Our Day

I pretty much always take my kids to the Doctors with me.  My last appointment the nurse commented on how good my kids are.  I was surprised and she said that they aren't super loud and don't run all around and she is way impressed.  She said they can usually tell when kids are there, but with mine, they don't know it until she comes out and sees them.  It made me very proud of my kids.  So last time after the appointment, we stopped at the DI and they each got to pick out a toy (and I was hoping to find some cowboy boots--I really want some so I can fit in here in Riverton--ha ha--not really, but it would be fun to have!)

Yesterday I had another appointment--I am down to the last month!  They were pretty good, not as good as last time, but really, good kids overall.  Then we went to Kohl's--I had to $10 Kohl's cards--YES!!  I got 1 shirt for Jon and 3 for me and spent $5 total!  They do have an awful lot of odd clothes and they are way overpriced.  But if you check out their clearance, it's kind of like DI--you dig and you can find some great deals and pretty cute things.

After the store we went to Grandma's--they are always so excited to go!  We start school next week, so our days are numbered as to what we can just go and do.  We have had such a fun summer, but I am not ready for school to start.  I just can't believe they are going to have Aubrey from 8:30-3:30--that's pretty much ALL day and I just feel like it's too long for the school to have her.  By the time she gets home we will be fixing dinner and then doing homework and the day will be gone--it's just too young to spend that much time away from home.  It's tempting to look into other options, but I know I couldn't homeschool and give all that would be good for her to be prepared to be force for good in this crazy world and environment.  
Well, back to Grandma's.  We were all starving for lunch.  Grandma was out in here garden weeding.  The kids ran back there to say hello and she told them lunch was in the garden--meaning the raspberries and blackberries.  Jonathan and Mariah loved that idea and cheered "hurray!" and started picking berries.  Pretty cute!  I made them some sandwiches though, so they did get some real lunch.
We picked some raspberries, the kids played and I visited with Grandma.  Then we went swimming.  It was just nice to relax in the water.  I made the kids laugh super hard when trying to get on a round inner-tube like floaty.  I climbed up the ladder, centered my bumb over the center hole of the tube.  Sat my behind right into the hole.  This is quite hard to explain--I really need to draw a diagram, but to my surprise my belly was just too big for me to fold my bumb into the center hole enough to balance.  I could not get enough weight distribution with my legs and I completely flipped backwards, headfirst into the water!  I t was hilarious I am sure.  We were all laughing so hard.  I haven't seen all of my kids laugh at me that hard in my entire life!  
After enjoying the pool it was time to get cleaned up and head home.  We were all pretty tired on the drive home.  It was really quiet, so I looked in the rear-view mirror at the kids.  Jonathan was completely asleep.  Aubrey was asleep laying in Mariah's lap and Mariah had her arm wrapped around Aubrey and leaning down asleep.  It was really sweet and cute looking.

Making Zuchinni Bread with Mariah

I often feel like time goes by so quickly and I don't spend the time I want to with my kids.  I debate about doing things that I need to get done or taking some time out with the kids--or finding a way to incorporate them in what I need to get done.

I had some zuchinni I had thawed--trying to use up the last of what I froze last year before I have fresh to use this year.  So after our walk to drop Aubrey off at school and laying Jonathan down for a nap, I invited Mariah to make zuchinni bread with me.  

To my surprise, she didn't really want to--generally my kids LOVE to help me cook.  But I convinced her with finding an apron for her to wear and letting her start with cracking the eggs.  It was adorable as she cracked the eggs with her tiny hands--and she did a perfect job on the first one!  Telling her so resulted in a squeal of delight and great excitement in continuing to help me.  It was like her confidence had boosted 10 times and she was so cute helping me the rest of the time--apologizing for any time some flour puffed out of the bowl or sugar granuales sprinkled on the counter.  I do have a hard time with any mess and quickly clean it, but it was well worth the effort to have her make the bread with me rather than doing it "perfectly" and "neatly" on my own.

Thoughts on My Family

Well, I was thinking about how sweet, thoughtful and cute my dear husband and family is and I thought--why don't I post a blog?! I haven't done that in a long time. This past month has been so busy, but a good one. I have noticed more and more the sweet little moments of my children. I have been praying to be able to cherish and enjoy them more--not to get after them for the silly little mistakes and messes they make so much, but to see how they are trying and the good, innocence they have. I think that may be part of it. I also think my pregnancy softens my mother-heart. I think that is partially because I have a new spirit from Heaven in my body and it has influence on me. She is very sweet and I look forward to being her mother and holding her in my arms (Yes, I am having a little girl this upcoming September).

