RAGNAR

Hardest things about RAGNAR RELAY?

• Well, the running of course! :) The first leg, I thought I was in over my head... but after I finished, I was excited for the next one! By the third, I admit I was EXHAUSTED (having had only about an hour and a half of sleep) but because it was the last leg, I pushed it and kept on going.
• Not having Alex there. Alex couldn't get off work (and he didn't feel like he was trained enough to do it... uh, I wasn't either.) ;) But it would have been SO much better having him there for extra support. We did text quite frequently though, so I guess that is better than nothing.
• My right knee... really, this wasn't a big issue, but on my second leg I could barely keep myself from walking. It was so so so so so painful. Thankfully, that was the only leg it was an issue with.
  
  
  BUT... even with those circumstances, I would do it again in a heartbeat. It was such an accomplishment for myself. I'm usually one who talks about 'wanting to do' things, and it never materializes... or, I commit to it, then find an excuse not to go due to lack of confidence. I am so glad that I stuck with it, and pushed myself. I had such a blast!! Can't wait to do it again.
  
  
  (My van! GREAT team to run with!)

My Life in a List

Things I'm looking forward to in my life right now:

• Ragnar Relay in Las Vegas on October 22nd. Am I in over my head? Probably. Am I still excited? Yes. Does this mean I'm crazy? Absolutely.
• A 5K on October 9th. My first. Yes, I am going from a 5K to running Ragnar. Did I mention I'm crazy?
• My husband's 25th birthday on October 4th. I purchased 9 (yes, 9) Jackie Chan movies for the big event. We also got him a car. (We're donating my dear, sweet Metro to Kidney Cars within the next week. I have to admit, it's bittersweet. I will be sure to post about that event... with pictures... sniff.) I also have a small present idea up my sleeve that I'm quite excited about.
• General Conference. I'm going to fast prior to Conference (a tip from Sheri Dew at Time Out for Women. I'm thinking she knows what she's talking about. ;)) to get the whole effect. I am also planning on taking avid notes throughout.
• My mom coming out for Christmas. We've had many conversations about the many funs we're planning on having. I haven't been with my family for Christmas the past few years, and even though it won't be the WHOLE family, at least I'll have my mother around. In case you didn't know, this woman happens to be my hero.
• Getting the guts to do something fun with my hair. I don't know what this means... but hopefully I will muster up the courage to take that leap.
• FALL!!!

Things I'm appreciating right now?

• Alex! A few nights ago, we were watching a movie together, all snuggled up (mushy, I know!) and I had a realization. Marriage is easy. I also realized that we have entered into this completely and totally comfortable phase. I honestly can't remember what it was like NOT to have him in my life. This guy makes marriage so smooth and problem free. Our personalities fit so well, and everything just meshes. Yeah, I have got it good!
• Running. Alex has joined me nightly to go for a run before we go to bed. We just run around the block until we're dead, then walk the remainder... and talk. It's just a fantastic nightly ritual and I can't get that "high" from anything else. Running has become my new best friend.
• Trying to really love myself. I used to have the habit of always wanting to change something about myself. Every morning, I'd stare in the mirror and critique. I'd over-exaggerate my flaws, and rarely see the positive. Ever since I've honestly tried to make a change, my life has improved 110%. Try only focusing on the positive things about yourself. It will change everything.
• Utah. I love this state. I love the weather, I love always seeing the mountains, I love how easy it is to get places due to the fantastic grid system. I love the constant church opportunity, I love Temple Square, I love living within 10 minutes from a temple. I just love it.
• Getting to know my husband's family[extended AND immediate]. (It's a big family!!) When I first married into it, it was overwhelming to say the least.. but after time, I've grown to love them all. I still have some learning to do, but I really, truly love every stinkin' one of them.

Things I miss?

• My fatha. It was his birthday on the 22nd, and I just love him!
• My family. Of course, this is a given.
• The simplicity of childhood.
• Oklahoma... and those fantastic thunderstorms/sunsets...
• The excitement of moving to UT, and not knowing a single person. I loved the fresh start!
• Time Out for Women. I kinda wish it were every weekend....

And that, in a nutshell, is my life at this moment. :) I've been wanting to post something, but I haven't any big news or experiences to record. Hopefully the coming months will be note-worthy!

Just Breathe

I've been telling myself that very phrase over the past month or so. Without going into too much detail, it hasn't been an easy month. However, I feel like I've grown 10x from the beginning of August to the beginning of September.


