I Did It!

First thing in the morning

Michelle(cheerleader), Brynn, myself, and Teresa. Brynn and Teresa ran the 5K that morning and stuck around to run miles 14-20 with me.

Nearing the end. I love Michelle on her rollerblades and L Lawlor on her bike

Those last .2 miles seemed so long, but I was really happy to see this sign

Running to the finish line

I did it! Despite all the worries, name calling, my mom offering to pay me not to do it, etc. I did the Top of Utah marathon last weekend. I was a little worried myself after taking a month hiatus from training, but it went really well. I was pretty slow, but I'm definitely not in it to win. I just want to finish, and I did. I have the best friends. Nettie and Michelle decided late Friday night to come up. Brynn and Teresa ran miles 14-20 and Crystal ran 20-end with me. I would not have survived without them. They helped a ton, and I am so lucky to have such great support. I was pretty sure I could finish, but I thought I might not be able to move for a week after. Surprisingly I felt pretty good during the marathon. I was sore for a couple of days but nothing like I expected. I'm so happy I decided to do it even if you all think I'm crazy.

Good News/Bad News

The good news is that after much begging the doctor cleared me to start running again. The bad news is the last time I ran was August 19. I decided to try running today, and since the Top of Utah marathon is next Saturday I decided to run 10 miles. It went so well I am going to run the marathon. Yes, I know I am crazy/insane/stupid and several other descriptors I have heard the past 2 days. I know what I am getting myself into, and I'm up for the challenge. So, if anyone wants to come to Logan next Saturday I would love to see you up there! Wish me luck!

Not What I Was Expecting

I got home from a week in Mexico (more to come later) last Tuesday night. I started getting a little stomache on Wednesday afternoon but thought I was suffering from a delayed case of Mexicoitis. I didn't think much of it until I woke up in the night with a sharp pain in my lower right abdomen. I got up Thursday morning not feeling well and still having the sharp pain. I called Michelle, nurse practitioner, on the way to work, and she suggested I go to the doctor. I went to an early morning meeting and made a doctor's appointment. I went on about my morning and went to the doctor. She sent me to the hospital for blood work and a CT scan. After 3 hours in radiology and having the tech tell me he would put my clothes in a bag, I knew I was staying. I got sent to the ER for 2 more hours of waiting before going to the OR to have my appendix taken out. Luckily my Utah family, the Martins, came to the hospital while I was still in the ER. My Utah/adopted mom, Carol Martin, is a nurse in the OR so she scrubbed in for the surgery. I felt much more comfortable and less scared with her there, and Tina spent the night at the hospital with me-so nice. I definitely wasn't expecting to come home from Mexico, work for a day and a half, have surgery and spend a day in the hospital, and be off work for another week recovering from surgery. Here are some pics of me in the hospital. Thanks for all the well wishes, cards, flowers, food, emails, visits, phone calls, etc. I really am doing quite well.

Waiting to go into the OR. I had lots of phone calls to make since this was so unexpected.

my appendix. sorry if this grosses you out. who knew it was so small?

getting ready to go home. i was so happy to have the IV out.

pretty flowers from my two good friends, Katie and Katey. thanks girls!

Race for the Cure

Bre and Laurann before the race

This is why I love this race.

Laurann, Bre, and me after the race

I LOVE the Race for the Cure. It's held every year the second Saturday in May at the Gateway. The race benefits the Susan G Koman foundation. Even though it's only a 5K it is my favorite race. This was my 3rd year doing the race, and I will not miss it for anything. There's something so inspiring about running along side people running in celebration/memory of "my mom", "myself", "my wife", "my daughter", "my sister", etc. Race for the Cure was my first race ever, and my good friends Ben and Kate had to sign me up because I was so scared of doing a running race, and look at me now. If any of you have any desire to do a race, get started running, or just participate in one of the coolest things ever, meet at the Gateway next May.

Chicago

We went into the city Laurann's first night there and ate at Grand Lux. We were starving and it was yummy!
Outside Wicked. It was amazing and I loved it just as much the second time.
We ate so much on this trip-hersheys, pizza, popcorn, ice cream, and lots more.

Laurann's flip flops broke in the airport. She found these pink slippers at a newstand for $5. It was a perfectly funny ending to our trip.

I went to Chicago back in May for the Autism One conference for work. My friend Laurann came along to take advantage of the free hotel and see the city. I didn't get the chance to do many touristy things, but we did venture into the city a couple times and got to see Wicked. I saw it in NY in the fall and loved seeing it for the second time. I love that show and the music! I've done my fair share of traveling the past few years, but I did learn a few things on my trip.

*Even when you're only gone for 3 days, take an extra pair of jeans

*Make sure to arrive at the airport in plenty of time (If you don't check in 40 minutes before the flight, they won't let you check in)

*Try to find some way to take a carry on only-haven't figured out how with the liquid restrictions but I'm open to suggestions

*American Airlines has the worst customer service. Do NOT fly that airline

*Ipods work wonders for loud people on airplanes

*I still LOVE Wicked!

