Baby, Kids, and Adults

So, Renee sent me the cutest email about the cost of raising a child and its true worth. I have been wondering lately why I absolutely love children and sometimes (most the time) prefer their company over adults. Because the best years of our lives are when we are children. And being with them helps us go back for a little while. Parent are so lucky to have them around all the time. But I am even luckier to be able to have them around when I want and when they start being pains, "Here, you can have him back". I love my nieces and nephews because I have an excuse to play make believe again, or watch Monsters Inc. over and over. Or an excuse to just giggle and giggle and giggle. And if I want to dissect a bug, I can if I have a little kids around. Instead of looking morbid and cruel for pulling the legs off, I look like I am teaching and exploring the animal kingdom with a child. I am admired rather than scorned by my ability to ooze the guts out. But what I love is being able to sing with my niece Kenna over the phone and she doesn't say, "Aunt Carlye you sing terrible". She just keeps singing, louder and happier. And I smile and laugh. Instead of having to run on the treadmill for and hour to get a work out, I can chase my nephew around and around while burning an astronomical amount of calories because I am laughing so hard between trying to catch my breath. Why do I love kids? Because they make me feel alive, more a live then anything else. With children, when I take a deep breath its a breath of peace and joy, not a breath of relief and exhaustion. Bless the children!!!!!!!

SWIM, BIKE, RUN a tiger is chasing you!

What a way to celebrate a birthday, a triathlon! We had so much fun. It was the perfect temperture for the whole race. It about killed me, but it felt so good. I was also very humbled. I thought I was tuned up to swim, but after my first lap I realized I was out of breath and really dragging. I guess I need to practice a lot more. IF anything the tri kicked my but in gear to work harder at training.
It was also really nice to be able to hang out with the family and just chill afterward. We all were wiped out and hungry. I liked getting away from home and not having the worries of my house, job, or calling. An escape from reality for a bit. But now I am right back at it. I am excited to go to work in the pm because one of my bosses is out of town and this should give me the opportunity to get my office in order and catch up on some stuff.
You know what it would be really cool if we as sisters could all take a little road trip and do a triathlon together. Who would be interested?

Easter

I love Easter. Its a great holiday!!!! One reason is that there is NO PRESENTS. But an awesome home cooked meal by my mom. Oh, and for the Dahl Family we have a huge reunion this summer, the first week of August in Provo.

My Best Friends Wedding/ Girls Trip

So, last weekend I spent in Oregon with one of my best girlfriends. Why would we go to rainy Oregon for our trip? Because it was my best friends wedding. Don't worry, it wasn't a guy and I definitely wasn't trying to steal her back. Although the thought crossed my mind to kidnap her and bring her back with me. That way I wouldn't lose her to the most adorable "husband". But I love her way to much, so I decided to support her very wise decision. I couldn't find a better matched couple. It's like draft horses pulling loads, they don't have to be exactly the same they just have to work together to get the load going. And the two of them are very different, especially in size, but they are a perfect match pair. I could see how much Matt adored Amanda and how much Amanda loves Matt. It was a great experience, although bitter sweet. As I sat in the temple waiting for them to come in to begin the ceremony I thought back on the experiences Amanda and I have had. There are way to many to record and almost all of them are better kept secrets. She is an amazing friend and I have yet to meet another human being who knows me so well and who I just love being with. It is always entertaining or comforting. Everyone deserves a friend like that, and hopefully it is their spouse. A true bosom buddy! Someone who you can live with, but also someone who you wouldn't want to live without. As I watched them come in to be sealed for time and ALL ETERNITY, I realized that they too were best friends. It was so nice to see that Amanda was in good hands with my REPLACEMENT. I was jealous he gets her, but I think he really deserves her and I know she deserves him. I hope that when I kneel at the alter with the man I love that my eyes and heart will be filled with as much love as I saw between them. I know he will be my best friends too. I just wish I could find him and he find me, gosh dang it.

Although my trip with Emily was a blast. Sometimes it is good to be single, oh so good. We had a blast, driving in our hot red rental sports car across Oregon's beautiful country. Or dancing in our flip flops in the pouring rain outside the Portland Temple. Or getting lost in the middle of, who knows where. I still wonder where we were? And going to an Irish pub for good entertainment and delicious food, while finding that guys in Portland really like Mormon girls who don't drink or want to go home with them, HA HA! And of course the unlimited amount of treats we had stashed in the back seat. OR the pleasant delight of shopping without sales tax and the killer deals. Like on Irish decoration and Adidas bags.
Yeah, its not so bad taking a girl road trip.

