I spent the weekend by making a quick jaunt up to Idaho to see some of my favorite people -- Lindsay and Sheri (who is valiantly fighting an aggressive form of brain cancer -- click on the link for her story). Lucky for me, my mom was there as well. While she took Sheri to her chemo treatment, Lindsay and I spent the day playing with her little baby Sam and being as lazy as humanly possible. It was exactly what we needed.

We reminisced back from days as little dumb tweens, high schoolers, college roommates, and now as married women with husbands and families of our own. We laughed. We ate. We caught up -- on everything.  Life sure is crazy and unpredictable, but you can always count on "those friends" that will never change. Thank goodness for that.

Thanks again for a fun weekend Sheri, Lindsay, Sam and France!

Winter Running

Since we moved to Utah from Texas last year, this is my first winter in a while where I have had to get used to winter running. But luckily, I love it!! I love the feeling of the crisp, cold air against your face as your body is nice and warm (as long as you are dressed accordingly, of course :). I also love that I don't get hot when I run. It makes me feel like I can run so much longer... as long as I'm watching where I'm going and don't wipe out on some ice!

I got a few new running toys for Christmas. Other runners out there can understand how exciting running toys are. Russ gave me a heart rate monitor. I feel so official now! You wear a strap on your chest that accurately tracks your heart rate, which is displayed on a watch. So far it has really helped me to know when I can "step it up" if my heart rate just isn't as high as it could/should be while running. I probably should have taken a picture when I was actually running. According to the heart rate below, I am dead. 

{And yes... winter running means you layer up. 2 to 3 long sleeve shirts/fleeces, gloves, ear warmers, you name it!}

I also got a new pair of Nike Frees! I have a bad habit of running way too long on the same pair of running shoes. I was still running on my Nike Frees I got early last year (that I loved!). These have been my favorite running shoes to date. No blisters = happy Camille. As you can see I went with the bright orange and grey, cause why the heck not?

And finally, somehow I managed to convince this guy below to run with me. Ever since reading THIS POST, I'm a bit spooked to go running by myself outside. But ironically, I've never been a fan of a "running buddy." I've thought long and hard about this, and I think it's for a few reasons. 1) I hate feeling like I'm slowing someone down or they are slowing me down, and 2) I am not very good at being set to run at a certain time and place. For instance, I had full intentions of getting up and running yesterday before work, but as soon as I woke up I knew that was NOT going to happen. But sure enough, all I could think about at work all afternoon was going for a run. I've found, with myself at least, I enjoy running so much more when I don't force a run in just because it's scheduled. (Obviously sometimes I just have to go for that run when I have the window of time, but you get the gist).  

But in case you were wondering, Russ is a good guy to have by my side, even when running. :)

A Blog About Love

Have you ever stumbled upon a blog/website/book/show that you just could not stop thinking about? When that happens you just want to tell everyone you know about it. Well that's how I feel about my most recent stumble, A Blog about Love. Their blog really is all about love -- how to love, what to do when you don't feel loved, how to be a better spouse, family member, friend, and so much more.

One night last week I just could not sleep. I was upset, angry, sad, frustrated, among other things. Basically, I had a lot on my mind. So I sat in my bed and started reading their blog from the beginning. I woke up the next morning and already felt like a different person. Without sounding too corny, I really feel like this blog came into my life for a reason. I am 100% inspired by these two people, and within the 5 days I have devoured everything on their blog, I truly feel like I'm one step closer to the person I want to be. I'm happier. Less things "bug" me. I'm choosing to be happy, because let's be honest, who wants to choose the opposite?

These two have definitely been handed their fair share of trials. Long story short, Mara's husband of 7 years left her (after years of going back and forth between telling her he didn't "really" love her or wasn't attracted to her), all the while dealing with infertility for nearly 5 years. After she was divorced, her friend introduced her to Danny Kofoed by a friend (who's wife of 4 years had also left him). They lived in different cities so their relationship basically started out via email. They fell in love quickly. They were both so excited to be in love once again. Their outlook on life was incredibly positive, and continues to be that way, even after dealing with infertility once again. Like I said, lots of trials.

Some of the posts that have been my go-to for inspiration as of late include:

+ How to keep a marriage glued
+ Choosing to not be offended by silly things people say
+ Best Beauty Secret in the world
+ AMAZING marriage tips
+ Feeling Spirituality in your life
+ The "Little" trials of life -- we've all got 'em
+ Working on being the best {future} mother I can
+ Being grateful for what I DO have, not dwelling on what I don't
+ Learning how to not react in a negative way

... And so much more. Seriously, I kind of want to be her BFF. Her writing is so genuine, kind, and honest. And come on, she's got rockin' style. Just give the blog a try, won't you? I hope you enjoy as much as I do. :)

Surprise Party!

