casa de verde: By Paige

This is why I started with my running races obsession.

I turned 29 in December.
Twenty Nine.

That meant, days later... when 2015 rolled around... that was the year -this year- I would turn 30.
I could feel an itch in me.

I wanted to accomplish something.
Something that was hard for me.

I have no problem accomplishing something that I LOVE or that comes naturally, but I never seem to do the unpleasant hard things.

I had also recently been watching my friend, Emily post all of these race pictures and results. She looked like she was having an awesome time and I was so inspired by her. Shes a normal lady who is doing something hard and awesome. I wanted to do that too.

So I decided to train for a 5K.
Seems like not a lot to you, but 3.1 miles is a lot to me.
And in a race you get a medal, and medals mean you've won.
I wanted to work hard and win. (not to actually place, but to just accomplish it)

I started doing the couch to 5k training via the app and I loved it. It hurt while I was doing it, but when I finished I felt so proud of myself for not stopping.

I saw there was a 5k near by but would be before my training was finished... I was nervous and worried I wouldn't be ready, but I signed up for anyway (and made my brother sign up for it with me)

As my training with the app progressed I realised I COULD run a 5k. My body didn't give out on me and I wasn't dead. I could hurt and keep going. I could totally do it. So I started looking for more races. I discovered virtual races and fell in love. I could drop the kids at the gym kid care and earn a medal? Heck yes!

I decided I wanted to do one a month... then two a month. Well, its now about three a month, but two a month is still my official goal.

I created the cool header for my FB page and blog that listed my races and when I would do them. I needed everyone to keep me accountable.

I did have to fix my runner girl I found online... she need more belly, more booty and a modest shirt. Shes still in way better shape than I am though.

I'm also obsessed with running rundisney races too.

Anyway, I'm really excited to be doing this and for the first time in a VERY long time I feel proud of myself.

I feel really good.

I'm living up the last year of my twenties and will welcome 30 with open arms!

This year, my friend Denise and I were charged with planning the "young married" ward christmas party.

It was so much fun! Both planning, and partying. :D

I bought some ugly sweater images, added hangers and and made invites, food labels, ballots and questionnaires.

I removed the personal information.

When we arrived, we had some DELICIOUS buffet style dinner prepared by Denise.

And everyone brought a tasty treat. We voted on those at the end of the night.

Blake's

Mine

Erica's second place treat!

and the winner! (thans Marc and Louisa)

We then had every one fill out this little baby. I chose one answer from everyone's paper and read it out loud. Everyone had to guess whose it was. Very funny and super fun.

These three left before we did pictures at the end of the night!

Theres Denise getting our second game all set up.

So the next game we played was "Christmas Kisses" Where one person was "Santa" and had one hand in the stocking and tried to unwrap and toss a chocolate kiss to the second person, who was the "reindeer" and had to catch the candy in their mouth.

We had so many people there we had to do two rounds.