Accomplished my first Tri!!

I have been training with good friends Abby Bandy, Ashley Harks and her bf David Wonders for a triathlon that we finished just this weekend (May 1).

The tri was in Newton, Ia and we had to be there at 7 am to pick up our chip and drop off our things in the transition area. This tri was fairly small (120ish competitors) but it was good for first-timers. The swim (300m) was in the Newton YMCA pool, then the bike (18 m) was a scenic route down to Reasnor and back, very hilly! Then the 5k run was also hilly and within the town of Newton. I am not the strongest swimmer, so having people all around me and passing next to me and underneath me, caused me to get a bit anxious. The bike was wonderful- sunny, great weather and the athletes that I passed and those who passed me were all nice, 'good job!', 'keep it up!', 'almost there!'. The website claimed the run to be flat... NOT the case. The run was actually very hilly, so I was not prepared for that.

At the finish and during transitions, I got to see Mike cheering me on! It was really nice to have him there as more motivation! Overall, it was a good experience and I would totally do it again! Next time I hope Mike joins me!

Now- I have one final on Monday at 7:30 am and on wednesday I have surgery to get a cyst on my cheek removed- right before graduation on Friday. Matt and Kim are coming up graduation week too- and we will all go to the Troxel Pond to enjoy the weekend!

My First Bridal Shower!

The friday before easter- just last weekend- Mikes sisters Jenny (from New Mexico) and Allie (from Missouri) came into town! We got the whole night to chat with them and to see Jens Baby Bump!

Saturday morning Jen had her baby shower at the Knapps house- we tasted baby poop (melted chocolate) and we had to quess the retail price for some baby items. After the baby shower ended, the room was made over for my bridal shower. The first game is hard to explain but lots of fun! On a sheet of paper- there was a line that contained 3 letters with spaces after them- with each space, we had to fill out a word startring with that letter to make a 3 letter phrase: A__always____ B__bake_____ C___cookies______. We had some interesting ones! Later I was quized to see if my answer matched those of Mikes: Mikes favorite food= RIBS (Mike previously answered pizza, but he was wrong- hehe). Afterwards- we all hung out with Jen and Allie all night.

Sunday morning- EASTER! I woke up at 6a!! The sunrise was really pretty- and I was early to meet up with the knapps, as they were still getting ready. We ate breakfast at church then the service started at 8:30a. Later- we had family over for a great lunch and chatted the rest of the night. We also played catch phrase and made some nachos. Monday morning Jen left early, so we said our goodbyes sunday night. However, Allie, Mike and I got to hang out furing the day for a while before Allie had to leave.

It was a really fun weekend with family and friends!!! :)

Senior Life...

I have an official case of Senioritis! With the summer approaching, wedding planning and a search for internship/jobs for the summer- it has become hard to focus on school work!

I am really exctited for next weekend- not only for EASTER! But, because Mikes sister Jenny will be in town for the weekend. Finally get to see her baby bump, and celebrate at her baby shower! After that, Mikes aunts are throwing my first bridal shower! It will be a great weekend with lots of family and friends! :)

My friend Abby and I have been training for a TRI-sprint! We are both attempting to get in better shape for our weddings, so having a partner to keep up motivation has been helping a lot. We have been biking and swimming together and I got her to start weight lifting, too. I still have some troubles with my hip flexor tendonitis- over a year I have had this! I take acetaminophen to help with the swelling when I run. Hope it goes away some day.

Great Weekend in St. Louis!

I was able to drive down with my mom to Columbia and say Allie (Mike's sister) and got my hair done- love it! Then we drove to St. Louis... my mom dropped me off at kimmies and she took off to her hotel. We stayed up for a while just chatting with everyone and the girls all stayed at kims house and the boys left for matts apartment. On saturday the girls got up and we decorated kims living room, had breakfast then went ice skating! The weather was amazing, and we all had lots of fun- I was the only one to fall :) Then we went to a murder myster dinner at an old mansion- SO much fun!! The actors, and other guests were fun and the dinner was delish. Mom and I took off the next day after kimmie, matt, and kims mom went over seating arrangments. It was so fun to meet all the bridal pary and to get to know them- they are all great girls!

Watch for Katelyn Epperly...

Katelyn Epperly went to Valley High School when I was a senior... and she is now on American Idol! She is still in the running and is doing great! I even remember a choir concert back in the day, and she had a solo- the audience was crazy about her! She has such a strong, confident presence and an amazing voice! Hope she can keep up the great work!!

Starting to look like spring

Finally starting to get some nicer weather! The sun is shining and there is heat coming through the windows! I just hope this keeps up! :) Not much else going on, just counting down the days till all the fun starts! Today mike is making us a pork sirloin roast and he marinated it in garlic oil and spices, so there is a nice smell in my apartment now... yuuum. I will be leaving tomorrow after my last badmitton class (doubles tournament- finals) for Columbia MO, and will be gone all weekend! I can't wait to see everyone!

p.s. -Is it really weird that I try on my veil almost everytime I go home? :)

Serenity Prayer ♥

God,
Grant me serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
the strength to change the things I can,
and the knowledge to know the difference.

Lots of countdowns-
2 days till kimmies' bachelorette party
16 days till kimmie and matts wedding
37 days till my first bridal shower, and Jens baby shower- and just to see jen!
87 days(ish) till Jens Due date
and 157 days till Mike and my wedding! :)