The Pampered Princess

Flying Pig Half-Marathon 2010

2010-05-03T12:21:00.012-04:00

Yesterday I ran the Flying Pig Half with Mikayla. We got downtown in the pouring rain and prayed that we wouldn't have a delay because of the lightning. Our feet were soaked through in the first mile and we ran using garbage bags as ponchos until about mile 2. Luckily, the rain eased up and we ran in sprinkling rain until the end.

I loved the crowd support! I could not believe how many people were lining the streets in downtown Cincinnati. People cheered and clapped and shouted out encouragement! We ran along the edges so we could get high-fives whenever possible. I even got a high-five from the Elvis Impersonator at the Krohn Conservatory. The hills were killer! But, I only had to walk about 4-5 times during the entire race. That thrilled me because I have had some really rough long runs over the past few months where I had to walk a lot!

Shane brought other kids and Eric down to see us run and we found him at about the 8.5 mile mark which was the split-off for the half marathon. the half-marathoners go left and the marathoners go right. I didn't even start the turn. I ran right into his arms for a hug and kiss. Then I told him we wanted pictures. I knew he wouldn't be able to come down for the finish and I HAD to have pictures with my kids. The only bummer was that Hunter was down a few yards with Eric, so he wasn't in the first family photo! But as we passed Hunter and Eric, Shane took another picture for us!

Shane got everybody in the van quickly and caught up with us 2 more times on the route where he and the kids yelled out the window and he honked the horn before heading home.

Mikayla was really supportive. She is a great runner and could have left me behind many times, but she stuck right by me. We had a wonderful time looking at all the buildings, and people, and beautiful sights. I'm so glad we had this opportunity to accomplish such a huge goal together! She shares my love of running and is much better at it than I am!

After seeing the family we ran back down into Cincinnati and I was getting very fatigued. The last mile was the worst! I thought I would be so excited and full of adrenaline that it would be easier to finish. Instead, I was praying over and over in my head "Please help me....please help me... please help me..." It kept me moving. We finished in 2 hours 39 minutes!

I ended up with some chafing burns on my back from my clothing and I got one blister on the arch of my foot that I was expecting anyway. But, as wet as we were, I think we got off pretty easy. My favorite thing about the race was my pace tattoo. You decided how fast you think you can run your race and pick a temporary tattoo to match. It shows you what time the clock should read at each mile marker, so you know if you are running faster or slower than you planned. I LOVED it. During every race I'm doing mental math to see if my pace is ok and this time I just glanced down at my forearm to see how were were doing. Every mile was good. We lost a couple minutes on the hills and and then made it up on the downhills. My pace tattoo was for a 2:45 finish and we did it 2:39!

I wondered if I could finish a Half Marathon and now I know that I can. I did it 4 days before my 40th birthday! Today my thighs are sore and I'm tired, but I feel REALLY good. I could use a nap, but Jared isn't cooperating. At my house, "race-recovery" means doing all the housework that didn't get done because I was racing!

On my other goals, I finally lost the original 22 pounds I set out to lose about a year and a half ago. I swore off pop (diet or sugar-full) for the month of April and didn't cheat at all. I think that helped with the weight-loss!

I promised myself that when I finished the half-marathon I would post a picture from my first Flying Pig event. This is Jessica and me at the Flying Pig 5K on 5/6/07! When Jared saw it, he asked who that friend was with Jessica!

And this is me & Mikayla with Tanner, Savannah, and Jared yesterday at the Flying Pig Half-marathon!

Here we are with Hunter and Eric!

I still have a long way to go before I reach my ultimate fitness level, but I'm definitely on my way!

February 2, 2010

2010-02-02T13:30:00.002-05:00

Holy Cow! Another month gone. 3 months from today is the half-marathon. January actually went really well. I did great with my first goal of just 20 minutes of exercise 5 times a week for 6 weeks.

1st week- 137 minutes
2nd week- 217 minutes
3rd week- 270 minutes
4th week- 100 minutes

Mikayla and I did our long runs on Saturdays.
Jan.9- 2.8 miles
Jan. 16- 5.2 miles
Jan. 23- 6.4 miles Run, plus 1.6 mile Walk
Jan. 30- Mik. was on a temple trip and I chickened out because of the cold!

My weight is back down to within 2 pounds of my pre-Christmas weight! I really struggle with controlling my appetite under stress. One day 2 weeks ago, I did really good all day sticking to my diet plans. Then, Shane came home and we were preparing to go out for dinner. Jared woke up from a late nap and came crying up the stairs to our room. Now on my bed was an open package of fruit snacks. I don't actually like fruit snacks. Some child had started this package and left it on my bed. I had seen it several times and passed by it. I wasn't interested in eating it and hadn't yet found the culprit who left it on my bed. When Jared came up the stairs crying, anxiety suddenly kicked in and I actually caught myself reaching for the fruit snack to grab it and eat a couple bites!!!! Wow! What a telling moment. I can do really well with my eating until my stress level increases.

I was really glad that I caught myself and recognized that I was just eating for emotional reasons. I confessed (through my tears) to a friend earlier that same week that I am completely willing to do whatever exercise it takes to lose weight, but that I can't control my appetite. She told me about a book about changing your thought process about dieting. I bought it right away. It's called The Complete Beck Diet for Life. I have struggled with depression in the past and have learned how to talk to myself to help combat those feelings, so I was very interested in a book about changing how I talk to myself about dieting. So far, I'm enjoying the book and I think it is helping me feel more in control.

The plan is to lose about a 1 pound a week until May 2nd. I'm trying to get as much exercise built into my schedule as possible. So, I'm going to a Zumba class every Monday evening, trying for 3 exercise sessions at home during the week, and then a long run on Saturday. Yesterday, I did an exercise video for 50 minutes and then did Zumba last night. All in all, things are going very well.

Monday and Tues

2010-01-12T22:37:00.002-05:00

Monday- I did really well with my eating through the day. Ate a bit too much at dinner, but that happens. Mikayla and I did take Jared in the jogging stroller. Wow! What a process this was. We had to get all our cold weather running stuff on and then get the stroller figured out (we've only used it one other time) and THEN get Jared dressed and ready to go. I was SWEATING up a storm and we were still in the front hall of our house! (note to self: don't put on your coat until you are really sure you are walking out the front door!)

Pushing the jogging stroller brought running to a whole new level of difficulty! We couldn't run on the sidewalks because a lot of people haven't cleared the snow off yet, so we ran in the road. There is still a lot of ice and snow there too! So, we ran around the ice, snow, parked cars, and tried to stay out of traffic. But, the thing that killed me were the little wimpy hills! I cannot run up hills easily even when I'm not pushing a 33 pound kid in a stroller!!! We went about 10 minutes and had to turn back because I had to go to work (and I was DYING!). We will try it again, because it was a really good workout. When we got back to the house, Mikayla took Jared up the street of our neighborhood for five extra minutes. Obviously, she is in much better shape than I am!

Tuesday- Today started out very promising. I had two jobs and instead of counting of fast food I, (are you sitting down?) ACTUALLY packed my lunch! I know, you are in shock! I packed a nice salad with turkey and cheese, an apple, and a bottle of water. I ate this while getting Jared from preschool and dropping him off at Karlin's while I headed to my next house to clean.

After work, I fell off the wagon. I had a lot of driving to do to get Mikayla where she needed to go and the little kids TALKED MY EARS OFF! I swear I must hear the word "mom" 300 times a day. I love my kids so much, but sometimes I can't listen any more. Did I take a time out? No, I took food instead! Ate too much and got discouraged. But, after I ate at 3:30 I decided I was done eating for the day. My late after-lunch-snack could also be my dinner. And so I have not eaten anything else and I'm drinking lots of water. For my exercise today I attended a free Zumba class at a friend's dance studio. Heather went with me and although the music and dance moves were not to our taste, we definitely got a good aerobic workout. It reminded me how much I love a good exercise class and I'm determined to go a couple times a month to the Zumba class I like at another location. It is so fun to see other women dancing and feeling foolish (or some who really CAN dance). It's also nice to get away for a while and sweat away some stress!

Day 2

2010-01-10T22:21:00.002-05:00

It is Sunday.....a day of rest. :) I stayed up too late to watch the Dallas Cowboys football game and so arrived at church a bit bleary-eyed. I stuck to my breakfast plan of Special K, milk, and half a banana. Had 3 pieces of chocolate on my way home! oops! Ate a reasonable lunch and dinner. However, I did "stress-eat" a large cookie when I woke up from a too-short nap and had only 30 minutes to get dinner ready for the missionaries. My best accomplishment for today was that I DID NOT EAT any dessert or snacks after dinner and I didn't have 2nds at dinner either.

Mikayla and I are going to try running together right after school tomorrow with Jared in a jogging stroller.

16 Weeks to a Half-Marathon

2010-01-09T11:29:00.004-05:00

In 16 Weeks and 1 day I will be running a half-marathon. It will be 4 days before my 40th birthday. This week I have been gearing up and setting my goals and making plans on how I can reach the incredible goal of finishing a half marathon. I work part-time. I am a mom with 5 kids at home and one in college. I have 2 church callings and my husband is a counselor in the bishopric. Sounds like the perfect time to run a half-marathon.

Every couple of days I'm going to write my progress (or lack thereof) on my blog. I plan to lose 13 pounds by May 2nd. (That is the big half-marathon day.)

This week I started exercising again. I was just aiming for 20 minutes a day for 4 days, because I needed a goal that I felt I could reach. This gearing up worked. I know because last night I dreamed of running again!

Wed-Jan 6th- 10 minutes of upper body weights
Thurs-Jan 7th- 3 Fast Miles walking DVD & 45 min. shoveling snow
Fri-Jan 8th- 4 Fast Miles walking DVD & 45 min. shoveling snow

Saturday-Jan 9th. Today Shane took the kids to the Primary activity. I started the dishwasher, ate my Special K cereal breakfast (that is important because I really hate breakfast cereal, but this one tastes good and is part of my diet goals), straightened up the kitchen, started the laundry, popped in my walking DVD, and then got ready to exercise.

I was lacing up my shoes and watching the DVD intro when suddenly I realized I was ALONE! I could actually leave the house for a run if I wanted. I couldn't believe my luck! That NEVER happens. I quickly switched to cold weather running clothes, grabbed my cell phone, and RAN OUT THE DOOR!

I am so proud of myself. I haven't run outside since early December. I ran 2.8 miles in 32 minutes. I had to walk about a fourth of the time, but that is not too bad since I've not been exercising and I've been eating junk food!

I handled the cold pretty well. I need to remember to put on Chapstick, wear heavier gloves, and switch to a hat that covers my ears. Other than that, it was PERFECT!

So, wish me luck. I am heading to one of the biggest acheivements I have ever set my heart on.

Fat Shirts

2009-08-03T11:45:00.003-04:00

I just threw away 3 of my old "fat" shirts. It's hard to get rid of them because I still am still so far away from my ultimate goal. I've been stuck at approximately the same weight for 9 months and I'm a bit discouraged. However, I have slowly been getting some smaller size shirts and it's so exciting to fit into clothes that are more flattering. I don't want to hang onto those shirts because they are a reminder of myself 20 pounds heavier and I don't want to ever go back there. So today, I let them go.

Pink Princess Racing's Fall Racing Schedule

2009-07-28T16:28:00.004-04:00

Mikayla needs to get back to running in time to compete with the cross country team at the high school. So, this morning we headed back to Winton Woods to run 2 laps. I knew I wouldn't be able to run the whole way, but I was disappointed in how hard it was. I ended up running a 10th of a mile then walking a 10th of a mile. I haven't run much since May. So, I guess it is no surpise that my running has suffered. But, I have made a commitment to take Mikayla running the next two mornings and then take her to run a 5K this Saturday. For the next 3 weeks we plan on going out 4-5 times a week. We've got to get going because I LOVE RACING IN THE FALL!

This is a list of our Fall Races:

The Black Squirrel 5K: Sept 26th $10 fee
The Run for the Nuns 5K: Oct 3rd $20
The Turkey Trot 5K: Nov 19th $15
The Thanksgiving Day Race 10K: Nov 26th $45

These prices are the "pre-registration" prices. I have info/websites for these races if anyone would like to join Pink Princess Racing at any of these events.

Each of these races has both running and walking divisions. If you need a goal to help keep you motivated to exercise, pick a race and come do it with us. I love Pink Princess Racing. It is our informal racing group. We encourage each other, compete with each other, cheer for each other, and love each other!

If you have never participated in a 5K and you are nervous, talk to one of us and we will tell you everything you need to know. People of all sizes do these races. You don't have to be a skinny minnie to come hang out with us! (But, we accept Skinny Minnies too!)

A 5K is 3.2 miles.
A 10K is 6.4 miles.

My favorite race is the Thanksgiving Day Race. You get up early on Thanksgiving Day and head downtown. It is a HUGE race with tons of people. When you are done you have burned a bunch of calories and can enjoy your turkey and gravy GUILT-FREE!

See you at the FINISH LINE!

(That's me in the pink finishing the Flying Pig 10K. See, not skinny....still running)

Jared's Trip to the Hospital

2009-06-04T12:06:00.004-04:00

In April, Jared fell down the deck steps at Shane's parents' house. The next day, I decided I better take him to the pediatrician to see if his collarbone was broken. On the way there, he started breathing really funny. Dr. Manfroy looked him over and said his collarbone was definitely broken, but the bigger problem was his breathing, either Jared was having an asthma attack or his lung was punctured from the fall the previous day. Dr. Manfroy told me to take him straight to the hospital!

