My first 10K

On Saturday I participated in my first 10k. I really enjoyed it! It was in Tooele, we ran down-coming out one of the canyons and it was beautiful! I didn't really take any pics, but ya know...it's okay. My s.i.l. Anne was the one who got me to sign up for it and it was her first 10k as well. Now I have run 6 miles before and it wasn't that bad, but I tell you going downhill was absolutely awesome! I loved it! My first 3 miles I averaged 10 min. miles! I haven't done that in like...never! By miles 4 and 5 I was slowing down but kept on going. Anne would take it slow on the down hills and I would speed up, but on the flat-er parts she would speed up and I would slow down, it was kinda funny that it worked like that but, it did. The canyon was so beautiful at 8 in the morning and it wasn't too cold either. I really got to look around and enjoy where I was and love what I was doing at that exact moment. I don't know when I really got that feeling on a run before. I'm so happy I did it. I finished the race in 1 hour and 5 minutes! Yay! that's my new 10k record ;) I didn't train like I should have and was super sore on Sunday, but I feel great today. I will do better in training for races, but I don't see too many in the near future as they are getting to be pretty expensive. I may only get a couple races in a year from here on out. That's okay, I still plan on making most of my days of running good ones and plan on going on long runs with my friends on the weekends. Here's to having a blast running the races!

Random things

O.K. M.C. broke his arm while Stephen was subbing in as coach for Dimples' soccer team. Becks was getting her team pics done while Starr was "watching" M.C. Yeah, that worked out really well. Half-way through the game, Starr brings M.C. over while shaking the broken arm and telling Stephen "he says it hurts when he moves it!" Yep, she did that. Stephen finished off the game, set Becks up with Starr for her team pics and game, then went to the clinic. We have the disk with the x-rays on it, but I'm not sure how to get those pics on here yet. Poor boy! He has a "Supracondylar fracture". I haven't got a clue what the exactly means, just that he did in fact break his arm somewhere near the growth plate. Dr. Bryan wants to see him one week after putting on the green cast...lets hope his arm will heal correctly!
I was running in this race while all of the above was happening. Great Mother's day gift!! just kidding, that wasn't my Mother's day gift. I didn't get one...not until Monday anyway. I needed a new ironing board and cover, a new shower curtain rod, and puff's tissues for our noses. (our noses that seem to run non-stop!)

This pic is of my birthday that I just celebrated! Tickets to a concert coming up very soon. I wish "U 2" could go with us! but I think the best gift was my own set of scriptures. I've never had my own, I always used my mom's old set or Stephen's. Yay!!! now I have my own, can't wait to put marks in them!OK, I think I'm all caught up. minus Easter pics, hiking pics, bountiful baskets, young women's activities...y'all know what its like, impossible to put it all on here.

Day 30

Day 30. Today. This morning I finally went for a run with Amanda and Lesa. I'm so happy I did. It was freezing cold with a temperature of 11 degrees and we went for a 3 mile run. I swear it's the hardest thing to do when it's that cold outside, but I did. I couldn't keep up, I had the hardest time breathing, and I swear my shoes gained weight. It was so hard to move my legs up and out and down. I really, really struggled. I eventually was able to breath better, but by that time I felt little pins and needles of cold in the back of my thighs. When that went away I noticed my toes were actually kinda cold. We were on our way back by then so it didn't matter. I did finish and my friends didn't have to carry me home. I warmed up way late in the day, but ya all know I'll do it again. I just wish that February's weather would wait until then and not be present in November and December.

Day 28

Day 28. Tylenol and Allergy pills. and yes modern medicine and doctors. I have serious allergies to my dog, Jake. It seems to be worse in the winter because we can't get outside all the time or air out the house when we want to. Thanks to the allergies I get sinus headaches a.lot. I try to be keep up on my own meds along with anyone else in the family, but man, you get tired of trying to remember everything. Thanks to Tylenol and my allergy pills, I can make my headaches go away and feel like running in the a.m. again with my friends. I am also grateful for the modern medicine and the doctors who do their best to help us, I know many people who would have a much harder life than they do now and I'm glad they are around.

This Weekend...

