Dental school

This past month in a half has been quite the whirlwind of adventures, some good and some horrible. I'll try and do a summary of the main events..

1. After much praying, Ben and I felt it was time to leave little Astoria and return to Washington. We realized there are just more job opportunities here, and we drive up to see family at least every other weekend, well less then that but close enough, so now we will be saving a lot on gas, and we know we made the right decision to move when a couple days later the hunting accident happened.

2. My daddy was in a serious hunting accident and after two life flights, 11 blood transfusions, and lots of surgeries and prayers he is healthy and alive, but he did have to have his leg amputated. We were told by the surgeon that if the emergency team had gotten to my dad 3 min later he would have died from blood loss. This was such a hard thing for our family to go through, but my dad is the strongest person I know and he has been recovering so well. Since he is so incredibly active we just know he will make it through and do all the things he did before with his new prosthetic he will be getting. He has had Such a strong and positive attitude, I love him so much.

3. Ben was accepted to Marquette school of dentistry! This has been one of the hardest trials yet, waiting to be accepted into dental school. But he did it! Apparently we needed to learn some patience and perseverance. I think we have grown a lot, and we are at a better place now to be going into dental school then before. Heavenly father knows what's best, and what timing is best! So come august we will be moving to Wisconsin! Ben is beyond excited and I am for him as well! A little nervous to live so far from home but it's nothing new for us to live in new places so it will be a great adventure!

We have been experiencing lots of change, which can be stressful, but I know the only way to grow is to experience change. We are going to welcome it, and let it strengthen us.

A lot more has been happening but I will have to write these things later.

Happy holidays!

It's a habit!

So I have formed the habit of running 5days a week. Sometimes they have to be shorter runs, 2 to 3 milers, but that is ok, because I am making it out, almost 5days a week. I got really sick with a fever, sore throat, hacking up a lung and drowning In my snot (I know that was discusting). That is the worst while working as a hygienist, bending over the patient with your nose draining everywhere, all I can say is thank goodness for my mask! (tmi, o well)! Anyways, I did not go out for 4 days in a row, and last week I missed two days during the week. But I have been pretty good. Eating on the other hand, not so good. I just love to eat, and to eat a lot. My portion sizes are large, I love carbs. I love to eat after 8pm as well. So, I'm going to eat, I do always eat whole wheat, and brown rice, and i love fruit and veggies, eggs, and oatmeal. But, I've been eating plenty of cookies, and pumpkin things too (glorious fall foods, clam chowder, soups, pumpkin cookies and shakes, ECt.) I just wanted to be in the habit of working out 5days a week, and making sure I'm getting good foods in me. I will continue to work on eating right. But, since iv formed my exercise habits and I can continue on my eating habits, but iv decided to stop blogging every day about it. I liked having something to have to report to, but now I don't think I need it! So cheers to forming habits!!!

Things that warm my heart...

Today I have just felt so happy and thankful for all I have.. So, I decided to make a list of all the things I am loving today

Home made peach jam
Benjamin
Long lost besties phone calls :) (love Amanda sue)
My kitten, rainy, who has been extra amusing today
My little boy scouts, even though they drive me crazy every week
Benjamins pancakes
My sisters
My legs, and healthy body
Yummy food
Cozy clothes
The rain, and crisp air
My job
Bens job
What our future holds...

I love days like today,

Day 16

Day 16

So... Yesterday I ran the big 6 miles.. And I thought my legs would be super sore today but they weren't to bad... Which kind of really annoyed me! My knees were hurting though, but that's not such a good thing. I decided to take it a little bit faster today and run my normal 4 miles. (weird to say that's my normal now, ha). It felt good, but really my knees are killing! I definitely ran faster today, and I also did an insane abs video work out that worked out my quads and belly. It was super hard, I was sweating and grunting through the whole thing.. Kinda pathetic I know. I guess I need to start doing that one a couple times a weak. It was different because he doesn't.t believe in doing crunches so it was lots of high knee jumps, and sitting on the ground at an angle lifting your legs and things. I already feelmit in my quads so I'm happy about that! I had a low fat yogurt for breakfast today, half a whole wheat chicken and tomato sandwich for lunch with a bowl of teriyaki veggies, a protein shake for snack, for dinner peanut butter curry chicken with brown rice and steamed carrots, and later I was STARVING so I had a few frozen blueberries and a peach. Needed to get my fruit in anyways right? Those were definitely after 8 but my stomach was growling and that means I won't be able to sleep. Overall an ok day. I still don't drink enough water and I struggle with not eating past 8.

