Miami Marathon

Here is the video of the marathon! It was an incredible experience. Crossing the finish line filled me with a rush that I will never forget. I am truly amazed at how we are capable of rising to meet challenges. Thank you for your support!

Endurance

I have been training for the marathon now for a couple of months and feel great! I have come to realize though that my mental strength is just as important as my physical strength, so I have been collecting motivational moments throughout the week to help me finish the marathon strong! Here is a video about one of those moments. It happened at my spinning class this week.

Adverse Conditions

I am training in Utah, in January! (translation, this week it snowed!) Yes it snowed on the day I had planned to do a really long ride. My husband and I set out, and had quite the unexpected day.

This experience reinforced in me that adversity, though uncomfortable, is essential and necessary in determining your committment to reaching and achieving your dreams.

My First Marathon

I have been training for the ING Miami Marathon which will take place on January 29th. This is my first marathon and I have been helped along the way by FitStudio. They not only have provided me with a fitness trainer and nutritional coach, but they surprised me with a competitive handcycle too! This is the first in a series of videos that I will be posting about my experience.

Ogden Orchestra Concert

It has been a busy and exciting fall! I had the privelege of performing with the Ogden Chamber Orchestra. We performed works by Schubert, Vivaldi and Mozart. The orchestra was organized by Dr. Palumbo who serves as the conductor as well. Our performance hall is at the Union Station in Ogden. I love that building. During the concert FrontRunner trains will go speeding by. It is a fun atmosphere to catch a concert.

Merida, Mexico

Issac and I travelled to Mexico over Thanksgiving to spend time with Grandma and Grandpa Richards. We visited the ruins at Uxmal and Issac carried me on his back up and down the steep ruins. As we climbed the second tallest structure, a group of teenage boys were racing each other up. When Issac and I made it to the top, the group began to clap, acknowledging Issac as the real man!

Thanksgiving dinner was also one of my most favorite memories of the trip. We ate with a group of adults mostly from Mexico. They were excited to celebrate this American holiday with us. Grandma made a delicious turkey and stuffing and others in the group provided the other dishes for a traditional meal. The woman in charge of the mashed potatoes had never made them before and didn't know they are supposed to be served piping hot. Instead, they were taken directly from the refrigerator! It was such a fun day and I was grateful to be there with new friends and members of my wonderful family.

Big Bike Ride

One sunny afternoon, Issac and I decided to go for a bike ride. We wanted to see if we could get from our house to Legacy Highway (a wonderful trail that starts on the west side of the Salt Lake valley). We made it to the trail (about 4 miles away) and decided to keep going. We kept going all the way to Issac's parents house in West Point! That is 30 miles via the trails from our house in Salt Lake.

Dr. Seuss

Speaking to groups of Young Women is such a treat, and I especially love it when I am invited up to a Girl's camp! One camp I spoke at this summer had a creative Dr. Seuss theme all around, "Oh the Places You'll Go". In preparation for my message that night, I reflected on how opportunities and challenges, as well as the influence of wonderful people have shaped my life.

Ice Cream

Before the summer faded away, Issac and I needed to satisfy our ice cream tooth. Issac wanted to take me to one of his favorite places to get ice cream: Farr's Ice Cream. This charming ice cream stop in Ogden invites you to step backward in time with their aqua colored walls and sweetheart chairs.

I wanted to take Issac to my farovite summertime haunt, Pace's Dairy Ann where we enjoyed their famous Rainbow Snow Ice Cream. It's a fun treat made out of flavored slushy and soft vanilla ice cream. Yes, it is yummy!

Then the favorite treat that has common significance between the two of us is Nielson's Frozen Custard. To justify this heavenly splurge we took a 2 mile walk one perfect summer's evening to the restaurant. I love my walks with Issac, because we hold hands and talk.

The "UP" House

When Issac and I heard about the "Up House" built in Herriman, Utah, we had to make the drive to see it during the Parade of Homes. Built as close to the cartoon house as possible, this house makes you feel like you have stepped into the cartoon. I think if I lived there, I would play pretend all the time.

