I swear it's not supposed to STILL be hurting this bad!!!

Almost 3 years ago I broke my tailbone. Can we say, OUCH! Surprisingly, I didn't cry when I did it, although I did almost pass out. My tailbone is DEFINITELY broken...broken IN at a 90 degree angle, which makes me a little bit nervous for when I have to deliver a baby (I'll let you fill in the details). I was still working at the law firm back then, sitting at a desk for 8 hours a day, and had the BIGGEST pillow I could find to sit on. I don't remember exactly how long it hurt for when I originally broke it, but that's another story.

About a year ago, I actually had to go see a doctor because my tailbone starting hurting like crazy again, maybe even worse than it did when I originally broke it. I was so reluctant to go to the doctor for it because what can you do for a broken tail bone? Pretty much nothing. But when I woke up in the middle of the night crying because it hurt so bad, and had to ask D for a blessing, that was the last straw for him. He made me go to the doctor. The doctor put me on some extremely heavy-duty anti-inflammatory drugs (because believe it or not, the tissue around your tailbone can swell), and it got better pretty quick.

Well, about a week ago, the pain came back about as bad as before, but I DON'T WANT TO GO TO THE DOCTOR FOR IT AGAIN!! The Tylenol I've been taking isn't doing squat to take the pain away. It doesn't hurt much if I'm standing for long periods of time. When I sleep, there really is no way for me to sleep on my back or my side, but I'm a tummy sleeper anyway. Then today, as I'm being the good maid of my house and scrubbing my floors on my hands and knees I hit my tailbone on the edge of the bathtub (remember, it's already been hurting for a week!), and I swear I would have cried or sworn if I felt like it would make it better.

When will this ever end?

Authentic Happiness

A much needed self-esteem booster!!

This is kind of fun if you want to get to know yourself a little better, and to help you recognize your positive personality strengths and maybe those pieces of your personality you can work on a little more. I did this for an assignment in one of my classes this semester, and I can't wait to take my positive psychology class in the fall!!

Click on the link here for the Authentic Happiness website, scroll down and click on VIA Signature Strengths Questionnaire. It will ask you to log in with a username and password, and then you'll take a questionnaire that's like 200 questions, but no worries...it goes pretty fast. When you finish the questionnaire it will give you your top strengths in order from 1 to 24. Here are my top 10, for any of you who care to venture a peek:

1. Spirituality, Sense of Purpose, and Faith - You have strong and coherent beliefs about the higher purpose and meaning of the universe. You know where you fit in the large scheme. Your beliefs shape your actions and are a source of comfort to you.
2. Capacity to Love and be Loved - You value close relations with others, in particular those in which sharing and caring are reciprocated. The people to whom you feel most close are the same people who feel most close to you.
   
3. Gratitude - You are aware of the good things that happen to you, and you never take them for granted. Your friends and family members know that you are a grateful person because you always take the time to express your thanks.
   
4. Honesty, Authenticity, and Genuineness - You are an honest person, not only by speaking the truth but by living your life in a genuine and authentic way. You are down to earth and without pretense; you are a "real" person.
   
5. Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence - You notice and appreciate beauty, excellence, and/or skilled performance in all domains of life, from nature to art to mathematics to science to everyday experience.
   
6. Bravery and Valor - You are a courageous person who does not shrink from threat, challenge, difficulty, or pain. You speak up for what is right even if there is opposition. You act on your convictions.
   
7. Hope, Optimism, and Future-Mindedness - You expect the best in the future, and you work to achieve it. You believe that the future is something that you can control.
   
8. Humor and Playfulness - You like to laugh and tease. Bringing smiles to other people is important to you. You try to see the light side of all situations.
   
9. Zest, Enthusiasm, and Energy - Regardless of what you do, you approach it with excitement and energy. You never do anything halfway or halfheartedly. For you, life is an adventure.
   
10. Fairness, Equity, and Justice - Treating all people fairly is one of your abiding principles. You do not let your personal feelings bias your decisions about other people. You give everyone a chance.

So there you have it. My top 10 personality strengths. Take it or leave it ;)
I thought it was kind of funny that my 24th strength was "Creativity, Ingenuity, Originality." If you know me, you know how NOT creative I am. I have high hopes and wishes to someday become creative and it's one my "weaknesses" I'm really going to work on over the years.

Whatta Weekend!!

It started off with D meeting me and McSweeney's at Olive Garden for a tasty dinner, and then swimming after that. We were hoping to sit in the hot tub too, but the hot tub was colder than the pool! Yuck! That plan was out, but it's okay...we had fun playing and splashing around in the pool.

Drum roll, please!!

On Saturday, I ran my first ever 5k!! D ran it too but he's done several in the past so it's not quite as exciting of an announcement for him :). This was a HUGE accomplishment for me, especially if you know me well and know everything I've gone through with my foot. But, no more excuses because it's been 4 1/2 years (WOW!!) since I've really had any complications or pain in my foot so it's about time I bucked up and finally did something like this. Thanks D for being my motivation and my inspiration!! You're the best!! I can't wait to do another one with you in June!

D came in 14th place with a time of 27:30, and I don't know what my placement was, but I beat my personal record and came in at a time of 33:14. It was pretty cold, and I wished I had brought gloves to wear, but at least it didn't rain on us like we thought it might!! The pictures are not attractive AT ALL, but we needed to document this momentous occasion so I'm willing to post not-so-attractive pictures of us :)

Still smiling :)

This is one of D's coworkers (Mr. Hunter) and his son, Dillan. Dillan is like 6, and was ahead of me for the first mile. Haha. Way to go, Dillan!!

After the 5k we went up to Layton for a couple of weddings. First was Shannell. Our moms are best friends, and we've known their family for almost 13 years; ever since the Powell's moved to the States from New Zealand. Congrats, Shannell!!

Me & my beautiful friend, Connie

D being an Indian with the palm leaf he found

Shannon & Jonathan

Sky, Mom, Dad

The cool tiki center pieces on the tables

D & I were chosen to learn & then dance the Hukilau

Next was my good friend from high school, TJ. I've known TJ since 1st grade and have tons of fun memories of our good times together. He finally married his sweetheart, June, after dating her for several years. I'm so happy for them both! Congrats TJ & June!!

Me, TJ, Bean, June

TuLiP fEsTiVaL!!

Yesterday we took advantage of the nice weather with McSweeney's and went to the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point here in Alpine, UT. It was absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!! D and I have never been before, and it was R's first time too, but J & T went a couple of years ago. We took a BUNCH of pictures so just bear with me because they are amazing! (And I'll try not to post all of them!)

People Pictures:
R with her glasses up-side-down. Silly girl :)
She loved smelling the pretty flowers.
McSweeney's
We don't have our own kid to take pictures with so we have to borrow R
Baby J (he has R's sunglasses on too)
Statues
Getting in position for....
This!!!
R had to pose too :)
R enjoying her banana muffin on the drive home

Beautiful Flower Pictures:

Animal Pictures:
Mama & Papa geese & their cute little goslings
Pretty fish in dirty water :)
Moose sighting!! ;)

If you live close and you've never been to the Tulip Festival, you definitely should go. It's so worth it!! We all agreed that we were glad that so much money has gone into Thanksgiving Point to make it such a beautiful place. Take the time to visit if you can!!