** 21 **

Happy Birthday lil' Ty Bud! I can't believe 21!!!

I love you!

*A Classic*

.... And this NEVER gets old! It only gets better.....

*Nothing better than Cuddling*

I seriously Love Love Love Lil' Braylyn Mai!
I could have stayed like this forever!!!

*Zions National Park*

Neeters, Baby Braylen and I stopped in Zions National Park on the way home from St. George and took advantage of the most amazing day! Absolutely Beautiful! I thought I would share some of the pictures from our hike and tour of Virgin, Utah!

*St. George Triathlon*

Well I completed Triathlon number 2!!! One more to go this year and then the resume will continue on through next year!

All in all I was pleased with my race- a few things that stuck out after thinking about this race compared to Bear Lake:

A) I don't know if I care for the pool compared to the lake. I still encountered kicking, hitting, and the water being crowded! The pool felt not as big of a challenge compared to the waves, and feeling of being in the middle of a deep lake! :) I was much more confident in the pool though - most likely because that is where I do my training! That means I need to train more in lakes next year!

B) The bike course in St. George was two big loops. A good size climb and then down through construction and small pebbles everywhere! Crashes were happening left and right. My ride here in St. George was stronger- I felt stronger in the legs.

C) The Run.. Oh I don't want to talk about the run in St. George! After a swim and a 12 mile bike ride, a run in Bear Lake was not bad. It was on trails and flat.. However St. George was 1.5 miles of a intense incline. Mentally thinking "So i make it up to the top turn around Easy downhill" .. ummmm No not the case! My body was not ready for that run! I guess that means train harder! :)

But all in all - I cut 21 mins off of my finish time from my first race! Took 3rd in my age category and am ready for more!! Bring it!


RACE RESULTS:

Racer Number:	92
Gender:	F
Age:	29
Representing:	UT

Chip Time Information
Actual Start Time:	09:16:46.412
Stop Time:	10:57:07.544
Chip Time:	01:40:21.1

Gun Time Information
Assigned Start Time:	09:00:00.000
Stop Time:	10:57:07.544
Gun Time:	01:40:21.1

Final Time: 01:40:21.1

Race Distance: Sprint

Overall Placing
Place:	39
Time Back:	00:39:28.200

Gender Placing
Place:	22
Time Back:	00:32:36.300

Division Placing
Sprint F 25 - 29 Place:	3
Time Back:	00:32:06.700

No	Name	Interval Time	Total Time	Pace	Overall Place	Overall Back	Gender Place	Gender Back	Divsion Place	Division Back
1	Swim	00:10:27.589	00:10:27.589		30	+4:15.8	15	+3:01.0	3	+3:01.0
2	S2B Trans	00:02:13.549	00:12:41.138		23	+1:11.0	11	+1:21.4	3	+0:54.7
3	Bike	00:48:02.547	01:00:43.685		37	+45:40.5	20	+45:40.5	3	+13:22.8
4	B2R Trans	00:01:00.437	01:01:44.122		24	+0:30.7	11	+0:38.7	3	+0:17.9
5	Run	00:38:37.010	01:40:21.132		43	+17:35.0	25	+19:37.3	3	+14:30.2

*Two types of people*

"There are really two types of people... those that say I can't and those who say I can"

My heart is overflowing with desire, with ambition and with hundreds of reasons why I have and am still changing and pushing my body and most of all my mind to the limits. I have overcome some pretty big obstacles and will be faced with many more. However my new found love and what will some say my new addiction is wiping the word "can't" from my vocabulary.

Pain is about seeing how strong you are mentally! The last couple of years I am really getting to grasp how strong I! I can overcome obstacles and I can finish these races.

The feelings and emotions that come before, during and after the race are hard to describe.. There is a burning feeling of anticipation and victory that comes with each race. A feeling I never ever want to lose in this lifetime.

This weekend I'll be doing my 2nd triathlon! Some and most think I'm "crazy" for doing these..and others just call me stupid! To those of you that think either of those... Those are reasons number #24 and #25 as to why I'm doing this!! ha ha

I have a goal set in my mind... and that goal is in the next 2-3 years compete in an Ironman! Yes some may call that a bit of a stretch... But this is my goal! Really is there not a better feeling the achieving and accomplishing goals? To me this is my goal..and a goal I am working towards!

So by the end of this year- I will have completed 4 triathlons if all goes well.
Bear Lake, St. George, Orem and then the last of the season in St. George (hopefully with my nieces Avery and Addison- I'm still trying to convince Bret and Alisha to say yes!!! lol)

I found this video and can't help but want the ironman on my resume even more!

