Fall is definitely in the air . . . and we love it!
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
Marathon Runners Are a Special Kind of Stupid!
It's one of THOSE kinds of posts . . . it's long, it's mushy, and you've been warned!
After a summer of almost no running, frustration, pain, loss of identity, and going a little PSYCHO, I was more than blessed to be able to run the St. George Marathon!
While it sounds like a funny thing to call a blessing, I have good reason . . . marathons teach you an awful lot about yourself and how you view the world.
In my own personal experience, they bring me closer to my Heavenly Father and give me a new found appreciation for a lot of things.
For example, I have never been more grateful for the human body - and what mine has overcome and been able to accomplish (surgeries, babies, dumb varicose veins, and recently, a torn calf muscle and stress fractures).
I have never been more grateful for the support of my amazing husband, family and friends.
I have never been more grateful for the power of prayer and guardian angels - both of which I felt all around me as I ran.
I have never been more grateful for the beautiful landscape we have right here in Utah - majestic!
I have never been more amazed at the strong will and spirit of the everyday man and woman, and the determination that so many have to do something extraordinary!
I am touched by the camaraderie, and the kindness that others have for those who are a little down on their luck. I am touched by how many are willing to "carry" another so selflessly.
I know that this comparison is SO over-used, but it hit home so much for me during this marathon: Life really is like a marathon. We are never alone in our race - and we really need the support of others to make it to the end. We have two choices when it gets hard: Quit and give up, or dig deep and keep going! It's not an easy thing to do, but it can be done - by anyone - if you want it bad enough!
I got to experience the "heart of the race" in St. George this year - the reason that we all keep doing this to ourselves! I will never finish first (or last, hopefully), and I will never know what it's like to be in the top five runners, but those who are focused so much on that goal will never experience the race the way that I do.
I watched numerous people stop to help another, got cheered on by complete strangers, got high-fived by hundreds of spectating children, got to watch the most beautiful sunrise I've ever seen, watched people push their loved ones with disabilities in wheelchairs up giant hills, watched complete strangers link arms just to keep someone having a hard time going, and watched the human spirit and love for running conquer any challenge that marathon offered.
I finally found Joy in My Journey, and for that, I am grateful.
Thank you to all of my cute friends and family that did so much to get me out there, and that believed in me when I didn't. The care packages, the notes, the yummy treats - it was better than Christmas, and it was your love that got me through! Love you all!
(Yes, my eyes are closed - and I am beet red - and EXHAUSTED . . .
and no one said I had to look pretty after running 26.2 miles anyway . . .
and for the record, I only lost one toenail, but got PLENTY of blisters!)
While it sounds like a funny thing to call a blessing, I have good reason . . . marathons teach you an awful lot about yourself and how you view the world.
In my own personal experience, they bring me closer to my Heavenly Father and give me a new found appreciation for a lot of things.
For example, I have never been more grateful for the human body - and what mine has overcome and been able to accomplish (surgeries, babies, dumb varicose veins, and recently, a torn calf muscle and stress fractures).
I have never been more grateful for the support of my amazing husband, family and friends.
I have never been more grateful for the power of prayer and guardian angels - both of which I felt all around me as I ran.
I have never been more grateful for the beautiful landscape we have right here in Utah - majestic!
I have never been more amazed at the strong will and spirit of the everyday man and woman, and the determination that so many have to do something extraordinary!
I am touched by the camaraderie, and the kindness that others have for those who are a little down on their luck. I am touched by how many are willing to "carry" another so selflessly.
I know that this comparison is SO over-used, but it hit home so much for me during this marathon: Life really is like a marathon. We are never alone in our race - and we really need the support of others to make it to the end. We have two choices when it gets hard: Quit and give up, or dig deep and keep going! It's not an easy thing to do, but it can be done - by anyone - if you want it bad enough!
I got to experience the "heart of the race" in St. George this year - the reason that we all keep doing this to ourselves! I will never finish first (or last, hopefully), and I will never know what it's like to be in the top five runners, but those who are focused so much on that goal will never experience the race the way that I do.
