Color Run

On Saturday morning, I woke up early and laced up my tennis shoes so I could go and run a 5k. This 5k was quite unique though. Throughout the course of the run, there were different color stations set up. While running through the color stations, volunteers threw colored cornstarch on all the runners. But that was only half the fun. After crossing the finish, all  us runners got to pick out our own color packet to throw around. The sky became clouded with bursts of color, and all us runners looked like we just finished rolling through a rainbow or something. It was fantastic. I took extra precautions and made sure to wear ugly clothes. I wasn't sure if the color would stain or not, so I decided to be safe rather than sorry. I also wore this ugly fisherman hat to protect my hair. It really just made me look ridiculous and made my head sweat a lot. Oh well.. I guess I'll just have to get into fishing this summer.

I just love running. I feel free while going on a run and I love the idea of competing against myself. Each run I go on, I am encouraged to better myself.

Not only do I think running is great for myself personally, but it can also be a great thing for others too! The Colors 5k was only part of a whole day event called "Colors for Tessa". Tessa is a young and very beautiful lady who is battling cancer for the third time in her life. You would think that would get a person down, but this woman stays positive and grateful. She somehow manages to still find the beauty and good in all things, even her own personal trials. I hope my little portion of what I paid to run in the 5k can help her precious family out. She really is such an inspiration. Just watch this video to find out for yourself. Grab a box of tissues while you're at it too.

Sunday Best: The Birthday Boy

That dashing young man I'm married to turned 24 today. And in honor of his birthday, I pretty please asked him to join me in my Sunday Best feature this week. He so kindly agreed. So on Friday we took outfit pictures beneath grey skies. Me in my feathered hat, he in his sweater vest.

Husband- shirt & shoes: Dillard's, vest & pants: Smith's 

Me- wool coat: delias, broach: thrifted, top: Modcloth, jeans: LA Idol, cheetah flats: PacSun, hat: Kohl's  

I dare say Brian even enjoyed his time in the spotlight.

 Happy birthday, my love. I hope it was a great day (more on the birthday soon, I hope). 

Instagrams & Milk

You know when you were little and when you got off the school bus, you knew your mom would have an after school snack just waiting for you? Well, I was easy to please. I always appreciated some graham crackers with a tall glass of milk to dip them in.

So for nostalgic value, I present to you Instagrams & Milk. I'll share with you some of my latest off Instagram. . .and I suppose you'll have to provide the glass of milk yourself. Let us follow one another; my username is mrskellwell. Cheers!

   Baby puppy. Baby anything is adorable. 

Meet our child, Luna. 

Time to shoot some baby goats, ducks, and bunnies. With my camera. Don't act so mortified.

New grill! Bring your own meat?

I'm from Idaho. We shoot guns at stuff for fun.

My mother dear had a bit of an umbrella malfunction at my brother's track meet. Isn't she cute?

Good morning, grapefruit. 

Don't you just want to maul her? 

Yay for pretty scarves! BWell picked this out for me. Such a good fellow he is. With excellent taste. 

Spring has sprung.

And yes, you can find an animal in the majority of my photos on Instagram. I have a problem. I think my real calling in life is to be a zookeeper. 

Party Time

BWell turns 24 today. It's time to celebrate. I think I'm more excited about my husband's own birthday than he is. But that's fine. I just love birthdays.



Love you, Brian. So grateful you were born 24 years ago today!

Shuffle

Just about the only times I religiously use my iPod are when I am at the gym, or going on a long run up the canyon or around the old brick houses in Logan. It's the thing that gets me through my daily workouts. However, during my workouts, I keep a few of my select playlists going on the iPod. Workout songs if you will. Lots of 80s power ballads and hip hop tunes come on. I would love to once in a while keep my iPod on shuffle while I'm working out. But the fact that 1/4 of my music consists of Christmas songs probably stops me. There's just nothing that makes me want to run up a hill harder than listening to Jingle Bells. . .

I kind of think walking around everywhere with headphones in my ears is rude. But this morning, I chose to be rude. So I walked around campus listening to my iPod. I put it on shuffle and some great song found their way to my ears. That is until I rode the bus home and the older gentleman driving gave me a look like, "Disrespectful kids, always listening to their music," and that's when I took my headphones out and listened to the song playing on the radio, which was "Memory" from the musical CATS. Which I didn't mind, I like that song. And then after listening to old man bus driver's music, I made sure to give him a polite, "thanks for the ride and have a great day." I think it made him happy.