Anyone know a cure for hurting running knees? How to prevent them?

this was my weekend...

love these kiddos


I don't mind waking up to this view



this is what my weekend looked like. I love the weekend. And I love lake wenatchee.




day 12, 13, 14

it was saturday today, and we were at the cabin.. I still managed to run two miles out in the woods with ben and my MIL, Ginger, but my IPOD was not charged so it was tough! I have to have my music! I did not eat well at all this weekend, ut that is ok. I knew that I would be letting myself have saturday and sunday since we were with family at the cabin, and it was actually good for me! I ate so much crap and I felt extremely sick all weekend. I had little energy, and I actually felt grouchy too! DOn't worry, I still had a blast, watching conference and staying up all night playing games and all. No one plays boulderdash like us beesons. I love playing games with the family! But I also learned how much better I really do feel when I am eating correctly.
On monday I had a very long day of work, and since I am just trying to make sure I run 5 days a week I took monday off too. I ate healthy on monday though, oatmeal for breakfast, a banana, backed chicken with tomatoes and a hard boiled egg for din din.

day 15

So today I was NOT wanting to go exercise, but of course I did, and it is funny because I ended up running 6 miles today! yes, 6! and it felt so good! the first mile was a little rocky because it was pouring down rain, and I was freezing, and wet, and my muscles were super tight, but once I got through that mile each mile after didn't feel so bad. I actually enjoyed it today. Plus I found some songs that just fit perfect for a long rainy tuesday run. LOVED IT! I had a small bowl of vanilla sunrise, gluten free (healthy) cereal for breakfast, some cherry tomatoes for snack. I had a half of a whole wheat chicken tomato sandwhich and a manderine orange jello cup for lunch. After my run I had a peanut butter banana protien shake, and it was AMAZING! love it. Later, after scouts I had a bowl of carrots and a couple more cherry tomatoes. It was a good day. My legs are a little stiff now, but I like it!

saturday..

this past saturday was a pretty chill day, the kind where we had no plans, no prior appointments, just a lot of time to spend with each other. These are by far my favorite kinds of days. We went on a long drive looking at cool houses we had not yet discovered, and we found this cute little beach.










I had time to do a little project where I took some boring, kinda ugly ikea mirror squares and changed them from this...




to this..




its amazing what a little spray paint can do!

day 11

today was very very difficult for me. My legs were feeling very stiff today, but I somehow made it through and still got in a 4 mile run. It blows my mind how true mind over matter is. I really was thinking, just make it to 2 miles and we will call it a day. But then I was like, hey, I know I can run the full 4 miles. Even though my legs were crying a little, they made it all the way through. I think that my body is starting to change, just a little, but I can tell the difference. It really is not that hard exercise 30 minutes a day, you just have to make the time, and make the effort and you can do it. I have really come to realize that there really is no excuse for ME to go on a run one time a day. Im not doing anything amazing or anyhting, just getting out on a run one time a day. I can make this a habit, and I am choosing to do so. Eating was a little easier today. I have been trying to cut my portions down just a little, and focus on eating more vegetables. I had a small bowl of oatmeal this morning, part of a 6 inch subway for lunch with apples (ben surprised me for lunch and we went on a picnic, hence the subway sandwhich), for snack a bowl of veggies and half of a banana with pb, and dinner was a salad with teriyaki chicken and one hard boiled egg in it, no need for dressing! yum. I'm pretty sure ill be eating a 100cal personalized bag of popcorn too. :) overall a good day. I am changing for the better and I like it.

Day 10

Day 10

Woke up and ate an omelet with green peppers and a little bit of cheese. Went on a 4 mile run, plus a lap. Had an apple and a salad, later a bowl of teriyaki vegetables, then one pumpkin chocolate chip cookie at my friends house (yup), a banana and a bowl of sunrise cereal. It was an ok day! I feel good today, not amazing but good.

Day 9

Day 9

Today was a great day. I woke up and made some super yummy steal cut oatmeal with cut up apple, peach, and banana, and some cinnamon and a dash of brown sugar. For snack I had an apple. I went out on a 4.25 mile run today and did it in 40 min... Not to bad. It felt amazing. It was very sunny today so I was sweating like a popsicle on the 4th of July! I mean, even my eye lids were sweating! I got home and had a bowl of brussel sprouts, and soe more oatmeal, did some stretches, jumping jacks, a few push ups and sit ups. Later for dinner I made brown rice and peanut chicken curry again, so good and super easy. Then I had scouts so I had dessert there, one oatmeal raisen cookie, also a cup of steamed milk.

