The Half

Saturday Christopher and I and 3,000 others did the Ogden Half. Perfect weather, great scenery, and lots of friends. I always feel great until about 10.5 miles and then think oh man I should have trained and that giant bag of M&M's that Jackson and I took down last night is threatening to reappear. Those last 3 miles are long and slow!

Thanks to my boys for being at the finish.

In case you are wondering, no I did not have to rush off after the race to DJ. Those blasted little headphones will not stay in my ears (I have tried every variation) so I have to stick with the 80's/DJ variety. DJ Jazzy Drake in the house yo!

So Close

We were so close. Spring was almost here. All the signs were there-- BBQ in the backyard with ice cream and Cheetos stained faces.

Opening up the pool.

And being outside after dark. Gotta love those faces.

Too bad it it 50 degrees and raining today and for the next two weeks. Bummer.

9 Big Ones

You guessed it. 9 years ago today we sealed the deal.

I sat quite awhile tying to figure out what to write about my sweet Marky without sounding mushy or over indulgent. (Okay, saying Marky publicly doesn't help to dispel the mushy talk.) Started 3 times and then erased them. I found it a little daunting to describe the perfect person. Not just the perfect husband for me or the perfect dad for our boys (which he is) but literally one of the most perfect people I know.

I asked him about it one time,

"How do you do it?"

"Do what?"

"You know. Never get upset. Never feel sorry for yourself. Always put others first. Never complain or want more. Really, I want you to tell me. I want to learn from you."

He just looked at me like he had no idea what I was talking about and continued making dinner or folding the laundry or doing whatever else he happened to be doing perfectly at the time. 9 years of reaping the benefits of a wonderful husband is the best thing a girl could ask for. Love you hun. Happy Anniversary.

Mother

“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”

For awhile I wasn't sure we would be able to have kids. It scared me, really scared me, because so much of my identity was based around being a mother.

Today I can't imagine life without them.

Grateful, that they give me balance,

a humbling view of my inadequacies,

and an unwavering, incomprehensible,

steady flow of love that only a child can give.

So grateful to be a mother.

The 70's Called

and they want their brass, mirrored, shower doors back.

This not my actual bathroom but we did have these lovely shower doors before we remodeled the bathroom in our old house. Whomever thought these were a good idea was not post pregnancy in the middle of winter. The joy of the not so subtle reminder that you need to shed a few LBs every time you watch your naked self get in the shower under those harsh fluorescents .

I thought I would put them to better use. Just spray painted over the brass, framed it out, paint, and glaze. Much more betta'.

The thing is beastly heavy so it became a floor mirror. I kinda like it.

Happy Birthday Andy

No, that is not Mark but you know he will look like in 30 years.

Mark's dad turned 60 this week and just wanted to wish a big Happy Birthday to a wonderful man. When Mark and I first started dating he was just scary Bishop Drake but as you break through the suit and tie, you get to know one of best people around.

He can build anything, fix anything, and grow anything. I don't think he has paid someone to do something for him his entire life. He is the model of doing what is right, living like you should, and instilling those values in your children. He works hard, loves his family, and has enough food storage and emergency supplies to last his next 60 years. Love you Andy.

Click here to see the video that my super sis-in-law made for him.