My "Love Affair" With Exercise

This is a lovely picture depicting my "love affair" with exercise. As you can see, the treadmill and stability ball are in the background. I think they have been in that position for about a week. The smile that you see in this inspiring photograph is genuine. Don't fool yourself...I am simply ecstatic about exercise.

Okay...honestly...I wish I didn't hate exercise so much. Then again, maybe I wouldn't hate exercise so much if I was in better shape and it didn't kick my butt to run a mile or lift some weights.

Just Put Five

So, some of you might be wondering why I am holding up five fingers. I can promise you that before you finish reading this entry...you will find out!

Today was testimony meeting at church. Honestly, I wasn't feeling extremely "in tune" today, but one testimony stood out to me. Garrett Coles.

He reminded me of how important it is to include the Lord in my day-to-day life. He shared an experience he had during finals week at BYU. He had studied 4 to 5 hours for a final, which included memorizing various equations.

He got to the test having said multiple prayers for help that he would retain the equations he had memorized. He felt confident about all of the questions on the test, except for one. He couldn't recall which equation to use to solve the problem. He prayed and one of the equations came to mind. He tried using it, but an hour later determined that it wasn't the correct equation. He prayed 2 or 3 more times, with similar experiences.

He stated his last prayer went something like this: "Heavenly Father, I have done the best that I can. I have studied for this test. I have listened to your promptings. Please help me know which equation to use to solve this problem." That's when he felt prompted to: "Just put five."

By "just putting five" he could mark the answer as option five. As he exited the testing center, he got the answer to that problem correct. The answer was option five.

I guess I needed a reminder that the Lord cares. I needed to hear that he wants to be involved in my life, and that through prayer he can influence my life for the better.

BRACES!!!

This morning, in an attempt to straighten my bottom teeth, I decided to take the plunge and get braces! I only needed braces on my bottom teeth, and I should have them for only 3 to 4 months. Despite the short time, I feel like I am back in middle school. (I had braces from 8th through 11th grade). They feel really awkward in my mouth. In fact, I think I speak with a slight lisp now. You'll have to let me know the next time you talk with me! :)

REAL SOCCER GAME

So, for those of you who know me...you know that I am by no means a sports fan. I have no idea when BYU is playing and who they are playing. I could care less who wins, and who has made it to the playoffs. My family didn't grow up watching sports. Having said that, I decided to expand my horizons. Brandon has a way of getting me to try new things, even when I really don't want to.

Anyhow, I won some REAL soccer tickets and decided to put them to good use. We attended the game against FC DALLAS a week or so ago. I was quite impressed. Not only was it exciting and fun, but Brandon got to teach me all about soccer. We won (3 to 1) and towards the end I found myself jumping out of my seat everytime we scored a goal. I would definitely go again!

The Inner Battle

I recently became a new branch manager at a local credit union. Ten months ago I became a landlord. A year ago I battled some health issues. Two years before that I fought every day to lose weight. Four years ago I was newly married and adjusting to life with my husband. What do all of these situations have in common? They are moments in my life that have presented me with an opportunity to change, for better or worse.

I am discovering that I can handle these challenges in one of two ways. The challenge can become the nail in my coffin OR it can be a DEFINING moment in my life. The choice is mine.

I just finished reading a book about someone who has had many more challenges than me. She was a survivor of the genocide that took place in Cambodia in the 1970's. She out-lived her father, mother, and two sisters by the time she turned eight years old. I have NEVER had to deal with such harsh circumstances. How do people overcome such cruel trials?

My inner battle right now consists of, "What am I doing with the time that has been given me while here on earth?" as well as, "What do I need to accomplish so that when I die I KNOW I have experienced a fulfilling life?" My father helped me answer the second question. He said, "Amy, if you consistently make an effort to pray, listen, and follow through with any promptings that you receive from the Holy Ghost, you WILL be able to leave this life knowing you did your best. You will leave knowing you lived a fulfilling life." I believe he is right.

This is my sister Debbie, AKA Debbers. As you can see, she is VERY pregnant. She is due in a month or two. I got to see Debbie about two weeks ago in Idaho. My family decided to throw a baby shower for both of my sisters (both are pregnant). They got a whole bunch of great stuff. I got a little baby hungry, but then the babies got fussy and the feeling wore off pretty quick.

I sometimes wonder if I'm going to have more patience with my own kids. Everyone is always saying that "it is different with your own kids." This might be true, but common sense keeps telling me that crying can get annoying no matter whose mouth it comes out of. I guess we shall see....

NIGHT ON THE TOWN

What do we do for fun you ask? That's easy...we squish into Kjell's truck, head to the local grocery store, and get some ice cream!

What did the boys do for fun? Well, it's quite simple. They sat in the back of the truck!

I'm Tired of Being Sick

So...I have had this cold that will not go away. First it started in my throat. It hurt to talk. It hurt to swallow. It hurt to breathe. Yep, it pretty much sucked. Then it went to my ears. No one likes to have an earache. Then my mouth decided that it needed THREE canker sores. When I get canker sores, things get ugly. I'll get a fever, my ears will ache, and sometimes even my lip or jaw will swell. It's really painful, especially when I eat, talk, or brush my teeth. Lately, feeling sick, has caused me to also feel less social. All I want to do is come home from work, eat my dinner on the right side of my mouth (I have more canker sores on the left side), and then go to bed. I feel really worn out and tired right now. I think the cold is kicking my butt right now.

Another small, and yet worthwhile update I would like to add is that I am quiting my 2nd job. I am a workaholic. My good friend, Kjell, pointed this out to me the other day. I committed to myself (after talking with her) that I was going to quit my second job and take more time for me. I was doing really good at working out every day, and then I got a promotion at work. Between the promotion, the second job, and getting sick I haven't been taking time to take care of me. This isn't what I want, so I have taken a step in the right direction. I have quit the second job. I gave my two weeks notice today. I even started training my replacement this afternoon.

I think it's really important to keep life in balance. I tend to focus on one thing and let everything else go. Not a healthy way to approach life....right. So today I dropped the second job. My next focus is to get rid of this cold by getting enough sleep, eating right, drinking plenty of water, and taking whatever medicine might speed up the recovery process. After I kick the cold it's back to the weight bench and treadmill for me.

Lastly, I just want to say that I needed general conference this last weekend. It was a great boost to my spirit, and I felt a renewed desire to come unto the Lord. It also was a great reminder of what life REALLY is all about.

Painting

Today Brandon & I went to our friend's house and helped them paint their living room, dining room, and kitchen. They decided to go with a two-tone look. I think it looks pretty good. I want to paint our pad now! Actually, I'm not sure if paint would really help our little "dungeon." It's a basement apartment, and the only thing that would REALLY improve it would be to raise it up and get us some sunshine down here!

Cell Phone Cameras

So...I have discovered a fun little secret that has been in front of me for almost four years. My cell phone camera. It is simply amazing! You can change the settings and make your face look all funky. I would recommend messing around with yours the next time you feel boredom coming on.

Temple Run

Brandon and I decided to take a night jog on Thursday. It was fun, and short. Running uphill is much harder than running on our treadmill. Give it a few weeks, and we'll be running marathons!

Adventures

Brandon and I have decided to be more adventurous. Hopefully in March we will be on our way to California for a mini vacation to Disney Land with our friends from "Dinner Club" 07. (You know who you are).