Just When You Think You Can't Get Any Uglier.

This is what happens when you have been in a hospital for a week, one of your best friends comes to visit you, and you muster up enough energy to look for a Halloween costume at Goodwill.

Hello California!

A LOT has happened since my last post. All three of us did not run in Abe's Amble after all! :-( Justin and I ended up moving to California before the glorious occasion and Ashley ended up getting pregnant (instead of me) and was too sick to participate. However, Ashley and I were able to race at the Women's Distance Festival before we left. It was a two mile race. My goal was not in my speed, but to not stop.....and I did it! It was the best feeling in the world! There were hundreds of people around the finish line cheering everyone on. I realized that even though I have lame lungs, my mind and will power are stronger. I was trying hard not to cry when I crossed that finish line. Awesome day in my book!

Other things that have happened:

Justin's brother Corey got married. YAH to Corey and Emily!!!

We went to Colorado and stayed on a ranch for a week. I have never had some many bug bites on my body at one time....no joke! But we had a fabulously great time! My horse's name was Chaukta, we hated each other in the beginning, but by the end of the week were soul mates!

Justin, my mother, and I drove both our cars across the country to Monrovia, California. We have been here for a month now and like it a lot. It is hot and the people drive crazy, but there is no bugs and no humidity!

Justin started his new job here is CA and likes it a lot more! I am in the process of getting my CA Hygiene license and have to take the boards again. I take them October 25th which gives me less than two months to find someone that never brushes their teeth in a town I am not familiar with.

Two days ago we said goodbye to Justin's other brother Cody as he went off to army basic training in Georgia. We love him and are proud to be his kin!

I colored my hair myself. The box said medium brown.....it came out black. I think I have a very strong resemblance to Michael Jackson now, especially when I am wearing make up. I just need a skinner nose.

And last by not at all least, Justin and I have started the LONG adoption process through LDS Family Services. If you know a mother that is looking for other options please let us know. :-)

Justin and Cody the morning Cody left for Georgia.

Welcome to Abe's Army

Ashley, Justin, and I signed up to be a part of Abe's Army this summer. Abe's Army is a 12 week training program for the annual Abe's Amble 10k road race held here in Springfield, Illinois. Every week you meet with a group that is at your same running level, and each group has an experienced runner for their coach. Tonight we had orientation where we received our shirts, water bottles, etc. I thought we should take before and after pictures.....next time you see us we are going to be stronger, healthier, muscly, and probably exhausted! :-)

P.S. Ashley didn't get the memo that we were supposed to change poses!

The Biggest Mystery of All!

As long as I can remember I have LOVED murder mystery stories. I used to watch shows on TV at a young age that would make my mother nervous. I can remember her even banding me from watching some of them in fear that they were too "grown up." I would watch shows like Diagnosis Murder, Murder She Wrote, and this one that I can't remember the name of, but a nun and pastor were the mystery solvers (that is the one that I got banded from). I am a big reader as well and every time that I go to the library I find myself drawn to the Mary Higgins Clark section or other suspense book. Why is it that I am so enthralled with killing....I know not. I would like to think that it is not the murder part that interests me, but the mystery. I am constantly trying to think outside the box and think analytically to solve the case before it is solved for me. So.....here is my confession: The past few months I have been addicted to the show Matlock. On the days that I don't have to work it is the thing that gets me out of bed in the morning (it starts at 9am on channel 9). That is the pathetic part, but here is the retarded part! The show is an hour long and I ALWAYS fall asleep the last 20 mins of it and NEVER find out who killed who and why! That is the biggest mystery of all....why I am doing this and wasting my life away?! It is obviously not that great of a mystery if I can't stay awake for it. So, right here and now I am banding myself from watching Matlock indefinietly! I will no longer indulge myself in such trash! Here is to a new me!!

Matlock, disgusted with my behavior!

Adding to My Tomorrows

As most of you know I have Cystic Fibrosis. On May 30th I am going to be walking to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. They do reserach to develop treatments that extend the life of those with CF, and will hopefully one day find a cure. When the foundation was first founded, few patients made it to elementary school. Now those with CF live to a median age of 37. I haven't been to a Great Strides walk for about 10 years and feel like this is something that I really need to do. I was wondering if any of you would like to support me on this walk? I know that right know with the economy that money is tight, but every dollar helps! If anyone would like to donate please leave your email address with your comment and I will send you an email back with my home address. I have to turn in all the money on the 30th when I go for the walk. Thanks for your help!!

Flat Stanley

A couple of weeks ago my nephew Kaelan sent me a Flat Stanley! I was really excited and worried at the same time. My parents have done Flat Stanley's in the past for the grandkids and they are always AMAZING! I had a lot to live up to.....however I think it turned out pretty well. For those of you that don't know what Flat Stanley is: A child sends you a letter and cartoon little man (Flat Stanley) that you are supposed to "show around the town" you are from. You send back to the classroom postcards, pictures, and everything that you did with your Flat Stanley. What is there to do is Springfield, IL? Abe Lincoln sites thats what! Justin and I had so much fun with this little guy. We took a ton of pictures.....here are a few. Enjoy! Thanks for the fun Kaelan!

Stanley being introduced to a horseshoe meal....mmmm.

Stanley pretending he was tied to one of the many railroad tracks in Springfield. Silly Stanley!

The State Capitol Building

Side trip to MO: Stanley and Holly at Adam-Ondi-Ahman

I made Justin try on this Abe mask that we got at the Abraham Lincoln Museum before sending to the kids....oh the fun!

Birthday Wishes

Today my man is 25! Happy Birthday Justin!!