Running Update

I just wanted to share some thoughts I have felt about my running experiences so far. I am running now up to 23 miles and it is harder than I thought it was going to be. Those last few miles really wear and tear on your body and when it feels like I can not run any farther, I always can push myself to keep going. This past Tuesday I ran 13 miles up the AF canyon and back with Marci and then I ran the last 10 on my own. I felt really good when I was running in the canyon because it is absolutely gorgeous and I had a buddy to push me. When we got to her car she left and I kept running. The last 10 miles were very difficult. My feet and knees were in a lot of pain, but I kept pushing through it. I knew it wouldn't last forever. I knew it would be rewarding at the end. It is an amazing thing doing/accomplishing a goal that you have worked so hard for for several months. I never thought I would be able to train for a marathon, but here I am. Am I fast? No. Am I tired? Yes. Is it fun? Sometimes and a lot of times yes ;) While I run I have a lot of time to think about my life. I feel extremely grateful that I have a healthy body that is ABLE to run and enjoy life to its fullest. Today I went to a spin/cycle class and again I was overwhelmed at how blessed I am for my perfect, healthy body. Not saying that I have the perfect body, but it is in perfect condition.

When I was running my 23 miles I saw a girl who had a disability when she walked. She had a great big smile on her face when I passed her and I felt sorry that she couldn't have full use of her legs. I do not EVER want to take what I have for granted. I want to run, bike, hike, swim, play basketball, volleyball, tennis and never stop because it makes me feel so alive.

I have a month and a half until my marathon. I have to run one more long run of 26 miles before the big day (and I'm not looking forward to it!) I am grateful that I have pushed through with my training and have not given up. There have been times when running seemed boring, uninviting, and many times I haven't wanted to do it. But thanks to the support of my loving husband and running buddies I have been able to accomplish many great and hard things. I truly love running for the sense of accomplishment and empowerment it gives to me. I love feeling in shape and able to do things without getting very winded. Thanks for listening everyone. I hope that my marathon is somehow a motivator for you to do things that seem impossible. If you set your mind to it, you can seriously do anything!

Monte Cristo! Part 1

This summer we have spent quite a considerable amount of time at the homestead cabin. Spencer and I try to go up almost every weekend because it is so dang beautiful and we always have fun dirt biking and being in nature. The columbine flowers this time of year are in full bloom and the blue bells are ringing clear. The quaking aspens have never been fuller and the trails are all clear for riding.

One thing that has changed this summer is we have been renovating the cabin. We have spent several days re-sheet rocking the walls and the ceiling in the main living room. I have become quite the construction girl--from screwing in nails with a power drill to sanding the wall--I have definitely learned a lot and it has been quite the adventure and a fun project working with Spencer's dad and his brothers. Mama Bagley likes to sit and watch and read her book while we all work but we still love her :)

The first couple times we went up there it was still really early in the season so the roads were REALLY muddy! I'll be honest I love getting dirty! Especially when you don't care how you look (especially when camping). Spencer and I biffed it a couple times and Michael and I got our pants PRETTY dirty while riding on the back of the 3 wheeler while Spencer drove (I might add). Spencer always ends up taking me on trails that are out of my comfort zone. I have learned how to fall WITHOUT turning the throttle on full blast. It's OK to let go! I have learned that a couple times now. I never thought I would be into dirt biking--but I am so glad Spencer has taught me! It is something we can enjoy together and also with his brothers and sister.

There are always fun things to do up at Monte Cristo. One of our favorite games to play is Pictionary and Egyptian Speed. Michael has beaten me EVERY TIME so I am determined to keep practicing. We also enjoy bringing novels up to read, cooking dutch oven meals, and cleaning the inside and outside of the cabin. The time flies when you are busy and especially since we have been doing construction. Here are a couple pics from the last few times we've been up there.

This is a picture of the main cabin (the one we don't stay at but our relatives do)

Family Picture of The Bagley's

Mush, Brad, Richard, Spencer, Julie, Michael, Christie, Ben

not pictured: Brandon

MUD!!! Thanks Spencer!

Our cabin. Spencer's Grandpa built this about 40 years ago. As you can see there is a lot of work to do!

Richard and Spencer working on the 3 wheeler.

 This is a REGULAR thing to do since the 3 wheeler brakes down a lot! But it is really fun to ride :)

so it's all worth it!

We call this the PEE TREE. hehe. Or the tree of life. You choose.

I caught him staring into the sky. Isn't the lighting amazing in this picture?

Making breakfast for the boys

This is the top of Eccles Point. In the background you can see Wyoming.

