I am thankful...

I appreciate my healthy body!  I am so glad I have a body that I can do so many things.  Specifically, I am glad I can run!  I love to run!  Running allows my mind to unwind.  I am able to clear my head.  Not to mention I like to exercise!   I feel much better when I exercise.  I like to train for races and push my body to improve my time and endurance.  I am so grateful  I have a body that works so well.

Kids' Run

 Grant has got into running and exercise since I began running races.  He will often tell me he has to go outside and get some exercise.  I think it is great!  I love to see him play outside.

I was supposed to run my first half marathon on the first weekend in October.  I had been doing a LOT of running and training to be ready for the race.  The race didn't happen... long story...but Grant keeps talking about how he wants to run a race and win a medal.

I found a kids run put on by the YMCA.  There were quite a few kids running the mile race.  Grant did a mile race last year with his friend Easton and did great!  He was really excited at the beginning.

He was so proud of his muscles, his cool race shirt, and the number pinned to his back.

Kyle said he did really good at the beginning of the race.  By the end he started getting frustrated.  He had noticed there weren't as many kids running.  Kyle also thinks he got a little bit of a side ache and by the end he was hot and tired.

When he saw me at the finish line he broke down into uncontrollable tears.  We couldn't get him calmed down for anything!  He didn't want the shiny medal or the treats they had.  It made Kyle and I feel like such jerks.

However, by the time we got home he was happy again and called his Granny to tell her all about the "big race."  We figured out part of the reason he was so upset is because he thinks he is Lightening McQueen.  McQueen always wins his "big races" and Grant wanted to win too.  It gave us a nice opportunity to talk about how we can't win all the time and how proud we are he can even run a mile.  We also told him he was the first place three year old.  This made things much better.

I didn't ever get a picture with him and his medal because we were trying to get him calmed down.  We couldn't be happier about Grant's effort and willingness to try hard things.  I don't know many 3 year olds who would run a mile.  Check that. I know many adults who would or COULD run a mile!  Way to go GRANT!

I am 30!

I turned 30 on the 3rd of September.  I am ok with it.  I really was hoping to have 2 children by the time I was 30, but that obviously did not happen.  Looking back at what I have accomplished in the last 10 years I am pretty pleased.  

I graduated from USU with a Bachelor's and Master's Degree.  I have moved at least 7 times.  I married to my sweetheart.  Together we bought 3 cars and 1 house.  I have changed jobs 3 times since I graduated.  I have been pregnant twice and have one wonderful son.  My testimony has grown and is stronger than before.  I have endured many trials and have become one tough cookie!  I have picked up running and have run quite a few 5K's and a 10K.  

I wanted to go for a run on my birthday.  I came home to a Luau Party!  I was all sweaty and gross, but my boys were so excited!  Kyle got me all dressed for my birthday party!  Grant wanted me to open my presents before I got in the shower!  

Kyle went all out for the big 30!  We had tropical banners and balloons to set the scene.  I was very impressed at how well he did.  I am so lucky to have a hubby that cares about little things like parties.  

Kyle and Grant got me this really nice running jacket.  Now the weather is cooling off I am going to need a light jacket to go running in.  Fall weather is cool for running, but  sometimes it is really cold when you first start.  I was excited for this  cute jacket!

I love memory foam pillows!  I have a really nice one, but a few months ago Grant was sleeping on it for a nap and had an accident.  The bottom corner of the pillow got pee on it.  I tried washing it, but the smell really never went away.  It was my favorite pillow in all the world!  Kyle got me a new one so I don't have to fall asleep to the fragrance of pee.

Kyle also decided I needed a little prank gift for the big day!  I got this to help with my old lady hearing.

Grant wanted to get doughnuts for me and since Krispy Kreme is right across the street from Zurcher's they got doughnuts!  They sure are mighty tasty! 

We spent most of the afternoon driving go-carts and playing miniature golf.  We were having so much fun that I forgot to take pictures.  Kyle took me to one of my favorite restaurants: Tucano's!  It was a wonderful day.  I couldn't have asked for a better birthday!