My little Jonathan is still my baby and such a mama's boy--and I love it. He is very full of energy and very much a boy. He climbs, gets into things, everything is a gun, sword, or light-saber. He is also very tender. He likes to be with me and help me with things. Sometimes it is hard to remember that even if it makes things a little harder, longer, and messier--I will one day regret not letting him help me out. One of his favorite things to do with me is to cook--he just really loves to help me fix meals and treats. He is really good at helping with chores and he is always happy to help Aubrey and Mariah with their chores--"Jonathan will you help me sort the laundry?" "I will Mariah"--very cute and I love to see them work together, even though it often turns into playing and they take a long time to complete the morning chores. He loves his dad--he looks forward to seeing him each evening--all of the kids do and rightfully so.

Jon is the best father anyone could ask for. My kids will have a hard time finding a man as good with children as their father is. He loves to play legos, he-man, star trek/wars, and anything else they want him to play with them. He is very imaginative and makes up silly stories at bedtime for them. He loves to use puppets and their favorite toys in his stories. They will all sit up in the bunkbed while he tells a story to them. He is very patient with them and sincerely enjoys them. He also reads to them--currently reading "Voyage of the Dawn Treader". He loves how Aubrey can read many of the words in scripture study and is excited with her as she tries to read her verse on her own. He is very good at being excited with the kids and enjoying with them what they are enjoying. He really is the best father ever and it makes my job as a mother so much better. I love being a parent with him--besides the fact that he is my best friend in the whole world. He would do anything for me. He is absolutely patient and kind to me in every way. He has never yelled or gotten really mad at me. He cherishes me and I can tell and feel it every day. I am so blessed.

Now I have talked about my Jon's, on to my sweet little girls. Mariah really tries so hard to please me--well all my children do actually, just in different ways. She needs constant encouragement and nourishment. She needs hugs, "I love you's" and a helping hand with responsibilities. She is very delicate and tender. I love holding her tiny hands--so delicate and precious. Yet at the same time, she is very daring and adventurous. She wants to fly--that is her dream. She is full of energy and gets so excited when she accomplishes something--she seems that she is about to burst with excitement! She does not like confrontation and if Aubrey or Jonathan want something in particular--she will usually let them have it to keep things peaceful--a peacemaker. Every morning I let the kids take turns handing out the vitamins. When it is Mariah's turn, she will let Aubrey and Jonathan both have the color they want--even if there is only one and she wanted it. When I have called on her to bless the food--if Aubrey or Jonathan really want to, she will say, "why don't you let Jonathan or Aubrey say it", and I know she wanted to as well. She is very sweet that way.

Aubrey is so responsible. She is an amazing helper and I will very much miss her this fall as she goes to 1st grade (why do they have to be gone ALL day?!?!). She gets up, does her chores (they each have to get dressed, brush their teeth, say their prayers, and make their bed (I am pretty easy-going on that one), and they have an assigned chore (unloading the dishwasher, sorting the dirty clothes, picking up a certain kind of toy in the play-room, etc.)--anyway, she will try to do her things without being asked. She is very quick and thorough with them as well--like I said, very responsible. She is very tender too--she is very good at helping Mariah and Jonathan to be happy when they are sad or upset. She is very aware of others and their feelings. At Mariah's birthday party there were a couple of kids that weren't playing with the group and weren't too happy. Jon asked Aubrey to include them--immediately she did and they were having fun the rest of the time.

All three of my children are generally very good and really are trying to be good. They are kids--they do fight, hit, get upset, and disobey. But overall, they are kind, thoughtful, and trying to be good. Another thing I love about them is that they generally play very well together and are dear friends with each other. I love that. I love that we don't have friends over all of the time because we are just happy as our own little family. We have done a lot of yard work/gardening this month and the kids play very well outside while Jon and I work. They come and help us on and off as well. They all helped plant a few plants and seeds into the garden. They helped stomp down the furrows. They helped water the plants with fertilized water after being planted. We discovered a nest with robin eggs up in one of our trees. The other evening while we were out there working, we noticed the eggs had hatched. Jon held up each of the kids on a ladder to see. Though I was VERY nervous and scared, I climbed the ladder (had to stand on the very top) to see. It was a cute little moment with our family.

Last Saturday (Mariah's birthday), she took a new polly pocket outside--shoes and all. Of course one of the shoes fell off into the grass. Aubrey and her looked and looked and could not find it. I decided to go help them, though I didn't have much time as I was getting ready for her birthday party. We said a prayer together to help us find it. Aubrey was sure it must be in this one section. We were all looking there--I thought I should step over a few steps and continue looking where Aubrey had said. There is was--in the grass. We talked about how Heavenly Father guided us to find the shoe. We said a prayer of thanks. It was a really sweet tender mercy and lesson to the girls that they have a loving Heavenly Father who listens to them and will help them in their concerns. We have had many sweet moments like that and I wish I had written more of them down--some are on paper fortunately.