Having to report somewhere has really helped me to keep doing this every day. I mean I'm just doing it for myself so it's easy to just not do it. I'm not trying to lose weight or anything like that, this is simply me forming a habit to be healthy. Iv actually gotten bigger so far because I'm eating more then normal. 5 small meals through the day. Sometimes they are still not so small. Sometimes I know I need to eat again but I'm not hungry, but I know I should get some fruit/veggies/goodness into my belly! Anyways, I am liking how iv been feeling. I feel so much more energetic and happy. After last weekend I really noticed a difference in how I feel on days when I am doing what I should compared o the others..

Making progress!

Day 6,7,8

Day 6

Today was Saturday, and I really didn't want to work out, but I made myself anyway. Ben woke up at 6 in the am to go surfing and I should have went with him for part of my workout but he went with his buddies and one of the buddies always borrows one of our boards, so I got up and went on the normal run instead. It was just a quick run, I just wanted it to be over. Just did a couple miles. I was still proud of myself for going though because I was NOT wanting too! I had a whole wheat pancake again, and blackberries. I wasn't very good with my eating today. I just kept justifying that it was the weekend. I had brownies, non fat frozen yogurt from Costco, and a ton of samples from costco, and for dinner brown rice with peanut curry chicken,( which was super yummy). I did not drink a ton of water either, I just kinda failed this weekend! It doesn't help to hang out with friends because I want to eat the yummy food (brownies) that everyone else is eating!

Day 7

Today was Sunday, which equals my day of rest, which equals NO work out. I ate three brownies, healthy cereal, hot chocolate, we went to our friends for dinner and had a good for you dinner, and then steamed milk and muffins. Like I said, I failed this weekend! I really felt sick to my stomach too. Especially after the brownies and hot chocolate earlier in the day. My body is not used to sugar anymore and I thought I was going to lose it. Kinda funny how the body changes. Iv been doing this for only 2 weeks now but my body can tell the difference.

Day 8

Good thing I worked out on Saturday, because I did not make it out today. Work was a killer and it has been POURING rain alll day. I will have to make up for it tomorrow, I'll go running two times maybe. I did however eat great today. Tons of veggies, lots of fruit, and a little chicken. Still had a flour tortilla, not so good. Trying to figure out substitutes for bread, tortillas, grains... I don't want to eat these as much as I do. My main goal is to workout at least 5times a week because I know I will miss a few days here and there, so I'm still on track. Here is for tomorrow!

astoria

I have been going on a lot of hikes lately, and walks, bike rides, what have you. I have some pretty cool pictures of our little town. They are just snap shots with my digital camera, nothing special. Enjoy!

Might as well get this done with ha,

Day 5!

Today I woke up and had a yogurt and half a banana, later for snack fat free cottage cheese with sliced peach, and for lunch half a veggie enchilada. Went on a 3.25 mole run in 36min, not to bad for me.. Did ab work out, need to do arms, will do after my date with Ben! Had brussel sprouts, and now I'm going out to din din, I'll have a nice salad!

Cabin

Excited to stay here for general conference again with these people! I have the best in laws ever.

Continued..

Day 3 continued..

Went out running again, but didn't make it out until 730pm... So it was dark out. Blast the shorter days, only draw back of fall, but I still ran a couple more miles, and I kinda liked it in the dark. Plus 2 deer came out to play with me during my run and they just stayed there with me during the whole thing until I finished. I was kinda cute, and I liked them. I made up an amazing recipe tonight with peppers, onions, chicken, egg whites, apples, and a little but of garlic grilled and wrapped in a tortilla with cheese. Super yummy, even the hubster loved it. I made a protien shake today, a recipe for one from someone else's blog and it was not so great. I don't really like protien powder.

Day 4

Today I woke up and had one whole grain pancake with blackberries again, and a yogurt. For my work out I decided to go biking to mix it up a little. I went for an hour long bike ride with Ben and I loved it, except for the fact that my butt is NOT used to that horrific bike seat yet, still, it was a good ride all around the fort Stevens trails, lots of hills and such, and I kept it in the hardest gear the whole time, except for one time up this super steep bridge... I just would not have made it on that one without making it anlittle easier. I did a lot better at drinking water today, but I hate how much I have to pee now! Ha.. Had half a nectarine and who,e wheat grilled cheese, and for dinner vegetarian enchiladas and steamed carrots. Yum. I'm off to do some eb work out now.

