Family is Everything!

I may be older ...

but these two are certainly wiser!

I ran the half marathon so I would have a fitness goal and pretty much so I could prove to myself that I could do something difficult and seemingly beyond my grasp. The end.

My sister-in-law, Dana (46 years young), who is my family but I call her my friend, said this about our half marathon event.

Meredith (35 years of wisdom age), Dana's long-time friend, and my new-time friend, said this.

Old dogs CAN learn new tricks.  This old dog WILL learn from these two golden examples and WILL start today to look for HIM in ALL things.

 

The Texas Half

January 29, 2011:

6:40AM - receive text from Meredith, "I'm here" (meaning Dana's house).

6:45AM - Dana, Meredith, and Shirlene drive to White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX

7:25AM - arrive at White Rock Lake.  Shirlene dropped off to pick up her official number.

7:40AM - join the many others in line at the port-a-potty:)

7:55AM - Dana, Meredith, and Shirlene join the crowd at the starting gate.

8:00AM - Gun and official start!!

8:00:38AM - Shirlene crosses the start line and chip begins calculating.

8:03AM - Dana and Meredith pull ahead of Shirlene.  No problemo.  I'm on my pace.

Sometime later ... just before mile 6 ...

Greeted by our sweet cheering section (brother-in-law Matt and nieces Megan and Lexie, and Meredith's husband Derek and her three darling boys, Andrew, Caleb, and Samuel)!!

I take the opportunity to dump my jacket and gloves. Still feeling strong. Almost halfway there.

Another sometime later ... around mile 10 ...

Brother-in-law Matt jogs along to offer encouragement and check on how I'm feeling.  Surprisingly, I'm feeling good. 

 

As I passed the 11 mile marker I had this thought, "Eleven! Wow! I can do this!"  I instinctively started to speed up, but forced my self back to my pace.

Mile 12 - alrighty - NOW it's time to pick up the pace a bit.

Mile 13 - just .1 to go!  Cheering section is cheering! Push it, push it, push it! 

Uphill???  Are you kidding me?!?!

Success! 2:15:15! 

We are PROUD of ourselves - without being prideful, I might add:)

Our sweet medal - and how we really felt at the end!

Our favorite poster: Matt saw this one at the NY Marathon while he was running, and thought we needed one too:)

It's over!

And weirdly, I didn't know what to do for exercise this morning.

 

I can do hard things.

13.1 miles
2 hours 15 minutes 15 seconds
The proof is in the medal!
And the smiles of my sweet cheerleaders, Megan and Lexie!

Sometimes I don't think very clearly ...

and I think I can do more than I probably really can or should.

Sitting at dinner in New York after watching Matt run a successful marathon I committed to run a half marathon with my sister-in-law and her buddy, Meredith.  Really?  Yes, really.

And so the training began.

I have followed my training schedule exactly.  Even while in Alaska.  Ninety-nine percent of my training has been done on a treadmill due to the frigid temperatures and snow covered roads in Logan and Anchorage.

Tomorrow morning I fly to Texas where the roads are clear of the white stuff and others who don't think clearly that have also been preparing for the Texas Half Marathon. 

Saturday, January 29th, will be a day recorded in history!  For me, at least!

What was I thinking?!?!?  I am a grandma, remember!  A grandma!

I told Dana and Meredith to just wait patiently for me at the finish line, because no matter what, THIS grandma will cross that line -- eventually!

Aloha from Kauai

January in Logan = time to head to Hawaii

2011 = Orthopedic meeting in Kauai with Mayo Residency Class

Highlights = Maui chips, pool time, running OUTside, chocolate macadamia nuts, maui chips, delicious dinners, spectacular hikes, did I mention maui chips?, all-around fun time with fun folks from days of yore!

Yore = Mayo Clinic Orthopedic Residency Class of 1988-1993

 

Baby Andy's Blessing

Before Chelsea and Brigham and Andy headed back to Alaska, we were privileged to have them bless Andy in our home.  Since our Bishop is Greg's partner and lives right next door, it was convenient.  Brigham's family is only 15 minutes away, so they were able to be with us also.

The problem -- what would Andy wear?  I started sewing him a blessing outfit in December, but it was turning out badly.  Chelsea shopped around and couldn't find anything she liked.  Then the inspiration came!  What about the little white outfit Chase and Dustin wore?  I still have it tucked safely away in one of the boy's treasure bins. So, three darling baby boys have received a name and a blessing from their dad through the authority and power of the Melchizedek Priesthood while wearing the same sweet outfit. I know the outfit isn't the important part about the ordinance, but it makes me smile just the same :)

                (Chase)                                    (Dustin)                            (Andy)

        

                                        (Chelsea, Andy, & Brigham)

Look out! Dustin's growing again!

I came across these pictures yesterday.  It was the day Chase opened his mission call and then ordained Dustin a Teacher.

Two years later ...

 

I love the photo on the right with Chase standing up super tall, trying to make the height difference greater :)  

My Growing Heart

When I had my first sweet baby over 26 years ago, I never thought it would be possible to love another child as much as I loved that first darling.  When number 2 came along I was amazed that my heart could expand so freely to allow this new little one a secure place right next to number one.  And there wasn't any crowding.  The same thing took place with numbers 3, 4, and 5.  Wow!  Really?!  I was able to safely tuck all five of my children into my one heart! 

Having children of my own helped me to more fully understand how our Heavenly Father could have place in His heart for ALL of His children.  All of us!  

Recently, the miracle happened again.

Friends that are grandparents have told me that there is just nothing quite like having grandchildren.  I believed them - sort of.  And then it happened.  I became a grandma!  I didn't expect it to happen as smoothly and as suddenly as it had with the births of each of my own children.  But it did.  It took only one look and one touch.  Here I am again with a growing heart.  Little Andrew Jon reached right out and snuggled into his own comfortable place right in my heart next to his mommy and daddy and uncles and aunts. My heart continues to grow and it amazes me! It is a gift of joy and love!

I can't wait to experience this miracle again and again and again!  In April maybe?  Yes!

Poor Dustin

On December 28th Dustin went under the knife for what we like to call "the blue plate special".

Poor guy has not felt great since about July.

Sinus stuff.

So, he had his sinus turbinates cleaned out, his deviated septum straightened, and his tonsils and adnoids removed.  He was a rock star through it all.  Although I'm not sure that a 16 year old would choose to spend his New Year's Eve snuggled in bed with his mom and dad while watching Indiana Jones.  Greg and I thought it was pretty great!  And since he couldn't do much, he took advantage of his new role as uncle and spent time just holding Andy. 

 Dustin is back to playing the horn (doctor said no playing french horn for two full weeks) and tennis.  Didn't miss any school either. He is, after all, the original "stud muffin"!!

It's about time ... or ... Is it the new year already?

I started thinking about new year's resolutions and goals way back in December.  I thought I would be super organized and make my list and be ready to jump into 2011 with both feet on January 1st.  

Hahahahahahahaha!

What was I thinking?!?!

Today, a full twenty-five days later, I FINALLY got the job done.  Thought I would copy my sister-in-law and make actual categories for my goals, i.e. Spiritual, Physical, Family Preparedness & Organization, Intellectual. I'm feeling positive and encouraged - even though I am a month late.

Made the quilts/projects/crafts list for 2011 also!  Just 31 items listed.  I'm already four weeks into the new year.  So 52 weeks minus 4 weeks that are gone = 48 weeks left minus 31 projects = I can still pull in an extra 17 projects this year!  

Hahahahahahaha!

Seriously - I just need to stop now and HOPE I can finish SOME of the 31.

So tomorrow it all begins.

The jumping into 2011 with both feet that is!