race day

i had a good idea for my for the little tykes series today, and then i remembered i am running a marathon tomorrow. a full marathon. thats 26.2 miles. that's a heckuva lot of miles. this is marathon #9 for me. you would think by that time i would have it all figured out.

not the case. i am still freaking out. i've done it before so it's pretty likely I can do it again, but I still get so nervous. i'm in denial about summer ending, but it really is happening. the weather is cooking off, and the leaves are starting to change which means the race tomorrow should be beautiful. i'm excited. the last 2 marathons I've done have been pretty rough. i'm hoping this is a little/a lot better. send some good vibes my way:) and if you have a favorite running song, let me know. 

remembering...

the Brooklyn Bridge

every year i sit down to write my post about september 11, and every year i feel the same as i did the year before. i visited the 9/11 memorial last time i was in NYC. it was amazing and surprisingly peaceful. it is the perfect sanctuary right in the middle of the city. rather than try to say the same thing i feel every year in different words, i'm reposting what i said on the 10 year anniversary.

September 11 is a date that hopefully no one will forget. I don't even know how to put into words what I feel today. I have been reading Facebook status updates and blog posts and watching TV specials today. I am overcome as I think of that day 10 years ago. My experience definitely is so small in comparison to many others who lived through it/barely survived, but it is still something I never want to forget. I was a senior in college, and I was finishing getting ready in the morning. My friend Elizabeth came over to walk to school, and she heard something on the news but didn't know much. BYU was a very different campus that day. Many classes were cancelled that day. There was a special prayer meeting held in the Marriott Center. Click here to read. Even though there was an obvious mood of fear overtaking the country, I remember the prayer meeting and how meaningful it was for me that day. As I think back to 10 years ago, I not only remember the horror of our country being ripped apart by terrorists, but I remember our country coming together united in this tragedy. President Monson writes in the Washington Post about the opportunity it gave many to spiritually rebuld. As I look at our country 10 years later, the tragedy to me is that we aren't always united. We aren't always spiritually strong. We aren't always looking out for each other. We don't always remember. Today was a good reminder to me to always remember.

originally posted 9/11/11

what would you do 12.0

last month i wrote a post about school/office supplies. kimberly and i both love school supplies and instantly agreed on the topic for the month. i can't even believe this month marks a whole year of this series. i love it so much!

this month we want to know

WHAT WOULD YOU DO...

with $20 in the office/school supply aisle?

i have a confession (yes i know 5 little confessions was last week)...i actually bought several items before we decided to do this post. i planned to buy a few more things i've been wanting (like the multi color pack of felt pens), but i ended up needing to buy other things instead. 

1. folders and loose leaf paper for september slumber soiree. today is the last day to get tickets at the regular price so sign up 

2. glitter pencils also for the soiree

3. packs of crayons for a fun craft. i ordered the supplies for the rest of the craft weeks ago, but they are shipping from china or india or somewhere not close.

4. 3 ring hole punch, neon post-it notes, fine point pens (these are the items i bought before we decided the theme)

i didn't go a great job of keeping track of my $20, but i am sure i'm close. i can't wait to see what everyone else wants to but. link up below.

An InLinkz Link-up

blogging the bach...in paradise 1.6

i really can't believe this was the last week of bach in paradise. they didn't seem anywhere close to a resolution at the end of last week. although, i have been pretty confused the whole time about the resolution.

monday night tradish resumed this week, i watched with celsey, her sister in law amanda and her friend alexis. shawn piped in a few times. there were so many good quotables this week.

THINGS I HEARD

"obviously something is different. they told you."--amanda "this is the last week. aren't they going home anyway. i don't understand."--shawn "i do not trust ashlee...i don't think she knows who she is."--michelle "why is her heart heavy for her in the slightest?"--cel ashlee about michelle "don't give the remote to her. she'll pause it when someone talks"--shawn about amanda "i feel sad"--graham (you feel sad because she's sad because you're nice) "it's hard to say goodbye to the concept of loving someone"--graham "she didn't really walk away. she got dumped. what else was she going to do?"--cel "YOU DON"T HAVE TO MARRY THEM"--amanda "it looks like my grandma ate a smoothie and threw it up"--amanda about lacy's romper "so i'm going to call my 8 year old and get some dating advice"--cel about michelle "just real quick. before i make this life or death decision, let me call my 8 year old"--cel "is grandma whispering in her ear?"--cel about brielle "no it hasn't. it's been painful"--amanda about lacy and marcus after chris h said it's been a pleasure to watch them "her real world is a strip pole"--amanda about lacy "cody must feel really good about himself that she's panting"--alexis "i'm just nervous to spend times with you"--cody (um...whaaattt???) "like like like like like...."michelle a ton of times i can't even with all the michelle and cody quotes "michelle is saying way more than i ever wanted to know about her and cody's relationship"--alexis "did i make a wrong choice?"--sarah (probs) "he probably thought i'm just going to fake like i'm sleeping until she's asleep and then i'm going to raid the mini bar and watch HBO"--cel "he's either proposing or he has syphilis"--cel about marcus "they have to fake being excited for someone they don't know"--amanda "we have truly seen it all here"--chris h(that's an understatement) journey...0 (did they really not say it at all or did i just miss it?) amazing...12 love...63 connection...1 THINGS I SAW...on twitter

what did everyone think? i never would have put cody and michelle together ever, but they seem really happy. yay for them!

