I love to run, I really do. And I've decided I really like half marathons. They aren't so long that you feel like you are going to die, (aka the marathon I ran last year) but 13.1 miles is also a challenge and a test in and of itself when you get down to the last couple miles. I signed up for this marathon around New Years, simply to give me a goal. I like to have races to train for because then I'm a lot better about exercising. My mom, sister, and sister in law also signed up. A few weeks ago, I decided I wasn't conditioned for this race like I wanted to be. Life is simply too busy that I was lucky to get 2 maybe 3 runs in a week. It was freezing, and snowing during the first part of the half marathon. I'm not sure how cold it was exactly, but cold enough to snow. I'm glad that I dressed warm. I got into a groove and stuck around an 11 minute mile almost the entire time. We ran through the Thanksgiving Point gardens and all around the golf course. It was definitely challenging with tons of steep hills, but was so so pretty. When I run outside here in Eagle Mountain, all I run are hills, so it was fun to pass people up who had to walk them. :) I also kept my hat and hoodie on the entire time, which lets you know that it never got much warmer.
My brother Jason and Marshall and the boys were cheering us all on at the finish line. I finished in about 2 hours and 28 minutes which means it was about an 11'15" mile. I actually felt great after the race and will be sore for a few days but that is to be expected.
While we were waiting for everyone else to come in, the boys played on blowup toys, and met the Chick-fil-a cows. Silly cow decided to sit in my stroller at one point which I wasn't exactly happy since the weight limit is like 90 lbs. He then posed behind it and pushed it around a bit. Strange but funny.
Mom, Lia and Avry coming down the homestretch!! We got some great shots together when everyone came in.
We all had matching shirts that said, "How is my running? 1-800-RUN-FAST." Ha! (I dare you to call the 1-800 number.)
It was a fabulous run and I love being able to do with family. Can't wait until the next race, whatever that might be.
Although we were up in Idaho just two weeks ago, we went up again Easter weekend for my dad's birthday and Easter. His birthday happened to fall on Easter this year. I worked Friday night, so we headed up bright and early Saturday. I didn't get much sleep on the way up, but the girls were planning on crafting Saturday afternoon while all of the guys went to shoot guns, so I operated on less than 2 hours the entire day. Avry had stuff to make charms for necklaces. They were super easy and so fun to make.
The afternoon got away from us quickly! That night, all of the men helped dad sheet rock in his lawn mower room that he is refinishing. The boys had so much fun playing with their cousins, and I think this is one of the first times I haven't felt stressed the entire trip because I was always worried about my kids. We still had to keep a good eye on Rowan, but he's getting easier as he gets older. It was so nice!
Sunday we went to church and then came home to do a big birthday/Easter dinner for dad and an Easter Egg hunt. We all pitched in with the eggs and figured that we had about 179 eggs for 8 kids! My brother also brought full size Reese's eggs, so my kids came away with a haul of candy. My parents also hid 4 eggs for the adults, and I happened to find one that had $20 in it.
Dinner was incredible and it was fun to be there for my dad's birthday. He's definitely a great dad and I'm proud to be his daughter. I totally forgot to bring my camera this trip so I had some fun playing around with my dad's camera. He also gave me a little lesson while I was up there on photography which was fun. He's got some really REALLY nice equipment so it was fun learn a little more.
Marshall and I both played tennis in high school. He was actually very good and played singles. I was down lower on the roster and usually ended up playing mixed doubles, but we both really liked it. Chandler got a racket last year and loves to go play. He's actually quite decent at hitting the ball and is trying to serve. Funny watching a 5 year old try to serve. He's really patient with it.
Rowan loves chasing the balls back and forth and was quite content to try to hit and push balls around with an extra racket we have the entire time. Looking at these two little boys playing tennis, it reminded me of a time Marshall and I went to play right before I had Chandler. I was 39 weeks and trying to get myself to go into labor, so we went to play tennis. I got really into the game, forgetting that I was 60 lbs heavier with a gigantic belly and tried to slam a ball down. Needless to say it HURT when I came down. I almost peed my pants and had some yucky pelvic pain that night. Chan didn't care. It didn't put me into labor. Anyways, tennis is fun for our family to go play and will be something we can enjoy for years to come.
Last weekend we went up to Idaho for Marshall's sister's wedding. (Ashley) We left Thursday morning and were there until Sunday afternoon. It was so nice to go for more than a day or two, caught up with a lot of family and had a wonderful time. Ashley went through the temple on Thursday night, and it was the first time Marshall and I had been together in a long time. Amazing how kids put a damper on actually going together. She got married Friday afternoon in Rexburg, had a dinner that night, and then a reception Saturday night. She married a nice guy from Calgary, AB (AJ) and they make a fabulous couple. We couldn't be more happy for them, and it will be fun to get to know a new brother in law. I took a ton of pictures but here are just a few.
