I did it !

Here I am with my friend and fellow massage therapist, Kelly DeSouza, and Helen Russell, my sister's mother-in-law. Kelly ran with me- and kicked my butt, might I add, and kept me motivated. She didn't train at all, but used to be a runner, so her pace was much quicker than mine. Helen has been running for a while, and actually won the race for her age category (ages 55-59 women). She was amazing!

I am saying this publicly- I ran my first 5k in 36:09. I was glad I did it under 40 minutes, but then when I actually saw my time I wished I would have pushed it a little harder. Much to my dismay the first 2 miles or so was mostly uphill, and I felt the difference between that and my air-conditioned room at the gym on the soft treadmill, so I am adding out door running to my schedule. Yikes- I said it, so I guess I am committed. I want to sign up for another 5k in a couple of months and see if I can beat 35:00. It's a small step, but isn't that what got me here in the first place?

My outlook at the gym

Today I had a little 'a-ha' moment at the gym.
Determined to push myself I registered for a 5k last week, and it is almost here. I have never been a runner. I never wanted to be a runner, but my little sister Krisi just registered for a half marathon and I figured it was time to be inspired.

In this photo I am with my older sister (and childhood room mate) Lynnae, who has lost over 100 pounds by faithfully following Weight Watchers and doing Jazzercise and...... yes- running. Today at the gym I hopped on the treadmill for a 'short' run, to push my speed a little. I ran a mile faster than I ever had, and kept going. I felt fine. I felt great, actually. Next to me I noticed a woman who ran a bit, then walked, ran, then walked. I have seen her earlier this week doing the same thing. I realized- that was me a month ago. Now I can run 3 miles, and although I am tired, I can do it.

The great thing about running is no matter where you are you see people who are not as good as you, and people who are so much better- there is always room to grow, but improvement happens quickly. As I left the gym I saw a mom pull up, unloading her 3 kids from the mini-van to go in for her morning workout. I felt inspired by her, knowing how hard it is to take care of yourself with little ones around. I felt inspired by the woman running next to me, pushing herself to run, and by my sisters and people around me.
I am going to workout with a new attitude. Gratitude and awe.

Motherhood moments

On a good day, I send my kids off to school with homework packed and papers signed. They come home to a snack and play, finishing off with dinner and homework. The kids climb into bed with hugs and kisses, and I think.... I have this motherhood thing down pat.

Summers mean worksheets and library days and lazy afternoons at Seven Peaks with yummy lunches and Dippin Dots and frozen slushy drinks. On a good day.

On most days however, there is way too much normal going on. Fighting over who will sit in the front seat, who picks the TV show, who sat down first, who left the milk out, who lost the remote, who left the balls in the yard, who didn't flush or worse- wipe, and voices that are normally sweet are raging at volumes unnecessary while sitting only a foot away. I become someone I am afraid of, my blood boling and my pulse racing as I plot ways to escape and hide from my children. Dr. Phil and Supernany give advice that runs through my head, but I simply want to punish my kids, lock them up, and run away.

Who would have thought that many motherhood moments are really a strange sort of torture. From Gameboy noises to bodily functions to crying and punching.... Honestly.......... really?

I am trying, really trying, to be a good mom. I have not harmed anyone (yet). I have given time-outs for the alloted minutes and sent kids outside. I really just thought I would be better. Better prepared, better equiped. The cute funny mom, in her skinny jeans and perfect make-up and feeding organic snacks to well washed and well mannered little children who adored me. Well..... for those of you who know me well, this is not the scenario I live at all. It is a sad reality.
My husband reminds me, however that one part of the scenario is real.... these boys adore me. Imperfections at all. Dang good thing. That may well be what keeps them safe. And I have to admit, I adore them back ( at least, on most days)

Summer Nights in the Park

Me with Parker and Hayden, listening to the concert and being silly. The boys are attending the Spanish Fork Arts Festival for youth, so today was a busy day of shuttling up and down the hill to art, drawing, music and dance (breakdancing) classes. I was worried about all the shuffling, and it was busy for a few hours, but I also took the time to vcacuum and dust (wow..... how bad I needed that) without anyone following behind me to mess things up as I cleaned them. The few minutes of quiet was well worth it, plus the kids came home and Hayden was excited with his sketches- he learned about shading, Parker had to sketch while his paper was taped the the bottom of a desk (Michaelangelo), and Connley is excited about his intro to blugrass guitar. A little something to get you going in the summer is well..... just a gift!

