Snowy Cities and Orange Blossoms

Spring break turned into winter break this year as we got our first official snow day at NAU the day after Spring break was supposed to end.  No complaining here!  We drove back up on Monday and played in the three feet of snow.  It was SO fun!

                

*Please Note: Anyone who says it doesn't snow in Arizona is very mistaken!  Flagstaff, Arizona was named 8th Snowiest City this year making it in the Top 10 Snowiest Cities for 5 years straight!  Yeah, that's a lot a snow... the difference? - It is also sunny here so it melts, FAST!  That 3 feet of snow we tromped in was gone in 48 hours flat!

Yet, I spent all Spring break taking in all the orange blossoms I could because it is definitely spring in the valley!  I have had the best of all worlds this month.  Snow, orange blossoms, sunny days, wet pines, etc.  I seriously LOVE this time of year!  The tiny chirping birds, and flowers, and yummy smells, and sunshine!  I love spring SO much!

It truly does remind me of Easter and the sacred New Beginning that makes all other new beginnings possible!  I am so thankful for my Savior and His sacrifice for me!  Happy Spring!

Spring Break in TEXAS!!

I took advantage of good deals on flights to Texas and headed off for the better part of four days to see the Horlachers. As I got into town, I was greeted with great big hugs!  They are all so grown up, and it's only been 7 months since I saw them last!  I can hardly believe how fast they grow up!

While I was there, we saw The Lorax, we read Barney's Halloween at least five times, we ate at tons of yummy places, we jumped on the trampoline for hours, we went to the Dallas Zoo (that is one incredible zoo!), we went swimming, we went to an amazing aquarium, we watched movies, we played in a fort, we ate jelly beans till our tummies hurt, we colored pictures, and ate ice cream at an old-fashioned palor.

Heidi also went with me to the temple one night.  It was a beautiful temple (they all are) and a neat experience!  Temples are so wonderful!

On one of the last mornings I was there, I slept in without setting an alarm.  I was woken up to little 3-year old feet running into my room and jumping up on the bed and snuggling in right next to me and whispering, "Kourt-ey, are you seeping?!" That is by far the best way I've ever been woken up!!  My heart melted as we snuggled and talked about what we were going to eat for breakfast and what we were going to do that day!  I honestly love each of those kids so much!!

The trip went by SO fast and I tried so hard to soak up every single smile, and laugh, and little voice, and personality trait so that I could save it in my memory until I get to see them again!

Fa La La

My family kinda sorta maybe really likes music!  D made the regional choir a few weeks ago.  The choir sounded amazing!  It's pretty cool to hear the regions best high school singers come together and perform something they have only practiced together for two days.  D and J had their high school choir concert.  My mom thought the songs they sang were a little different.  My dad loved them!  Our family went to the musical, WICKED last weekend.  I have wanted to see this musical for a loooong time!  I was so excited!  I already knew all the music and was so excited to finally see the musical.  It was incredibly well done!  I absolutely adore the story!  D made All-State Choir too!  Rumor has it, the director for his choir... Mack Wilberg (musical genius and director of Mormon Tabernacle Choir).  What a cool experience that will be if he is!  Yesterday, we went to The Piano Guys concert as a family.  If you don't know who they are, look 'em up!  They are ahhh-mazing and such good entertainers!  We laughed and loved every minute of it!  A is learning Jon Schmidt's piano song, Waterfall.  She practically has it finished and will be performing it at her next piano recital.  It is so cool to hear that song played on our family piano!  J has picked up his guitar again and we jam out to songs like, You and Me, Collide, Come & Get Higher, and Your Guardian Angel.  He is pretty stinkin' good!  He is looking forward to starting up lessons again!  D's choir is also going to Skywalker Studios at the end of this month - you know, where Star Wars music was recorded.  Music is the best!

 

Love this quote about music...
"Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul." - Anonymous

PHX Inaugural Race

Last weekend, my dad and I participated in the Inaugural Phoenix Marathon Race.

This year, they offered a 10K and a 1/2 marathon.  

I ran the 10K.  My dad ran his very FIRST half-marathon! 

It was one of the most well-run races I have ever participated in and it was SO fun! 

The huge groups of fans at each water station were so inspiring! 

The course was awesome (ok, the last half was awesome, the first half was uphill - 'nough said)!

The proceeds go to the same group D did his Eagle for - AZ Brain Food!

My dad finished the Half in 1:48:27!!

I finished the 10K in 58:14.

I have now literally run twice this year... in two races.  

Maybe I should start training for future races by actually running!

Next year, they are offering a full marathon.  The course looks amazing!!  

The real question... Should I do it?!?!

I've always wanted to stick a 26.2 sticker on my car...

It Takes Time...

Sometimes I get really frustrated that my heart still isn't whole.  

I believe in happily ever afters... just not my own.  

I am impatient with the healing process that seems to creep up and find me when I don't really feel like being found.

But, as my mom reminded me today, "Don't discredit how far you have come!"  

She has a point. (She always does!) 

I have come a long ways!  I have learned so much.  

I am not perfect.  My heart still has some pretty awesome walls 

(like ones straight out of Captain Moroni's time).  

I might not trust in everyone, but I have learned to trust in God.  

And deeeeeep down, I do still believe in my fairytale. 