We had a fun, yet busy weekend. Most of this was Saturday. In fact I believe it all was on Saturday.
We ran in the ward 5k! All of us. well most of us. one of us got to ride in the stroller, but, he's only 3. Girl #1 ran it in 35 minutes!!!! Boy #1 was right behind her with 35 and half. I was right behind them with 37 minutes!!! I felt great and I loved that my family did this with me. Sorry, but no pics., we forgot the camera. Girl #2 started out the same, but she kinda gave up when the other two wouldn't let her catch up. Stinkers! She did come in before her daddy I do believe, but I could be wrong-I have been before. Stephen and boy #2 came in with 47 minutes. Stephen's knee went out on him again. We tried running earlier in the week and he did ok up to 3 miles, but then we had to walk out the rest of our run. Poor guy, I feel for him.

We then hustled home to grab a small breakfast, Girl #1 went to a young Women's service project we were off to Boy #1's soccer game. They won, but who's really counting at this age! He played his heart out and he didn't have any asthma problems!!!! I'm so grateful for that. I just love the little guy!

Then we were off to a Ragnar Team Picnic! We had so much fun. Stephen got to play with the metal detector and the kids got to play on the playground. I got to talk with some wonderful peeps!

Then off to the wonderful and spiritually lifting General Relief Society meeting! I went with my M.I.L. and we ate dinner at her stake house and watched the meeting there. None of her daughter's were able to make, but we all try to when we can. I heard what I needed at this meeting. Sister Beck's talk was wonderful and I needed it. It only reaffirmed that I'm doing exactly what I need to be doing right now. I really, really, really appreciate the fact that I have friends to pay better attention than I do. I really have a hard time remembering what's been said. I'm also glad that I can go online and catch what I missed.

The rest of my fam went swimming! The pool water was very warm from what I was told. They had a lot of fun and I'm glad my hubby was able to go with them. The next day, we went to church, girl #1 was set apart in a calling in young women's, we enjoyed church and the speakers, came home and did nothing really. It was soo sooo soooo nice. What a great weekend!

By the way, Stephen sorta fixed my dryer! more like put a band aid on it, so no more visits to the laundromat! Watch, it'll break for good and he'll really have to fix it, now that I've said something.

Another blah....

Just trying to keep up with this and I'm not always sure what to write about. So today, here are a few things:
Last weekend, Stephen and I were asleep. The kids had all gotten up and were having cereal for breakfast. Boy #2 started choking on his cereal and Girl #1 performed the hymlich (spelling?) She learned how to do this with infants and children from two babysitting classes at the local hospitals. She saw that he wasn't crying, breathing, or trying to caugh, so, she just helped him out. I thought don't you wait a bit? Stephen said, "Heck no! it could be too late! She did a fantastic job." I think I need a refresher on these things, I simply forgot what to do. I'm so greatful she was with them when it all happened. She is amazing!
I finally went running this morning. After 6 or so weeks of not doing a single thing, I got up at 5a.m., got ready, met up with my friends, and we ran for 3 miles. They are quite impressive. They don't just stop and wait for me, they keep running. They go to a corner, turn around pass me, go to a corner turn around and pass me to take the lead again. It works out great cuz, no one is really running alone. I'm so happy and greatful that they are doing this and I get to go with them. Lesa is going to have her hand operated on this week, so I hope she makes a quick recovery.
Stephen asked me why I always start-up running (again) in the dark? Why can't I run when the sun's out? Because I don't know, I can't answer him. Fall is the perfect time for running, so, sorry honey, I can't answer that question at all. I'm jus happy to be back!

It's Soccer Season!!!#1

Hello and welcome back to sports talk! Just kidding, I wouldn't know what the heck that is since we only watch free public t.v.

Boy #1 played his first game of the season. They didn't win, but hey that's ok. He did however have fun. That's the best reason to play. He worked hard and almost made a couple of goals. He is a funny boy and I sure do love him. He is such a good boy, just love my kiddo's. These pics aren't the best, but hey, it's sports and I had my camera on the wrong setting. See ya!!!

Holy what!? The month is almost over???

So I've been a little busy. I haven't had a chance to sit and do this blogging thing I wanted to do. This morning, I finally have a chance. So here goes.....

June 5th...Ran 5.5 miles at 5ish a.m. then went on a gorgeous hike with my family to waterfall canyon. It was so much fun! I really am starting to get into this exercise is fun stuff! Oh yeah!!!

And yes, in order to get the slurpee from 7-Eleven down the street, you HAD to stand under the water fall. We all know that!