The kids got raffle tickets for prizes at the park concert, and while we didn't win, we still had fun.

My baby brother and his baby....

Cassie and her new baby after labor pains all night. She looked so great... man! It just isn't fair. They were both so excited and the baby is so sweet..... I am happy for them.





Eric sings in little Asher's ear to calm him down, and it worked.....

Notes on a baby Shower

My brother Eric and his cute wife Cassie are anxiously awaiting the birth of their first little one. Expecting a boy, and ready to name him Asher, we are all super excited for this guy to get here! Cassie spent weeks on bedrest with contractions, only to get up and back to life at 37 weeks with, you guessed it, no contractions whatsoever (that is a cruel trick life plays on us, isn't it ?) We decided to meet for a dinner and celebrate with her. Due to weather problems (hello! Utah- it is JUNE!!!) we met at her mom's, instead of the park in Elkridge. I was way too excited about making some super sweet cupcakes (which will never grace the lips of Cass- she doesn't eat refined sugar) that we all ate, with a sugar rush to follow. I won't even tell you how many of those I ate. Suffice it to say I did not skip my running the next day.

The T-shirts were my sister's idea. Eric is the one that had introduced our family to Dave Ramsey, so I personalized some little tees for them. They read "Show Me the Money" , "I see debt people" and my favorite- "Debt Free Baby". I can't wait to see them on that baby- now if he would just get here!

Wanna get creative......

My Pretty Little Things.....


Glass slide craft chrams

After buying the quirky but inspiring "Pretty Little Things" book by Sally Jean (locals may have seen her charms at the Dear Lizzie boutique- you can find them online also), I was itching to get crafty.

I made these as a first time experiment, and with a cute bow hanging on my purse I am thrilled with the results (I am the one in the pink tutu), so that is mine. Since then I have made a few for gifts, a necklace charm, and keychain... and I am hooked. There is something about being surrounded by paper and glass, and mastering a smoky soldering iron that is very empowering (even if I am not that great yet).

I will be adding more artistic notes soon- as they are what will get me through this summer, for sure.

SO I think I can Dance......

Seriously people, you saw me in CATS. I took random classes off and on growing up. I am not a 'dancer', but enjoy breaking out in spontaneous moments of movement. Imagine my dismay when, as a family, we sit down to watch So You Think You Can Dance and I burst out laughing at the the antics of the stay at home mom who auditioned from Utah. (you know the one- four small kids, one of which she dropped on the floor saying ..."I am such a good mom!" )

Any way- I was giggling at her moves when my kids exclaimed..."SHe dances like YOU mom!!" One by one, they all agreed... "That is exactly what you look like when you dance!"

I said "Well, I am trying to be funny for you. But when I want to, I can dance...."

"No you can't, mom." They insisted. "I saw you do a cool move once and I could tell it was totally on accident." Connley said.

Is that mean? *sniffle* What's a mom to do? Am I really that bad?

Just to make myself feel better, I am posting the paper that I was published on the cover..... a personal moment of fun..... but then again, as Hayden said, "You were only good in CATS because soemone else taught you the dance."

Ouch.

Dave Ramsey has happened! My Total Money Makeover Weekend...

Dave Ramsey. You either love him or hate him or you haven't heard of him. But if you haven't tried out his message you are missing something. I have not talked about this on my blog, but I am going to now. In 15 months Mike and I have crossed off every debt but 2 from our "to be paid" list. We have paid off over 30 THOUSAND dollars. We have NO CAR PAYMENT at all. We dropped off our Pilot this weekend to the dealership (Lease is up) and drove off in our paid for Honda Odyssey.

The majority of people in this counrty live PAYCHECK to PAYCHECK and have consumer debt constantly hanging over them. Imagine our pay day now... we have NO car payment, NO credit card payment, NO Lowes or RC WIlley payment.... it is a SWEET feeling. And all for the price of one book (which actually was a gift, so it was free!)

Every day I live I am more and more excited for my future. I just got back from a 2 week vacation in Orlando that we carried around enveloped of CASH to pay for whatever we wanted! Can you say Freedom??? And we are just an avergae family! Wait a mintue..... now we are not..... we DON'T BELIEVE IN DEBT!