*Bear Lake Triathlon*

I know I'm a little late... but here are a few pictures from the Bear Lake Triathlon! I completed this August 29, 2009! My first every Triathlon! I have found my new addiction!

The race was mentally the most satisfying thing I have ever experienced!

I want to thank everyone that came to support me! Dad, Edie (and your amazing sign!) Ty, DeAnna, Ro, Neeters and Nellie... oh oh and Kona babe! Thank you all so much for experiencing this with me!

*Friends are the sunshine of life*

"Friendship needs no words..." -- Dag Hammarskjold.

I was inspired today from a dear dear friend of mine to write this blog! It seems as though it has been ages since I wrote anything down.. but thanks to an amazing email I got... My heart was filled with gratitude of what I have in my life!

It's funny how and why life turns out the way it does! One minute it's a picture perfect story and the next it's a bad day that won't end soon enough! The roller coaster of emotions that we as humans experience can be somewhat overwhelming at times!

I know I have been blessed in my life with health, talents, family, etc. The past few years I have realized God has blessed me with the most amazing friendships!

"Hold a friend's hand through times of trial. Let him/her find love through a hug and a smile: but also know when it is time to let go - for every one of us must learn to grow"

Dan thank you for being an amazing friend in my life! We have been there for each other through our moments... Thank you! God truly blessed me with a friend like you! Hang in there and know that you are loved and will find that one special woman that will treat you like a King and that will be proud to be your Queen!

*One Flaw in Women*

One Flaw In Women

Women have strengths that amaze men.
They bear hardships and they carry burdens, but they hold happiness, love and joy.
They smile when they want to scream.
They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy
and laugh when they are nervous.
They fight for what they believe in.
They stand up to injustice.
They don't take 'no' for an answer
when they believe there is a better solution.
They go without, so their family can have.
They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.
They love unconditionally.
They cry when their children excel
and cheer when their friends get awards.
They are happy when they hear about
a birth or a wedding.
Their hearts break when a friend dies.
They grieve at the loss of a family member, yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left.
They know that a hug and a kiss
can heal a broken heart.
Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.
They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you to show how much they care about you.
The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning.
They bring joy, hope and love.
They have the compassion and ideas.
They give moral support to their
family and friends.
Women have vital things to say
and everything to give.

HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,
IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.

Nothing but the thumb...

If there wasn't so much crime and scary people out in the world.. I would be tempted to pack my bags, get my dog on her leash and head to the side of the road holding my thumb out ---- looking for a ride!

Untraveled roads.. new experiences.. new faces.. new towns / cities.. me being the mysterious girl in town.. Something outside of the everyday routine!!Doing dishes for dinner, cleaning out the corral in return for a place to sleep...Really just to take a few months and just go.. go.. go.. without a destination in mind!

I have the itch to move .. (again..) and start a new adventure .. (again..) and meet new people..(not like Utah where you are driving and see 3 people you know.. or run into people in every store you go to) I want to be the mysterious "new" girl in town! I want to be in the awkward situation where I know not a single soul!

..sigh.. back to reality ..sigh..

*Bad Day*

I will admit.... sometimes when I have bad days... Something so simple makes me smile! Todays pick is... well... it speaks for itself!

*Mom/Grandma Joanie*

Yesterday after i went to watch the girls play soccer, Sydney came home with me to help out with chores. On the drive from the field to my home, I had Phantom of the Opera playing. Little did I know that this would be the start to a beautiful conversation between Syd and I.

Syd: "I love this song"
Syd: "It reminds me of Grandma Joanie"
(This got my attention)
Suz: "Oh really why's that babe?"
Syd: "There is a lot of love between the two but it's just got a sad feeling."

I think I was silent for a few moments wondering where this came from. Of course curiosity got the best of me and so I continued the conversation.

Suz: "So babe, why are you sad when you think about Grandma Joanie?"
Syd: "Because I don't know her."
Suz: "Has anyone ever told you anything about her?"
Syd: "A little. I know she's your mom and my dads mom. Was she nice?"

At this point in our conversation, I know I was involved but at the same time my mind was wondering. I was at Sydney's same age when mom passed away. I know I was young and remember a handful of things about mom but I have never really stepped back and realized how young I was.

We pulled into the driveway, turned the car off and proceeded into the house. As we were walking up the front steps she asks if I had a picture of Grandma Joanie. I think at this point I was proud and excited for Syd's curiosity. Excited to have a chance to talk about the memories I remember and the stories in which I have been told.