Later that day, my family celebrated my Dad's Graduation Party!!! (Retirement) My dad is the coolest, he only wanted his children and grandchildren there. It was a very nice and relaxing evening. Thanks Dad, Love you!

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June 8th, more running but this time, we had to visit the dentist.

3 Cavaities for Girl #2 and 1 for me. Our Smiles say it all!!

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So during the next couple weeks, we had lawn mowing for girl#1 and a friend-couple of ours had a wedding for thier oldest daughter, I had lots more running days (I needed some sunny ones that just never.showed.up!) I think the total miles I ran in the last 3 weeks is about 46 miles not including Ragnar, and I decided I needed to paint the kitchen walls between the cuboards and counters area. That was fun. (But it looks great!)
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We went on another hike in Millcreek Canyon. We took the Pipeline/Rattlesnake Gulch trail. The kids are absolutely made for hiking. Boy #2 got to ride up the whole way. It is a 2.1 mile hike up and then you get to come down the same way. It was super steep which was good training for me. I pushed myself to go as fast as I could, but with having run 4 miles that morning and trying not to over do it because of Ragnar, I was kinda slow. It was fun and fabulous. I'd probably hike it again. Probably.

So much fun and so many things happening the last couple of weeks. You now know why I haven't posted. I was having too much fun!!!!

A little late, but that's okay!

On May 8Th, I ran in the Susan G. Komen 5K in S.L.C. I started going to it in 2008 because the year before my Mom had breast cancer. She's all good now with a healthy report card. The first year I walked most of it in 1 hr. 6 min. The second year I ran most of it in 41 min. This year I ran all of it in 34 min. I was so dang pleased with myself I kept telling people, even if I already told them. I loved that race. It was a great day with lots of fun with family. Yay!!! here's to doing what I can to stay cancer free!
My girls went with me this time. Girl #1 ran with my pregnant s.i.l. Sheila and Girl #2 walked the mile with my mom. These are our pre-race pictures. (The post-race ones aren't that great.) I do believe I like the short races.

Oh Yeah!

I'm so excited to be able to say this.....I ran 7 miles on Wednesday with Lisa and two other gals. It was awesome. I only had to stop once and that was at mile 6-ish. It was a great day, no rain or snow. It was warm enough for just the running shirt and pants. I took my camel back with me so I would have plenty of water,which by the way, is a good idea. The camel back didn't bounce like you'd think it would, you just have to make sure it's tight enough to your back. It's the same way with backpacking-tight to your back. Anyway, the only run-in with a dog was about 1/2 mile away from our destination. The others were waiting for me, because, ya know, I'm slow but steady. They were on the other side of the road and were jogging in place. One gal was trying to shew the dog away, but went to the group once they saw me coming. "Just yell at it" they said. Oh I was prepared, I made sure my mouth wasn't dry. I yelled at it telling it to go to its kennel. The dog kept barking at us but started walking away. Ya just gotta know how to handle a dog I guess. This dog was probably trained to not leave the yard, so I really wasn't worried at all. It was the funniest part of our run.
All in all, it was a great run. I loved it and I'm no longer sore. I can't wait to run the Susan G. Komen race on Saturday!!!!! Wahooo! a simple little 5K in S.L.C. No biggie.

April's going's on's

Holy cow!!! where does time go? I don't think it flies, it just totally avoids me.

So, onto a lot of mini posts!

Easter: We had a good one. The kids loved trying to find their baskets, poor girl #1 had to really hunt for hers. I even gave her the best of all hints, and she still didn't get it. She's older, that's why she has to look harder. Girl #2 found hers in the oven. She laughed and thought that was the silliest place in the world for it. Boy #1 and Boy#2 had it easy this year, but me thinks that boy #1 had help. When we dyed Easter eggs a few days before, we had some brown eggs to use. I got to color those eggs and they turned out fabulous! The colors were richer and darker, just gorgeous eggs to be hidden. It was some good fun for Stephen and the kids. We visited with family and had a great time.

