Half Marathon

A year ago my husband ran the LA Marathon - all 26.2 miles of it. He enjoyed the challenge of pushing his limits and having a goal to work toward. This year his goals have been in "his" garden. He has worked just as hard and our family has been enjoying the fruits and veggies of his labors. Currently we savor zucchini (mostly in bread although we did try grilling it), cucumbers by the dozens, the sweetest cherry tomatoes, and the most brightly color peaches. YUM!!!

Today marks the day that our marriage has reached the half marathon marker - 13 years. We've lived temporarily in a cabin, grandma's apartment, and the Extended Stay America. We lived in one Provo basement apartment, one California apartment complex, and in two different Southern California homes. Despite our intentions to move back to Utah, we have enjoyed 12 years in Sunny California. It's nearly taken that long to prefer it as our home to anywhere else.

Our life together has been blessed with 2 houses, 3 vehicles (Mazda, Windstar, Camry), 4 children, 1 company with many different job titles and several promotions, 1 trip to Bermuda, 2 getaways to Hawaii, backyard campouts, many years of Disneyland annual passports, numerous beach trips, and countless vacations with family in Utah. We've survived the MBA program, Young Women's Presidencies, melanoma, discouragement associated with being distanced from family, one jaundiced infant, one threatened miscarriage, one actual miscarriage, constant headaches, the Cub Scout program (almost), rhabdomyosarcoma (with the hospital stays, surgeries, weekly chemo treatments at clinic, physical therapy, counseling, emotional drama, medical bills, insurance issues), and much more.

Happy Anniversary to Us!!! Our life isn't a perfect fairytale, but we are living happily ever through it.

My sister invited me to run/walk a 5K (3.1 miles) with her and mom over the 4th of July weekend. I planned on doing so until I twisted my ankle earlier that week - Nice! My sister in law ran the half marathon and placed 2nd in the women's category. Five kids later and she can whip out a 13 mile run - rock star!!! Mom and sister finished their 5K. I still have run nothing.

I've decided to run a Blog Marathon. It's time to get my Blurb book on order - there's a sale through July 31st. I have lots of family memories unblogged that I've intended to record for our book. So I'm going to do 26 blog posts as a type of catch up. I haven't blogged daily for a VERY long time, so this will take some endurance on my part. Check back daily to see if I've hit my mile marker and if I start running out of breathe, please send you encouragement. If anybody would like to join me on the race or go for a half marathon, please let me know so I can follow you. Race starts tomorrow 7:00 a.m. (thank goodness I can schedule my next post for that time since I'm VERY groggy that time of day).

Here We are Together

It takes a ten hour drive and planning a missionary meet up to get a family snapshot. But here we are together - mismatched, sweaty.

A Puffy Dress.... Check

It was another morning that I woke up to the sound of my children screaming at each other.

"Stop it."

"Why?"

"Be quiet."

"Why?"

"Stop talking to me."

"Why?"

"Shut up."

"Why?"

The two offenders: Jessica & Jacob - big surprise.

I called Jessica up into my room to get the two of them separated. I was tired and groggy and longing for more quiet time. I had a sick feeling in my gut as I remembered a haunting dream. In my dream I was at the hospital with my son and somehow we all knew it was his last hours. We prepared to go down to the cafeteria (which you don't do when you are admitted in the hospital) for what would likely be his last meal. His little life was flashing in front of me - the places where he rode his bike, colored on the walls, and graced us with his laughter. I would never be able to move from here because this is where I had known him, but it haunted me and the flood gates hadn't even started - that had been where I was awakened.

So Jessica called down from her quarreling and sprung one of her grand ideas on me. First I was requested to zip up her white gown. Next she sifted through my craft carrier on a hunt for glitter. She would not be still until she explained her quest to craft a crown with glitter and three spires. She would need shoes to complete the look. She unfolded her scrapbook and showed me the illustration of her look. She sensed that I was not fully attentive and stood before me and said, "lets review.... I need a puffy dress - check. A glitter crown. Some shoes."

She had awakened with an agenda and I had awakened with a reminder to savor the little moments. In her little world waking up as a princess with matching crown was magical (as inconvenient or unplanned as it was for me). I explained that we didn't have craft materials to create a crown to her specifications. I suggested that we ought to go to the craft stores and collect supplies. She said NO it would take too long. But I assured her that I was joining her on this magical journey that day.

