I can't tell you how many people came up to Tim and I to comment on Carter's dancing. He really does love to dance and gets very into it!
Friday, May 24, 2013
A Chip off the Old Block
Today was the dance festival at the elementary school! We had three very excited kids to dance to Stayin' Alive and Gummy Bear. Georgia is waiting in anticipation till she can dance next year!
I can't tell you how many people came up to Tim and I to comment on Carter's dancing. He really does love to dance and gets very into it!
I can't tell you how many people came up to Tim and I to comment on Carter's dancing. He really does love to dance and gets very into it!
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Mother's Day 2013
I love taking my annual Mother's Day picture on our front porch. We also had a new mother join us...Mrs Robinson and Mrs Bird. The robins who have made nests in our yard....they are such wonderful, protective mothers!
 |
| Tim, Abby (8), Annie (8), Carter (8), Georgia (5) and Me |
Saturday, May 18, 2013
#4 OM
4:17:20 (as per Garmin)
AP: 9:45
My love for the Ogden Marathon grows every year I run the race. So when my ankle continued to ache and ache this week, I wasn't sure if I would be able to run. I went to my favorite sports medicine doctor and he gave me clearance to run with VERY strict instructions to take two weeks off after the race!
After my appointment, I immediately headed up to Ogden to get our race packets. While I was at the expo I met the legendary Jeff Galloway. Awesome!
This is the earliest I've ever gotten up for a run/race. Yikes....that is early!
I drove to my good friend Karen's house to carpool up with Jill (Karen's sister), Smooth, Karen. As we drove up to the start, the weather forecast manifested itself. Rain, rain, more rain AND a headwind. We tried to catch the last bus so we wouldn't have to wait in the rain and mud. But we still had a good hour to contemplate the upcoming 26.2 miles!
The start line staging area is so majestically beautiful. We all wore rain ponchos or garbage bags to try and stay dry from the pouring rain!
My main goal for the race was to stick with Smooth and run a 4:30/4:45. I knew with my lack of training and various injuries, I wasn't going to be making any personal records!
MILES 1, 2, 3 (9:48, 9:50, 9:50) (water stop 3) Finally, it was time for the start gun to go off. I started with the group (Karen, Jill, Smooth, Lowell and Susan), but we quickly started to trickle away from each other. Karen and Jill took off.
MILES 4, 5, 6 (9:22, 9:30, 9:58) (water stop 5) I lost Smooth/Lowell and Susan at the water stop, but was able to find Paul and Tiffany! What a blessing to find friends! It made the miles go by SO MUCH FASTER! We talked about gardening and traveling. I was so engrossed in our conversation that I forgot to take my GU at mile 6.
MILES 7, 8, 9 (9:36, 9:32, 10:09) (water stop 7) Took GU at mile 8. Still hanging with Paul and Tiffany. We were having such a wonderful chat and taking in all the beautiful surroundings. Last year, we ran by a field of stampeding horses and luckily, they were there again! Majestic!
MILES 10, 11, 12 (9:53, 10:12, 9:54) (water stop 11) Though I was feeling great mentally (compliments of friends and good conversation), I felt like I hadn't found my physical mojo. I felt like I was really making an effort to keep the pace (slow as it was). I started thinking this could me a long few hours. We had a short walk break.
MILES 13, 14, 15 (10:37, 10:34, 10:00) (water stop 13, 14, 15) We stopped at the POPS at mile 13. It was a nice reprieve from the rain for a few minutes. BUT, I lost Paul and Tiffany. I waited for a minute or two and then took off. The only hill in the race is at mile 14. Last year's feelings from conquering the hill and having a race turnaround came flooding back. I knew I wasn't in last year's "super-star race shape" and I wasn't sure how to process my mental state. I heard a volunteer say to another runner, "Just gut it out". It became my new motto. This stretch is my favorite part of the course. I finally turned on my Ipod.
MILE 16, 17, 18 ( 9:34, 9:41, 9:25) (water stop 17 and 18) I felt my physical mojo coming alive, but I still had a long way to go. I knew my mojo could quickly leave as fast as it came. My favorite songs on my Ipod came on and I tried to just "ride the wind". I happened to run into Maynard (Smooth's friend). I said, "Hello. I don't really know you but I'm glad to see you. If you are a friend of Smooth's, then you are a friend of mine". We hardly talked, but I was grateful for his company. I saw Jill and Karen at the mile 17 POP. I was so surprised to see them. I thought they would be miles ahead of me. So seeing them gave me the mental boost that I wasn't totally bombing this race. GU at 18.