#jjdailystylechallenge days 16-20

this post was supposed to go up last thursday, but for some reason it didn't post. i wish i would have discovered that before 10pm. i was also supposed to be posting my tour through blogland today, but for several reasons, it's not happening. wear it wednesday is turning into wear it thursday (now monday) which just doesn't have the same ring. i got a little behind on my postings from the #jjdailystylechallenge but i'm back and ready to catch up.   day 16...your college colors...my school colors have been blue and white ever since the 2nd grade old navy shirt, jc penney jeggings, old navy flip flops

day 17...cozies...i usually stay in my dress all day on sunday, but i change into comfier shoes immediately old navy chambray, bella bird skirt, jessica simpson heels/old navy flip flops

day 18...monday blues gap outlet cardi, old navy top. old navy shorts

day 19...transportation theme...i have nothing to fit the theme, but i do have toy cars old navy shirt, agnes and dora leggings

day 20...curls...the weather did not cooperate with curls so bouffant bun it was

churchy...obtaining help from the Lord

a few years ago there was a lesson in church on a talk by richard g scott-obtaining help from the lord.    it was honestly a life changing experience. it is one of my favorite talks of all time and applies to all of us no matter our religion. i have prayed for as long as i can remember. i have always believed in God. i have always known i could pray to God for basically any and everything. this talk completely changed my outlook on prayer. it reminds me that prayer isn't a passive thing. obtaining help from the Lord requires a lot of effort on my part. sometimes it may seem like we aren't getting the help we seek. this is a good reminder that God hears us every single time, but the answers might be different than we expect/hope.
some of the other book of mormon bloggers are talking about churchy things today too Mariel Wendy Mandy

foodie friday...individual 7 layer dip

anytime i make something in individual cups, it's a huge hit. i made individual 7 layer dips for the bach in paradise premier fiesta. everyone loved them. little is cuter always, and they're so easy to make.

ingredients refried beans sour cream taco seasoning guacamole tomatoes green onions mexican blend cheese olives
1. mix sour cream and taco seasoning 2. layer ingredients in small glass cups (mine are from ikea) 3. chill and serve

5 little confessions...seasonal edition

wow! i can't believe another month has flown right by. it's time for another round of 5 little confessions. this is honestly one of my favorite posts each month, and i love reading what everyone else has to say. 

Your Hosts

Carrie from Curly Crafty Mom

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Aubrey from Dreaming About Someday

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Jacq from Justjacq

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Kimberly from Olive the Things

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people always say they love utah because it has all 4 seasons. that's only a little bit true. fall and spring come for about 2-3 weeks before leaving us for the next season. other people say utah has 2 seasons-construction and winter. that's a lot true. i LOVE summer which most people already know. the rest of the seasons just aren't my favorite. this month i bring you my seasonal confessions.

like it or not, summer is ending. i'm in big time denial. i finally took down my patriotic decorations on monday. yes, i know the 4th of july was 2 months ago

everyone is all excited for pumpkin spice latte to hit starbucks. i don't drink coffee so it doesn't make me any more thrilled about summer ending. mostly i'm just mad.

 

the only thing about fall i am actually excited about is fall nail colors. i have so many i can't wait to use them all.

i'm sure fall is a really nice season. it is actually really beautiful here with all the changing leaves. i can't ever enjoy fall because i'm too busy dreading winter. i'm determined to soak up fall this year and worry about winter when it comes.

 

utah relies on the snow for water later in the year. whenever i hear people praying for rain or snow i instantly get a little angry. i really really hate snow. i suppose i am grateful for the moisture, but i don't usually feel like i am. 

   

now it's your turn. we want to hear all your confessions so link up below.

    

An InLinkz Link-up

blogging the bach...in paradise 1.5

i watched with my friends laurann and kim. neither of them watch normally so the commentary is extra good. kim was pretty quiet, but laurann had some pretty funny quotables.

WHAT I HEARD...