I just need to give it time, be patient with myself, and focus on all that 

I have improved. 

As President Uchtdorf has said, "God wants to help us to eventually turn all of our weaknesses into strengths, but He knows that this is a long-term goal. He wants us to become perfect, and if we stay on the path of discipleship, one day we will. It’s OK that you’re not quite there yet. Keep working on it, but stop punishing yourself. In the meantime, be thankful for all the small successes in your home, your family relationships, your education and livelihood, your Church participation and personal improvement. Like the forget-me-nots, these successes may seem tiny to you and they may go unnoticed by others, but God notices them and they are not small to Him. Dear sisters, many of you are endlessly compassionate and patient with the weaknesses of others. Please remember also to be compassionate and patient with yourself."

As Cami and I frosted sugar cookies for valentines day (mmmm - they were GOOD), one of the big cookies broke as we tried to pick it up.  I jokingly told her that it was surely my heart - the really fragile one.  I took great care in frosting it back together and we joked about it as I did, but look how good it looks... (mind you, this cookie was in at least 3 crumbly pieces before a little help!)  

Dang, it looks pretty good! (It even stayed together while I ate it!) :)

New goal: focus on those "small successes!"

Don't Mind If I Do...

Sleep in....
        Go to school for a bit
                  Snowboard all afternoon...

                                    Don't mind if I do!! 

Nothing beats living 20 min from the mountain!

                                                 ...Off to make dinner

                                                                    Do a little homework

                                                                                          Read a super cute book...

                                                                                                           It's a rough life! ;)

London's Run

I have been thinking about last week's race long before it actually occurred and many times even since it.

LONDON'S RUN 2012

Almost 6 years ago, I was coaching a cute little 5 & Under Synchro Team during the winter while in high school.  I met many wonderful people while coaching there - many with whom I still keep in contact with! One of my little swimmers informed me of her cousin, London, that had cancer and had passed away just before Christmas at the young age of 6 years old.  I remember vividly the sadness in her voice as she spoke of her cousin, her friend, but I also remember her confidence as she spoke of being able to see her cousin again in heaven.  It had a profound effect on me.  

Little children have so much to teach us!

That following year (2007), I participated, with all my little swimmers, in the 2nd annual London's Run to support children with cancer.  I ran the 2 mile fun run next to my little swimmers and had the incredible experience of seeing so many little girls work together to finish what seemed to them as a very difficult task! I then watched as each one cheered on MANY of their teammates to finish the race!  It was all about finishing... not who did it in the fastest time or looking the prettiest!  

Kids see the bigger picture!

The following year I ran the 10K.  Along the 6 mile trail were pictures of all the kids with cancer who were being sponsored accompanied with sayings such as, "It's the hard things in life that make us stronger." As I rounded the corner and sprinted to the finish, my little swimmers cheered and jumped in beside me.  They couldn't have been happier that Coach Kourtney (and a few other coaches) did the "big" race!

Children know how to find the good in others!

In 2009, I ran my very first half marathon at London's Run.  I had trained consistently and I felt very prepared but still VERY nervous!  I had a prayer in my heart that I would just finish the 13.1 miles without being hauled out on a stretcher.  Not even one mile into the race, I saw a picture of London with a saying, followed by  25 more pictures (one every 1/2 mile) with things that said, "If you think running is hard, try cancer!" or "One Step at a Time" or "Toenails are overrated!"  Each picture touched me and many times I couldn't help from tearing up (not the most conducive action to breathing while running).  I finished my first half marathon and loved it so much I have kept the tradition of running one each year! 

Kids with cancer are strong!

2010 was planned to be my 2nd half marathon... except I had bronchitis!  But I had convinced my family to come with me so I ran/walked my mom while my dad, sister, and brother D ran.  My mom lost an older brother to cancer as well - that is why my mom decided to sign the family up for it!  Her brother died when he was 14 years old (my mom was 7 at the time).  I have heard many stories about him and the struggles her family went through as cancer touched their family!  To stay with my mom the first year she came ended up being a neat experience!

Cherish memories!

In 2011, I ran the 10K.  My mom, dad, and sister joined me again.  This year we saved time after the race to walk around the venues and read the story of London and the many other children they were sponsoring.  It was touching.  These are incredible children with incredible families who have hope for and in the future - no matter what it brings.  They cherish one another.  They make each moment count.  They have a firm grasp on what really matters!

Families affected by cancer are incredible!

Earlier this year, we learned that 2012 would be the last and final London's run.  I knew no matter what that I would be there for it!  Mom, dad, A, and I ran it one last time!  I participated in the 10K.  Over the years, I not only loved the pictures of the children lining the race, but I also felt as if hundreds of children who had passed away due to cancer were there cheering on the runners.  This final year was no exception!  Many families and friends of children who had passed away from cancer attend each year to honor their little ones and I've always felt as if each of those little spirits, now freed from a hurting body, were there to support the ones they loved. 

Families are Forever!

I know without a doubt that there is life after this one!  I know that we can live as families together forever because of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and His perfect atonement.  I know someday, I will get to meet some of these incredible children that have cheered me on for the past 5 years!  My thanks goes out to the families who have shared their inspiring stories and helped me feel that much closer to heaven! 

London's Run 2012