Brenna's 5's - Tagged by Taryn

10 years ago: I was 19, just left BYU with a broken back - and was a bit of mental case.

5 years ago: I was living in Sandy with my 5 roommates. Heather, Rachel, Marnie, Tina, and Jen (who turned into Andrea a few months later). I was getting back on track spiritually, and made a Gospel Essentials teacher (one of my favorite callings). I was rock climbing a lot, and starting work with DCFS.

5 months ago: I was looking forward to Jaren getting his Certified Flight Instructor's license. I was already training for this year's triathlon season. I was a month into living at my in-law's house.

5 Snacks I enjoy:
1) Reisens
2) Popcorn
3) Another meal :)
4) Cheese chips (that's what my in-laws call em... I affectionately know them as Nachos!)
5) Cashews

5 things I would do if I were suddenly a billionaire:
1) Go rock climbing around the world.
2) Hire my own private chef! I would be so skinny - and eat yummy food! YES!
3) Buy Jaren his Ferrari F-50.
4) Buy Jaren his own helicopter (and invest in his helicopter company).
5) Pay off my debt - my family's debt - and save / invest everything else so that my money would work for me!

5 of my bad habits:
1) Carbohydrates
2) Getting frustrated after 11:00 pm - just go to bed!
3) Feeling like people must be mad at me if I haven't heard from them in a while.
4) Trying to please everyone.
5) Stressing out over other people's problems (especially family stuff).

5 places I have lived:
1) West Valley - born and raised until age 13.
2) Sandy - age 13- 18, and multiple other times in my life (like right now)
3) Provo - age 18
4) Avenues - age 22
5) Yosemite - for one month age 21.

5 jobs I have had:
1) Zumiez - keyholder (Crossroads Mall)
2) JP's Collision Repair Center - Detail technician (this means I cleaned out cars, sanded, pulled tape - whatever my dad made me do), also did sales and marketing for my dad.
3) Mr. Rags- Assistant Manager (Fashion Place Mall)
4) Odyssey House - Support Staff for a drug rehab - one of my all-time favorite jobs!
5) DCFS - started out with CPS, then went into Permanency work (foster care), and now I'm a supervisor.

5 things people don't know about me:
1) I crave meat all of the time (ok, so most of you probably do know that!)
2) I used a fake tanning lotion for the first time this month... kinda streaky. haha!
3) I don't like raw tomatoes. Seriously, shouldn't a vegetarian like those?
4) I hate it when people cheat at swim practice - "Wow!!! Really??? Ya gonna just sit there??? Why did you come???" ---- I might need some therapy on this.
5) I'm an official blog stalker - I have been known to read people's blogs that I don't even know. Usually happens when Jaren won't get off the dang X-box!

5 people I tag: Emily, Gwen, Lena, Erin, Siobhan

Orem Telos Timp Tri

First race of the season completed! The race was awesome, and very well run. I got to do this race with two of my training buddies from cycle camp and masters swim. Jenny Weenig (right) and Laura Belgique (left). Aren't they sexy?

The Telos tri was a backwards triathlon. So instead of Swim-Bike-Run it was Run-Bike-Swim. Starting out with the run was a fun way to go. It was a new sensation (for me in a triathlon) to actually feel alright during the run! This is a picture of me on the turn, when I realize that I am not really running 7 minute miles - and that I still have to run around the park. I knew 21 minutes was too good to be true! Transition 1 (or T1 as it is called in triathlon world) was good. I am always suprised at how little I want anything that I have laid out. I just wanted to get in and get out! Go Go Go!
This is me clipping in and beginning the bike portion (10 miles). If I thought it was weird to start the race with the run, it was an even wierder sensation to get the jello legs on the bike! The bike leg was a two loop course... with a CRAZY hill. I'm not kidding. I had to stand up (while in my lowest gear) just to get up the dang thing. I've never wanted a different crank so badly.

When I hopped into the pool it was so hot! It was like I was swimming in a hot tub. My arms felt heavy - like they were made of lead. I didn't really think I used them that much running and biking, but I guess I do! My right goggle was full of water the entire time - but I couldn't stop... just keep swimming... swimming... swimming (say in in Dori's voice, and it's much better).
Overall - I loved seeing that my training was helping me to be stronger. I guess all those hours are worth it! Best part was that I took 3rd in my division! Woohooo!!! I finished the race in 1:07:22.

Pre Race Jitters

What? That is too me!

It's the bike isn't it? That's what always gives it away.

I have my first race of the season tomorrow, and so in my pre-race checklist I have :blog.

Hello, have to write about your puking butterfly sensations.... Anywho... so last night I had a dream. I dreamt that I did the race, and then checked out my run times afterwards to find out that I ran an 11:43 min mile for three miles. Someone save me! Today has been spattered with incidental knee pain, a headache - and oh, I think I have a tumor! Really!