MILES 19, 20, 21 (9:12, 9:36, 9:05) (water stop 20) I really was feeling wonderful and was just trying to keep the momentum going. Maynard had a great pace going and I was hanging on. My body was starting to get tired. My quads, hips and feet were starting to ache. I wasn't sure if I was going to blow up, but I still had about an hour left of running. 60 minutes is a long time to suffer. We started to see spectators and it gave me a mental boost. I was starting to miss my family and kept thinking about them during the next few miles.
MILES 22, 23, 24 ( 9:35, 9:21, 9:58) (water stops 22, 23, 24) I had not looked at my watch the entire race. I had no idea how slow/fast I was going. When we got to mile 22, I asked Maynard (who wasn't wearing a watch) if he wanted to know the time. He said no, so I didn't look. In a way, it was liberating to just run by feel and not time. Around mile 23, I couldn't keep up with Maynard any longer and let him go. I still felt strong, but knew I still had 30ish minutes to go and couldn't keep the pace that long. "Just gut it out".
MILES 25, 26.2 ( 9:55, 9:48, 3:14) (water stop 25) After I had walked through the water stop at mile 25, I had a bit of a mental breakdown. I started to cry (which no one probably noticed since it was still raining and my face was already wet). My body was done. I wasn't sure if I could make it one more mile. I knew I just had to put one foot in front of the other. Literally. I was beyond wet. My clothes were heavy with 4 hours of rain. My feet were squishy in my shoes. My body had been up since 2:15am. "Just gut it out". Those last 1.2 miles was a pure mind over matter moment. One foot in front of the other. Left...right...left...right.
Crossing a marathon finish line is such a surreal experience. My body started to go into shock. My legs started to cramp up and I wasn't sure if I could even walk to the car. The Coke I drank was starting to make me sick to my stomach. I started to shake uncontrollably. While we were waiting for Smooth to finish, I sat on the curb with chattering teeth. A sweet medic came up to me and asked if I wanted a space blanket. It was like manna from heaven. Karen's husband gave me another blanket to help me warm up.
One of my favorite parts of the finish line experience was watching other runner's reaction as they "crossed the line". Friends holding hands, emotional runners bursting into tears as they conquered their own mental demons, giving loved ones hugs, family members cheering with delight, children holding signs for Mom and giving 5's, and some falling to the ground with exhaustion. I just got teary eyed watching their own stories unfold. I understood every one of their emotions.
(Smooth, Lowell and Susan crossing the line)
(Jill, Karen, Smooth and Me)
I didn't have an epic run today. I wasn't even close to a personal best. But I ran 4 hours and 17 minutes in the rain and conquered a few of my own mental demons. Running with friends is much more enjoyable than running alone. And I learned the real meaning of "Just gut it out".
AP: 9:45
My love for the Ogden Marathon grows every year I run the race. So when my ankle continued to ache and ache this week, I wasn't sure if I would be able to run. I went to my favorite sports medicine doctor and he gave me clearance to run with VERY strict instructions to take two weeks off after the race!
After my appointment, I immediately headed up to Ogden to get our race packets. While I was at the expo I met the legendary Jeff Galloway. Awesome!
This is the earliest I've ever gotten up for a run/race. Yikes....that is early!
I drove to my good friend Karen's house to carpool up with Jill (Karen's sister), Smooth, Karen. As we drove up to the start, the weather forecast manifested itself. Rain, rain, more rain AND a headwind. We tried to catch the last bus so we wouldn't have to wait in the rain and mud. But we still had a good hour to contemplate the upcoming 26.2 miles!
The start line staging area is so majestically beautiful. We all wore rain ponchos or garbage bags to try and stay dry from the pouring rain!
My main goal for the race was to stick with Smooth and run a 4:30/4:45. I knew with my lack of training and various injuries, I wasn't going to be making any personal records!
MILES 1, 2, 3 (9:48, 9:50, 9:50) (water stop 3) Finally, it was time for the start gun to go off. I started with the group (Karen, Jill, Smooth, Lowell and Susan), but we quickly started to trickle away from each other. Karen and Jill took off.
MILES 4, 5, 6 (9:22, 9:30, 9:58) (water stop 5) I lost Smooth/Lowell and Susan at the water stop, but was able to find Paul and Tiffany! What a blessing to find friends! It made the miles go by SO MUCH FASTER! We talked about gardening and traveling. I was so engrossed in our conversation that I forgot to take my GU at mile 6.
