30 before 30

1. Go on a romantic, kid-free getaway
2. Take Mom out to a nice dinner
3. Put away $30 every month
4. Utah Summer Games
5. Family pictures
6. Lose 30 pounds
7. Read 30 books
8. Run a half marathon
9. Squat 295 
10. Hike the Y
11. Train to become a setter
12. Place in a tournament: Bs
13. Play in a tournament: As
14. Play in a tournament at Wasatch Beach
15. Play in a Club V all-nighter
16. Start playing the piano again
17. Read the BOM
18. Maintain a gratitude jar
19. Go on a girls trip
20. Try a Pinterest recipe at least once a month
21. Take Ry on an epic date
22. Quit my soda habit
23. Master a karaoke song
24. Go on a family vacation
25. Unplug for 24 hours
26. Successfully complete a 30-day challenge
27. Take Lolli to high tea
28. Wear everything in my closet at least once
29. Build my writing portfolio
30. Get pregnant

25th Birthday

So, it's been like 5 minutes since I last talked about myself and with my birthday right around the corner, I say it's time to get back on topic. 

As per tradition, I've compiled a birthday wish list. This should make it very easy for all you adoring fans to find me the perfect gift. 

You're welcome.

1) Park and Sun Spectrum ClassicVolleyball Set

You know, so I can call myself a REAL volleyball player...and so I don't have to depend on the mercy of my friends to invite me to be their doubles partner. Plus, there's a park just down the road that would be absolutely perfect for an outdoor setup. 

2) Double State Necklace

How adorable are these dainty little state charms?! Obvi I would need CA and UT. Though, I'd really like the HI charm but it's just the Big Island.

3) Sideways Initial Necklace

Again, so dainty and delicate. I can see this darling little necklace being a staple with any outfit. 

4) Mommy jewelry
Starting to sense a jewelry theme here. I really want something, though, with charms for my girls. 

I love this bracelet. I'd obvi need 2 stamped disc charms, 1 for the chuck and one for the fish. But I think the accompanying little pearl charm is so sweet. 


And this necklace was practically designed just for me. How perfect?!

5) Freshies
I used to not be into the whole wedge sneaker thing, but I'm really digging these Nikes.

And this non-wedge version

Better still, this vintage suede pair.  

And even after perusing this list, for which I've included links and everything, if you still can't decide what to get me for my birthday, go with a gift card. You know what Mama likes; Sephora, Ulta, Charming Charlie (ya know, for even more necklaces and jewelry) Forever 21, H&M.

I'll be sure to send out thank-you notes. 

Dirty Thirty

This past Monday was Ry-guy's 30th birthday!!!!!!!

My original plan to celebrate this monumental day was to have a mustache and bow-tie party, uber hipster style. But then I realized how much work that would actually be, and I was too lazy. Just kidding...well, kind of. We actually decided with Birthdavalenersary all happening in the same week, we would just take a trip down to Vegas to celebrate.

So in the meantime, we headed up to Sugarhouse BBQ to get our grub on. Daddy loves his rib.

It was a small affair with a few good friends, family, and an AMAZING cake!

Photo credits go to my girl Chellor. Thanks!

And the incredible masterpiece of a cake was done by my darling friend Becky. She is seriously so talented. I told her what I wanted and she went CRAZY!!! It turned out better than I could have ever imagined.

Oh, and it tasted SOOOOOOOOOO good! Three layers of German chocolate, coconutty goodness!!!

As a child, Ry's mom used to read "Where the Wild Things Are" all the time. Apparently he was quite little terror. Still is. And now that he's grown, Ry reads "Wild Things" to Lollers. How sickeningly tender. You can go throw up now.

So yes, Ry is an old man now. I think he's kinda freaked out about it, but I think it's kinda sexy. Is that weird? I'm not like creepin' around nursing homes or anything. You're gross. I just think it's attractive that Ry is like, a REAL man now. A business man. A winner!

