We've lived in Utah, Nebraska, upper Michigan and now we've settled in Colorado...at least for now! Marley is 10, Isi is 6 and Enzo is 4!

Life is great!

Saturday, August 29, 2009

I RAN 4 miles!

(this post is dedicated to Sonia G. my own personal Jillian Michaels)
And after I ran....I cried.

I haven't run 4 miles without walking since I was 19 or 20 and my 30 year mark is blaringly insight. So, you can imagine the emotions that were flowing as a result. I've heard people say that running is therapeutic. I know it was when I was in high school, when I took it up during some hard times, even though I didn't really realize it then, it was. Even now in my 30th year I had to be reconvinced. I'm convinced. It's accomplishment, it's exercise, it's thinking, it's outside - if you're lucky. It's many things that, all wrapped up, makes it therapeutic.

The only reason I'm lucky enough to have a personal trainer is because I'm running a race. I have NEVER run a race. Well, just the kind that kids have where someone yells, really fast, "Marks, Get Set, GO!" and someone takes off, leaving others behind in their dust. My first real race will be a relay called Market to Market. The front page to the website says, 86 miles, 21 exchange points, 6-8 person teams, 1 unforgettable day.

Sonia and I have different versions of the story of how I got on the relay team, but this is MY blog, so she'll never get to tell her side....something about I begged her to let me on the team. PLEASE! More like SHE persuaded, NO begged ME!

Maybe it was a little bit of both but, I lean towards my side of the story because she probably wanted a fixer upper, a BIG personal trainer project. Well, she got it.

Training:
I started training in March or April, I can't remember. But, it started with an exercise program from Jillian, I MEAN Sonia. It was 30 minutes of non-stop movement and included strength training, cardio, and abs - 3-4 times a week. I really liked it! Well, for the first month, then it got old, but I still did it. And every time I finished that 30 minute routine, I loved it.

In July I started running, 2 miles 3 to 4 times a week - for 2 weeks. I was told not to walk. Some days I didn't....some days I did. Then it changed to 3 miles 3 to 4 times a week - for 2 weeks. Sonia said, "Then by that time you should be back from Utah and you'll be back in my hands." It was just short of a "Muuuah ah ah ah ah!" Hands up by her face, palms facing each other and finger tips drumming finger tips in succession, evil look on her face – eyes squinted menacingly.

Last Thursday I was in the palm of her hand. We went running together. I knew I needed that, because deep down I knew I was running too slow and not pushing myself enough. We ran with strollers in toe....and she pushed me....we ran 3 miles, without walking. It was hard. I loved it.

This is me and Marley toward the end of the 3 miles.

Marley does great. She just sits there and enjoys the ride!


Sonia told me to take Friday off and then run 3.5 to 4 miles on Saturday, without Marley and WITHOUT WALKING. I'm so glad Sonia, at least, doesn't swear at me (like Jillian).

I did 4 miles! That is IF I can trust the mileage markers on the trail...I kind of think it was less than 4 miles, but that's just me.

So, this is one of my major accomplishments this year. Not just the 4 miles today, not just the race but the lifestyle change. Sonia has even convinced me to keep up running and exercising after the race. She's a great trainer.

When I got back from the run today. Natey and Marley greeted me at the door, (I was locked out) where I was crying for joy and accomplishment!

And what to my surprise did I find when I entered our apartment? Nathan was making these!!!!

Crepes!

With freshly homemade strawberry syrup! So delicious!

Marley LOVED them. Nathan and I had 3 each and Marley had 5.

She sucked the syrup out of each bite before she chewed and swallowed. She ate slow and took her time savoring each suck…bite.
This is what her mouth looked like as she sucked.
Always, one hand still in the bowl while the other hand fed the mouth.

What a wonderful breakfast!

PS - I just found this awesome and inspiring clip. I thought it was appropriate. I hope at my relay I remember to listen for encouragement from the side lines and remember that I am never alone. Please watch it...and try not to cry.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIrGKB5nRKE

Thursday, August 27, 2009

RENOVATION....Can you tell?

I made some changes to our blog. I'm glad I didn't lose anything while I played around with layouts and such.

I was going for something classic and lasting - not too cute, but cute - and not too crowded or cluttered. And we moved from a three column cramped style to a two column - with a roomier post column. That makes my right column super long...but, I don't care. Does anyone really look at what's in my column anyway? (If you DO click on the Madsen Bike link!)

I ended up with this layout sort of by default. I wanted one with light to white in the posting column, for easier reading, with little distraction on the sides. I tried quite a few and this one fit the best.

I hope you like it. And keep coming back to look and read about our shenanigans.

Let me know what you think.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

FLASHBACK! Marley Walkin' A Mile In Someone Else's Shoes

"Hmmmm.....Let me see if I can get these shoes on?"

"Oh Yeah! They feel good! Whazat on TV? Is there a boogie in my nose?"

"OH! Hi Mom! Iye didn't know anyone was watching me."
Momma is ALWAYS WATCHING........

Monday, August 24, 2009

And We're Back!

Ah Geeze! Where to start?

Well, in honor of this past summer and my favorite T.V. show LOST we'll start with a.....

FLASHBACK

This is Marley, helping mom pack to go to Utah for the summer.
(That is a bathroom/makeup bag on her head. What can I say? She loves hats.)


We had a few set backs getting out of town...but I won't bore you with the details of our craziness. The point is, we finally got on our way.

With the sun setting in our eyes, we pressed West, and we saw wonderful things!

A semi-truck that said, "God Loves You."

Lots of Water Towers

Lots of Silos

This is the picture we took. Here are some better pictures of it.

We crossed over the Platte River several times.
And we saw quite a few of these signs.

As we drove through the night we talked and laughed and enjoyed the darkness and peace of Marley asleep in the car.
(Ok, so she fell asleep while it was still light and bright outside. Still a blessing.)

And speaking of the car…we finally named her. And what an appropriate name.

THE BLACK PEARL

We drove across Nebraska.

Through Wyoming.

And made it to our destination, Utah, safe and sound.

I love the Wasatch Mountains!
There really is no place like home.

After arrival we stayed at my sisters house and enjoyed baptism festivities.
Sammy is EIGHT!
I can’t believe it!

I made a cake for his baptism, and I thought I got a picture of it…but, I guess not.

END FLASHBACK

Though there will be a few more FLASHBACKS on this blog for the next couple days/weeks, there will also be PRESENT DAY REPORTS. Please bare with us through the FLASHBACKS.

Present day:

Marley is nearly 17 months. With me in Primary Nathan is really looking forward to Marley turning 18 months in October, and entering the Nursery!

Marley has always made really funny and cute babbling noises. In the past couple of weeks she has really been jabbering a lot. She seems to have her own language, which at times overlaps with English. I love it!

She loves growling. If you growl at her she will instantly be your best friend FOREVER.

She is a very good communicator, unless she is tired and then she looses all reason. But, who doesn’t when they’re tired…right?

When she gets excited she smiles and sucks her breath in and while doing so makes a high-pitched sucking-in squeal.

Of course I could go on for days about how cute my little darling is…but, I’ll save some for another day.

We love you all!