Pictures from the Back

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Special Thank You

I want to tell Ross just how amazing he is. Not only was he our driver who kept us in awesome spirits, he was my personal cheerleader and probably the only one who truly kept me going when i wanted to quit. Thank you for always being there, for loving me and helping me to be more than I thought I could be. I love you Ross.

I Survived the Wasatch Back

It was questionable there for a minute! That was one of the funnest things I have ever done. It was also the hardest. If I were to choose out of the two, I would pick a half marathon every time because of how hard the Back was.
Our team started Friday morning at 9:20. From the start, the race officials predicted that we would finish Saturday night around 5:00.
I was in van 2, which is runners 7-12. We should have started running around 3:43 which would have put my first leg at about 4:22. Our first van busted it out and we started running at 1:30. I was on the road at 2:15. It was only 3.4 miles but it was tough because of the heat. It was 87 degrees with no shade. But I was still at a 10 minute mile even in the heat so I was happy. Our van rocked the house! We had some great runners.
My next run was 7 miles at midnight. This was the best run I have ever had. I decided I love to run in the dark. It was cool and peaceful and even though there were other runners on the road, we were pretty spread out and you just kept to yourself. The only bad thing about this run is that you are pretty sweaty when you finish so sitting in the van afterward, you start freezing to death because you are wet.
My next run started at 9:30 Saturday morning. Mind you, we have all only gotten about an hour of broken sleep. When I ate breakfast at 7:30, it didn't sit well. I wasn't too happy about that. My last run was 6.1 miles, slight up hill most of the way. By mile 2, I was struggling. I had a stitch in my side, I was exhausted and my stomach was a huge knot. Mile 3, I stopped and threw up twice in an irrigation ditch in front of a farmer and his family in Midway, Ut. At this point, I so wanted to quit. It was so hot even at that time of the morning and I was seeing spots. Ross (who was our amazing driver and husband extraordinaire) and the van stopped to give me some water and I started to cry because I knew I had 3 miles left and I just wanted to quit. But I didn't. The next 3 miles, I alternated walking and running just so I could make it through. I was so happy when I finished that leg that I just sat on some grass and cried.
The good news: I was not the only one of my team who had to throw up in the middle of my final run. A cute girl named Bree who is 19 and a totally awesome runner did too. That made me feel a little better about it!
My team crossed the finish line at 2:15 Saturday afternoon, two hours and 45 minutes before they thought we would. Our whole team averaged a 9 1/2 minute mile through out the race. I, personally, think we rocked the house.
This race is great. You have all kinds of people who sign up to do this. Elite runners, beginning runners, all sorts. 90% of the runners end up walking part of the really difficult parts. The commaraderie(?) is amazing. Everyone is there helping everyone else push through those demons that you get from being mentally and physically exhausted. You go beyond what you think you can do. It's amazing.
I would recommend anyone and everyone to do this race at least once. It's freaking hard but so worth the effort and bragging rights. If you don't think you can do it, call me. I have asthma, which means I am usually the weakest link. And there was a girl that ran this race with the 2nd hardest set of legs to run that was BLIND. So just try and tell me you can't do it.

Race Day

Today we start the Wasatch Back. 180 grueling miles in 85-90 degree weather. Pray for me people! I am really excited. I think this race, while tough, will be really fun. I will post after recovery. Happy weekend!

Happy Early Father's Day!

I know I am a couple of hours early but I don't know if I will have time tomorrow. I just want to post about a couple of amazing fathers that I know in my life.

Let's start with Ross. Ross is hands down, the most amazing man/husband/father I have ever known in all of my life. Everyone has flaws but honestly, Ross's are very few. He has such compassion and love for me and the boys. He is always trying to think of ways to have fun but he never loses a teaching moment either. He is always showing us a better way and takes those opportunities to teach us about the gospel. The boys can't get enough of him (neither can I). He inspires us, lifts us up and makes it impossible to live without him. We are so thankful for all of your time and energy in our behalf. We love you Ross!

