New Running Shoes!!!!!

These are my new running shoes.  I went shoe shopping this morning to look for church shoes and, of course, I bought running shoes.  The best part about them is that they were super cheap.  They just happened to only one pair in my size.  I'm giddy about them.

Now, you are probably wondering why I'm so excited about running shoes.  I don't know what it is.  Maybe you would also have to understand why I love running so much.  I run for several reasons: health, to manage stress, to stay sane, for fun, to think, to not think at all, to get through pain.

With each pair of running shoes comes a year of my life and all that entails, which includes a lot of difficult things.

My last pair of running shoes got me through a lot: a broken heart, numerous of big decisions, a couple months of unemployment, disappointments and bad days.

Running helps me cope and I couldn't run without running shoes.  So I guess that's why I love them so much.

I wonder what this next pair will bring.

The Raleigh 2nd Ward

I went to church today at my home ward.  I grew up there and every time I go back I remember me as I used to be because that's how everyone remembers me. 

Today my best friend from my growing up years just happened to be visiting to.  We have both moved away and visit occasionally so I thought it was funny that we should be there on the same Sunday.  She has a baby now and during Sunday School and Relief Society we sat on the last row munching on chocolate, chatting, and playing with her adorable little chubby baby.  Vivi is her name.

I talked to my old running partner, Sarah Snyder.  I don't know how old she is, but she has six kids.  I used to run with her when I was high school during the off-season.  She's one of my most favorite people to run so I was so excited when she asked if I wanted to go running tomorrow.  I can't wait.

I also talked to Janette Jorgensen, a girl I used to babysit when I was 12 and she was 2.  She's 14 now and has 5 younger siblings.  I think she's taller than me, too.  She's taking driver's ed this summer and is going to high school next year.  I felt a little old.  I wonder what she thinks of me.  Does she think I'm cool?  Does she wonder why I'm not married?  

I loved going back today.  I didn't have to worry about impressing anybody or looking super cute.  I loved feeling accepted and missed.  I felt comfortable and at home.

Dear Emily

This is in response to your blog post since there is no way for me to comment.  I guess I could  just tell you since you are sitting across from me at this very moment.  But, this is probably something everybody that reads my blog wouldn't mind reading. (For those of you who are not Emily, Emily is my roommate and one of my dearest friends.  Sometimes when we are feeling down we like to list 5 things from the day that made us happy.  Here is my list for today)

1.  Eating dinner with Esther, my Mexican coworker, and her friends.  We ate tostadas and a delicious cake and laughed and talked.

2.  Isaac Dickson's talk.  He informed us that if mother's got paid for all the work they do they would get paid $140,000 a year.

3.  Taking a nap in the park by the river and waking up so relaxed.

4.  Talking to my mom.

5.  Talking to Melissa and Emily about life.