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Soccer: Soccer started at the first of this month. All my kids have been having a blast and rockin' the field. I love it. Girl#1's first game, she scored the first goal and then they kept playin' their hearts out for another one. They didn't win, but Wow! they worked hard and it was a very entertaining game. The others that she's had have also been very entertaining. The teams have been well matched and they all work so hard it's awesome to watch. She works hard and wants to keep playing. Girl #2 is coached by Stephen. They have been doing very well. If the whole team makes it to practice, they usually win the next game. Just goes to show that teamwork starts with practice. I'm proud of Girl #2 for the hard work she is putting in. Boy #1 is coached by me. I'm so proud of Boy #1 and his team. They work together, they put their all into each quarter they get to play, they are playing like they should, that's all there is to say about it. I'm very, very proud of them.

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I started running at the first of the month again. I'm so syked to do the races coming up. I love to run and have missed it so much. Stephen has been going with me in the mornings 'cuz of how little miles I could do in the beginning. Last Thursday, we got up to 4 miles with some hills. It was awesome! Friday was a hill-ey 3 miler and Saturday, oh Saturday. Oh.My.Goodness! I met my friend Lisa in So. Ogden at O'Dark-thirty. We went for a 4 mile run. We were in South Ogden. Many of you know the area and only see the main roads, not the neighborhood. Oh. Ouch. The neighborhood we went in had some very wonderfully hard hills to run. I had to walk several times (sorry Lisa,) but had a wonderful day the rest of the day. I was sore. Almost immediately, but overall I felt great! In this pic, this is what I saw by the time I was home. So beautiful and welcoming. I love running. I haven't had a chance to go again, but another Thursday morning run will be just what I need. It is 5 miles with Lisa. So excited.

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New Couches!!!!!!! I have never, in all my 12+ years of marriage, owned new couches. We had some hand-me-downs that were probably as old as I am. They have served their purpose and have been disposed of. We are getting the home ready to sell and Stephen decided that new furniture, carpet, and paint will make it easier to sell. I'm so excited. The bathroom on the downstairs floor is finished, so onto the kitchen for new paint and flooring. The living (front) room will also get new paint and flooring. We have been storing things away to help us have some more room. I'm so happy! We will hopefully have the paint and new flooring done before the end of May. Woot! Woot! we should have done this years ago!!!! Oh yeah, I also got a new camera with the couches. Love my hubby!

What a good morning!

It's 10 a.m. and my dishes are done, front room cleaned, hair done, I'm dressed, my boy#2 is dressed (has been since 7:30), beds are made-sheets washed and put back on, and my laundry is half done-only one more load to dry. I think I'm havin' one of those days again. It's been a looong time comin', yes, yes it has.
I think it's due to me waking up at O'Dark 30 and working out with the hubby. Nothing really hard on the legs-only 10 squats and almost 5 lunges before the IT Band started in. Lots of upper body and 15 min. of yoga. I think I can get used to doing this for a month until I can run again. Yep, it'll work for me.

Don't forget, in case I don't write until after the 14th, it's daylight savings time. Spring forward. We lose a precious hour. Start practicing now and it'll help you later. Ha ha ha.

I'm Grounded.

