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.

Moab Madness in March

One of my favorite half marathons is the Moab Half in March. This race definitely falls in my top 5 fave runs, after the Ogden Half Marathon and Moab 'Other' Half of course. It's really such a pretty course! This year, living 1,200 miles away from the race I had to make quite the journey to get there. I wanted to drive my car to Utah so I would have a car to take to Moab... I am still undecided as to whether driving to Utah from Oregon is ever a good idea. 12 hours in a car is a long time!

The race was great and the weather was fabulous! Maryn and Ashley made the trip with me and we met up with Traci and Ingrid in Moab who also ran the race. Bryce was nice enough to give up his spot to Ashley, so she was able to do the 5-mile run down the canyon.

In keeping with Moab tradition, we got in trouble the night before the race for being to loud. Traci and I have been asked to quiet down every time we have made the trip. I guess I don't understand why people go to bed at 8pm for a race that starts at 10am? One of life's many questions... I think this is my, "get up off my back it's only 8:00" face.

The night before the race I was having some serious wardrobe anxiety. Typically I would run in a long sleeve and capris in March, but it was 80 degrees! I didn't feel like I hauled the appropriate clothing 1,200 miles for a 13 mile 80 degree run. To ease my mind I tried on all my options for Maryn and Ash. I think really it helped!The day of the race was great, Ashley loved the 5-mile run and did an awesome job.Don't ask me how, but Ashley got a picture of me smiling at the end of the half. It wasn't my best time ever, which was kind of a bummer, but definitely not my worst. All in all a good race.
I was having some serious calf cramping the last 3 miles of the run. When I finished Maryn was so sweet to rub my sweaty calves. Now, that's a real friend! All the runners together... Ingrid, Ashley, Traci and myself . Notice that we're all sitting!
After the race we went to Arches National Park and did some hiking. Ashley and Maryn hadn't been there before so we went all over and took about 14 million pictures! On the hike to Delicate Arch, Maryn decided to bring her huge water bottle. She didn't have anywhere to put it and carrying a 3lb water bottle proved to be annoying. Perfect solution - use it to keep your pants up!

I must explain the picture below... Nicea, from Good Things Utah, was in Moab with her family. Her husband ran the half marathon. We saw them at dinner the night before the race and did the whisper down the table "look at the famous person" thing. The next day we ran into them at Subway and her husband chatted with us while we waited an hour for our sandwhiches. (YES, and hour!) Then, we ran into them hiking up to Delicate Arch and we talked them into hiking all the way down to see the arch. (They were offically stalking us by this time - obviously). They were nice enough to take a couple pictures of us under the arch. As they were clicking pictures they yelled, "Do something cool!" and below is the coolest we could come up with on the spot.... (I think we may need to work on our 'cool' poses). The next day we did even more hiking. I swear you could have a week in that park and never see the whole thing! I decided that Maryn should be a model and I should be her photographer. I really think we have a serious career on our hands.
Ashley and I were going to climb up into that hole, but once we got over there it seemed a little over our heads, if you know what I mean. We opted to just point at the cool hole in the rock.
Thanks for coming girls, it was such a fun trip. The thousands of miles of driving and broken foot was totally worth it, but that's a story for another time.

Welcome To The Rain, Ash!

Ashley was so sweet to come out to Portland to hang out for a weekend and drive to Utah with me. She hasn't been to Oregon since she was a kid so it was almost a whole new adventure! Luckily for her she got ONE day of beautiful sunshine before the sky opened and it poured for the remaining two days.
Ashley loves bridges so we went downtown to walk along the river and look at the bridges that cross the Willamette. We also got manicures at this super cute little nail salon on the river - the one problem - my nails chipped the very next day!! Ugh! The next day we went out to the beach to do a little shopping. It poured the entire time! We kind of expected the rain, so we did our best to ignore the torrential downpour that was soaking through our shoes. Thank goodness for umberellas!We loved Seaside so much we even got matching sweatshirts! Ha - dorky and touristy, I know.
And then to the beach... oh boy was it raining, but I pulled out the camera anyway. If pouring rain on your day at the beach isn't a moment to remember then I don't know what is.
We also braved the elements at Multnomah Falls, which was so beautiful. Ashley better hurry and send those pictures so I can post them... Thanks for coming, Ash!

Happy Birthday Pops!

Exactly one week after my Mom's birthday falls my Dad's. As you know, I love everyone's day of birth... but this year my Dad's is extra special! Today he turns 60 AND had about 60 screws put into his left leg! Big day! It was a bummer that his surgery had to happen today, but he was in too much pain to push it out. The surgery went really well and now it's on to recovery.

I was so glad to be home for his surgery and to be sure that the birthday's are celebrated in their fullness. Here is to crossing our fingers that he is home very soon so we can get the party started!

In effort to keep his hospital pictures private I will refrain from posting pictures of the giant balloons that we brought to the hospital and instead include my most favorite picture with my parents on graduation. Just know, the Get Well/Birthday balloons were awesome.

My dad is such an amazing man... here is a top ten list of my favorite things.
10. When my dad wants to give advice it always starts with, "I know I mess around a lot, but keep in mind..."
9. As per above my Dad jokes about all matters of life. He finds the light in every situation.
8. Dad's know everything and mine is no exception. He will sit on the phone for hours with me trying to explain how something in my house is 'suppose' to work and talk me through how to fix it.
7. My Dad has always taught us to put family first. I remember being 14 on a camping trip with my family and wishing sooo badly that I was home with my friends. He said to me, "One day family will be all you have - make your family most important." I never forgot that.
6. He is such a fighter. He fought for his life in November and has been fighting to recover ever since. Not to mention that he taught me how to be a 'fighter' in junior high school when a girl was threatening to steal my boyfriend. Everyone should know how to throw a punch he says. :)
5. My Dad is lives on 4 major food groups, Coke, Chocolate, Red meat and Coffee... I love it because I can always count on mounds of chocolate when I come to visit!
4. My Dad watches over everyone. He likes to make sure that everyone has exactly what they need. He stands behind you to make sure you're safe. I love that.
3. My Dad doesn't like elaborate holiday's. Simple and meaningful is most important to him.
2. My Dad tells the best stories. He exaggerates just enough to make the story interesting, but not too much so it's unbelievable. I love it! His stories usually start, "I know I mess around a lot, but no joke..."
1. I will never forget the day my Dad sat me down and said, "Amber don't be stuck up. Don't be rude. Be kind to everyone. Your character is one of the most important things you have". Words to remember...

I love you, Happy 60th Birthday Dad!