Russ had a birthday, shout hooray!!

When I asked Russ what he wanted to do this year for his birthday, he shrugged his shoulders and said "oh, we don't need to do anything. I had a party last year." .... hem hem .... queue awesome wife duties and plan a surprise party! I do have to say that Russ is so much fun to plan a surprise party for because first off, he's totally oblivious to the quiet planning and running around I was doing all week to get everything together. He was legitimately surprised. For example, I completely ran out of time by Friday night, but I still had to make my little "poof ball" decorations. The problem was that Russ was home all night with me and I made them in front of him. When he asked what I was doing I just told him I was making them to put in the guest room. He just looked at them, a bit confused, and said "ok." Really Russ?? Paper poof balls in the guest room? I just let out a sigh of relief that he never pries and totally trusts my design decisions. :) Second off, he loves parties. He had a perma-grin the whole time. It's the best.

The party was so much fun. Thank you to everyone who came and helped surprise Russ. He loved every minute of his 28th birthday party. We are so grateful for our amazing family and friends.

(Seriously Natalie, I couldn't have pulled this party off without you!)

Happy Birthday Russ! I sure do love you!

Our Musical Addition

I'm sorry I left you all on a bit of a cliff hanger last week with our "new addition." That was probably annoying, and perhaps even more annoying if it is a bit anti-climatic to you. But to us this addition was a huge deal. We shopped around for months. We researched. We hunted the classifieds. We saved and saved. And finally, we brought home our new musical addition:

Please meet our lovely new piano. It is a Kawai US-50 upright grand piano. We think she is bea-u-tiful.

I am seriously in love. Growing up I played a lot of piano. Call it a bit dorky, but I would say it was my "sport" in high school. I spent lots and lots of hours with this instrument. So needless to say, I am a bit picky when it comes to playing on some pianos, let alone spending my own money on one. Some think we are crazy for buying a new piano, and that we should have just settled with a used one from Craigslist. Believe me, we tried some out, but none of them were "the one." We finally found this beauty at a little piano shop (which we would highly recommend!) that was selling this piano for more than 1/2 the price of the "big box" Kawai store. From the first song I played while testing it out, I knew it would be ours. 

I love that I can make music in our home once again. I have missed my time at the piano. Any emotion that I am feeling can be expressed on those keys. The guy who owned the shop we bought it from was telling me how a half an hour at the piano is worth more than an hour at the therapist. 

I couldn't agree more.

Oh hey world

We are alive! We are kickin'! Things have been a bit busy around here lately (hey, what's new?). I know you've been worried. Here's a glimpse of what we've been up to:

// Watching Fictionist rock it, once again, at a sold-out show at Velour. A couple even got engaged on stage! How cool is that? Caitlin at Hue and Hum has a great rundown here.

// Getting sick, and recovering. I spent a good few days this last week/weekend pretty much out of commission. Blech.

// Organizing, organizing, organizing!! Like the majority of the world, I started 2012 with a huge determination to organize everything. Russ has been a good sport and has helped me along the way. I have mostly been focusing on closets. I felt like nothing in the house "had a place." Well not anymore! One closet in particular was this funny little guy in our loft that was impossible to keep organized... until now!

Seriously... nothing like organized bliss. {ooooo ahhhhhhhh}

// Continuing to actually hang some frames on the wall (go figure!). These frames that have been propped against the wall are now a part of a lovely picture gallery. Pictures soon to come, don't worry.

// And last, but not least, acquiring a new addition to our family. No, it's probably not what you think. But... it's getting late (10:35... yes, I'm lame) and honestly, I don't have a picture, so I'm going to leave you hanging on the edge of your seat. :) Stay tuned!

Framing Time

Since the day we moved into our home I think I have hung up approximately 2 frames. For some reason hanging frames is so scary! It's like super permanent or something. Really that makes no sense, because I didn't pause 2 seconds to put up bright floral wallpaper (something that is way more permanent than frames), but then frames are the scariest thing ever. Maybe it's because when I hang up art or pictures I want them to mean something. To be significant to us. 

Over Christmas I was given a couple really beautiful prints and art pieces. It's like my family knows me well or something!! Our walls are finally looking a little less bare. Thank goodness! 

Russell gave me this beautiful print from evajuliet, an Etsy shop I have not-so-subtly hinted to him about for months. She is French, and most of her prints come in French and English. My beautiful Grandma is French, my first and middle name is French (Camille Elise), I love France, and everything sounds more beautiful in French. The print translates to "Choose Joy," a phrase I think everyone could be reminded of more often. Life is insane -- sometimes we can choose to freak out or just choose to have joy. I'm trying to choose joy.

