Top Of Utah Marathon

this saturday morning at 4:30 a.m
Sterling was nice enough to pick me up and drive me to the start of my race.

I picked up my packet...got my running shirt and my running bib number.

it was early in the morning.....I went to bed around 1:30 then had to get up around 4:20 yeah running 26.2 miles on a lack of sleep. I was excited and I needed to download music to Sterlings Ipod to run with. Of course I always wait tell the last mintue my problem ooops.

• the weather was perfect.
• the canyon was beautiful.
• the sun was shining.
• i was wearing my favorite golden running hat.
• i had some up beat tunes.
• favorite sports bra.
• jolly ranchers to snack on.
• i love running. i love the running feeling. i love being around other runners. i love running outside. 

My family went to a funeral in California this weekend it was spur of the moment. They were missed at the finish line, but they needed to go support the Bowers family in California.  Lucky for me I have an amazing roommate Katelyn, and amazing boyfriend Sterling. They both met up with me at the finish line.  Of course the text message sign up list for when I was at mile 14 and mile 18 it would send them a text of when I passed those mile markers....well knowing my luck it didn't work...oops oh well! I also felt bad cause Katelyn could have gone camping....and she missed me pass the finish line. Sorry girl! Well we were able to make it work and they still were able to come and see me and congrats me and gave me a hug...which really is all I needed at the finish line was a simple Hug, smile and photo. Thank Katelyn! Thanks Sterling!  You two are the best and I look up to you both in many ways! Thanks! Love yeahhh!

I finished at 4:28 minutes. I was proud of myself cause honestly my goal was just to make it to the finish line. I didn't really prepare myself but knew I still wanted to do it and love running and I am able to think about life, jam to music, be outside in the canyon, love seeing other runners, runners shoes, and running attire. I love running. I love runners. I love enjoy to run. Even though i am not that fast I enjoy it and do it for fun and a hobby more then the serious of getting a certain time. yeah for running! This is my third marathon. I plan to run a couple more in my life time ;) Just Do It.

 This is the second year that I have done the TOP marathon. Around mile 19 I was able to meet up with my mom and she ran the last couple miles with me. While I was running I remembered that moment and so badly wanted my mom to come around the corner and be there to help push me along. My eyes started to get a little watery for I knew she was in California....then simple random people on the side of the road....kept yelling your almost there. Keep going. We have our names on our bib...and a couple were like Sarah you got it keep going! Only about 3 more miles.....those simple words that I heard from random people gave me the hope and endurance to keep on moving forward...to keep running slowly but surely. It makes me appreciate the gospel as well knowing that there are those little angles that are cheering me on...We are never alone and even though for about 10 mintues of my run I felt alone and that I coudn't make it....that is when I went around a corner and the little crowd was cheering me on...saying my name...it was what I needed. I was grateful for them. For their words. for their encouragments. I am thankful for my mom and the wonderful example she is to me, for meeting me last year when I did this marathon. It ment a lot...it kept me going. she is my example. Love you mom!

 Sterling was so cute. After I finished my race I smelled so bad and needed to take a shower. We were planning on going to Ogden to watch the BYU vs UTAH football game.  I was able to shower and then we were headed out and he was like oh I need to grab something at my apartment real quick. I was like yeah that is fine......we pulled into his complex parking lot and I said I will just wait in the car...he was like well just come up it will be quick. I of course agreed haha cause I could stretch my legs and walk up the stairs. ha! he then pulls out this diet coke bottle that was in his fridge and pulled out a coke for him.  Ha ha! We made a goal not to have soda until my marathon.  We have been off of it for about 2 months.  Except for the exception of when we did the half marathon.  We said after my marathon we could go back to drinking it but only on MONDAYS and Saturday's. ........and it was a saturday......this literally tasted so good! I love diet coke and the simple craving. Thanks Sterling for surprising me with the diet coke. Your the best! ;)

library time.

during my two hour break. I went to the Library and met up with Sterling. We both were in the Library studying and doing homework. It is basically are second home. Yeah for library where you can study and have fun at the same time. He just downloaded the new updated software for his iphone and we were having fun with his camera.....haha I had to take a picture of his phone with my phone cause it was a pretty good collage. ha ha! we are crazy its fine..........yeah for classes....yeah for pictures to keep me going.

