*Frist 5K

Today I ran my first 5K. It's kinda crazy to think this is now just a "practice race", seeing as this was originally my goal when I started running. This was a "fun run" put on by Salt Lake Running Company. There was no entrance fee and a free shirt. Talk about my idea of a good race! My goal was to run it in 30-35 mins. Emma's dad took us there so that we wouldn't have to find a place to park. We had to be there by 7:15 because they were having a raffle of prizes. We didn't win anything - besides the shirt and the experience! Emma's dad stayed while we ran. When everyone took off we started quickly - maybe a little to quickly for me. I have decided that I need to work on my speed. We did really good - finished in 31 mins 17 sec's which was what I was hoping we would run it in. Really want to run quicker though so that will be the goal this week! As we ran across the finish line I heard Brice's voice and knew that he and Madie were there. It was just a "test" so I told Brice that he didn't have to come. It was fun to have them there though. Anyway.. it was a good race! I'm glad that we did it. Helped me realize all that I need to work on in the next month. SOO scary to think my half is only a month away! Here are some pictures from the day....

This is the crazy face that greets me three times a week.

These are some pre-race photo's. After these pictures I noticed that I had a lovely roosters crow. I guess it just goes to show I am there to run, not to look good doing it!

This was after we finished the race. We did pretty good!
This is me all by myself! :)

*FREEZING!!!

wish I had my good camera to capture the snow drifts

love these beautiful snow capped mountains I get to look at

Litterally it is freezing! Colder than freezing even! I think the high today is suppose to be 22 degrees. Last night I went to feed my chickens and in the 5 minutes that I was out there my hands were burning from the cold. So grateful that Brice built them such a great home! Wish it could be even warmer, but at least they were in from the wind and had heat lamps to warm them.

This morning as I was driving to work and looking at the sun come over the mountains I could see the snow blowing off the tops of the mountains. I then had this thought....

Life is like the weather outside today. It is beautiful to look at, but to go outside and experience the beauty it is cold, harsh, and can be painful if exposed for to long. However, would I give up the beauty to avoid the pain?

I was reflecting on all that we have been through, all of our past, recent and current problems or trials. They are hard, tiring, and I have shed many a tear over them. But we have not been left alone. We have been blessed in so many other ways and we have learned some valuable lessons that we wouldn't learn otherwise!

I am truely grateful for my Heavenly Father. He knows the vaule in the trials. He knows the lessons that are learned. He knows the strenght it gives to me even though at times I feel I may break under the pressure. Most importantly I am grateful for my eternal companion! I am grateful that Brice is willing to stand by me and fight these trials with me. Sometimes I would just like to through my hands up and say.. "I give up!", but I wont give up! This life is worth the prize at the end! I love you Brice! Thanks for struggling with me to make our lives so much better. You mean the world, and all eternity, to me!

*Pay it forward

Pay it forward, do unto others, God's helping hand.....

Whatever you call it, I try to do this when I can. Yesterday while on errand during my lunch break I saw a woman coming out of Subway caring a baby carrier, sandwiches, and a drink carrier with 3 large drinks. Just as she got outside the bottom of the drink carrier dropped out along with her three drinks.

The thought came to my mind "Poor woman, that sucks!" and then I went to go on my way. It was then that I thought "why don't you help her?" I said to her "Can I go refill your drinks and you could take your stuff to your car?" She said "Oh thank you" and then looked up at me. She was surprised to see me and said "Oh, I thought you were a Subway worker." I attempted to take the cups and said "Please let me help."

I'm not writing this for a pat on the back or even to tute my own horn. I just would like to pass onto my posterity that I think this is a valuable thing. We never know what someone is going through or just how hard or easy their lives are. I know that God has sent us here to help each other! We need to be the one to lighten someones load some days.

It didn't take me long to help this woman and I was quickly back on my way, but as I thought of the small act that I had done to help this lady the Spirit confirmed to me my previous thoughts! I was there to help her. I was there to lighten her load like so many people in my life do for me. I am so glad that I took the time to help her. I don't think that there is enough of this in the world today and so I hope to teach my family this principal!

*Book Worm

Madison LOVES books! She is constantly carrying books around our house. Even at daycare her teacher told me that she is constantly carrying a book around class with her. Since starting in daycare Madison now tries to hold the book like a teacher and show me the pictures. It's really cute.

Tonight, like most recent nights, Madison has grabbed an armful of books for our nightly reading. She tries to carry them over all together but she usually drops them and makes several trips. She then tells me which one to read and shortly after I start reading it she wants to hold that one. It's really kind of funny.

As I was reading to her tonight she "arranged" herself on her pillow. Seriously so funny! Gotta love this kid!

*Seven years!!!

I can't believe it's been 7 years. Some times it seems like it was just yesterday. Other times I can't believe that it has been 7 years already.

Mom and I went to visit Nates grave for Veterans day. I was really impressed. Ususally I will call mom up and see if she wants to go, but she called me. She struggles so much with his death. Don't we all?

I do really like the view from his grave. Especially right now with the mountains being snow capped. I also like the fact that it is so close to work and I can just run up whenever I feel the need to be close.

Anyway, I miss you Nate. I miss talking to you. I really miss your hugs and hanging out with you. I can't wait to see you again. Thanks for watching out for me.

*Lovings

Madie is such a little snuggler! I love it when she puts her arms around my neck and holds me so close. Well tonight as I was putting her to bed she patted her pillow for me to lay down like she always does, and then she wrapped her arms around my neck and just pulled me into her arms. I love these tender moments that I get to have with her. I love when in Costco she reaches up and pulls me close and just wants me to hug her while walking down the isle of the store. I love it when I get to lay down with her at nap time and she just curls into my tummy and wants me to wrap her in my arms. For the last month or so she has not wanted to go to bed without me and cries whenever I leave. She consistently wakes up at 2am and just wants to snuggle in bed with me. It is hard, I miss my sleep, but I also know that this time wont last forever and soon she will no longer want mommy. So I know that the "experts" say you should never allow your child in your bed, but I say "I don't care!" She is my baby and I love that she wants some lovings from her mommy. I am going to have these memories to hold onto when she is older and doesn't think I am so cool any more!

*Pumpkin patch 2010

Well today we decided to go the pumpkin patch today. Madie wasn't the happiest of little pumpkins today, but we headed out despite the melt downs! :)

When we got there we found us a cart to carry our "lut" in. Madie was the first of the pumpkins to go along for the ride...

We stopped to go through the maze.. Madie did a good job leading us through!
We loaded her back in the cart and headed into the fields.... of course we couldn't just pick a pumpkin that was already picked out of the field. That would make going to the pumpkin patch TOTALLY pointless, and it would also be like taking the first gallon of milk off the shelf.

Daddy didn't waste any time finding some good pumpkins.

Madie did a good job of finding one herself.

Of course Madison thought she was big enough to pull the cart alone. After a small battle of wills and a few tears she decided that Daddy could help pull.

All and all it was a fun experince. Daddy's favorite part of the whole day was stopping to get ice cream on the way home! I just can't believe how big she is getting. She is so much fun! I love this job of being a mommy!