Lovey Dovey

February is a busy month for us. We've got Ry's birthday on the 13th, Valentine's Day on the 14th, and our wedding anniversary on the 16th.

With all these lovey dovey events within a week of each other, we usually have one big celebration to honor Birthdavalenersary. This year, however, we opted out of doing anything since, ya know, the whole Euro trip has kinda sucked our funds dry. We figure we'll party enough on that vacay to honor the next 3 Birthdavalenersaries to come.

So in lieu of any fancy dinners, boxes of chocolates, and romantic couples massages, I've simply compiled a rather hackneyed list of some of the reasons why I love, appreciate, am attracted to, and generally like my husband.

In no particular order:

-He knew I was high maintenance and still willingly married me

-He rocks a mohawk

-He buys me anything I want at Victoria's Secret (Though I'm pretty sure this is a selfish gesture on his part)

-He buys me makeup

-He buys me anything I want

-He is an amazing father

-He took me to the temple

-He puts up with my loud and obnoxious family

-He hates cats

-He appreciates fashion and looks amazing in a pinstripe suit

-He lets me wear his hoodies

-He thinks I'm beautiful

-He tells me he loves me every day

-He has supported me through 2 marathons and many more to come

-He ran Redrock with me and looks forward to doing another relay

-He sacrifices snowboarding on Saturdays so that I can attend my team runs

-He's still an awesome snowboarder

-He played rugby in college

-He's educated and motivated

-He has a strong work ethic and continuously strives to provide for his family

-He's a worthy priesthood holder

-He's mine

As unromantic as the two of us are, I think this list has just enough sap in it to appease even the corniest of cheese balls.

So to my husband, thanks for all you do. I love you, and stuff.

Ramblings

1) Twice this weekend I attempted to run 18 miles. Twice this weekend I have failed. Made it 13.5 today. Not even close! Next weekend I'll try again. But I have to wonder, why do I even bother? I mean, really. Why run marathons? I hate running! It's hard. It's sweaty. It sucks! In all honesty, the only real reason why I won't let myself stop is for bragging rights. I'm pretty vain.

2) I'm so glad my friend Shauna is in town. As much as she hates being in Utah and misses L.A., I'm secretly ecstatic that her week-long trip here has extended into a 3-week trip. I love hanging out with Shauna. She makes me feel normal again. Plus, she sings Broadway duets with me. Best friend ever, right?

PS
You should really check out Shauna's blog. She gets it.

3) Sister Wives is the most disgusting, most revolting, and most barfiest show of all time. I can't stop watching it.

4) My birthday is this week. Only 4 more days. (I know you've been counting down.) I can't wait! I love love LOVE presents 'cause not only am I vain, but I'm also superficial.

5) I've been in a crazy reading mode lately. I want to read anything I can get my hands on. I generally have at least 2 books going at a time plus I'm listening to an audiobook on my iPod while I run. I finally cracked open The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo to see what all the fuss was about. So far, I'm not impressed. Rather, I'm bored as hell. Nothing gets me to sleep faster than lame financial talk. Boring. When is this gonna start getting good?

6) Just like my birthday, I can not wait for Christmas. I know it's not even Thanksgiving yet and it's like illegal or something to get into the Christmas spirit before Thanksgiving, but I've already started shopping for gifts. As much as I like receiving gifts, I like giving them, too. And of course, I go overboard buying for Lalea. But I think I'm actually just about done buying her gifts and so far I think I've only spent like $25 on her. Not bad! Ryan will be another story. For one, I don't have my own money this year to buy his gift so I'll just be using his credit card to buy his own presents. Not really a present then, is it?

7) I signed up with some friends to play volleyball in Spanish Fork. SF is know to be pretty competitive city league. We've signed up for the A division. We're all awesome volleyball players and we won stake regionals last year, but I really dont' see us winning too many games in the SF league. I'm telling you, this league is legit, especially the A division. We're talking collegiate level play. I'm so excited, though. But I guess this means I'll actually have to start trying in games instead of half-assing it like a usually do. Damn. I like being lazy.

