Baby Jack

We would like to officially welcome our 4th nephew into the world!!!

Jack Keenan Glazier

11/11/11

He is so stinkin' cute and we love him very much!!

Congrats to Mary and Todd on a beautiful baby boy

We are the Champions!!!

NOTHING is better than having the team you have cheered for your entire life win the World Series....NOTHING!

Thanks Cardinals for the most exhilarating ride ever!!!

LET'S GO CARDS!!!

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

If you don't know already, I love Sports ;)

I did gymnastics for 10 years, grew up with season tickets to U of U football and basketball, and have recently learned to love soccer (thanks to Brian) and become RSL season ticket holders.

But my first love is...baseball.

My Grandpa has played, coached and scouted his entire life. My brothers both played, with my oldest brother playing at the U. If I was not at gym, I spend my childhood at a baseball field.

It was the first sport I learned nearly everything about.

So it is an understatement to say I LOVE October. The Playoffs are incredibly exciting for me. But it always makes it better when your team is in it AND winning.

Imagine my excitement over the past month watching my team be 10 games out of the playoffs, then winning the wild card on the last day of the regular season, then winning 1-0 in Game 5 of the Divisional series against the National League favorite, then beating your divisional rival (who hates you by the way) in the League Championship series and moving onto the WORLD SERIES.

Let's just say....Happy Flight!!!

LET'S GO CARDS!!!

USC...Dream Come True

Some people have Bucket Lists...things to do before they die, places to travel to and so on...

Mine are College Football Stadiums to Visit

-Rose Bowl...Check! (Sept 2006)

-Autzen Stadium...Pending

-Notre Dame Stadium...missed and regret...but one day

-The Big House...missed and regret...but one day

-Tiger Stadium (aka Death Valley)...

-The Coliseum....Check!!!! Sept 2011

I was able to cross off one of those this past weekend. I have been quite a few stadiums, but this one has definitely taken the cake...for now...

Standing in front of the famous Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Tower. I was in awe for the first hour we were in the stadium.

Everyone was so nice. Every usher, concession worker, waiter, fan (ok just some here) welcomed us to L.A. and to the PAC 12. I was so excited! When we walked into the stadium the Usher who took our tickets said "Mam...I would like to be the first to officially welcome you to the PAC 12 and to the Coliseum." I responded with "I have been waiting for this my whole life"...then proceeded to break down and cry. It was 14-months since the official invite and it was finally here!

Here we are at field level. Pictures don't do it justice. This place is HUGE!!! It is old, but you could feel all the history that surrounded you. So many legends (both football and Olympic) had walked and played in this stadium.

Even though the Utes lost, I regret absolutely nothing about going. It is a completely different experience being a part of the "big boys". I can't wait to experience all of the PAC 12 stadiums over the next few years...2 down 9 to go!!!

So Long Sweet Summer

June 8th I told myself...

"By August, you will be refreshed and ready to come back to school"

Well, its August...and I am not ready.

I truly believe last year was the hardest year of teaching I will ever have

So it can only go up from here right?

I have to keep telling myself this to make saying Goodbye to summer a little easier

No more sleeping in

No more Food Network all day long

No more freedom to do what I want all day

So...in the words of my favorite band

So long sweet summer
I stumbled upon you and gratefully basked in your rays
So long sweet summer
I fell into you
Now you're gracefully falling away

Hey thanks
Thanks for that summer
It's cold where you're going
I hope that your heart's always warm
I gave you the best
Gave you the best that I have

So, so long sweet summer
I stumbled upon you and gratefully basked in your rays
So long sweet summer
I fell into you
Now you're gracefully falling away

Good news! Fall brings so many good things :)

Best 5 years!

We must like the first weeks of July because not only will we celebrate our wedding anniversary, but also our first date.


2006
Brand New Love
We had only been together about 3 weeks when we took our first road trip together
Rascal Flatts concert in Vegas


2007
Celebrating my birthday and 1 year together up in Park City

2008
2 years
Reliving our first date up at Silver Lake

2009
3 years
Bees game. Baseball and fireworks :)


2010
4 years and ENGAGED!



July 9, 2010
BEST day of my life!
I finally married the love of my life and my best friend.


July 9, 2011

So here we are, getting ready to celebrate our first anniversary and 5 years together. I have absolutely LOVED being married to Brian. He makes me happier then I ever thought I could be. I am so excited to see what life brings us in the MANY years to come.
I love you babe!

