Starting Over...

I realize that you're supposed to save resolutions for the beginning of a new year. I also realize that the new year is really only moments away.  But I was watching the rain yesterday morning, thinking how the rain cleanses the Earth and how everything seems to be re-awakened after a storm.

Watching the rain streak down the window, it suddenly dawned on me, I'm ready to make some changes in my life... and I'm starting now!!

Things I'm going to change:
I've been thinking a lot lately that I want to be more than I currently am. It seems to me that I'm a lot more inhibited than I ever let myself believe. I'm as insecure and self-conscious now as I was when I was 10 years old. I have a tendency to worry about things that I have no control over and I find myself staying up all night trying to fix things that really aren't broken. I seem to let anxiety run my life rather than ME, and I'm just not okay with this pattern I've created for myself.

Unfortunately, Mike has seen these negative things over and over again. Trying to help, he has constantly reminded me that I worry about things that don't matter... and I have to say that I completely agree with him!!

Also, I've gotten lazy. I don't know how this started, but it's stopping immediately. I am going to get back to the gym in full force. I am going to work on running (especially since it's something I used to actually like).

Who I am going to be:
I went through this phase, from about ages 22-25, where I felt really proud of myself. I was confident and worry-free. I was eating healthy, going to the gym regularly, and just enjoying life and all it had to offer! I was positive and had energy bursting out of my entire being at all times!!

I am going to find this person again, and become even more... I am going to break these negative patterns of anxiety induced debilitation. I am going to just let go, relax, and try to remember the things that are really important in life. I am going to be energetic and HAPPY!!!

How I'm going to do it:
Listening to conference yesterday really inspired me. President Monson spoke of service and how much joy it brings to the people being served, but also to the people doing the serving. At work, this year, we've been given a 1/2 day to do acts of service for the community. My team chose to do a snow cone-luau for the children and families at the Road Home shelter in SLC.

President Monson's talk made me think of how much I enjoyed that service project and how good I felt afterward.  So, I'm going to try and serve others in any way I can.

I'm going to let go of things that I cannot control. I'm going to stop over-analyzing every facet of my life. ...I'm going to relax.

I'm going to commit myself to getting healthy. This means the way I eat, exercise, and how I choose to handle situations.

Now, I know that this post sounds pretty negative, but there are some things that I think I do well and I'm going to try and become better at them:
-I'm a very trusting person. People don't really have to earn it, I just give it to them. This can be a good or bad thing (depending on how you look at it), but I choose to think of this as a great thing!
-I try to see the good in others. I refuse to believe that the world is anything but inherently good. I believe that most people want to do good things.
-I want others to be happy. I can't stand the thought of anyone in the world feeling lost or alone. I want people to know that they are special and that they have an important place in the world.

So there you have it... a pre-new year, new year's resolution!

Food, Friends... and FUN!!

We are so lucky to have such great friends...

Mike, Nate, and Tyler have been friends forever. We went to high school with them... and I love getting together with the boys and their wives. Hanging out with Tyler & Brittany and Nate & Jill (and, of course, all of the little kiddos) is always something that we look forward to. We reminisce on the good old days, laugh at crazy mission stories... and get to create new memories of our own!!

On Saturday (September 5th) we all got together to watch the BYU vs Oklahoma State game. We met up at Tyler and Britt's for a BBQ. Since Mike and I aren't parents yet, we love getting the chance to play with all the kids: Isaac, Oakley, Addie, Ellie, Eli, and Sam!! Every one of them make us laugh... and sometimes cry. They are all so smart and soooo adorable!! During the game... Britt, Jill, and I snuck out to see a movie ('The Proposal'). It didn't end until about 12:30 a.m. and when we got home... the boys were still bouncing off the walls. It was a great night!!

This is Mike with Addie, Oakley, and Eli... the girls adore him!!

Tyler, busy working on dinner

Jill and Sam with Britt and Ellie

Here's good ol' Nate... Look at that winning sMiLe!! :)

I had to include this... This is the sandwich that Oakley made for herself. It's a combination of:

lettuce, a tortilla chip, a chocolate chip cookie, cheese, and salsa!! YUM!!

