Lucky Number 13

Tomorrow is my and Ross's 13th anniversary. It's so hard to believe we have been married for that long because it sure doesn't feel like it.
I remember our first date. I knew I was going to marry him. It was quite shocking, considering that I thought I would never be married. Turns out, he was and still is my soul mate. I know that we were meant for each other. I know that I knew him before this life. I am sure that he promised me long before we were ever born that he would come down here and fix my messed up head. He does just that on a daily basis.
I have never known more love, hope or happiness than I have with Ross. He is truly the best person I have ever known and I am so thankful that the Lord saw fit to put us together. I would never have been half of what I am without him and I kind of like who I am. I love you more each day honey. Thank you for all you do for me.
Happy Anniversary.

Crazy Fast

Saturday morning, the brand new, totally expensive Legacy Highway opened. But it wasn't quite open to cars yet. They officially "cut the ribbon" with a road race. Bikers and runners from far and wide came to participate. Ross decided to do his first ever road bike race.
He was a little unsure of how fast he could go. It was 20 miles. He was hoping for 53 minutes but thought he wouldn't get that. I told him he could do it in 52.
Official results: 51 minutes 30 seconds. 5th place in his class, 31st out of 888 over all! What a stud! I was so proud and he had a stupid grin for most of the day.
He got a cool t-shirt and bragging rights to boot.
Way to go speed racer!

Major Award

Rules associated with this award:

1. The recipient must link back to the awards creator.
(http://www.thebabblingsofmere.blogspot.com/) (a student in Texas)

2. You must post these rules if you receive the award. (I did)

3. You must choose 5 people to receive the award after receiving it yourself. (check the list below and see if you are on it)

4. You must fit the characteristics of the recipient of the award, as posted by Mere. (Vicki, you totally made my day. Thanks!)

5. You must post the characteristics of a recipient. (look below)

6. You must create a post sharing your win with others. (that's what this is, I suppose)

7. You must thank your giver. (Vicki Wight, thank you so much and I am happy to count you as my friend for life! And probably a definite partner in crime;)

Characteristics for the Smile Award:

1. Must display a cheerful attitude (I think I do. Mostly:)

2. Must love one another. (I love everyone. Everyone is unique and special to me.)

3. Must make mistakes. (I make way more than the average Joe.)

4. Must learn from others. (I try. Oh do I try. Not always quickly but that's ok, right?)

5. Must be a positive contributor to blog world. (I contribute. Hopefully it's positive.)

6. Must love life. (I LOVE life. Immensely.)

7. Must love kids. (I love kids. Especially my kids.)

5 Awesome Bloggers Who Qualify for This Major Award!

Natalie Vincent-Since the day I met you, you have made me smile. I knew early on that we would be great friends. You have taught me to lift up my head and trudge forward even in the face of great adversity. I admire you greatly.

Kerrie Andrews- I don't think I have ever met anyone who gives more than you do. You are constantly looking for ways to make the world better and then you step up and do it, no excuses. No one has a bigger heart.

Krista Barker- You are so totally amazing. We have laughed and cried together many a time. I always walk away from you with a smile on my face. I know that I can count on you for anything.

Tracy Carrigan- I have never seen you without a smile. I know you struggle like everyone else but the difference is that you choose to be happy no matter what. I can go a long time without talking to you and when we do hook up, it's like we never left.

Ross Walker- Last on this list but #1 in every aspect of my life. You restored my hope in life and all the good there is and you continue to do so every day. You bring such joy to my life. I know the world would be a whole lot darker without you. I love you.

110 Degrees of Pure Fun

This last weekend we went to St. George with two of our very good friends, Shawn and Andrea. I have been friends with Andrea since we were kids and we, as a couple, have been friends with them our whole married life. We have seen each other through a lot of good and bad times. They are awesome.
Our whole intention was to go down there, rent some motorcycles and have a whole lot of fun. We did just that. We got there Thursday night and picked up our bikes in Hurricane. Impromptu, we decided to drive to Vegas and spend the night. We had no reservations, just decided to head that way and find a hotel. We ended up staying at the Mirage in really nice rooms for only $100. Friday, we walked around Vegas for a while before we headed to Hoover Dam. I had never been there before. I thought it was an amazing place. Totally worth the very uninteresting drive to get there. We then turned around and headed back to St. George through the Valley of Fire. I am sure it was named that for it's temperatures from Hades. It was 110 degrees at the hottest point.
Saturday we headed into Zion's to do the Angel's Landing Hike. It is a 5 mile hike. Mostly up hill. The last half mile you need to use chains up a crazy steep and very narrow path. There were hoardes of people there. Andrea and I sat and watched Ross and Shawn do that last half mile. I was a little nervous, what with all the people, plus I get vertigo so I didn't feel bad about it. I will do it some time when there are a lot fewer people to push me off.
We came back Sunday morning. It was so fun. We are so lucky to have such awesome friends that share our sense of adventure. They will probably become our permanent riding buddies.

Different But The Same

I think people are fascinating. I am always trying to figure them out. What motivates them, what makes them happy, why they act the way they do.
I have recently reconnected with a few old friends from high school. High school is such a joke in a way. Everyone is so concerned with what everyone else thinks and being either little clones of each other or trying so hard to be different that they go way off the deep end.
Anyway, it just got me thinking, for all the ways people are different or try to be different, we are really all the same. We are all trying to be happy. We want someone to love and someone to love us with no conditions. We want understanding. We want to BE something, someone special.
I am so glad for that hind-sight that comes with getting older. You become friends with someone you never would have in the past because you realize all those trivial things like social status just don't matter. You realize that we are all connected. That we all are something special.
Man I'm glad high school is over.