It was a rough ride to the hospital. Jared kept choking on gunk in his throat and then dozing off. I wasn't sure if he was sleeping or losing consciousness due to lack of oxygen. I finally found Children's Hospital downtown and rushed him in.

The doctor had called ahead and so a trauma unit was waiting. All of a sudden, Jared was on an exam bed and about a dozen people were around him and me. They got an IV going and had a mask on him, giving him a breathing treatment. Jared kept screaming, "I wanna go home now!" I kept telling him I did too, but we had to help him get better. They needed to give him liquid steroids and asked me if I wanted to give it to him. You BET I did! I sat on the bed with him, held him, and gave him the steroids to open his breathing passages. The doctors brought in a portable X-ray machine and X-rayed his chest right on the bed.

They determined that his lung was not punctured, but he was having a severe asthma attack. We ended up spending the night at Children's Hospital. Jared had breathing treatments every hour at first and eventually it stretched to every four hours. When that happened, they let us go home.

Before we left the hospital, I asked if I could see his chest X-rays. It was so weird to me that he had a broken collarbone, but no one seemed to care about it. Their whole focus was his breathing problem. If fact, Jared was not put in a brace or anything. His collarbone just healed on its own over then next 4 weeks.

Our pediatrician put Jared on children's Claritin for the next month to help control his allergies and that has helped keep the asthma under control. For several weeks, I didn't have to give him a breathing treatment. While my parents were here 2 weeks ago, Jared was coughing up a storm and did have to take albuterol a few times. But, he is doing great. All in all, the whole experience left me even more grateful that our children have been so healthy. And I was thrilled with the staff at Children's Hospital. They took very good care of us.

Jared in the emergency room having a breathing treatment.

Me holding Jared between breathing treatments.

Jared didn't always like putting on the mask, so Shane took a turn!

Jared getting another chest X-ray.

Still in the emergency room. Jared was playing with his cars. Bobbye brought Mikayla down with an overnight bag for me and Jared's precious cars.

This is Jared in his little hospital gown in his hospital room. He wanted me to sleep with him part of the night in his bed. I got about 40 minutes sleep that night.

This is a stuffed fox that the emergency room staff brought to Jared to help him calm down. At first, he hated it. Later that night he had relaxed and came to love it. He named him Foxy!

Happy Easter

2009-04-14T17:40:00.007-04:00

On Sunday, we had our very first Easter dinner in this house and it was wonderful.

Ron and Diane came to dinner. The kids were so excited when they rang the doorbell. Jared ran up to Diane and said, "I miss you!" over and over!

All the kids helped with the cooking and cleaning and we even had the table set before we left for church!

As we sat down for dinner, I looked at the table and realized how many people actually contributed to it. Ron and Diane brought the ham, veggie tray, and dessert. Bobbye gave us the dining room table and chairs, and the beautiful crystal pitcher holding the water. Three of the bowls on the table were inherited from my Aunt Mary a few years ago. Jessica gave me a gift card so I could buy this new tablecloth after Christmas. I bought the glass goblets and white cloth napkins on the recommendation of my friend Sherrill. One of the crystal bowls was a wedding gift. And best of all I pulled out some of my Grandma Schofield's silver to use to serve side dishes!!! It's amazing to me how many different people bless our lives day to day and sometimes we don't even realize it.

My testimony of the Savior continues to grow. This Easter Sunday I was again grateful for my Father in Heaven who sent his Son to earth so that my family can be together forever. Because, after everything else, that's all that really matters.

10 Reasons Why I Love My Dad

2009-04-14T16:40:00.003-04:00

1) He loves his family more than anything in the world and shows it.

2) He is brave and adventurous. He travels in and out of the United States and doesn't seem to have any fear of doing it alone. I admire that quaility a lot!

3) He likes to read and introduced me to some great books in my youth. My favorites: the James Herriot books.

4) He made sure we went on nice family vacations. We went home to Colorado to see family, visited Branson Missouri, Natchez Mississippi, California, the Grand Canyon, etc. Dad likes to spend time with us. One of my favorite memories of my dad is when he was planning to take my brother, Theo, on the motorcycle up in the mountains for an overnight campout. I begged to be included and so we took the car and went. The next morning, Dad fried bacon and then cooked potatoes and eggs in the bacon grease. It was DELICIOUS. I can still remember how cool the mountain air was, the sunrise beaming through the trees and that amazing breakfast.... YUM!

5) Dad always made sure we had what we needed as kids. We didn't always get what we "wanted", but we got what we needed!

6) He took me out for Jack in the Box breakfasts on Saturday if I got out of bed early enough. Not always easy when I was a teenager.

7) I learned my love of flower gardening from my dad. He taught me how to compost at an early age. In Texas, he and I did the front flower beds together. I remember my sister Sheralyn volunteering to do the inside work on Saturdays, but I liked to be outside. (Okay, I didn't like to work outside when it was hot, which is a lot of the time in Texas. Dad may have had to drag me out of the house more than I remember.) We still talk about our flowers. He has a great rose garden!

8) Dad is a big train enthusiast. He knows all about steam trains and has passed that love on to several of my children.

9) He taught me how to swing a hammer. Dad had us kids help build the fence along our property in South Jordan, Utah. We didn't finish by the time we moved and I can't say we did the best job, but I know how to hammer and even helped Shane roof our last house.

10) Most of all I love my dad because he loves me. I wish I lived closer to him so I could goof off with him or work alongside him like the old days!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY (yesterday) DAD!!! You are the best dad any girl could ever have!!!!

Happy Day

2009-03-23T21:13:00.003-04:00

I'm excited today because I realized that I am 20 pounds lighter today than I was a year ago on this date! I still have a long way to go to my ultimate goal, but I am definitely getting there. I have been at approximately the same weight for several months, but I think I'm going to break through this plateau soon!

Now the plan is to lose 8 more pounds before May 2nd. It is a very ambitious goal, but that is the weekend of the Flying Pig 10K and 5K and I can't wait! Our Pink Princess racing team is getting ready to FLYYYYYYYYY!!!!!

Dave Ramsey Financial Class

2009-03-13T19:42:00.001-04:00

Dear Friends,
I am just putting in a plug for the Financial Peace University class being taught at church on Thursday nights. Shane and I took this class last year at Rolling Hills Baptist Church and it is AWESOME!!!! Even if you feel you have good control over your finances, this class is chock full of good information. Plus, Dave Ramsey is incredibly entertaining. During each class, we watched a DVD by Dave and we came away excited about gaining control of our money. I STRONGLY encourage you to take the class if at all possible.

Brother Jewell in the Hamilton Ward is teaching this class and its starting soon.....the 19th or the 26th. (I'm not sure which.) You don't want to miss it!!!!
Shane and I are planning on coming to a couple classes just for a refresher. They are SO GOOD.
Maura

Michael's Baptism

2009-01-06T09:57:00.014-05:00

What a great weekend! Dad came up to visit and attend Michael's baptism. It was standing room only in the Relief Society room Saturday night. I couldn't believe how many people came. Lots of friends came, Shane's parents came, and several people I didn't even recognize. Glenn Unklesbay spoke and had great insight on joining the church as a teenager. Chris, Michael's brother, baptized Michael. That was really cool. Chris joined the church last year and was honored to be the one to baptize his "little" brother. Michael's mom, dad, and grandparents also came. They are really fun people and "grandpa" had us all laughing when he started acting up during the picture taking. (Wouldn't you know my camera died just when he got silly! I hope to get copies.)

Chris, Michael, and Shane (he confirmed Michael in Sacrament Meeting on Sunday.)

After the baptism, Michael and Chris came up with "M is for Mormon"!

Darlene (Michael's mom), Michael, his grandparents (so sweet), Chris, and Mark (Michael's dad) in the church foyer after the baptism.

Our families went out together to McDonalds for a little celebratory ice cream. Things got a little messy!

Jared got really sticky by the time this ice cream was gone.

Grandpa Schofield got a great seat at the kids' table. Next to Hunter on the left is Alanna, a neighbor friend.)

We noticed that all the little kids had left the table and Grandpa was all alone. (He was really okay with that.) Mikayla was worried about him and went over to rescue him. I can't believe this is the only picture I got of Jessica before my camera battery died.

What a great night!

p.s. For those of you who might not know, Michael is Jessica's boyfriend and a real sweetheart. He's like a big brother to all our other kids. We love him!

A New Member of the Family

2008-12-29T21:55:00.007-05:00

This is our new kid---Cody!

He is a real doll. Shane and I met him a week before Christmas and had him delivered Christmas morning. The kids were thrilled. Tanner kept walking around saying he was dreaming! Cody is 11 months old and house-trained (a major plus). I swore we wouldn't get another dog until all the kids were out of diapers, but Cody was too good to pass up.

Supposedly, he is part Austrialian shepherd and blue heeler, but we think he has setter and pointer in him because of his markings. He belonged to Jessica's friend Aaron at school, but Aaron's family is pretty grown up and they were gone all day at work and school leaving Cody in a crate a lot of the time. So, they decided to look for a home where Cody would have lots of kids to play with. They found the right place.

The first few days were pretty rough, especially Christmas night. Cody paced through the house, not knowing where he was supposed to be. Eventually, he laid down and relaxed a bit, but he was up 3 times in the night. Jessica has decided that he must sleep in her room and that has been great. She lets him out in the night if he needs it and first thing in the morning she takes him to the backyard for a long game of fetch! He has tons of energy and loves to run after anything you throw for him. He's still got a bit of puppy in him and chewed up a "Pokeball" that Hunter got for Christmas. (Hunter is still not over it and wouldn't you know Meijer is out of them so I haven't been able to replace it!) Cody buries his rawhide bones and tonight during scripture time he came running into the living room with the bone he recovered from under a tree in the backyard. It was a bit dirty. I had a hard time concentrating on the scriptures between Jared kicking a soccer ball (and then cheering for himself) and watching Cody toss his bone in the air and try to catch it!

So, the chaos of our home has moved up another notch.....oh and did I mention Santa brought Tanner a set of drums!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dear Santa

2008-12-13T18:03:00.001-05:00

The gift you left on the front seat of our van was over the top! Thank you and God Bless!
Maura, Shane and the kids

Homecoming

2008-12-12T10:16:00.007-05:00

I've been slacking on blogging. Here is Jessica and Michael before the Homecoming Dance.

and here are my 3 girls. Jessica, Savannah, and Mikayla.

I sure love them!

My Star Quilt

2008-12-12T10:04:00.003-05:00

This picture is for you Grandma Martin!!! I finally learned how to put pictures on my blog using this computer. I'm hand-quilting this using a large wooden hoop, so you can still see I have large safety pins all over it. I've finished a lot of the stars and a lot of the yellow blocks. I haven't decided how I want to quilt the stripped border. The white edge is temporary to protect the edge until I'm ready to bind it. I'll probably bind it in bright yellow, maybe dark blue.

When my mom and dad were here to visit in October, I showed the quilt to my dad and he asked me what I was going to do with it when I was done. I told him I was "giving it to myself". hee hee. I just love the colors and it makes me happy everytime I work on it.

Morning Surprise

2008-12-12T09:49:00.002-05:00

I was working on a Christmas present in the dining room and decided I needed more light. I threw open the curtains and saw this beautiful buck behind the back fence. He was just looking over the fence next to the old tree house!!! I went out the back door and took his picture. That startled him and he ran away.

Later, Jared pointed at the window and yelled "DEER!" No. There wasn't another deer. Just great imagination. It was a fun way to start the day.

Chorus Concert

2008-12-08T21:07:00.003-05:00

Hunter, Savannah (looking strangely dazed!), Tanner, and Mikayla on the stage after the performance!

Tanner is in the second row, 4th kid from the left. I know....we couldn't pick him out either! :)

Tonight we went to the elementary school for Tanner's 4th Grade Chorus Concert. It was really nice. They sang 4 Christmas songs and a Hannukah song. My favorite was "Christmas is Coming and WE are Getting Fat"!!! It was a funny commentary on the overeating some of us do during the holidays. I loved the line about waddling up the stairs after Thanksgiving dinner!

Yay! Yay! Yay! Kim's got a blog!

2008-12-08T21:06:00.003-05:00

I'm so psyched! One of my favorite friends has joined the blogging world. Some of you know her as Kim Whiting. Here is a link to her brand new blog!!!!

http://whitinghouse.blogspot.com

go say hi!

I Was Tagged!

2008-11-14T09:09:00.003-05:00

Adriennehttp://unklesbay.blogspot.com/ tagged me a few weeks ago, so I'm fianlly getting around to my assignment. Heather tagged me too, but I didn't realize it.... sorry Heather! Here are the rules:

1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Mention the rules on your blog.
3. Tell 6 unspectacular quirks about yourself.
4. Tag 6 unsuspecting fellow bloggers by linking to them.
5. Leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger's blogs letting them know they have been tagged.

