The Long Drive

Even with the help of family, we were packing and getting things ready till the last minute. Unfortunately, I got sick the last night we were in Provo and couldn't be much help at all. I had a fever and felt like I got hit by a truck. It was horrible. But Aunt Cathy helped us till so late. She was such a lifesaver. Before I got really sick, Blaine and I hurried to the Cocoa Bean Cafe one last time. We love that place. 

We ended up staying at Aunt Cathy and Uncle Dave's for the night since our place was completely packed and we were too tired to head out on the road that night. It was also nice to have Aunt Cathy around nursing me back to health. By the time I woke up, I was feeling much better. My flu was gone in 2 days. For those of you who know me, that is a record. When I get sick, it lasts for weeks! 

The next morning we headed out. I was pretty sad to be leaving Provo for good. After saying goodbye to Nina and Luna, I was a wreck! I cried for a while on the road.  Blaine was a trooper and just kept comforting me and let me sleep for as long as I wanted. Our car was packed as much as possible. We were pretty cramped in there. Rue did fine the whole way and just slept a ton. We stopped in Albuquerque the first night. On our way to Houston, we passed by a little restaurant called Circle H BBQ that Blaine went to when he visited Stace & Chris when they used to live in Wichita Falls. It was so good! And it was so nice to not eat fast food. 

That was the front seat where I sat!

Circle H - so good!

Then we stopped in Houston at Brad and Katie's for the night. I wish we had more time to hang out with them! But it was nice to hang out with them even if it was just for a little bit.

Tieg, Blaine & Rue hanging out

And of course, we had to stop at Whataburger
for breakfast while we were in Texas.

Our next stop was Orlando. I had to convince Blaine to stop since we were so close to Miami, but we were both really tired and were in no need to hurry. So the Hoffmann's were kind enough to let us crash at their place at 3 AM! We're lucky to have them as friends. In the morning, Blaine and I went to Wawa. They expanded into Orlando! We stocked up on all of our favorites. Blaine was one happy guy. Wish they expanded into South Florida!

I am so happy that Blaine was so patient with me this trip. He usually hates stopping if he hasn't driven for more than 20 hours straight! I think he finally got the idea that stopping frequently is safer :) The fact that I was sick helped my case. I needed to sleep on an actual bed at night! The longest we drove was 14 hours - not bad!

Dont' mind my hideous looking self...but this is how we were the whole trip.

So we finally made it to Miami on Friday. It was a long drive, but we made it safely with no complications at all. That night, we went to a party that my new job hosted for the grand opening of one of their therapy locations. We were exhausted, but I really wanted to get to know my new co-workers! We were only there for an hour or so and headed back home to get some rest! 

Thanksgiving Point Half

So this was absolutely insane of me to do, but I signed up for a half the day after graduation. I really don't know what I was thinking when I signed up! I was only able to run twice in  April before the half. I was so busy with packing and studying for finals that it was impossible to train. Even then, I was keeping up my pace so I wasn't too scared. But I did no distance training whatsoever. I wanted to finish under 2:20 for sure. But it didn't end up that way at all! 

At the start of the race

My sister also ran this half and even though we didn't plan on running it together, we met up halfway during the race. She was sick the day of and also didn't train much because she was super busy working full-time and studying 30+ hours a week for her CPA exam that she took the day before flying to Utah. Yeah, we're a bunch of crazies. But anyway, I was worried that she was going to have a hard time being sick and dealing with the elevation change, but she did great! The first 6 miles were great for me, I kept at 9:00 minute-mile pace easily minus taking several unexpected bathroom breaks due to an upset stomach (my luck). But once we entered the golf course area, it was hell. The vertical changes were ridiculous. It was all super steep hills from then on. It killed me! But the run was really nice in the sense that it was super peaceful (running through beautiful gardens in gorgeous weather) and it was a relatively small race (nothing compared to the craziness during the Disney princess half). It was quiet and serene. So I'm glad that I did it even though I finished way after what I wanted (2:47 - yah). Anyway, it was better than the princess half so I guess I have a new PR :) Now I just have to beat this one and meet my goal of under 2:20 by the end of this year. My sister finished 1 minute after me so she has a new PR too! And it was really nice to run half of the race together. Also, I really wanted to get a medal from a Utah race before moving. That was my greatest motivation to run!

Almost at the finish line - thank goodness

With our medals

Our biggest supporter

My mom was our only spectator since Blaine stayed at home with his parents to pack the rest of our place (I felt bad leaving them working! :[ ) But I'm really grateful for their help! I couldn't have ran without them packing so much for me! After the race, we had free passes to Tulip Festival so we did that for a little bit before leaving. We were exhausted so we didn't walk all of it (since Damaris and I already saw it during our run) but it was really fun and beautiful!

Graduation - Finally!

So here are a bunch of pictures of commencement and convocation. I'm glad we went to both. Elder Perry spoke at convocation and I loved his talk! It is one that I really hope I'll remember and follow his counsel! 

Lining up to march

Blaine randomly ran into his first roommate and good friend, Mike,
 and a childhood friend from Delaware!

It was a beautiful day!

Blaine was kinda tired

Such a privilege to have him speak at our graduation

We were planning to meet up with Mechaella
but also ran into her randomly! Love this girl!

Same thing happened with Ryan!

After commencement, we went to the Provo temple to take pictures. It was such a great idea. The temple grounds were gorgeous and it wasn't as crazy packed as campus! 

We love this lady so so much! 

We wouldn't be where we are today if Grandmom and PopPop
 didn't make the choice to be baptized!

The love of my life

My moms!

For convocation, we were able to walk together in Blaine's college. I didn't mind walking with him because I didn't want family to have to sit through 2 ceremonies and I didn't really have a ton of friends graduating this year. And it was nice to share that special moment with Blaine! It was long, but it was nice. 

Before walking - with our girl!

Nina came with Luna. What a brave new momma!

Couldn't have done any of this without the
support of my amazing sister!

If you can't tell, the  Y is right above us!

With Dev!

The whole family minus Aunt Cathy who was taking the picture

Stace & Chris came too. They were also brave to come with 3
little ones!

Blaine loves his big sister and so do I :)

Love my in-laws

Blaine left Keith's wallet empty! Haha!

Hanging out with Miles

I chugged my favorite chocolate milk
ever right after we were done!

Where he spent many many hours studying

In front of our place. Miss it so much

Miles warmed up to Damaris at Cafe Rio after.

Melinda and Bryce got us this graduation cake. Thanks guys!

It was 2 crazy, busy and long days of graduation exercises. But I'm glad we both participated and had our family join too. I can't believe that we finally graduated! We officially received our diplomas in the mail last week. Even though we're away from Provo and BYU, we will be forever cougars!