COOL RUNNING!!

"Some people create with words, or with music, or with a brush and paints. I like to make something beautiful when I run. I like to make people stop and say, "I've never seen anyone run like that before". It is more than just a race, it's a style, it's doing something better than anyone else. It's being creative!"

I came across this running quote a while back and had to laugh. I know that when I started running over a year ago that I definitely made people stop and say "I've never seen anyone run like that"!! I actually would stop running if someone drove by because I was to embarassed to run in front of them. It was not a pretty sight, I felt awkward and ugly but as I continued to try and my distances got longer I began to not care what others might say or think. This journey that I have embarked on has helped me learn a few things ...

1 - That running is a beautiful thing!
2 - That I can be my own kind of "beautiful" when I run!!!!
3 - That this body that I have neglected and abused is forgiving and amazing!
4 - That running with a friend is so much FUN!
5 - That running won't kill me, because I'll pass out first!
6 - Encouragment is essential to a runners success!!

I went yesterday to Pinetop and participated in my second 10k. There were 9 of us that went - Lori, Marinda, Bruce, Shawna, Carly, Alyssa, Tiff, Tara and myself. Tiff and Tara ran the 2 mile and I have to tell my morning exercise partner just how proud I am of her. She had a personal best and hope she knows how much I love her. I am looking forward to many more races with her:) GO TIFF!!

I appreciate good friends that continue to encourage and uplift me. Carly and Alyssa stayed by myside the whole race, they were so much fun and I know that I would have never been able to "CONQUOR" that stupid hill without them. Thank you - Thank you - Thank you!!!

To my "runner" friends - yes you know who you are - LORI, MARINDA, BRUCE AND SHAWNA - It was a delight to be in your good company:) You make it look so EASY and you are BEAUTIFUL to watch. You have that "runners" look about you and as we arrived at the run to register and get warmed up it was fun to watch the other runners "scope out" their competition!!!! FUN - FUN - FUN!! It was as if I could read their minds....
Oh CRAP - were did she come from??
Dang - he looks fast!!
Why did I sign up for this stupid thing??
I think I'll just drive back to Chandler!! haha


I had a beautiful Saturday run (minus the hill) and I THANK YOU all for that!!!!

I had to add this next pic because after the race when we were all waiting around for them to announce the winners in each age group, we looked over and saw this mans CRACK...he was the oldest runner there, and definitely had his own style:)!!...it CRACKED us up!!!!

WHY??????

Why when my daughter and son-in-law get a new puppy do I have to babysit it EVERYDAY???

Why do my boys pee on the toilet seat???

Why can't I see the pee on the toilet seat before I sit down????

Why can't my big kids be nice to my little kids????

Why are my children nicer to their friends then their siblings???

Why do I hate exercising and why hasn't my mind embrased it as a "HABIT"???

Why do I still crave DIET DR PEPPER after a year of giving it up????

Why can't I even begin to understand the writtings of Isaiah in the Book Of Mormon???

Why do I love chocolate soooo much????

Why couldn't I love carrot sticks????

Why am I having one of those days???

WHY???????????

READY OR NOT - HERE IT COMES!!!

Football Season - Is Here!!!

We eat, sleep, walk, talk this sport. You would think that after 23 years of marriage to a "footballaholic" I would be use to it by now!!! I've always enjoyed watching my husband play football but I must admit that I love watching my boys play it even more:) This past Friday we went to Flagstaff to the NAU Sky Dome to kick off this football season. We played Valley Lutheran and we ended up beating them pretty bad. The score was 72 to 36!!!!

The Sky Dome is a pretty cool place to play a football game!!!!

They had these HUGE screens and instant replay (it was awesome)!!!!

In the 2nd qtr - JT had an 80 yard interception for a touchdown!!!! He had a pretty amazing game, he also had a 60 yard touchdown catch along with a punt return for a touchdown!! All the boys played hard and hit hard, our little Macky guy even got some playing time in the 4th qtr:)

Between Tim coaching- JT on Varsity- Macky on J.V.- Brock on the Jr High team- this Football season should bring lots of miles on the car, black and red attire, hot cocoa, nervous stomachs and CHEERS!!!

Things are lookin UP!

HURRAY!!!
School Started Today!!
I did the "back to school" Happy Dance!!!
Don't get me wrong
I LOVE my kids but...
Summers are CRAZY
Everyone going in different directions
NO ROUTINE!!!
YEA for school starting
Hello to regular family scripture study and prayer
Back on a schedule and somewhat of a routine
OH HAPPY DAYS!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUBBA!!!

These picture crack me up!!! We had just finished shopping for school clothes and got back to our motel and the kids decided to "model" their new school clothes. I love this "sexy pose"!! I believe this was Jt's 7th grade year. I can't believe how fast the time goes by and I can't believe that he is a senior this year. I sure do love and appreciate this boy.

The Birthday Boy!!!

I just wanted to wish JT a happy 18th birthday. I hope he doesn't think that he is all grown-up and doesn't have to listen to his mom anymore:) What a blessing he is to our family. It is not easy being the oldest son but he's a GREAT one.

*He has a great sense of humor

*He never meets a stranger (he gets that from his dad)

*He is a great big brother

*He is not afraid to share the gospel with his friends

*He always tells me he loves me and hugs me goodbye (even when friends are around)

*He loves spending time with his cousins

*He loves peanut butter M&Ms

*He loves to sing

*He is fun to watch on the field and on the court(he does this funny little clap thing:)

*He fulfills his priesthood responsibilities and never complains

*He gives great F.H.E. lessons

Bubba - Happy Birthday!!! I am so glad that 18 years ago Heavenly Father blessed our family with you!!!

CHRONIC IRRITATION DISORDER!!!

I have decided to start a "Chronic Irritation Disorder Club". To be a member of this club you must suffer with severe IRRITATION!!!! Your irritation must be so bad that anything and everything irritates you. You are irritated by things that are absolutely lame and have nothing to do with your eternal salvation and the irritation you experience must last at least a week:)

EXAMPLE - My dear sister brought me a piece of coconut cream pie from Trappers (the best pie ever!!!) and I quietly put it in the BACK of the frig. The next night I thought "Oh yeah - I can have a little late night snack and share a treat with my honey". I went to the frig and looked and looked and there was NO pie. I started to get irritated and went to my honey who was watching T.V. in the bedroom and asked him if he had seen my pie. He immediately got the look of "oh crap - I'm busted", I was so irritated that he would eat my pie and he proceeded to give me some lame story of how he opened the box and it was already half eaten, so he just finished it off thinking I didn't want anymore. Well - that irritated me even more because I hadn't touched the pie and now there was more then one inconsiderate TERD living in my house!!! Now -I need to explain that this happened over a week ago and I am still IRRITATED!!! I want my pie!!! Now -I know it is a stupid piece of pie and I can always go to Trappers and get me a new piece but the thought of me having to do that is also IRRITATING!!!!

See what I mean, the irritation just goes on and on. So - if you experience events like this in your life (on a daily basis) and struggle days/weeks later with irritation, please join my club and we can suffer together!!!!

I haven't yet figured out what cures this disorder but I will tell you that consuming a huge amount of chocolate does help:)

Any thoughts or ideas - please let me know!!!!!!!!!!!