Next, let's move to my dad, Glen. My whole life I watched my dad work his butt off to support our family. Life was not always easy for him and my mom financially but I don't think us kids realized that for the most part. I remember sitting and listening to him play the piano and never wanting to move. I love the way he plays. I got my great love of music from him I think. He is a great cook. I could eat his spaghetti every day of the week and never get sick of it. He also taught me that no matter what, you never waver from the gospel. Whatever it is you are going through, you suck it up and get through it. And even though he regularly kicks my husband's trash at raquetball, he is a wonderful grandfather and father and I would not trade him for the world. I love you dad.

Last, but definitely not least, my father in law, Dixon. From the first moment I met him, he has made me feel like I was someone special. He has never missed a moment to give me a hug and make me feel loved. He constantly tells me that he thinks I am doing a great job (something that every mom needs!) I can tease him relentlessly and he keeps coming back for more. (secretly, I think he loves it!) I know that Ross learned everything he knows from you so I know that he is a great man because you are a great man. Thank you for the love and support you give me and the boys. I know that you were meant to be in my life and I am grateful for it. I love you!

To the many grandpas, dads, soon to be dads, brothers in law, etc., you are all amazing. I love you all. Have a wonderful Father's Day.

Square Foot Gardening

We jumped on the SFG bandwagon this year. I love to have a garden and love even more for it to produce a lot. From everything we have read and heard, this is like the gold medal way to garden.
We bought the boxes and set everything up. The boys each have their own box they are in charge of and as they produce stuff they can sell it to me for money. It kind of gets them excited about working hard and having a reward. I think I will just match what the grocery store is asking unless it's outrageous, which is entirely possible these days.
Anywho, all of our seeds have sprouted! And our tomato plants are growing nicely. I can't wait until harvest time.

Niece or Nephew?

My little sister Shelley is pregnant. She is about 10 weeks along. I am so freaking excited I can't stand it! I love little babies but mine aren't so little any more :( And neither are Em's :( So I have to live vicariously through Shelley and Alison. I have been pretty patient I think.
I remember when Tyson and Taylor were little. I used to watch Tay a couple of days a week while Em worked. We had so much fun. And then I did a little at home preschool for Jaden and Rylee. We had so much more fun there! Sadly, I have never gotten to hang out with Maddi much like that but I still love that kid to pieces. She is so fiery.
I am excited to see how Ace and Shell's kids turn out. No doubt they will be just as amazing as all the rest of them. We have such a rockin' family. We are so blessed.

Our Pets

At the end of May, we got 2 new additions to our family. We added Bonnie and Clyde, which are SHEEP! What the? Yes that was my reaction as well. When I told my sister Emily about it, she busted up laughing. So has pretty much everyone else. We are NOT farmers people.
Up here in the valley a friend of mine started a 4-H club for the kids. They buy their own sheep, which were around $150 a piece. They raise them for 2 months and get them ready to show at the Weber County Fair where they will auction from $350 on up. It is a great way to learn responsibility and add a few bucks to their bank account. Might I add, this is the ONLY reason we decided to do this.
The boys have been doing great so far. They take care of them really well and are generally excited to do it. I think at the end of the 2 months that we have them, we will all be grateful for a break. We have had a few adventures. Building a sheep pen, houdini sheep that both learned how to escape that pen, building another pen, etc. etc. We will definitely be pros by next year. (Yes we decided to do it again!)
If you are bored, come up and meet them. If nothing else, you can laugh at us.

Happy Birthday Tyson!

Today Tyson is 11. It is hard for me to believe that this "little" man is that baby I held so long ago. He really is becoming such a fine young man. He has become so responsible lately. I know that we can count on him to do anything we ask him to do. Some fun Tyson facts:

-even at 11, he loves his mom and dad a lot. He is always cuddling up next to us and looking for hugs.
-is a fountain of knowledge. This kid remembers everything he has ever learned. He has a voracious appetite for learning new things.
-LOVES to read. Would spend all of his time reading if we let him.
-is an adrenaline junkie (thanks Ross!) He has no fear. Will climb anything, jump off anything, try anything at least once.
-despite how he comes across, he wants to be accepted and feel loved more than anything.
-is a great big brother and wonderful son.

We love you Ty-man!