*Chicago is a fun city and I would love to go back when I can spend more time

Generation Gap

Sorry there are no pictures in this post. I have been wanting to blog about this for a while and who knows when or if I will ever have a picture to post. I started running with a running group, Generation Gap, while training for Wasatch Back. This group really is a generation gap. Besides the newest 25 year old runner and one other girl probably in her 30s, I am the youngest by 20 years, and it just goes up from there. The oldest runner in the group is 77 and has run more than 50 marathons. I have NEVER thought I would be a runner and really NEVER NEVER thought I would run a marathon, but running/races really does become addictive. After running several 14, 15, 16 milers with these ladies I decided you don't have to be fast to be a runner. I am a runner even if I am slow. I'm running my first marathon, Top of Utah, September 20. I'm recruiting people to come run a few miles with me to keep me from dying and/or going crazy. These ladies are so great to run with. They are so motivating and encouraging. I couldn't train for or do this race without them. Thanks Teresa for inviting me to run with the group.

Blast from the Past or Back to the Future

Several of the HBLL shelvers. Amanda D, April, and I realized we all met 9 years ago this fall. Wow! Time flies.

A few of the KOTM group. It was so fun to get out of the office.

Most of the old roommates have been in town this summer. Too bad they didn't all come at the same time.


The past few weeks I have gotten together with old friends from different times of my life-BYU roommates, HBLL co-workers, KOTM friends. It's been lots of fun to see everyone and take a few trips down memory lane. It's fun seeing what everyone is doing with their lives-mostly something completely different than we predicted at the time. I'm grateful for every era of my life and the awesome friends I have. Even after 10 years we get together and have just as much fun if not more as we did our freshman year at BYU, shelving and reading at the library, working together at KOTM!

This is what happens...

when 7 people quit work within 1 month. The office turns to chaos, everyone is so uptight, and the remaining staff are left to figure out how to lighten the mood. Eric, one of the many who are leaving, is the biggest jokester in the office. He and Anne passed this goat back and forth several times. Anne decided the ultimate comeback would be nothing other than green jello (Jim from The Office style). It turns out it's a little tricky to suspend a plastic object in jello, but with a little engineering we pulled it off. Eric's reaction was priceless, and we decided Anne won the prank war. Eric promised to take the goat to his new classroom in memory of Kids on the Move. Despite the loss of productivity when we all have tons to do, the mood in the office was definitely lightened!

The finished product.

Wednesday Nights

This is why you don't make bets. Kent got stuck playing an inning in cowboy boots.
My Wednesday nights consist of going to the softball field across the street to watch teams play. It's one of my favorite summer activities and I usually rearrange plans just to make it. Thanks for the fun Hustlers!

Nettie's Mouth/Carwash

The carwash got off to a little slow start so we started with my car. Things picked up pretty quickly though.


Nettie subbed for the ward softball team a couple of weeks ago and this is what happened. Luckily she was able to get the teeth cosmetically fixed that day. Unfortunately, she still needs a root canal and most likely a crown. Her company doesn't offer dental insurance so this might turn into a $1500 softball game. Although she can easily afford the dental work, who wants to afford that? A couple girls decided to put together a carwash. It was quite successful, and we had a good time. People are so nice!

Baby Karlee

We need to leave the poor girl alone, but it's so fun to dress her up.


The cute family!

Aubrey and baby Karlee

Look at her cute shoes. Everything is a little too big so it usually just stays on long enough to take some pictures.

My first time holding Karlee.

I'm an aunt! Karlee Lynn Vocana was born June 19 at 11:15 am. She weighed 7 lbs 5 oz and was 20 1/2 inches long. I'm down in Vegas right now visiting, and she is so much fun. We're having so much fun holding her, dressing her up, and doing lots of photo shoots. Isn't she cute?

We Survived!

I have never considered myself a runner, and I for sure don't look like a runner. Two years ago my friends had to talk me into/sign me up for a 5K. Who would have thought that 2 short years and a few races later I would not only be running but putting together a team for Wasatch Back. Click here http://www.ragnarrelay.com/wasatchback/index.php for more info on the race. I don't really think I can adequately describe it. Our team did great-better than I expected. My first 2 legs were great. My last leg, 6 miles of a gradual incline in the 93 or higher degree weather, nearly killed me. Even with all that, the lack of sleep, the 2 days in a van, the no showers, the port-a-potties, the tears, the laughs, the team support, the friendships, the fun, etc. the race was awesome. I loved it. Our team survived with no major problems. It was so great I already signed up a team for next year. Anyone interested?

End of an Era

This post is a couple months after the fact, but it's part of the reason for the blog. I woke up the morning of Michelle and Andrew's wedding and realized life as I have known it for the past 5 years is over. In my mind I thought today is the end of an era-an era of my life I will never forget and one that has changed my life forever. After that realization I also decided to start a blog.

I've spent the past 5 years as an add-on/adopted sister to the Martin sisters. With 2 of the 4 of us now married, Nettie and I can hardly be the Martins. I guess we're just Nettie and Aubs.

Finally!

I have been saying for far too long I was going to start a blog. I am finally doing it. I can't guarantee it will be exciting or that I will update often, but I'll do my best. I feel like I keep in touch with everyone through their blogs so now hopefully you can keep in touch with me. Happy reading!