We paid Michaels a visit. She ended up finding a premade, jeweled crown that suited her (which was fine by me since I wasn't planning on crafting anyway) and another foam crown to embellish later.

We purchased a new package of Shrinky Dinks which entertained the kids for several hours.

Thank you Jessica for waking up to a magical world of wonder and inviting me along.

Today - Friday, June 19, 2010

Just a glimpse into our day:

• last day of swim class
• Boys filled up the dirt streak under the swing with water for a mud hole
• Jon was ready to make them avoid the mud; I saw it as an opportunity to be kids and play outside - floating stick boats in a mud puddle.
• Jacob collected mud in a pipe and flung it on the back patio - including splatters across the patio furniture (grrrrrr) - I was not expecting him to take things that far. He is always unpredictable
• Little wash got done
• Lots of water drips on tile from watering can being commuted from bathroom sink to backyard
• Jessica asked me to blow dry her hair and curl it all pretty
• She got her make up on and a cute skirt outfit
• Jayson swallowed a quarter - almost. It was down below a finger swipe. When he coughed it up it flew into my hand with a bit of vomit. I seriously thought it was going to get lodged. I called for James - he just did a first aid review at family night. I knew he would make sure I did things right or he could call 911 real well.
• I was wearing my new heart rate monitor. Jayson's incident raised my heart rate.
• I couldn't keep down the water I guzzled this morning - that was wierd. I always drink a big glass of water or two to start my day.
• Jon donated blood. I've never done that. I always said that I was using my blood to sustain the life of my growing or nursing babies and needed some left over for myself. Now that I'm done with babies, I'm still not rushing to donate blood.
• I LOVED Toy Story 3 and have a whole single post written about it in my mind. I need to go to bed - IMMEDIATELY!!!!

A Good Idea - VOTE

I know many of us are thinking about who to vote for with the election tomorrow. Will you vote for one more thing? Give Kids the World is in the running to receive $250,000 from Pepsi. They've been in 15th place most days, so they need more votes to move up. You can vote each day with each e-mail address you register. This place was such a blessing to us last year - truly magical; ultimately amazing. I would love for them to have continued funds to keep it nice for future families to enjoy. Vote HERE.

Here's a glimpse of what it's like there:

Awesome things about Give Kids the World

• SUPER family friendly - really, they thought about everything.
• Villas include fridges & washer and dryer
• Theme park characters visit GKTW, so kids who aren't up to leaving the Village can still get their pictures with them
• The Gingerbread house served daily meals - volunteers would help my kids carry their trays to the table which were made of Peppermints
• Wagons were available to move little ones around the grounds (Jayson LOVED this)
• Every Thursday is Christmas in the Village - there's a parade, it snows, and Santa brings gift
• Castle of Miracles had a carousel with the cutest grandparent-like volunteers who would let you ride again and again without getting off.
• Jacob decorated his star and it is attached to the ceiling of the Castle of Miracles
• Ice Cream Palace is opened for all three meals - yes, we did have ice cream for breakfast more than once
• Playground is a life-sized Candyland game board.
• Amberville has miniature golf, little boats to drive in the pond, arcade, and a train ride.

Date Night with Jacob

Jon & I decided that we needed to have a few nights out where we could be together with just one of our children. We've done Daddy & Me or Mommy & Me Dates before, but we wanted time for each child to have full access to both of us at the same time. It's a logistical mess, but so worth it.

The day each our our babies was born we anticipated them together. I did all the delivery work while Jon tried to stay awake. Then we welcomed baby together. We'd look at our slimy, over-sized, beautiful wrinkled bundle who we didn't even know or understand yet and just loved him/her. It's a beautiful experience. In our quest to single out our children for special time with their parents, we're hoping to strengthen the bond we have for each one individually.

Tonight we took out Jacob. We ate free tacos at the bike store grand opening. Then Jacob insisted that we visit Subway for a foot long turkey sandwich with grated cheese. That was the original meal plan and the taco detour just didn't work for him. We obliged and he really did eat the entire thing.