New Fall Leaf Shirt: $4.00 priceless

the pants that I am wearing are blue...but Sterling thinks they are purple. I think this situation he is the one color blind....I just don't know what it is with me and the colors I am wearing no one agree's with me ha ha! it makes me laugh..........oh the joys of life.

Hannah's Wedding Reception.

one of my good friends Hannah Christensen got married this last weekend.

Her dress was beautiful. her reception was simply beautiful. and she looks happy. I am so excited for her and for her future with Spencer. They look adorable and so happy together.  It is crazy how time just flies when you remember being in elementary school writing notes during class, to attending EFY 5 years in a row with her, to now she is married ;)

We have been friends since elementary, jr high, and high school. I have looked up to her in many ways and hope the best for her and her married life.  Congrats Hannah! Love yeah.

Sterling was nice enough to come with me to her reception. Dang doesn't he look so handsome in that button up white shirt. Glad I can call him my boyfriend. Evening drive to Salt Lake then back to Logan.

Also my J-crew pencil skirt is orangishpinkish and the necklace which i am wearing is also orangishpinkish to match. Thanks to my roommate we like to share clothes and jewelry. She let me borrow this and dang do i love this necklace. She of course thinks it is orange and my skirt is pink and that it didn't really match...maybe i am color blind but it does look good...well atleast I hope so ;) Thanks Katelyn for letting me use your necklace and earrings...you are the best college sister!

USU volleyball game.

i haven't been able to see my room mate play volleyball.
this year she is able to play and it is her senior year.
she is basically amazing at volleyball hence why she is on the team.
we were her cheerleaders.

Sterling, myself, Katelyn, and Kristen.

It was a fun game and we dominated. Yeah Alyssa! We even made her a quality time worth sign. ha ha gotta love roommates they literally are the best! We basically are all sisters.

lighting.

excellent evening after classes:


watched Lighting show in Cache Valley Utah.
listened to the rain.
smelling freash.
beautiful evening.
quality time conversations with my boyfriend.
this was probably one of those nights where the conversations were deep and personal.
its a hat day. its raining. my boyfriend is adorable. 

Utah State Campus.

after work. Sterling and I go on evening walks.

they by far are my favorite part of the whole day.

we talk about our day. what we learned. funny things that happened. we plan our weekend. we laugh. we flirt. we joke around.

here is a photo we took on our evening walk around campus.






I love walking around Utah State campus especially at night cause no one else is really around. it isn't to cold and our campus is just beautiful. holding hands. talking. it is a great way to end the day.

Tony's Grove

I didn't have to work Friday night.

 We made it a date night.



We drove up logan Canyon to Tony's Grove and went fishing there at the lake. It was pretty. We got subway sandwiches and ate them by the lake and had our own little picnic. Oh man i love spending time with this guy. He literally is a keeper.  We made sure we were matching with our camo hats and button up blue shirts and boots.  If i say so myself we looked quiet adorable.
 




I caught a fish funny thing is it is when Sterling had to go use the restroom. I named my fish gus gus. ha ha! It was funny I didn't know really what to do after I caught it so I waited for him to come back to let the fish go, and to see that I was able to catch a fish. Yeah I am pretty much pro...not.






Here are some photos I took of Sterling and I up at Tony's Grove. It is funny i always sneak a photo of him from behind cause it was just a beautiful calming photo, I couldn't pass it by. He never knows it is quiet funny. Oh man he is just so handsome.

After fishing. we went and got Aggie Ice Cream. oh man this place is always so good. It was a busy night. but so worth waiting in line to get some aggie ice cream. I got birthday cake which is my all time favorite here. yum....

sometimes the simplest things make my Wednesday September 11th.

• being able to sleep in.
  