Wednesday, in the a.m., I ran up my stairs and started switching the laundry from washer to dryer. I stood in front of the washer and was turning towards the dryer. Ow! what the heck? My knee felt like it needed to be popped and twisted back into place. Oh. My. (@. (curse word) I tried so hard not to cry. I worked out my knee so I could at least walk on it. Later in the afternoon, I went for a nice and easy bike ride at my mom's. When I went to bed, my knee had a very dull pain, so I took some ibuprofen and went to sleep.
Fast forward to Thursday morning.
I went for a run on Thursday morning with Amanda and Lesa. We walked out about a 1/2 mile then started to run. Sharp, shooting pain from the knee up. OW! OW! OW! I didn't even get half a block before I started limping/running. I called out to Amanda and Lesa, they waited. I told them I couldn't go further. (Side note: If I did go on, I would have had to run down a hill, then back up. That would have hurt me more.) I wanted to cry so bad, but held it in. I was so frustrated that my body is sabotaging my efforts to run and to do that well. I was so mad I almost said some very extreme choice words, but I held my tongue in front of these two friends of mine. They didn't need to hear it, and I'm pretty sure they understand how I'm feeling about now.
I told them to keep going and I was going to walk back to Amanda's place. I was very watchful and careful and nothing happened. By the time I got back to Amanda's, my knee had a dull pain sort of in-the center-of-it-but-more-on-the-outside-of-my-knee. I got my keys and phone from the house and started to drive to my mom's to ride the bike. I called Stephen on the way and he said to just come home. "Your body is telling you to take a break and get better." CRAP!!!!! For real?!?!?!?!
My mind was so not having this. I wanted to run. It felt good to run. I miss it! So, I go home, crawl back into bed by Stephen, he holds me and I cry. I can't understand why this is happening. He tells me it's because my body is trying to strengthen itself and sometimes it has to be torn down to build back up the muscle and strength. Double Crap! We talked about the location of the pain and he has decided that it's my IT Band that is hurting and that it hurts because I have favored my foot for too long. "We" decided that I needed to take off a month from running. I should just do some walking after a week of rest, and do a lot more upper body and abs stuff. I can do that, right? I hope so, because running or riding the bike is the only true way I have felt I get any exercise.
Good thing I had a doctor's appointment that day.
I went in and visited with the doc. He agreed that I needed a month to completely heal my leg. He still tells me I haven't lost enough weight to truly run like I want to but by the beginning of April I should have lost enough and my leg should be healed up by then that I can start really training for my runs I have in May and June. Lets.hope.so. He said that if I kept going and re-injuring myself, I'd keep getting discouraged. (Side note- I have lost about 10 lbs. since I started taking the phentermine. That's not bad. I don't think I could have done it without the pill.)
So, for now, I am able to go on brief walks. Once my tendons start to heat up and hurt I have to slow down and take it easy. I haven't like to relax more than usual. I don't really like to just not use my legs for exercise. It's so not right. Gurrrrrr! How many ways can you say or describe "Frustration." I'd like to see what you comment with. Tell me how many there are. Maybe I'll make a whole post of the different ways to describe frustration.
Well that is why I'm grounded. Maybe someone can post a good exercise that won't hurt and I feel like I've exercised.

My stupid lame foot.

So it's been awhile. I haven't forgotten about my blog, just too lazy to post anything until now. At the beginning of January, I hurt my foot somehow while I was running (for the first time in a month.) I hurt it on a Tues., did nothing Wed., did a boot camp on Thurs. (due to red air day), did nothing on Fri., and tried to do a 4 mile run with Amanda. We got about 1/2 mile out and I was ready to limp back. By the way, I limped 1/2 of that 1/2 mile. I went to the doctor later that day. I was in luck, the doctor that saw me is a huge runner; big into marathons, especially in Alaska. I told him I was training with my friends to run a 1/2 marathon and I needed to be getting back on my feet for training. The x-rays came back clean-no breaks, bone spurs or calcium deposits or anything that he could see that would be causing me pain. He determined that a tendon in my foot became inflamed. Or in another word Tendonitis. (For real!? I have been running pretty consistently since March of last year. I'm too young for this to happen. Stephen told me I probably stepped wrong when I was running and didn't realize it until it was too late. YUCK!) We were discussing this and I asked him "so, as I lose more weight, my foot will be able to do better right?" That was all he needed. He said my weight is probably one of the bigger reasons as to why my foot hurt. In another few words, I was to fat to try something like this and unless I lose the weight, I'll keep hurting myself. He put me on a pill-as small a dose he could give me that would help me (something to help increase my metabolism a tiny bit and to help curb my appetite,) told me to ride a bike and do low-impact exercises. He said if I could walk 3 miles without hurting my foot, then I could start running again.

I have been riding a bike with my friends as they run and I have been going to use my parents stationary bike the other days of the week. I am losing the weight a little bit at a time, but I'm finally seeing results of my hard work. Because I have been riding a bike, Stephen wants to go for rides. Problem is, he doesn't get home until it's dark and I don't want to go that late in the day. I'm a morning person and I like to workout in the morning, not at night. We did go for a ride a couple of Saturdays ago. We left our house and rode the parkway trail to I-15. A 8.5 mile round trip. The ride was great, I kept up with Stephen the whole way until we were almost home. That is when I noticed the flat tire I was trying to use to get me places. It sucked. Stephen is my hero. He traded me bikes. I didn't realize how nice the ride home was until we traded. We got home freezing because it got dark, after a beautiful sunny day I was used to the warmth. Ah, such is life. We haven't had a chance to go out again, but I continued riding with my friends and riding the other bike.

