You Did a Good Thing!

Thanks to all of you who sponsored Katie's Fun Run. She did all 30 laps (2 1/2 miles) and raised the $250 that was her goal, thanks to all of you!!! This was an incredibly fun fundraiser, and I was so not excited about it to begin with! Here are some fun pictures of the day, yes a little water fight was involved!This is Katie's teacher, he seems so much fun! All of the teachers were great and came and supported the students, most even ran with them!

Fun thing about these pictures- Sometimes I randomly surf blogs (link off other blogs), especially on Sunday nights when it's quiet. Last night as I was surfing a girl's blog I was pleasantly surprised to see these pictures of Katie. The blog belonged to the mom of Bailey (the girl in the pictures) and the blonde boy who is spraying them. Thanks, Chanelle, for sharing! (Since we were bad parents and forgot the camera!)

Way to go Katie! Way to set a goal, work hard, and achieve it!

5k

Yesterday I did the 5k race. Boy, you would think I’d run a marathon! The race was fun, but hard. Harder than I expected, I think my pace was a little faster so I felt it more. (No, I won’t tell you my time- it’s still embarrassing!) But there were some people slower than me! This was a great experience! I felt so supported and loved! There are so many people who have come this far with me. Alesa, Tori, Shauntel and I all started together and that lasted for about 5 seconds. They all went ahead and did an awesome job! Even Holly did a 5k in California yesterday, so we were all doing this together. I’m so proud of each of us! None of us have ever been runners but each of us finished and they all had times to be proud of!

Alesa, Tori, me and our husbands all went to Calloway’s for dinner Friday night. It was so fun to spend time together relaxing and having fun. We are all lucky to have very supportive husbands who love us and want us to succeed in everything we do.

Saturday morning we drove in to town and were nervous as could be. I woke up at 3:30a.m.and never went back to sleep. The race energy was fun. I have no idea how many people there were but I’d guess over 300. There was a little girl (later found out she was 5) who fell right at the beginning, I felt so bad for her! A little over ½ way and just before the steepest hill, Tori’s husband, Rob was waiting to take pictures, he even waited for me. Just seeing him and Gabby made me happy and gave me a little burst of energy. At just over 2 miles the lady who owns the salon where I work and her son and daughter were waiting to cheer for us! Then down the road ½ mile was Doug and the kids. Katie even came down and met me and jogged with me a little ways. That stretch was the very hardest for me. I was tired and I wanted to throw up, but I knew I just had to push through. I turned to go up 2nd South and could see Alesa (she'd already finished) at the end of the block, she was my angel this time and I knew all I had to do was make it to her and she would help me finish. I made it that far and we turned the corner and could see the finish line, but it seemed so far away.

I looked at the word “Finish” and focused on that. Other than that, I was very unaware of what was going on around me until I saw Felice (my trainer from the weight loss contest) Once I saw her I knew I couldn’t quit. So I picked it up and pushed my limits until I crossed the finish line. During the final stretch I heard people cheering and I thought “Wow, do they know I didn’t win!?!” :) I know the reason there was so much cheering was because there were so many people who love me there supporting me. Our baby probably would have been born this week (a little less than 2 weeks before due date) and most of these people who were there had figured out that was the reason I set this goal. As my dear friend Tori said “We are running to show we’re stronger than our pain.” That was exactly it, she said it perfectly! There were tears at the finish line, mine my mom’s and others. I am blessed! I have dear friends and family who supported me. Even though I was only doing 3 miles they treated it like it was a marathon, and maybe it was MY marathon. I received the kindest comments on facebook, the most encouraging e-mails and nicest phone calls. Thank you! I AM stronger than my pain and it is only because of my friends and family and a loving Heavenly Father.