And here are the first 10 songs that came up on my shuffle, which will (I hope) make you happy as well:



1. Run - Collective Soul 

2. Breakin' - All American Rejects 

3. Got To Get You Into My Life - The Beatles 

4. Your Call - Secondhand Serenade 

5. Stolen - Dashboard Confessional

6. Girls Don't Like Boys - Good Charlotte

7. (You Want To) Make a Memory - Bon Jovi 

8. Ordinary Day - Vanessa Carlton 

9 My Name is Jonas - Weezer 

10. Til Kingdom Come - Coldplay

Let's Get Rich and Give Everybody Nice Sweaters

Remember last week when I went to an Ingrid Michaelson concert? Oh boy, that was a good time!

Music is a beautiful thing. I learned that even more last Thursday as Ingrid sang some pretty words and as I glanced at the sea of people around me. There were so many different people in that building from all walks of life. Some of us were silly college girls who worry about grades, and love, and what we're going to do with our lives. Some were silly high school girls who worry about boys, and their friends, and what they're going to do with their hair. Some people were older with real careers, real goals, and maybe bigger worries too. Some danced, and screamed, and recorded all the performances on their iPhones. While others chilled out, and swayed back and forth to the music.

But despite everyone in that room being so different, we were there to listen to the same music, and enjoy the same songs. And we were all happy. It just turned into this room booming with music and oozing with happiness. And we left all our worries out on the street. That, my dears, is what music is all about.

Also, the opening band was freaking splendid. The band who opened the show was Harper Blynn. Shayla and I loved them, and you will too. I strongly suggest you check them out. Go here  to download their newest album, Busy Hands, for FREE. That's right. It's free. Free is rare. Especially for good music. We're not talking day old doughnuts here. We're talking music which is beautiful to the eardrums.

I want to be a rockstar.

Truth Tuesday

• I feel like if I slept for an entire day, I might be caught up. Might being the key word. I didn't realize how tired I felt until I pulled myself out of bed this morning. I guess they call it Dead Week for a reason. 

• It's BWell's birthday this weekend. He's turning 24. I love weekend birthdays because that means you celebrate over a course of several days rather than just one day. I'm bursting at the seams with excitement about it. Brian is so cool. 

• We've been having a bit of a wasp problem over here and it aint good. Yesterday while I was spending some time on our patio, there were several of them buzzing around my head. I wish I could tell you the exact number, but you see, my eyes were squeezed shut, and I was also covering my whole face with my arms. Then I'm pretty sure I went into the fetal position. I am not one of those girls that totally hates bugs or anything. It's just. . .I had a bad experience. At the ripe age of about 11, I was playing in the creek by my house one summer day, and an angry wasp unexpectedly stung my eyelid. I ran all the way back home screaming hysterically. The screaming wasn't so much because of the pain. Mostly because the skin around my eye was growing fatter and fatter, until suddenly I couldn't see anymore. You know the Hunchback of Notre Dame cartoon? Think of his face and that's what I looked like. The greatest part of the whole ordeal is that I had a sleepover at my house that night. At least twelve girls were coming over. I wore sunglasses to hide my swollen, hideous face but my friends grew suspicious after the sun went down and I was still wearing shades. And that's the story of why wasps make me hyperventilate. We need to get some deadly bug spray up in here.  

• Has anyone else noticed how all the car commercials lately just seem to tug at the heartstrings? Or is that just me? 

• Um. . .I won an award from the JCOM department. Outstanding Broadcast Journalism Senior. Even though it's not a huge deal, it gave me quite the confidence boost for the past week. 

• I love Logan, Utah. Summers here are great. I used to think I wanted to move far, far away. When Brian first bought the Allstate agency, I was happy but a part of me felt sad because I figured that meant we would be stuck in Logan. Such a lousy attitude I had. Lately I've really been noticing how beautiful it is here and how much this little town suits my personality. Someone knows what I need better than myself it seems :). This is the town where Brian and I fell in love. And just because we might stay here all our lives doesn't mean we can't travel. 

• Oh, and I'm so stoked for summer so I'll be able to spend more time with this guy: 

Sunday Best: The Bulge

All last week, the skies were rainy here in Logan town. Then on Friday, it began to clear up. It started out though, as one of those indecisive days. Friday just wasn't quite sure what it wanted to be. So that left me unsure of what I wanted to wear. So I improvised and dressed the lower half of my body for nice spring weather, and the upper half of my body I dressed for sad spring weather. Otherwise known as the skirt with the sweater look. Then I had sweet husband take pictures of said outfit. And sweet husband (bless his heart) failed to notice or tell me that my sweater was bulging at the bottom. So rest assured, I am indeed not with child. I have only fallen victim to the sweater bulge.

earrings: Target, sweater: F21, skirt: handmade by me, wedges: Payless 

I just love how you can see the Logan temple in the back corner there in the last picture. It's such a castle. Also, Happy Earth Day!! We went to an Earth Day festival on Saturday. It was splendid, but I sadly didn't have time today to do my own personal festivities I had planned. I'm hoping I can still do them later in the week. Because every day should be Earth Day, right? Just as every day the sweater bulge should be avoided at all costs. 