As part of the open house, the builders had balloons coming out of the chimney. They even made the grape soda adventure club badges just like in the movie.

Another fun detail was a grandpa and a boy dressed up as Carl and Russell. Carl even had his walking stick with tennis balls.

Russon Cabin

While we were on a little weekend trip in Park City, I wanted to take Issac up to see the Russon cabin in Heber. This cabin holds so many wondeful memories for me. Because Utah received so much snow last winter, Issac and I had quite the time getting to the cabin with there being several washed out roads.

What Defines You?

About one month before starting Junior High, while clothes shopping with my mom; I had separated myself from her in search of the perfect denim shirt which was the fall “must have” item. As I worked my way back to her, I passed by a column of mirrors that traveled from the ground all the way up to the ceiling. As I went past them, I noticed out of the corner of my eye something black and large moving along with me.  Surprised, I looked around to see if there was anyone around me. When I confirmed I was alone, I looked in the mirror to discover what it was I saw.

For the first time in my life, I saw my wheelchair. Understand, I knew I was in a wheelchair, but on that day I became aware of the social aspect of being disabled. I began to fear whether or not I would be accepted by my peers at my new Junior High.

The school that I was supposed to attend was not what I call “rockstar” (a.k.a. handicap) accessible. I was starting this school year without all of my elementary school friends.  From that point on I carried an anxiety with me for almost the rest of the summer.

One morning as I was thinking about what I was going to do, a song I used to sing all the time as a child came into my mind:

“If you chance to meet a frown, do not let it stay.

Quickly turn it upside down and smile that frown away.

No one likes a frowny face, change it to a smile.

Make the world a better place by smiling all the while.”

This experience taught me what it was that defines me: my happiness. I believe each of us has a trait or an ability that can define our lives and inspire those around us.

Miss West Point Pageant

I was invited to participate as a judge in the Miss West Point Pageant. The criteria for this pageant are public speaking, service, talent development and poise. A swimsuit competition was not part of this pageant. I was delighted by the beautiful young women who particpated for the title of Miss Jr. West Point and Miss West Point. 

Summer Bike Riding

I have recently taken up handcycling. Issac and I enjoy riding all around Salt Lake and stopping at fun locations for a justifiable treat! My favorite was riding to the Sweet Tooth Fairy on Foothill Drive for a delicious cupcake! YUM!!!

BYU Education Week

Last August I had the privelege of performing a few songs with Jeannine Goeckeritz (yes, my mother-in-law!) and Tamara Oswald for their concert at BYU Education Week. Below is a sample performance of "King of Love My Shepard Is."

Music and the Spoken Word

I love starting my Sunday mornings performing in the Orchestra at Temple Square with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  It is sublime listening to the beautiful choir!

West Point Junior High

I believe that influencing the younger generation is a responsibility and an opportunity.  I was invited to present at my brother in-law’s Jr. High School earlier this month.   I challenged the students to determine what it is they not only want to accomplish this year, but also in their future.  It is my hope that with that determination, they will believe that they can accomplish whatever it is that they see is within their reach. 

"Prioritizing Your Time"

My husband travelled to Kenya a few years ago with a humanitarian group.  He recently put together this short of a chaotic road trip. I have noticed that my life can become just as chaotic as this road trip was. 

Click the play button to watch video.

During busy times, the best way I have found to cope is to focus on the essential and prioritize my tasks.  I have been taught that most of our decisions are not between good and bad.  Rather they are decisions of Good, Better and Best.  My greatest weakness is saying no to activities or causes that I feel have great value.  When I take a moment before committing myself to an activity or a cause, I ask myself where it fits, is it a Good, Better or Best activity. We can learn what we are able to handle and where our influence can have the greatest impact. 

My New Bike

For Christmas my husband gave me an adaptive recumbent hand bicycle, and I LOVE IT!!!!  My goal is to do a 33-mile bike ride with my friends the first weekend of June, and possibly a half marathon with my sister in October!