Last week I finally ran for 3 miles. Of course I had to walk a bit of it, but that was totally okay with me. I haven't run for over a month, I needed this. The next day, my foot hurt. Thankfully not as bad as it did before. I ran again, and my foot hurt more the next day. All I can say is Ibuprofin is good stuff. I took Saturday off. I rode the stationary bike on the off run days. I feel good, I feel like no matter what I do, I have to exercise somehow. My doc said to do it 6 days a week, but so far I can only get 4 days in, 5 if I'm lucky. I just know that I have been praying for a very long time for a way to help me lose weight. I have absolutely no self control, but now I'm learning to recognize when I'm hungry and when I'm not. The little pill that he gave me is, in short, an answer to my prayer. Some may disagree, such as my husband and a couple of friends, but I needed something more than just me. I'm grateful for those friends who either agree with it or disagree, you all have helped me to know you care. I am also thankful for your support either way. I love my friends and family and I'm to thankful your in my life. I know I'm not going to be on this pill forever. I should be able to hit my goal before the end of the year. It will take lots of work and I'm willing to put in the hours. I feel guilty for taking the pill, like I'm cheating or something, but I also know that I needed something to help me. Sorry for the novel, but this is my turmoil from the last couple of months. More to come later.

Gratitude Catch Up!19-30

Oh. My. How time flies by!!!
All right, if I was cute or artsy or a little literary smarty-pants, I'd make up a song or a poem for the rest of these, but I'm not, so you don't get a song or anything remotely close. Get settled with a cup of hot cocoa, put on your slippers, and enjoy the (not written well) novel!
11-19-2009: My Calling. In our ward, I'm the primary chorister. I really like and am glad to say we finally, have a pianist for primary and she is excellent! I love to hear the kids sing and especially if they know the song well, they tend to sing louder than me.
11-20-2009: Friends to hang out with. On this day my friends and I were finally able to get together. No one was sick and no one had anything going on. I loved it. It was so much fun to talk about whatever and laugh. Oh, how I love to laugh and these friends of mine made. me. laugh! I'm grateful for them and being able to around them. They always have a good, uplifting attitude and are very inspiring.
11-21-2009: Baptism and Cookies! On this day my family and I were given the opportunity to witness a young girls decision to join the church. She asked that I speak at her baptism on the Holy Ghost. I was so grateful for the opportunity. I mean how often do you get this? usually only for your children or nieces and nephews. Cookies! Oh I love cookies, they are so bad for me. If we have them, I eat them. If I make the dough, I'll eat just it. I love cookies and I'm glad to report, that I'm learning to control my passion for them and eat only a few instead of all.
11-22-2009: Boy #2! Oh how I love this little guy. He makes me: smile, cry, frown, laugh, dance, tired, think about how best to potty train him, HAPPY, more loving, search, have my own "A-ha" moments. I'll comment on this last example. He's now noticed when I look for something, I'll say ah, there it is. He is now saying (anytime he's looking for something) "A-HAA!" Oh it is funny, walking out of the store, "A-Ha! there it is" when asked where the vehicle was. He says it when looking for a toy, book, shoe, food, anything.
11-23-2009: Boy #1! Oh he is a cutie. I love this kid. He is smart and works hard in school. He laughs hysterically at all the funny things-even if they aren't. He smiles and has the cutest dimples that will melt your heart. He's a charmer, but refuses to kiss anyone, except for special occasions. Which, by the way, there haven't been any. He loves to run and play on the couches. He loves, loves, loves to tease his big sisters! Oh. my. goodness. The fights that erupt. I'm learning to be patient and calm when this happens. I'm trying to get the girls to realize he likes them and will tease them because of it. He is full of love which then helps me love him even more. He tries so hard to do well, and gets upset when he fails. He knows we love him and will always be here for him. He needs a hair cut often, but that is part of what makes him so cute. There is so much to him, I love his personality and the things that make him, him.
11-24-2009: Girl #2! Oh what a fun loving gal! When she was little, she used to stutter. It was the. cutest. thing. in. the. world. She is always so helpful and loves, loves, loves art. She is constantly drawing a picture of the family or something else. I just love her so much. She calls her grandma to arrange sleepovers for her and boy #1, without my knowledge. She is the best girl #2 that I could ever have asked for. She once asked when she could quit piano, I told her when she can play like her teacher. She frowned at that, but she is still trying hard. She makes me laugh. She tries to make everyone happy, but she is a tease! She is a great reader and loves it. She likes to play school and other games at home. She loves to play on the computer and is getting good at the games on the pbskids website. She loves school and what more could a parent want than that!
