10 Honest Things About Me

My friend Ashley did this on her blog and I thought it was a fun way for you to learn just a little more about me!

1. I don't do well with emotions. I like to talk, understand and come up with a solution. I have my own theories about why people act how they do and love to share my ideas, but as soon as the crying starts I get a little ache in my stomach and panic onsets. I just don't know what to do.

2. I have no problem spending full price for a great article of clothing. Don't get me wrong, I love a good deal, but I have no remorse for paying too much for something I feel amazing in. Call me crazy, but the way I feel overrules the checkbook.

3. I hate hearing the following words or phrases, "No", "You won't/can't do that", "You don't understand", "That's not a good idea". Often times I think there are more constructive ways to say the above statements. Once I hear these words I shut down.

4. I read in a book just the other day that Satan would have us believe that love is a sign of weakness. It stopped me dead in my tracks and I can't stop thinking about it. I need to show more love.

5. I like to push my body. I haven't always been this way. I don't know what happened, it's like one day I realized that I was capable of more and there was no excuse for not giving my all to get to the next level. I think that's why I like to run, it's a challenge.

6. I am obessesed with hair. Hair color, hair product, hair texture, hair accessories, hair care, hair styles, hair spray. I have hair fantasies (the way my hair would be if I only had the courage). It's the first thing I notice on people. I always thought I would go to beauty school, for some reason it just hasn't been in the cards.

7. Sometimes I forget that I am 'all grown up'. I remember being 16 and dreaming of how my life would be as an adult. It happened, I grew up and somehow I just feel like a more self aware 16-year-old.

8. I know times are hard. I know the economy is bad and world is confused. We hear more bad news everyday. Our lives are quickly changing or maybe we are just becoming more aware of the evil around. Even still, I wouldn't have asked to be born in a different time. With all the craziness happening I am continually impressed with the good.

9. I relate songs to chapters in my life. Graduating college was "Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield. Moving to Oregon was "The Road and The Radio" by Kenny Chesney. Currently it's "Vegas" by Sara Bareilles.

10. I believe in being an active participant in your own life. I can't always control the things that this life brings, but I can control my actions and reactions. Life doesn't just happen, we choose how to live our lives. I hope I choose a good one!

I tag everyone, it's fun - do it!

This Sums It Up

I saw this quote on Amiee's super genius of a blog and thought how appropriately it sums up my life right now. For me, change usually comes a little at a time. In fact, so slowly sometimes that I hardly even notice it. But when I look back at a year ago Amber and today Amber, they are two different people sewn together by time and experience. It just keeps getting better!

Celebrating Christ

I love the Easter season. I love the symbolism as the weather turns to Spring and the trees and flowers begin to blossom we are reminded that Jesus lives. This morning as I was reading through scriptures and past words spoken about Easter I was touched by the reality of the Resurrection and overwhelmed with gratitude for the Savior.

My oldest niece, Ashley, passed away 2 years ago in July. Yesterday would have been her 22nd birthday. All day my thoughts were about Ashley and as with many people who have someone close to them pass away, I wondered what the proper way to celebrate her was. I like to think the best way to celebrate someone is with happy memories of them and so I remembered. But as I was reading this Easter morning I came across these words that President Hinkley spoke in 1996,

"There is nothing more universal than death, and nothing brighter with hope and faith than the assurance of immortality. The abject sorrow that comes with death, the bereavement that follows the passing of a loved one are mitigated only by the certainty of the Resurrection of the Son of God that first Easter morning."

I am so grateful for Jesus Christ and his sacrifice for me, for Ashley, for everyone, so that we too will live again. There have been many, and will be plenty more, times in my life where this knowledge has been the only thing that I am sure of - even so, it's always been enough. Ashley is such an incredible addition to our family and what special time of year for her to have her birthday.

Happy Easter!

You Can't Slow Me Down!

My previous post I talked all about the wonderful trip to Moab. Moab was wonderful, but also came with a price... i.e, my left foot. After the race I noticed my left foot was a little sensitive. Putting weight on it hurt, therefore walking was kind of uncomfortable. I told the girls, "I think my foot is broken." Assuming that I was over reacting since my body usually always hurts somewhere I hiked around Arches for 2 days and ran around putting the least amount of weight on it as possible. When I got home to my parents house I told my Dad, "I think my foot might be broken" (I fractured my foot about 4 years ago - therefore I thought I MUST know what it feels like). He replied, "You're just in luck! I have 2 walkers here, you can use one! We can walk around in our walkers together." So sweet.

Well, I let a couple days go by walking and running as if nothing was wrong, but still feeling a definite pain and swelling in my foot. Finally, I decided if I was going to have to see a doctor it was going to be the one who helped me with my foot last time. Since he is in Utah I made the appointment. To my demise I have a fracture in my 5th metatarsal (pinky-toe bone) and a tear in one of my peroneal tendons (runs behind the ankle and attaches to the 5th metatarsal). Fabulous! I then got a 30 minute lecture from my favorite doctor about how running is hard on my body, how I have to wear a cast boot for 6 weeks, and REALLY need to take it easy so it will heal. I asked him to specifically list the things I absolutely could not do and those which I could do and was gone wondering how this could have happened - again.

And then I figured it out (well Traci did). I had been running in the same style and brand of shoe for 4 years. I bought a new pair of shoes in January specifically for Moab. I bought a Nike shoe (not the one pictured above) because I wanted to train with Nike plus. I had been running in them for 3 months... and now this! Then to top it all off, Traci, Michelle and I entered the lottery for the Nike Women's Marathon in San Fransisco in October and DID NOT get in! Not only did Nike break my foot, but then they didn't even let us into their marathon! The nerve. So, To Nike: You can't slow me down - in 6 weeks I will be running again and next year you better believe you'll let me into your marathon! (I would like to note that I am not actually blaming this on Nike, however the timing is suspicious :-) I also just bought 2 pairs of Nike workout shorts, so I am not completely black listing them.)

The bad news: I can't run for 6 weeks and I am going crazy - seriously. Also, I didn't get into the San Francisco race which bums me out. Lastly, it's really hard to find shoes the same height as this cast boot, therefore cute shoes for the next few weeks are out of the question.

The good news: Having a boot on your foot makes people everywhere want to talk to you. The running store gave me store credit for the Nike (alleged foot breaker) shoes and I will be able to pick out a new pair. And my dad is also in a similar boot now, yay! Too bad I am not closer so we could get a picture together.