Fit

So both of my entries where just erased. Bum-mer. Welp, here are some very condensed versions of them, I'm not writing it all over again! But first, I just wanted to say that I am posting these fitness journals for myself mostly. It's good for me to write out what I'm doing and feeling through this whole process of getting on a work out schedule and forming healthy eating habits. It's good to have a place that I know I have to report to. It makes it a little easier to stay on track. Also, I started doing this whole thing because I was inspired by someone else's blog to do it, so maybe mine will help someone else, (who knows!) anyways,

Day 2

Today I woke up and had 1 slice of whole wheat toast, with no butter, (I don't like butter on toast) and 1egg over easy. I also I had 1/2 cup of cooked oatmeal. Later for a snack i had a nectarine. I went on my daily run today and felt amazing for the first mile and a half. At two miles I felt like I could not breath, and by mile three I still felt like I could not breath and I was getting dizzy, kinda weird. So, i ran three miles today. I am still really struggling with drinking lots of water, I really need to work on this. I had a banana and steamed fresh carrots and then headed to scouts. For dinner it was whole wheat grilled cheese with homemade tomatoe soup. I am trying very hard not to eat after 8pm, but I did not do it tonight, I'm such a late night snacker. I am going to get rid of this habit, self control! Tomorrow I will do better. I think I need to eat a more filling dinner so I don't feel the need to snack.

Day 3

Today I awoke and made myself some whole wheat blackberry pancakes with a little bit of homemade peach jam on top, with an apple. I went out to do my run and there were tons of these nasty little bugs flying all over the track and they kept landing on me,(it was grossing me out), so I made it to one mile and I couldnt take it anymore so I will go back later, probably after writing this to finish running. I also did a great ab work out, and some more work outs that focus on my bum. I need to find some different cardio work outs to switch my routine up a bit, and I need to find some good arm and leg work outs too.... I have only drank one bottle of water so far so I need to get on top of drinking some more ASAP. I'll finish this post at the beginning of my post for tomorrow.

Ode to fall

We are being graced with one last summer week here on the coast, at least that is what it feels like. But even with the gorgeous blue skies and the warm sunshine there is a slight chill in the air, that crisp, amazing feeling that comes with fall. All of the green, glossy leaves are starting to metamorphose into a kaleidoscope of colors, and I LOVE it. So much.

Fall is amazing.

As much as I love those long summer days, gliding along the promenade, melting tillamook mudslide or perhaps mountain huckleberry ice cream cone in hand. Swimming in the ocean, wishing I could be a mermaid with my Benjamin, or just spending a warm breezy evening walking through the streets admiring the old architecture of our town.

Last week I went on a hike up saddleback mountain and boy oh boy, it was Astounding. It was a perfect fall day, but cloudy, with a drizzle of rain, (my perfect kind of hiking day). There was a lot of fog which just made it even more impressive. As we were earnestly ascending to the submit of this mountain I just could not expound enough how beautiful it was.
So captivating.

On that day I especially welcomed the fall.

I have discovered how to make the perfect steamed milk, hazelnut steamed milk that is. It is so delicious and it warms me up like a big oversized sweater on the rainy days. It's the perfect fall treat. I could consume 5 mugs of it a day if I let myself, ha.

Basically, I love the fall and I'm welcoming it whole heartedly. Welcoming the leggings, scarves, long jackets, and boots. Pumpkin flavored desserts and drinks, soups of all flavors, bread bowls, and steamed milk, Carmel apple cider, and hot coco. Welcoming fall runs where it's cool enough to not die from heat exhaustion. Going to the pumpkin patch, and corn mazes, haunted houses, and Halloween parties. Lighting candles and snuggling up to watch a movie. SO thrilled!

Fit

So I have an old classmate that started doing a fit sort of journal where she writes her feelings and challenges with a 12 week fitness challenge she is doing. I thought this was a great idea! So, I will be doing the same thing. I started this last week, but only started writing in my "fit" journal this last Friday.