Like I said, my kids are so sweet and my husband is amazing. I am so blessed and we have many blessings and tender-mercies in our daily lives.

For now, I will close and head to bed before I actually turn 30 years old!

Aubrey in Kindergarten

We had our first child start school this year--yes I was very nervous and even sad to see her go. On her first day of school I even teared-up. She has very much loved it though and is doing quite well. We just had parent-teacher conferences. When I went in to talk to her teacher, she just said how Aubrey was so kind to everyone and such a great person to have in the class--she even got a little teary-eyed and so did I. She said that she is at a 1st grade reading level now and that her math skills are exceptionally good (which we already knew--she could multiply before kindergarten). It was really nice to hear and Aubrey just sat there very shy, but very pleased. I have been telling Aubrey all year to always be nice to everyone no matter what and that she will be liked. She has made many really good friends. Her class is awesome and is full of really nice and good kids--I wish there was a guarantee that they would all stay together through grade-school--it's the cream of the crop in her class. Anyway, I am very pleased with her and I am not looking forward to 1st grade when she is gone for most of the day!! Why do they have to take our kids for SO long!! Since I haven't blogged in forever--here are some pictures from Aubrey's first day of school--she was so excited and ready to go!!

Aubrey getting her backpack--she was excited & ready to go!

Aubrey doing the Star Trek Vulcan "goodbye" to Jon.

Aubrey posing in front of the door before going to her first day of school.

Awesome Shopping Trip!

This was awesome! I got 19 items for $10.16 total!!

There are 8 pouches of tuna (those were FREE after using the coupons!!!), 2 boxes of shredded wheat, 5 packages of pasta, 1 Wesson oil, and 3 packages of Robin Eggs (just in time for Easter)!

Blessings and Miracles

Wow, I haven't blogged in a LONG time! But I have been thinking that I ought to just type a few things while I am remembering them. I am much faster at typing than writing so my journal isn't very full either. My kids are growing up so quickly. I am so proud of them and love them so much. No, they are not perfect, but they are good kids who really try. I have enjoyed our walks home from school (after we drop off Aubrey and her friend--the way there we are usually running late and almost running to get there, but the walk home is more pleasant and relaxed). Jonathan and Mariah just look around and enjoy the earth around us and it really is quite cute to see their enthusiasm. It is good for me to get out as well and go on a walk in the middle of the day--though if I had a car, I know I would drive Aubrey to school--so a perk to not having a car is that we have to take a daily walk that otherwise I would not take the time to do.

