School has started!

We are excited... can you tell?

Moving up to the Intermediate School this year (6th grade)

We lucked out and H is getting his favorite teacher again this year! Mrs. Yeates is teaching 4th grade. Yeah!

A shoe picture just for fun!

Who knew?

Carl and I met Lindsey Anderson today at our local running store when she stopped to help me pick out a pair of running shorts. Lindsey competed at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the women's 3000 meter steeplechase. I was impressed that my DH recognized her.

You're awesome Lindsey!

My first HALF

Saturday's Top of Utah Half Marathon was an awesome experience I hope to never forget.

The day before the race I seriously thought I was getting the flu. My stomach was sort of pulsing, I felt achy and lightheaded and my throat was even sore. Looking back I think I must have just been a basket of nerves or a hypochondriac. LOL. I really wanted to enjoy the experience and that night I prayed for the umpteenth time that my body and mind would be strong.

On Saturday morning, I woke up at 4 AM to get ready and my ride came at 4:45. There were five of us girls and even though I was the fifth wheel I enjoyed having some company to keep myself from getting too nervous. I was feeling more calm come race day which was a huge blessing.

We got on the buses in Providence and rode up to Hyrum. There were 4 long lines of porta potties and we all got in line. It was fun to watch all the runners get ready to race and to see what kind of running apparel they had. My favorite was the woman in her 70's that sported a green running skirt and matching tank... she was awesome!

Finally, my neighbor said "It's time to go to the starting line", and I freaked out. I said "Doesn't it start at 7:30" and she said, "No, 7:00!" Okay, I was really sweating it now because I had told all my family that it started at 7:30 and I wouldn't be getting to the finish line until after 9:30. My DH, who works at night, was planning on picking the babysitter up at 8:15 and then driving the 1/2 hour to the finish line just in time to see me finish. We grabbed her cell phone and tried to call and wake him up but duh no cell phone reception that far up the canyon.

Well, it was time to start and I kept telling myself not to worry about the family and just run. After the starting gun went off it was shoulder to shoulder for at least the first mile. The five of us ran kind of in a clump and then after about a mile I lost the other four runners. Two were in front of me and two were behind (I think). The weather was beautiful (overcast) and the slight downhill course was perfect. I really didn't mind running alone. I'm a people watcher and so I just ran and watched those around me, absorbing the energy of the race and the excitement of it all!

My GPS watch is addicting and I kept checking my time. I was running faster than my regular pace and kept telling myself I should slow down but I felt really good and was having too much fun. At the first water station (Mile 3) I grabbed a cup of water and took a couple sips and was off. Just before the Mile 6 water station I got my GU out (that I had safety pinned to the inside of my shorts) and sucked it down just before they handed me a cup of Gatorade. I'm not usually a Gatorade drinker but decided to take the advice of some other runners and give it a try.

At about 6 1/2 miles I started worrying about the family again because my parents and brother/SIL were suppose to be waiting for me as I came out of the canyon. I had given them the wrong info also. I figured they wouldn't be there in time but still found myself scanning the faces of the spectators as we left the canyon, hoping to see them. They weren't there. Bummer.

At about mile 8, my feet started hurting. I started counting the miles in my head and worried that I had started out too fast and began doubting myself. When I reached the Mile 9 Aid Station I walked through it with my Gatorade and orange and then I was off! I think choosing to walk through the aid station really helped me because about a mile later there was a hill and I was able to keep going. My legs felt quite fatigued by mile 11 but another packet of GU and some water and I was able to keep going. I was running along with a pack of runners when all of a sudden I hear someone yell, "GO MEL" and I look behind me to see my mom jumping out of a car and running after me with a "Go Mel" poster. I was really excited to finally see someone I knew and the runners around me started laughing... it was enough to give me the extra boost I needed. Finally, as I was running down the final stretch and the road was packed with spectators I saw my sister there cheering me on. I was really happy about that too because I had no idea she was coming. Surprisingly, I did have some juice left in me for that final stretch. I crossed the finish line with a time of 1:55. Not bad!

Sheri, followed me to get some water and we walked around for a couple of minutes. I explained the time mix up and we started looking to see if Carl and the boys made it. I turned around and there was Carl at the finish line waiting for me to come in. I grabbed him and he hugged me. I asked him how long he had been there and we figured he made it just 3 minutes after I had finished. Darn it!

It's okay... I was so happy with my time and the family support that I got over it. My brother and his wife took us back to their house and cooked a huge breakfast for everyone.

Today, two days later I am a little sore and my very tender feet are recovering nicely. I will be ready to hit the road again tomorrow. The HALF is definitely my type of race and it won't be the last. Anyone want to join me next time?

13.1 MILES

I'm really doing it! This Saturday is the Top of Utah HALF Marathon. I am way excited but equally nervous. I didn't even consider running this until 5 weeks ago so there is a good chance I will be the laughing-stock of the whole bunch!!!

Today and tomorrow are REST days and its driving me crazy not to get out and run. I don't feel ready for this so I will need all the good luck I can get:) Begging you all!

I've done all the training for this by myself. There is a ladies threesome in my neighborhood that is also running it but I haven't trained with them because they are totally awesome and I don't want to slow them down. Fortunately, I will be riding up to Logan with them which will hopefully help me get the jitters out a bit before I run.

Whatever Works!

Exhausted!

I'll admit it... after 10 days of interrupted sleep, over 200 hours of whining and repeatedly forcing eye drops and ear drops this kid has pretty much got all four of us wrapped around his finger.

