This is for real...

I love my job, and I love the people I work with! All my co-workers and I are doing a challenge called "Walk Across Colorado". Each one of my coworkers was given a pedometer, and we track our steps each day! You can be on a team, or you can do the challenge individually. My 5th grade teachers and I are all on a team, and we are all very competitive! I am a very active person, but I was disgusted to learn that teachers don't acquire nearly as many steps as I thought.

So, my team and I decided that we would increase our steps by taking half of our lunch "hour" (really only 40 minutes) to walk outside! I was grateful for this because it's nice to get some fresh air, get to know my teammates better (yea, you work with adults, but you're talking to children all day!) and walk around a little. The first couple days we did this, I didn't bring any shoes. I've always refused to be one of those women who wears tennis shoes with their nice work clothes. However, my "work shoes" are causing blisters for a 20 minute brisk walk, so the picture below is a good indication of what is to come. This is unfortunately for real :(

I am now one of "those" old ladies. Please know that I am very upset that this has become a part of my daily grind. Don't get me wrong, this is hilarious, yet so sad. Also, please note that the tube socks are simply a prop to prove my point (borrowed from my dad). I wanted to look as ridiculous as possible...

Friends...

I went to Hays, Kansas this weekend to play in an alumni volleyball tournament, and I got to be with some of my best friends from college (even though some were missing!). I forgot how much fun we have together, and it made me realize that my life is lacking friends! I haven't made time to hang out with friends and talk about nothing and everything at the same time. I felt like I was laughing the entire weekend, and it felt so great! My life has been blessed with some of the greatest people, and I love each and every one of them. My friends will be my friends forever (even if we only see each other once every 4 years!). I love you guys...

"A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out."

"Imagine a world where your entire possession is one raspberry, and you give it to your friend."

"Everyone hears what you say. Friends listen to what you say. Best friends listen to what you don't say."

"A friend is someone who knows everything about you, and they still love you!"

"To the world you are just someone, but to someone you are the world."

I'm blessed beyond what I deserve, and I'm so thankful for all the people in my life!

Anxiety...

Anxiety is defined as distress or uneasiness of mind caused by fear of danger or misfortune. I love the beach, but I have anxiety when going into the ocean. I love looking at the ocean, just not going in the ocean. Who wouldn't love looking at this...

My friend Tiffany and I went to Maui this last week, and I tried to go snorkeling. I lasted like 5 minutes before the anxiety kicked in.

I never used to have anxiety, and the ocean is really the only thing that scares me... Why???? I'll tell you why. I watched the movie "Jaws" at way too young of an age. I'm scared to death of sharks (even though I have a better chance of dying of a vending machine falling on me).


So, movies and the Discovery Channel "Shark Week" have ruined me for life :(

I prefer a pool like this one that has an ocean view! Despite my anxiety of the ocean, I had an absolutely awesome trip.

It's a GIRL.

I'm pleased to announce that... IT'S A GIRL :) Okay, this is me after eating a huge dinner... I'm not prego, but my SISTER is!!! I'm so excited for the little one to come! Have you ever heard that it takes a village to raise a baby? Well, it also takes a village to throw a baby shower... and that's just what we did.

I did the invitations:

Brook did the food:

Janet and Cheryl did the decorations:


ReNae did the adorable cupcakes:


My mom was on crowd control (socializing!):

(Above is the absolutely beautiful quilt my Aunt Myrna made! Talk about talent!)

And Macy was in charge of the game:

We had to play this privately, by invitation only, in the back room!
(it was vetoed by my mom... she's a "fun-hater")

Overall, it was a great shower! Maxene has a lot of friends and family who love her. And we all think she's going to be an amazing mother!

My Life Metaphor...

Have you ever done sprints in a pool? This was one of our regular spring workouts for college volleyball. You sprint as hard as you possibly can, yet you barely move at all.

My life feels a lot like this right now. I feel like I'm working really hard, yet nothing seems to be getting done! Ugh :)

A Happier/Healthier Kelly

"The Best I Can Be" is the name of the healthy challenge I am participating in for the next couple months. There are about 65 women participating, and we all donated ten bucks to go into a pot. The winner will get 80% of the pot, second place gets 15%, and third place gets 5%. So how do you win? Everyday you have an opportunity to earn 10 points (70 points on the week). Whoever has the most points at the end of the challenge, WINS! Here is the daily point layout:

1. Drink 48 ounces of water (I do this before noon)
2. 45 minutes of exercise (no problem)
3. 2 servings of fruits and 2 servings of vegetables (I'm getting better)
4. No soda or alcohol (easiest point EVER)
5. No sweets, fast food, or unhealthy snacks (you may as well take away my happiness)
6. No eating after 8:00pm (sometimes I can't wait to go to bed just so I can eat in the morning!)
7. Read 15 minutes (hard to schedule in, but so worth it)
8. Write in your journal (I started an electronic journal)
9. Express specific appreciation, love, or praise (don't even have to think about it)
10. Personal goal (sometimes a week long goal, sometimes 7 mini goals- right up my alley)

I've noticed a difference in my life as I've made time to read uplifting material, tell people what I love about them, and write in my journal. If only I could see the difference in my life for not eating after 8pm or not craving sweets all the dang time. I’m going to continue to work really hard to earn as many points as I can. At this point I don’t think it’s about winning, I hope that I can build some amazing habits, and that I will be a healthier/happier/balanced person in general.

I'm So Tired...

My mother has trained us well. Every morning, I wake up and the first thing I do is make my bed. And every morning, while pulling up my last blankets, I have this thought... "I can't wait until tonight when I can get back in this bed!"

I love my bed. I love sleep. I love sleep so much that I can fall asleep ANYWHERE. There are ample amounts of pictures that represent (like the one above) my special ability to fall asleep in random places and random positions.

Agh. Sleep. I miss you.