The thing I mainly wanted to blog about today is a major blessing and miracle in our life that has been gradually happening and fulfilled just recently. Now this is not something I am pleased to admit, but a part of our life that we have been constantly working on. Since we had our first child, we have acquired debt each year on things we just didn't have the money for, but had to pay--like car problems and mostly on medical things (1st major thing being having a baby--we didn't have the money for it--fortunately we did have insurance, so it wasn't outrageous, but several thousand).
We made the decision that I would stay at home and quit my job when we had children. Financially, that was a terrible decision. I had a degree and a teaching job (so not a lot--but good for starters), Jon was going to school and had a dinky phone job on the side, but we knew it was what Heavenly Father would have us do for our children. We lived in many crappy places and lived off very little. But expenses still come that must be paid. Each year we would get enough tax return to pay off any debt we had acquired from the previous year. When we bought our home, we had debt that we had acquired from Jon losing his job, medical, and whatnot. We assumed that we would be able to pay it all off with tax return. Well, this was the first year in our home and with a decent income (once again, not a lot, but good for where we are at in our lives)-- and we did not get enough taxes back to pay off our debt. We are quite tight in our home and with the regular expenses and rainy days that we all experience--anything after regular bills and needs that was left was just enough to put towards debt--not towards savings. We were very disheartened and knew that we had to do everything we could to try to not acquire more debt and to pay it off--we had one year before interest began on it--one year to pay it off. We started to really focus on our finances--more so than before--and to really pray for help and to be able to get out of debt. I even prayed that we would be able to get completely out of debt before the interest would begin. Blessings came--I learned to shop a new way that cut our grocery bill in half--our parents would slip us some money here and there. We tried to live on a very tight budget.
But the reality is--you still have rainy days. We had many amongst the blessings. We acquired more debt as there wasn't any other option. Our car had many troubles and we had more medical things. Jon's job changed their policies on commission--making it so we were getting a couple to a few hundred dollars less depending on certain things--and of course as with most people over the past couple of years--no raises, no bonuses. We didn't have much to work with, but kept trying. We decided to up our fast offerings (and we felt we were paying generously already--but felt that adding a little more wouldn't break us). We weren't always perfect--we would go out on a date every once in a while--not spending lots--but nonetheless, spending some. We did still buy birthday & Christmas presents and we did still do some fun things as a family--so we could have put a little more money toward our debt. Overall though, we actually were quite tight.
As the year came to an end and the new one commenced, we felt that we really had improved and had worked harder on being better and living tighter. But we still had debt and we knew we would likely not be able to pay it all off with our taxes--but we hoped and prayed that we would. We filled out taxes and came to discover that we were not getting as much back as we thought, and we would still have debt to pay off. I was so frustrated and even angry. I complained to Jon about how hard we had been working and praying at getting on top of our finances and being able to save for a rainy day before one actually came. We had been going without things more and more and felt that we were doing pretty much all that we could do.
The next week I went through all--and I mean all--every penny that we had spent over the last year--no matter how ugly it looked. I categorized it into months and discovered that there were a couple of things we could do better at. I also discovered that we had indeed improved over the year and that we were spending very little and most of our expenses really were to the car, medical, mortgage, and regular bills. It was really good to see and Jon and I sat down and looked at it together. I knew that if we continued to live so tight that we could eventually get out of debt as long as nothing else came up--so pray for no more rainy days until we were out of debt! I got a hold of myself and knew that though it would take a long time--we were improving and we would eventually get on top of things.
Well, we hadn't actually turned in our taxes yet. We decided that it was time and Jon decided to review everything one last time (though we had done so together many times). But this time, he caught something. He realized that we did qualify for something that we had thought we didn't qualify for--it was like the wording had changed--it was a credit that we had qualified for the previous years, but not this year--but now, we did qualify--we had read it wrong!! We were now getting more back--still not enough to get out of debt--but a lot closer--infact we would just have $1000 left in debt now. It seemed that there was some light at the end of the tunnel after all. We turned in our taxes and waited to be able to get the money and pay off everything that we could.
The day finally came--we got back State first. Federal got delayed by a week, but we finally got it. But when we got it, there was $800 more than we thought we would get back. Those of you who know me, I am very skeptical--was this a blessing or a mistake? What do we do? Do we call the IRS and ask why--I don't want to owe the government money--or do we just use it. Jon said it was a blessing--I was nervous and wasn't sure. If this was a blessing, we could use our grocery money and delay payment on a medical bill for the month and pay off the rest of our debt--and FINALLY be debt free! I so wanted it to be a blessing, but I wasn't sure.
Well, a letter came from the IRS--I was scared to open it--I knew it would answer the question as to whether this was a blessing or a mistake. It stated that there was a change made to our tax return because we qualified for this other thing and that the following year if wanted that again we would have to fill out the form, but this year they did it for us. It was then that it hit me hard--this wasn't a blessing--this wasn't a mistake--this was a complete miracle!! Our prayers were truly answered.
We are now out of debt and I know it is a miracle and nothing more. I know Heavenly Father answers our prayers and that he blesses and helps us. I know that he really is mindful of us even at times when we are weak and don't see it. We have learned a lot through this that I am so grateful for that. This year will be a hard year--we already know we will have a lot of medical expenses. Now I pray that we can keep on top of it (and that our car will be good--no more expensive problems!!) and keep living tight and moving forward in doing all that we can do. We have sincerely been blessed and taken care of time and time again!

Running the Marathon--all 26.2 miles!

My cute family after running the marathon--what great supporters!
(And thanks Jay for strutting into my cute family picture.)Disclaimer: This is a REALLY, REALLY long post. It's actually more like a short story. It starts with me getting started to the end of training and running the marathon. You can skip around as much as you want--it was more just for me to sit down and write my experience while I remember it.
The Very Beginning:
I started running in college--loved it! Ran about 4 miles 4 times per week--never felt better and got more done in all of my life--the perfect anti-depressant really!

