I'm Only Half Crazy

This was written on August 25, 2012. It is an important enough memory that I want to make sure it gets recorded:

Today I finished the Top Of Utah Half Marathon. It was my second half marathon. I did it in 3:04 which was 5 minutes faster than my Ogden Half Marathon time. And I was thrilled! This is a SLOW time. The fastest runners run in about 1:05-1:15. So, sometimes I wonder why I even bother... I know other people wonder the same thing. I've been thinking a lot about this, why do I run?

Running has brought me so much more than just physical benefits. There have been those. I've lost almost 50 pounds since Oct. but really that didn't start happening until after I changed my eating, running just assisted. I've got muscly legs- and I'm loving that they are becoming much more defined- one day they might be "shapely". But those, surprisingly, aren't the real reasons I run.

I run (and race) for the relationships. They are amazing! I love my sisters dearly. They are so important to me. But never have they felt as close as the times we've run together. Whether it was our first real race when Alesa was here running with me and Holly was doing one the same day in California, just to support me. Or as I crossed my first half marathon and there was Alesa waiting and all we could do was throw ourselves into each other's arms and cry. Or when we ran a midnight 10k and Alesa and Holly came back and ran the last little bit with me encouraging and cheering for me.

I feel closer to my in-laws. I love my in-laws, but often wonder what we have in common but it has been so fun to find this running thing. I loved doing Ragnar with them and feeling closer as we endured those experiences. I was so excited to see Leslie and Jamie come back and finish the last 3/4 mile or so of the Freedom Run- even though Leslie had been sick the whole day before.

I have friends who have started running to support me. Our relationships have grown as we've set goals and worked hard and run together to accomplish those goals. We pulled each other along on our strong days and been pulled on the days we aren't so strong and sometimes run step by step together just enjoying each other. I was so excited today as I saw Tori at the top of the canyon waiting to cheer for me and then as she drove past. I will never forget her face as I approached her at the finish line- pride and as much excitement as I feel. She gets it! And I can't wait 'til our next one when she'll be there with us!

I have met absolutely an AMAZING group of people through Face Book. It's a weird story how I become acquainted but I am grateful everyday that I am! I was part of the group and slowly got to know them. Ran into Lori at the Santa Run (still amazing I even recognized her). I did a group run with them once. Then at Ogden we were (amazingly) on the same bus. We knew it was fated to be a good day! The best ever though was a couple of months ago when they suggested they come out here to run (almost all are from the other end of the valley). This was such a turning point for me! I was struggling at the time, Doug was working out of town (normal lately) and I was discouraged with my running and feeling very alone. I was so touched that they would come all the way out here just to run. They fell in love with the run down the canyon as much as I am so it's turned into an almost weekly event. These people have become so important in my life right now. They support me and encourage and we can confide in each other. We know what happens on the road stays on the road...

Today I had the opportunity to run with Lisa, she is normally much faster than me but because she is nursing an injury she decided it would be safer for her to go slower. So, she slowed down by about 45 minutes and talked me through the whole race.

All along our route today there were signs that said "NERC" (Northern Exposure Running Club) and then had fun things written. Lori had taken the time last night to go hang these for us. It was so fun to watch for them when we were so discouraged!

Lori put together darling shirts that say "supporting each other one step at a time" and that's exactly what we do! I love these girls (and 2 guys)!

There are many other people who have become so much more important in my life because of running. Miriam who ran (a much slower race than she was capable of) to stay with me during Ogden half. Mindy who has done many long runs with me- she runs in circles while I run straight so we can stay together.

Two of my biggest cheerleaders/supporters have been Holly and Maika. Wow! These two are amazing. These guys enter races to actually win (unlike most of us who enter to beat ourselves) And they do, they win. Last October I went to Holly and asked her for some help. Some tips and some accountability in both weight loss and running. She's been a constant support and friend since then. She also knew that Maika could be a huge help for me (she does this kind of stuff professionally). Maika has become a dear friend and a wonderful cheerleader.

My family, Doug and the kids and my mom. I have the best cheering section EVER. They run from mile post to mile post dragging the kids so that they can cheer for me all along the way. That's hard work! And the runners that are around me are always so jealous!

I'm so grateful I found running and I'm glad it's a major part of my life!

Our family

A couple of months ago I was asked to write up a little thing about our family to be put in the ward newsletter. I really hate writing these things- want it to sound interesting, but not bragging. I thought I'd share it here since I put so much time into it. :)

We are the Austin family. We have a lot of fun together. We like to do things and go places together. We love to camp and travel. If there is ever an excuse to travel somewhere we will take it, especially road trips, we believe that getting there is most the fun. We like to play games and go to movies. We try to support each other and if someone has a game or performance you can be sure that most of the family will be close by. Whenever Stephanie has a race many of the other racers say how jealous they are of her cheering section.