"i don't think jesse's here to fall in love at all"--sarah

"things are happening way too fast, and it's stressing me out"--michelle (at least someone is thinking around here)

"does she really not know what those are? every 4th grader in america knows that"--laurann

lots about love from marcus and lacey

"what is that? the mating call of an elephant?"--laurann

"can we wear statement necklaces in hawaii with our swimming suits?"--laurann (we are going to hawaii in november. stay tuned for pics)

"i don't want to mess up a good thing with robert"--sarah (then don't)

"at the risk of sounding utterly crazy..."--sarah (i'm glad someone is admitting it)

"she's nice and cute. that's all i really have to go off of"--brooks about jackie

"can he say another word besides cute?"--laurann

"i know i'm scaring you, but it comes from my heart"--cody (um then maybe don't be scary)

"if tasos asks michelle on a date, cody will probably eat tasos"--graham

"i'm not ready to leave paradise"--jesse (apparently he doesn't care about christy, just paradise)

"hello 1985. what? where did she get it? where did she get that shirt? and that hair" "she needs to go back to the stalactite" --laurann about lacey

"this might be my favorite date. just sayin"--jackie (and she's been on a lot on this show)

"it's unique. it looks like a horse's mane. bless her heart"--laurann about michelle's hair

"idiot. jesse is an idiot"--marcus

journey...2 (thanks to ashlee)

amazing...19

love...32

connection...12 (i might have missed a couple)

WHAT I SAW...on twitter

i didn't totally notice the teeth, but i definitely agree that robert is much hotter

right?!?

i wondered the same thing

same here i was pretty surprised to hear next week is the end. what did you think?

the color run

ever since i started running marathons, i haven't done many shorter races. i am definitely more of a distance runner, but it's fun to do a shorter race every once in a while is fun. i was really excited to have the opportunity to run the color run. 

\the weather all week was pretty bad. it rained and rained and rained, and i kind of dreaded the mess of it all. i woke up early that morning to get in some extra marathon training miles. the weather was terrible-thunder, lightning, monsoon rain. a couple of hours later, the weather was absolutely perfect. 

thank you agnes and dora and flippin waffles for sponsoring my outfit

my co-worker chris came and ran with me. we had such a fun time.

start line. we accidentally got in the stroller side

color zone number 1

this group was really fun and we were bu them most of the way

yellow color zone

at the end.  this really is the happiest 5K. we couldn't have asked for a better day. i'm so glad i did it. i will definitely do it again.

healing through kindness giveaway

a few weeks ago i told you about an upcoming giveaway. this one is different than a lot of other giveaways i have done in the past, and it means a lot more. it's not about gaining new followers or even new readers although we all know we love that. it's about joining together to help other people. i have breanna back here to tell you all about it.

It has already been a month since I posted about my father's tragic experience with having a massive stroke, but I am happy to say that with each passing month he continues to get better and better. It's miraculous the healing power the human body has overtime. It's a scary thing to see a loved one go through something like this knowing you can't do a darn thing to change the outcome, but one thing I can do is attempt to help relieve some of my parent's financial burden which is why I put together this giveaway. Now that my husband and I are moving to the Pacific Northwest I would feel better knowing that they are in a better place, financially, making this giveaway fundraiser all that more special to me.

Prize Pack #1 (Valued at over $150) Ruthie of The Chronicles of Ruthie Hart donated a $25 Amazon Gift Card Kendra of Open Spaces donated a 5 x 7 Original Art Print Jen of Purse & Clutch donated a Handmade Cambodian Scarf Emily of Designs By Emily F donated a Custom Blog Design Brandi of Realities of Brandi donated a $25 Sephora Gift Card

Prize Pack #2 (Valued at over $150) Kendra of Open Spaces donated a 5 x 7 Original Art Print Angela of Hairspray and Highheels donated a $50 Sephora Gift Card

Jessa of Shop Jessa Olson donated an Infinity Scarf and Elastic Hair-ties

Aubrey of Dreaming of Someday donated an Alex & Ani Bracelet Erin of Simply Just Lovely donated a $25 Starbucks Gift Card

A very special thank you to the amazing ladies above who helped to make this giveaway possible with their generous prize donations. I would also like to mention that any and all donations towards my father's stroke recovery fund will be forever appreciated and means more to my family than you'll ever know. If at this time you can't donate your prayers and positive thoughts are more than welcome. Sharing is caring, or at least that's what they say, so if you are moved to please feel free to share on your social networks. This giveaway will have two winners who will have 48 hours to respond to my email before a new winner is selected. See official disclosure below for more information regarding this giveaway. Thank you in advance & good luck <3
a Rafflecopter giveaway

OFFICIAL DISCLOSURE:

Giveaway ends September 15th at 11:59 PM EST. Open to Legal Residents (18 years of age or older) of the United States and Canada. Prizes cannot be shipped to PO Boxes. Winner(s) will be selected by Random.org and be notified by email. Winner(s) will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is selected. Please note that My Beautiful Crazy Life is not responsible for sponsors that do not fulfill their prizes. I have represented each sponsor with the expectation they will fulfill their prize and in a timely manner. I will contact the sponsors regarding your prize(s). The sponsors are shipping their items to you directly. I will make every effort to assist you in obtaining your prize. If there is an issue with a sponsor, please notify the blog you won a prize from within 30 days for assistance, after that we may be unable to assist you. The products offered for the giveaway are free of charge, no purchase necessary. Facebook, Twitter and Google+ are in no way associated with this giveaway. By providing your information in this form, you are providing your information to me and me alone. I do not share or sell information and will use any information only for the purpose of contacting the winner.