Guess Where I'll Be Tomorrow Night?

I'll just be listening to ma guurrl, Ingrid, sing her heart out with that voice of honey. No big deal. I'm way stoked. I need a break to get away from the gazillion projects I have due next week. . .and then I get to study for finals. . .don't even remind me. I have so much to do. 

But I'm sure after tomorrow night, my ears will be filled with happy songs and I'll be rejuvenated and prepared to be a good student. Uhhh, right? Entertain my thoughts, would you? 

Another plus to going to Ingrid Michaelson's concert tomorrow is that I get to go with my super cool gal pal, Shayla. It's about time we have a wild outing. I've been too busy for friends lately. Folks, it's a sad day when you're too busy for friends. Doing this whole college thing better pay off. 

Now that I've complained your ear off about school, heal that lovely ear of yours by listening to Ingrid sing this blessed song: 

FACT: I almost sang this to Brian at our wedding. But I settled on another song, in which I played the piano terribly, but Brian still said he loved it anyways. 

Truth Tuesday

• I don't think you've ever been formally introduced to our yard owl and our gnome. How very rude of me. Meet Archimedes and our gnome. Brian and I came across Archimedes back when we were dating. We ordered the gnome when we were engaged (we were so excited to have some garden space). Both of these wonderful objects seem to creep our house guests right out. We are the weirdos with the owl and gnome. 

• I do not understand a parent's thinking behind the whole "If you don't do this by the time I count to three" thing. It has no backing to it. Let's get serious here, parents. Your kid knows the count to three thing is just a big joke. Especially when you get to two and wait a whole forty seconds before you say three. But who am I kidding? I'm kidless and clueless about the whole thing I suppose. 

• I feel like I'm over college. I'm just through with being a college kid. You know what I mean? The whole "I'm finding myself right now through exploring, but I also know everything and I'm always right" attitude is just getting old. Like gag me. Ten times. 

• Apparently I am in a very sarcastic mood tonight. 

• Sometimes I feed Luna my candy bars. And my ice cream. I realize all the cat experts say kitties shouldn't eat chocolate, but she just wants some you guys. I can see the yearning in her big amber eyes every time. And it kills me. So the majority of the time I cave and let her just have a little taste. Brian tells me I need to stop it, but if Luna could talk I am truly sure she'd thank me. 

• My obsession with wanting to buy colored pants needs to stop. Like right now. 

• I totally should be writing a paper right now. Not blogging. Oh well.  

Firsts

I went on my first scooter ride of the season the other day. I also did a guest blog post for the first time. You may take a look-see over at side by side survival guide. You'll like it. Promise.

Happy Monday!  

My Brother is a Champ!

I have this little brother. Except he's not so little anymore. He is a senior in high school and it really weirds me out to think he will graduate in a little over a month. Lucky for me, he will be joining BWell and I at Utah State for a year before he departs on his mission. And then I'll miss him a lot and probably write him a letter every week.

Oh yeah, his name is Jace. I guess that's an important detail. Ronnie Jace.

I come from a family of track and field people. You know how some families are boating families or some are football families? Well, we are track and field people. Back in the day, I was very fond of long jump and hurdles. Hurdles were my specialty. Most people feared the hurdles and asked me if I was ever afraid of crashing and hurting myself. Well, you just don't think about crashing. You can't. You just run through the hurdles and if you bang a couple with your knees, you don't let it hurt until after you cross the finish line. There is an event that I think is much more frightening than running through a few hurdles. And that event is pole vault. Really, what could be more horrific than flinging yourself into the air with a big pole? Who wants to do that anyways?

Well, my brother does. And he rocks at it. He has been on this wild winning streak, taking the gold at each track meet every week. He deserves it too.

Two years ago, my brother had a very serious injury while pole vaulting at districts. He landed on his feet after going over the bar (something a pole vaulter is NOT supposed to do) which resulted in several breaks throughout his leg and ankle. It was something that took a lot of work for doctors to fix and a lot of patience and time to heal. Finally he's back and better than ever. Because of his serious injury, his leg will probably never be the same. If he does a lot on it, it still aches. I am one proud big sister. Jace is such an inspiration to me. He never complained about the surgeries, the time on crutches, the fact that he didn't get to pole vault the next year until the end of the season, he never did. I would have complained constantly if it was me. Any ways, I'm just really happy. He's worked so hard. I want more than anything to watch him become a state champ come May.

Ladies, he's available. And after growing up with three sisters, he is quite the gentleman. Plus he has killer arm muscles from all that pole vaulting.

Sunday Best: Joy Ride

Brian's ancient motorcycle broke down recently, which makes me extremely sad. You see, warm weather is just around the corner and we were looking forward to numerous joy rides. Knowing Brian and his genius ways, he will probably come up with a way to resurrect her.