Feliz Cumpleaños

With my birthday only 2 weeks away, I know you all are just DYING to know what gift to get me. So to make it easier on you all, I've once again composed a wish list. You should probably coordinate amongst yourselves and decide who will purchase which items. How embarrassing to double up on a gift, unless, of course, it's the first item on my list...

Donations to the LLS
That's right, ya'll. I'm at it again! Though I'm in the process of training for my second marathon in December, I will be doing the Ogden marathon with Team in Training again in May. This time around, though, I'll be a team captain. Woo hoo! But I still need your help! I need to raise $700 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society by April 30th. Therefore, I am accepting donations as birthday gifts. Please make checks out to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. And as always, donations are 100% tax deductible. See? It's the gift that keeps on giving!

RENT tickets
Finally, RENT has come to SLC! Well, it hasn't come yet, but next June you'd better believe I'll be singing my heart out right along with Angel, Benny, and Mark. Thanks to mi madre, this gift has already been taken care of. Can't wait to see it with her!

Clothes
Now that I have a child, I rarely by myself clothes. Instead, I spend all my money on decking Lalea out in converse, Hurley, and skinny jeans. It's been FOREVER since I've bought myself some new duds, and I need them desperately! But just like the RENT tix, this gift has also been covered. With a quick trip up to Park City,, I've got my fall and winter wardrobe covered! Thanks Buggy!! You da best!

Garments
Remember how I'm obsessed with changing my underwear every 2 seconds? Yeah well, help feed the addiction.

Boots
I have ginormous calves. There ain't no denying. And because of these monsters, I have never been able to find a pair of boots that fit me. I'm not talking a little tight to zip up. I'm talking, they won't even zip up past my ankle. Yes. My calves are that big. (But baby, they're solid muscle! Jealous? You should be.) However, I went to Payless the other day and actually found some boots that not only fit over my gams, but had room to spare. Miracle of miracles! So it's not that I just want these boots, I NEED these boots! When will I ever again find a pair of boots that fit? BUY THEM FOR ME NOW!!!!!!!!

And if all else fails, grab me a TJ Maxx gift card. Ya'll know that's my favorite store of all time. I'm also accepting cold hard cash. So again, coordinate with one another as to who's buying me what, and I'll see ya on the 21st to celebrate the day I was brought into this world. It really should be a national holiday, ya know?

Cherry Blossom Birthday

Birthday Girl,

This month you turned 2! And believe me, the bad temper and attitude set in long before...

Since we did your huge luau last year, I planned on just having a small family party this time. Well, you know how I am when it comes to birthdays and parties. I tend to go overboard.

I found a cute, Japanese inspired, theme birthday idea online and thought I'd give it a try. So this year, we had a cherry blossom birthday.

The night before, I spent hours over at Tutu's house baking and rolling fondant.

The next day, Auntie Whitty helped me put the finishing touches on your cake while Tutu and Daddy pieced together our candy sushi. It took a lot of time and effort, but the end result was darling! Auntie made you a beautiful cake that impressed everyone! And the sushis were darling and delicious! The real California rolls and edamame we had were yummy, too!

But my favorite were the cupcakes. Strawberry, mmm! But the best part about the cupcakes were the pink icing pooplets made out of iceing. I tried so hard to be creative and a real baker so I iced the cuppies using a pastry bag thingy and fancy tips. In my head, they were gonna turn out really cutesy and professional looking. Instead, they looked like pink poop scotches. Oh well. They were still delicious and I still ate like 3 of them!

All your cousins, aunties, uncles, and best friends came to your party and spoiled you with lots of fun presents! You got so many coloring books and sidewalk chalk that you're now set for life! Though, I'm sure those books will only last you a couple months.

You absolutely LOVE to color and will do so for hours on end. Luckily, it's getting warm out so we can take a break from the books and draw cute pictures on the sidewalk, instead, with your chalk. Being outside and coloring???? OMG, 2 of your most favorite things in the whole world!!