Coming back is killer. Going to work the next day for 10 hours and then training for my tri in 3 weeks. I don't suggest coming back from vacation and running 3 miles, biking 15 and swimming for 30 minutes. It just is a little bit exhausting. But oh how happy I am to be alive and be able to do all this!!!!! Lucky, HECK YEAH BABY.

SISTERS

When I was younger (early 20's) my oldest brother fell in love. At first, I was really jealous, especially after meeting her. I mean, seriously, who had the right to STEAL my brothers attention from me. Then one day it dawned on me, I am not losing a brother, but actually gaining a sister. And from that point on I decided she was my sister. Jenny made it really easy. I got so excited to finally have an older sister around. Brothers are great, but lets be honest, they just don't understand everything like a girl does. I hated being the first girl to...... well you know what I am talking about if you are girl. I loved having Jenny as my sis. And I still do. Then Jared decided to get married too, that one was a lot easier. I, instantly, loved Renee. She made it really easy and I knew Jared was getting really lucky to have her as his wife. I really appreciate Renee for letting Jared marry her. And ever since they tooking thier wedding vows, I have never had a sister-in-law. Only sisters! Jenny, Tessa, Renee, Alli, and Kiss. So, to respond to your comment I never had a sister-in-law, only sisters. And that includes you. I hope that is alright. (Sometimes I think I like them more than my brothers, but don't tell them that.) Just kidding Matt and Jared.

Top 20 Things I Love

1. ICE CREAM
2. Horses
3. Skiing, water and snow
4. Being outside in the sun or dancing in the rain.
5. Being with my family, doing anything.
6. My nieces and nephews
7. My sisters (and sometimes brothers:) just kidding always my bros
8. French Fries, but the really good kind, not old stale ones.
9. Beautiful sunsets, that take my breath away. Pretty much every evening in Cache Valley
10. My dad's laugh, when he really lets it go.
11. Teaching my adaptive learning seminary classes.
12. My mom's sweet hugs and listening ear.
13. Of course, my dog, SAGE.
14. And of course my very comfortable bed!
15. Monster's Inc, the movie.
16. BOOKS, especially the classic, like Jane Austen's.
17. The gospel and what a calming effect it has on me all the time, especially during my prayers.
18. I love all my experiences I have had with my family and the smiles it brings to my face as I recall memories.
19. I love to Laugh, I mean really laugh, and laugh long and hard.
20. I love being a live. Being able to experience all the wonders of the world because my legs work. Being able to ride my bike for hours or going running on a trail or swimming, just becuase I want to go. I love the beauties the Lord has left me to see. The feeling of love I feel from God when I hear birds sing.
21. I absolutely love enormously the sound of a child's laugh, giggle and squeel. Because I know everything is going to be wonderful!!!

Single Life

I have heard so many times, "it is great to be single, enjoy it while you can! You are so free and happy." I agree with the happy part. If you are a happy person, it doesn't matter what stage of life you are in or not in, you just are happy being alive. Most the time. But the FREE part, not true. At least, not for me. I feel like if I were married, with family, my focus would be directed and my strings wouldn't be pulled ever which way. Now, I am not complaining or saying you mothers out there have it easy. OH NO! I know it isn't easy for you, and I would have to say being single is easier. It is easy. Let's face it, a single person can, USUALLY, say, "I have had it I am picking up and moving to Bahamas." Well I guess that isn't exactly true. Even being single, I am not that free. Let me explain. I have not just 1 job, but two, and if that weren't enough I have a house I am building. And if that isn't enough I have 6 horses and a dog. So, I guess, in a way I have 7 children. But, with one special benefit, if they make me bad or get too expensive, I can just sell them. If you do that with kids you might get in trouble. So, as you can see I am not exactly free. I am sure you are reading this and thinking, if she only knew how hard it is and how busy it is and how..... But single life isn't easy. Marriage life has many benefit if you have forgotten. (Not just the legal and allowable sex). For example instead of dating several guys and trying to deal with all thier idiosynchroncies, you deal with one guy. Instead of trying to figure out if you want to go out with a guy again, you don't have that choice anymore. Instead of trying to figure out what you want for dinner, it's easy you just fix something they like. Or because I am single everyone thinks I have oh so much FREE time, not a chance,. As Relief Society President, all of a sudden I have no free time to even paint my toe nails. Guys seem to come out of the wood work and want to take you out. Even if you wanted to go out with them, you don't have any free time. Because during your free time you are sleeping or showering. A MUST!!!! I am sure Sage thinks I have abandoned her and she's is so mopy and sulky. But don't worry I find time to give her TLC. Anyway, enought of my venting, bla bla bla. What do you think?