Proper Prior Preparation Prevents Putrid, Poor Performances...

I have so many great memories from my time as a competitive swimmer.

I also had a lot of oversized t-shirts. You see, my time as a Brighton Bengal and CHAT girl meant something to me - so I could never really just toss out all my old swim shirts. Ultimately, I'm just too sentimental to chuck them. And thus, I carried them from house to house to house as I have journeyed these many years. I always knew that I wanted to do something with them - and wearing them ... well... was getting a little silly. They are huge! Seriously, what was I thinking ordering a large back then? I was 98 lbs for a good chunk of this! Oh yeah - I remember... it was the 90's! Everyone wore large t-shirts back then.

Anyhow, I digress...

The point is, I wanted to make something that could help me to share my fond memories with my children and family.

Ergo, my t-shirt quilt:

Ahhh... I can almost feel the alarm going off at 4:21 now. I can feel the ice on my kickboard, and the dread that only a cold outdoor pool in Utah (in April) can bring. Even now I can remember joy we would get from "Super 500's" as our warmup. (Still one of my favorite things to swim).

Russ (my coach) was right about many things. One thing he often said, was that I would never again be surrounded by so many high-powered and motivated individuals. He was right. The majority of my old teammates are now very successful people... who continue to push themselves in all aspects. Many of them are now Dr.'s, Laywers, Social Workers, Teachers, Mothers, cyclists, triathletes, runners, etc. I think we gained a love of working hard.

Another thing I can thank my swimming days for: My love of synergy. Teamwork. I truly believe what one of my old t-shirts says: "Changes can come from the power of many, but only when the many come together to form that which is invincible.... the Power of One." It taught me that everything is more fun when I am doing it with other people. And, that if someone else is suffering right next to me - well then, I can endure just that much more.

Anyhow, I will leave you all with one more quote off a t-shirt we wore. I think it pretty much sums up a theme that is ingrained in my personality, then and now:

"SUCCESS is the result of WORK

WORK is the visible manifestation of COMMITMENT

COMMITMENT is a pledge to PERSONAL EXCELLENCE

PERSONAL EXCELLENCE in the present is not possible without a severe struggle."

-Albert Einstein

Life in Alabama is great. I know... did I just say that? But it is true! I feel like I'm finally hitting my stride with this whole "being a mom" and "living in Alabama" thing. I'm figuring out how to be me (keeping my own sense of an identity), while being a mom,a wife, a vegetarian, etc. I'm also figuring out that my life entirely depends upon working out. I know that could seem kind of lame to some people - but honestly, it makes me so happy. Also, I really like the side effects.


I started running with my friend Amy back in February. It started out as just the two of us - but we quickly figured out that everything is more fun when you get to share what you love. Now, we have quite a few girls that regularly get up and come running with us in the morning. Amy just returned back to her native land of Idaho - and this is a quick pic we took of her last run. It's only been 3 runs since she's been gone - and I miss her dearly. See you at Spudman Amy (Yes I convinced her to do it with me!)

Left to right: Katie, Challis, Emilie, Christina, Kristen, me, Amy & lots of kids!

Meanwhile, my friend Jaimie has been sewing up a storm for her Etsy site. She convinced me to be her "model" - HA! But the girl has amazing camera skills - and took a picture of me that I actually like. So I'm posting it... as reminder to myself that at 6 months post baby - you can like yourself and your body... I must remember this!

Jaren has been really busy with flight school. He is in the Blackhawk portion of training. He is gone all day - almost every day. He gets to see me right before bed, and Alta during his midnight trips to check on her. Other than that - he gets to see her on the weekends. No worries... she is such a Daddy's girl. Always and forever!

We took a quick trip to Falling Waters State Park this past weekend. It was a lot of fun. We went with some of the family's here from our church. I truly feel lucky to have so many good friends from church.

You have to kind of joke about this trip though. The waterfall is Florida's largest - at a mere 73 feet. It reminds me of something you would drive by on a freeway back home... but here - well it's State Park-worthy! At any rate - it was a good trip with good friends!

Once again, I'm sitting here feeling grateful. I am enjoying this period of my life, and thankful for those that are in it. I am one lucky girl!

Oh, and one last thing - we found out that our next stop in this journey will be Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. Once I processed that it wasn't Hawaii or Germany, or anything on our list of choices - I was fine. Ft. Bragg looks like it will have plenty for us to do - and it will be return to veggie friendly places and people. All in all - it must be where the Lord wants us to go next... Can't wait to find out why!