11-25-2209: Girl #1! She is FUNNY! at least she thinks she is. ;} I really love her and appreciate all she does here at home. She helps watch the kids, does her piano without being asked, does her chores, helps the others with their chores, and she still gets to hang out with her friends. She is getting older and looks it. I'm sad that my first is growing so fast. I didn't realize that she is going to be a teenager within a few years and I'll have lost her to her friends. I hope not. I hope she'll always be able to talk with me. I hope she knows how much we love her. She is an amazing kid, full of love for all, happiness, joy, the occasional bad day, joking, teasing, patience. I could learn a lesson from her.
11-26-2009: Stephen. I love him. He is my rock. I love his support for me and for our children. He supports us all in sports, church callings and activities, home endeavors, school work, friends, and most of all, family togetherness. He always tries to be home when something is going on for the kids or me. He loves us and it is evident. He works in S.L.C. and the drive takes him away from us an extra 2 hours from what we're used to. He loves to: hike, bike, camp, fish, backpack, metal detect, scouting, go to parks, go on walks, pretty much anything outside, and the most important is, that, he always involves us in these activities. I'm grateful for him involving me and our children in his life.
11-27-2009: Thanksgiving and the run that morning. I was able to meet up with Amanda, Lesa, Lisa, Trevor, and Celeste for the Ogden Regional M.C. 5 mile run. It was actually closer to 4 I believe. I ran it in 46 minutes and 28 second. That averages my mile to 11:57. That is fast for me. I usually have a 13 to 14 minute mile. I'm very pleased with it. I'm grateful for the friends that went and ran it with me, even though we stayed together for maybe a half mile. The crowd that was there was huge! I'm glad they waited for me to finish before they went home. That was nice of them. Thanksgiving was a good time spent with family. I enjoyed it and the food.
11-28-2009: Santa Run 5K in Ogden. I ran this by myself, no friends. I was a little sad about that, but I handled it because my wonderful husband and great kids were there to cheer me on. I ran this 5K in 34:50. That is my fastest time of all my 5K's this year. I loved it. I felt good, but tired and hot. I overdressed because we were staying for the parade and fireworks after the run. I was happy though. I wasn't last. I finished the race in great time for me. My husband and children got to see me race. It was my exercise for the day. In 72 hours, I started with a race and ended with a race. It was a good weekend.
11-29-2009: Jake our dog. Jake is a black Lab and Weimaraner mix. He's beautiful. He protects my family from strangers and other dangers. He watches them when they play and makes sure they are safe. He protects us while Stephen is at work or gone camping with scouts. He is always ready to play, but, is obedient when he can't. He is the best dog for our family. He went hiking/metal detecting with Stephen this day. They went early in the morning and they went far up the mountain. To the top in fact. Jake was right there with Stephen, always loyal and faithfully by his side. At the beginning of the hike, about 3/4 to the top of the mountain, Stephen misstepped and started to slide on the rocks going down. He caught himself quickly, but Jake, sensing Stephen's initial fear, pushed his head onto Stephen's chest. It was harder for Stephen to hang on and he had to let go sliding down the mountain face, Jake jumped onto Stephen's chest hoping to stop him before he truly got hurt. Stephen did stop and Jake jumped off him. I'm glad Stephen wasn't alone on his hike, he was bushwhacking and didn't go on a trail. Jake was there to help where he could. Jake will always be a part of our family, no matter if Boy #1 and I are allergic to him and have asthma due to him being in our home. Jake is a faithful, loyal, truly good animal and a huge part of our family. The kids love him, Stephen loves him and I like him very, very much.
11-30-2009: Our general good health. Other than the normal colds, we haven't fared too bad thus far. This is the season for many sicknesses and usually we get them by now. I'm very glad that my kids are all healthy, no diseases for us to worry about. We have truly been blessed by the Lord. Earlier this month, our cousin's son was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer, medulla blastoma. He has tumors on his brain and some on the spine. The doctors are treating it as aggressively as it is acting. The poor little 3 year old has been going to radiation treatments five days a week for six weeks. I believe this is the beginning of week three. We pray constantly that all will go well. He will begin chemotherapy after the radiation treatments. He will have several of those, I don't know exactly how many. It will be a long process, a very long time before any of us can be near him, due to it being the cold/flu/pneumonia season. We love this little guy and think he will make it. We hope and pray for all those who are sick, we hope all will be well with all of you who read this. We are very grateful for our general health and hope you will be as well.