My Quirks

1. I dream of running, quite literally. Several years ago, I started trying to run. I couldn't even run a 10th of a mile at a time. But, after weeks and months of effort, I ran my first mile and then my first 3 miles. I also read everything I could get my hands on about running for exercise, running for weightloss, running marathons, etc. About that time, I began to dream I was running. In my dreams, I can run with very little effort. I'm strong, much thinner, my breathing is steady and my stride is smooth. My favorite running dream (okay, it's about the only one I can remember) is of running down a gravel road in the San Luis Valley in Colorado. There are fields of sunflowers on my left and on my right. That road really exists! When we went to visit our family in Colorado back in 2004, the sunflowers were in bloom and I can still see those fields just as vividly as if I were there this morning. So, one day, I hope to run in the San Luis Valley. (However, the altitude is outrageously high there, so I don't know if I could get my lungs to cooperate during a short visit. My aunt even told me Olympic runners train there!)

2. I have a VERY strong desire to learn to speak Spanish. This may be because of my adoration of Mexican food and I just want to order EVERYTHING on the menu at my favorite Mexican restaurant, Acapulco, but I think there may be more to it. Ever since I was a little girl, I heard my dad speaking Spanish to utter strangers. I guess that has always seemed kind of magical, super-hero-ish to me. When my parents came to visit last month, I got to introduce Dad to Jessica Martin who is from Chile. Off they went, talking a mile a minute. I was standing right there and only understood 2 phrases, but I LOVED it! My brother, Theo, served his mission in Chile and married my awesome sister-in-law who is originally from the Dominican Republic. So, now Theo knows "the secret" and speaks Spanish too. I've paid attention when he and Kirudys are talking to their kids, but I've only learned one word, "mira". I don't know if that is how you spell it. But, Theo told me it means "look". When my family was at the zoo last summer, we were behind a group of Hispanic people in line to ride the train and one woman said, "Mira!" I looked and on the ground was a 20$ bill. It was cool that I understood her! Unfortunately, I was too slow and they picked up their dropped money before I could make a dive for it!!!! I hope when the kids are a bit older I can learn Spanish, for now, I just pay attention to the waiters at Acapulco!!!!

3. I really like the large African mammals. When I go to the zoo, I love to watch the giraffes, elephants, zebras, and hippos! I'm not a real big fan of the lions and cheetahs. But, the others I could watch for hours. They are amazing to me. I love to read about them. I like to learn the different breeds, etc. I don't know why, but they are SO COOL!

4. I love to read cookbooks. I like to look at the pictures and read the recipes and try to figure out if they would taste good. I also like to buy cookbooks. A few years ago, Shane told me I couldn't buy anymore cookbooks until I had made a recipe from each cookbook I owned. (I don't take him that seriously...hee hee.) I don't have the time to do as much experimenting and cooking as I would like, but now and then I make some new dishes and love it. Along with that, I love kitchen tools, hand towels, kitchen catalogs, kitchen stores, spice racks, cookware, etc. Thank goodness my budget is small or my small kitchen would be stuffed to the brim with things I don't really need!

5. I like maps. When we travel, I always like to have the road atlas. Even though Shane could probably drive to his parents' mobile home in the mountains of Pennsylvania with his eyes closed, I am not satisfied. I must have a road map. It's not even that I don't believe he can get us there. It's just that I like to know where I am and I love to know the names of the rivers and lakes we pass. I like to read the names of the small towns and look for historical sites. And maps aren't just for travel time. Maps are just way cool anytime.

6. My last and final quirk is that I have a VERY long life list. I have so many things I want to do and learn in my life. I'm still planning on learning more piano. I want to learn to cook Chinese food, write calligraphy, pet a dolphin, cruise to Alaska, see Washington DC, learn to juggle, waste hours and hours doing jigsaw puzzles, figure out how to replicate my Grandma Schofield's banana bread, visit Cozemel, Mexico, learn to make my Grandma Martin's potato cakes (she's helping me on that one), join a gym, run a half-marathon (or maybe a full marathon), finish my degree from BYU, have a real vegetable garden, etc. Life may just be a bit too short. But, I figure I'm on the Camilla Kimball plan. She is one of my heroes. She kept learning her whole life long and I plan on doing the same.

I tag:

1. My cousin Constance- http://waverlybowen.blogspot.com/
2. My sister Jocelyn- http://jocelynsinanities.blogspot.com/
3. My friend Sylvia- http://smilensylli.blogspot.com/
4. My extra brother Eric- http://themanofsteelleg.blogspot.com/
5. My friend Julie- http://danieljuliepace.blogspot.com/
6. My friend Cassie- http://5inthebed.blogspot.com/

Unfortunately, I am not very blogger savvy and can't figure out how to "name" these links and make it look nicer. Oh well. Consider yourselves TAGGED!!!

A Walk at the Park

2008-10-12T22:38:00.003-04:00

Tonight for part of our Family Home Evening we loaded up the kids, bikes, and the wagon and headed for Winton Woods. It was the first time in years that we have gone down to walk around the lake together. We had a wonderful time. We brought the wagon for Jared, but at around the third of a mile marker he was already out and ready to run. He stayed close to me the whole way around the lake and kept calling out, "Run Mom!" and then we would run together.

He ran a mile.

No wonder I can't get him to sit still first thing Sunday morning for sacrament meeting. The boy has TONS of energy!

It was exciting to me to run with him and not become the least bit winded. I felt like I was on The Biggest Loser tv show where at the end they show how much healthier the person is and the person says, "I always wanted to be able to keep up with my kids." I still have a long way to go to reach my weight loss goals, but I remember the first time we went to walk around the lake, I asked Shane to drop me off at the half mile mark so I could walk back to the beginning. At that time, I couldn't even WALK a mile. That was 3 kids ago. Now, I've run two 10K races and five 5K races. It is exciting to me that for now, growing older means I'm also growing stronger.

Savannah on the other hand chose to ride in the wagon pretty much the whole way......

The Black Squirrel 5K

2008-10-05T21:53:00.011-04:00

On Saturday the 27th of September our Pink Princess Racing Team went to Glendale to run the Black Squirrel 5K. It was a blast!

Here is our team photo. Left to right: Sylvia, Courtney (Sylvia's niece), Me (Maura), and Mikayla.
This was the first time any of us have done to the Black Squirrel. It was MUCH harder than Sylvia or I were expecting. When we picked up our race packets the night before the race, we were told that the first part of the race was the hardest and that it got easier after that. WOW! Talk about an understatement!!! After only a few tenths of a mile the race went up a horrible hill. I will forever call it "heartbreak hill". It was a real struggle for me to keep my feet running all the way up. I felt like my feet weighed an extra 10 pounds a piece. Due to the hurricane earlier this month, there was a lot of debris still on the road: lots of twigs, leaves, etc. When I finally saw the one mile mark, I had already decided that they had neglected to put mile markers on the race!!! ONE MILE????? Are you KIDDING ME? I swear I thought I had already gone at least a mile and a half. What a disappointment! :)

My sport watch's battery died over a year ago and since I wasn't running much, I haven't replaced it yet. So, in place of a watch, I took my trusty cell phone with me so I could look down at the time and see what my pace was. Unfortunately, the print on my cell phone screen is kind of small and with how much my hand was bouncing I couldn't read the numbers at ALL!

I had been sick for several days with a sore throat and wasn't sure I would be able to run the whole race. I'm happy to say that not only was I able to run, but my finish time was surprisingly good! I finished in 31:44 minutes. (I had been hoping to finish in 36 minutes or less!) My legs felt like JELLO for 5 minutes afterwards, but it was so exciting to see Eric, Margret, and her kids, and Mikayla waiting for me at the finish line!

Here's Mikayla crossing the line! She did GREAT! I keep complaining about how hard the Black Squirrel course was. Mikayla says she liked it! What an awesome runner she is!

Okay, here's me. I'm huffing and puffing, but notice the girl behind me in the cute blue "running skirt". I had passed her about halfway through the race and as we were coming down the last couple tenths of a mile she passed me!!! This could not be! I poured it on the last hundred yards and beat her! Who says I'm competetive???

Courtney did wonderful! She too said the course wasn't that bad! I loved getting to know her better. She is a real sweetheart and I can't wait to run more races with her! Her finish time was super!

Last, but NOT LEAST! Here is my amazing friend Sylvia. She had a rough week too and the course was STRENUOUS! But, I am so proud of her. She did not give up! Sylvia finished really strong even though she wasn't feeling very good. Courtney, Mikayla, and I walked back along the course to find her and walk in with her. It was such a good feeling when she crossed the finish line and we got to cheer for her. She is an amazing woman!

Now this is my favorite picture of them all. Here is our team family. I and Mikayla are in back. Then we have Justin, Jessica with Heston, Sylvia, Margret, Courtney, and Eric. What a blast it was to have Margret and her kids with us at the race! The four of us runners came home with really cool participation medals and all of us came home with wonderful memories of a fun morning.

I can't wait for next year!

(okay, i could do without the hills! Sylvia is making me go back to train so we'll be ready for next year..... yuck!!!)

This week

2008-09-25T13:57:00.003-04:00

So, I had to cancel a cleaning job this morning because I have a very sore throat. (Don't worry Dad, I'm doing my salt water gargle!)
I'm totally wiped out and sick of work. But, oh well. What are you going to do about it?
Actually, I work for really nice people, I'm just tired.

I thought I would write a bit about my week.
Jessica is going to Homecoming this week and Adrianne is going to do her hair. Adrianne came over Monday night to have a practice run at the hairdo. Shane worked that night until 11 pm.

Mikayla is doing awesome at Cross Country and finished 13th out of approximately 60 girls at a meet last week. I'm so proud of her.

Tanner is sporting a new haircut today. I absolutely HATE cutting my boys' hair, but I'm free and affordable. He is hoping to do 4th Grade Chorus.

I checked over Hunter's spelling homework this week. This is the sentence he had for the spelling word "thinning": My dad's hair is thinning.

Savannah was disappointed today when I wouldn't let her wear a paper birthday crown to school. She ran to her room crying. That is her normal reaction to bad news.

Jared may be getting pink eye. Or he just has the same cold I have.

On Monday, I took Hunter and Savannah to the doctor for check ups. Savannah needed to get 4 booster shots. I got her to lay down on the table, but when the nurse approached her, Savannah did a backwards somersault to the other end of the table and hopped down. (It's funny now!) I had to hold her down while the nurse held her legs, with her kicking and screaming. I wish I could take a valium before doctor appointments. They are no fun!!! Why is it the kids get the m&ms and stickers? I'm the one that needs them.

I really can't blame Savannah. A month ago she cut her foot and got 12 stitches. It was a really bad experience. Removing them took over an hour and she still has one buried in her heel that wouldn't come out. So, she was not about to willing let a nurse get their hands on her again!!!

Jessica's Junior Prom

2008-09-07T23:41:00.005-04:00

Hi. I never got around to posting any pictures of prom. Here is Jessica and Michael before the dance. I think that on that day, Jessica was almost as pretty as Michael.

60 miles goal

2008-09-07T23:24:00.004-04:00

I just want to brag on myself that I finished my 60 miles in August goal!!! It was not easy and I finished (barely) with 5 miles on the treadmill at 11:30 pm on the 31st!!! Nothing like leaving it for the last minute!!!

For September I am aiming for 70 miles just to make it interesting. Sylvia, Mikayla, and I are working toward a 5K on Sept 27th. I've got to get a bit more serious if I'm to have any hope of actually running this thing!

Sunday Morning Miracle

2008-08-24T18:08:00.003-04:00

This is the right rear tire off our big 12-passenger van. We were on our way to Stake Conference this morning when this tire blew. And it is SHREDDED! We were in the high speed lane and all of a sudden there was a weird thumping sound. Shane and I both thought a motorcycle was coming up on our right side. But, then Shane said it was us and he started making his way quickly over to the right shoulder of the freeway. Unfortunately, their was a guard rail as far as the eye could see. So, we had to park just outside the line of the right hand lane.

When I first met Shane and we were dating he was the king of changing tires. And he still is. In those days he would actually have me "time" him. He could change one in less than 5 minutes. We were blessed today to have Michael, Jessica's boyfriend, riding with us. He and Shane worked quickly and had the whole process done in 29 minutes. (This was Shane's first time changing a tire on this van, so he was unfamiliar with the equipment. The part that took the longest was getting the spare to drop down from it's spot under the back of the van onto the asphalt. I know next time he'll shave off quite a bit of time!!!)

After about 20 minutes of sweating in the hot sun, and having the van rocked back and forth by the passing tractor-trailers, Mike and Theresa Jungkunz drove by, pulled over, and backed up dozens of yards on the shoulder to see if they could help. They sure did! We sent Savannah and Mikayla on to the meeting. Savannah was terrified by the passing traffic.

Shane and Michael were able to keep their church clothes pretty clean. I was in charge of passing out the baby wipes to try to get the grease off their hands. Just as we got all packed up and got ready to pull back on to the freeway a Sherriff pulled up. But, it was too late, we were all done and she didn't even turn on her flashing lights!!!! What a rip-off!

I'm so grateful to Heavenly Father for keeping us all safe. Gratitude goes to Him for not having ME behind the wheel when the tire blew! I'm also grateful that I was not alone when it happened. He kept us safe on the side of the freeway. No one veered into us while the tire was being changed. The spare tire was in good condition and able to be used. And BEST OF ALL, we had left home early enough that we were only a few minutes late to church!!!!! I think we got there just as the opening prayer was concluded. That is truly a miracle.

Sweatin on Saturday

2008-08-21T23:00:00.005-04:00

Last Saturday "Pink Princess Racing" hit Winton Woods with a vengeance. Well..... we went there anyway. We decided to try our legs on the trail and had a great time. Mikayla and Samantha are on the Intermediate School's Cross Country Racing Team and have been practicing for almost two weeks now. Sylvia and I wanted to go around Winton Woods Lake together, so we met there last week. (I brought Jessica, Mikayla, and Sam for good luck!)