I hope you enjoyed this last year as much as we have. There were a few rough spots, like when you were hospitalized with RSV and then continued to have wheezing episodes due to childhood asthma. Sometimes, it's all I can do to make it to the end of the day. Being a parent is HARD!!! But it's so worth it to be YOUR mommy!

I love you to pieces and I can't wait to celebrate more and more years to come! You're a beautiful baby girl. You're my baby girl. I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always. As long as I'm living my baby you'll be.

xoxo

Mama

Training Days 12 & 13

Before I dive into my training recaps, I wanna remind everyone to visit my fundraising page. My marathon is less than 3 months away and I'm still about $1000 short of my fundraising goal. I need your help!

At the end of March, some of my teammates and I will be holding a used book sale at the Provo Library. All proceeds will go to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. If you have any books that you'd be willing to donate, please let me know and I'd be happy to come by and take them off your hands. Then, don't forget to stop by our book sale in March to replenish your library shelves with new reads!

And of course, if you'd like to make a donation directly to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, please visit my fundraising page, located here.

****************************

Gotta double up on this training post because I forgot to post the hellish 11 mile run I did 2 weeks ago up in Bountiful.

Pretty much, the Bountiful run was the most difficult run I've done. I know I said that about our Wasatch Blvd. run as well as the Gardner Village run, too, but this Bountiful run was H-A-R-D!!

Coming off the 10 miles I did in Vegas, I was super excited and eager to tackle the 12 miles we were scheduled to do in Bountiful. But little did I know, Bountiful Blvd. was packed with the steepest, longest, and rollingest hills of all time and eternity.

My game plan was to run the flats and run halfway up the steep hills and walk the rest of the way up to the peak when I got tired. 6 miles in and finally to the turn around point, I was spent. I attempted to run all the way back, but it didn't happen. I found myself not only walking the entire way up every hill but also walking many of the flats as well. I probably walked about 2 of the 5 miles on the way back.

Yeah, that's right 5, not 6. We were supposed to run 12 but by the time we got back to our cars at mile 11, none of us had an ounce of energy left to run the last mile. So, 11 it was.

After last week's run of death through Bountiful, yesterday's team run was a nice and

easy recovery run. We went about 4 miles down the trail and up to the point of the mountain...where we almost got blown off the the trail.

It was so windy at the point of the mountain. Dany and I kept running into each other cuz we were literally being blown over. But save for the gale force winds, yesterday's 8 miles were nice, easy, and relaxing. Thank goodness for recovery runs!

But the best part about those 8 miles? Coming back to our cars and eating birthday cake! It was one of our teammate's birthdays, and we celebrated by stealing bites from a cold, gooey, and absolutely DELICIOUS chocolate cake. Yeah, never mind that nutrition clinic we had a few weeks ago! We refuel with baked goods and Starbucks!

Happy birthday, Sabina! Thanks for sharing your special day with us!

Don't forget to visit my fundraising page and make your life saving donation today! And always, thank you for your love, generosity, and support!

Birthday Bonanza

-Bike

-Bell

-Basket

-Books

-Betsey bag

-Ball

-Buffalo wings

-Bling

-Beyonce

-Bookmarks

-Baby sitting

-Bucks

-Buggy

-BEST!

Thanks to everyone for making my birthday so fabulous!

1 Year in the Making

Birthday Girl-
About a month ago, you turned 1 year old. To celebrate, we had a big luau at the church. All of our friends and family came to play with you that day! Even your Hawaiian auntie and cousins flew in for the big event!

There was so much yummy food to eat like kalua pig and chicken long rice. There were also some fun activities like a bouncy house and a piñata. We even had a little program in which cousins and auntie danced and sang. Cousin Seyna was amazing!!!


Less amazing was Mommy's attempt at hula. The best part, though, was when Daddy had to get on stage and "dance" Tahitian. He was REALLY embarrassed but was such a good sport about it all!