MILES 7, 8, 9 (9:36, 9:32, 10:09) (water stop 7) Took GU at mile 8. Still hanging with Paul and Tiffany. We were having such a wonderful chat and taking in all the beautiful surroundings. Last year, we ran by a field of stampeding horses and luckily, they were there again! Majestic!
MILES 10, 11, 12 (9:53, 10:12, 9:54) (water stop 11) Though I was feeling great mentally (compliments of friends and good conversation), I felt like I hadn't found my physical mojo. I felt like I was really making an effort to keep the pace (slow as it was). I started thinking this could me a long few hours. We had a short walk break.
MILES 13, 14, 15 (10:37, 10:34, 10:00) (water stop 13, 14, 15) We stopped at the POPS at mile 13. It was a nice reprieve from the rain for a few minutes. BUT, I lost Paul and Tiffany. I waited for a minute or two and then took off. The only hill in the race is at mile 14. Last year's feelings from conquering the hill and having a race turnaround came flooding back. I knew I wasn't in last year's "super-star race shape" and I wasn't sure how to process my mental state. I heard a volunteer say to another runner, "Just gut it out". It became my new motto. This stretch is my favorite part of the course. I finally turned on my Ipod.
MILE 16, 17, 18 ( 9:34, 9:41, 9:25) (water stop 17 and 18) I felt my physical mojo coming alive, but I still had a long way to go. I knew my mojo could quickly leave as fast as it came. My favorite songs on my Ipod came on and I tried to just "ride the wind". I happened to run into Maynard (Smooth's friend). I said, "Hello. I don't really know you but I'm glad to see you. If you are a friend of Smooth's, then you are a friend of mine". We hardly talked, but I was grateful for his company. I saw Jill and Karen at the mile 17 POP. I was so surprised to see them. I thought they would be miles ahead of me. So seeing them gave me the mental boost that I wasn't totally bombing this race. GU at 18.
MILES 19, 20, 21 (9:12, 9:36, 9:05) (water stop 20) I really was feeling wonderful and was just trying to keep the momentum going. Maynard had a great pace going and I was hanging on. My body was starting to get tired. My quads, hips and feet were starting to ache. I wasn't sure if I was going to blow up, but I still had about an hour left of running. 60 minutes is a long time to suffer. We started to see spectators and it gave me a mental boost. I was starting to miss my family and kept thinking about them during the next few miles.
MILES 22, 23, 24 ( 9:35, 9:21, 9:58) (water stops 22, 23, 24) I had not looked at my watch the entire race. I had no idea how slow/fast I was going. When we got to mile 22, I asked Maynard (who wasn't wearing a watch) if he wanted to know the time. He said no, so I didn't look. In a way, it was liberating to just run by feel and not time. Around mile 23, I couldn't keep up with Maynard any longer and let him go. I still felt strong, but knew I still had 30ish minutes to go and couldn't keep the pace that long. "Just gut it out".
MILES 25, 26.2 ( 9:55, 9:48, 3:14) (water stop 25) After I had walked through the water stop at mile 25, I had a bit of a mental breakdown. I started to cry (which no one probably noticed since it was still raining and my face was already wet). My body was done. I wasn't sure if I could make it one more mile. I knew I just had to put one foot in front of the other. Literally. I was beyond wet. My clothes were heavy with 4 hours of rain. My feet were squishy in my shoes. My body had been up since 2:15am. "Just gut it out". Those last 1.2 miles was a pure mind over matter moment. One foot in front of the other. Left...right...left...right.
Crossing a marathon finish line is such a surreal experience. My body started to go into shock. My legs started to cramp up and I wasn't sure if I could even walk to the car. The Coke I drank was starting to make me sick to my stomach. I started to shake uncontrollably. While we were waiting for Smooth to finish, I sat on the curb with chattering teeth. A sweet medic came up to me and asked if I wanted a space blanket. It was like manna from heaven. Karen's husband gave me another blanket to help me warm up.
One of my favorite parts of the finish line experience was watching other runner's reaction as they "crossed the line". Friends holding hands, emotional runners bursting into tears as they conquered their own mental demons, giving loved ones hugs, family members cheering with delight, children holding signs for Mom and giving 5's, and some falling to the ground with exhaustion. I just got teary eyed watching their own stories unfold. I understood every one of their emotions.
(Smooth, Lowell and Susan crossing the line)
(Jill, Karen, Smooth and Me)I didn't have an epic run today. I wasn't even close to a personal best. But I ran 4 hours and 17 minutes in the rain and conquered a few of my own mental demons. Running with friends is much more enjoyable than running alone. And I learned the real meaning of "Just gut it out".