Now, I'm thinking about a 10k…

C25k again

I've gotta record my feelings, so here we go again... 3.1 miles today!!!! hooray!!! I only did it because of my "angels". I know it sounds corny, and you might not understand, but I know where my strength comes from. Ever since I started this running program I've prayed every night and morning that I would have the strength, stamina and perseverance that I would need to be able to finish my goal. Often I would feel a strength outside of myself push me through the hard spots. I've known myself to pray as I'm going down the road to get through a rough time. Today I was about half way through and was TIRED not sure I could make it the whole way. Just after that a black BMW was coming up the road (you have to know I live/jog in a VERY friendly area) and just as I went to wave at the young man driving the car he gave me a big grin and a "thumbs up" sign. What a little gesture, what a big boost it gave me! I had energy. Thanks to my angel in the black BMW, whoever he is!

As I went a little further I thought of my bil's advice to run with my "heart" and so I gave it over to my heart, my heart is strong, maybe partially broken, but strong!

Then I look up ahead and who do I see? My next angel, Miriam, my friend who I had called to meet me to help me through the last little while. She met me earlier than I expected. We did the last 20 minutes together and I jogged the whole time!!!! Yes, I was tired and there was a time or two I didn't think I could go on, but I did it! I looked ahead to the end of the road or the next mail box. Little goals.

I can do hard things! I've done them before and I will do hard things again! With help from my "angels" both here and on the other side.

C25k

(If you can't read it- this shirt says "You don't have to go fast, you just have to go.")

This is it, I'm in the final days before my 5k. I've jogged (there is no running with what I'm doing- but that's ok, it'll come) the route 3 times now, with different degrees of success. I am honestly having problems getting past the 2.7 mile point. I walk for a little bit and then can jog the rest, I think it's a mental block, so my friend is going to meet me on Wed. to help me push through and then once I do it I'm hoping I'll be able to go the distance again on Saturday. I'm quite proud of myself for getting this far. It's been many, many years (if ever- I cheated in middle school) since I've run 1 mile at a time let alone 3.1. I know that there are many, many people who have run much furthur than 3.1 miles but I'll claim my 3 miles. I've worked hard for these. I'm nervous. I know I will probably be the last to cross the line, but at least I'm doing it, a lot of people aren't even doing that.

I am trying to decide where I go after this, I think I will keep working on the 5k until I can do it a little faster. I guess I'll cross that bridge when I get there. I've got to have a goal though, a commitment, I do so much better when there is a committment. I'm a little worried about my knee, it held out pretty well until I started going the 3 miles, now it hurts most all the time. I'm amazed at what jogging has done for me mentally. So much more than walking or even hiking (although hiking is a close 2nd). I think it is the only thing that has gotten me through these last few weeks. I'm amazed at how much better life looks on the days I run- truly cheaper, better, and healthier than prozac!

Think about it.

The example of our mother, even in the worst of times, to move forward and put faith and hope into action, not just worrying or wishful thinking, sustained our family and me and gave confidence that present circumstances would give way to future blessings.
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf (October 2008 General Conference)

First Day of School

The girls started school on August 20th. The long awaited day! We love school around here so the first day is a celebration. I very seldom feel sad about them going back because they love it so much.

Maddie had Mrs. H. The same teacher Katie had in 2nd grade. We love her! Although she does give a lot of homework. And I hate homework! :) Maddie is so good at her homework she often has it finished before she gets off the bus. Mrs. H. is an older teacher and very demanding but also fun and teaches the kids so much. We're excited to see what Maddie can accomplish this year!

Katie (or Kathryn which is what she goes by at school) has Mr. H. (no, the teachers aren't related) This is our kids first experience with a male teacher. I'm excited for Katie. I loved my male teachers! Interesting fact: all but one of Katie's teachers have been 2nd year teachers, crazy! He seems like a great teacher who has lots of incentives and positive things to help the kids work hard. He doesn't assign homework (hooray!) but if the kids don't finish their work they have to bring it home, so far, no homework, just spelling.

I'm excited for the girls! What wonderful things await...

Katie's Birthday Dinner

Katie wanted to go the El Toro Viejo for dinner for her birthday, she loves their shrimp enchiladas. Alesa and kids, Aunt Juli, Grandma Meikle and our family all went. Katie got plenty of nice presents; Polly pockets, DS games and more...