We all did some running and walking. And Eric, as our pit crew, kept track of our times on his watch. It was a beautiful morning, nice and cool and we all had a great time! It was a good way to start the Saturday off right!

Lost Links

2008-07-30T09:10:00.002-04:00

I am so mad!!! I tried a new format for my blog and lost all my links to my friend's blogs. So, Friends, be patient with me as I try to find all of you again!
Maura

CARS!!!

2008-07-29T22:40:00.004-04:00

My kids like to line things up! (Mikayla lined up everything, even Halloween candy.) Now, it's Jared's turn. He is currently in a "CARS" phase. Luckily, CARS is one of my favorite movies!

He carries his cars around in an old wipes box with Lightning McQueen on it. He takes the cars to bed with him, he gets them out and lines them up on the kitchen counter while he watches the CARS movie, or eats his meals.

Here, he's got them all lined up on my bed. So cute! Of course, where did Jared get this love for cars???? Duh! Have you met my husband??? :) We call him Limoshane!

Biggest Loser Blog

2008-07-23T16:19:00.003-04:00

I've decided it would be fun for those of us who are competing in 2008 Health Challenge to have a place to check in every day and report how you are doing. So, I set one up and here is the address:

sistersinsweat.blogspot.com

p.s. you don't have to be doing the 2008 Health Challenge/Biggest Loser Game to post your workouts!

Happy Days are HERE Again!!!!

2008-07-19T23:21:00.002-04:00

My treadmill is ALIVE!!!! It just needed a good cleaning and a lube job. Shane is recovering from a procedure on his knee, so I had to do it with him watching and coaching. It runs BEAUTIFULLY!!! I had to get on it and run/walk 4 miles tonight!

I'm so happy!

Outside the Box

2008-07-10T22:33:00.002-04:00

I have been working for a friend of Sylvia's, named Sherrill, for several months. I began working for her to help her clean out and organize her basement. Sherrill likes to have her friends over for dinner and games fairly often, so she has lots of really nice "party" things like fun serving dishes, a large trifle dish, serving platters, etc. Now, here's the problem, Sherrill needed some shelves to store all these nice things on! For months, she and I have struggled with this problem because the shelves she wanted are sold in big 100 pound boxes and were not yet in her basement. They were still at Costco. We have tried several times to arrange things so she could buy the shelves and have them at the house so Shane could carry these impossibly heavy boxes down the stairs to her basement. We never could get the timing right.

Now, today, the miracle happened. I had just arrived at Sherrill's and I took a bunch of her 4th of July party things down to the basement and once again I saw how much she needed those shelves. We needed a MAN to help us!!!! Then, it came to me. We could go to Costco, have them load the shelves into the back of my big van and then when we got to Sherrill's I could open the boxes of shelves while they were still in the van and haul the shelves down to the basement in pieces...... WHAT A BRILLIANT PLAN!

It worked beautifully. The shelves were SO heavy, but piece by piece, it was manageable.

I have been reading a daily devotional book and it has been packed with positive thinking for every day. This mornings reading was entitled, "Program Your Mind for Success". One of the suggestions was to expect good things to happen in your life. Well, HELLO! Today my mind finally figured out the answer to a problem I have struggled with for MONTHS! It was truly a miracle.

I really experienced thinking "outside the box". What a simple solution. Take the shelves OUT of the box while the boxes were still in the van. Sherrill and I did it!

............................and we didn't need a man! :)

Tithing Blessings

2008-05-19T12:58:00.002-04:00

Last week I got to substitute teach the home study seminary class. It was really cool. I haven't been "forced" to study such a big block of scriptures for a lesson in a long time. We were talking about the last 2 books of the Old Testament. We focused on tithing for a few minutes and reviewed Malachi 3:10:

"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."

When I gave birth to Tanner I quit my job at the YMCA and since then, I haven't "worked" outside the home. Only occasionally, have I had the opportunity to pay tithing in the past ten years. Well, when I started cleaning houses in September last year I got to start paying my own tithing again. I love it! It feels so good.

We have been the recipients of some of what I call "tithing blessings" over the past month.

First, I have more housecleaning work than I can do. I feel so lucky in that as a working mother, I have found a way to make very good money by the hour and I can set my own hours. I do NOT like leaving the home to work, but I love the people I work for!!!!! I feel that the windows of heaven opened right up and poured out the work offers for me. When I first started cleaning, I didn't know if I could find enough "clients", now I don't have room in my schedule to "receive" all the jobs!

Second, we have a neighbor up the street that I have waved to for 4 years. He walks his dog almost every day and I wave and say hi when I see him. I did not even know his name. But, several weeks he came to the house and gave Shane a big cardboard box of pint-size milks!!! With 6 kids (and a chocolate-milk-loving husband), we go through a lot of milk. This neighbor said they get milk from a dairy for their church and they had a lot leftover. He said he takes the leftovers wherever God tells him. He said "God put you in my heart, so I brought the milk to you." This was a huge blessing to us. Tommy (I finally asked his name) has brought us milk 3 or 4 times now and he has also brought us little single serving apple juices. There was so much milk at times that we "did not have room enough to receive it." We even needed to call friends over to take milk home!

So, I am so grateful to Heavenly Father for these blessings. It is so easy to focus on the hard things that happen every day. It's nice when the blessings are so obvious that you can't help but see them!

My Friend Won the Women's Division!

2008-05-04T22:53:00.004-04:00

I'm so stoked! My friend Michelle won the Women's Division of the Flying Pig MARATHON! I told her Friday night that finally getting to meet her was like meeting a rock star! And was I right!?!

I called her cell phone after church and she told me she won! She said a helicopter followed her the last 10 miles of the race! And she was asked to come back to Cincy tomorrow and throw out the first pitch at the Reds game!!!! I teased her and told her if I had known she was going to win, I would have asked her to sign my marathon poster Friday night! She laughed and I told her that next time I see her she has to sign it!

I just got to see her finish on the 10 o'clock news too! They quoted her as saying she felt like a rock star!!!! I told her so!!!
What a blast! Michelle has been an amazing friend to me for the past 3 years on the Runnersworld.com beginners forum. When I first started posting she gave me so much encouragement and advice. She also writes fabulous "race reports" soon after she runs. I can't wait to read this one!

When I first started posting on the forum in 2005 I had no idea what a great group of people I would meet. Michelle has been one of them. In November 2005, I met 2 people from the forum, Luis and his wife Lorrie. Lorrie ran the whole 10K with me on Thanksgiving morning. She said it was her honor to run my first 10K with me.

Yesterday, it was my turn. It was MY honor to walk with Sylvia in her first ever 5K. I was so happy to "pay it forward" and do for Sylvia what Lorrie did for me 2 years ago.

Running makes me sore, but most of all it makes me happy.
Congratulations Michelle! And even more important: CONGRATULATIONS SYLVIA!!!!

Flying Pig Day

2008-05-03T18:57:00.012-04:00

Here is Sylvia and I at the Health and Fitness Expo Friday night. It was an absolute blast. We had so much fun. We checked in and picked up our racing bibs, marathon posters, and t-shirts. We went to all the booths and got fun give-aways like trial size toothpaste, little energy bars, Smuckers jellies, pens, bandannas, stickers, magnets, etc. (There was Scope too, but that doesn't mean we had bad breath. Really.) There was also LOTS of cools Flying Pig stuff to buy. We showed great restraint in this area and left with most of our money still in our purses. (but not all our moolah!$$$$) I got to meet my friend Michelle who I have known on-line for almost 3 years but never had a chance to see her face to face. She's a top marathon runner. (she actually "wins" marathons) To me it was like meeting a rockstar!!! She was really nice (not a surprise).

We went home totally pumped up and determined to bring big bucks to the expo next year. I "need" that pink jacket, seriously. (and the hat!)

Saturday morning was WET!!!! We got the most awesome parking spot thanks to Eric! It was raining, but not too bad for the start of my race. I was VERY nervous and the butterflies in my stomach were huge! I started the race and got to wave to Sylvia and Eric. (They yelled out "BOOGETY, BOOGETY, BOOGETY BOYS! LET'S GO RACING!- the traditional start at NASCAR races. It was a great way to start the race.)

The best decision I made during this race was head for the first port-a-potty I saw. Very smart. I felt much better and I ran a lot more comfortably after that. My plan was to run and when I got tired take a break and walk. However, I ran almost THE WHOLE THING!!!!! I walked at one water station and once to check my voice mail because I missed a phone call. (It was Karlin. She's so great! She told me she was proud of me and hoped I have a good race. So cool!) That's when I was just crossing the bridge over into Kentucky.

The two best things that happened while I was running was when the conductor running the train on the train bridge waved to me. I waved back and a minute later I heard behind me the train whistle blowing for all us runners. Later, while running along a street in Dayton, Kentucky we ran past a senior citizen apartment building. Several older people had come out to watch the race and several women were waving to us from the windows. I got to wave to two sweet women who had the BEST SMILES! They really made the race more fun.

The hardest part of the race was crossing the big bridge back into Cincinnati. It was the 6th mile and SO STEEP! Lots of the runners were walking. Who could blame them? Coming over the top of the bridge was so great. At that point you know you are almost done and you are actually going to survive. I could see Sylvia and Eric waiting at the "FINISH SWINE" (why didn't I get a picture of that sign?) and I knew I was done. I finished the 6.2 miles in about an hour and 15 minutes! I'm so happy. (Two years ago it took me an hour and 7 minutes. At that time I had been running all year and weighed 20 pounds less than I do now. ) Sylvia and Eric congratulated me and then Sylvia walked me down to the goodie tables. We got the coolest hand towels!

We rested back in the car and snacked until it was time for Sylvia's race, the 5K at 11 am. I'm not going to write much, because it's her deal and she's a better writer anyway. But I will say-SHE WAS AWESOME!!!! It was absolutely POURING rain at the beginning and for about the first half of the race. These are pictures of us on the Kentucky side of the Purple People Bridge heading back into Cincy.

After we crossed the bridge we headed to the finish line. I skipped ahead off to the side (because I couldn't cross the finish line since I didn't pay for the race. I was just the walking buddy.) I got to stand be Eric and cheer for Sylvia as she finished the race. It was a great moment to see her accomplish her goal.

Here's Sylvia. She was just yards from the finish line----still smiling!!

There she is.....my buddy crossing the Finish Swine (cool-I do have a picture of the sign!) Isn't she great!

Here's Eric congratulating Sylvia! This is right after the big hug and before the Congratulatory Kiss!

It was a FABULOUS DAY! We had the best time and can't wait to do our next race! I'm grateful to Eric for being such a great pit crew. He held our stuff and cheered us on. Thanks Eric. My brother is far away in Texas. It's nice to have another one here. Especially one as nice as you. You are a blessing.

Sylvia, You are the best. I loved spending the day with you. You are ONE DETERMINED WOMAN! I am so PROUD of you!

Thanks everyone who was rooting for us. The encouragement was priceless!

(Hi Dad and Grandma!!!! If you want to see a great picture of Sylvia and I at the start of her race go to the links on the side of my blog in My Favorites and click on "The Man of Steel Leg" link. Eric put a picture of us in his blog and it's fun to see us soaking wet.)

Call me a DUMBELL!

2008-05-01T23:09:00.003-04:00

Two weeks ago, after a run on the treadmill, I came up to my bedroom and began to lift weights. However, the kids needed me, so I left the weights and went back into Mom-mode. At 10 pm that night (after work) I had finally gotten the kids to bed and I was walking fast through my bedroom (in bare feet) and kicked a 10-pound dumbbell!!!! Oh man, did it hurt. Overnight, my toe (next to my littlest piggy) swelled up and turned a bit purple. A day later I did some walking and running, but it was miserable. So, there went my training plan out the window! For the next week and a half I did no running and only the most necessary walking.

Saturday is the Flying Pig 10K. I'm not really ready. But, I'm very excited! Yesterday, I ran/walked 4.25 miles in 61 minutes. Today, I ran/walked 4.25 miles in 56 minutes!!! Saturday will be hard and quite possibly wet as they are predicting rain. But, hey, racing is fun, rain or shine! (Okay, I'm just doing it for the t-shirt!)

I'm so excited to be experiencing this weekend with my buddies, Sylvia and Eric. (Go Syliva!!!!! You're going to do great!)

Wish us luck!!!! (I just hope to survive the 6 miler and maybe have a smile left at the end! :) )

Let's go to the Zoo

2008-04-04T20:22:00.009-04:00

Here's a picture of the crew (including Jessica's friend, Michael)at the zoo.

Here's a picture of Tanner and his brothers!

Savannah and Jared in the wagon.

And here's how Savannah and Hunter looked on the way home. Wet and sleepy!

We really had such a great time. We always enjoy the manatee display a lot. It was fun to watch Jared. The fish amazed him! I was holding him an alligator display. I said "WOW", and he repeated in an awed whisper...."wow".

It started pouring down rain. We hid out in the zoo nursery, but some of our silly children left the shelter and played out in the playground. They sure played hard!

My Countdown

2008-04-04T20:16:00.002-04:00

I thought I would be fun to show my countdown of my 100 mile goal. Everymile I completed I crossed out. This was taped to my bedroom wall, so I saw it every day! Very motivating! Now, What next?

I DID IT!!!!! 100 MILES!!!!