• wearing my new VS bra. ha ha
• the rain. the smell and the fresh breeze.
• receiving money back for filling out the FASFA application. money to my savings account.
• a chocolate chip pumpkin muffin for an afternoon snack during study time at the library.
• having my boyfriend Sterling wait for me after class so I can walk him to his next class.
• spending an hour between classes with Sterling at the library.
• going thrift store shopping with my room mate Katelyn.
• getting two old lady like dresses that I am going to hem and fix up.
• playing with Kai who is one of Katelyn's friends child.
  
• not having to work tonight cause of institute evening class.
  
• Institute class with my favorite bestest friend and roommate Katelyn.
• going to Olive Garden with Sterling for dinner.
• eating as many bread-sticks as my belly will allow me. I had about six. ooops yum!

Homecoming Football Game

First Home Game for the Aggie Football team.

They were playing against Weber State Saturday September 14th


It was a killer game, we pretty much dominated.

Here is my roommate and i in our game day shirts. Yeah we are adorable. I pretty much love this girl she has been my best friend and best roommate.  So grateful for her example she is the BEST!

Sterling and I in our game day shirt. He bought this shirt for me with a Diet Coke about 4 weeks ago. How adorable. He surprised me. I love diet coke and love an aggie game day shirt.



We were able to sit by my Roommate and her friend. Funny thing is there was a spot open right next to them and we are walking towards it and bam i see them both and it was just ment to be to sit right next to them. Here is our lovely group photo: ahhh man love these people.
 




It started to rain...we still dominated...it was time for a rain coat hood photo. Thanks Sterling for being in all my photos he and I take...he probably thinks I am crazy..but hey memories. I just love talking photos with him so what do i do take photos ha ha.


it was a good game. first football game with sterling. yeahhhhhh.

Naomi Peak

8:00 a.m

Sterling, Janessa, Mackenzie and their friend and I planned a Saturday morning hike up to Tony's Grove at Naomi Peak. It was an excellent day to go hiking. It wasn't to cold, even though i was a little cold it was a fun adventure. Here are some of the pictures we took at the top. It was fun to catch up with some of my old roommates and I was glad they were able to meet Sterling. Gotta love friends.




Sterling. Myself. Janessa, Mackenzie, Janessa's friend.


always an adventure with this cute attractive. tall adorable. nice handsome man.

Fall Semester Schedule:

I love being back in school.
I love the being on campus.
I love walking to class and seeing other students walking to class.
I love Utah State University Campus.


My schedule this semester isn't bad at all. I love that you can choose when and what time to take classes. I am currently taking 12 credits.  The 4 classes that I am taking are:

• Marriage and Family Relationships
• Preschool cirrculum
• Parenting and Child guidance
• FCHD majors and careers.

I love how these classes apply to my everyday life. I am able to use things that I have learned in class or reading the required book in class in my life.  I can use them in the future ahead of me.

New Ward Calling

I had an appointment to meet with the bishopbric saturday morning before church.

I knew it was for a calling, but had no idea what calling. My roommates and Sterling all said it would be something in the Relief Society president. I of course didn't think that.

I got my calling and they annouced it in sacramenting and then i got set apart. My new calling is the
Relief Society 1st Counslor. I of course am way excited but way nervous at the same time. I love this gospel with all my heart and hope to be able to share and be an example to those sisters in my ward. I hope I can make friends.
I hope I can make a difference.
I hope I can be an example.
I love this quote i found and also put on my instagram why? Because I feel as if I need to put more trust in the Lord especially with this calling. I know it will at times be hard and sometimes I will doubt myself but if I put all my Trust in the Lord he will make weak things become strong.
I have made it a goal to attend FHE monday nights. Before I had my schedule to work monday nights. Instead I feel as if I need to particpate in more ward activities and be more involved. Which at times can be hard with scheduling and school but I know if i make the time and sacrifice I will be blessed.

yeah for monday night fhe.