The Beginning--to the marathon--my first Half-Marathon--Provo Canyon:

Well, it all started last year--with my little sister Emily really. I wanted to get back into running--I had run in college, but through my pregnancies and what not I had run on and off, but never gotten fully back into it. I hurt my back badly (2 herniated discs and a bulging one) and found that exercise was the best thing for it--as long as I was exercising, my back did alright--when I stopped, my back got in trouble. Back to Emily--she started running. She signed up to run a marathon!!! The crazy woman just up and signed up for a marathon! She started training for it--she trained very well infact and fell in love with running. She did awesome at her marathon (even though she got quite sick the week before it and the doctor told her that she wouldn't have the strength to run it). Her marathon was very inspiring. It really made me want to run again--to really be able to run well. She convinced several of us siblings/in-laws to sign-up and train for a half marathon. We started the training. I wasn't convinced that I needed or even wanted to run a half marathon--running a few miles every couple days was good enough for me--so I thought. I actually didn't sign-up for the half marathon--though I was training for it along with several others. We were quite busy at the time--selling our home, moving, working on our yard, planting a garden, and so on as is everyone's lives--so I trained, but as minimally as I could. Training was a 19 week process--going from not really running much to running a half-marathon. I possibly would have not run the half-marathon if Emily hadn't actually called and told me that she had just signed me up, so I better continue training and run it. Now I was committed. On my final run before the half-marathon, my knee started killing me around mile 6 and I was supposed to run 10 miles! I ended up walking quite a bit at the end and I only did 8.5 miles. I was pretty worried that I wouldn't finish the half. Emily explained what the knee injury probably was and gave me pointers to help it (i-t band--stretching, ice, ibuprofen). So I ran the half marathon and it was really neat to accomplish. It was really hard at the end, but had some really fun parts as well. I really felt great for accomplishing such a feat--and to be doing it with siblings was really neat as well!

We all ran the Provo half together--August 2008

I did a half!! Now what?!
(writer's disclaimer--this gets personal--don't read if you don't want to)
I decided that I wanted to keep in good shape--I kept up the running. I started to think about running a marathon--no way, I would tell myself--that's crazy! I started to actually feel like I should run a marathon and that I would be grateful that I did! No way, I would tell myself--too much work and dedication and time that I don't have. Plus we would probably get pregnant soon--we had been trying for almost a year now, but with 3 other little ones, we weren't too concerned that we hadn't gotten pregnant.
Well, time went by and I finally decided I would train for a marathon with my brother, Jeremy. We both began training--two weeks into it I found out I was pregnant. A sigh of relief went through me--thinking, oh, now I don't have to run a marathon, phew--but I am in good shape and that is great so that I can keep running through my pregnancy.
Well, two months later we lost the baby--well, not sure what happened actually--it didn't form correctly and there wasn't much left of it when we did the ultra-sound. Just had 12 weeks of being the most morning sick I have ever been in my life for nothing--that's no fun for sure!

It is Time--do it already! Training Helps---
I began working out with my friend, Heather--we would run to a park, work out and run home--it was great! Another friend of mine told me that she had decided to run a marathon. She was going to run Top of Utah--in September. I was intrigued. My family and I ran a 1 miler together--really fun, I loved it and so did they. I was enjoying running and being in shape. I went to Jeremy's marathon in May--he did awesome! It was so inspiring once again! I knew I wanted to go for it for real this time and that I really wanted to do it! I was enjoying the workouts I was currently doing and I knew that I could do most of my training in the mornings and not take time away from my family. I moved forward with training. I reviewed several training schedules and planned out what I thought would be best for me--Tuesdays & Thursdays--2-3 mile runs and workouts with Heather. Wednesday--medium runs and Saturdays--long runs--working gradually from 6 miles to 21 miles over the course of 18 weeks. I was very worried about getting an injury in training--especially with my bad back. Both Emily and Jeremy had had injuries in training and I had heard all kinds of horror stories about how a marathon is so hard on your body and you should just never do that to yourself. But I honestly felt that it was time and that I needed to do this--I needed to run the marathon--I didn't know why, but I needed to do this--even if it was just for me. Jon was in full support and was willing to let me do whatever I felt I needed to do. I prayed that I would know how to train to help prevent injury and to be able to do well on the marathon. The more I ran, the more I studied tidbits and learned things here and there from other runners, the more I realized that my workouts with Heather were giving me perfect strength training to help me be stronger and do better on my long runs--and ultimately help prevent injury--answer to prayer!
Emily and Jeremy gave me lots of tips about running and distance--eating, stretching--and whatnot. Jay helped me out too (my little brother who is an exercise health nut--an awesome one though). After my long runs I would take ice-baths--yes it sounds crazy, but boy does it heal quickly! I would be sure to get lots of protein for quick healing--drank nasty glutamine powder before long runs. I got pretty sick during the middle of training and my doctor gave me an inhaler--I had asthma in high school and the beginning of college. This helped me greatly--the inhaler. I came to realize that it would really be helpful to have a gps watch to know if I was running far enough. Our finances are tight and I was trying to spend as little as possible on running this marathon. I looked on line and found a used one for a pretty good deal. I called the guy--he was close to Jon's work--Jon went to the bank, got the money and bought the watch. A week went by and the bank hadn't withdrawn the money from our account. Hmmm. . . I told Jon to go back and ask about it--we couldn't assume that it wasn't coming out and then bounce something. The bank had no record of it and said not to worry about it--it was their mistake! Definitely a tender mercy! I got my gps watch for free! It greatly helped--what I thought was a 10 mile run was actually a 9 mile run. I found myself watching my pace and pushing myself to go faster--and always getting in all the miles I planned on--knowing how far I had really gone was very helpful in training.