On a particular Sunday in the month of August, I had the opportunity to go to Sunday School. (Being in nursery hasn't given me that opportunity often.) It was, hands down, THE best lesson I've ever had. She started with three simple questions:

• What does it mean to fully trust God?
• Do you trust God?
• If so, how do you KNOW you trust God?

Wow. Well? As I sat there, I tried to really think about those questions. Did I trust God? Have I ever been put into a situation where I had to rely fully on God? Well, I know that when I made the initial trek to UT, that was me putting 110% of my trust in God. But I didn't feel that was too difficult, honestly. It was a little scary, naturally... but I was so ready for the adventure. So, that brings me back to that first question. Did I trust Him?

She went on talking about Job, and all of the trials he went through. Losing his children, his wife, his prosperity, even his health! And his attitude through the entire experience? "The Lord gave me these things, he has every right to take it away. He knows what is best for me." The entire lesson I felt as if it were directed at me, though I wasn't sure why. It should have worried me! But it didn't. I did seem to think about it as the week progressed, though.

And then I knew why.

The whole day I thought, "Whatever be Thy will, please give me the strength to be accepting." I prayed. And things didn't turn out the way I wanted. (Imagine that!) I allowed myself time to grieve. After about three hours of an emotions going nuts, I came to and thought to myself, "If I prayed so long and hard for help to accept His will, why am I not even trying to be accepting?" And so there it was. I quit my crying, and I tried. And you won't BELIEVE the night and day difference. It was as if all I needed to do was give a little, and He took care of the rest. I immediately felt peace... comfort... overwhelming love. I wasn't sad anymore. Disappointed, naturally. But I knew that it was for my benefit, even if I didn't know all the answers yet.

SO, from that whole ordeal, I've tried hard to change my attitude. I've started going to the temple more (I'm aiming for once a week), and I've made a goal to read the Book of Mormon in 90 days. I'm going to Time Out for Women this weekend (so. so. so. so. excited) and I've been trying to be more personal and grateful in my prayers.

I'm satisfied with where my life is at this moment. I've got so much going for me. There are many who have gone through far worse than I!

Yep. I can't complain one bit.

Oh Dear..

It seems that I have forgotten to elaborate on my close to out of body experience seeing Sir Paul McCartney on July 13th. Now before I begin, let me say that this was TRULY a dream come true, and I will never see a concert as fantabulous as this was.


Wow wow wow. SO incredible. He was so full of energy and Alex and I became full-blown hippies the entire night. [Not sure if Alex has a hippie bone in his body.... but for Paul, oh yes he does.] I'm pretty sure I threw a peace sign or two, danced and sang along with almost every song. Sigh... it was a little disheartening to leave however because we realized we may never have an experience quite like that again.

It's like Christmas as a kid... you wait and wait and wait and wait and on Christmas Day, you're almost sad because it's going to be over for another year.

BUT regardless, great great show and we're both pretty pumped that we had the opportunity to attend.

And we're both still smiling.

On another note... in only a month- fall will be here. I can't believe another year has passed. I have to say, fall is my favorite season... I've enjoyed the sunshine and warm weather- but I love cute jackets, scarves, and hats. Plus, the holidays are spectacular. I mean, let's be honest. Who doesn't love Thanksgiving and Christmas? That's what I thought. :)

Til next time...

At This Point

I am happy.


There are many things a'happening in the Teran household.. nothing huge or groundbreaking, but we are busy little bees. We are both through with the diet! We are still trying to be extremely active [going to the gym 5 days a week] and eating well. It's been a lot easier than expected! I think when we finished that diet, anything was better than the routine we'd had. :)


I am running my first 5K in October. I gave myself a few months to prepare for it.. I know, it's only a 5K, but for a marathon beginner, I want to be totally prepared. I'm thinking of continually running in small marathons to keep myself in shape, and to eventually run the Wasatch Back. (A girl can dream, right?)


Alex starts back in school this month. He'll be gone a lot, so we're thinking of expanding our little family with a puppy within the next couple months. (We'll have to see how finances go). I know that I will be lonely Mon-Fri if I don't have SOME company. I am very excited for him to be back in school. We're just going to try and push him through as fast as humanly possible so we can be done!!! I'm thinking of picking up a sewing class, and I'm also going to get involved in Yoga and/or Pilates. I'm trying to keep as busy as possible.


In a couple weeks, we're hiking Mt. Timpanogous! VERY psyched about that.
 Life. Is. Good.