Doug (aka Dad) - is a wonderful dad, he will take time with the kids. He works as an Electrician and loves to be able to climb up high and in dark tunnels (it probably makes him feel like Batman). He takes a lot of joy in seeing what he has helped build. Doug also has a Chemistry and Spanish degree. He taught for a couple of years but then decided that wasn’t for him. Doug loves to read and will read books multiple times, he is very smart and can remember everything that he reads. Doug enjoys music and likes to sing with the ward choir. Doug grew up in Hyrum but has been fully converted to a Smithfieldian.

Stephanie (aka Mom) - is grateful to be in this wonderful family! She works as a payroll specialist/bookkeeper and does foot zoning. She is able to work out of the home with both of these jobs and is very grateful for that. Her time is mostly taken up with being mom but when she has spare time she likes to read and has been working on trying to be a runner. Stephanie loves to hang with her sisters and Mom and knows that a “girls” weekend makes everything better. Stephanie grew up in Smithfield and is thrilled that she gets to raise her children here.

Kathryn (aka Katie)-12- Is our oldest child, and what a joy of an oldest child! Katie is super responsible and always willing to help cook or clean (well, most the time). She LOVES to babysit and it makes her so happy when she is left in charge. Katie has a beautiful singing voice and loves to share her talent. This is in her last year in Tavaci (a singing/dancing group) and she’s very disappointed about that.  She works hard to get good grades and has been on the honor roll every quarter. Katie enjoys reading, especially adventure or science fiction. She started Young Women this summer and she is having so much fun.

Madalyn (aka Maddie)- 10- Maddie is pink and sparkly, she loves “bling” and being girly. She’s a happy, friendly, loving person. She is always ready for a party! And constantly is surrounded by friends. Maddie never complains or fights back, she just takes whatever the situation is and makes the most of it. She doesn’t want to see anyone’s feelings hurt and tries hard to include everyone in her plans. Maddie sings with Tavaci too but loves the dancing part of it the best.  Maddie is very determined- when she decides she wants something she’ll work hard until she gets it.

Bevan (aka “B”) -5- Bevan is so much fun! He is full of energy and ideas. He has never met a stranger- they are all his friends. He has an amazing imagination and can have fun playing with about anything. Bevan sings with Tavaci and often steals the show because he forgets to stop dancing due to the music he hears in his head. Bevan just started kindergarten and enjoys going, especially with all his friends. He likes learning to read, but we’re pretty sure that recess is his favorite.

Mic (aka “Stinky) – almost 1- We consider Mic our miracle. He was born 5 weeks early, just before Christmas.  The Doctors thought that he would be in the hospital for a few weeks but after Mom had a talk with him (and he was given a couple of blessings) he made a complete turn around and wowed everyone by being able to come home on Christmas Eve. Mic is a very opinionated little guy. He is happy and smiley- mom calls him Guy Smiley, but when he wants something (or doesn’t  want something) he is sure to let us know.  He is learning how to walk. His first word was “doggy” and “banana” was second, yup, those are pretty much the most important things in his life. But he does love his siblings a lot, he’ll cry when they leave to school and get so excited when he sees them walk in the door.

Where've we been the last 6 weeks?

I know, I know you've been losing sleep wondering where I've been and why there've been no posts! :) Here is a quick catch up.

As you will be able to tell the last 6 weeks have been SUPER busy but CRAZY fun!

I've still been serving with the Young Women (here we are playing broom hockey in the rain)

Doug has been teaching Gospel Doctrine-

sometimes with only 5 minutes warning when the other teachers don't show.

Katie learned all there is to know about Florence Nightingale for her 5th grade History Fair.

Our neighbor, Teresa Jones, came up with this great costume for her to wear.

We endured rain for most of May and all of June. Unfortunately a lot of school end activities were rained out but there were still plenty of fun ones!

Maddie had "Meet your Pen Pal" day at the park rained out.

Katie had swim day rained out so they just got to go to the local high school for a couple of hours instead of all day at the water park.

Maddie still had a fun Field Day.

And Katie got to go to a Bees Game and

play at the AR (reading) Carnival. (Bevan and I got to go help there too)

Katie graduated from DARE (drug free program) and 5th grade.

Bevan graduated from Joy School.

We are going to miss "Teacher Suzanne" and Joy School.

All of the kids have attended Joy School. We love it!!!

I did more than 20 memorial day arrangements. (This was the small one)

We had our annual Memorial day activities along with going to a shower for Andi (K.C's fiance)

Bevan turned 4!