The End is Near......

Yes. These are my toes. See the sand (it was so soft) in between them. This was the pedicure I got on my "Sisters Weekend" in Seattle. These were my very happy feet in Daytona Beach.

I was packing my kids backpacks this morning when we realized... there is about 14 days of school left here in Utah. The end is near for me. This has been my first year staying home without running off to work part time at a school or spa, and have the kids gone ALL DAY. Am I a bad mother to say it was heaven? I thought I would get so much more done than I did, but..... I have to say, the house was a little cleaner, I was a little calmer, the laundry was done just a little bit more, and I enjoyed my clients more than ever. This was a school year for me to enjoy being me, and that is an accomplishment in and of itself.

I guess all that is left to do now is for me to plan an incredible summer with my kids (Seven Peaks passes already bought) and try to make their summer a little better than the one before.... after all, I can see that they are growing and leaving me little by little, so once again... the end is near, and I am starting to fear the warning I have heard from all the parents I know- They grow and are gone TOO fast.

Blissfully Busy

Can I just say..... Florida is the best! A few years ago Mike and I went for a quick vacation while he worked a couple of days. I remember telling him..."We have got to come back and bring the boys!" Little did I know I set a plan in motion for what would be the funnest 2 week vacation I have had with my boys yet. We hopped from the beach to Sea World to Universal Studios to Aquatica to Islands of Adventure and Busch Gardens. We screamed our lungs out, guzzled soda under the hot sun, Made eye contact with Spiderman, fed and pet the dolphins, soaked our bones on rapid rides, made bubbles and felt a (simulated) earthquake and tornado, and ran after a ride through the exit only to get back inline to ride it again and again (like kids). I seriously felt my eyes stinging as we got on the plane to come home. Connley rolled his eyes... "dad, mom is going to cry" but really, who does this? Who has 3 hilarious boys and such a sweet husband and vacations for 2 weeks for spring break? I do! Now you understand my tears.

How they grow

It is an obvious truth in this world. The moment a new baby comes around you look at your youngest and think... when did you get so big? My boys were more excited for their new cousin Beckham then I have seen them in a long time. At the hospital they waited while nurses scrubbed, poked, and bathed the neswest cousin. They refused to leave unitl they had a chance to hold the little baby.
Meanwhile, life is busy.... due to Mike's traveling and ward meetings I decided to invite the Easter Bunny to our house a night early. (Why did I not do this sooner? It was so nice!) I told Parker that I might try to find the e-mail or website and leave a message for the Easter Bunny of the change in plans. He got a funny look on his face and asked slyly..., Mom, is the Easter bunny just a human in a costume?" I felt my heart pick up speed as I thought... 'this is it!" I said.. "What do YOU think the Easter Bunny is?"
He thought for a minute and said, "I don't know, but it has to be a human in a costume!" After our Christmas talk and suspicions that Santa is Jesus, one thing is for sure. He is old enough to doubt the magic of mythical gift bearing figures, but can not comprehend the fact that it may be some one he knows.
Ahhh, the beauty of childhood. Mom and dad never get any credit for anything!

In Memory of

In a logical world I know the loss of our Prophet on earth is a blessing for him and his sweet wife. In the emotional world, it still causes me to get emotional. Just this Sunday as I opened the memorial that came with the Ensign I started to cry..... again.

Living less than an hour away from Salt Lake I decided to take my kids to the viewing. We stood in the cold for a while (Parker forgot his coat, so off went mine to cover his little body). Parker kept saying "Mom, are you sure you're okay?" But I honestly just wanted to be there, so it was okay with me. Then they quietly had us wait seated in the conference area. Just looking around at all the people filing through was overwhelming. I started to list all of my memories of this man in my head.... all of his quotes, the "Be's", Standing for Something, the temples, the growth in the church, the press appearances, reading the Book of Mormon (and failing to finish by Decmeber) with millions of other members.... mostly, his little laugh and sense of humor. I felt so honored to be there, so honored to worship, and so honored to belong to the great community of people that is the Latter Day Saint Church.

My kids were quiet and reverent the whole time we watied and as we passed his casket. I hope they will rememebr this moment in their lives and that somehow a little bit of his greatness has touched us all forever.