2008-04-01T14:02:00.002-04:00

I'm all done. I finished my 100 mile goal! (It took me one more day then planned, but who cares?!) Today I ran/walked 3 miles in 37:10 minutes. I'm currently walking 1 minute then running for 4 minutes. Rinse and Repeat. Well, just repeat... 6 times for 30 minutes. Today it took and extra rep. Can't wait to drop some pounds and be ready for the 10K!!!!

2008-04-01T11:21:00.002-04:00

Jared is next to me on the bed driving a Little Tikes red van filled with an unusual assortment of passengers: 2 Littlest Pet Shop birds and their flowered wagon, 2 Fisher Price bunnies, a "tender car" from Thomas the Tank Engine series, and a little Fisher Price girl wearing a pink dress (she's driving!). He keeps rolling the van back and forth saying "vroom, vroom." Unfortunately, the bunnies keep falling out and he says "uh-oh". He says it several times until I look at him, then he puts them back. He's so cute.

I highly recommend you read this

2008-03-31T23:38:00.002-04:00

My sister has quite an entertaining entry on her blog called "To Brow or Not to Brow, that is the question". If you want to know that you are not the only one with quirky kids. You should read this. http://jocelynsinanities.blogspot.com/ Trust me.

My Turtle Is Approaching the Finish Line

2008-03-31T23:24:00.002-04:00

So, tomorrow is April 1st and I am 3 miles away from my 100 mile goal. I plan on finishing up tomorrow. I've been able to increase my running a bit and can't wait for it to get easier!!! It seems to take forever at times. I really need to get some "outdoor" running done. The treadmill is really hard, but actual road and hills is much harder. The 10K is less than 5 weeks away. I doubt that I will be able to run the whole thing, but who cares. I just want to do better than I did in the 5K last year.

Hi Grandma!!!!!!

2008-03-12T23:26:00.003-04:00

Mom says you are reading my blog and enjoying it! Thanks! We got a lot of snow here last week. 9 inches which is nothing for you and a bunch for us. We're doing pretty well. Savannah, Tanner, and Jessica all had strep throat so I asked for antibiotics for Mikayla and Hunter as well. Every night we would line up all the kids and dose them.

I'm cleaning houses now to make a little extra money, but I find it is really cutting down on the time I need for the fun things in life, like, oh I don't know.... our LAUNDRY, cleaning the house and cooking meals!!! It's really been hard to figure out how to get everything done, but I guess that keeps life interesting.

I'm getting back into running (very slowly). I'm training for a 6 mile race on May 3rd. I don't think I'll be able to run the whole thing, but if a can run at least half of it I'll be happy.

Hope you are having a good week. Mom tells me you are enjoying doing geneology (I think she said you were doing indexing for the church!). And that you are walking a lot too.

We sure do love you!!!
Maura

Savannah Banana

2008-03-12T23:10:00.002-04:00

Savannah broke out in a horrible rash Sunday and stopped walking because her legs hurt so much. She has been sick for two weeks. First it was strep throat, but the fever wouldn't go away and then the rash started. When she started crawling around everywhere I got really scared. I took her to the doctor and the diagnosis was that it might be mono! How weird is that?! They pricked her finger and took a blood sample. The first test came back negative. The nurses tried to find a good vein in her arm to take another sample to send to Children's Hospital, but Savannah didn't think it was a good idea. I ended up stretched out on the table with me holding her down, Savannah screaming, two nurses holding onto her arm, and Jared standing by my leg crying. They gave up and sent me to Children's Outpatient in Mason.

It went a little better there, but by the time it was over Savannah and I were both crying and when they offered her a sucker for being good, I took one too!!!

Today, we headed back to the doctor and found out the mono test came back negative. (after all that drama!) We went through the torture of another finger prick to find out that Savannah's white blood cell count is coming back up. (thank goodness) The official diagnosis is that she has been suffering from a virus and just ended up with a viral rash. She's no longer contagious and she is getting her energy back.

I'm just thrilled that we are on the road to recovery. IT HAS BEEN A LONG COUPLE OF WEEKS!!!

My Pity Party

2008-03-06T19:25:00.002-05:00

I am having my very own pity party. I've had a couple tough weeks with kids being sick, lots of make up work, and doctors appointments. But today I finally had a day when I didn't have to go anywhere and I could stay home to clean my house and do lots of laundry. I got started on the upstairs bathrooms. I swept, stripped the wax, and started waxing the floors. While applying the second coat of wax in my bathroom, my vision started to go bad and I knew one of my wonderful migraine headaches was now on today's schedule.

I finished the floors, took my pain pills, and tried to take it easy until the kids settled down for their naps. I got in a nap myself, but when I woke up I found out that Shane was not coming home in time to watch the kids so I could go to Enrichment. I couldn't take the kids with me because Savannah has a fever and Jared has a head cold. I wanted to go so bad!!!!

Even worse is that the Stampin Up party I was going to attend tomorrow night with Sylvia was cancelled due to the expected bad weather!!!!! I lost both of my "fun" nights in one fail swoop!

My house is still a mess and I missed out on a killer salad bar...... Oh well, at least my 2 bathroom floors ROCK!!!!!

I'm the boss, Applesauce!

2008-03-06T00:33:00.001-05:00

A few days ago, I was getting all the kids in the dining room for dinner and they were so loud that I insisted that they sit down and not say one word! The older kids thought this was so funny. If they started to talk, I cut them off and told them to be quiet! They started grinning and pretended to start talking to try to get a rise out of me. (shocking, I know)

Well, Savannah came in and sat down next to me. Of course, she started to talk and tell me all the things on the table she did not want to eat for dinner. I hushed her several times. The other kids kept snickering. Then Shane walked in. Savannah turned to him and complained, "Dad! Mom's trying to boss us!"

Shane almost lost it! The kids did! They all started laughing. Savannah couldn't figure out what was so funny! Shane told her, "She's supposed to boss you.....she IS the boss!"

(at least Shane knows!)

Bye-bye High Chair

2008-02-27T23:50:00.002-05:00

My high chair is outside on the curb waiting for the garbage truck. For the first time in over 16 years, my house will have no high chair in it. It's a little sad, but I am so tired of tripping over it and walking around it, that I am extremely happy to let it go. It was a gift from Shane's mom when Tanner was born and has served us very well for the last 4 kids. But, it is SO COOL to be able to say "so long" to the baby years. It has been a long 16 1/2 years of babyhood!!!! :)

Unexpected Blessings

2008-02-21T20:04:00.002-05:00

Sometimes in life you have to do something you don't exactly want to do. I needed to go to work last September to help get some bills paid. So, I tried to get a job at the Y, but they weren't hiring for the position I wanted. Instead, as most of you know, I started cleaning houses. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. :)

I work for 3 of the best women ever! Jean Pace is a great lady who is unbelievably talented!!! She inspired me to try crocheting with thread. While I was laid up after hurting my back I got a whole doily done!!! I have really come to love Jean. It is so true that you learn to love the ones you serve.

Then, there is Sylvia. She's been a friend of mine for years, but I never made time to hang out with her on a regular basis. Now, we exercise together every week and sometimes I work a little! She is so wise and an absolute BLAST to be around!!!

Last, is Linda. We talk about life, kids, money, etc. I love to clean her house. It stays so clean. There aren't any little kids messing up everything I do!!!

I had no idea when I started working again that I would end up with so many blessings. These three women make me feel wonderful. The additional money has helped with our bills, but even better has been my time with three people I love. Heavenly Father is so wise.

Super Saturday

2008-02-09T23:27:00.000-05:00

I love the adult session of Stake Conference! Tonight was no exception. First, I got to pick Shane up at the stake center and we went to Subway! It was PACKED with Mormons! We saw the Jungkunzes (how should I spell that?), the DeGraws, Mike Lysle, Tom Westfall, Jerry Flyr, and 3 other LDS people I didn't know! After eating, we went back for the meeting. I love our stake presidency. They are the best! At first, I started feeling "the guilt". The first topic was family history. Like I have time for that! But, President Weisman told us all about the new and improved streamlined method of preparing names for the temple! TOO COOL! We learned about missionary work. Again, the guilt. But, it was very spiritual and motivating! Finally, family preparedness. Luckily, we're making some decent strides in that area. So, the guilt faded quickly. After the meeting, things just kept getting better. I got to visit with Jen Livingston (great fun), Mayde Robertson, the Striebecks, etc! Then we headed to UDF and had ice cream with 5 other couples. It was a blast. Everybody was so funny! We heard lawyer jokes (told by real lawyers), girls' camp and scout camp stories, and accounts of getting speeding tickets and getting out of speeding tickets. The whole evening was really nice and a great night out!!!! I can't wait to do it again.

Pain in the Back

2008-02-09T23:19:00.000-05:00

So, last Saturday I took a step wrong while skipping down my stairs. I wrenched my back and have spent the week trying to HEAL! I'm so sick of my heating pad! I haven't been able to exercise, do much laundry, or work a whole lot. But, I'm feeling a bit better and I'm thrilled. The best part of the week was the many times Hunter put his arm around my shoulders and said "I hope your back gets better soon Mom." I love my boys.

a mommy moment

2008-01-28T11:57:00.000-05:00

I've noticed that I'm not writing much in my blog besides my exercise goals, but I guess a blog is supposed to be personal and can be about whatever you want. I'm very focused on my fitness goals, so that's what I write.

But, last week I had a sweet moment with Jared I wanted to share. He and I were on my bed, snuggled up while he was having a morning bottle of milk. We were watching tv when he leaned back his head to look at me and get a kiss and he said "mama" for the first time. Oh, it just melted my heart! He has been saying "MAAAA" (like a very load bleating lamb) for several weeks, but his was so tender and sweet. I said "Jared" back to him and he repeated the process several times; looking back, getting a kiss and saying "mama".

The funny thing is, he hasn't said "mama" since. But, I don't mind. I had that moment and it was great!

I DID IT!!!! 21 MILES WALKED IN 7 DAYS

2008-01-28T11:50:00.000-05:00

I'm so excited. I finished the last 3 miles at 10:45 last night! I was proud that I made it happen! I've got my next goal all set!

1 mile run
2 miles walk
for 7 days

So, that is my next 21 miles in 7 days goal.

I'm in training for the FLYING PIG 10K!

No Snowday-Thank Goodness

2008-01-22T09:05:00.000-05:00

My kids were bouncing off the walls yesterday, so I am glad they are in school today! I woke up with Mikayla checked the school closings. After she left for the bus, I sneaked into my room and got my exercise clothes, shoes, and the 3 Fast Miles DVD. (I had to be sneaky, because Savannah was asleep in my bed. And believe me, I didn't want her around for the whole workout.)

I did my workout in the family room with the fireplace blasting me with heat. (not good) But, I got my second day done and I feel great. I had to pause the workout several times: to wake up the boys, comb their hair, sign papers, and watch them at the busstop. Now, it is 9:10 am. My workout is done. I've had a healthy breakfast and I'm headed to the shower. I wish all mornings could start just like this.
:)

21 Miles in 7 Days!!!

2008-01-21T23:15:00.000-05:00

Last week I was really tired and emotionally drained. I struggled with my diet plans and exercise goals and dealing with life in general. So, I took the week off and took a couple naps. Today, I finally exercised again. I did the 3 Fast Miles DVD by Leslie Sansone. It really lifted my mood and my energy level. It is amazing to me that exercise doesn't make me very tired. It makes me smile and laugh with my kids and feel like a different person.
I am DETERMINED to do this DVD each day for 7 consecutive days. So here goes......

Monday 1/21-3 miles!!!
Tuesday 1/22-3 miles!!!
Wednesday 1/23-3 miles!!!
1 mile run on the treadmill
1 mile walk on the treadmill
Thursday 1/24-3 miles!!!
stretching workout with Sylvia

Grounding Teenagers

2008-01-09T23:32:00.000-05:00

Whose bright idea was that???? Sure we ground them and then all they can do is hang out with us??? I had to revoke Jessica's driving privileges for 3 days. So, who do you think is getting up to drive her to seminary??? That's right. Poor little ole me. Oh, what I suffer! :)

Sylvia's Walk at Home workout

2008-01-09T17:42:00.000-05:00

I have done Sylvia's Walk at Home workouts 3 times now and let me just say they kick my hiney!!!! They are hard. I really like them because the steps are not complicated, so we can talk and goof off and still do the workout. Sylvia lent me one of the DVDs and I did a "2 mile workout" today. It was hard and fun. The kids kept getting in the way. But I only knocked Jared down twice and stepped on his hand once. That's pretty good right?

A 5K today

2008-01-07T09:16:00.000-05:00

Jessica called me at 6:45 to tell me she had locked her keys in the car. I was not happy to hear this as I had been deep in sleep when the phone rang. So, I dragged myself out of bed and went to check on Mikayla. She had overslept and had to hustle to catch the bus. I drove to the high school to let Jess in her car and got to meet her friend Michaela who totalled her car last week and needed to car pool with Jessica out to Butler Tech.

I didn't get back home in time to see Mikayla before she left for school, buuuuuuuut I was already up and dressed so I headed for the dreadmill.

I RAN 3.1 miles today. My total today (with a bit of walking to warm up and cool down) was 3.2 miles in 41:39 minutes. This was accomplished with help from Abbey and Cassie for being motivating, Sylvia for being my workout buddy and by my determination to log 100 miles by April 1st. Thanks also to Jen Livingston for posting about her 7 pound weight loss. (very helpful)

It is over an hour since I finished my run and my face is still nice and warm and a little red. What a great way to start the day!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HEATHER!!!!

