Memorial Day Run

So, I've been running for a few years now.  I know, crazy right?  Hey, its very trendy right now.  :)  I've been wanting to run a half marathon for a while now, but most of them are on Sundays.  But, some girlfriends of mine and I found a local one that was on Memorial Day.  So, we signed up.  It was awesome!  Training was good, not too hard, when you're with friends.  I had a few pulled muscles and things along the way.  (I don't really think I'm cut out to be a 'real' runner.)  But I was healthy and ready for the run.  My friends are faster than me.  So, at about mile 7 (on a hill) I had to slow down.  So, I was on my own for to the end.  I'm really excited that it's over and that I did it!  I finished at about 2 hours and 20 minutes.  I won't sugarcoat it.  It was hard for me.  And it was just cruel to have a little hill right before mile 13!  I would consider doing another someday...maybe.

 Teri, me and Leilani

Me, Myra and 2 other friends from Ensign

At the end of the race, I discovered that Myra (a girl that works for Ensign - Rusty's same company) and I had been keeping a similar pace the whole run.  I didn't recognize her.  I was so concentrated on myself, I really didn't look around me!

Rusty is going to run the full St. George marathon with 2 of his brothers (John and Tony) in October.  He is up to like 7 miles already in just a couple of weeks of training.  Guys have it so much easier than girls.  Ok, maybe its just me, but it took me like a year to train up to 3 miles!  :)

Brotherly love

Jim has been in town for some work this week.  We've only gotten to spend a little bit of time with him, but that has been great!

These 3 brothers were able to get together for dinner on Thursday night, followed by a sleepover at Tony's house and a bit of golf before Jimmy had to head home.

Best buddies.  ;)

Thally thells theathells by the thea thore.

Thats what MJ says... :)  Do you remember that from The Brady Bunch?  Anyway, she lost her other front tooth at bedtime the other night.  She's been 'working' on it for some time now.  FYI, our tooth fairy remembered on the first night too!  It's a tooth fairy miracle.  :)

MJ, age 8 - She makes a cute toothless child.

Ren and I went up to the mall where he begged to go on the carousel.  He chose this black horse to ride. He loved it!  Amazing what makes them happy.  

Ellie had a concert on Monday night.  She is the only 5th grade cello player so we could hear her really well.  She did a good job.  As tradition dictates, we went for DQ to get treats afterwards.  

Marisa, Ellie and Abby

No more braces!

Porter got his braces off yesterday!  Lookin' good!  

Happy Mother's Day

Lots of nice things today.  I love my family.  I love my mom and Rusty's mom.  I love my Grandmas.  I am so thankful for all these awesome women, and many others who have positively influenced my life. 

My family always treats me good, but they are extra sweet on Mother's Day.  One really cute thing was all the signs around the downstairs that Ellie had made.  One was a flower with all our families names on the petals, my name in the center.  Another was a quote by Dr. Suess "Be who you are and say what you eel.  Because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."  Another said "Us to U!  We will tell you more than once!  We love you!"  One said "Be who you want!"  A few others with "We love you Mom" on them.  And my personal favorite "Never Say Never!  We know you want to say never!"  What that has to do with Mother's Day, I'm not sure.  But Ellie is a thoughtful daughter.  :)

Celebration

I went to a funeral today.  We called it a celebration of her life.  It was really lovely and spiritual and sad and happy at the same time.  She was way too young to die, 28.  She and her brother were on their way home from Provo and got in a car accident.  They were trading drivers while driving...don't ever do that again!  Her brother was hurt but not seriously, and will be leaving on his mission in a few months.

It seems she lived a good life.  Short as it was, she was loved and admired.  She made an impact for good.

I guess thats all we can really hope for.  Love and be loved, and do something good while here.

Youth Conference

For Youth Conference this year, Porter and Chloe (along with the other youth from the stake) put on a Variety Show for a retirement community in our area.  Lots of rehearsal, and lots of fun.  Porter (being that he is 14) got to do several other activities too, like rollerskating, a sleepover activity and planting flowers and trees in our city regional park area.  Chloe thought it was pretty unfair that she couldn't go...next year.

Kory, Brian, Scot, Porter, Brandon

No one was more surprised than me when Porter said he was singing in a barbershop number.  He complains that he doesn't like singing.  (I think it might be because I want him to like it, so of course he can't.  I guess if that is the only way he rebels, it's not so bad.  Just a bummer for him to miss out on something that he may actually like.)  Anyway, they sang Good Night Ladies!  I love it!!!!

 Chillin'

Britney, Kyla, Chloe, Mia

Chloe was in the big number that our ward did, The Wells Fargo Wagon.  She was just thrilled about this dress!  Haha!  She joked around that she was wearing Grandma's couch!  I'm not sure which Grandma she was referring to!  :)

 Singing her heart out!