I believe in miracles...

So, I just got back from a run. Yes, I have attempted to start running. 

(Note: I am a terrible & slow runner.)

But, I am giving it my best effort, and I'm happy to announce I can now run TWO miles! 

This is kind of a big deal for me.

OKAY. That actually was NOT what this blog post was supposed to be about.

It is about my thoughts WHILE I was running.

I live right next to the mountains in Utah, and I seriously think I live in the most beautiful place to run.

As I was admiring the leaves growing on the trees, the grassy fields, and the majestic mountains, I was also thinking about this documentary I watched the other day.

It is about a boy who lived an incredibly happy life, got terminal cancer, inspired millions by his goodness, and then left this world. Please watch his amazing story HERE.

I thought to myself...wouldn't it be nice if by some miracle this boy was healed from his cancer? Then I thought, actually it would be nice to witness a lot more miracles. (Like no one getting hurt from tornado disasters, or little children not getting shot in school.) There has been a lot of terrible things happening in the world lately. And sometimes it just doesn't seem fair.

But, I looked at all the blades of grass on the field next to me and I thought what a miracle every single one of them was. I looked around me and thought what a miracle it is that leaves come back on trees after they die in the winter. I looked around me and saw other people running, laughing, living, and I thought ya know what...I think there are more miracles than we give credit for. 

All life is such a miracle.

Yes, there are some terribly sad things that happen in this world. 

But, comparatively, I think if we were to measure the good against the evil, the world is full of miracles.

Today, I decided to put my sad thoughts away and believe in the miracles.

Birthday Girl

Last week I turned 23! Some (Joey) might argue that I had a birthday WEEK.

And he'd be right. I've had the most celebrated birthday this year than I have since I was 16.

It was awesome.

On Saturday night, before my birthday, we had our lovely friends over for a little party.

I seriously love my friends. Unfortunately, the Blacks left right before we snapped the picture. We played games, ate some yummy treats & had fun admiring babies.

These are the people that have inspired me to blog again. They said I can't take a group picture and NOT put it on my blog...so here it is!

On Monday my lovely co-workers threw me a birthday breakfast,

 On Tuesday, I got to enjoy a lovely dinner out & mini-golf on my actual birthday,

then, I got to celebrate my birthday with family up in Boise on Friday!

Yes, I was a lucky birthday girl.

The trip to Boise was actually not to celebrate my birthday, we went to see my perfectly beautiful nieces in their ballet recital!

Cutest. Thing. Ever.

Take a look for yourselves. 

We have had some fun weeks between now & last September, I promise. (Remember that time I was going to start blogging again...)

Maybe I'll play catch up.

Maybe not.

Without the pressure, I might remember that this is actually for FUN. 

We shall see what happens.