And the Chef, herself... eating her masterpiece!

On Monday (September 14th) Nate & Jill invited us to go celebrate Nate's birthday at Corbin's. Dinner was great, but the company was definitely the best part!! After dinner, the girls ran to get some ice cream... while the boys headed over to start watching movies of their younger (not necessarily WISER) selves!!

For his birthday, Jill's present to Nate was a re-decorated bedroom. I wish I had a picture... it was beautiful!! She has an amazing eye and the room turned out looking like an elegant and relaxing retreat!!

After hanging out at Nate & Jill's for a bit, it was off to Tyler & Britt's for a wild game of 'Blurt'... too bad the boys had to cheat to win!!

Me and my Honey

Tyler and Britt


Nate (the birthday boy) and Jill




Ahhh... the game of excitement!

Flaming Gorge

Summer goes out with a BaNg!!

What a way to end the summer!!

**Warning**

This post may be incredibly long... but there are some great pics (see slideshow from above) to look at for your viewing pleasure!

This past weekend, Mike and his best buddy, Andy, planned the best get away that we've had in a long time!! A trip to Flaming Gorge!

I've never been there, so just going at all seemed exciting... and I couldn't have asked for a weekend that was more fun!!

It started on Friday morning. We met up around 6:00-ish... and about 11 of us caravaned up to the Gorge. We got there around 12:00 p.m. We had to boat all of our gear to our campsite... there were no roads to get there, which meant is was that much more exciting!! We went up with 3 boats. Andy's wakeboarding boat, Eva's tubing boat, and a pontoon boat that Daniel got from his work.

As soon as we got there, we hopped on the boats and started making our way to the camp site. it was a weekend filled with fun... wakeboarding, tubing, wakesurfing... and relaxing on the pontoon boat!!

That first day was great, after setting up camp, we boarded 2 of the 3 boats and headed out on the lake. The weather was awesome and the water was like glass... not a ripple!! The boys, Mike, Andy, Alex, and Joey immediately got our the wakeboards trying to show eachother up!

That night (after picking up about 10 other people) we roasted hot dogs, made s'mores, and chilled out by the nice warm fire... it was great.

The next morning... you guessed it... more boating!! I was so excited to try wakeboarding, again. I've tried it about a thousand times and have never been able to get up on a board. Andy promised me that by the end of the weekend, I'd do it. So, it was finally my turn... the weather had gotten a little windy and rainy, but I was determined.

Mike sat me down at the edge of the boat and helped me get strapped in. As I was getting ready to hop off the edge of the boat, Mike warned "Don't hit your head on the swim deck". Well, I'm proud to say that I listened to his warning and did not hit my head... my bum, on the other hand, is a completely different story. I (literally) slipped off the deck with the wakeboard strapped to me and landed right on my tail bone on... the swim deck... the hard, wooden swim deck!!

Poor Mike... the look on his face was utter disbelief... as all the other people in the boat were gasping and trying not to laugh, I looked at my poor hubby and said (with a big smile) "Well, I didn't hit my head!!". He just shrugged and giggled saying "No, you sure didn't".

What can I say? I'm a total clutz... and if you know me, then this shouldn't come as a surprise!!

Here's the happy ending... my first 2 tries were pretty much a lost cause. Everytime I tried to stand up, I ended up on my tummy being dragged by the boat until my arms gave out. Luckily, Mike's buddy, Andy, is the best wakeboarding coach who's ever existed. After seeing my pathetic attempts to get up on the board, he came to the back of the boat and gave me a little private lesson. My next attempt??? SuCcEsS!!!! Andy explained it perfectly and I did it!! He was able to get everyone up who'd never been... Thank you, ANDY!!!

That night, we ended up with about 30 people at the campsite. It was so much fun!! Although not many people knew eachother when we first got there, everyone had become great friends!! The boys had a big Cornhole tournament (if you haven't heard of it, it's a game like horshoes, only with bean bags... and it's totally addicting).