2008-01-04T09:59:00.000-05:00

11 REASONS WHY I LOVE HEATHER (I couldn't stop at 10)

1. She knows good chocolate and is always willing to share. (at least I think so, she could be hiding her stash. If she is, then I respect her even more.)

2. She is incredibly talented. (and incredibly humble.)

3. She is not easily offended and gives people the benefit of the doubt.

4. She draws really cool cartoon people.

5. She loves Mexican food as much as I do.

6. She loves to read.

7. She knows all about the Force.

8. She helps other mothers all the time by watching their kids for them and seems happy to do it!!!! (amazing, isn't it?)

9. She has a great sense of humor and a great laugh to match it.

10. She has a wonderful listening ear and is very supportive.

11. Most of all I love Heather because she is such a good friend.

As Eeyore would say, "Many happy returns." I hope you have a fabulous birthday Heather!!!!! You are the best!

When You Can't Sleep

2008-01-04T09:43:00.000-05:00

The past 2 nights have been a bit dreadful as far as sleeping goes. My thoughts are whirling around as I try to solve my problems and those problems belonging to others I know. (this is not a productive exercise) So, I try to redirect my crazy mind to things I enjoy and so I design cards or scrapbook pages in my head. My current favorite is a re-do of a Christmas card with baby Jesus on it.

So, my question for all of you is:

What things do you think about to cheer yourself up?

Christmas Moments

2007-12-20T17:41:00.000-05:00

I was on my way home from work Tuesday evening and stopped at Arbys for some dinner. I was waiting at the drive-thru, when I saw a man approaching from the street. He was walking very slowly and I started to get a bit nervous. After all, it was quite dark outside and I couldn't see any reason for him to be out on such a cold, dark night. He got closer and closer to the front of my car and I was getting ready to lock the doors. (Usually, I lock them once I start driving, but I hadn't that night.) He passed in front of me and walked up to the garbage can in front of me. He pushed open the flap and looked inside. Not seeing anything worthwhile, he left and headed back to the sidewalk.

I felt so sad. It was so cold out there and he was just looking for something to eat. Now, our family is currently "financially challenged", but we have enough to eat and a warm place to sleep. I don't know this man's circumstances or what brought him to Arby's trash can. But, I took a couple moments to thank Heavenly Father for all I have. I thought about giving him one of my sandwiches, but by the time I left the parking lot, he was gone and I couldn't see him anywhere. It was definitely, a "count your blessings" moment.

Today, I left the house to run to the bank and pick up a Christmas present for one of the kids. I was stopped at a traffic light and my stomach was all tied up in knots. I was just rushing and worrying. Over the radio came Nat King Cole's voice singing "Silent Night". I literally felt all the tension leave my stomach and I took a deep breath. Nat King Cole's voice is unbelievably soothing. And the song was so soft and beautiful and old-fashioned. I was grateful for the reminder of what the Christmas season is all about. A small baby who became my Savior. My errands were over quickly and the feeling of calm was fleeting (I'm back home!), but it was wonderful.

Zen Sarcasms

2007-12-18T12:07:00.001-05:00

Jocelyn (my sister) emailed these to me. I found them very valuable and helpful. I think you will too.
Maura

1. Do not walk behind me for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either. Just pretty much leave me alone.
2 The journey of a thousand miles begins with a broken fan belt or a leaky tire.
3. It's always darkest before dawn , so if you're going to steal your neighbor's newspaper, that's the time to do it.
4. Don't be irreplaceable. If you can't be replaced, you can't be promoted.
5. Always remember that you're unique. Just like everyone else.
6. Never test the depth of the water with both feet.
7. If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of car payments.
8. Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes.
9. If at first you don't succeed...... skydiving is not for you.
10. Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish, and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.
11. If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.
12. Some days you're the bug, some days you're the windshield.
13. Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.
14. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it in half and put back in your pocket.
15. A closed mouth gathers no foot.
16. Duct tape is like 'The Force'. It has a light side and a dark side, and it holds the universe together.
17. There are two theories to arguing with a women - Neither one works.
18. Generally speaking, you aren't learning much when your lips are moving.
19. Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.
20. Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.

Don't Touch the Christmas Tree

2007-12-05T12:07:00.000-05:00

Whatever you do.... be careful around the Christmas tree. Our Christmas tree stand died just an hour after the dishwasher on Sunday night. It was leaning precariously when our Home Teachers were over. After they left, Shane crawled under the tree and I lifted it straight up. (Yeah....that was fun!) And he pronounced the stand DEAD!

We shoved the tree into the corner against the back the wall in the corner and there it has remained. And there it WILL remain until Christmas tree stands go on sale after Christmas. (Actually, it's finally standing pretty straight now!)

What would life be like without all these little jokes?

BORING!!!!! :)

p.s. Exercise update: 3 mile RUN in 35:14 minutes
1 mile walk in under 18 minutes with hills and irritation thrown in...
lots of fun and lots of sweat!

Prepare to be Amazed (and SHOCKED)

2007-12-04T09:20:00.000-05:00

Yes, it is true. I have accomplished an amazing feat.....

I RAN 3 miles on my treadmill on Saturday!!!!! It took 36:14 minutes. That was running at 5 mph hour on average. I did pretty well. I had to take several breaks (while gasping for air) and I my back muscles were very sore on Sunday. But, I was so proud of myself and felt so good!

FLYING PIG 10K HERE I COME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GRRRRRRRR....POP.....HHHHHSSSSSS

2007-12-04T09:18:00.000-05:00

Do, you recognize this sound?????

That is the sound of a dying dishwasher.....I know because I heard it Sunday night. The "HHHHHSSSSSSSSS" was the wisps of black smoke issuing forth from the edge of the dishwasher. So, I am back to doing dishes by hand. Luckily, I haven't forgotten how. But, I have a question. Does Satan have a hold on my household appliances???????

On Track

2007-11-30T12:32:00.000-05:00

So, Mikayla woke me up to tell me goodbye before she went to the bus stop. I got up and "weighed in" and I was so happy with the numbers that I couldn't go back to sleep, even though I had another 40 minutes that I could sleep!

I got up and went down to the dreadmill (actually, Savannah didn't create that term, I saw it on a Runnersworld discussion board a couple years ago and I loved it!). I decided I would again go for a 45 minute workout, hopefully completing 3 miles.

I started out walking at a fast pace. At one point I was talking in my head and planning to put off running until I have lost 9 pounds. Within another minute I was running. The reason: it is easier to "run" 4 miles an hour than to "walk" 4 miles an hour. So, I ran awhile even though I was not planning on it. I ran at 4 mph at times. I also took the incline from 1 all the way up to 4 at times. (I made my own hills.) I finished 3.1 miles in 45:32 minutes! I'm going for 21 more 45 minute workouts by Jan 1st!

My goal is to run the Flying Pig 10K in May 2008.
My other is to hit my goal weight by July 4th, 2008!

(After another frustrating hour on the computer this morning, I finally did the right thing and hopefully fixed my "cookie" problem so I can blog again!!!!!!!! I'm so happy!!!!!)

A Mother Moment

2007-11-29T18:52:00.000-05:00

I've been getting re-motivated to lose weight and exercise. So, yesterday I headed back to the treadmill. (Jared had fallen asleep at just the right moment.) I walked for 3 miles in just over 45 minutes. Later, Savannah came downstairs and got on the "dreadmill" while I was in the laundry room. I came by with a basketful of clean clothes and got a big chuckle when I saw her. Your life just isn't complete until you see a 4-year-old little girl dressed in a dog costume (Lady, from Lady & the Tramp) walking on a treadmill. She was facing the other way and the little doggie tail was swinging back and forth. The costume comes with a big dog head that sits on top of her head, so from behind, I couldn't see her face at all and it was hilarious. She looked like a very serious dog out for her morning stroll.

Does it get any better than that?

Enrichment Night

2007-11-08T15:49:00.000-05:00

I just have to send a big thanks out to the amazing women who planned this month's Enrichment. The presentation at each placesetting was beautiful. The dinner was DELICIOUS! The company was fabulous, as always. It was a really nice evening with lots of time for girl talk. Thank you for making me feel so loved and spoiled.

I'M BAAAAAAAAAAACK!

2007-11-08T15:47:00.000-05:00

I'm so excited!!! I haven't been able to sign onto my blog in forever! My dumb computer wouldn't accept any cookies. And I ask.....why not??? I ALWAYS accept cookies!

Two days after my washing maching died, one of my dryers stopped drying!!! But, a week later, with a new heating element installed we are back in business.

The Flood

2007-10-30T07:35:00.000-04:00

Why is it that life is one step forward and one step back......Oh wait, that's supposed to be two steps forward.......Well, it feels like just one right now!! :P

I went to my craft show on Saturday and as many of you know it was just "okay". I made back my booth fee and a little bit more. Mikayla and I had a great time visiting with the other crafters. We met some really nice people! and we had fun hanging out together. I did learn a lot about craft shows and may try another later this month since I have a lot of cards ready to sell and supposedly Saturday's show was bad just because their were more crafters than shoppers!!!!

Yesterday morning I went downstairs to find the humongous pile of laundry that had accumulated as I stamped cards all last week. Let's just say that the leaning tower of Pisa (sp?) can be recreated in no time at my house!
I had promised myself (and Shane) that I would get the house back together this week including getting the laundry caught up. I virtuously began separating the clothes into their appropriate bins (organized by colors and washing temperature) and started the first load. Unfortunately, within 5 minutes the disaster occurred.

I slipped on a brand-new stream of water coming from under my washing machine. Yes, my washing machine had overflowed. The darn thing has truly passed away. It doesn't want to spin another load again. It also doesn't shut off when it has reached the appropriate water level. Let's just say I had lots of water escaping from it's designated location and heading for the floor drain near the furnace. (I've had my doubts about the wisdom of indoor plumbing for years and this just confirms them.....I mean, overflowing toilets, sinks, dishwashers, busted pipes.....who needs them?) So, all day I watched, babied, and cajoled my machine just to get a few desperately needed loads washed. (I only got 4-5 done.) This does not make a DENT in the amount of clothes I wash each week. But, I can guarantee clean underwear, socks, jeans, and t-shirts for a day at least.

Shane came home last night he declared the official time of death at 8:30. So, I have been given the assignment to search Craigslist for a new washing machine (CHEAP!) so my beloved husband can go forth with an appliance dolly and his work van and (as conquering hero) deliver a working washer to his fair maiden.......AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!!!!

The Beast

2007-10-21T23:30:00.000-04:00

No, I'm not talking about Shane!!!! The Beast is my affectionate nickname for our computer in the family room. It doesn't seem like we've had it that long, but it is slow and it hates me. But, our laptop (affectionately known as the Beastie) has suddenly turned retarded. It doesn't know it can get on the internet. So, my blogging addiction has been denied for weeks! I have little energy to drag myself down to the family room and sit in a hard chair at the computer desk at 11:30 at night to write or read! Tonight, I was helping Jessica get her papers ready to submit to the National Honor Society (they've invited her to apply) and I'm up late so I thought I would explain my lack of participation in the blogging world.

My craft show is this Saturday. I have approximately 400 cards to sell. I still need to buy envelopes and make labels to attach to my baggies with an email address and phone number for re-orders. (I hope there will be re-orders.) So, besides my agonizing deprivation of the joys of a laptop computer, I have been stamping my heart out, and keeping up with the boys' soccer schedules, oh, and cleaning houses for cash! Yipee! Hope all your blogs are still as wonderful as ever. I hope to read them again after Saturday!!!!!

The Top 10 Countdown of Why I Love My Sister Jocelyn

2007-10-02T22:52:00.000-04:00

10. She has a naughty sense of humor.

9. She loves animals and I admire her devotion to her pets. (No, they can't be sealed in the temple to you Jocelyn!)

8. She enjoys shopping at Half Price Books as much as I do. (And spends more $ than me there! hee hee)

7. She knows that she deserves to go to the spa and hair salon every so often and be pampered!

6. She appreciates great Hibachi cuisine and took me to have some with her family the last time I was in Texas.

5. She has a beautiful singing voice. (I LOVE to sing with my sisters and mom!)

4. She listens to my "funny" stories and even laughs at them. (or at me.....whatever!)
3. She listens to my whining......more often than I care to admit.

2. She is my cheerleader. She believes in me and encourages me.

1. drum roll please......She has great taste in sisters!!!!!!! Just ask me...or Sheralyn!

LOVE YOU JOCELYN! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We call her Pretty Pretty Princess!

2007-09-30T19:01:00.001-04:00

And I'll tell you why! I did her hair and we were really hustling to get it done in time! It took over an hour! While I was curling, spraying, and pinning her hair, she sat in a chair and made her royal requests.

"Mikayla, go downstairs and get my dress. Please."

"Mikayla, go downstairs and get my jewelry."

"Mikayla, go downstairs and get my shoes. Please."

Yes, your royal hiney. I mean highness! :)

AND she kept admiring her beautiful fingernails that she had done at the mall. (They really WERE gorgeous.)

Mikayla and I had a good laugh at how Princess Jessica was so demanding. Mik had her sweet revenge by bringing up macrame style jewelry while hiding the pretty silver jewelry Jess was planning on wearing. Mikayla also brought in an assortment of winter scarves to cover Jessica up a little bit more! And Jessica has promised to be Mikayla's servant when Mikayla gets ready for her first formal dance.

