Never too late....

Part I:

So, I’ve decided to come out of blog retirement J  I’m embarrassed that it’s been so long since I’ve last updated, but I’ve kind of just been enjoying life the last year.  It reminds me a little of an experience I had on a trip Amber and I took to Asia.  We were in Cambodia, walking in the ruins of Angkor Wat.  Apparently it’s a sunset not to be missed, so we scurried up the hill and I was set to take plenty of pictures (since those who know me, know how I’m all about taking pictures: oftentimes much to the chagrin of my friends and family).  So I pulled out my camera and found that my battery had died.  I’m not going to lie, I would not drop it and was so incredibly bummed that I wouldn’t have any proof of this great sunset, but then I decided to just enjoy the moment and make mental memories and it really was one of the best sunsets ever.  On that note, I did want to sum of a few of the fun, memorable moments of 2012:

January: This was a month of mixed emotions, early in the month I had the opportunity to attend one of my best friends weddings in L.A.  Chrisi was a great friend of mine who I met when we both worked at BYU Info and years later we reconnected randomly to become roommates in Santa Monica.  She has always been such an awesome friend and so supportive in every way.  It was such a beautiful day and leave it to Chris to pull of the wedding in such style.  Very clear from the beautiful reception that she’s a designer.

The end of the month was bittersweet as my amazing Grandma McLeod passed away.  It’s weird how time and love and loss can make you see the perspective in things.   After my Grandpa McLeod passed away 11 years before, I think Grandma surprised us all with her strength to carry on alone.  And to be honest, that was a great lesson that she taught me.  Grandma was truly one of a kind: she relished her role of being a Mom and Grandma, was honest (sometimes painfully so J), thoughtful, funny, appreciative of life and where she was at, up on the trends (from Dancing with the Stars and the Bachelor to dressing to the nines for family dinner) and unabashedly in love with chocolate: sometimes 3-4 runs a week for Lindt Truffles.  I love my Grandma and miss her every day.  Every once in a while I’ll still make cookies and have extra and think to run them over to her and realize I can’t L  I am so proud to be a part of the legacy that my Grandma has left and see bits of her and my Grandpa in every single member of the McLeod/Pulley bunch. 

February:  Happy Valentine’s Day!!!  Someone left this cute note and bag on my car.  Was a great lesson to me to remember the little things, it sure made a difference for me!

April: As long as I could remember in the back of my head I’ve thought, “it would be pretty cool to be able to run a marathon”, so I signed up for the S.L. Marathon several months prior.  Well, all was fine and dandy, except for the fact that even though I was running and felt great, those long runs went the way of the wind and before I knew it the day of the marathon snuck up on me.  I can’t lie I really did go back and forth as to if I would even be ready.  If this is any indication, when I went to the registration fair, one of the volunteers upon hearing how little I had trained said “you know, you can always switch to the half”, but then I started thinking about it, Amber told me to just go for it and that she knew I could do it and I decided yes!  The next morning I woke up to a total downpour and almost had to laugh.  What an incredible experience though and one I’ll never forget!  Can I just say?  There is no way I would’ve crossed the finish line without my family and friends.  They are amazing!  I ran the first bit by myself, then Amber joined in with me and we ran several miles until we passed my parents house where my whole family was standing out with signs, bananas, cheers, etc…  I felt so loved!  Then Ky picked up and ran with me (total trooper considering his non rain appropriate gear J)for several miles, then we met up with Jen and again Jen ran with me for a long stretch then I connected with my friend Lisa from work who ran with me and kept my spirits up.  The last few miles I was joined by Am, Ky and Tay and we laughed, hurt, chatted and celebrated until the last mile where they left me to finish out where my cute mom and dad were waiting for me there at the finish line.  It was seriously a memory I’ll never forget.