Feet Update

So I went back to the doctor today over my cysts and got good news...

They are gone for now!!!

There is a good chance they will return...

so high heel shoes are out of the question for the time being.

But I am going back to my regular scheduled running, hoping they won't come back

(I have another 5k in August so must get back to work)

If they do come back, we now know that a simple injection will work, which is much better than having them surgically removed.

Happy to finally have normal feet again, for now.

Sore feet

Back in August, my feet started hurting...bad. I thought of ALL the possibilities of what it could be...

...sore from wearing flip flops...nope they still hurt in the winter...

...sore from old running shoes...nope they still hurt when I got new shoes...

...stress fracture from running....nope they would hurt when I had not run for days...

While attempting to keep my goal of running a 10k by the end of the year, I decided to keep running and deal with the pain

After my last 5k on Mother's Day weekend, I was putting lotion on my feet when I noticed something alarming...a bump..

So the mind wandering began again...

...bone spur...wart...What could it be?

9 months later, I finally made an appointment with a podiatrist.

Today I got my answer...

...A Ganglion Cyst.

So 2 needle pokes, numb toes, and bruised (sore) feet later, I wait...3 more weeks to see if it disappears...if not, it comes to Option 2 or 3...neither of which I wish to go through.

Cyst, Cyst Go Away. Come again...NEVER!

Karma

I get it from my mother...

...Superstition...

Wearing the same shirt or jewelry until its luck wore out (meaning the Utes lost)...making sure the flags were hung on the house and the car the day of a game...keeping the radio on 910 am (now AM 700) while we went into the games...sitting in the same seats every game, and if we didn't, we moved at half time...eating pretzels for 2 hours to keep the Utes winning (that's for you Hailie)...making sure every game was recording, unless they were losing then stopping the recording...Yes, this was how I grew up.

It wore off...During the 2008 Sugar Bowl season, I collected things throughout the season that became lucky. By the time the Sugar Bowl came around, I had a lucky shirt, pom-pom, towel, earrings, even underwear. We all know how that season turned out :)

Included in that season was a bracelet (you know, the Live Strong bracelets, just with Utah Utes on it)

Well that became part of my every day life in 2007 (I think...maybe earlier). I LITERALLY never took it off....only for my Wedding Day.

Just last week, while sitting on the couch, the unthinkable happened...it broke. Ask Brian, I was IN SHOCK for a good 2 minutes. I stared at it, not quite believing what had happened. Brian being the simple man he is simply said "Well, looks like it's time for a new bracelet" Didn't he understand??? This was THE lucky bracelet that had traveled to many Ute events over that past 4+years. The shirts, earrings and underwear came and went...but the bracelet stood strong.

Once the shock wore off, I decided it must be added to my shrine (Brian doesn't let me decorate the house with Ute stuff, so I have a cabinet dedicated to my second True Love...Brian being the first) It is now living out its life with the many other "lucky pieces" I have acquired over the years.

I became a little weary...what's going to happen now? Only bad things of course...

Well Karma had taken my side INSTANTLY. The Jazz got lucky in the lottery and received the #3 pick in the upcoming draft...a friend who had her car stolen just 2 days earlier had it returned to her in perfect condition...my dearest co-worker Catherine who gave up her full time position for me just a year ago, was getting it back to work right along side me...a prayer was answered (I will leave it at that) Only good things happening to me or those I love, therefore making me happy.

Maybe all this superstition stuff I was holding on to was actually preventing other good stuff from happening...it got me thinking...maybe it was time for a mind-shift

As for now, the whole superstition kick has been kicked. I can't promise anything come August (100 days!) but I will definitely try

Born This Way

She is controversial, eccentric, and borderline psychotic...

...but Lady Gaga's song lyrics to "Born This Way" are, in my opinion, as powerful as any song in recent memory.

As most girls in this world, I have always struggled with self-confidence. I will always have things I am self conscious about. I don't think I will ever get completely away from that. But recently I have realized I have to do certain things to be my best me. Things like exercise, eating right, doing puzzles, reading good books, thinking positively and taking criticism are all needed to make me become the best person I can be.

Working in elementary schools, I am seeing girls at incredibly young ages struggling with the issues I struggle with as an adult. It is unfair for them to grow up in a world with such negativity and where vanity is portrayed everywhere.