Stories and memories were told and questions from Syd kept coming up. I got pictures out and showed them to her, "Her hair is pretty". "Does she still look like this?" "Do you miss her?" The innocence and curiosity of a child is absolutely amazing! Her questions definitely sparked a fire inside with feelings and thoughts of Mom.

Growing up I would always wonder "Why as a young girl did I lose my mother to cancer?" So many questions I once had that all began with "Why?"... I think after time and as an adult I see how things have played out and have not asked those questions.

In the past I will admit I feel robbed of the time that I was not able to spend with mom. I was somewhat envious of my siblings that really got to know her. I was jealous that they had memories of her for many more years than I. However the question raises in my mind - what is harder? Having the opportunity to get to know her, having those memories to work through knowing what they are missing? Or being young and not knowing what I'm missing out on? Either way I have come to a point in my life where I am grateful for my siblings and the time they spent with her. Hearing the stories, memories and learning about one of the most amazing women is truly a blessing that I get to have. I know that I have a long road ahead of me to where I need to be so that I can be with her. That is what keeps me going at times. Knowing there is a mother in the heavens that loves me.

I'm so blessed to have the family that I do and for the trials that we have gone through! I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to share with my nieces and nephews the stories and memories that I know of Mom "Grandma Joanie".

**Thank you Thank you**

I want to thank the West Family for opening their home to me this past weekend! What an amazing opportunity to experience life on the Ranch and to meet an amazing family. Thank you for the hospitality and for the kindness!

Canada is definitely a beautiful place because of the people and the picture perfect mountains.

Thank you again!

*Ode to Opinion*

o⋅pin⋅ion 
–noun
1. a belief or judgment that rests on grounds insufficient to produce complete certainty.
2. a personal view, attitude, or appraisal.

The world we live in today is accompanied by Politics, Religion, Economy, Relationships, War, Family, Addiction(s), Hollywood, etc. However with these additions to life, opens a door of emotions and Opinion!

This past week I have experienced the true definition of Opinion: "a personal view, attitude, or appraisal". Emotions and frustration on both parties were tested and reactions were that of a lesson learned.

I have always believed that everyone is entitled to their own opinions. I have supported that for as long as I can remember! However the true lesson is how we all as humans react to the opinions of others!

I love that we are our own individuals that have our own beliefs and opinions! I love that we can openly say how we feel. I love that I learn about subjects and most of all about myself from listening to others opinions!

I want to send a great thank you out to the one that opened my eyes to Opinion! You taught me more about myself from your opinion that you shared with us all!

Here's to the bread we put in our baskets and here's to our own opinion of what jam we put on the bread! :)

*Birthday Calculator*

I had this link emailed to me and thought I would try it out! The results were actually really fun and interesting to read! Check it out if you are curious about your birthday!

http://www.paulsadowski.com/BirthDay.asp

*27 January 1980*

Your date of conception was on or about 6 May 1979 which was a Sunday.

You were born on a Sundayunder the astrological sign Aquarius.Your Life path number is 1.

Your fortune cookie reads: Only love lets us see normal things in an extraordinary way.

Life Path Compatibility:You are most compatible with those with the Life Path numbers 1, 5 & 7.
You should get along well with those with the Life Path numbers 3 & 9.
You may or may not get along well with those with the Life Path number 8.
You are least compatible with those with the Life Path numbers 2, 4, 6, 11 & 22.

The Julian calendar date of your birth is 2444265.5.
The golden number for 1980 is 5.
The epact number for 1980 is 13.
The year 1980 was a leap year.

Your birthday falls into the Chinese year beginning 1/28/1979 and ending 2/15/1980.
You were born in the Chinese year of the Goat.

Your Native American Zodiac sign is Otter; your plant is Fern.

You were born in the Egyptian month of Parmuthy, the fourth month of the season of Poret (Emergence - Fertile soil).

Your date of birth on the Hebrew calendar is 9 Shevat 5740.Or if you were born after sundown then the date is 10 Shevat 5740.

The Mayan Calendar long count date of your birthday is 12.18.6.11.1 which is12 baktun 18 katun 6 tun 11 uinal 1 kin

The Hijra (Islamic Calendar) date of your birth is Sunday, 9 Rabi'u'l-Avval 1400 (1400-3-9).