Next we headed off to GameWorks. Jacob sifted through the glove box and found OLD tickets and game cards. They were SO outdated and needed to be replaced. One of our favorite games was the basketball shoot out where all three of us could play in competition mode. We were firing off shots and couldn't grab the next ball fast enough. I made us redeem 10 tickets for a Bit o Honey - just one tiny piece of candy, but one of my favorites. At the end of our gaming, Jacob redeemed the accumulated tickets for a whoopie cushion. A prize that all boys ought to sit on at least once in their childhood.

Next stop was Golden Spoon Frozen Yogurt - YUMMY!

Thanks Jacob for a fun night out.

I just bought this - BEAUTIFUL!!!!

$30 Shoes

Our Memorial Day plans have undergone several revisions.  We talked about hiking, visiting the zoo, collecting a bike attachment for Jessica in Santa Clarita, among other things.  Our resulting plans were not so much family and BBQ, but mini events and lots of lounging about.

James & Jacob went mountain biking with Dad early this morning.  They had a nice time with only one wreck that did not result in blood.  That left me home with the two littles to make pancakes.  Jessica ate Mini Wheats instead despite my efforts.

Jon & Jayson worked in the garden - Jon doing most of the work and Jayson serving as a distraction.

I made it to the gym - fatigued my body & tightened my shoulders to ensure a lasting headache all day.

Jessica & I went shopping.  She really wanted a cute swimming suit.  She tolerated the board shorts and Roxy rash guard I bought for her, but really wanted something more "pretty."  The shoes were on sale, so we had to try on those.  She agreed to wear butterfly mary janes and sandals, but her face lit up when she found some white strappy sandals with HEELS.  All the shoes were on sale for 40-60% off - except for her favorites.  I didn't know it until I had already purchased them.  They were $30!!!!!  Just so you know - I NEVER spend that much for children's shoes.  The only way I could keep myself from marching back to the register and demanding a refund was to factor in the other deals we got on that trip ($12 swimsuit, $20 dress) and she LOVES them.  She'll be wearing them every Sunday, so around Christmas we'll have our money's worth :)

She also found the most SPARKLY purple skirt - not my first choice, but she loves it.  She was hoping that I'd buy her a new handbag and wallet to match, but I drew the line there and got one for me instead. I also picked up my new glasses from the optical department.

We enjoyed a mother/daughter outing to Golden Spoon.  She had me try the lemon flavor which turns out to be a new favorite.

We ran more household errands and princess bubble bath and littlest pet shop bandaids ended up in the cart.  Shopping with my children is not economically efficient.  I say no A LOT, but they get me here and there.

I reorganized our canned goods and tossed several expired items.  I found two bulging cans and am thankful that they will explode in some dump somewhere instead of in my pantry :)

I've been reading Jane Eyre and enjoyed a little quiet with the book today.  It was harder to enjoy reading with the VERY painful headache I've had.

Our family went out to Boston Market - I know, not your typical BBQ, but I didn't have to cook or clean up.  It's a restaurant where everyone can be happy.  They ran an awesome special - 50% off the family meal.  We fed the whole family chicken, meatloaf, cornbread, corn, beans, & potatoes for under $20.

Jon had planned a mini lesson on the purpose of Memorial Day for our little family hike that was postponed.  Instead he stopped the car in the parking lot, gave a little thought and then requested a minute of silence for reflection - I won't name names but it wasn't quiet for 60 seconds.

I need to go tuck my sweeties into bed.  Then I have a chick flick and TONS of laundry waiting for me.

Happy Memorial Day!!!!

!st Beach Trip - May 15, 2010

We made our first beach trip of the year to our favorite place, Corona del Mar. Lucky for us we were able to enjoy it with friends - lots of 'em.

My kids are often too far out toward the waves or too busy hanging out with friends to get them in my camera. I loved seeing all the toddler girls in their pretty bathing suits. Jessica was quite concerned that she wasn't going to look cute because I got her swim shorts and shirt instead of a cute suit with a skirt. She better be careful what she asks for or I'm hunting down the frilliest girls suit I can find.

I love the BEACH HUDDLE that you are bound to find when a group of kiddos goes to the beach. Whether it's leaning head to head to build the perfect tunnel or putting your foreheads together so you can both see the sand crab - CUTE.