February 14th

In lieu of having a Valentine's Day, my friends and I decided to have a February 14th. The entire weekend was incredible! I was able to celebrate with my cousin and some great friends. We went to a dinner party to celebrate one of my cousin's friends birthdays then we made our way to the V Lounge in Santa Monica. We all ended up not getting to bed until Sunday at about 5 am! A few hours later we were up early to go to church. After church we went to lunch at The Farm in Beverly Hills where we had the best sweet potato fries...delicious! :-) I hear it is one of Steve Martin's favorite places to eat lunch.

I hope everyone enjoyed Valentine's Day with those they love the most! xoxoxoxo

Super Bowl Sunday

February started off on the right foot! I ran my 5th half marathon and finished in my 2:00:02! It was my best time so far. With only being 5"2 my little legs need to move awfully fast to finish that fast. Of course with my excitement in finishing in 2 hours, I couldn't help but be a little bummed for being only 3 SECONDS away from finishing in 1:59! 3 seconds is nothing!! It only gives me something to look forward to and something to challenge myself with for next time. The entire event was so much fun. I ran with my friends Megan, Stephanie and Katie and my mom of course too! The day was beautiful. We all were anxious to cross the finish line to enjoy a couple of cold beverages in the beer garden. Surprisingly, it was the most refreshing drink!
The rest of the afternoon was spent relaxing with family and friends while enjoying a great football game!

Beer Garden~cheers!!

Crossing the finish line!

Today I competed in my 4th 1/2 marathon! I ran the Southern California Half Marathon in Irvine. It was a beautiful day for a run; minus the wind factor. At times I felt like I was running in slow motion because of the wind! I had a great race! I finished in my best time yet; 2 hours 6 minutes. I had great supporters along the route; my mom, my friends Janice and Lisa and Lisa's daughter Madison. They definitely kept me motivated throughout the race. My next race is in Huntington Beach on February 1st, Super Bowl Sunday. I will be anxiously running towards the infamous beer garden on that day. It's the perfect way to start of the super bowl celebration! Only 3 weeks to go~back to training tomorrow!

Happy New Year!

As 2009 is upon us and resolutions begin to be made for the new upcoming year I can't help but give thanks and resolve to do more of the same. 2008 was a wonderful year. I made a commitment to earn my masters and have enjoyed every minute of it. My relationship with God is stronger than it has ever been. Bible versus, prayers and journaling are what got me through the most difficult of times. I am in the best health I have ever been in due to my passion for running and working out. Finally, my relationships with my family and friends have never been stronger. As I get older I feel like life is about coming into your own skin and being accepting of ones self. My goals for 2008 were all of the things I was able to accomplish. Each one making this one of my happiest years. As much as it saddens me to have lost my aunt in the last couple days of the year, I am inspired to do great things in honor and memory of her.

2009 Resolutions:
I am not going to make any resolutions instead I pray for more of the same!! I have decided to make two bible versus my resoltions for 2009. I will look to these for guidance and motivation during the next year.

Romans 8:28: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Ecclesiastes 3:11-14 : He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him.

2009 is sure to bring many new joys and happy memories. I am excited to see the new year unfold and all of the beautiful blessings it has in store for all. Happy New Year!

In memory of Aunt Mary Anne Wolfe

On Tuesday, December 30th my dad's sister Mary Anne Wolfe lost her 15 year battle to cancer. She was a beloved wife to my Uncle John for 36 years. He, along with my cousin Chris have been her solid rocks. My aunt was a strong and beautiful woman of faith. There is no doubt that her strength in God is what kept her fighting for so long. She loved her family and the life she led. A southern California woman through and through loved their home in sunny La Jolla, California. I am blessed to have had her as my aunt. Even in her last few days with us she told me how proud she was of me. The day she passed away she would have been happy to see all of her nieces and nephews surrounding her while sharing funny moments and memories with her. I am at peace knowing she has gone home to heaven. A wonderful friend told me after she had passed that my aunt started off the new year right! She started 2009 by going to be with Jesus Christ. I couldn't agree with that more. She is loved and missed very much. I will be beginning 2009 by celebrating her and celebrating life.

~5 days until bliss~

The wonderful last week of school before Christmas break has finally arrived! My class has been anxiously awaiting Friday's arrival for about as long as I have. Last Wednesday the 2nd graders had the annual Christmas performance. They did a great job! Then, on Friday the entire school had a visit from the Orange County Choppers and Santa for the CHOC Toy Drive. This week will be the official countdown. I can hardly wait for my two week holiday break! Next Tuesday my friends Kay, Rob and Tracie get to town for Christmas. I am so excited to see Kay and her husband Rob because she is pregnant and I haven't had the chance to see her little tummy yet!! I am also looking forward to every moment of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Being able to be with family and friends is an incredible gift. I am overwhelmed with joy for all of the blessings I have been given. Towards the end of my break, I will be called to duty with my mom. My dad will be having a second knee replacement surgery on Monday, December 29th. I plan to help out in any way I can to make sure my dad is comfortable and has everything he needs. Thank goodness he has my mom around!!! She is the best :-)

Bring on the Holidays!!

Well it has been quite awhile since I have last posted anything to my blog! The last few months have been wonderful. My first Fall session of school ended and I got two more A's in my classes. This was the best feeling ever! I am loving my counseling classes and can't wait to actually start counseling as a profession. I finished my 3rd 1/2 marathon in October!!! I will be running my next in January then another in February. November began rather interesting with the election. Well, I don't have much to say about that!! The only thing I will say is that I am thankful that I live in a country where I am proud to express my voice and my concerns.

Time seems to just be flying by which is great but sometimes can feel overwhelming. Thanksgiving was wonderful. I was able to spend the day with family and friends and ate much too much. It is so easy to go through everyday not considering all of the things I have to be thankful for as I get caught up in the daily hectic things about my day. This year I am very thankful for the several blessings God has given me. I have a job that I am able to inspire young minds and challenge them to think. I am able to have a warm house to go home to everyday and a nice wet kiss from Tucker!! A loving family that is so supportive of me unconditionally. Wonderful friendships that will last the test of time. And finally, I am thankful God has blessed me to be an AUNT 3 times this year!!! Two of my best friends are expecting, and one is expecting TWINS!

2009 is just around the corner, new goals new resolutions! I am going to take the next few weeks to find peace, and joy with the small things in life. I am going to try to enjoy the simple moments in life! I look forward to a wonderful holiday season!