Another First

Crew has never been able to sit up in his bed which means he lays there until I pick him up. Four years is a long time to work on one skill and he has been working very hard. Today was very exciting when I opened his door to find him like this. It is hard to see from the picture but he is kneeling. I'm a proud momma today!

Random Weekend Happenings

It's been years (like 15) since I've hiked to the Wind Caves in Logan Canyon. Saturday, we decided to take the older boys and find the caves. The hike was great. It took us about 50 minutes to get up the 1.8 mile trail where we climbed approximately 1000 feet. Ouch! The view from the top was magnificent. We had a late start on Saturday morning and so it was mid-day when we finally made it to the top. We were happy to find out there was a nice breeze in the caves which makes sense since the caves were formed from wind and water. The trek down the trail went much faster but sure did beat up my knees. On the way down we passed a gentleman with a prosthetic leg. That sure did stop the silent complaints in my head. What an inspiration!

Later, we met up with Ken and Kristen where they took us for a refreshing boat ride on Hyrum Reservoir. Crew is all about the boat ride! Wow, I think that kid would be content living on the water! Unfortunately, I don't believe he will get another chance for a boat ride until next summer.

Also, on Saturday we cooked up a fine Dutch Oven Peach Cobbler in our backyard fire pit. We were exhausted at that point! I'm not sure why we decided to cram so many activities into one day but the cobbler was delicious... it was definitely worth it in the end. I can't wait to try some new recipes.

Finally, Sunday morning I was surprised when the Bishop released me from my 3-year Cub Scout calling.... which I've loved. Instead, I was called as a Relief Society teacher. Yikes! Talk about yanking someone out of their comfort zone:) My first lesson is this Sunday and I am waaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyy nervous!

I'm loving the weather here. Today I walk/ran a total of 11 miles. Isn't it great!

Capture The Moment

It's been a month since Crew's surgeries and I can honestly say we have our silly little boy back! We have been enjoying his smiles and giggles and just simply "living in the moment" with him. I feel blessed to have him in my life because he teaches me so much everyday.

The afternoon before his surgery, his Big Boy Tricycle arrived! Yeah! I love it that Crew has a chance to just be a kid and I've realized that "the bike" has become his favorite activity.

Crew started preschool a few weeks ago. The communication with his new teacher is lacking so far but hope to improve on that soon. We did not receive his back-and-forth book the last two days so I have no idea how he is doing. I did write her a note last week asking how it was going and she stated that because they are still trying to figure out which chair to use and because he "eats slow" and gets pulled out for OT he hasn't had much opportunity to interact with the other children. Okay, I am trying to be patient here but isn't that what preschool is all about? I don't want to end this post on a negative note... that is not my intention. I'm sure the teacher has a lot to deal with these first few weeks of school so I am giving her the benefit of the doubt. BUT, I just want my child to fit in and be happy which shouldn't be too hard. Just look at his killer smile!

Eye Surgery Follow-up

It's a good thing we like our doctor because waiting 4 hours for anything is insanely ridiculous. This sign makes me giggle every time I see it. I think they should add "sleeping bag" and "cooler stocked with goodies" to the items to bring list.

We will wait in the hall, thank you very much! Crew is extremely frustrated by the fact that the toys in the waiting room aren't exactly "accessible" when you factor in the other 30 kids waiting to see the doctor. I've learned to steer clear of the waiting room because if the toys are out of sight it's easier for me to keep him happy. Instead, I dance and perform circus tricks for hours on end in the hall. He's not exactly thrilled.... Hmmm. Maybe I need to learn a few more tricks.

Do they really expect 100's of children per day to wait for that long and not turn into monkeys?

Yessss... Happy boy with straight eyes. Thank you Dr. H, the surgery was a success!

Off to Zion

Last week we made a spontaneous decision to visit Zions National Park. Ever since I attended the Scout training last spring where they emphasized the importance of exposing boys to nature, I've been itching to get them out and do some hiking. I'm not sure how it happened but summer slipped right past us....

We hiked about 5 miles the first day where we visited The Narrows, Emerald Pools, and The Canyon Overlook. The Riverside Walk was our favorite and we were able to take the wheelchair. H loved looking for critters and was often out taking the lead. S also enjoyed all of the hiking and sightseeing... what a blessing!

There were several hikes that were accessible and we pushed Crew along as fast as we could. He loved the bumps and was often squealing with delight. We got some interesting looks from people but for the most part other hikers would pass Crew in his wheelchair and giggle right along with him.

Some trails weren't accessible so we just hauled Crew in the backpack. Every year I think it will be the last time we will squeeze him into the pack and then somehow we manage to do it again. I'm not sure how comfortable it was for Crew but he seemed to love climbing the mountain just as much as the rest of us.

At the end of the Riverside Walk we spent some quality time walking through the river. I know this is one of my boys favorite activities. They remember and frequently talk about walking through the river from some of our past camping excursions. I don't know what it is about nature and water but I too have some fond memories from when I was young.

The second day we were able to go see the St. George Temple and Snow Canyon. Then we headed up to Kolob Canyon where we hiked Timber Creek.

Towards the end, Crew started feeling at home in his backpack;) I love this picture of Crew snuggling up to his dad.

On Sunday night we started driving home but we knew if we kept going we would drive straight into a huge rainstorm. We decided to stop in Cedar (I love it there) and get a hotel. The boys had a great time swimming and it was nice to have clean place to rest. I'm really glad we decided to stay another night. Monday morning we drove to Cedar Breaks where it was freezing but the view was so worth it. The boys were great on the ride home. They have thanked us multiple times for taking them on this trip... it was so worth it!

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!