The date of Easter on your birth year was Sunday, 6 April 1980.
The date of Orthodox Easter on your birth year was Sunday, 6 April 1980.
The date of Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent) on your birth year was Wednesday 20 February 1980.
The date of Whitsun (Pentecost Sunday) in the year of your birth was Sunday 25 May 1980.
The date of Whisuntide in the year of your birth was Sunday 1 June 1980.
The date of Rosh Hashanah in the year of your birth was Thursday, 11 September 1980.
The date of Passover in the year of your birth was Tuesday, 1 April 1980.
The date of Mardi Gras on your birth year was Tuesday 19 February 1980.

As of 3/6/2009 12:35:28 PM EST
You are 29 years old.
You are 350 months old.
You are 1,518 weeks old.
You are 10,631 days old.
You are 255,156 hours old.
You are 15,309,395 minutes old.
You are 918,563,728 seconds old.

Celebrities who share your birthday:
Jennifer LB Leese (1970)
Bridget Fonda (1964)
Cris Collinsworth (1959)
Mikhail Baryshnikov (1948)
Nick Mason (1944)
Troy Donahue (1936)
Donna Reed (1921)
Skitch Henderson (1918)
Jerome Kern (1885)
Lewis Carroll (1832)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756)

Top songs of 1980
Lady by Kenny Rogers
Upside Down by Diana Ross
Call Me by Blondie
Starting Over by John Lennon
Another Brick In the Wall by Pink Floyd
Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Queen
Rock with You by Michael Jackson
Magic by Olivia Newton-John
Funkytown by Lipps, Inc.
Another One Bites the Dust by Queen

Your age is the equivalent of a dog that is 4.16086105675147 years old. (You're still chasing cats!)

Your lucky day is Saturday.
Your lucky number is 4 & 8.
Your ruling planet(s) is Saturn & Uranus.
Your lucky dates are 1st, 10th, 19th, 28th.
Your opposition sign is Leo.
Your opposition number(s) is 1.

Today is not one of your lucky days!

There are 327 days till your next birthdayon which your cake will have 30 candles.

Those 30 candles produce 30 BTUs,or 7,560 calories of heat (that's only 7.5600 food Calories!) .

You can boil 3.43 US ounces of water with that many candles.

In 1980 there were approximately 3.6 million births in the US.
In 1980 the US population was approximately 226,545,805 people, 64.0 persons per square mile.
In 1980 in the US there were 2,406,708 marriages (10.6%) and 1,182,000 divorces (5.2%)
In 1980 in the US there were approximately 1,990,000 deaths (8.8 per 1000)In the US a new person is born approximately every 8 seconds.
In the US one person dies approximately every 12 seconds.

In 1980 the population of Australia was approximately 14,807,370.
In 1980 there were approximately 225,527 births in Australia.
In 1980 in Australia there were approximately 109,240 marriages and 39,257 divorces.
In 1980 in Australia there were approximately 108,695 deaths.

Your birthstone is Garnet
The Mystical properties of Garnet
Garnet is used as a power stone.

Some lists consider these stones to be your birthstone. (Birthstone lists come from Jewelers, Tibet, Ayurvedic Indian medicine, and other sources)

Emerald, Rose Quartz

Your birth tree is:Cypress Tree
The Faithfulness - Strong, muscular, adaptable, takes what life has to give, happy content, optimistic, needs enough money and acknowledgment, hates loneliness, passionate lover which cannot be satisfied, faithful, quick-tempered, unruly, pedantic and careless.

There are 294 days till Christmas 2009!
There are 307 days till Orthodox Christmas!

The moon's phase on the day you wereborn was waxing gibbous.

*Storm before the Calm*

I woke up this morning around 5am, showered got dressed and walked outside on my front porch. Freshly fallen untouched (for approx 30 seconds before Kona ran around!) snow and cold crisp air. From my porch I have an amazing view of the Wasatch Front! With the sun coming up and the colors of orange and pick hitting against the mountains... I couldn't think of anything other than "this is pure beauty". And that is exactly what life is!

I'm not saying it's been an easy life- I'm just saying life is beautiful!

Life at times is so confusing, frustrating and hard. I'll admit when it comes to certain things I have just wanted to give up, choose another road to make things easier for me! I have lived by a saying.... "A storm before the calm"! Life is just that! When life seems to take every possible wrong turn and everything seems to go wrong - I remind myself "a storm before the calm"!

It's those trials, situations, and decisions (STORMS) that have made me who I am today! I'm learning, after 29 years, that these Storms will continue to come. They will continue to bring cloudy moments to my mind. However I'm also learning, that my heart is always clear and a good rain coat will help out! I have learned that my "rain coat" is what I know as Family, Friends, A good book, Music, A hike or bike ride to help clear my mind!