I am excited to work with the Relief Society President who is also named Sarah. She is amazing and knows what she is doing. I am thrilled and ready for this new calling and will put 100 % into this calling. I am excited to see how I will grow and evolve through this calling.
i know it is what i need to be doing at this time.
i know it will be challenging .i need to push myself. go above and beyond and serve those sisters in my ward.

Best Roomie In town.

this post is dedicated just to my roommate:

This is my second year living with her and man has it been a blessing. Its funny to think about two years ago on our road trip to St. George for Spring Break with a group of friends and that is where I met Katelyn. I never thought in the further months we would have been roommates. I knew right after meeting her that she had a fun bubbly personality and loved to do outside activities. It was fun to get to know her as a person during Spring Break.

WE have had so many good times. so many good laughs. too many adventures to even think of.
I love sharing a room with her and she is basically my sister up here at college. (don't worry Kimberly you are my main sister ha!)  Here are some photos we have taken in the past: Photos to me help remind me of memories. If you ever need a friend or anyone to talk to my roommate is just that person. Katelyn cares about everyone, always making sure people feel included, she has a caring heart, she has been through a lot but she doesn't give up, she keeps on pushing through, she has a strong testimony of this gospel, she is an amazing friend, example, roommate, she is an alright cook. Thanks Girl for putting up with me, for me borrowing your brushes and losing them, for maybe sometimes getting your clothes mixed up in my laundry, for always making my bed, for when i hate putting away my laundry and wait tell the last mintue,  me leaving the stove on, me sometimes which is weird not flushing the toliet, etc............ha ha! I couldn't have asked for a better roommates. Thanks! 

Peach Days.

 
Sterling and I went to Peach Days in Brigham City.

It was our September 7th Saturday Date Night.

we drove down through the canyon. which is always beautiful. that drive never gets old.

it was a little raining outside and cold. that didn't stop us. we were still way excited to go. We walked main street of Brigham City. I have never been on that side of main street, i loved looking at the buildings, smelling the delicious food, people watching, going to the different booths selling items. It was fun. Sterling looked pretty sharp in his button up shirt. boots. and jeans. He is tall and I love standing next to him and holding hands with him while walking main street.

We came to this church that was giving out free popcorn. If you don't know this but anything "free" is the best thing possible, especially being a college student. it is by far the best news of the day.  We got some popcorn and entered into a raffle drawing for a peach cobbler pie. The funny thing is Sterling wanted something peachy right when we got to peach days, but he forgot he didn't have cash on him.  We both entered the raffle. He put his ticket in and said wow that isn't a lot of tickets....we went outside listen to the band eclipse play. They were pretty good. I have heard them before. It was a fun free concert to attend. We decided to go back inside to see if we won the peach cobbler pie.....we went in sat of course right next to the stage.  The guy brings the pie's in and sits them down right next to Sterling on the empty chair. He told us don't you even think about talking these. Sterling said don't worry i have her to watch out for me...it was funny we laughed. They did a huge 50 second count down. Then the guy went into the audience and had this kid pull out a number. Sterlings number and mine where the same except for the last number.....3456...we both were still in the game then he says the last number 6. it was sterlings. ha ha he won the pie. It was funny he was like happy kid on christmas. It made me laugh and of course you know me and pictures I had to take a photo. Isn't he adorable.
 

Then we walked around the Brigham City Temple and talked and walked around it. It is simply beautiful. We saw this scary cat that wouldn't leave us alone...it wanted to be our friends. We of course didn't want to be the cats.


Then as we fill up gas at the gas station. The car dies on us. It was his brothers car because it gets cheaper amount on gas.  So i go in the driver side and he gets out and pushes the car. Okay man pushing car that is attractive. Sometimes Sterling is just to good at what he does. He tells me to put my foot on the clutch which he said was the far right...i put it on the left...he says far right...ooops can you say struggle and akward. he just laughed at me. he gets pushing and we go up this little hill by the curb. i pull the e brake.
 then we switched spots. he was the driver and i was the pusher. i pushed him down the little hill. and bam we got it started. It was funny a couple at the gas pump just looked at us, the guy was nice enough to yell did you guys get it. it was funny. but we got it. cause of Sterling and how strong and smart he is. success.