We three girls really had a great time getting Jess all gussied up. Her date, Zack Baker, got here a few minutes early and we still weren't done with her hair! So, he had to cool his heels in the living room for 10 minutes with Mikayla and Jared entertaining him. (Jared's nose was running! Not nice! But, kind of funny!)

I insisted on going down the stairs first (so I could watch Zack's reaction when Jessica came down). When she walked in the room he said "Wow" under his breath. It was so cute. They had a wonderful time on their date. Especially when they went to goof off in Target after their nice dinner at Johnny Carino's. At Target they tried on boots, cowboy hats, and Halloween masks! Zack told me Jessica even started riding a scooter up and down the aisles. (That story is uncorroborated.)

They stopped at the Village Green (a park) to walk around and take pictures and then stopped at UDF to have ice cream. They had a nice time seeing their friends at the dance, but the music was horrible and the dancing vulgar! Jessica and Zack are thinking a church dance will be more fun.

After the dance, they went to a friends' house (Claire) and then Zack brought her back home and we visited with them (including Mikayla) for a half hour or so. It was lots of fun for us to visit and get to hear all the fun details of their evening!

When the Mom is Sick

2007-09-30T18:43:00.000-04:00

It's not pretty. And I don't just mean the face I see in the mirror! The house starts falling apart pretty quickly when the boss is down for the count. It started out as a bad headcold and sinus pain. Then it progressed to bad congestion and coughing. After a week it turned to a fever and stomach flu!!! It was AWFUL! But, finally this morning the fever broke. I feel weak and I'm not over it yet, but I feel much better.

Unfortunately, the house is in bad shape too. The laundry has become a complicated situation. Children ran out of socks on Thursday and Tanner actually went down to the dirty clothes in the basement to get some out of the "whites" hamper. When he came upstairs and had a "dirty" pair to wear to school. I actually said they would be fine. There are 3 baskets and a recliner full of clean clothes in my bedroom. They are unfolded, but at least clean. I'm afraid to venture down to the basement to see how high the dirty laundry pile is now.

But, I'm so proud of my family. Sometimes they didn't want to do the extra work asked of them, but Tanner watched Savannah on Thursday so I could take a nap. Mikayla went to the soccer games on Saturday to cheer for the boys since I couldn't go. (Thanks to Karlin for picking them up and taking them and bringing them home!!!!!) (Thanks also to Heather for taking my 3 middle kids for the afternoon so I could rest and thanks to Kevin and Pat for watching them in the evening!)

Mikayla then spent Saturday babysitting me and Jared. And now, she is downstairs making dinner for the family. Something else I am grateful for is my kids' caring personalities. When they would come home from school or activities, the boys would often stop in my room and check on me. "How are you feeling mom?" "Are you doing better?" "I hope you get better soon." Can you beat that?

So, after days of toast, soup, and Gatorade, I am glad to have eaten 2 real meals and I think I may actually be on the road to recovery!

I'm not including any pictures for this post. Believe me........

you don't want any!

Fried Rice

2007-09-24T22:00:00.000-04:00

Maura's Chicken Fried Rice

2 cups uncooked white rice
4 chicken breasts, uncooked and cut into small chunks
1 medium yellow onion, diced
2-4 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
2 cups frozen green peas, thawed
4 eggs
milk
margarine (or butter)
garlic salt
pepper
soy sauce
crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
This is my "homemade" recipe, so the amounts of the last 6 ingredients can vary according to your taste.

1) Prepare rice according to package directions. Set aside. The rice can be made a day ahead of time and refrigerated if desired. Or you can use leftover rice.

2) Melt margarine (approximately 1/4 cup) in a very large non-stick skillet or wok. Add chopped onion, garlic, and chicken. Season with some soy sauce, garlic salt, a little pepper, and a little red pepper flakes.

3) After chicken is cooked through, remove from skillet and set aside. Melt more margarine (approximately 1/4 cup) and add rice. Season with garlic salt and soy sauce. Stir it often over medium heat. When nicely warmed through, add thawed peas and stir.

4) While peas and rice are cooking, in another pan scramble 4 eggs with a little milk, garlic salt, and pepper.

5) When the eggs are finished, add them to the rice mixture.

6) Add the chicken back to the rice.

7) Taste. Add additional soy sauce or garlic salt if needed. This recipe makes a huge amount of fried rice and can be halved easily for a smaller family or if you don't want a lot of leftovers.

My family and friends like this so I thought I would post it on my blog.

New Cards

2007-09-17T23:55:00.001-04:00

Here are my 2 new creations for my craft show. The index finger on the light pink one is not included and is for display purposes only!

Happy Birthday Savannah

2007-09-17T23:23:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, we had a really nice evening with Shane's parents as we celebrated Savannah's 4th birthday. I just had the best time watching her open her gifts and smile so big as we all sang happy birthday to her.

We had a yummy pink cake that Mikayla and I made. Here is Savannah with her new Barbie from Ron and Diane.

One of my favorite shots is one of Jessica showing Savvy how to take care of her new dolly. And of course there are we are all enjoying a little cake and ice cream!!!

There are no pictures of me as I was the photographer! Oops!

New Job

2007-09-13T00:14:00.000-04:00

I cleaned house for Jean Pace today for about 3 1/2 hours. It was tough work. I came home completely drained!!!! She is an older lady in our ward (82 years old) and needs lots of help. Hopefully, she will need help once a week on Saturdays.

Last night at Tanner's soccer practice I went walking for 30 minutes. The hills kicked my butt!!! Literally. Once again I was reminded how much more difficult it is to walk outside compared to on a treadmill. It was really nice to get my walking in during his practice since I didn't have time at home during the day.

I still plan on trying to get a job at the YMCA. We'll have to see what happens!!!

Crafters Showcase

2007-09-10T23:40:00.000-04:00

So, I was looking through the Cincinnati Enquirer in the classifieds. (I'm looking for a part-time job.) And I found an ad for a craft show put on by the Forest Park Women's Club. I was very brave and called the number in the ad. The very nice lady that answered my call told me all about the upcoming show. It's at Winton Woods High School on October 27th. She asked me what I make and I told her handmade cards. She said they sound beautiful. They have between 80 and 90 booths and the show runs from 9am to 3pm. I received my application for a booth today in the mail. I am so EXCITED!!!!! I absolutely love to make cards. If I can make some money doing what I love, I will be thrilled.

So, I am frantically "stamping my art out!" I have to buy a lot of cardstock and envelopes! I hope to have 300 to 500 cards ready to sell!

Today my plan was to make 10 cards. I finished 12 and stamped card fronts for 20 more. So, I am on my way to my first craft show. ( I feel so cool.)

Also, I got my 20 minute walk in this morning. And I ran about 7 minutes of it. I was nice and sweaty and happy when I finished.

(I love having the kids back in school. It is so much easier to get my housework done with less bodies in the house!!!! HOORAY!)

Today's Highlights

2007-09-04T14:50:00.000-04:00

1) got up on time and walked on the treadmill for 20 minutes! Yay me!
2) got the dreaded phonecall from the school---Hunter had thrown up on the bus. Could you please come and get him?
3) got my laundry started and the dishes done fairly early today
4) had to "dismantle" the vacuum to find the puzzle piece I vacuumed up
5) made my bed, said my prayers, and read my scriptures all before 9 am (I think this is a record of some sort)

It is only 3pm. There may be more excitement to come. Most of my daily chores are done. I think I'll stamp some cards before Jared wakes us from his nap!

The Most Wonderful Day of the Year

2007-08-29T11:35:00.001-04:00

So, last night I was reading about Marjorie Hinckley and how much she loved her kids. She cried all day long on the day her kids went back to school. Well, I love my kids too and today all the kids (well four of them) are back in school. I tried, I mean I REALLY tried to work up a tear or two as the boys' bus drove away. But, I had no luck!!!! HOORAY!!!! School is back in session. Only Savannah and Jared are at home.

It's so quiet. :)

Tagging?

2007-08-27T23:51:00.000-04:00

Shayleen's blog said I have been tagged. I have no idea what that means, but I want to be like Shayleen, so I will post my info just like her!

FOUR JOBS I HAVE HAD:
1. Mary Kay Cosmetics Consultant (I love their products!!!)
2. Sewing Machine Sales at So-Fro Fabrics in Reading, OH
3. Customer Service (on the phones) for Soft-Copy. I helped fix shipping problems for WordPerfect customers.
4. Document Preparation for Utah Geneological Society while living in Texas!

FOUR PLACES I HAVE LIVED: (What? I only get 4????)
1. Alamosa, CO
2. Mesa, AZ
3. Midvale, Sandy, and South Jordan, UT
4. Fort Worth, TX
5. Orem and Provo, UT
6. Springfield Township and Fairfield, OH
(Okay, I cheated. I listed them all.)

FOUR TV SHOWS I LIKE TO WATCH (plus 2 more)
1. American Idol
2. The Biggest Loser
3. The Closer
4. NFL FOOTBALL (It's finally almost football season!!!!)
5. Monk
6. Psych!!!

TV SHOWS I WATCH THAT NONE OF MY FRIENDS WATCH (I made this catagory up)
1. Murder She Wrote
2. Simon and Simon
3. Matlock
4. Magnum, P.I.
5. Diagnosis Murder
6. JAG (Kim Whiting likes this one!)
7. Reminton Steele

FOUR PLACES I HAVE RECENTLY VISITED:
1. Kirtland OH
2. Nauvoo, IL
3. Smethport, PA
4. Sanford, CO

FOUR MOVIES I LOVE
1. A&E's Pride and Prejudice (I've watched it a dozen times at least!)
2. Ever After
3. Father of The Bride 2 (loved watching it while expecting Savannah and then Jared)
4. just about anything with Harrison Ford!

FOUR OF MY FAVORITE FOODS:
1. Mexican food!!!!!!!! (esp., at Acapulco Restaurant)
2. Garlic Chicken (at China Wok)
3. Esther Price Light Chocolates & Symphony Bars (Milk Chocolate with toffee chips of course!)
4. My Sweet & Sour chicken

FOUR THINGS I ENJOY DOING:
1. Reading mysteries
2. Stamping Cards and Scrapbooking (I create cards and pages in my head while I'm trying to go to sleep at night)
3. Running Races (5Ks especially! Not in shape for this right now!!!)
4. Visiting with my closest friends while eating!

FOUR PLACES I LIKE TO SHOP:
1. Michael's (with a coupon)
2. Hobby Lobby (when scrapbooking supplies are 50% off)
3. EBay!
4. At my friends' Stampin' Up parties (Thanks Debbie Sowards for all the great cards you teach us how to make!)
5. Half-Price Books (I cheated again.)

FOUR PEOPLE I TAG: If I knew for sure what this meant I would tag Leslie, Corrie, Jocelyn, and Heather! (and I would tag you back Shayleen! Thanks, this was fun!)

Clutter Bugs

2007-08-27T23:34:00.000-04:00

It appears that we have Clutter Bugs living in our house. No matter what I do they show up. I swear I had the boys clean the upstairs hallway Saturday morning. But, while Shane and I were at Stake Conference Saturday night, one (or possibly more than one) Clutter Bug attacked this location. The rumor is that it was a female-3 1/2 year-old Clutter Bug, nicknamed Sa-whamma! I have seen this Clutter Bug and, let me tell you, she tears through this house at lightning speed. (Imagine the Tazmanian Devil from Looney Toons. ) Unfortunately, her cleaning up skills leave something to desire.

(Way up in the left-hand corner of this photo is a very dirty sock containing the clutter bug's foot. It appears the Clutter Bug became exhausted and collaped on some blankets around the corner. This wasn't discovered until 1 am this morning. I have left it there because you should NEVER WAKE UP A CLUTTER BUG! It's very dangerous and time-consuming.....) This hall-way photo was taken after several reminders to "clean up the puzzles and games in the hall".

Yeah, right.......

A New Soccer Mom

2007-08-22T22:54:00.000-04:00

So, I have entered the world of soccer! This is a whole new adventure for me. Both Tanner and Hunter are playing this season. So far, it's lots of fun! Tanner is right in the middle of this picture-heading for the ball. This is from last Saturday, during his very first soccer game. It was hot and sunny out there. And the field was HUGE! There weren't enough boys on our team that day for substitutions, so Tanner played the whole game. He was worn out by the end of it. They lost 2-1, but I was very proud of him.

He played another game Monday evening and as I watched him play he reminded me of Shane. I started thinking that Tanner probably plays just like his dad would have at that age. He is always right where the action is happening, but after taking a kick or two at the ball, he pulls back and lets someone else have a turn. (He's very polite.) And I'm over on the sidelines yelling, "Go get it Tanner! ...... Be aggressive!!! Kick it!!! .... You can do it!!!!!" Surprisingly, Tanner is not at all embarrassed by his mother and smiles at me when he's close to the sideline.

I love that I'm still his favorite mom.....

Abby

2007-08-01T12:20:00.000-04:00

This is Abby. We put our dog, Shafer, down in February because he was really old and not doing well at all. I swore we would not have another dog until all the kids were potty trained and out of diapers. However, Jessica, Mikayla, Tanner, Hunter, and Savannah had other ideas. They got my mother-in-law in on the plan and she found a Yorkshire terrier for sale. Diane very graciously bought Abby for us. Abby is about 6 months old and so much fun!!!! She only weighs about 5 1/2 pounds and won't get much bigger. She loves to play tug-of-war and is learning to sit on command already. The only challenge has been house-training her. (She and Savannah are both consistently having accidents!) I have been surprised at how much I have enjoyed having a dog again. The best thing about her is she doesn't shed!!!!!!! I have to cut her hair! Her first "home haircut" was very challenging, but she looks so cute now that we can see her eyes!