I watched numerous people stop to help another, got cheered on by complete strangers, got high-fived by hundreds of spectating children, got to watch the most beautiful sunrise I've ever seen, watched people push their loved ones with disabilities in wheelchairs up giant hills, watched complete strangers link arms just to keep someone having a hard time going, and watched the human spirit and love for running conquer any challenge that marathon offered.
I finally found Joy in My Journey, and for that, I am grateful.
Thank you to all of my cute friends and family that did so much to get me out there, and that believed in me when I didn't. The care packages, the notes, the yummy treats - it was better than Christmas, and it was your love that got me through! Love you all!
(Yes, my eyes are closed - and I am beet red - and EXHAUSTED . . .and no one said I had to look pretty after running 26.2 miles anyway . . .
and for the record, I only lost one toenail, but got PLENTY of blisters!)
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Witches!
I have no idea how we got to October so fast this year!
It came a little sooner than we were ready for, but we love this time of year
and all of the fun traditions it brings with it!
We had to make our annual visit to the Gardner Village witches
to start the season off right!
It came a little sooner than we were ready for, but we love this time of year
and all of the fun traditions it brings with it!
We had to make our annual visit to the Gardner Village witches
to start the season off right!
(Anyone know how to make these collages any bigger???)
(This one is worth blowing up just to see Rod's cute face! Yes, his wife made him do it! He still knows how to work the ladies!)
Camryn, the photographer, decided to have her own version of a photo shoot with Rod and I - but we never get these moments together, so I love them even if we look like goofs!
Happy October!
Friday, October 7, 2011
Windows
This kid cracks me up! She is losing teeth left and right these days!
She is the quietest and most obedient of my three girls - a complete people pleaser -
but she is also such a determined little soul!
I cannot stand to pull teeth.
I have no idea why.
Rod definitely gets hero status at our house in that department!
Tyleigh came home from school with a loose tooth one day and desperately wanted it out.
I could not do it . . . so she did! She has now pulled out two of her own teeth!
She is the quietest and most obedient of my three girls - a complete people pleaser -
but she is also such a determined little soul!
I cannot stand to pull teeth.
I have no idea why.
Rod definitely gets hero status at our house in that department!
Tyleigh came home from school with a loose tooth one day and desperately wanted it out.
I could not do it . . . so she did! She has now pulled out two of her own teeth!
Way to go Ty! I love that toothless grin!Blast Off!
Camryn got to participate in the 6th grade rocket launch.
She got to pick her style of rocket and decorate it herself.
She got to pick her style of rocket and decorate it herself.
She picked a smaller rocket, and painted it pink and gold with lots of sparkles!
The "rocket expert" told her that in all of his years of doing this,
hers was the first pink rocket he had ever launched. She was pretty proud!
The "rocket expert" told her that in all of his years of doing this,
hers was the first pink rocket he had ever launched. She was pretty proud!
Putting the rocket on the launch pad
The kids got to launch their own rockets!
It was amazing to see how much height some of those things got!
The best part was how the kids reacted to EVERY SINGLE ONE!
Grandpa was the one who helped Camryn build her rocket -
so he got to be part of the launch as well!
It was amazing to see how much height some of those things got!
The best part was how the kids reacted to EVERY SINGLE ONE!
Grandpa was the one who helped Camryn build her rocket -
so he got to be part of the launch as well!
I still can't believe how fast she is growing up!Thursday, October 6, 2011
Meadow 1K
Let's play catch up . . . seeing as how I'm only about 14 blog posts behind!
For the LOVE!
The girls participated in their first 1K as part of a fundraiser for their school this year.
It was so fun to watch each of them take off in the race!
Tyleigh had a look of determination like I've never seen, and ended up leaving Rod in the dust as she sprinted ahead. Camryn and Carsyn did great as well!
I'm not sure that I've convinced them that running is FUN yet, but I sure am proud of them!
For the LOVE!
The girls participated in their first 1K as part of a fundraiser for their school this year.
It was so fun to watch each of them take off in the race!
Tyleigh had a look of determination like I've never seen, and ended up leaving Rod in the dust as she sprinted ahead. Camryn and Carsyn did great as well!
I'm not sure that I've convinced them that running is FUN yet, but I sure am proud of them!
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