A day for broken vows

I broke a vow I promised I wouldn't.

As I am saying this you might be intrigued as to what that might be.  

It may not be as bad as you think.  Yet I still feel the need to hide my head in shame.  

I am not quite sure what happened.  I was browsing through pinterest as I do on most days.  This time my search led me through the "For the home" section.  I came upon these and next thing I knew I pressed the "repin" button. Now my board is forever tainted with my guilt.

Here is the evidence:

 &

I promised myself that till I was within six months of thinking about being pregnant I wouldn't post anything baby related.  As I am a couple years away from that I definitely broke that vow.  I couldn't help it they were just so cute.  

Perhaps I liked it more for the color ideas than anything else.  Yep.  That must be it. I mean people who aren't even engaged or even dating someone have future wedding ideas!  So I guess I am fine.  Nevertheless it is done and when the time does come I can always look back at these adorable ideas!

Love,

The Andersons

A day of love

That's right.I am finally getting around to Valentine's Day! 

It was pretty silly this year since it landed on a Tuesday.  So we had a little celebration that day but saved our trip for that Friday.  Andrew had the day off, I skipped school that day and we headed to Fargo, ND.  Who would have ever thought I would be spending a vacation there?  Anywho, it was so fun!  Fargo is a little bigger than where we live and the mall is much more so!  That little incentive was a bonus for me.  

But before I get a head of myself let me share a few pictures from Tuesday,

The table set up.  The husband also got me flowers!

Us (mostly:))

So we decided to go to Fargo, about 4 hrs from where we live just to get a way.  We even did one of our "checks" on our bucket list!  I have always wanted to use hotwire.com to book a hotel because 1) it cheaper and 2) they don't tell you where you are staying until after you book!  It is like Russian roulette for a hotel stay!  We ended up with the Comfort Inn.  It wasn't too bad, although the hot tub wasn't working...

Well we arrived and the first thing we did was unpack our stuff and head to the movies.  A theater there was having the last showing I could find for Beauty and the Beast 3D.  That movie cost us $24 dollars!  I thought the seats had better be lined with gold...It was still fun.  I don't think this couple will be seeing anymore 3D movies anytime soon( it was a little painful!) but it was still fun.  

While we were there I won a mini-pillow pet in a crane game.  I tell ya I have a gift!

The next day was really fun for us (ok mostly me).  We spent most of the time at the mall.  I guess I should clarify this mall has a Forever 21 store (can you say the "mothership"?) where we spend most of time.  But the food during our trip was awesome!  Even after waiting for a while we still got our food at a Korean and Japanese food place called Yuki & Hana.  Yes, they only give you chopsticks to eat so it was really fun!

Overall it was a relaxing and fun vacation being together. We love holidays and try to make it a little above and beyond a typical day.  

Love,

The Anderson's

Attitude

There once were two men.  These two men happened to both relocating for their jobs in a new city.  One day the first man, now wandering about the new city, happened to come upon an old man sitting on a bench.  He went over the old man and sat down next to him.  He asked him, "My family and I are moving to this new city and wanted to know what it was like."  The old man thought for a moment, and replied with a question, "Well why don't you tell me about what your old city was like?"  The first man said, "Our old city was terrible.  We didn't really get out a lot and no body ever talked to us. We just felt unhappy the whole time we lived there.  We are more than happy to move."  The old man simply replied, "Well I am sorry to say, but this new city will be exactly what you described."

The following week the second man happened to stumble across the same old man.  He went over, sat down, and said, "My family and I are moving to this new city and wanted to know what it was like." The old man thought for a moment, and replied with a question, "Well why don't you tell me about what your old city was like?" The second man replied, "We are so sad to be leaving our old home.  The people were friendly with lots to do.  We made lots of friends and felt like we made a home there.  We are sad to say goodbye."  The old man simply smiled and replied, "Well I am happy to say this city will be exactly like that."

Attitude really is everything.  At times it is easy to look at our lives and feel we are accomplishing nothing.  When I first heard we were moving to North Dakota I was not excited at all. As bad as it is to say, I thought we were going to a barren wasteland far from family and friends.  But, after hearing this story I took a step back at my life.  North Dakota and our time here will be based on our own actions rather than the location.  Already I can see the blessing from moving here.  We have an AMAZING ward family.  People in general are very friendly.  I was able to get a scholarship for xc and track.  I may be starting the nursing program.  Andrew has a head start in his job in the Air Force because of this base and we have an amazing home.  I could go on and on but despite the negative aspects I could say about this place it is up to me to be positive about the things I can control.

Who know how long we will be here but I can't imagine living in a way where I leave with regrets.  Already this Winter is no where near as harsh as I heard.  The sun is shining with hardly any snow on the ground.  It only went int the -30's for a week!  Talk about a blessing.  Somebody is obviously smiling down on us knowing that I need to be worked in nice and easy to this kind of climate.  

But overall, I hope to continue to try to have a good attitude.  There are positive things no matter what circumstances you live in.  I can't fathom feeling down all the time because of my circumstances.  That is no way to live!  So I will continue to smile and make the most of my life right now!

Love,

The Anderson's

OPK.

Running, Running, Running...

If I got a dollar for every time someone said I was crazy for being a hard-core runner I would be making quite a bit.  I understand I am crazy but like with every addiction it consumes my life hehe.  Ok, I wouldn't say I am addicted to running but since I am on scholarship for it I kind of have to do it all the time.