As a special treat, Chris B. made you a birthday cake. It was a tiny, Lolli sized carrot cake complete with fondant flowers. You sat in your birthday throne, digging into the cake with two hands! Surprisingly, you didn't get that messy! You're so dainty!


When it was finally time to bring the party to an end and go home, it took about 5 trips to the car just to load up all the presents you got. You had TONS and TONS of gifts! You sure are one loved little girl!!!

In your first year alone, you've already brought great joy to those around you. Your beautiful, bright eyes and silly Sponge Bob smile make it impossible not to delight in your company.

I look forward to all the years ahead of us and an eternity full of joy, delight, and laughter.
I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always. As long as I'm living, my baby you'll be.

xoxo
Mommy

Happy Birthday, Have 6 Receipts!

Yesterday was my birthday...I am now closer to my mid-twenties than I was to my early twenties. I know 23 isn't old, but as I see all the freshman walking around campus, so young and naive, I can't help but examine my life and say, "Hey, you're married and have a child. You're getting old!" It's just crazy to think that I'm an actual adult. Like, someone's mom!! Weird!!!

Anyway, Monday night my family and friends met up for my birthday dinner at PF Changs. The food was good, the company, delicious. The time comes to pay for our meal...and disaster strikes. My brother-in-law asked the waitress if he could pay for my and Ryan's meals. Apparently their system couldn't accommodate adding our check onto his so instead, the waitress thought it was a better idea to split up our $40 meal into increments of $5 and add it on to the checks of everyone else sitting at the table. The waitress says, "Just so everyone knows, it's not listed on your check, but we'll be adding an additional $5.10 to everyone's checks to cover the meal of the birthday girl."

For the most part, everyone was okay with paying for my meal, but Ryan's too???? And really, you couldn't add the whole $40 on to one person's ticket, but you could add $5 to 8 people's tickets?!?!? How is that easier? Not to mention the fact that you had to run everybody's cards about 9 times and bring out 12 different receipts for people to sign. I just don't understand how the waitress thought that was a good idea. And moreover, why would you just assume that everyone was okay with covering the cost of someone else's check? Unless the guest volunteers to pay for someone else's meal, a waiter or waitress shouldn't just go around charging people's credit cards for other people's food. Was our waitress new? Was she really that stupid? Or is PF Chang's really that out of the technology loop that their systems couldn't handle combining checks? They seemed able to split them just fine. Whatever it was, it was retarded.

Thanks Stef, Ang, Mom, Grandma, Juliann, Chris, Justy, Linda, the Huntsmans, and Tay for my meal...and Ryan's, too.

Blogs and Witch's Brew

Due to the THOUSANDS of requests I've been getting to start a blog, I've finally succumb. Here it is, the Schoenrock Family Blog, written and edited by yours truly. Stay tuned to hear more of our antics. But to give you a little taste...

Today we celebrated Liliakea's 1st birthday. I can't believe it's already been a year. Grandma and Whit planned the special Halloween costume party for Lili and the family. Among some of the guests were a parrot, Tigger, a cheerleader, the Incredible Hulk, Wonder Woman, and a few sporadic kitties. The decorations and food were creeptastic, and the kiddies seemed to have a fun time playing the carnival games for prizes.

But with the success of the party, I couldn't help but think that I will have a less-kid-filled luau for Lollipop. Is that even possible with all the cousins and babies now lurking around Provo? Probably not. What I mean is that we won't be doing a child focused party for Lollipop. I don't wanna have to entertain 17 hyperactive kidlets for two hours. No thanks!!! (side note: as I'm sitting here tip-tap-typing away, Moku just tooted. He has now stunk up the entire room. Thanks.) Rather, we shall simply sit, eat lots of food, and watch some Polynesian dancers while the kids kill one another in the back room. They can call us when they need an ambulance.

Either way, today's party was fun. I hope Whit and Lili enjoyed themselves. We had a good time.