Ashley & AJ
Chandler and his cousin Claire
My brother Geoff and his wife Cheryl also gradauted from BYU-Idaho. If I remember right, Cheryl graduated with a Bachelor's in Music Education, and Geoff with an Associates in Architecture, and a Bachelor's in Construction Management. Geoff spoke at his department graduation and did a great job. They are headed to Moscow for graduate school in the Fall and I admire them both for continuing on with Master's programs. I know all I could think about was a break when I got my Bachelor's. Congrats Geoff and Cheryl!
Last year, we got a Strider Running Bike for Chandler. It basically doesn't have any pedals and is supposed to teach balance. He used it all of last summer and this Spring when we got it out, it became apparent that he needed a new bike. We got him one for Easter, but since we are going up to Idaho for Easter, we figured we would give it to him early. He was up and running in 15 minutes. 15 minutes! Doesn't it usually take longer than that? Crazy how fast he caught on and now he's looking like a pro. We never put the training wheels on, because that is the purpose of having a balance bike. I'm a firm believer in this Strider bike now, and Rowan is cruising all around on it. He's pretty fast, and I bet he'll be riding a bike next summer. Anyways, we went to play tennis today, so we took bikes and taught Chan there since it was flat and we didn't have to worry about roads. What a fun milestone!
I think the weather is a bit confused. We are up in Idaho for Marshall's sister's wedding and we woke up to this today. (This is just outside my parent's back door.) Oh well, it's still pretty!
A day at a time has been my motto lately. Sometimes the days and nights get long, and I have to remind myself to live in the moment. Since I'm trying to do that, I thought I would give a brief update on everyone in the family. (More for journaling sake than anything else.)
Marsh is incredible as always. Sometimes I wonder how I got so blessed to end up with him. Making dinner, cleaning house, playing with the boys. He's seriously stepped up to the plate so much since I've started school, especially clinical. His support is overwhelming and I just love him. Work seems to be going ok for him. He likes it but feels limited to what his boss will let him do at times. If any of you know Marsh, you know he's always wanting to go above and beyond. He's constantly trying to improve and help things at work, but it doesn't always seem to work. I have to tell him to just keep trying. He's currently Sunday School President and is enjoying his calling. His entrepreneur mind is always on, and he's been doing some pretty heavy research for a business idea he has. It has to do with....mommy bloggers. ;) Stay tuned on that one. He's still deeply into NBA and rooting the Lakers on. We canceled our cable about 5 months ago, so I feel bad he doesn't get to watch his games live, but that doesn't stop his fanness. (Is that a word? If not, it is now.)
Chan is his adorable 5 year old self. He's witty, funny, and such a good boy. Of course he has his moments, but overall, he's always wanting to please. He's really doing well in preschool, can write his name, and is starting to sound out some words. He's inquisitive to how the world works around him and needs an explanation for most things. Still into superheros, loves The Incredibles, playing outside, and video games. (Of course.) He's really excited to go to Kindergarten in the fall and seems to be growing up so fast. It's weird to be scanning other pregnant women and think back to 6 years ago when I was pregnant with him.
Rowan. Sweet Rowan. He's cuddly but very independent at the same time. I have a definite soft spot for him, and he knows it. Sometimes takes advantage of me, but oh well. You're only little once, right? He's been a bit of a late talker just like Chandler was, but is saying more and more everyday. He loves superheros, honey sandwiches, and is a bit of a bully. He and another boy go at it in nursery at church, so they are splitting the class. There are other reasons too, but he reminds me a lot of Chandler at this age. He's also very stealth, and would go with a stranger in a heartbeat. I have to keep an eye on him all of the time so he doesn't sneak away. He loves to take showers, and has made it so Chan does too. What 3 year old boy likes to take showers? He's not potty trained yet, but I think we will try when I have my break from school in May.
As for me, busy as ever. Writing is definitely an outlet for me, so I'm still blogging here AND at Babes and Kids Review. Still getting a lot of great opportunities there, and it's been a blessing financially as well as it brings in some extra money each month. I'm loving ultrasound school, mostly being in clinic. I'm scanning a lot by myself except 20 week OB's. Those I can only do about 40% by myself, but it will come. My trainer is the most amazing woman, her name is Barb. She's been scanning for almost as long as I've been alive, and is so patient. She's is so smart and any question I ask, she knows the answer. I really admire her. I have 4 weeks left of the semester and will be done for the month of May. Summer semester I will be in the vascular lab, and that's all a bit foreign to do arms and legs, so it will be a great learning experience. The days fly by when I am scanning, and it's incredibly fun to do something I really enjoy. I love my days when I'm home with the boys. I can't believe how quickly they are growing up, and it's hard to believe some days that they were once small babies. Being a mom is such a huge blessing and although it's not all easy, I wouldn't trade it for anything. I'm still serving as Primary Secretary and sometimes I wonder if I can still do it all, but our presidency is great and willing to step in whenever I need help. I cut down at work and am only working 1 12 hour shift in the ER every week. It's helped immensely, and even though our budget is even tighter now, I think we've been blessed in a lot of ways to make things work.
And because posts wouldn't be the same without a photo or video: random video of the boys playing with some spiders we got for the review blog. :)
