I've been tagged (thanks, Tash!)

4 Random Things I Love About My Husband
1. He is part cowboy which means he can ride a horse and let me tell you, he is hotter than the man from Snowy River when he does!
2. He lets Lydia be his "helper" when he washes the dishes, waters the garden, or just goes outside.
3. He cooks amazing breakfast food.
4. He never had a girlfriend before me.

Four Jobs I've Had
1. I was a Dental Assistant for five years
2. I interned as a Search Engine Optimization Specialist my last semester of college (sounds fancy, eh?)
3. I was a consumer writer for toptenreviews.com
4. I was the executive secretary for the Morgan School District Superintendent.

Four Movies I Have Watched More than Once
1. Pride and Prejudice (over and over)
2. EverAfter (I love her dresses in that movie)
3. Footloose
4. Dumb and Dumber

Four TV Shows I Watch
1. The Office
2. American Idol
3. Biggest Loser (while I eat a bowl of ice cream)
4. Chuck

Four Places I Have Been
1. North Carolina
2. Brazil
3. Costa Rica
4. Disney World

Four of my Favorite Foods
1. Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
2. Chocolate Chip Cookies
3. Homemade Rolls
4. Cantaloupe

Four Places I Would Like to Visit
1. Ireland
2. Hawaii
3. New York
4. London

Four things I look forward to in this coming year:
1. Having another baby hopefully
2. Moving back to Utah
3. Going to the Black Hills
4. Enjoying Nebraska while I'm here

I tag Jamie, Debbie, Brooke, and Heidi

Off to the Races

Running. Many who hear that word think "no thanks, I'd rather not", others think of pain, and still others think of their daily passion. I have fallen into all three categories at some point or another. Though I've been a "runner" off and on since seventh grade, those off times were expansive and the word "running" brought a sour expression to my mind--especially when I was pregnant with Lydia.

Though I attempted running a few times after Lydia was born, I just couldn't get into it. Then, I literally woke up one lovely June morning this summer and wanted to run. Who knows where the extra super-dose of ambition and drive came from, but come it did. I've been running ever since. Chad fueled the fire by signing us up for the Columbus Annual "Downtown Run-Around" (pictured above). It was a simple 2.1 mile race, but it was so much fun. And when the announcer at the finish line made a big deal about my finish because I was the first "Mom pushing a stroller" to cross the line (and I crossed three minutes faster than my goal), well that made it even funner. And to say nothing of Lydia's accomplishment at being the first baby across...well, I think she should've gotten a ribbon or something for that.

And so it has gone. I don't run every day--more like 3-5 times a week--but when I do, we head out just after eight, iPod strapped to my arm, Lydia strapped in her new jogging stroller (yes, we had to invest--there is no other way to go when running with a baby), the Red Hot Chili Peppers singing Dani California in my ear from my "run, baby, run" playlist, and we go anywhere from 2-4 miles. I've found running addicting as I've felt my body getting stronger and faster. I feel myself doing something that goes against the grain of my natural lazy instincts. Sweat drips down my face and back, and I feel empowered. I pass several women walkers when I run (one who wears yellow crocs--you can see her feet moving a mile away) and I can't help but think, "Ha! I'm running and pushing a stroller." Now, is there a marathon in my future? Probably not. But I am thinking that I could possibly do a half marathon with some persistent training or at least a 10k. I found only one more race this year to participate in (there are more, but they are all on Sunday). Hastings, NE has a 5k in a few weeks and I'm pretty sure I'll be there stroller-pushing and Chili Pepper-listening.

Filing a Complaint

Can I just say that I LOATHE the smell of cigarette smoke? I have really enjoyed living here in Nebraska. I like the small town lifestyle, the branch of the church we attend here has revitalized me, and my apartment is huge, cheap, and has lots of windows. Problem: I think every single one of my neighbors smokes! Just when the fall weather takes on that perfect, cozy temperature that makes you want to turn off your air conditioner and revel in the joy of having fresh air flow through your open windows, I can't. The neighbor next to us smokes on his deck frequently and for whatever reason, we are always down wind. If I happen to have my deck door open hoping that I can get a few hours of fresh air and hear him go out onto his deck, I have to hop up and close the door unless I want the repugnant smell of his particular brand filling my house. Every time I go to shut the door what I really want to do is yell, "QUIT SMOKING ALREADY!" The neighbors underneath us smoke too and though everyone who lives here is supposed to smoke outdoors only, not everyone follows the rule. If I open the cupboard under our kitchen sink or go into the downstairs bathroom, I am assaulted by the old, stagnant fragrance of someone's most recent cig. We got some of the air fresheners that absorb odors. The kind that you slowly take the lid off and are supposed to last for months? Well, this morning I looked at the one that had been in our bathroom for only two weeks and it was completely shriveled and black. Disgusting!

You know, being a member of the church, of course, keeps me away from a few worldly habits. However, I can maybe see why people drink socially with all the pretty wine glasses and glittery outings. I can see why people are addicted to coffee. But I CANNOT understand why anyone would want to smoke. Hello! You are practically paying to give yourself cancer besides that fact that you permanently smell along with everything you own. I truly don't get it. Don't get me wrong, I know that smoking doesn't mean you are a bad person. I just think it makes you a smelly one.

Well, until the neighbors give up the habit or move, I will be carefully looking at any and all air-freshening products to see if I can help my cute little house smell as good as I try to make it look. If you come over, please feel free to give me an evaluation, and if it smells, you'll know that it wasn't me. And because I don't really dare yell at my neighbors, let this be my protest!

Summer Fun

Here are some of our favorite pictures from this summer. We thought we would save your scrolling finger some work and put it in a slide show. Enjoy!