Training Runs:
When I got to my 14 miler run, Emily ran it with me because I was nervous to run that far on my own--had never run that far before. When I did my 16 miler, Jeremy ran that with me for the same reasons. At the end of both of those runs, I thought I wasn't going to make it--well, I knew I would, but it was so hard and several times I thought I was going to puke or loose something out my back end--you do feel quite sick at times on long runs. I was learning how to gage how much and what to eat/drink during a long run. I had to do my 17 miler by myself. I was pretty worried about that. We were visiting Jon's parents and so I had to find a place to run. I decided to go on the Legacy Parkway trail. I was nervous that I didn't know where bathrooms or water was, but figured they would have some along the way over that long of a distance (though I went out 8.5 miles and turned around). I had my water belt filled with gatorade and a granola bar--so I had at least something--I would need water eventually and I figured I would find some. I had listened to this awesome soundtrack that had a great beat and was powerful--it was in my head helping me along the run. To my dismay, every stop just had a nice little sign--no restroom and no water. I started to get worried as I realized I may not get more drinkage, so I drank sparingly. It got really hard the last few miles and for strength I thought about my dear little family and sweet husband and gave thanks for them--it was actually a neat experience. Thoughts of the temple gave me strength as well. I made it--and I actually felt pretty good! I ran all 17 miles! Went home, took an ice-bath and drank--my favorite--a muscle milk--yum yum!
The hardest training run I did--
was my 19 miler--Emily, Jay and I all met at this awesome trail I had found while camping--that was at the mouth of American Fork Canyon. I wasn't sure how far it went or all the ins and outs. We ran the first 7 miles on a dirt trail--kind of cool. Then we followed a paved trail that took us close to the American Fork temple--we needed more miles, so we ran past the temple. It got quite late, we ran out of drinkage. We still had about 6 miles to go. We did come to a park where we were able to get more water--we greatly needed that! It started to rain quite hard and then turned to hail--that wasn't too fun. At mile 18 I felt like I was "hitting the wall". We had one last huge hill to go up and then we were almost there. Close to the top of the hill that was killing me I somehow got another wind and then finished out feeling great! It was a crazy, hard run! Lots of hills, not enough to eat and drink, and we were unfamiliar with the path. But it was neat to do together (not to mention that it was quite dark at the end and a guy pulled over to "offer us a ride" and the second he saw Jay he sped off--so it was a good thing Jay was there with his rippling muscles to scare off the creepy guy up to no good).

The scariest training run I did:
Emily and I were meeting up Provo Canyon--we were on a little different schedules and I was on a short-long-run week and she was on a long-long run week--I won't explain, but she was running about 15 miles and I was running about 10. She parked 5.5 miles up the canyon, ran down with Jay to where I parked and then Jay left and she and I continued back up to then come back down. Well, it got pretty late--and pretty dark. Though there were actually still quite a few people on the trail as we went up so we didn't think too much about it. When we turned around and were heading back we realized it was actually quite dark--darker than we realized. We also realized that we hadn't seen anyone else for a while--we were almost done though and were just passing Bridal Veil Falls--just a couple more miles to go. South of the falls the trail goes down or up--we stayed up on the top trail. We could see someone ahead and they didn't appear to be moving. Emily called out to them--hey, who are you? I waived my gps watch light at them to see if they flashed one back (many runners have one and do that to let you know they are coming). No response. As we started to get closer we realized it was not a person and it was quite large. It was also not looking at us, but at a group of people down below standing around a fire-pit. At that moment we both looked at each other and said, I think that's a bear! Emily told me to just go down--off the upper trail and onto the lower trail. We ran down--cut through trees and dirt--slipped a bit--I was in front--Emily was not right behind me for a second and I was so scared to turn and look--but I did and she was there, had just slipped--we ran for our lives! We ran under the bridge to Nunn's park--the darkness freaked us out and we screamed as we ran under. We were too scared to look back but as we came to the campground I got worried about the people around the campfire that the bear was watching. We weren't going back, but we did find the campground host and told her. She called police and we had to make an official report. We were so freaked out-2 more miles to go to my car. We continued running on the trail, but it was so dark that we kept getting freaked out of something jumping out at us or any shadows we saw made it unbearable. We decided to run on the highway-yes really dumb--but too scared to take the trail. The highway was quite dangerous really--there is not much of an edge there and lots of cars honked at us--thinking what crazy girls running on the highway--and they were right, but they didn't know that we had just been scared to death by a bear. We finally made it safely to my car. We were just shaking all over and super freaked out! I drove Emily back up the canyon to her car. The people around the campfire and around that area were being sent home and cops had a big spotlight at the sight. We never did find out if they spotted anything, but a bear had been spotted around there a week earlier as well. It was quite the run--I bet we went so fast and I wish I had thought to look at my gps watch to see our pace when we ran away--I bet it was FAST!