I don't agree with certain lifestyles, but I can respect others for their differences.

What's important is you love yourself, know you are born to survive, and most of all remember...

Baby, You Were Born this Way!!!

Trendy?

Maybe...

But this is one trend I am glad I finally joined


Hands down most comfortable shoes I have ever owned

I love Toms

Projects

During my 30 day blog challenge, I mentioned I wanted to get pictures hung in our house. The walls had been bare the first 6 months of our marriage and I was tired of it. So I made it a goal to get it done. When we bought the house, we had not planned to do much to it as we don't plan staying here for too long. But after nearly a year, we could not stand it anymore.

One of my favorite Christmas presents this year came from my brothers wife Danielle. She bought it in Colorado while visiting her parents and I loved it! After an extensive search for a frame to fit (and a realization that custom framing is expensive even with a 60% coupon) I took the pictures out of the mat and framed each one individually....D-A-H-L


Brian's sister Katie was kind enough to take our engagement and bridals for the wedding. She used one of our favorites in a photography project at the U, which she aced! She gave us the final project for Christmas. Who knew they would go so well together. 2 great presents from 2 great sister-in-laws :)

Along with that, Brian and I had been looking for a piece of Art for our house practically since we bought the house last May. We have vaulted ceilings which makes our walls huge and empty. So a few weeks back, we ventured down to the Starving Artists Show to see if we could find anything to fill the space.

We did! We found this beautiful, warm painting that was exactly what we were looking for. Pair it with a beautiful frame and we were in luck. The whole thing only cost $200! What a steal!!!! We were so excited to get it home.

Last but not least, my husband is a very good artist himself. He has books, boxes and notebooks full of sketches and drawings in the basement. He is always sketching something. But his new skill is window moldings. He was lying in bed one morning looking out at our front window and thought "Our window is really bare and ugly" So what does he do, he makes it beautiful.

Here is the window before...

...And here is the finished work..

I love that he is talented enough to do almost anything. He had never done anything like this before and it turned out beautiful. Even better news, the whole project only cost $20! Now only 3 more windows to go

If and when the weather warms up, our next project is to make our backyard beautiful. We love spending time outside in the summer, but our backyard is not in any condition to relax in. So hopefully by the end of the summer, you will see pictures of a brand new patio, a new fence and a vegetable garden. Wish us luck!!!

Last but not least...Day 30!

My favorite song...

This is impossible for me because I have more that just one

So here are 10 of them (in no particular order)


Somewhere Over the Rainbow-Almost any version

Memories of Us-Keith Urban

Love Like Crazy-Lee Brice

Bring it on Home-Little Big Town

Three Little Birds-Bob Marley

Utah Man-Utah Marching Band :)

The Way You Look Tonight-Frank Sinatra

Bless the Broken Road-Rascal Flatts

Moving On-Rascal Flatts

Breath-Faith Hill


Now for taking a break for a few days from blogging!

Day 29

I have learned one major lesson from this past month. Unfortunately it doesn't really have anything to do with this challenge or the goals I have set.

It started back on Jan. 11. (I only remember the date because it was the day of the Utah/BYU game). I started feeling sick early in the day and it quickly progressed into chills, fever, body aches and a sore throat. I decided it was best to stay home and cheer them on from the couch. Little to say it was a good decision as that night was terrible (ask Brian). But I woke up the next day feeling better, just tired and congested. Since that day, I have been dealing with congestion and it has been quite annoying.

Despite not feeling 100%, I still went about my life. Never missed a day of work (at both jobs) made it to every basketball game, hung out with friends and family, cleaned the house, and continued training for my 10k.

The week before Valentines Day I thought I had finally rid myself of it. I could breath at nights, mornings weren't spent decongesting, and I had energy again. Well, I was wrong. I woke up Feb 15, now 1 month and 4 days after it all began, and it had come on even stronger. Unfortunately I had early morning meetings every morning at school and could not afford to stay home for even one day. I tried to keep running. I still went to basketball games, the grocery store, etc. I took on the stress of work without even thinking that some things could wait a day.

Friday morning my vice principal came into my room to ask a question and it took her saying "Emily, you look sick. You can see it in your eyes" for me to finally admit I had bottomed out. I did feel sick, I had zero energy, and my body was finally shutting down.

