(fleece (gifted))

The Matthew Perry Doc on Netflix got me through my last few lifting sessions. It was heavy.

I lifted in my pajamas because it was too early to get dressed.

We are trying to get as many runs as possible in our canyon before it is covered in snow and ice for a while.

I thought I would shower more often once the kids were all in school, but somehow I’m doing it less often –> 3 ortho appointments . Beck wanted to come, too.

Andrew got home much earlier than expected and we spent our afternoon at the park.

And we spent the evening watching him do his favorite thing.

Now for some favorite things this week:

*Andrew told me we didn’t need this, but I bought it anyway. We refuse to iron and wear wrinkly clothes often. The teens have asked me to start ironing some things because I guess they aren’t into my wrinkly trend, so I bought this steamer, and it is a game changer. It takes me less than a minute to remove wrinkles from an item. I’m keeping it in the drawer in the kitchen to just whip out anytime we need it. We’ve used it every day since it arrived on our doorstep. ENJOY.

*I have found (well, actually I was targeted because IG knows me so well and after seeing it 50 times as an ad, I finally went for it), the perfect long-sleeve t-shirt. It’s heavier than a t-shirt, which adds to the cozyness, and the fabric just feels luxurious.

*Another fun gifted item–> This sweater from J. Crew. It’s cashmere… I’m wearing it to Thanksgiving and any other fancy occasion that I have for the next few months. If you need a unique, incredibly soft sweater this time of year, J. Crew sweaters are the place to go.

*My favorite beach bag. The zippers protect your things from the sand so well, and if you do get sand in it, it doesn’t stick. I LOVE their designs and colors. I have and love their pouch for the beach and travel, too.

*This Brush Dryer is hair-changing for Brooke and me. Neither of us will use anything else now. It lifts at the root and smooths our hair so well as we are using it. I even use it on the days I don’t wash my hair to liven it up again post-run. It feels like I’m getting a blow-out each time that I use it. Love love love. We use the 75mm barrel. You can already use the code BLACKFRIDAY to get a discount.

*Nutrafol has an awesome offer right now: $40 off 3 months or $106 off 6 months, plus a FREE hair serum ($69 value) with purchase. My sister is just as religious as I am about taking it daily. She was losing more and more hair in the shower (she is getting closer to 50) and says she loses next to nothing now that she takes Nutrafol daily. I’m not sure it’s made my hair grow faster, but I’ve noticed the same as my sister: I’m not losing hair anymore. #nutrafolpartner

*These adidas leggings are SO good and have a pocket on the sides for your phone! ONLY $20!

*It’s the Sephora Sale–> I’m stocking up on my favorites: This lip gloss, shine serum, extreme cream, the BEST foundation, morning cocktail, this tinted moisturizer, this baking and setting powder, this concealer, and this dry shampoo. Use code ALLONSALE

*Vanilla’s Touch Mist is a 10/10 from me.

*Listening to this now, if anyone wants to join me?

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Any favorite things from this week?

What are your weekend plans?

Any docs you recommend for me?

Do you enjoy audiobooks?

The post Friday Favorites! first appeared on The Hungry Runner Girl.

BECK IS SIX YEARS OLD. He woke up earlier than ever to start his party.

He opened a few gifts, and then we went to pick up his birthday twin…

For free Dutch Brothers (they give you any size of any drink for free on your bday). Nothing like a chocolate milkshake for Beck’s breakfast.

Curly came back with us, and they opened their gifts.

A remote control car made his LIFE.

And then Andrew made everyone crepes.

Beck wanted to go to school while the rest of us went to our dear friend’s funeral. The words shared there were life-changing (my friend, Kate, needs to write a book), but wow, we all miss him so much and hurt so badly for what his wife and boys are going through.

Skye drew this picture during the funeral: Zac on his bike with his two boys in the bike trailer with his wife and things in his hands to deliver to people. I couldn’t think of a more accurate scene of who Zac was… He went about doing good.

After a few hours of crying, we then got back into Beck mode so he could have a special day. His first request was Panda Express, of course.

And then he wanted to go to the arcade… aka my least favorite place;) The lights/noises are so overstimulating for me, but I’ll do it for the birthday boy. All of the kids were thrilled he chose the arcade.

And then he wanted the Cheesecake Factory!

Have you ever met someone who orders a vanilla milkshake at the Cheesecake Factory? Now you have;)

I hope you have the most beautiful day. I am so grateful for you all, and want you to know I’m in your corner. PLEASE let me know if there is anything I can do to help you.

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Tell me what you have going on today!

Any advice for Beck in his 6th year of life?

Any highs and lows for you lately?

The post A day filled with highs and lows. first appeared on The Hungry Runner Girl.

8 beautiful miles.