My final and my favorite training run:
Jeremy, Jay, Emily and I all had signed up to run the marathon at this point--really neat to do it all together! We decided to meet for our final run. We met close to Utah Lake and ran up to Bridal Veil Falls and back--21 miles total. We met at 5:30am--it was dark, but I hate running in the heat, so early is better for me when I am going to be running for several hours. We all ate our power bars, filled our water-belts with gatorade--Jay had planted some gatorade on the trail as well--and off we went. What I really enjoyed about the run was talking with each other. I have come to learn that you really get close to those you run with. I think that's because you have a lot of time to really talk and because you are working hard at something together so you bond in that way as well. Jay and Jeremy were funny--competing the whole time, but trying not to show it. These two girls passed us at a certain point on the trail and that just upset Jay. For the next several miles his goal was to find those girls and pass them. We did finally meet up with them, talked with them for a while and passed them--but they were training for a marathon as well and one of them was in really good shape--they were good runners. They actually passed Emily and I as Jay and Jeremy kept ahead and got a ways ahead of us--we didn't really care though, it was just the last 5 miles or so of the run anyway. At about mile 19 it got pretty hard--I hold out well until I get close to the end--I try to trick my mind into thinking I have an extra mile more than I really do so that I hold out better--it works sometimes to a point. But I got another wind and really it was a great run! I could have kept going and actually I did for about .25 of a mile. We all stretched out and went home. Jay and Jeremy got talking about how they hope we won't mind if they don't stay with Emily and I at the Marathon--it was kind of funny and we told them that when it comes to the actual race--each to his own to do his best. We probably would all be at different paces on the actual marathon. I actually felt really good for the rest of the day--those ice-baths really help is all that I can say about that!