Sunday was the day we packed up to head home. We finished the day with tubing, cliff jumping, and an awesome rope swing... which I promptly embarrassed myself on!! It was sad to leave, but I can't wait to get back there next year!!

Welcome to the World, Lochlan!!

Well, this is a happy post... at least to our family!!

On August 3rd, my beautiful baby sister had her second baby boy!! His name is Lochlan Edward Wehner (just to be clear... the Edward part is in homage to Josh's grandpa... not to Edward Cullen the vampire). Weighing in at 6 pounds 12 oz and 19 1/2 inches long... he is another beautiful addition to an amazing family. He is adorable with a head full of thick, dark hair!! Declan is a proud big brother and is already very protective of his baby!!

Kyrie and the baby are great... especially since he's 4 weeks old, now!! On Tuesday, the 18th, Mike and I took Declan over night for a little slumber party with us. We took him to a BBQ at Dan and Eva's house, where he was the life of the party. I tell you, there's nothing better than a 3 year old little boy convincing 3 late 20's men to watch "Tarzan" with him!! After the BBQ, we went back to our house and watched "Bolt" with the little man. We even made Sprite floats... we were out of root beer. Declan passed out in about 20 minutes, snuggled up next to his beloved Uncle Mike!

The next day was an exciting one for me. I had taken the day off to spend it with Kyrie and baby Loch. I promised Kyrie that I would take Dec to school (it was water day... and he loves water day), then head to her house. Well, within about 20 minutes of Declan waking up, we were in full meltdown mode. I couldn't get him to eat anything for breakfast... and I felt so guilty! I couldn't stomach the thought of him going to school and being hungry, needless to say, we survived and I made it to Kyrie's by about 9:15 a.m.

I had spoken to her about 3 times that morning, so I was surprised to see her and baby Loch passed out in her bedroom. Seeing that she was sleeping so peacefully, when sleep is so rare for her these days, I crawled under her covers. After a few seconds... she realized I was there and asked if we could take a quck 30 minute nap. I, of course, said sure!! The next thing we know, we're finally waking up and it's almost 12:00 p.m. So much for a fun-filled sister day... ha ha!!

Anyways, here are some adorable pics of our newest family member:

WOW!!

It's been so long since my last post... I almost don't know where to begin!! March was a month full of surprises and utter craziness, so this may be a little long!


So, to follow up from my last post - Mike did go to the Superbowl with Patrice! Thankfully, the Steelers won!! I watched the Superbowl at my parents' house. My good friend, Kimber came over to join us in the festivities!





First things first:
Mike's brother, Dan, and his wife, Eva, had their first baby on March 19th. These 2 are so strong, they were able to make it all 9 months without ever finding out what the gender of the baby was. Because there are so many boys in Mike's family, we all assumed it would be a little boy. I can't tell you how many times I leaned in and said "Hi Buddy" to Eva's cute belly. Well, as you might have already guessed... it was a beautiful baby GIRL!! Her name is Liberty Marie Harris, pretty fitting, since daddy's in the National Guard!! We call her Libby, and she is precious!!




Mike got a promotion!! He's still at Union Pacific and he loves it. He's taking phone calls about pharmacy and prescription questions and is now doing overrides as well. He's hoping to become CEO one day.. if we haven't moved to either Mexico or Panama by then!! :)


On March 27th, Mike's other brother, Jeremey, married his girlfriend of 2 years, Lori!! We love her to pieces... she fits right in with the family. The festivities began the night before with a delicious taco bar at the bride's family home. The next day, we met at the Salt Lake Temple for the ceremony and pictures. It was FREEZING. Luckily, Mike's little sisters and I found a vent on the side of the temple that was blowing warm air; otherwise, we would have been brides-maid-cicles!!! A luncheon at the Wight House followed and the reception was at Chantilly Manor in Layton. It was a lot of fun... and I got to dance with the 2 best looking men there, Mike (of course) and my father-in-law, Todd!! Jeremey and Lori went on the traditional Harris honeymoon to Uncle Neal's condo in Mexico. They have just moved up to Portland where Jeremey's working for the summer, so we don't get to see them again until the 4th of July. :(







I'm not sure why those pictures ended up in that order... I loaded them with Jer and Lori first!! I promise!!