                                                             It was a fun night filled with adventure.

sometimes I want to quiet my job.

I had a fun filled weekend. haven't worked since Thursday night.

I had friday. saturday. sunday off it was excellent. I would do it again. and love having the weekends off. it is relaxing and I am able to have a social life.

I worked Monday night as a shift manager........during my shift a lovely lady comes in and says hello then says she is the NFS Audit. Which is the National Food Safety Audit. She comes and checks out the restaurant.

Lets say I dislike coming into work after one of the Mangers works the morning shift. I feel already way behind, cause I have to catch up on his laziness and the restaurant always is messy especially the dish area.  I already knew walking in the door that it was going to be a mess.

I did the pm prep list, caught up dish, fixed all the boxes in the back to make them organized.  When the NFS audit lady came in. I already knew the restaurant wasn't set up for success. Everyone lately and the past month has been slacking on the small simple things that we are suppose to do. Not working at all the whole weekend. Some questions she asked me I wasn't sure because I didn't work those days. I tried to give her the best answer.  It was a rough night. I wanted so badly to walk out the door.....but where is the learning experience in that. I was patient and willing to learn what we are doing wrong and how to fix it.  If any other shift manager was in the same position as me tonight they would have failed as well because it is the little things that matters and you can only do so much when she is there to try and fix the little things.  It really comes down to my main manager and GM manager who haven't been doing their responsibilities and then when the NFS Audit comes in when I am working it feels as if it is ALL my fault, which I know and need to tell myself it isn't.

I felt like a complete failure. I wanted to be done with the day.

It seems like also when I work if something goes wrong then after the next something else goes wrong and it is a pattern. If I have an excellent day at work with no problems then no problems occur.  The NFS was the first stressful load on my shoulders.  Then the P.O.S system up front decides not to work and just freeze out of no where. I had to call the ITTTECH number to have them help me fix it. Come to find out it was a black chord that was underneath the touch screen that needed to be plugged in....okay that is lame.....oh well it was fixed and my team members worked well together to get the food out.   The fancy coco-cola machine was acting up realizing that it was out of the syrup in the back. Had to go fix that and change the two boxes, which are pretty heavy to change it is a pain and seems like always when it is the busiest time of the day the machine acts up. its fine it got fixed. There was also one team member who always need babysitting.  It gets frustrating at times but I realize I am the shift manager and need to be patient and guide her along her duties to get done.  Another thing about work is I dislike they just got beer and wine...which in my opinion is the dumbest thing ever. I dislike opening it, I dislike serving it. I dislike it period.  That night four people ordered it. I still am not sure what kind is what...and really have no desire to learn what kind is what...but to serve the right kind i guess I better learn.....oh the joys of working.

It makes me grateful to have a job to pay for school. food. shopping. etc.

It makes me grateful to be a Shift manager and to help me be more patient with the guests as well as my team members.

I also appreciated the other shift manager that was working as a team member who was willing to help me try to get some little things done that have been slacking in the past. 

It makes me realize that I don't want to be in the food industry. I want to continue my education and get my Bachelor's degree so I can work in a position that I want to personally be working in.

I love working with people and trying to help in any possible that I can.

It makes me appreciate my roommates and my boyfriend and this blog to let me vent out my rough situation at work.
 

I love this saying ---->




cause really tommorow
is a new day.



starting over.



today is a new day.



it's not the end of the world.



I have so many things to be grateful for.



gotta laugh at these situations and realize to just move on. Love Life. Live Life. Endure Life.

summary of summer.

Summer just went by way to fast.
This was one of my favorite summers. Some of my main favorite things this summer where:

• dating. establishing being exclusive boyfriend girlfriend relationship with Sterling.
• visting my roommate Katelyn in Wisconsin. (which when I get my laptop this weekend I will post a blog post about that lovely vacation)
• running a couple half marathons.
• taking photos with my sister.
• going to Rodeo's with Sterling.
• Brad Paisley Concert with Sterling
• Hiking. hiking. hiking....hiking...i like to hike.
• Bear Lake.
• Nannying.
• BYU education week with my mom

living conditions.