Isn't that a great cake Grandma Meikle made for him!

(Details in another post)

Sleep-overs and fun with the Austins from Oklahoma

I went to Young Women camp. It was four days of fun even if it did rain the whole time!

Love the girls in our ward!

Alesa and I ran 5k #2 "Running with Angels" at Thanksgiving Point

(More details in another post)

Uncle K.C and Andi got married and we celebrated with two days of parties!

Doug took the kids and went camping with the Austins. Fun times with the cousins!

While the rest of the family was camping, I went to Trek with the Young Men and Young Women. Unfortunately, I didn't get to "trek" but went as a cook. We started the days at 5:00 am but I had a great time getting to know people and interact with the wonderful youth of our stake!

Katie's been playing softball with the city league. I've been coaching the team and Doug's been helping at the games. I've been working both jobs (thankfully!) and of course PTA.

And on top of all this, we've been busy trying to save the world!

Testimony

This is hard, it really is. But, I feel I need to share my testimony while I can still voice it.

First of all, I know that thanks to a temple marriage and the blessings we receive there; FAMILIES ARE FOREVER. This is my truth. I've held on to this knowledge since the day my dad died and now am holding on to it even stronger. Who else would I want to be with forever besides my darling, caring, loving husband, my beautiful children and my mom, dad, siblings and in-laws. I love them so much now why won't that love grow even stronger into eternity.

I believe that we all started as spirits who have gained bodies and then leave them upon death and continue growing and learning until one day we are resurrected and can regain our bodies. We will all have that blessing and if we live right, and do the best we can, be reunited as family and friends.

I know we have a Heavenly Father who loves us. He is continually watching out for us and all things are in His hands. We don't understand all that happens and why it happens and that's OK. One day we probably will. We know that we have to submit to His will. He will never leave us. We will be compensated for the tears and loss we feel here on earth.

"The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss. That which is taken away from those that love the Lord will be added unto them in his own way. While it may not come at a time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude." -Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

I know that through Jesus Christ all of this is possible. He is truly our Savior and our friend!

If you want to know why I believe these things and many more wonderful truths please feel free to contact me and/or see this web site: www.mormon.org

Wonderful Adventure

I'd been itching to go somewhere, and because Doug can't take any days off work right now I thought we needed to take a quick trip somewhere over Labor Day weekend. Being a Union man Doug for sure gets that day off! ;) So, I looked and I looked. It needed to be somewhere cheap and of course couldn't be too far away. After much research we decided to go to the Yellowstone area. We stayed in "Tent-Cabins" at Coulter Bay. What's a "Tent-Cabin" you ask? Well, it's exactly like it sounds, half tent, half cabin. It has two cabin walls that have fold down bunks attached to them and a wood burning stove. Outside (under the cover) is a picnic table. We loved it! It was only $42/night and was easy camping. We took our own bedding and Doug's small Coleman burner. We would get up every morning and make hot chocolate and a yummy breakfast! We took lunch fixings with us and we'd eat in whatever parking lot we were in. Then we'd come back about 8-8:30 and quickly fix dinner. We ate taco soup, corn on the cob and hamburgers for dinners.

We spent two days in Yellowstone. It was nice to be able to take our time and hike and see what we wanted to see. We stopped and took pictures of the Tetons. Got out and put our hands in Yellowstone Lake (it was too cold to put in anymore than that!) We saw Lewis Falls.

Of course we saw lots of hot pots and sulfur pots (stinky!). We saw Old Faithful and all of the geysers. I think we did about every 1/2 mile trail that there is in Yellowstone.

We saw some things close up (like the Buffalo- or bison- who were within 10 yards of our car) and the things that weren't close enough we'd use Dad's binoculars!

We hiked the Grand Canyon (although due to construction we couldn't go as far as we wanted. We did "Tom's Trail" which is basically 380 stairs that go straight down. Ugh! It was a hike, but well worth it to see the beautiful views of the waterfall.

We had a great time. The weather was wonderful! Except the last day when it started raining at night and poured all the next morning. Luckily, we were just planning on going to Jackson Hole anyway so it worked out alright. We stopped at Jenny Lake and walked a little way on the trail and then headed to Jackson. It was too cold in Jackson to do much so we just drove through and then stopped at Bubba's to eat lunch. Yum! Great bar-b-que! On the way home Doug wanted to go see the new Rexburg Temple. That temple is quite pretty. (I'll share a picture in another post- I can't add anymore pictures!) Then we ended up having to stop and get a new windshield washer. We had a great time and I'm already planning our next trip there. Although I don't know when it will be- we'll definitely be going back.