We will do ANYTHING for him if it makes him happy!

Most of the time the problem is we don't know what he wants/needs. But sometimes we figure it out.

Drink and be Happy Crew!

Oh, What do you do in the Summertime?

Help... I'm running out of ideas!

Birthday Boy

H's 9th Birthday Bash was celebrated at the pool, the bowling alley, and his favorite KFC picnic lunch. The birthday was pretty low-key, spent with family.

My kids are growing up and the cute funny things they say are less frequent as they get older but we had a funny here last week. H received his first Webkinz for his birthday and spent the better part of a day playing the Webkinz computer games. Next day, S and H got on the computer and the Webkinz site said it was unavailable until 2AM Eastern time. S read the screen out loud to H and they abandoned the computer for the rest of the day. Later that night we were talking about his new toy and he burst into tears and said, "I ONLY GOT TO PLAY WITH MY WEBKINZ FOR ONE DAY". I explained that he could play it "tomorrow" and he replied, "No, the Webkinz site is down until EASTER!" Once we figured out that he misunderstood Eastern with Easter we all had a really good laugh.

We love you H!

Straight Eyes

Sorry to freak you all out!

The eye surgery was a success... Crew's eyes are straight just a bit bloodshot for a few weeks;)


He also had tubes placed again and a follow-up ABR. I was very disappointed in the audiologist. I will for sure be returning to Dr. Jensen who has followed Crew for the past 4 years.



The audiologist at Primary's was only able to measure his hearing level at one (Hz) frequency. She said she didn't have enough time to do a complete test. What? Also, the ENT reported his eardrums are thick which could have altered the results of his hearing test. The hearing test reflects an additional hearing loss which moves him down into the SEVERE level. I'm really bugged that she didn't do a better job with the ABR. Now I'm not sure when the insurance company will pay for another one and I really need to know what is going on with his ears.



Ah, but look at what a trooper he is. Gotta love the face:)

Survey

If or When you forget about a batch of clothes in the dryer and they come out all wrinkly.... DO YOU?

1. Put them through another rinse cycle and then re-dry... remembering to promptly remove from dryer when finished and put on hangars.
2. Get out the ironing board and iron and press away those wrinkles.
3. Put wrinkly clothes away and do better next time.

Sore Calf Muscles

On Monday I had Carl drop me off up the canyon and I ran home. I wanted to see if my knees could handle the decline. The run was great as the wind was pushing me down the hill. The first 3 1/2 miles were downhill and then it was 1/2 mile up and leveled out for the last 2. Six and a half miles total.

The run was great! My calf muscles are really sore now but my knees are fine.

I compared the elevation changes (love my GPS) with the elevation for the TOU half-marathon. Interestingly, I started at the same elevation 5200ft that the Half-Marathon starts and dropped approximately the same (900 ft). The only thing is the elevation drop would be spread out over the first 11 miles of the Half-Marathon instead of 3.5 miles.

I missed my workout this morning. Carl and S are at a Scout camp and it wasn't until last night I realized I wouldn't be able to go running this morning. Bummer.

I'm still deciding if I should try running my first Half-Marathon which is in 3 weeks. I get nervous just thinking about it. This week I'm suppose to run 11 miles for the long run. Tomorrow is Crew's surgery.... I'm not sure when I'll be able to squeeze in the long run. It might not be until Saturday.

What do you think.... should I push it and go for the Half?

Happy Birthday Patriece

I believe one of the greatest gifts of my childhood was be given ONE true friend. Someone who gave me reason to believe in myself, someone who treasured those same morals and values that I did, someone who I could trust. Friendship like that is hard to find but I think my Heavenly Father knew I needed it. What a blessing it has been in my life.

At one point in High School my father expressed concern for my small circle of friends which included four or five other girls. I didn't agree with him then and still believe today that ONE true friend is way more valuable than numerous sorta-friends. True friendship is a gift that cannot be taken for granted.

Check out the first photo and laugh if you want to. I'll be the first to admit that I was tomboy through and through. Look at me in my turtleneck and big brothers hand-me-down pants with sloppy socks. I had no hair skills and was extremely shy. Patriece in her cute springy outfit and an air of confidence. Hmmm... I wonder what time of year this was taken- winter or spring? LOL.

(Second photo)- Girls Choice. Wipe that grin off your face:) I blocked out the boys 'cause they are irrelevant. LOL.

Patriece and I have been friends for over 30 years. Do you know how much that means to me?

I've never had a problem remembering birthdays and the fact that I have a son who shares a birthday with my childhood friend makes it all the more special. Wishing you a great day, Patriece!

QUOTES THAT I LIKE:

"True friends are always together in spirit."By Lucy Maud Montgomery

"Nations will rise and fall. Wars will be lost and won. Lives will begin and end, but a true friend is eternal."By Jon Koroluk

"Don't pity the girl with one true friend. Envy her. Pity the girl with just a thousand acquaintances."By Katie Obenchain

Chic Flic

Anyone that know me well knows how hard it is for me to sit down and watch a movie. I rarely watch movies at home and in the theater I am constantly shifting and checking my watch. It's just so hard to sit in one place for so long.

Last night I saw Mamma Mia and I thought it was okay... and cute! Oh, but I do love the music and I even went out and bought the soundtrack- a second rarity for me!

I didn't get home until just before midnight and then it takes me forever to wind down. I didn't set my alarm cause I knew I would be tired but I couldn't sleep past 5:30 am anyway. There's something about summer that screams at my body to get up and exercise. My run this morning was difficult but I survived.