I currently live in the Bridger pointe apartments in North Logan. I have loved living here and this is by far my favorite place I have lived.  One of the nice things is I only pay 179.00 dollars a month, which in my opinion is a steal.   Here are some photos of the place? We like to be crafty and make it a home environment. my favorite spot in the whole entire house would be the walk in closet that Katelyn and I share. I will admit i have to many clothes, but what girl doesn't right? I love walk in closets and love trying to decide on what outfit to wear that day.

I am living with two of the same girls i lived with last year. Katelyn Anichini and Alyssa Everett. It has a been a blessing living with them. I have loved every mintue of it. We have some good times, good laughs, good crys, etc.  They are basically like sisters. I look up to them both in many ways.  Here are some old photos from last year that we have taken.  Like I said before we have had some amazing memories.

This is the first two picture's we have taken this year of all 4 roommates. Amy Shields moved in with us this year when Jackie moved out cause she got married. This was the first Sunday we all went to church together.  Aren't we just adorable?  and aren't we just crazy? Love these girls!

Amy Shields, Alyssa Everrett, Sarah Monsen, Katelyn Anichini

 

 I am excited for this year and to see what it has in store for me. I am grateful for my roommates for each one of them. It is a blessing to live with them this year and I am excited for the adventures ahead of us. We had crepes Sunday morning they were delicious. Look how cute our table looked:) so crafty and looks delicious. Yum!

Nanny Twins.

About 11 months I was able to Nanny these two adorable twins which were two year's old.  Their names were Brielle ( sissy) and Tayson (bubba).  It by far is one of my favorite nanny/babysitting jobs that I have had yet.  The twins taught me a lot about myself and about parenting and mother hood skills.  They were my best little friends, always making me smile, laugh, be silly, be a child, and just enjoy the little moments of life.  I loved planning activites for them such as parks, story time, picnics, swimming, splash pads, building forts, craft projects, etc.....too many to even count.   They by far are the cutest two year old twins.  I enjoyed every mintue of it. I am sad it is over but realize getting back into school is just what I need to be doing at this moment in time to get my bachelor's degree.  I am thankful for the family and especially the parents for letting me watch their twins and trusted me to spend time with them.  Here are some of my favorite photos that I have taken of the twins and with the twins.




This nanny job at the time I applied. had the interview. called me right after the interview to say they wanted me to be a nanny. It was a blessing. It was an answer to prayers.  It kept me busy. It helped me to be around children. It helped me grow. It taught me more patience skills from previous nanny experience. Loved them. Miss them. They were my best 2 year old friends I have had. They loved me. I loved them. Loved their hugs. Their kisses. Their laughs. I will miss them but it is time to go back to school and my schedule doesn't fit to nanny anymore. It is sad but like I said before I loved it very much and grateful for this opportunity.  Hope for the best for the Family and twins.

New Jeep.

It was time for me to get my own car. I have had a white suzuiki, but since the engine is really bad I wasn't able to drive it through Logan canyon. Which would be a problem because that is where I live.  I used my sisters white jeep during the summer and knew she needed back in the fall. It was time to go car shopping again with my dad.  We looked for a couple days then found this Dad selling his daughters car cause she moved out of the states.  I loved the color it is a reddish purplish color.  I have loved having a jeep and wanted to have a similar car along those lines.

this car was it.

perfect just for me.

i bought it at an excellent price.

i even got a car safety bag in the back with jumper cables etc.

the one thing i do miss though is having a sun roof.....which having this car now it doesn't bother me one bit.

I love the four doors. it was easy when I would nanny the twins during the summer the car seats would fit right in. no stress.

I love the tire on the back of the car.  I never realized tires on the back of cars, tell my sister said it was one of her favorite things...it has grown on me and now i love tires on the back of cars.

I am grateful for the money I saved and the jobs that I have had to afford this car and to pay for it.  It gets me to one place to the next...and in style ;)