Beach Towels

2007-08-01T00:09:00.000-04:00

I just love beach towels. When I'm at the store new beach towels ALWAYS catch my eye. I love the bright blues, teals, oranges, reds, greens....all of them. I also love the designs: stripes, dolphins, palm trees, Hawaiian flowers! If I were rich my closets would be full of brand new, fluffy beach towels! I would use them year round because they are just so fun!!!!

When my kids were in swim lessons I saw a beautiful beach towel with the Disney princesses on it. Savannah and I were both drooling. I would love a Finding Nemo, A Bug's Life, or even Cars towel. Almost anything Pixar! But, I'm not sure about Ratatouille. Who wants a rat on their beach towel?

Clutter-mine vs. theirs

2007-07-23T19:41:00.000-04:00

I have decided that MY clutter is nothing when compared to the clutter left by others in my house. Now, here is my reasoning:

When "I" leave a diet Coke can on the counter, who do you think is going to throw it away??? Me, of course!!!! It may be awhile before I get to it, but I will definitely be back.

Now, when "someone else" leaves a MOUNTAIN DEW can on the counter, do you think that "someone" is going to throw it away????? NO! IT WILL BE ME!!! Unless, I nag that certain someone (and actually, this time I don't mean Shane) I will be the one to clean the counter. (It's Jessica.....)

So, as you can see, my clutter is just temporarily occupying space, but I if I find clutter left by someone else I tend to go ballistic!

I am always innocent! :)

Aren't you?

Giraffe

2007-07-23T15:41:00.000-04:00

I got my first order for handmade cards! I bought this cool giraffe at "Stamp Your Art Out" on Friday and just couldn't wait to make a couple cards! Cindy Zalar liked them and now I'm making some for her.....for actual $$$$! I'm jazzed!

Finding Nemo

2007-07-16T22:52:00.000-04:00

Okay, so I got to go on a Youth trip to Kirtland on Saturday. It was wonderful. It was so interesting, fun, and spiritual. I had a super time. Yesterday, church was easier than usual. I was in such a good mood. The kids (while not ever angels, but then neither am I) acted a little better in Sacrament Meeting. The whole day went well and I really think I was on a spiritual high from Saturday. It continued this morning....But, you probably know what is going to happen.

My favorite scene in Finding Nemo is when Marlin and Dory are down DEEP in the dark ocean and they see a pretty light. They start talking to the light and singing. Then they realize the light is attached to a horrible Anglerfish who is going to eat them. Marlin then says "Happy Feeling Gone!"

That is SUCH A GREAT LINE!!!! I tell that to Shane all the time when I have reached my absolute limit with the kids! Well, today I came crashing down from that spritual high!!!! The house was a horrible wreck. Laundry, clutter, toys, dishes, etc. were everywhere. And the kids were all hungry (so was I). This is a typical description of dinnertime at our house. Shane called right after I got the kids fed and I had to say it. "Happy Feeling Gone!"

I know that you KNOW what I'm talkin' about!!!!! :)

I'm going to bed.....

Dolphin Cards

2007-07-16T14:10:00.000-04:00

Here is a sample of my dolphin cards. They turned out so great! You can see why I had to stay up late to play with them!

Confession

2007-07-11T00:43:00.002-04:00

Hi. My name is Maura. And I'm stupid......

It is almost 1 am. I could have been asleep 2 hours ago. But, instead, I stayed up stamping some "dolphin" birthday cards. And then I started playing on the computer... reading blogs... looking at my favorite stamping website. What have I DONE???? What will I do when the little kids start running through the house in a few hours? I'm gonna be hating life.... Oh well.

So, now you know. I'm not as bright as Shane looks.

I'm turning off the computer....Okay, NOW I'm turning off the computer! I really mean it this time......

Well, maybe 5 more minutes.....

Scroll Down!

2007-07-09T00:12:00.000-04:00

I learned how to add pictures!!!!

The Sacrament Meeting Rodeo

2007-07-08T19:55:00.000-04:00

Well, that's what I call it each week. Today was no exception. Hunter and Tanner could not sit still or stop talking for anything. I feel like I'm ropin' young calves for over an hour!!! Dirty looks and whispered threats only go so far!!!!

Shane said he could tell it was getting out of control at one point when he saw me talking to Hunter and it looked like my eyes were about to pop out of my head!! Jared wasn't cranky today, but he was so active that I wanted to scream!!!! He thinks that I am A JUNGLE GYM!!!! I spent much of the meeting trying to not flash anyone! He grabs what ever part of my shirt is accessible when he wants up or if he is losing his balance!! By the end of Sacrament meeting each week I'm hot, sweaty, cranky, and my neck is all scratched up from Jared. But, today the meeting ended early, so I took 5 minutes to sit on our bench and breathe deeply. (They never tell you in Lamaze class that you will do more deep breathing AFTER the kids are born than you ever did in labor.) Shane came to take Jared away so I could teach Sunday School. That is one of my favorite moments each Sunday!!!

Here is my exercise update:
Monday: 4 miles in 66:02 min.
Tuesday: nada
Wednesday: 5 MILES in 81:23 min.
Thursday: bad headache so no exercise (or laundry) got done
Friday: 4 miles in 66:11 min.
Saturday: 4 miles in 64:00 min.

Week total: 17 miles of walking. I'm 3 miles short for the week, but I might go down to the basement and walk a little before bed.

Here is my diet update:
ummmmmmmmm......ice cream tastes really, really good.........................
Okay, so Tues, Wed, and Thurs were pretty bad. I couldn't stay out of the cookies. But, yesterday I was back on track!!!!

I have lost a little weight which is nice. But, I'm really going for consistent cardio again even if I don't lose much during this 3 week goal. I love the feeling that comes at this time in my training. I am tired and my knee joints ache a little, but it is a good sore. It reminds me that I have earned that soreness!!!! I can feel my thigh muscles coming back to life and getting firmer again. I am so excited to get running. The longest run I ever did was 9 miles. In the running world it is a big deal to run 10 miles or more. It is called (at least on Runnersworld.com) joining the "2 Digit Club". I hope to "join the club" this year or next. My main running goal is to run the Thanksgiving Day 10K this year. Running it in 2005 was one of the proudest moments of my life.

Thanks everyone for all the positive comments on my exercise! It helps to know others are seeing your work and being your cheerleaders! You are great!!! I have the best family and the best friends!

Exercise Update

2007-07-02T18:58:00.001-04:00

4 miles (walking) in 66:04 min. Sticking to my new 3 week jumpstart plan, which is 4 mile walks 5 times a week for 3 weeks! And I'm following Weight Watchers to help keep track of my food!!!!Trying to get off enough weight to be able to run without my knee aching so much.

Family Home Evening Idea

2007-06-25T23:13:00.000-04:00

My current favorite FHE idea was supplied by Jessica (from a fireside by Glenn Unklesbay).
It's called HEADLINE NEWS.

Jessica has a spiral bound notebook that she brings to FHE for HEADLINE NEWS. She writes the date and then asks each family member (we go from youngest to oldest) to tell us what the best thing was that happened to them over the last week. Or they just tell something they enjoyed that occurred (or it can be bad news). Jessica writes down their news in the notebook and with very little work you end up with a fabulous Family Journal. It has given Jessica her own responsibility for FHE and it gives us all a chance to enjoy each others accomplishments, fun, and even commiserate when things aren't so great (like Jessica getting a tick in the woods--Blech!!!). We've celebrated school awards and Young Women accomplishments. We even celebrated when Savannah's hair was finally long enough for a ponytail!!! This week we each shared our favorite things we did in Pennsylvania. (Hunter's favorite was our hike....so was mine!)

Vacation!!!!!

2007-06-25T22:49:00.000-04:00

Wow! 6 days in Pennsylvania! We had a marvelous time. We cooked over a fire a few times, went swimming in a lake, went hiking, watched movies (Star Wars), did jigsaw puzzles, and more.

One of the things I enjoyed the most was the 3 1/2 hour hike we took. We were lost..... Shane used to hike down off the mountain to camp when he was a teen. However, he just can't seem to find the easy way anymore. Last year, he took 4 of the kids and they ended up walking down a full creek for the last 45 minutes or so, trying to find their way back to camp. For that reason, Jessica and Mikayla have said they aren't hiking with Dad ever again!!!!

I bought Shane a handheld GPS for Christmas.....so, I wasn't too afraid to hike with him this year. We had so much fun. The logging road we started out on was still not the right one. We always new where camp was, we just couldn't exactly find a simple was to get there. We hiked through brambles, down steep slopes of brush and pushed our way through dense areas of new saplings. But, I got to have one-on-one time with my son, Hunter.

It was fabulous. As many of you know, Hunter came into this world CRANKY!!! I don't know why he arrived that way, but it taught me that each baby is most definitely born with their own spirit. Hunter needed lots of instruction, I needed lots of prayer. But, he has come so far. He is absolutely delightful. Unfortunately, part of my current mothering challenge is trying to give individual attention to my kids. Hunter is always hungry. He can eat like none of my other children have at the age of 6. So, much of our conversations revolve around Hunter asking for more food. I am so busy with my "work", that I haven't taken time to enjoy Hunter's personality beyond his constant need for nourishment.

On our hike, Hunter and I often ended up at the back of our group. He was so cute. He was using my binoculars and pretending he was a Rescue Hero. When we were "lost", he kept getting on his pretend radio and called for help!!! He kept telling the other Rescue Heroes that he needed an "aerial rescue". But, they never did help us!!! At one point a plane flew over us and I joked that the Rescue Heroes were coming. Hunter "called" to them, but he said they turned their radio off. We started joking that they were the Rescue Heroes that "don't do anything" (similiar to the Pirates who don't do anything on VeggieTales!!)

The reason I enjoyed seeing Hunter's imagination at work is because at this age my kids are usually embarrassed when you "catch" them playing. He didn't care that I was watching and playing along. His smile was so sweet and I loved being his hiking buddy. I hope I can keep those images in my mind for a long time!

2007-06-24T21:41:00.000-04:00

This is Jessica taking over Mom's blog!! MWHAHAH!!! lol Thank you Corrie for the lyrics to the ... "Proud of You" song... unless it has a different name. And I'm glad I qualify as your hero Leslie!! I've always wanted to be someones Hero and passing my test was a great way to do it! lol
well i guess i can give back mom the computer.. she is on a deadline after all thanks to Corrie. :-D
BYE!

2007-06-12T22:55:00.000-04:00

Good day today, but no real time to log a decent entry. Here are the highlights:

1) JESSICA HAS A DRIVER'S LICENSE!!!!! WOOOOO-HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

2) I walked 2.5 miles in 41:45 minutes. I am aiming for 25 minutes of cardio a day, but I really hit my stride at 1.6 mi., so I just went for it. Changed my goal to 40 minutes, but when I got to 40 I was almost to the 2.5 mile mark, so of course I kept going. My movie (Princess Diaries 2) was at a good part, but I forced myself to save the rest for tomorrow. I'm so grateful for my treadmill!!!!

5 workouts done!!!!! 12 to go!!!

Today

2007-06-11T23:31:00.000-04:00

The first thing I saw this morning when I opened my eyes was lots of bright pink fur..... Yes, it was a bright pink bunny in a sequined pink ballerina tutu. That could only mean one thing. Savannah was in my bed again and she had brought a friend. When Shane leaves for work at about 3 am, that is Savannah's cure to jump in bed and save his spot. Luckily, I was able to roll over and forget the bunny. When I woke up later, the bunny and Savannah were gone.

My day passed very quickly. Drove Jessica to Sharonville to practice driving for her drivers' exam tomorrow morning. Hope she passes this time.

At 5 minutes to eleven tonight, I realized I had not exercised!!!!! ARRRRGGGG!!!! So as not to disappoint all of you (and embarrass myself) I grabbed my walking shoes and headed for the basement. Hit the treadmill and walked for 26 minutes, completing 1.5 miles!!! Yea, now I can go to bed.

Oh, by the way, I found my thigh muscles......They were KILLING ME yesterday. I was SO SORE from running that mile on Saturday. I'm not sure how I made it down the stairs yesterday morning to get Jared a bottle, I was so stiff!!!!

4 WORKOUTS DONE, 13 TO GO!!!!!

Runnin in the sun

2007-06-09T17:05:00.000-04:00

Due to a little twist in my plans today, I ended up driving near the lake where I first started running. I was in workout clothes because I had planned to hit the treadmill when I got back home. On a whim, I decided to try to run around the lake. Hmmmm....WHAT WAS I THINKING????

I started out strong and died at the 1 mile mark. I ended up walking the last 6 tenths of a mile.
So, after not running for a year and a half due to my last pregnancy and childbirth, I cannot run around that blasted lake!!!!!

But, the positive news is that I ran that mile in 11 minutes. When I first started running several years ago, I couldn't even run a tenth of a mile at a time.
Thus, my great plan to run around the lake was not total failure. I see where my fitness level is. And as my dear husband pointed out, I'm not actually starting at the beginning again.

And, I accomplished my third workout towards my goal. 14 to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Maura