My Goal: So Close

I made a goal towards the end of my to run 100 miles before my birthday.  I fell short 4.7 miles. I am a little bummed but considering that I had to keep converting miles to kilometers and did some minor miscalculations I am still pretty proud.  I have to say I really tried.

The Dancing Truth

This morning I was running on the treadmill.  Grant was playing "music" on the piano.  He was dancing, playing and singing along to his music.  He said, "mom dance with me."  I said, "honey I can't because I am running on the treadmill.  I will be able to dance in a minute."  He started giggling and said, "its ok mom your tummy is dancing."  Thank you very much!   Yes son you are right.  This would be partly why mom is on the treadmill to start with.

Working Out

Grant was playing in our toy/storage/t.v./treadmill room.   I left the room for a minute and when I came back this is what I found.

If you leave shoes out he will find them.  He likes to walk around the house with shoes on.  I usually run when Grant is asleep, but apparently he has seen me on the treadmill enough to know what he is supposed to do.  I love to capture these candid shots.

I huffed and puffed!

This morning was the 11th Annual Wheat and Beet Hit the Street 5K run in Garland, UT! Last year, I was determined to run this race because I wanted to run a 5K by the time Grant was 6 months old.
Now Grant is 17 months old. I had registered for the race BEFORE Kyle told me he was planning to spend the entire weekend at Flaming Gorge. So Grant and I ran the race this morning. To be more precise I ran the race pushing the jogger while Grant drank juice and ate cookies. I have run with the jogger before, but it is a LOT more work so if possible I leave Grant at home with his Daddy.
The course is a down and back course with a nice sized hill in the middle of it. I pushed hard up the hills. I like to sprint at the end, but my legs were dead and I couldn't move them any faster. I have never had to PANT so hard. With all this said I am proud to say I finished the race at 33:06! Not my best time, but considering I was pushing a 25 pound kid in a jogger I am quite pleased.

Bragging Rights

I feel I have deserved some bragging rights so here it goes.

When I was pregnant with Grant Kyle came with me to a few of my ob/gyn appointments. One of the ones he came to was to find out Grant was a boy. Well, up to that point Kyle and I had both put on a little weight. I was starting to feel better and started to eat again. Kyle had gained weight from when I didn't feel good and he couldn't stand to see all of my food go to waste. When we told my doctor we were having a weight gaining contest he laughed and then jokingly said that I better be careful because men can lose weight easier then women. Well, that just frosted me.

After Grant was born I decided I didn't want to keep the baby weight I had with Grant. Kyle didn't want to keep his weight either. So he decided he was going to run a marathon in September 2008 and I just wanted to lose some baby fat. We bought a really nice treadmill so we could exercise at home.


Now Grant is just over 15 months old. I have run two 5K races. I weigh 15 pounds less then when I got pregnant with Grant. I have run 96 miles in 90 days. I had a checkup today with my Dr. I couldn't help but be proud of myself. I told him it was partly his fault that I was so determined to lose some weight.

I think I look better and I am more fit then I have ever been! Weight loss is a long road. It takes a lot of commitment. I am proud of what I have done. I would still like to lose a little more, but I don't know if I am willing to sacrifice my night time brownie/cookie/ice cream snack.

Painting, Running, and Teething

This last week has been crazy fun. On Wednesday I painted our whole bedroom a dark brown. I don't remember the lame name for the paint. I want to take pictures but the room still isn't put together yet. I will soon.
Saturday I the 5K "Run from Violence" in Logan. It was pouring rain! I wasn't hot at all, but by the time I finished I felt like my clothes weighed about 50 pounds. I had to use the bathroom before the race even started. So considering that I shaved 2 minutes and 50 seconds off my last PR is a miracle. I am training up for the next one.
Sunday I felt in Grant's mouth and we have a tooth! I am so happy. I was starting to think that we might have to get the kid dentures at 3 because he wouldn't have any teeth. The tooth isn't even really visible, but you can feel it.
It has just been a blast this whole week! Keep checking for more pictures to come.