However, looking back I am not sure I would have put myself through all this pain if I had known what I was getting myself into.  But lets me honest.  I probably still would have.  Let me recap a little about what running entails for me these days...

This past week was our first week back for the semester not to mention we had our first race on Saturday for indoor track.  But since we are in our "dead year" our coach doesn't understand the term of "cutting back".  Nope.  He just wants us to push on forward with our workouts and still race on Saturdays.

Monday- 8 mile run.  6 excels (basically build-ups where you do 100 meters building up to a full-out sprint). weights.

Tuesday-20 minute warm up.  8x800m 60sec rest between each on (these were around 3:00min pace).  15min cool down.

Wed.-6 mile run.  4 excels.  Funny feet (form drills basically).  Weights.

Thursday.- 3 mile morning run.  Then afternoon: 20 min warm up.  8x 200's @ ~42sec pace.  15minute cool down.

Friday (day before the meet)- 4miles. 4 excels.  weights (yep.  we did weights a day before ugh).

Saturday- 20 minute morning run. 20 minute warm up (well just the running portion, we warm up about 50minutes before we race).  Then my race was a 5k.  Then a 45 minute cool down (yes, I said a 45 minute cool down)

Sunday- rest, thankfully...

So that was just a run down of my typical training week.  I am sure most of you have no idea about half the things I am talking about unless you are a runner.  Andrew always says it is like I speak a second language.  But, needless to say it is easy to become sore and tired from this.  I miss the good old days before I had 2+hour workouts 6 days a week. 

However, despite all this I have to say I am crazy.  I still LOVE running.  It is one of my passions and it is putting me through school.  Playing sports and college level is like having 2 jobs because you have to work your entire day around it.  This includes sleep, eating schedules, and the workouts.  A full-time job.  Definitely not for the faint hearted :)  But all in all, I a girls got to do what a girls got to do.  

Andrew wishes this didn't consume my life.  For now it is helping me get through school and when this is all done we can finally start planning for the future!  But for now we just got to take this journey one step (or in my case a run) at a time...

Love,

The Andersons

A Year in Retrospect...

It is always hard to believe when one year ends and another begins.  You finally realize "Hey, I am never getting this year back!".  It is really gone for good.  Did I accomplish all that I wanted?  Do I have any regrets?  Did I really try to make each day count?

The wonderful thing about not being perfect is there is always room for improvement:) But as for the year of 2011 it was pretty great.  Full of change and a start of something new.  Here is a quick year in review:

-I lived with my grandparents in Mtn. Home, AR while Andrew was in Ft. Leonardwood, MO

-We bought our 1st puppy whom we named Athena

-I flew with Athena to stay the rest of the time with my parents in March

-Andrew graduated from Tech School for the Air Force

-We got our orders and moved to Minot, ND

-We lived in an RV waiting for a house

-There was a record breaking flood in Minot

-Luckily, we got our first real place together, a beautiful 2 bedroom, 1 study, and 2 bath split level home on the Air Base, all in July

-I visited my Aunts in Iowa while Andrew had training in Florida for 2 weeks.

-We had our 1st Halloween together, and dressed up as nothing:)

-I had my 21st birthday (up at Spirit Lake Resort & Casino)

-Andrew turned 25

-We adopted our second dog, a calm beagle we named Maia ( My-uh)

-We got to spend Thanksgiving in Iowa

-We did Black Friday for the 1st time (on the bucket list) and got myself a netbook

-We got our own phone plan (I got an iphone)

-I started school at Minot State University and started running again

-We got a 42" TV for $100.

-We realized that the Lord truly sends us where we are meant to be

-I became a Nursery leader and Personal Progress Adviser

-Andrew teaches CTR 4 and is a cub scouts den Leader

-We had the blessing of visiting family from Dec. 17-Dec. 30 in Utah

-We started making a bucket list

-We started planning a graduation cruise

-Andrew and I had our 2 yr Anniversary

-My Uncle John passed away

-I grew to love my family even more

-I realized further the importance of family for Andrew and I

-We made it through 2011 together!

You always think nothing really exciting happens during certain years.  Looking back that certainly isn't true.  We had a great year and hope that this next year will be even better!

 Us in 2011

Love,

The Andersons

Home For the Holidays

Just a quick update for all of you reading (which I realize is very few and therefore know that this blog is really for my own benefit), we are heading down to Utah in exactly 3 days! Wahoo.

We are Stoked. Excited. Jubilant.  Joyful.  Ecstatic.  Pumped. Giddy.

Ok you get the idea.  We thought for a while that we wouldn't be able to travel down to Utah to see family.  Due to the fact of snow and expensive plane tickets. But my loving parents came through and bought one of our tickets!  So it will cost us only $400 dollars to fly for Christmas. Yay us.

But something else exciting is we may have found out a way to see more of my family.  A beautiful thing called group skype.  

So pretty much we can see everybody for Christmas.  We can't wait to spend such a major holiday with family.  In 3 days we are leaving...on a jet plane.  Don't know when we'll be back again.  Kidding, we get to stay until the 30th when Andrew has to be back for work.  But, either way we have lots of fun things planned.

I will keep you posted,

The Andersons