Before Lori met up with Jeremey in Portland; Eva, Lori, and I went to have one last girls' dinner at Olive Garden... mmmmm....




On April 2nd, Mike and I had laser eye surgery...
Mike had Lasik: uncomplicated, minimal discomfort, and was even able to go back to work the very next day. As for me??? Well, I wasn't as lucky. My vision has been horrible for a very, very long time. So, I had to have PRK, which is a lot more invasive, has a (usual) recovery time of 5 days, and they send you home with controlled substances for the pain. Lucky me, I was some freak of nature when it came to the surgery, and my eyes wouldn't heal!! I couldn't see, my eye balls felt like they were on fire, bright lights burned, and I was quickly running out of those pain meds... there were a few days there that I was just miserable and bored sitting alone in the dark all day. After about 8 days and some new suggestions, my eyes finally started to heal.

I am so lucky to have my rock, Mike!! He was the best husband, ever! He made sure that I took all my medications on time, he cuddle me when the pain was unbearable, and he tickled my forehead and forearms more times than I can even count. He was there for me in so many ways, and I love more than I could ever have imagined!!

I feel so blessed to have so many good friends (family and co-workers included) who called and visited while I was not feeling great!! Thank you, to all those many people!!!

Here are a couple funny things that happened during my healing process:
1- I turned into Ray Charles for about 2 weeks. I had to wear these super dark sunglasses and since I couldn't see who was talking, I would sway my head in the direction that I thought there voice was coming from. My sister called me by his name every time she came to my house.
2- One night, I couldn't relax... Mike (being the sweet hubby that he is) had a great suggestion of going into the office and listening to music in our love sac in the dark. Trying to be Miss Independent, I walked myself into the room. Suddenly, I felt like the walls were a little closer than I remembered, so I shouted to him "Mike, am I in the bathroom?". I could tell by his giggle that that's exactly where I ended up!!

I was able to go back to work about 2 weeks later than I had planned... and I feel great!! I would totally recommend laser eye surgery to anyone!!! It's the best feeling in the world!

Mike's playing softball and baseball, again!! His baseball team isn't doing too great, but he loves it. His softball team, however, is kicking butt!! It's fun to go watch them play; although talking through a lot of it makes us miss a lot of plays. OOPS!!

And, last but not least... I started a new diet the same week I had the eye surgery. It's pretty strict, but I've lost 17 pounds and hope to keep the momentum going so I can have that beach body by summer time!!

Well, that about covers it for the last couple months... we'll have a lot more to look at when we get some fun summer time pictures!!

Go Steelers!

On Sunday, the Pittsburgh Steelers became the AFC Conference Champions... and now, they're heading to Superbowl XLIII!!

For those of you who don't know... Mike is a die hard Steelers fan! In 2007 he got to go to his first NFL game when the Steelers played the Jacksonville Jaguars at Heinz Field!! He went with his sister, Patirce, who is also a HUGE Steelers fan. While there, they got their very own terrible towels, cheered with all their might, and even met Hines Ward in the airport on the way home!!





Sadly, the Steelers lost that snowy day... and although Mike and Patrice had a blast, they were left feeling a little disappointed.

Well, it looks like they're about to get a second chance to see their favorite team win!! Being the avid fan that she is, Patrice couldn't help herself; and after their triumphant victory this last Sunday, she bid on (and won) 2 tickets to Superbowl XLIII in Tampa on February 1, 2009!! We're sending Mike with her and can't wait to see how the Steelers do in yet another Superbowl Championship!!

We're counting on our QB - Ben Roethlisberger (#7) to lead us to another victory!!



Go STEELERS!!