The next piece of art that makes me so happy is by the amazingly talented Minvera Teichart given to me by my lovely mother. Opening this piece of art on Christmas made me so happy. I love this picture of Christ. It is so powerful and majestic, yet shows how loving and caring He his at the same time. This is exactly how I picture Him. Full of majesty and love. 

 It's amazing how art makes a house feel so much more like a home. It's really starting to come together.

Speaking of Christmas gifts, you see that amazing blanket hanging over the couch? Brittney gave me this blanket and I'm pretty much obsessed. It's a beautiful teal wool blanket with a subtle chevron print. I love how it's a pop of color yet it perfectly ties in the teal flowers on the Orla Kiely wallpaper. Thanks sis. In case you can't tell, I love it. :)

So anyway, I have 2 more frames up. So that's like 4 now. Next up is the gallery wall I have been procrastinating for way too long. It's framing time!

A Head of Hair

My husband has a very healthy head of hair. I'm not exaggerating one bit. Let's just hope our kids are blessed with his genes in this area. Lately he has let it grow longer than ever with a curly fro and mountain man beard. He was going in for a hair cut tonight, so I made sure to snap a picture last night as he was checking his head of hair out one last time. 

I sure do love this guy.

{I think the picture turned out really nice, don't you? ... hahaha... Napoleon Dynamite anyone?}

Canada & Snowmobiles

Over Christmas break we went to Washington (my home state). Oh how I love that place. A few days after Christmas we drove up to spend a few days in Canada. We were forewarned of how freeeeezing and winter wonderland-ish Canada is in the winter... so we came prepared of course. We loaded up the car with snowboards, skis, winter boots, thermals, hats, gloves, you name it. Weren't we a bit surprised when we pulled up to our resort in Fairmont to find grass?? Hmm, not what we were expecting. The irony of it all was that it was snowing in Spokane as we left. I guess that's life, right? {Side note: There was a bit more snow in Banff compared to Fairmont, but it was still very mild compared to the norm}

Also a surprise: Pulling up to Lake Louise (which we visited in the summer a few years back) expecting to oooh and awwwe over the crystal blue water only to realize that, duh, it's frozen and covered in snow! Way to go geniuses. :)

We still managed to have a good time, of course. Activities included the Fairmont hot springs, snowboarding, site-seeing, games, and food. The best.

Once we got back to Spokane my Dad made sure I got in my yearly snowmobile trip. Some people are surprised when I tell them that I grew up riding a snowmobile. From the age of about 10 years old my dad would plop me on my own machine and tell me to climb the mountain! "Whatever you say daddy!!" I've loved these times on the mountain with my dad. He becomes a little kid (again) and we get to see some amazing vistas together. Oh, and he ALWAYS encourages me to go out of my comfort zone and "push the limits a little." I've definitely had my fair share of accidents -- you know, getting stuck in waist-deep powder and even rolling the machine over my body once -- but I still love the feeling of the wind on your face as you pull that throttle. It was good to feel that once again.

{Me and Jace jumping for joy}

Auld Lang Syne // Times Long Past

It's New Years Eve and Russ and I are sitting on the couch doing everything in our power to not fall asleep. (We are so exciting!!) As we fight off yawns, we have been going through the photo archives reminiscing on memories from 2011. Wow. What a year. I don't think there will ever be a year when we say "gee, that year didn't go by fast." Time sure does fly. But luckily we have some really good times (mixed in with some hard times, of course) to look back on. Here are some highlights of our 2011:

Started the year skyping on a regular basis since we lived apart for a good 5 months. Rough.

Finally seeing Wicked! Best Valentines ever.

Good friends in Texas that helped us get through those rough times.

Russ getting a really great job offer from Adobe in Utah -- prayers are answered!

Quitting our jobs (tears!), leaving Texas, living in a temporary apartment, buying a house (eek!), and both starting new jobs. 

Being around family once again. Sigh of relief.

Camping. 

Putting in our own sprinkler system. Kill me now.

2 half marathons and a couple 10k's for Camille, lots of bike racing for Russ. Dirty Dashin' as a family.

Lots of lake trips -- McCall, Spokane, Trinity Lake.

Jace comes home from Japan!

Fishing in our backyard... literally.

Fabulous house guests (and life long friends!)

Rockin' Adobe holiday parties.

Family pictures.

Neighborhood parties -- we love our neighbors!

Christmastime in the Northwest and Canada.

Ending the year on top of a mountain. Best finale we could ask for.

Goodbye 2011. We are grateful for the year we had. We know we are so blessed, and we have both grown so much. We are feeling optimistic about the future and can only wait to see what 2012 has in store.