The 4-miler

Today was my first 4-miler post-baby. It was hard but satisfying. I ran a couple of the miles at the track down the street at the local high school. I was completely left in the dust by what appeared to be a sixteen year old boy and his 50+ year old (?) father/grandfather. Not sure which. I felt okay about the boy flying by me, but the old man was a bit of a bruise to the ego. But I keep telling myself he's probably been running for years. I can only hope to be in that good of shape at that age.I am now five hours post-run and the legs are a little achy. Ahh it's good to be 28! Tomorrow is a "rest day" according to my Hal Higdon half-marathon training schedule. (Thanks Heidi!) Thank heavens for those rest days!

I Feel Bad For Randy

He's gotta bring home the bacon and I get to do this all day... of course, Parley has different feelings about it...

PSA Sponsored By the Blairs

It has been a couple of days since my potential disaster, so I feel like I can talk about it without having a complete melt down. On Monday evening, I was heading to a homeschoolers meeting. I said good-bye to the family and headed for Randy's car. I started the car and was about to put it in reverse when I looked back and saw Randy behind my car with a panicked look on his face. I then saw him scoop down to pick Parley up. She was standing right behind the car and I could not see her at all. Please realize I was in Randy's teeny-tiny Corolla and I could not see her at all. She had followed me out the door because she wanted to come with me. This could have been a disaster had Randy not noticed that the garage door was open in the house and come running. He told me he was screaming at me to stop but I could not hear him. I feel like a do a good job of making sure no kids are behind me before I get in the car, but I did not stop to think that my child would follow me out to the car. So scary. Primary Children's hospital has a Spot the Tot website with tips on keeping your kids safe. My advice: Supervise children while a driver is leaving the house. I am so grateful for a quick thinking (and quick running) husband who saved my baby from disaster.

It's a Runner's World

I've been feeling inspired lately by many of my friends. Several of them have been running 5ks, 10ks, and half marathons. I do not by any means consider myself a runner, but before I got pregnant with Piper I was running five miles pretty well and was hoping to start running some races. That was all before I had my third baby. I am now (almost) twelve weeks post partum and I have started running again. I think my body has taken a turn for the worse.

The first couple of runs were brutal. It felt as though everything was going to "fall out." Painful, but slowly that pain has subsided. There is a half-marathon happening in my neck of the woods in December. I want to run it. My mind is telling me yes, but my body seems to be saying, "are you out of your mind?!" I ran three miles Saturday and two and a half this morning. My hips ache and if I sit for more than a few minutes it feels like my hips have separated. Is this a normal thing after pregnancy? Am I just getting old? Do I not have the right shoes? Am I not cut out for this? Has pregnancy ruined me? All you runners out there (especially you who have had kids) let me know.

Perfection!

In a serendipitous moment I found all three of my children ASLEEP! This is a very rare occasion for me because my 4-almost-5 year old never naps. But little sister woke up early because she needed to go potty, and since he decided it's much safer sleeping on her floor than in his own bed, she woke him up. It's in these rare moments that I realize how little he really is. He acts like such a big boy, and beats me with his logic in our arguments. But, when he is (finally) still I can see he is still my baby.

Photo Session

Just trying to record each moment of life with these cutie pies...

A Shout Out

I've been amazed how many blogs and how many people, even clear out here in the south, mention the following company: DownEast Outfitters

One of the many items I would like to purchase, but my BIL took away my sweet "friends and family discount," ...shame on him! :)

So I thought I would put a personal plug for the company on my blog. My BIL is the CEO of the company and my big brother is the mastermind behind all the buildings and shops they are putting up. (He is a master builder/constructer.) They have really cute and affordable clothes that are also (gasp!) modest.

Take the time to request a catalog. They ususally have more clothes in there than they have on their website. Happy shopping!

P.S. Klane- my friend out here who is originally from Kansas City said you would make a killing if you put a store in there. That way I would only have to drive 8 hours to go shopping at DE. :0

So Tired

Is anyone else exhausted from watching the olympics into the wee hours of the morning? I am powerless against the forces that draw me in to watch Michael Phelps swim as well as Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin perform. But I also have a baby that wakes up several times a night, so the wise thing to do would be to catch the events the next day. But when have I ever been wise?

I'm addicted to the competition. I've decided I must see these events in vivo, London 2012. Does anyone want to join me? Hopefully our in home doc will have a sweet clinic going so we can afford such a venture!

River Walking

Too Clear Things Up...

Alright, at the end of my homage to my sisters post, I had a hilarious, albeit not flattering, photo of my sister, Celeste. I think C is my most funny sister. Mind you, she did take the photo herself at my birthday dinner last year. I felt it was free game to post on my blog, but my conscience got the better of me. But because she told so many people to check for this photo, and there is so much confusion because I changed the photo, I must add it on. Love you sista!

Sisters Day

I heard somewhere that a couple of days ago was Sisters' Day. So, here's to the ladies that I have the honor to call sisters:

Family Reunion 2007- one month after my sister Llilli diagnosed with cancer. I've learned a lot from her of strength and faith.

Thank you for being beautiful inside and out. You show me how to be a great mother, a great woman, and a great friend. You make me want to be a better woman.

Yes, that blonde one is my sister as well. She may be my brother's wife, but she is just as much my sister. Love you Shan!

Thank you for being a little bit quirky. It makes life more fun.

Llilli with Piper shortly after birth.

Thank you for being there for my life's most precious and most vulnerable moments. It means so much to know that I can call you at the crack of down and you will be there to share my happiness and my pain.

Thank you for being interested in and loving my children. Thank you for having so many kids so my kids have built-in friends.

Celeste has always been able to make me the laugh the hardest.

Thank you for the good times. We live very far apart, but distances doesn't diminish our ability to have a good laugh of two or three.

I think you guys are the best. So funny, so spiritual, so happy, so faithful, so strong. Thanks for being my sisters!

Fixin

Here in the South, people use a vocabulary that I am not accostomed to. Like a shopping cart they call a buggy, and of course everyone uses y'all. What I found most surprising was the word fixin. To me fixing means to mend something that is broken or making something, like dinner. But apparently you can use fixin in a lot of sentences. Like the little girl at church who told my husband that I was fixin to have a meetin. And the lady at the driver's license office fixin to get my picture taken. What exactly does fixin mean? You gotta love the South.

Just a random picture from the local farmer's market

And what's up with catfish every Friday at all the local restaurants?

Missing My Parents

My parents are serving an LDS mission in Peru. I got to talk to and see them tonight with the help of the internet. I love that my kids can see them and remember them. Although I am so glad they are doing what they are doing, I miss them so much. I found this picture today. I love it because it reminds me of such good times. We miss you Grandpa and Grandma!

Good News!

After many shed tears (at least on my part), our home in Las Vegas is finally sold. The real estate market in LV is horrific right now, so we are glad that things have come through for us. The foreclosure rate there is crazy! But, part of me is really sad as well. This was our first home. We put a lot of sweat into it (at least Randy put a lot of sweat into it.) We have great memories of our little condo. Our first time away from family as a couple, the birth our first little daughter, great friends (we miss you!), and crazy neighbors! Tucker misses so many of you (Aidan, Maddie, Peyton, Olivia).

But we are glad for our next phase of life.. Goodbye little condo!