In my past blogs I have done spotlights, birthday wishes, blogs about where I've gone, what I've done, etc. I realize it may seem like I haven't blogged about many activities or adventures lately, but I have! Just a different kind of adventure! ( In fact those activities are still occurring just not on the blog! I am still calling radio stations to embarrass myself and my love life, I am still laughing non-stop at the pranks pulled on me at work, I'm still outside boarding, hiking, snowshoeing - which bye the way I took Addison for her first time!! She did amazing and had a great time!) I am blogging about my adventures of finding the inner me!

For those of you that saw me the fall of 2006 returning from Arizona- I think you will all agree when I say I have come a long way! Quite a storm! Whew glad that one has passed!

Thank you all for being part of my (almost super hero like) rain coat! You are all amazing and have helped me so much!

I love what the storm has brought me and I am excited to see the future!

I never thought that a situation so ugly could bring such beauty and clear vision into my life!

*Thought*

Amazing, isn't it, how some see the glass half empty and others see it half full? Some see life hopeless, some hopeful. Even when things are less than perfect, if you can think of the good, the beautiful, the hopeful, you'll be more than sustained.

*Life*

"It is easier to go down a mountain than up, but the view is always best from the top"

- Author Unknown

*Blindfold of Life*

"Keep your dreams alive, Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe."

As I have lived life, I can't help but to feel blindfolded at times. Not knowing what to do, how to feel, and who to trust with my inner self. At times not having a clear vision of what I am suppose to be doing or who I am. I assume this is a normal thing for most humans (an assumption that has made me feel somewhat normal in life). *deep breathe* It's now that I have come to understand that my blindfold for life has been one of the greatest blessings I have ever had.

I have often wished for a magic crystal ball, showing me where to turn, what to do, who to date, and the list can go on and on and on. I no longer want that magic ball for my viewing! For now is the time in my life where I am trusting myself and am welcoming this blindfold that covers my vision. Some of you reading this are probably asking why I am thankful for this blindfold in my life. I will explain:

I know I have been blessed from all of the trials of life that I have experienced. I know I have learned and grown tremendously from these experiences. I have never been a religious person but you will never realize how spiritual I am inside.

I have trusted in God and never once been upset with him for anything that I have experienced. I do not have the right to hold God accountable for the negative things in my life. I thank him for the opportunities to experience both positive and negative. I am grateful for the most amazing creation of Mother Earth. I am most thankful to him for the blindfold that he has given me.

This blindfold has allowed me to have the opportunity to learn who I. To learn trust and love for myself. This blindfold has taught me to follow the feelings that come from deep my heart. The feeling of knowing that I trust ME is the most refreshing feeling in the world. Sometimes going into situations blind and trusting the souls, words and feelings brings out a better outcome than knowing what I'm getting myself into!

(However I can't overlook the obvious outcomes of certain decisions I have made in the past! :) Not the smartest choices at times....BUT I have learned and have moved on!)

"I am today what yesterday has made me; Tomorrow I shall be changed by today's experiences." - Author unknown

This past week I have met one of the most amazing individuals that I have ever come across. I think it is safe to say we are going into this physically blindfolded but emotionally and spiritually we are forming a great friendship. The energy and feelings behind every word that is spoken is something I have not experienced in a long while. The aura that surrounds the passions and beliefs that he has, leaves me speechless at times. A breathe of fresh air comes into my soul when I think about our conversations and the feeling I get when I realize that he is an answer to my prayers. No matter what may come of this, I will consider him my dear friend. His words and wisdom of life, his strives to be a better person every day, and the love that radiates from him soul has a new place in my heart for the rest of my life.

"A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future and accepts you today just the way you are."- Author unknown

If I had a flower for every time you made me smile, I'd be walking an endless garden. I want to thank you for entering my life and sharing some of the most amazing experiences and words! You have brightened my week and my soul. Believed in who I am and have understood where I have come from!

So here's to my blindfold that make life interesting! Here's to my blindfold that allows me to trust my inner self. Here's to my blindfold that has helped me break down walls and open my heart once again to the true meaning of life and love.

I admit....

Setting up my Atari 2600 was the coolest thing I have done in a long while! (that of course is excluding possible phone calls to radio stations - embarrassing myself for the entire country to hear!) In fact three days ago I may have had a Pacman tournament at my house... granted there was only two of us... but still it is worth mentioning! :)

Is it sad that I actually miss these other items!?!

Yep that's right.. that is the one and only Jane Fonda!!! I remember Crystal and I doing these videos religiously!!! Hahahahaha