Friday, May 17, 2013
Spring Break
Spring break is my reality check that summer break is close.
And that I'd better get my mom mojo ready because summer is coming! We had a lot of fun days planned.
First: Georgia had a sleepover with her cousin. Two kids in a twin bed....not so comfy!
While Georgia was playing with her cousin on another day, the big kids and I headed up the mountain for a hike. I'm constantly amazed at how easy this "process" is now. Sometimes I still have flash backs of 3-year old triplets and everything taking SO LONG to do.
We had such a great time playing around, soaking up the beautiful canyon, enjoying the warmer weather and everyone being nice to each other!
We have some sweet jumping skills!
We finally made it to the falls. Success!
Then we headed up to Salt Lake to stay in a hotel for a night with cousins (we love cousins)! We went swimming.
Going out to eat.
Going to the movies...Love the Croods!
We finished up the week by watching General Conference. As a tradition, we always have monkey bread and sausage for breakfast on Sunday morning. Mmmmm.....
New Easter clothes. This was the first year EVER that I didn't make my girls an Easter dress.
It was a wonderful week! And my mojo is almost ready for summer!
Sunday, May 12, 2013
A Little Trip....Readers Digest Version
As I mentioned earlier, Tim earned an incentive trip through work. So we spent 13 glorious days tromping through Europe.
Day 1/2:
Travel/Rome (very rainy) (visited Vatican Museum, St Peters Basilica, Spanish Steps, Tomb of the Unknown Solider):
 |
| Listening to the Rick Steve's App at Vatican City in the Rain |
 |
| St Peter's Basilica with Rick Steve's |
Day 3:
Traveled to the port to get on a cruise boat
Day 4:
Naples, Italy (visited the Pompeii ruins, Sorento and Amalfi Coast)
This was one of our favorite stops. It included a 7 course homemade Italian meal with an amazing view!!
 |
| Amalfi Coast |
 |
| Pompeii Ruins |
 |
| Amalfi Coast |
Sicely, Italy (Lots of shopping, cannoli and gelato eating! We went here on our last trip to Europe)
Day 6:
Day at sea (caught up on some much needed sleep)
Day 7:
Dubrovnik, Croatia (visited old city ruins and ate lunch at a local's house that had a 500 year old olive press)
Day 8: Split, Croatia
(We just walked around the city....probably our least favorite day)
Day 9:
Koper, Slovania (We visited an amazing cave that had a HUGE raging river running through it. We also had local lunch. It was extremely beautiful!)
 |
| Exiting the cave |
 |
| Cave entrance |
 |
| Cave name (say that name fast three times!!!) |
 |
| Beautiful country! |
Day 11/12: Venice, Italy
 |
| St Marks Square |
 |
| I was totally perplexed by the hanging laundry everywhere. I kept asking our tour guide about it. I can't imagine hanging clothes on a line that small for a family of 6! |
 |
| We found a licorice store that had the most amazing sweets. |
 |
| Yummy licorice! |
 |
| Our water taxi |
 |
| Chillaxin' in the taxi! |
 |
| We got to see how blown glass was made! |
Day 13: Travel home
We had the most amazing time. Heavenly Father has created such a beautiful world and I'm so very grateful I've been able to see snipits of it! And it was pretty awesome to come home and give all my babies a big LOVE!
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Spring Sports
This spring, we've had three kids playing soccer. I absolutely LOVE watching them running and working hard.
Peanut has had an amazing coach. I get to watch them practice weekly out my kitchen window at the field by our house. Her coach has them doing push ups, sit ups, running and learning the sport. She comes home with pink cheeks and a BIG appetite!
This girl just loves to have fun. We are still working on our soccer skills!
Carter has really improved his soccer skills from last year. He has become more aggressive and his having fun!
He is also playing baseball (we have about two weeks of soccer-baseball overlap....YIKES!!!!). He got a real uniform and is really enjoys having so many friends on his team.
Peanut has had an amazing coach. I get to watch them practice weekly out my kitchen window at the field by our house. Her coach has them doing push ups, sit ups, running and learning the sport. She comes home with pink cheeks and a BIG appetite!
This girl just loves to have fun. We are still working on our soccer skills!
Carter has really improved his soccer skills from last year. He has become more aggressive and his having fun!
He is also playing baseball (we have about two weeks of soccer-baseball overlap....YIKES!!!!). He got a real uniform and is really enjoys having so many friends on his team.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)