a game of speed, strategy and fear.

A few years ago I received a paintball gun for Valentine's Day.  It may seem like a weird gift to some, but I was absolutely ecstatic!  One of the best/unique gifts I have ever received.

There's just something so exhilarating about hiding in the woods, running through creeks, sneaking up on your friends opponents, and blasting them with paint.  Ooooh, and bringing in the flag doesn't suck either!

 

A group of us battled on the paintball this past Saturday.  We enjoyed great weather and walking off the field undefeated.

 

{On the way to the field.  Lovely sunrise.}

 

{Couples that play together stay together. hehee}


{Finally got hit! At least it was pink paint.}


 

{The boys preparing before the next game.}

love arrows.

Love is not always fireworks, pancakes, and shooting stars.  It’s an adventure!  It’s overcoming obstacles, facing challenges, fighting to be together, holding on, and never letting go.  It requires energy, patience, perspective and determination. 

 

Love is hard work, but worth every moment of it.

 I was struck by cupid’s arrows 6 years ago and I am happy to be in love. 

From the hugs and kisses to the bickering, from the smiles to the tears of laughter.  I am grateful everyday to share this crazy life with the one I love.

 

I made these arrows with little love notes for my babe.  We don't go all out for valentine's day, we tell and do things everyday to show and celebrate our love, but I couldn't resist making these cute DIY arrows.

 

 

We'll celebrate love, friendship and good food tonight with some dear friends.

Dinner at Moxie and Champagne & Dessert at our place.

 

 

images from january.

life according to my iphone & instagram.

 

before and after.

i decided to give our fireplace a little face-lift. 

before

 

removed the fireplace screen and gave it a good cleaning

 

 

then filled it high with walnut firewood

 

after

take me away.

i wish i could go to any one of these places this weekend.

wanderlusting...

 

instead, we'll be home. we're going to a fun Moroccan dinner tonight, working on some house projects tomorrow and catching up on some much needed zzzzzz's.  oh and of course, watching the super bowl on sunday.  cheers to the weekend and to daydreaming.

 

 

 

 

{images 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}

girls that brunch.



CUPCAKES!!!  i made cupcakes for our girls' brunch to celebrate a dear friend who recently got engaged.  it was my first time making these cupcakes so i was a little nervous, but they turned out cute.

yellow cake, strawberry cake heart, strawberry butter cream frosting

little engagement gift i put together: her first bridal magazine The Knot, wooden letter "T" for her new last name and a notebook to jot down wedding notes, ideas and dreams

brunch at hook & ladder

i got the burger with a fried egg, of course.  nom!

 

ta-dahhh a heart in the middle of the cupcake

the girls.

the lovely bride-to-be

so honored to be a bridesmaid

"i can't say I DO without you! will you be my bridesmaid??"

let's do this.

{image}

 

I know it’s well into January already (only a week till February), but better late than never.  I put some heavy thought into my current goals, and I’m going into this year super excited and optimistic.

 

Some big and small things I would like to do…

 

read at least 8 books. create something beautiful. be a little more selfish. take a spontaneous weekend trip. spend more time outside. visit a national park. get reacquainted with photoshop. declutter at work, at home, in life. take a cooking class. get my motorcycle license. find a perfect balance between running, yoga and strength training. spend more time at night preparing for the next day. plan surprise date nights. tackle my credit card debt. schedule more time with my nephew and niece. color outside the lines, without fear.

images from december.

life according to my iphone & instagram.

my eclectic music taste.

current music obsession

 

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

 

these songs put a smile on my face and make me want to shake my booty

 

Can't Hold Us

 

inspiring.

chase your dreams.  do what you love, and only for the love.

 

Same Love

 

gives me hope.

 

"no law's gonna change us

we have to change us

whatever god you believe in

we come from the same one

strip away the fear

underneath it's all the same love"

 

Thrift Shop

 

hilarious video.  i'm ready to pop some tags!!!

i wear your granddad's clothes, i look incredible

getting crafty.

Oooo how I love doing crafts. 
Here are some of my favorites from this Christmas. 

  

 

styrofoam balls, flat wooden sticks, gold spray paint & a lil sparkle

 

large snowflake painted gold, 5 small white snowflakes glued behind for depth, smashed candycanes glued to the center & old ikea frame with matte board

 

homemade yarn pom-poms

 

instead of an ugly sweater, i decided to make this lovely headband. hehee

 

and here's a photo of the finished christmassy ball headband.

santa's helper and his reindeer (poor lil miekers, she does not look happy)

 

drunk with happiness.

My Second Marathon

My legs got me through the first 10 miles, my brain got me through the next 10, and my heart got me through the last 6.

Rain, wind and injury didn’t stop me from finishing my second full marathon, the California International Marathon on December 3, 2012. I may have been a few minutes slower than last year, but I’ll take it.   Rain and wind until mile 22 was a challenging experience.  26.2 miles of agony and utter bliss.  

Thank you to my family and friends for all the support and encouragement. To the crazy ones that actually made it to the course today, Ryan, my mom, dad (who actually rode his bike alongside me for a mile and a half), stepmom, Papa Rathke, Carrie, Jovana, Super, Ange, Cheryl and Logan… you helped me more than you know. Special thanks to Ryan for the daily encouragement, subjecting yourself to subzero temperatures in cryothearpy with me, making me healthy meals and knowing when I just need a freakin’ donut, I love you and appreciate you. Carrie, thanks for always making me feel better when I am frustrated with myself, my injuries or just running in general, for cheering me on at my running events and for my Team Chompers shirt. Hehee. To all my girls that do running events with me throughout the year, you are the best friends a girl can ask for. You girls make running fun and push me to do better. Cheryl, I was honored to wear the bracelet today. I thought of Greg often and felt a peace around me. Logan, my new running buddy, proud of you for doing the relay and excited to run Shamrock with you. Big thanks to all those that sent me lovely supportive messages. And to all those that celebrated with me at brunch. Cheers!

 

I am lucky girl to be surrounded by so many wonderful people. 

 

 

the night before

  

estimated arrival times

 

way too early in the morning

 

a mile of porta potties at 6:00 a.m.

 

at start line

 

 

 

and I did it!  26.2 miles

 

 

my Ryan, my love