 We took a picture just like this last year when Spencer and I were just barely dating.

Up next: more pictures of the cabin and reconstruction.

Luv Those Lakes!

Sometimes, and yes, most of the time, I take too many pictures. I don't really know when to stop, so I always have too much and it's difficult to choose how many pictures to post on the blog! Like in my last post I probably put too many pics of the waterfall. Let's see how many pics I put on THIS post. But to me, pictures tell a story. I love capturing the details--especially of people and scenery. I secretly want to be a professional photographer someday. I just wish I had a better camera but I still like the one we have a lot. A couple weeks ago we went camping with Christian and Stephanie Bennion up at Payson Lakes. I had never been there before and I was, again, amazed at the beauty Utah has to offer!

Our hot chicken, bacon, carrott, and potatoe dutch oven dinner.

Well, one of the benefits of having married an eagle scout is his ability to tie really crazy knots and lash together poles to put up our tent! We had the wrong poles for our tent...but my amazingly talented husband made it work! And thanks Christain for your help. To hold the tent up they tied the rope to a hanging branch. It was a small tent, but it kept the rain out at night. Whew!

The following morning

Steph and Chra made our trip so much fun. Thanks for a great breakfast...even though it took forever to cook haha. And I'm so excited Stephanie will be having a baby in January! So excited for her...

After we cleaned up camp we went to one of the Payson Lakes. The water was pretty chili but that didn't stop us. I was the first to get in and Spencer the last...but he did and we were all so proud.

You can tell the sun came out!

After we walked around the lake and explored a couple more (that weren't that cool), we went to the Grotto. And it's pronounced gr-ah-to...not gro-to like on Lord of the Rings. Froto lives in the Groto..hehe. There is a cool little waterfall at the end of the 1/4 mile hike.

Well I hope that wasn't too many pictures for you. If it was, then you shouldn't be reading my blog because pictures are what makes my blog SO AMAZING!:) ;) 

Up next, the Bagley's summer adventures at the homestead cabin at Monte Cristo!

Coolest Waterfall Ever!

Hot Springs up Diamond Fork in Spanish Fork canyon.

 This a must see spot if you live in Utah. The hike is only 2 miles to the hot pots and of course, 2 miles back. The water is REALLY warm and there is this AMAZING waterfall that you can put your head through halfway up the waterfall.

Somestimes we work out...

OH YEAH!!!

Coolest picture ever!

We went two times in one week because it was so much fun! I used to go here in college and I told Spencer about it. He was raving about this place, which is why we had to go again :) The second time we went with our friends Michael and Jackie. These guys are always up for a good time and recently they have us hooked on the game Carcassone. Have you played?

Spencer sporting his new Keen Water shoes.

The waterfall was FREEZING!!!! It was bitter cold putting your head under the water.

But totally worth the pictures!

I LOVE Michael's expression in this picture. He is so much fun and always makes you laugh.

I love summer in Utah. Everything outdoors is amazing and beautiful and there is so much to do. I love the green scenery but only wish it could last longer. Up next our fun camping trip to Payson Lakes with the Bennions!

Hogle Zoo with the Ninos

Who loves going to the zoo? I know I do. I particularly enjoy the bird show, the monkeys, and the larger animals like the cheetah and the elephant. It is so amazing how many animals they have at the zoo. It was a very hot day while we were there. Oh yeah! The we I am referring to is my students from summer school. On the last day of school we all headed up to Salt Lake for a VERY HOT fun last day of school at the Hogle Zoo! And also my last day teaching at Timpanogos Elementary. SAD! 

                           

The kids in my group were the same ones I taught in the ballroom dance/team building class. I will miss them a lot next year. I'm getting excited for my new job but it will be so hard to not see these kids anymore :)

Here are some of the students getting ready for the bird show. This is a MUST SEE SHOW if you haven't been to it yet! After the bird show we headed over to the train ride. Fun, but lasts only a few minutes.

Fun group shot right before we got back onto the hot, crowded bus. Luckily I drove with some leaders in a nice air conditioned car. Hehe.

Just call him Wally. The bird show host asked this kid what his name was. His name is really Colley, but he misheard and called him Wally the whole time! All the students were laughing. Haha.

Next time I go to the zoo I want to take my nieces and nephew...but alas, they live in California. It was a great summer teaching and I have learned so much more than I thought possible. Thanks kids for such a wonderful time! I will miss you.

South Fork Park Barbeque

Spence and I like to enjoy the outdoors and barbeque...can you tell? We had fun throwing around the football, talking, and discussing the gospel for family home evening. And of course, you have to have food. Hot dogs and s'mores were on the menu...Can you name what movie this is from?

