sums up my obsession with Harry and the gang.



Dear Kim Schneider,

Lets go.

Mom, I love you.

I guess my mom has found the key to life.

Kyle James !

...Happy Birthday to my best friend Kyle!


Freshman year homecoming rally, before they were my life's work, I participated in a game. I didn't know beforehand that this game entailed a boy eating marshmallows with no hands off of a necklace laying on my chest.
He was shorter than me. I was Mormon. We were freshman...IT WAS AWKWARD.

Nonetheless, this is how I met my best friend.

I could go on and on about high school stories: some crazy, some embarassing, some awkward, some sad...and many if not all of them had Kyle there with me or hearing every detail afterwards.

Here are some highlights...


Sophomore year New Year's Eve...best ever.



San Francisco!


So us, what can I say.


Senior Ball. So sad. I am a little in love with high school.

Now if only he would transfer to University of Utah...:)

Seasonal Depression

It's real. It could be the fact that during the sunny seasons there is no school, but I'm banking on the fact that it is the beautiful yellow ball of joy that changes my mood.
Thank goodness the sun is out.

I love Spring. And Alyssa.



Work, a surprise lunch date, a canyon run, and an inevitable Lakers win has made today a good day.

Fresh Start

Okay okay, I had a bit of a bad week. Maybe I was just in shock with all of the
free time that I had that I used it without thinking...
Welp, it is SPRING (ignore the snow outside)...today is the beginning of a fresh start.

On a lighter note... me and Pister ran (with lots of breaks...) the Y yesterday! It was snowing and when we got to the top, you literally couldn't even see Provo because of the cloud cover. After about five minutes, there was a little light and it shined right on Utah Lake! So so so beautiful!

And some even better news... I bought these bad boys today. I may or may not have bought them to boost my popularity with the kids at Sports Camps this summer...

Vintage?

Vintage: "representing the high quality of a past time"

I am still trying to decide on a word to describe Boston. All of the others I could think of are boring and cliche: historical, rich, quaint, clean...I really have no idea.
It was like walking through a small town and then randomly seeing skyscrapers if you remember to look up.

We did ALOT in the three days we had to sightsee...the Freedom Trail, Walden Pond, North Bridge, pedicures, Duck Tour, shopping, Mr. Bartley's Burgers, Pinkberry, Bunker Hill Monument, the oh so beautiful campuses of Harvard and MIT (marry me?), and anything else I forgot to mention you can see in the pictures:)



"The Shot Heard Around the World"- Lexington and Concord


The site of Thoreau's cabin at Walden Pond


LDS Boston Temple


Along the Freedom Trail


Duck Tours!


Mr. Bartley's!


Bunker Hill Monument