With the help from Brian, Saturday was spent on the couch doing nothing. I slept in, watched 3 movies, took a nap and did nothing. I finally listened to my body and gave in. Sadly, I was forced to be a bum on Sunday (only going to my Grandmas for dinner) also. Today I felt better, so I tried running again, only to realize I am no where near where I should be with my energy. So I stopped at 2.17 miles and I don't feel bad about it. The laundry is still not done, I have not vaccumed in a week, and I have yet to run the errands I need to. But guess what, life has gone on.

So the lesson I learned is this...listen to your body the first time it tries to talk to you or 6 weeks later, you will still be fighting over the same thing and ultimately, it will win.

Day 28

Valentines Day 2010

Last year at this time I was working half time, living at home, and still dating Brian.

Now, I am married, own my own home, and surviving my first year of teaching full time. I thought I was so grown up a year ago. Little did I know, I had a lot of growing up to still do. I have learned a lot about myself in the past year and continue to learn more every day.

Day 27

Why I am doing this 30 day challenge...

1) I love challenges

2) It has given me something to blog during this uneventful time of year

Day 26

What do I think of my friends...

well obviously I like them, or they wouldn't be my friends. We always laugh, there is never drama, and I am planning on them being in my life forever...can't ask for much more than that.

Day 25

What you would find in my purse...

Wallet
cell phone
gum
glasses case/cleaner
lotion
chap stick
epi-pen

Those are my only needs in life :)

Day 24

My Last 5 Facebook Status's

Just when I thought the cold/flu/whatever was over, I woke up with another sore throat and runny nose...good thing I have Ellen in my life to take away all the worries

To celebrate Valentines Day, change your profile picture to you and your spouse/significant other. Re-post, and make sure to tell how long you've been together! We've been married for 7 months, but together for over 4 1/2 years...best time of my life! I'm so grateful to have a forever Valentine who loves me for exactly who I am. Love you Babe!!!

What makes this warm, sunny Sunday even better...knowing I don't have to get up to go to work in the morning!

A 2:30 exit was just what I needed...now for a 3-day weekend :)

Truly a sad day. Thank you Jerry Sloan.

Day 23

Something I crave a lot...

"I would sell my soul for a Pork Salad"


Hawaii (view from our beach house on our last trip)


Lime snow cone please

Once you go Double Stuffed, you never go back

Cheeseburger, hold tomato and onion. Fries + fry sauce. Diet Coke.

Day 22

What makes me different from everyone else...


I am deathly allergic to all nuts and anything with a shell

I have never been skiing/snowboarding and I've lived in Utah my entire life

I have to eat breakfast or I don't function

I don't get flu shots

I don't like taking medications, only if there is no other way

I can remember the score of a football game from 10 years ago, but can't remember something told to me 10 minutes earlier

I drive with my left foot, not always, but often

Day 21

Something that makes me happy...

Sports...but more specifically...

Any time we beat BYU

The Utes across the board

Rice Eccles Stadium...my sanctuary

and The Huntsman Center

The Jazz

and Energy Solutions Arena

Real Salt Lake

and Rio Tinto Stadium

The St. Louis Cardinals

and Busch Stadium. I have yet to make it here, but I will someday.

Sports is my favorite thing in the entire world. Nothing (besides Brian) brings me more happiness. From football in the fall, to basketball in the winter, and baseball/soccer in the spring/summer, I don't have a time of the year where sports is not in my life.

Day 20

Someone I love...

...this one is hard...

...not really...

Day 19

Nicknames

Well of course the obvious...

Em and Emmy

And now (finally) I am Auntie Em

But the 3 that actually have stories behind them

Eac

Look closely, they are my initials pre-married life (Emily Ann Castleton)

Cami and I went through this stage where I was EAC and she was CEC (Camille Erin Crawley). We thought we were so cool

Trip

This started at my gymnastics and infiltrated over to school when I was in 4th or 5th grade. It is pretty self-explanatory. I use to trip, A LOT. Over nothing at all sometimes. I was, and still am, pretty clumsy believe it or not.

Dumbo

It might sound mean, but it really isn't. This stemmed from cheer my senior year. The next time you are with me, check out the size of my ear lobes. They are huge and flop around. I was born with them not connected to my head. So my mom pierced my ears when I was young to try and weigh them down. They have come down, but still flop around. I am almost always wearing earrings, but you can still see them. So there you have it, the origin of Dumbo.

Jerry Sloan

In the midst of my 30 days of insight, it would be a shame to not post about one of the greatest coaches of all time.