The Marathon:
The night before was quite the night. Emily, Ben, Sophie (Emily's 6 month old baby), Jay, Jon and I all shared a hotel room. Jeremy and his family stayed with his sister-in-law. It was quite the room--oh did I say hotel--I meant totally motel! Jay got the couch-bed--which seemed to be broken in the middle and every time he moved in the slightest it would squeak very loud. The wonderful air conditioning unit would go on every 20 minutes and would rumble and clank as it came on, waking up the baby who wouldn't really cry, but would get disturbed and fuss for a bit. After an hour of squeaking, rumbling, clanking, fussing, etc. Jon and I just started laughing--it really was funny and we weren't going to get much, if any, sleep--especially since we had to get up at 4:00am to be at the buses at 4:30am. Well, Emily got up extra early with Sophie and then pumped her a bottle. We all just got up and got ready. Jon drove us to the bus stop and amazingly, Jeremy walked onto the same bus as us within a minute of us getting on it!! I think that was a tender mercy--amongst the 3000 other people that were getting on buses, that's really quite amazing! We were all together and on our way through the city and up the canyon that we would be running down and through in just a few hours. It was freezing cold and there was a firepit to stand around. It was fun to visit with the other runners as we all waited. I got pretty nervous as we got closer to start time. And then, it was time. We all started out together and stayed together for a few miles--then Jeremy and Jay went ahead. I had to use the bathroom--darn it--bad for time! Emily waited, then she had to use the bathroom a few miles after that--I waited for her. I stupidly ate a goo--I never did that in training and I shouldn't have done that on the race if I hadn't done it before. It made me quite sick to my stomach and then I had to use the bathroom again--the other kind. I told Emily not to wait or we would waste a lot of time waiting for each other and we all had goals for our time. My goal was to do a good job--not really sure exactly what that was, but to keep under 9 minute miles throughout most of the marathon. The bathroom was a waste--had to wait in line for a few minutes and then I really didn't go very much and still felt sick. Emily had given me an ipod shuffle to use if I felt I needed it--I had never had music while running (except while on the treadmill--and I enjoyed that--seemed to help with speed), but was excited to try it out if I felt I needed it. Well, after coming out of the bathroom, I decided I would put on the shuffle and just book it--it was downhill at this point and I knew I was trained well enough to go pretty fast downhill and not kill myself later in the run. I went for it. I believe the music helped me go fast--I felt like I was flying and felt "flow"--where you just feel like you're not making any effort and you're just flying along. It felt AWESOME! It lasted from about mile 9 to mile 16. At mile 14 I thought I would see Jon--he and Ben were supposed to be there waiting and cheering us on. This is a point I regret in the marathon. I didn't stop listening to the music, I just looked around and was trying to keep a good form and run well--look impressive to Jon. I thought I would see him. But no, I didn't and I was really bumbed--I had really wanted him to cheer me on and to gain strength from that. The sad thing is--he was there--he was calling out to me--I just didn't hear him because I had music on--and he is filming me--I ran right passed him!! I was looking for a red shirt because that is what he was going to be wearing, but because it was cold, he had on a gray sweatshirt over his read shirt. Anyway--that and eating the goo rather than my powerbar, as I had done in training runs are my regrets from the marathon--oh and using the bathroom--won't wait in lines again--it will be roadside service for me. Next time (yes there will be a next time), I will stick to what I did on my best runs. And Jeremy informed me after the race of what he does--I like his theory and I will follow it on my next really long run to see how it works for me. He takes a bite of powerbar just before each aid station and then gets a drink at the aid station. This way he just stays pretty constant throughout his run. I like the powerbars better than the goos because it has more substance than sugar--so next time, like I said, I will be smarter and even if I don't feel like chewing (which is why I didn't eat the powerbar and ate the goo instead), I will chew, and when I expect to see people, I will not have my music on and then I can actually hear them calling out to me--could be quite the church lesson couldn't it?--anyway, back to the race--I remember running next to cars that were going very slow in the backed up traffic. Knowing people were watching helped keep me going and striving to keep a good pace. I stayed under a 9 minute mile for most of the marathon--which I was quite pleased with. The last few miles were pretty hard and I kept finding my pace was around a 10 minute mile and then I would try to speed up, but I usually couldn't very much. As I came to the end I could see my cute little family waving at me--they had a big bunch of red balloons so that I could spot them. Sarah and Ty Webster got those (my niece and her husband)--and they, along with Jons brother Eric and his family and my parents and sister Rebecca all came to cheer us on. Jon and the kids and a niece joined me as I came to the end and ran along with me. As I got to the finish line I got a final burst and ran ahead into the finish. It was awesome! I had done it. I ran the whole time except during the aid stations as I would drink gatorade/water and at the 3 bathroom breaks (such a waste of time, but oh well). My final time was 4 hours and 16 minutes--my average pace was a 9.4 minute mile (but that includes the aid stations and bathroom breaks) and my fastest pace was a 5.45 minute mile. It was awesome and I was very excited to have done it! Emily came in just after 4 hours, Jeremy and Jay stayed together until the very end. Jeremy came in just ahead of Jay around 3 hours and 45 minutes. My dear sweet husband emailed many many people and got them to send me cheering on/congratulation emails that he had me read the night before! He also had a trophy made for me and framed a recognition of all my races that he put together! He also got me a sansa clip (like a shuffle)! He was so good to me through all my training and running and I just love him so much for all that he does for me to support and help me accomplish goals that I want to do! He is a wonderful father and took care of our kids while I was on long runs and whatnot. I am very blessed with the best husband on Earth! Thank you Jon--I couldn't have done it without you!
Here are some pictures from the race:
My family waiting for me--the red balloons so I would know where they were--awesome idea!!

My cute boys!

My cute girls!

Close to the end--family joining me to run to the end.

After coming through the finish line.

Jeremy, Jay, me, and Emily after the race.

Emily and me--what a cute picture!

Me and my sweet husband Jon--we are cute!

Thanks to:

First, thank you to Jon, my amazing husband! What an amazing and wonderful support through all the training and on marathon day! Thank you for your sweet and thoughtful gifts and surprises on Marathon day--you are always so thoughtful and kind to me! Thank you!

Second, thank you Emily for helping me run a marathon and being such an inspiration and such an awesome sister--such a good example of so many things! You are amazing!

Third, thanks to Heather who helped me with strength/core training and keeping me strong and encouraging me!

Thank you Jay and Jeremy for your support--for the runs we did together, your tips and fun personalities--it was really fun to get to know you better as adults!

Thanks to everyone who sent me encouragement and congratulations!

Wow, this really was more like writing a book! But, hey, now I can remember it all better!