Day 1

Today I woke up super sore from my very difficult hike i did yesterday, particularly in the gluteus Maximus. So, I was a little hesitant to go on my run, but I knew if I chose not to do it today, then I would choose not to do it the next day as well and so forth. So, I dragged my booty to the track. I started running but i was really dragging, I felt like my legs were moving in slow motion, compare it to the dreams when your trying to run away but you can't because you can't lift your 500bls legs up off the ground. I felt like this for the first mile but I just kept telling myself that I would be done after the 2 mile mark. once I got to 2 miles my legs were feeling good, and I felt a surge of extra energy so I thought, just run until 2.5 miles. This happened a couple more times until I reached 4 miles, and I still had energy but I thought it was time to pick Ben up from work, (which when I got to my car I saw I still had 50 min until I needed to go get Ben, dang it).

I can feel my body getting used to exercising and I like it. Iv only been exercising daily for one week now, and I already feel changes. It is insane to me how fast my body can get back in shape, and I cannot take this for granted. I know I need to continue working out daily.

The area that I need to work on now is making sure that I am eating nutritious, wholesome foods. I have already completely dropped fast food out of my diet a couple months ago. This last week I have done well at eating fruits and vegetables daily, and luckily I really only like whole wheat bread, but my weaknesses are yummy desserts at night, and I am a HUGE snacker, like, I have a serious problem with snacking. I feel like I have no control ofmy habits. This Monday i am going to begin breaking my habit of snacking, and I'm going to eat more small, healthy meals through the day.

I am also needing to find a different workout plan, still running everyday but doing different cardio as well. I am no longer sore on the days after my runs. Iv tried picking my speednup and running longer, but I need something new...
I'll post more tomorrow when everything is brought together and started officially.

Lovey dovey

according to Greek mythology, humans Were originally created with 4 arms, 4 legs, and A head with 2 faces. fearing their power zeus split them Into 2 separate parts, condemning them To live their lives in search for their other halves.

-Plato s The symposium

Pillow talk

The other night while laying in bed we reminisced about the excitement of seeing each other when we had first met, waiting in anticipation for our first "real" kiss, the sudden flow of adrenalin every time we received a text from the other. It wasn’t that long ago that his love notes, written on old torn up pieces of cardboard, sent a surge of tingles erupting within me, or when stealing a kiss on the porch of brookside made us soar into a high that should have been illegal. At times it feels like a dream. But would I trade that for the serenity of falling asleep every night with your arms around me tight? Trade it for the confidence, trust, and support we recieve from each other as we battle through this sweet, but sometimes unforgiving world? Trade it for the comfort and love that comes when i have broken down completely with uncontrollable feelings of failure and dissapointment? If I could interchange another first glance, first touch, first hello for a second of what we have now, I would not take it.

It is funny, and sometimes surreal how love effects us, as humans. The first initial jolts of "love" (more like infatuation), and then the deep, sometimes hard, exhausting love. What I would not do for Ben.

In the 5 and a half years of being with you, I still feel those initial tingles but in a much deeper, more meaningful sense. I am deeply, madley, insanely in love with you. I really would not ever trade a day of what we have now to a day of what we had then.

a "real" bed

So... I was crawling into bed last night and realized our "bed" is still a mattress and a box spring. haha.. I mean I always knew this, but last night I remembered it. Kinda pathetic since ben and I have been married for 4 years! So I officially decided its time to buy a real bed, frame and all.. and this is the one I want!(of course a bigger version of it) isn't it so adorable!? Now I just need to find one and buy it.. anyone know where to look????

weekend happenings

This past weekend we were able to go up to sammamish to see BROCK!!! He has been serving a full time mission for the church in the West Indies. So it was great to see him after two long years!! (Actually those two years went by SUPER fast.. it is kinda scary how fast!) We are so proud of brock! Families are so important and we are so glad that we could come and have an event packed weekend with the beesons.





I was able to sneak away for a second to go and see this little bugger too.. can't get enough of her.






Since family is so important we are just going to have to go to seattle this next weekend now too to see my big brother and his family for the forth of july.. darn it :)

hair...

(I posted like 4 new posts today.. no big deal! ha)

I have been REALLY bored with my hair lately.. I went to get it cut not to long ago while visiting in seattle at Seven. They are an amazing hair place and they tell you what they think would look best with your face shape and I was told to leave it how it is.. sad.. so I just got like 2 inches cut and I still have no bangs... thus the new hair things I am trying to do.. what do you think? any new cute hair ideas that are not to hard to do?

Also, I have not put any sort of color, blonde, anything for about 2 and a half years now... So It is all natural right now..should I put some blonde back in my hair?



anyone remember the fish bone braid??



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