I’m really working on being more present in life because each month lately feels like it goes by in the blink of an eye. Part of this is focusing on noticing the little things on the run… the crunch of the leaves, how good the water tastes at the water fountain, seeing my breath anytime we enter some shade, and the people we see along the way.

Let’s take this month to be truly there on our runs, not wishing for it to be over, but feeling so lucky to get to do this.

First frost of the season for us!

PS I am reaching for this fitted hoodie multiple times a week. The material is a dream.

Andrew took down Halloween, and it feels strange not to have skeletons everywhere I look now. It will take a minute to readjust to not being afraid of my own front yard anymore. His decorations take up most of our shed.

One-pan creamy shells for dinner. I’ll be making this over and over again… big crowd-pleaser.

Because cake on their birthday eve should always be a thing.

I forgot to share the new hack that I learned from my running partner, Jess. Add a yellow cake mix to your cornbread and have the best cornbread of your life.

Treat Bread:

Too soon for the Christmas Jammies? I think not!

Somehow, Beck is six years old today. SIX. This little guy. I wish you could see him in action. He is as social as they come. He has an engineer brain with the way he loves to put together Legos and puzzles. He lives for chocolate and Nutella. He asks me, “You good, Mom?” at least 30 times a day. He loves his sleep. He can run 1.5 miles without stopping. He is obsessed with basketball and can find the bright side in any situation. Happy birthday, Beck. You are too good to be true.

THOSE NEWBORN DAYS

And Curly is an official adult today. She’s always been such an important part of my life; she’s been the ultimate party pal at every age. She hates it when I get gushy, but I am so grateful to have her in my life and love her so very much. Also, a reminder about the time she was 11 and told me I better not have my baby on her birthday so she could keep the focus on her;). I told her not to worry; he was due later in the month. And then my water broke 10 minutes before her birthday began, haha. Thank you, Beck, for rage-baiting her with your birth;). She loves it now, though.

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Feel free to wish both of them a happy birthday, and they will both read them (BECK IS READING SO WELL NOW)!

The post Really working on it. Such a special day. first appeared on The Hungry Runner Girl.

(shirt, shorts)

I cannot get over the yellows right now. 8 miles @ 8:07.

After a few days of rain and clouds, seeing the sun again felt healing.

My sister came over because she is redoing the girls’ room now! They gave her their inspo pics, and then she finds everything either thrifted or for an incredible price. She is going to do big things with our nonprofit (we are getting closer! AHHH!).

We had this Coconut White Chicken Chile for dinner. Beck said, “Mom, this is your best soup yet.” It was SO good. I used rotisserie chicken and cooked it on the stove instead of the crockpot.

Let’s do that tangent things like we’ve been doing for 16 years as of this month!

*Anyone else’s kids take their shoes off the second they get in the car after school?

*Every morning, I find him perpendicular to his bed.

*Max is touching someone in our family at all times.

*Our canyon had a massive rock slide. I am so grateful we weren’t there when it happened.

*People are amazing. I’m always in awe of the amazing things people can grow in their yards. I cannot keep a blade of grass alive.

*Grammy recommended this one for me, and I am already LOVING it.

*I love having a child sprawled out on top of me anytime I am sitting down.

*My favorite skin product EVER is having an Early Black Friday deal with 35% off sitewide (code: EARLYBF35). The price is never this low. I use this product religiously and stopped getting microneedling done once I found it. You actually feel it working… It tingles. It boosts the collagen in our skin so well and works on those fine lines by getting the body’s natural healing process. I also adore their neck tightening cream.

Last but not least, the top 10 favorites from readers in October (a few days late on this one):

#1: The Juno Sweatshirt

#2: This lululemon vest

#3: This Athleta Sports Bra

#4: Salutation leggings

#5: Skye’s tankinis (cutest little girl swimsuits for $20!)

#6: This windbreaker on sale at lululemon

#7: The Zoe Barrel Jean

#8: The best brush dryer you will ever use.

#9: Another Mile Jacket

#10: My beloved Bandit Bra (with the phone pocket)

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Give me a tangent today!

What are you making for dinner tonight?

Has anyone read the Rose Code?

What is your favorite fall drink?

The post Let’s do the thing. + Top 10 first appeared on The Hungry Runner Girl.

(shorts, )

I didn’t run much last week. I’ve run through a lot of different types of sad events in my life, but last week’s loss was too much. Sometimes running helps, and sometimes things hurt too bad to run.

I did get out with Andrew on Saturday, though, for a few miles. We talked a lot about our friend, Zac, the goals we are setting in our lives to be more like him, and how we could treat people the way he did. People first.

Andrew spotted this guy along the way. When he first pointed it out, I was sure it was a cougar, but thankfully it was a goat.