It's only a short one tomorrow, but I swear on everything that a sprint hurts more. Dang. It's that word - SPRINT. It's like a mental hemorrhage for my brain to accept the fact that I have to go all out.

Anyhow, think I'll just go eat some carbs now. :)

The Eagle has Landed

Jaren had Lasik surgery this morning, and all seems to have gone very well. He reports that he felt only slight pain in his left eye (the second eye). The Dr. said that it is normal for the second eye to experience pain, when the first did not. My guess is that the body is just so dang smart, that in between the procedure time of the two eyes - the body figures out that the eyeball should probably not be experiencing this and then creates pain.

I got to watch the procedure on a monitor right outside of his room. Fascinating, and yet terrible! My stomach was flip flopping all over the place just knowing that it was Jaren's eye that I was watching the Dr. remove the lens from! I don't know how I'll ever be a mother and learn to cope with watching them possibly be in pain... On the other hand, it was amazing that Jaren could start to see right after the Dr. put the flap of lens back on his eye.

Jaren is now an eye drop receptacle (has to have drops about every 15 minutes), and high on Valume. It's funny that they give you a Valume 10 minutes before the operation. The operation only lasts about 10 minutes, and then they send you home. Jaren was home when he finally started feeling relaxed! He's got a blanket over his head (sensitive to light), and some sweet protective sheilds taped to his forehead. But he's not in pain!!! Love that.

All in all, I'm very grateful today. Grateful that he can already see better, grateful that he was protected during the operation, and grateful for the wonderful man I married. I am a very blessed woman.

Rough Week

I think I'm ready for last week to fade into oblivion. I'm also ready for the sweet little life lesson that I know is just ready to hit me, but for some reason hasn't.... Hopefully in writing this blog - I may find it.

My Grandma Krienke passed away on Wednesday. I got to say goodbye when I went to Washington, and I really thought that I had kind of already processed it and dealt with it. Wednesday, I was informed (by my emotions) that I had a long way to go. I am so happy for her, and for her family, and really with how sick she was - there is no down side to her passing on. I have a firm faith that I will see her again, and that she is not far. So why all the crying?

Thursday, my nephew was booted from his proctor home. He was overwhelmed, depressed, and resourceless. My brother called and needed my help. I did the best with the knowledge that I have and the resources that I am aware of - but it really didn't help me sleep after I had to book him into the homeless shelter. My mind is filled with mixed emotions. I've booked many a client into the homeless shelter - and typically it happened during the daylight hours - so maybe I didn't see the "Night version". Maybe that's all it was... but I couldn't help but feel a bit helpless for my nephew. That feeling was contrasted by my knowledge that it has been my nephew's actions that have brought him to this place of few options. And yet, my heart aches for the continuous trials that he has had to face. Swing back to the accountability that he must now take for the rest of his life.

Friday - I "bonked" while out on my bike ride. Bonk = complete loss of all energy, resulting in extremely poor performance. Also wrecks havoc with your self esteem and confidence.

Saturday - I couldn't finish my Brick workout (a triathlon for the purposes of training). Just had nothing left (time or energy). My calve has been in a knot since my workout - and it hasn't relaxed. Pretty painful...

Sunday - My 3rd Anniversary! Well what's bad about this? Jaren and I agreed not to do anything for it, until we got to France (we are going in May). Typically it would be the girl who then ends up recanting on the idea and be all sad when nothing was actually done. Well no, I wasn't a typical girl that day, and was utterly too unemotional. Jaren however, was not as truly prepared for me to act like it was just another day. Result = bad wife! (Not that Jaren would ever say so).

All in all it hit me yesterday (as I began to unexpectedly cry to my triathlete coach - for NO GOOD REASON) - that I might be a little overwhelmed.

My week was highlighted by beautiful things, and truly humbling acts of love. They are the tender little gifts of God's mercy, that remind me that He is here, and watching over me. For example - my niece, Anna (and her mother - my sister Meghan) came home on Saturday from Japan. Anna's bright little smile (which was especially prevalent for me!) calmed my heart. Watching my sister Siobhan, meet Anna for the first time - a beautiful and touching event that will be with me for a long time. Having my Mom call me and tell me that she is proud of me, "as proud as if [I] had been a doctor" - well I just don't think words can explain that feeling of praise from your parents.

And then there's Jaren. There's ALWAYS Jaren (and his beady eyes). He's the loving husband that just holds me together and shows never-ending patience.

I think there are times we are supposed to experience trials, and I am grateful that my loving Father in Heaven knows when I need them. Like I said, I'm also grateful for the pieces of wisdom He bestows upon the way.

I'm grateful for the constant blessing of the "New Day" or "New Week". The sun that rises, and lets me know that today is a separate and distinctly different opportunity from that of yesterday. I guess, in a way, I am even grateful for my rough week.