St George Marathon

For 19 weeks I have been training for the St George Marathon. In hind sight, I wish I would have blogged about the journey of this accomplishment. At the beginning of the 19 weeks, I really didn't know if I could really run a marathon. 19 weeks later on the morning of the race I still didn't know if I could run a marathon. I hoped I could, I really believed I could, but I just didn't know. I really wanted to do this, and NOT pass out during it. I was very faithful to my training. I missed a few of the mid week short runs here and there, but I did not miss even 1 long run. The journey really was amazing. I loved having something to work towards as each week the mileage increased.
When the big day arrived, I was so nervous and excited all at the same time. As I started I said a prayer in my heart that all my hard work would pay off (and that I would make it to the end on my feet) . I followed Hal Higdon's training schedule, so I also had the thought, "okay Hal, I have done what you have told me to do to get ready for this, I am trusting you that it will get me to the end without dying!
The race was absolutely amazing!! The first 10 miles were over before I knew it! I ran with a good friend Megan, and we kept looking at our watches seeing how fast our pace was, and kept having to slow ourselves down, knowing we had a long way to go! I was just so happy and excited to really be running a marathon, and actually be feeling pretty good during the process! As I passed my family at mile 16 with a huge smile on my face, Ryan knew I was going to do be able to finish and be fine. (He was a little nervous before this) As each mile passed by I was so excited to know that I was 1 mile closer...and still feeling good. During the last 3 or 4 miles, I really had to work hard not to cry...not out of pain, but out of joy! I really had put my mind to something I really didn't know if I could do..and I was doing it! It really was such a life lesson for me to train for this and finish it well. I have gained confidence in myself, that if I want to do something, and if I put my mind to it, and take it one step at a time, I really can do things! The smile I have on my face at the end really shows how good I really felt! This will be counted as one of the best days of my life! It was so wonderful to have my family there and cheering. I am also grateful for Ryan for supporting me all summer as I trained week after week! ...oh and I am sure I will do this again! ;)

BYU-UTAH Game

Ryan's mom got an extra set of football tickets this year that she divided up between Ryan and his 3 other siblings. We got lucky enough to draw the BYU-UTAH game. If anyone remembers the outcome of this game, we were wishing we would have been given a different game! :) No, even though BYU got killed it was still fun to get out and go to the game. I love being able to go to the games and go back to our old stomping grounds!

First Day of School

Can you believe it?! Jace is going to Kindergarten and Hailey is in 2nd grade!! They were both so excited to start school! They both picked out their 1st day of school outfits and then kept asking how many minutes until they could go to school. ( I hope that excitement always lasts!)
I just can't stand how fast time is going by....the only thing I know to do is do my best and enjoy each one of these precious little moments!

Picking out her dress

It was so much fun to go and pick out her baptism dress! I couldn't leave this part out. She tried on about 10 dresses, but she knew which one she wanted. It was the 3rd dress she tried on, and everyone after that she would say, " I like this, but not as much as that one!" Of course "that one" was the one she wanted and ended up with. It really is such a cute dress and just seems to "fit" her perfectly! Isn't she such a darling little princess?!

Hailey's baptism

We couldn't have asked for a more perfect day for Hailey's baptism. We had so many of our wonderful family members and friends here to share her special day with us. I hope I never forget how happy Hailey was on her day. She was grinning from ear to ear from the moment she woke up. It was a testimony builder to me of what an important step baptism is in our lives. When I was helping Hailey get back into her baptism dress after she was baptized, I said to her to how great it was to see her so happy and with such a beautiful smile. She said to me that she was even smiling when she was under the water.

Commiting to do better!!

As I jumped on my blog today, I gasped as I realized how little my kids look in the pics I have posted...It has been so long since I have update the blog. BUT, I am committing to do better, and keep a better record of our family and our small daily adventures!