And then it was time to do the weekend thing with the kids. First, Knox scored a touchdown at his game. It was beautiful. He sprinted for 35 yards to the end zone. My heart was so happy for him.

And then we went to the BYU game.

What will we do with our Saturdays after the football season?

And at one point during the game, I got about 20 texts with pictures of Skye and me from the game on TV. She had just asked me to buy her a Cougar Tail, but since we would be trick-or-treating AT a house that gives out free BYU donuts shortly, I said, no;). Which resulted in this look on her face. She laughed about it so hard when she saw it and gave me permission, obviously, to post this; I mean, why not?! It had already been on National Television;)

People sent this picture too, with Brooke, Knox, and Skye making another fun expression!

We did get the world’s best pretzels, Ben’s Soft Pretzels. They make them there, right in front of you. I spy a smile on Skye’s face;)

My nephew dressed up as his dad. I kept taking double takes;)

I dressed up as Erling Haaland. I’m embarrassed by how many hours of my life I’ve spent watching reels of him. He is just so entertaining and my 9th cousin; he’s family!

We stopped at the house with the massive snakes, and the owner passes out $2 bills to the kids, which is always a plus.

Along with our favorite house that gives out TACOS.

And of course, I watched and had FOMO while watching NYC. And the pros, they are just like us, they are obsessed with their watches, too. And JESS MCCLAIN. Were we all crying when she had that epic finish to 2nd?!

We finished up the weekend with a Halloween party at my parents’ house!

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Tell me about your Halloween?!

Running when you are sad? Yes or no?

Any November birthdays, anniversaries, or races?

Anyone run NYC yesterday? Tell me all about it! Did you watch it?

The post Sometimes. We are famous now. I’ll never say no again. first appeared on The Hungry Runner Girl.

Zac would want all of his best friends searching for the beautiful things right now, so that’s what I’m going to do.

My friend Megan makes the most beautiful bread.

And neighbors who are also hurting so badly made sure to deliver us a pie.

Ready for Halloween Eve.

Sometimes a $19 salad is worth it.

The canyon.

Her happy place.

His happy place.

Curly joined us for Survivor.

I love seeing Andrew carry two at a time.

My kid’s favorite thing ever; Sheet Pan Pancakes.

He started basketball and said it’s his new favorite sport.

Incredible. Simply incredible.

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Please tell me what’s been going on in your world lately. I’ve missed catching up with you!

The post Some beautiful things first appeared on The Hungry Runner Girl.

One of my dearest friends lost her soulmate.

Zac was our neighbor. The backbone of our area. A man who had such an incredible influence on every single member of my family.

He was the kind of person who left every conversation making the other person feel better about themselves, always offering the most sincere compliments. He was the guy I constantly saw riding his bike around, dropping off See’s Candy to everyone, especially those going through hard things. If he rode his bike by someone who was outside, there was a 100% chance he would stop to talk to them.

We all thought we were his favorite family, his best friend, because of how freely he gave his time. He would ask you questions, truly listen to your answers, never rush, and always be completely present. Somehow, he made every single person feel like they were the most interesting person he had ever met.

He was the guy who made his wife and children feel truly cherished every single day. We would always say after spending time with him and his wife that they were the definition of marriage goals. The most beautiful love story.

I don’t say this lightly. He was an angel on earth.

Beck’s best friend lost his dad. On Monday night, Beck slept with the airplane Zac gave him after he found out how much Beck loved airplanes. Not that long ago, Beck got hurt, and Zac filled our freezer with enough of Beck’s favorite frozen treats to last a year. And he spoiled Beck, each and every time he was at their house playing with his boys. Making Beck’s favorite foods and getting every Star Wars toy created for them to all play with together.

He was Knox’s biggest fan. He was Knox’s leader at church and built our teenager up like you wouldn’t believe.

He refused to let us pay for dinner, even the time I ordered two entrees because I was so hungry.

We’d run into him at the grocery store, and he’d ask if we’d had breakfast yet. When we’d tell him no, he’d insist we come over for his homemade biscuits and the special hot chocolate he’d brought home from Switzerland. And then we’d sit and talk for hours. He’d ask each of my kids questions about their lives, genuinely interested in every answer, making each of them feel so seen.

We have hundreds of sweet stories about the ways Zac touched our lives. And the thing is, so does every other person within a ten-mile radius. That’s just who he was. He made everyone feel like family. He inspired all of us to live kinder, smile more, and look for more opportunities to serve.

My heart is completely broken for his beautiful wife and his boys.

Thank you for letting me tell you a little bit about Zac and for giving me a place to grieve through writing.

Hug your loved ones extra hard today. And please say a prayer for our sweet Kate and her boys.

The post Our hearts are shattered. first appeared on The Hungry Runner Girl.