What follows...

Well, all the events of this last weekend has made me completely Exhausted. Come Saturday night I was ready for a relaxing Sunday afternoon....but until Sunday night I had forgot about Monday's play-date/visiting teaching. So, a quick run to the park so Lizzie could play with some friends and us ladies could visit and then a good run home has officially made me Want a day all to myself. Tomorrow will be just that!
It was Perfect St. George weather by the way- couldn't have asked for better.

Good run with a Good friend

I had such a great run last night. It was nice and easy and I had great conversation with my friend I've failed to keep in touch with over the last few years. But Yay! for making re-connections with friends. Nicole Pead is one of those friends you can pick up right where you left off and not notice a single difference in relationship. She will be a life-long friend even when there may be some breaks in between. I love her! I think she is an amazing person. I've always admired her and probably always will.

Notes to Self:
slow-paced run about six miles

Looking Forward

Rough week, but trying to work past it..I've been sick with a head cold... This is no ordinary cold, this is a cold that wants me to Die! I'm not the type of person to take medicine for it but I've had to this time around just in order to sleep. As proof to what it does to me.. Rick said I was talking in my sleep of  "Barnacles on my legs"...and..."Not wanting to Die".
So, all I wanted to do yesterday was lay in bed, watch handsome men like "HOUSE" and eat lots of Chocolate, but this only lasted so long. I made myself get up and begged Rick to come running with me. We did and it was an Awesome run! We ran four miles this time around but forgot to keep track of the time. It was fun and it felt great! It also made me feel okay about eating all the chocolate I had earlier in the day. When we got home, Rick had some YM's activities and meetings and I went to work in the kitchen. I tried a new "Baked Ziti" recipe and it must've been good, because there wasn't any left over. It's amazing how a good run can pick the day Up...but also hoping for better not-sick days soon.

P.S.
Looking forward to this weekend. Grass Volleyball games today at the park and then a run with my good friend, Nicole Pead. Some more late night ladies volleyball on Friday and catching some Sand volleyball with my (very-missed) friend Kami Beitler on Saturday. I can't wait!

Better luck next time

Rick and I went for a run yesterday and we took the kids along this time. We thought we'd give it a try. It turned out a bit disastrous and we had to cut our run short but it was still fun. Maybe, not so much fun for the grumpy Lizzie but fun enough for the rest of us. I think neither Rick or I were too disappointed about cutting the run short after having pushed the kids up a couple of massive hills. Yes, I'm being a bit dramatic... Still it was no cake. After the run we did a bit of family time--edging the lawn and planting the garden along with some good, old BBQ-ing.

Note to self:

Lost track of time and distance with all the stops.

Maybe it's best to leave the kids home next time :)

Doing Great!

Rick and I ran but at separate times and different routes. Someone had to watch the kids and my parents were out. So, we went in shifts this time. I ran what I think was about a three and a quarter run in Twenty Four minutes. My best time so far. It felt good. And Rick reduced his time by about twenty eight percent. It was all around a very successful day for me. I played with kids all morning. Got my house cleaned and laundry done including the sheets on my bed, my bathroom is spotless thanks to a mishap with the toilet (my sweet Lizzie-bless her soul)....and we did some BBQ-ing after our run and topped it all off with FHE and Blondies for dessert-that Lizzie and I made earlier. I love her! She is my little Betty Crocker Girl. She loves to cook with me and I love that she does-it's nice to have company in the kitchen. Oh! and since we're talking about cooking. Lizzie made herself mac and cheese all by herself (I was supervising, of course) But she didn't want any help. She is going to make some guy very happy someday, because who doesn't love someone to cook for them.

Notes to Self:
Ran 3.15ish miles  24 minutes
Great Day!!

