Is blessed with great friends

“In friendship. . . . we think we have chosen our peers.  In reality a few years’ difference in the dates of our births, a few more miles between certain houses, the choice of one university or another. . . the accident of a topic being raised or not raised at a first meeting – any of these chances might have kept us apart.  But, for a Christian, there are, strictly speaking no chances.   A secret master of ceremonies has been at work.  Christ, who said to the disciples, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you,” can truly say to every group of Christian friends, “Ye have not chosen one another but I have chosen you for one another.”  The friendship is not a reward for our discriminating and good taste in finding one another out.  It is the instrument by which God reveals to each of us the beauties of others.”      

-- C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves

This is especially true in my life.  

I have been blessed with amazing friends.  People whom I can't imagine not having had in my life.  

I know I've mentioned it before on my blog, but I was lucky enough in the "early 2000's" to live with 8 amazing girls.  Girls who I would have never "picked" for myself.  They helped me to come out of my shell.  They helped me to stop stressing so much and just have fun.  

 They taught me how to shop (I am not so sure my budget is grateful for this).  They taught me what it meant to love and laugh.  Bearing one anothers burdens was just part of the way it was.  It wasn't really a burden.  It was a blessing.  

As life does, it has kind of become complicated for all of us to "get together" as frequently as we have in the past.  

This year, there were only 3 of us who were able to coordinate schedules to get together. The others were missed, but understandably, it isn't easy to get away from children and husbands and jobs and responsibilities.  So, they were forgiven without even asking.  

Emily and myself flew to Chicago and Garnet drove up from Iowa for a weekend.  We spent a few days just wandering the city, going to the temple, eating fantastic food, going to Mary Poppins, laughing, shopping and talking.  It was almost like the year 2000 all over again.  Only now we are older, wiser and cuter.  

I sure am glad that these were the friends who were chosen for me.  I couldn't have chosen any better. 

A Milwaukee Vacation

Milwaukee, you might say, doesn't really have a lot of great touristy attractions. . . . I mean it does have beer and cheese and jelly bellies if those are your thing. They aren't really mine.  Well, cheese is, but I can get really great cheese right here in Utah (or even the Tillamook Cheese factory is closer than Wisconsin)

However, one thing that Milwaukee does have. . . . 2 cute little girls and one precious baby that I would like to take home with me. 

Not to mention that I am pretty sure that the little guy (Bodee) would go home with me, if he could talk.  He would definitely say "Amber, PLEASE take me home with you to live with you forever"  But since he can't talk, you will all just have to believe me. 

And really, if the only thing in Milwaukee is Myleigh, Phebe, Bodee and Shawn and Byrd it was worth it to spend time there.

We roasted marshmallows, sang from the Tangled sound track at the top of our lungs, listened to the primary program (where Myleigh apparently lost her singing abilities momentarily, but still looked cute standing up front waving.  I guess singing tangled for two days straight just wore her vocal cords right out), carved pumpkins,went to the park, talked crafting (shawn has a mean crafting streak that you would never even have known about had I not revealed it on this blog), went running, read stories, went to the zoo and out to lunch and then sadly went home. 

It was the best birthday present I could have ever given to myself. 

However, next time that little Bodee better watch out because I am "borrowing" him for sure. 

Is 32

Old, you say. 

I know. 

One of the kids in my class wrote me a letter.  It said the following. 

Dear Miss Osler,

You are the best techer i hav.  I hop you have a good birthday.  You are geting old.  Ples get maried and so you can have babys.  I think you are nis and butiful. 

From,

Kelton

Really, he could have left the you are getting old part out.   Nonetheless, it was a good birthday.  My parents are ALWAYS gone on my birthday, and this year was no exception.  My mom says that the reason she is always gone is because I came 2 months early and so she hasn't ever planned on being around for my birthday.  I'll forgive her, I guess.  

So, Kristin and the boys, Heather and Jason, Marianne and I all had a little party.  

All in all, 32 isn't so bad.  

I think I'm aging beautifully.  

And I think I've still got time to have a few 'babys' 

And for the record I totally blew out all the candles, and my wish may or may not have had something to do with the letter above.  

Runs Fast. . . . on Purpose

You know when you push the "submit" button on Active.com and all of a sudden you feel like maybe you have just sold your soul.  Like you know that the next 7 months of your life are going to be filled with early morning training runs, choking down cliff bars and gu packs, stressing over what outfit you might run the race in, wondering if you can run a PR, losing toenails,  explaining to your friends why you have to go to bed early on a Friday night, wearing high heels to church on the Sundays after your Saturday 20 milers and wondering what on earth you were thinking but knowing you look good so it is all worth it, and mentally preparing for 26.2 miles of pounding the pavement. 

26.2

In running sometimes it is like you speak a different language that non-runners just don't understand 

(and most likely never will).

words like negative split, sub 4, pacers, bib number and such. . . . 

St. George this year was the best race I've run in years (and that is saying something).  

I think I'll go back every year if I can.  

I'm in love with the course, and the sunshine and the good company when I am there.  

I ran strong, felt great and even finished with a smile.  Finished running 26.2 miles 

in 3 hours and 44 minutes.  

Pretty fantastic feeling.  

Next time it is going to be a 3:30.  

I can feel it.  

And maybe I'll actually do some speed training this time.