  

           Ham: "Would you like a s'more?"

Smalls: "How can I have more of something...when I haven't had anything yet?"

Ham: You're killing me smalls! Ok, here's some s'more stuff. Now pay attention. First, you take the chocolate. You put the chocolate on the graham. Then, you roast the 'mallow. When the 'mallows flamin' you put it on the chocolate. Then, you cover it with the other end--then, you STUFF! Kinda messy, but...good! Try some!"

And of course, some pictures from our beautiful scenic night in the Provo Canyon

I feel a little cheesy with some of the pictures I take, but oh well here it is. Hopefully we'll get up to the canyon one more time before summer ends. Let us know if you'd like to join us!

Ballroom Dance...What?

I mentioned in a few earlier posts that I taught a ballroom dance class for summer school at my elementary school in Provo. I had a BLAST teaching these kids because we were with each other 2 hours a day monday through thursday for six weeks, and it was more than just dancing. We talked a lot about team work, sportsmanship, game playing, costume etiquette, and cheer/banner making.

I was a little nervous to teach this since I hadn't taken too many ballroom classes. But with the help of a certain BYU Ballroom dancer (who also happens to be an old roommate) and a couple people from the Provo High ballroom dance team it was a great success. The kids worked three weeks straight practicing hard on a cha cha routine that I taught to them. They worked very well together and it payed off because the last week of summer school we put on a production for the rest of the students and staff. They did an amazing job and I was really proud of them (and me!).

Here are some great pictures of these fabulous students!

LOVE these girls! They were so motivating and encouraging to be around.

P.S their ages were 4-6th grade. 

This pretty much demonstrates the difference between boys and girls.

  

Here we all are right before they went on the dance floor to perform Ricky Martin's song "Amor"

 

Timpanogos Sentinels in action! Si Se Puede!

 

New Car!

Yes, I have been terrible about updating our blog! We have so much to catch up on...where to start? Well here is post 1 of several. I hope you enjoy!!!

First off, a few months ago I sold my 1991 Honda Accord EX. I've had this baby since 2004. I will miss my little Cruella, but we now have a 2002 Ford Focus that I LOVE! My Honda had over 220,000 miles and the Focus has WAY less so it was a steal of deal! We bought the focus from our grandparents.

Just minutes before the guy came to buy it.

And here is the NEW CAR!!!

We have enjoyed having a more reliable car. We even were able to fit a treadmill in this car. And we bought a new bike rack since my old car had one that we gave to DI.

More to come!

My Friend Megan

As some of you may know, my friend Megan Boyack Smith was diagnosed with Acute Leukemia a few weeks ago. She has been constantly on my mind AND in my prayers. I grew up with Megan in Sonora. She was in my ward, we went to high school together, seminary, and I think we even did a play together. She is an amazing friend and has the brightest personality I have ever seen! Seriously though, if I had to pick one trait that was negative I could never in a million years think of one! She has this attitude that just lights up the world. Her positive nature is addictive. She has an amazing testimony and the brightest smile. Each time you see her she lights up the entire room and ALWAYS asks how you are doing. My brother Travis said he has never once heard her gossip...which I can vouch for. So the fact that she has leukemia was heart breaking to hundreds of people. Her mom and my mom are best friends in our ward so we have been really worried but luckily things have started to look up for her. The sad thing is is that the day Megan was diagnosed with cancer was the SAME day she gave birth to her beautiful daughter Rylee Hannah Smith. Her white blood cell count was abnormally high so they rushed her to the cancer treatment place. She has already gone through one intense week of chemo and is now out of a coma and off the breathing device. The Lord has been blessing her and I know the prayers are working! They will find the results out tomorrow of whether or not the bad cells are all gone. So I suppose my purpose of this post is this. Even though you may not know who Megan is, I ask that you PLEASE pray for her and her family tonight. Pray fervently that she will be healed and will be able to go back to her home and be with her baby Rylee. Thank you so much! I will try and keep you updated on how it goes. If you want to see her website, it's www.prayersformegan.com.

New Job!

So today I was offered an amazing FULL TIME job at a new charter school in Pleasant Grove! I will be the new PE/Health Specialist for grades k-8. This job is a huge blessing in our lives...something I've been waiting to achieve for a long time (especially since it is a job with full benefits). I will miss my old school in Provo, but I'm SUPER excited for my new adventure! I just wanted to share this with my friends. If you would like more info, feel free to e-mail me :)