Guess What!? I RAN

I ran almost a full 4 miles this morning. I was 16th shy of the full 4. pbbt! I know I could have ran all of it, but I didn't know when to stop. Oh well! I'll be working on it this whole week. Oh, and it only took me 45:50, that is something I can live with. Mel and Manda, you know it took me this long just to run 2 miles when I first started. I'm excited!

November 7th

I'm thankful for running in the morning (only three miles) and then hiking in the afternoon (2 miles.) I'm learning to like exercise even more. I'm thankful for the time I get to spend with some favorite people! My hubby, sister Sue, My kids and My friend Amanda! Good times! We ran in the morning, before the sun ever decided to poke its head up. No sun at all. The hike was in the afternoon at a great time of day. It was beautiful, warm, and not hard at all. All the kids hiked up fast! We went to a cave, but I am an absolute chicken and wouldn't go in. Everyone else did. They are crazy, but had smiles when they came out of the cave. So, I'm thankful for fun activities that make you exercise, even when you don't want to.

Friday was legs day

We did leg workouts on Friday morning. It was awesome. My legs could handle it. I was so surprised. We started out with a couple of laps around the school parking lot to warm up with. We then did our workout. It consisted of many things, but I enjoyed each of them.
1- 10 hills, 30 curb jumps, 30 backward lunges= one set
2- 10 hills, 30 curb jumps, walking lunges 20 ft. out then back= one set
3- 3 laps
Then on to the Obstacle course:
1-20 toe touches on Bosu or 20 jumps
2-Rope ladder on ground, stepping into and out of squares while doing squats holding a medicine ball going down and lifting it up over our heads when standing up.
3-4 hula hoops placed in a square. jump forward and backward, side to side. 5 times
4-walking lunges while doing overhead presses with 5 lb. weights. about 15 -20 ft. there, then do them back.
5-10 Hurdle jumps(1/2 ft. off ground)
6- Lap around to other side
10 hills
sprint length of obstacle course
Start over again.

Oh let me tell you how much fun we had. We did this for an hour. I really liked it though, because it was at my time of day, 6 a.m.! YaHoooo! I loved it!
I can't wait for Amanda to come back so we can try some of these things.
Just think, we'll be ready for anything.

Thursday was a running hike

We went for a hike starting at 24th street and going east to a southerly direction. It was not as bad as I thought it'd be. I actually really enjoyed it, except for after the first 5 or 10 minutes into the hike, I fell. Actually, I tripped over a stupid root of an oak brush. I can't believe I did it. It is really in my true fashion to trip on any hike, so, yes I can believe it. The pictures don't even tell it all. I finished with a little blood and a very sore leg. We even went further than the trainer was going to take us. It felt so good to come down. The whole lot of us went super fast. I really like to go down hill, it was a lot more fun and an easier time. My leg muscles were pretty sore after this hike/run. I could barely walk. What is a hike without a little road rash. That is just how my life is. My sil Sheila did really well. She just makes up her mind to do it, then does. She is awesome!

Wednesday was Arms day

You all know what that means. We did so many things, my shoulders and arms hurt for days later. I don't know all we did-because there were so many things we did-but we did high reps with only 5 lb. weights. I don't get it. How did I become such a wimp? We did shoulder presses (30=one set), ones where your arms are at right angles and you bring them into to touch elbows and wrists (30=one set), we had our arms to our sides then lifted them straight out to the sides (20=one set), we did hovering push-ups (20 or 30=one set), we did planks but took one arm at a time and lifted out the 5 lb. weight (20 or 30 each arm=one set), we had to do sit-ups holding one weight above us then switch arms (30 ea. arm=one set). We did this one thing that is like a squatting pliae' that we'd bring our weights in hands to the center, then as we stood, we lifted them out to the side, then up to the top to make a circle. I'll just have to show it. It is harder for me to explain things than show them. I know we did some more things, but I can't remember them all.
That night I had a hard time picking up boy #2. He only weights about 25 lbs. I truly hurt for a few days.