Snow in April

You bet! There's More SNOW!! I admit, I was one of those that woke up and saw the snow and said, "Seriously! There's Flippin (my form of cursing) Snow outside in the middle of April- REALLLY!!!" Now, I like snow in December when I don't have to go out in it. I can just cuddle up in front of the fireplace with my hot cocoa in hand wearing my jammies and some warm fuzzy socks.
Well, as much as I Hate being cold and the layering of clothes and coats, scarfs, hats makes me claustrophobic; I would do Anything for my kids...so, when Lizzie said the words, " Mom, will you come play in the snow with me?! Pleeeaaase!" I bite my lip, threw my head back and let out a groan. "Rgghh!! Okay....and just like that, we were out the door and in the bitter cold- mind you, the snow was still falling on our heads and soaking us to the bone.... But I have to be honest, Lizzie's face, excitement and deviousness (as she rolled herself a snowball) was entirely worth it. She pelted me with a few snowballs and got a big kick out of it but I think her favorite part was when she snuck up behind me and broke the snow over my head. Needless to say, I caught her in action and tackled her to the ground. We went from there to a devotedly building a fort and when I say We, I mean mostly Me. But I had quite the cheer squad. After hours and I really do mean Hours and several pairs of gloves, I took a short on what would have been an igloo fort to a make shift fort of sorts.

 Warming up by the Fire....mmmm, My favorite!

 The CRAZY fort!!

 Hanging out with daddy...I begged Rick to take my place at one point, but I'm glad he turned me down..we had a blast!

Cleaning up afterwards... Lizzie being a goof ball.



Well, It was fun, but Please! NO more Snow for now.

Personal Best

I pushed hard this time and it was totally worth it. I ran three miles in 26 minutes; my personal best! I was even obligated to stop twice to tie my shoe. I'm thinking of signing up for the Midnight 5k again. It was so much fun the last time I did it. I'd love to do it again. The trick is convincing a friend to do it with me. Hehehe!! Any takers?! (Kel-I wish you could run it with me again).
I think the hardest part is when I feel like I've hit my wall and I have a mental battle whether or not I'm going to keep going or I'm going to stop. You can probably guess the outcome of that battle based on the optimism of this post. I'm happy! My body is feeling great and I've never felt healthier.

Notes to Self:
Ran 3 miles; 26 minutes
Sprinted last 50 yards
Diamond Valley Loop

Running with Rick

Rick was my motivator this run. I was kind of not feeling up for it but Rick was and he got me going. Turns out, it was just what I needed.
Rick says it's my cute butt that motivates him so I guess we motivate each other. Hahaha!!


Notes to Self:
Don't eat so much before the run the next time
Ran 2.5 miles; 29 minutes

Easter Weekend

We couldn't have had a better Easter weekend. It was Beautiful in every way. We started our day out surrounded by wonderful people and the [creepy] but festive Easter bunny.
We went to the Temple from there to witness the sealing of our close friends to each other and their two children.
Then our traditional trip to the sand dunes to roll eggs and ourselves down the sand hill.
And of course a BBQ afterwards. I ate so much food this weekend, I'm pretty sure I put on ten pounds or more. I wouldn't change a thing though- Great Times!!

Only Smiles Today

Oh, I was dreading the run today but felt the idea of it pulling me to just do it! I've been sore since the Spring Opener this last Saturday and was thinking it was best to let myself recover from that before jumping into a long run. So, I convinced myself that today was the day to do that. It turned out great; better than I expected actually.  It was my farthest run yet. I had stopped to stretch at my half way point which was at a trail head just off the highway. The stretch was just what I needed- Oh, I LOVE stretching. But it also didn't hurt to sit and watch as the sun slowly started to hide behind the peak of the mountain I was starring at. I went to the biggest rock closest to me and stood on it. It took me back to a time when I went on a trail run with my friend Kami Beitler. The best part was when we made it to the top and looked out over all of St. George. Gorgeous!! She's been on my mind lately.
Anyway, I made a silly decision to take my kids on a bike ride after I got home. I ended up walking the bike and trailer up the giant hill I so cockily thought I could climb. It was fun though aside from Lizzie lecturing me about about how I was supposed to ride the bike up the hill not walk it. I flippin love that girl!

Notes to Self:
Earned a dollar in quarters found along the highway- a little present for Lizzie's piggy bank
Ran 4.75 miles; 50 minutes
(?)5-7 minute break
To the Trail head just before snow canyon park
Run/walk intervals on the way back
Beautiful, warm day