Brian snapped some pictures of my outfit on Thursday just before the sun went down behind the mountain. He was feeling extra artistic and made me sit on Evangeline (that's what we call the motorcycle). We name inanimate objects. It's totally normal.

cardi: Kohl's, blouse: rue 21, jeans: Silver brand, boots: Buckle

If the worst happens and Evangeline must retire, at least we'll always have these cheesy pictures to remember her by. We will even frame one and set it on the nightstand. Ew, I'm totally joking. 

Guilty Pleasures

-Ice cream. Especially Coldstone ice cream. I could live off the stuff I tell you! My favorite flavor is Chocolate Devotion (big surprise there). I know most of the workers by name, and they know me and Brian too. Last week I think we went there four times. And most the time when we go through the line, one of the workers squints at us really hard and then says, "Hey, didn't we serve ice cream at your wedding?" Yep. Yep, you sure did. Coldstone is the foundation of our marriage. K, that was a joke. But seriously, it helps.

-Bubble baths with steaming hot water. I like to sit in the water for so long until I begin to fear that I will shrivel away.

-Painting my nails. It's that totally brainless part of my day where I get to just zone out for 20 minutes. Plus, bright colors always make me happy.

-Instagram! I also find it very amusing that I didn't have a smart phone until about a month ago (an Android) and just in time for Android to get Instagram. Win. My username is mrskellwell. Let's be friends. I would love to follow you and look at all your pretty pitchers. Or pictures. Or pictures of pitchers. Either way.

Would you totally judge me if I told you I'm eating Coldstone right now? We filled up our punch cards so we got it for free. Does that justify it at all? Or maybe that only makes my situation worse because you now know I eat enough ice cream to fill out a punch card. Awkward. . .

What are your guilty pleasures?  

And the Winner is. . .

I tricked someone into giving me a blog award. Because I'm sly and tricky like that. Or maybe it's just because the gal who gave it to me is the sweetest. And not to mention the funniest. Meet Whitney, the sweet and funny gal I'm talking about:




She blogs over at as luck would have it. And she gave me this charming award:

And these are the award rules:

1. Choose five up and coming blogs to give the Liebster award to. Blogs must have less than 200 followers.

2. Show your thanks to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them.

3. Post the award on your blog.

4. List the bloggers you gave the award to with links to their sites. Leave a comment on their blogs to let them know they've received the award.

5. Share five random facts about yourself!

The five bloggers I would like to award are. . .drum roll please: 

1. Stephanie's Ramblings

2. Thirty One Flavors

3. You Are So Deer To Me

4. Keeping up with the Kasparians

5. Sunshine and Scribbles

Congratulations, all. Cyber high-five from me to you. And now for the five random facts about me. . .just because: 

1. My senior year of high school, I played the part of Dorothy in our school musical, "The Wizard of Oz". Surprising, right? I don't talk about it very often, although it was an absolute blast! The best part? Oh, probably when my fake pig tail fell out of my hair and plopped onto the stage right in the middle of my grand solo of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow". Yeah, that was kind of awkward. 

2. I never eat the ends of bananas. I don't really have a reason for doing this either. I guess it's just habit. 

3. My freshman year of college, I doubled the freshman fifteen by putting on a whopping thirty pounds! I was on the track team at USU, you see, and apparently it's really easy for me to build muscle when I'm lifting weights like a maniac. None of my pants fit my legs. It was depressing, but in a weird way, kind of awesome.

4. Speaking of lifting weights, I love it. I think it's so fun and it's very stress relieving for me. 

5. Brian and I fully plan on naming our firstborn son Jude. Maybe he'll dress well and have a fine British accent like Jude Law. And hopefully he won't have anything against The Beatles, or he'll probably disown us.

  

I found this picture, just in case you didn't believe me. That's me, Dorothy, singing with a bunch of munchkins aka children. Toto was running around the stage somewhere. Yes, Toto was a real, living dog.  

Sunday Best: Easter Dress Edition

I hope this Sunday was the best Easter possible. I hope eggs were found and lots of chocolate and jelly beans were consumed. BWell and I hung out with my family. We shot guns and played with puppies that are almost a month old. Perfect afternoon if you ask me. And we sported some Easter dresses to church. I thought I'd share. And I have a special treat for you because I'm going to share not only my dress, but my little sisters' dresses and my mom's. I would like to thank them for being good sports. . .even though they may have whined a little about it. I'm not bitter about the whining. Not one bit.

Let's start with my dress. . .

dress: Dillard's, shoes: Shoe Carnival

Now let's take a peek at my sisters' dresses. They are pretty charming (both the dresses and the sisters). 

And just take a look at what my mom wore today (she made her dress because she's talented). . . 

Welp. That's all. Happy Easter and three cheers for pretty dresses!