Players have come and gone, but Sloan was a rock. In a world where most people are in it for themselves and for the glory, he was in it because he loved the game.

It is truly a sad day to see one of the few "old timers" finally break. I for one never wanted to see it happen.

Thank you Jerry.

Day 18

Plans: Live my life one day at a time.
Get Healthy

Goals: Run a 10K
Be the best wife I can be
Be Positive in all situations
Hang up pictures in my house


Dreams: Be a mother
See the Utes win a National Championship in Football and Basketball
Go to New York and see Wicked on Broadway

Day 17

Someone I would want to switch lives with for one day...


Brian.

I would love to see me from his perspective. I would love to be in his brain and hear his thousands of thoughts and ideas. I would love to know exactly what his day is like to better understand his frustrations.

Sounds weird, but I think it would be sweet.

Day 16

You guessed it. Another picture of me. Probably my favorite wedding picture

Day 15

It's not my full Ipod., but the Iphone will have to do (The Ipod is in the car and it is snowing)

Shuffle....first 10 songs

1. Man in the Mirror--Michael Jackson

2. Stigmatized--The Calling

3. That's How You Know--Amy Adams (from Enchanted)

4. Chasing Pavements--Adele

5. Need You Now--Lady Antebellum

6. The Way I Am--Ingrid Michaelson

7. More Than A Feeling--Boston

8. If It's Love--Train

9. I Run To You--Lady Antebellum

10. Magic--Colbie Caillat

Day 14

My Little Family

My new MUCH BIGGER Family

But both I love oh so much :)

Day 13

Dear Future Me...

Today you are happy. And here are the reasons why...

You are totally in love with Brian and he is very good to you

You live in a super cute house in a safe neighborhood

Both you and Brian have jobs that provide a good life

No matter how tough it can be, you have a great job with great co-workers

You are running 3-4 times a week, becoming healthier every day

Ellen is hilarious and puts a smile on your face every day

You are looking forward to one day being a mom

It is tough, but the budget DOES have a purpose

Spring is near

You are excited and optimistic about what the future will bring

If times get tough, read this and remember what all the struggles in life are really for.

Life is good!

Love, Emily

Day 12

How I found out about blogger...

I honestly can't remember


But the reason I have one...

I have never been good at writing in my journal, but for whatever reason blogging has been much easier. I have at least some record or what has been going on in my life. It has been so much fun to go back and look at the fun events I have had over the past few years, just like a reading back in your diary or journal would be.

That's why I do it...

...and who knows, maybe one day I will follow my secret dream and start a sports blog...

Day 11

We have the greatest friends and family...

...that we have traveled near and far with...

...that have stuck with us from the beginning...

...and will be there to the end! We love you all :)

Day 10

Songs I listen to when I am...

~~~happy~~~

anything by Jack Johnson, Rascal Flatts, Lady Antebellum

3 of my favorite artists/bands therefore the reason I listening to them when I am happy

~~~sad~~~

Angel by Jack Johnson, Stigmatized by The Calling, Disney Music

always seems to perk me right up

~~~bored~~~

anything...therefore stopping my boredom

~~~hyped~~~

Utah Man (usually is the reason for my hype) Don't Stop Believing--Journey

~~~mad~~~

Dashboard Confessional, my Chillin' playlist to calm me down

Day 9

Something I am proud of over the last few days...


One month into the new year, and I am on track with all of my resolutions

1) still training for a 10k

2) being more positive...last week was tough, but keeping my attitude right has made this week much better

Day 8

This topic comes at a perfect time since the new month starts tomorrow...

Short term goals for this month

Get to the 5 mile mark in my 10K training

Get the pictures hung in my house (yes it has only taken 7 months but I will get it done)

Get the remaining baseboards painted in the house (actually that's Brian's Goal)


I think that is enough for one month

Day 7

There is no one that impacts me more than Brian...

he makes me smile

he makes me mad

he drives me crazy

he makes me laugh

but most of all, he loves me for EXACTLY who I am

and because of that, I am the happiest girl in the world!

Love you babe :)

Day 6

Not only can Superman do super incredible things like fly to space, hold an island over his head, and stop a bullet with his eyeball...

...but somehow, he can hide his alias from the entire world by simply wearing nerdy clothes, glasses and working for a newspaper...Genius!!!

That's why he is my favorite Superhero...oh and it helps he is HOT!!