I'm a list maker. I love making lists of groceries, maps, thoughts, ideas, books, blog posts. I have lists of all these on my cork board in the office, on my phones notebook section, in my purse on a paper, next to my bed, on my fridge and who knows where else.
I have purchases numbers of little booklets to keep in my purse or in my console of the car...just in case I have the idea of the year or that perfect story or a memory I want to jot down. I am so drawn to the cutesy little spiral bound notebooks you find for only a few dollars at ROSS or Target. I find myself walking through the aisles and then migrating towards the stationary. I laugh at myself when I end up in front of the sale shelf and start putting notebooks in my basket. I love giving them away as gift...with the thought in mind that everyone loves to write/doodle/jot down their thoughts, as much as I do...which isnt' always true.
I have always been a list maker as long as I can remember. Well, maybe not always lists..but doodles.
I remember sitting in front of the TV when I was younger and just writing a word I would hear from the TV and write it down...many times in many different way and sizes.
I also love reading lists of things....records, books, memories or a bunch of ideas. One of my favorite books is a small little thing that is titled "14,000 Things to Be Happy About".
It's a thick book as you might guess..with 14,000 memories/thoughts from someones life. But it brings back memories of mine as well. I have had this book since I got married back in 1997. Luke and I have taken part in this project for years that we'll read a thought from this book and then with our own hand write one of our memories that is similar to what we just read. It's always in the same spot...the Bathroom!
EXAMPLE: Book: "Selecting Ripe Melons"
ME: - as a child, watching my mom thump a watermelon for the perfect ripeness pitch..which rarely failed her.
Book: "Tobacco Store"
ME: - Taking Rent to the owner of our Georgia apartment, who also owned a Tobacco Store. We would take our check to his store, every month.
There are thoughts in this book that didn't apply to me 10 years ago..but do now. And there are thoughts that don't apply to me now..but might in 10 years. Its fun reading all the little things that someone thought of.
Sometimes we'll just put a location and a date next to a thought or a person's name next to a thought. It's a fun way to bring back memories that you might never remember on your own.
Anyhow...I think I have passed this trait onto my oldest child. I come across lists that she has created and have to laugh out loud. She once made a list of ideas on "How to Become a Good Mormon". I so wish I could find that list! It's around here somewhere...I gotta find it...it's so cute.
Here is a list she made that I have to put on my blog.
TIPS FOR FAMILY by. lainie 2/2011
-Never go outside with the door open. -When the house is quiet, Memphis is gone. -Make sure that Creed's toys isn't in Mom's hands. -Clean up after Memphis before Dad finds out. -Don't let Memphis go by a dog. -Wake up Shelby before regular wake up time. -Don't make Carter mad. -Get Dad out of the house before Mom says "Quick Pick Up". -Make your bed before mom has a hermania. (hernia) -Shelby makes a mess in the closet, so do not let Dad see. -Mimi hates our old silverware, so get rid of them.
So adorable and all so TRUE! Each one of these thoughts have a story behind them..which makes them even funnier to us.
I better go make a list of my lists! (har har har)
Here are some photos from a Hail storm we had a few weeks ago.
We have had 3 or 4 hail storms this Monsoon season and they have been so bizarre.
One storm the hail was like small disks with star like holes in the middle.
Like a tube of ice was sliced all the way down like a cucumber.
Then a minute later it turned into little snow ball type hail.
My kids thought it was fun to get pelted by them as they ran around our backyard.
Arizona Monsoon's are AWESOME!
I was looking over some photos that I took back in July, while in Utah.
I wanted to post a few more collages of my visit there.
I always have such a great time when we go back home...hiking, running around, visiting and just trying to drink it all in.
One night we got sitters for all the kids and nearly all my siblings and their spouses were able to take a drive up to Zion for an afternoon/evening hike. We walked and visited and chatted about life, love and the pursuit of happiness.
We were entertained by my youngest brother...as usual. With his crazy antics of running down the middle of the road while we waited for the shuttle, or him climbing walls in the Narrows or just his funny sense of humor. He's very entertaining and fun to be around. LITTLE BROTHERS! (by the way...he isn't really having a bathroom break in the below photo)
One last photo....
This is a picture of my parents Pistachio Orchard in their back yard. My kids love it here! Especially this day...because my oldest brother took them on a ride around the trees behind the mower. They think its such a treat. He even taught Lainie how to drive the mower...which almost became a story in itself.
Luckily she found the brake in time.
I just think it's a beautiful place...and of course...we love those nuts!
Well...it's official..Soccer has begun.
We have played for two weeks now, but Beans games were cancelled due to weather last weekend, so this was our first Friday night and Saturday morning weekend. We have practice for all the kids on Mondays from 5-7pm and then again on Wednesday's for the girls from 5-7pm. On Friday night we have one game for Shelby's division and then Saturday morning are the rest of the games. We are drowning in Soccer!
Bird scored the first goal of the season on Saturday....You know it! She was so excited, well we all were. I might of turned into that mom that jumps around screaming. BUT...I didn't run around saying "that's my daughter!!". She had many great attempt at the goal..but her score was fantastic. It was an up and over the Keepers head. We were all so happy for her!
Beans scored the first goal of the season for her team, Friday night under the lights! She was also so excited. I had to miss the game...but Luke tells me it was a fantastic game. I can NOT wait to till this Friday to watch her in action. She is a hustler and see the field so well. Yahoo! Can't wait!
Cedar scored the 2nd goal of the game for his team, Saturday morning. He also scored last week...but this week was a score for all the kids...minus ONE! Carter did a great job! I am always impressed with his quickness and ability to get the ball down the field. What a dude.
Muscles didn't score this weekend...he woke up with a bit of croup and so he only played one quarter and sat out the rest of the game to rest. It's okay...while he was in...he did a wonderful job and keep the ball out of the goal. What a guy!
Lukey is the assistant coach for Beans team and loves it. I signed him up with out asking and he wasn't sure he'd be into it...but rest assured...it's loving it! The coach might be reconsidering his choice of assistant due to Luke's excitement. I am sure he is wonderful!
I coach the boys team and have a blast doing it. I secretly LOVE LOVE LOVE being on the sideline, running up and down the line directing the boys. I love teaching them skills and then at the same time..wonder if I am short changing them..because I am not the PROFESSIONAL soccer dad coach that many teams have. However...it's fun and I love it!
Memphis or Goobs and we call him...is all of the teams mascot! He loves to cheer for them and clap and yell...and eat lots of snacks! He is a good addition to any team.
ONE last thing...our names this year just happen to be as follows.
Lainie's Team: PINK Lightning
Shelby's Team: Green Lightning Bolts
Boys Team: Lightning Bolts.
It must be due to all the monsoon weather we've been having.....we got lightning on the brain!
Well...It's only been 4 days without my lover and he'll be home tonight, I'm very excited!
He started his new job in Chandler and the rest of his brood is still here in S. Tucson with me.
I am nervous and excited to have a real conversation with him about his job. Not just a quick 10 minute phone convo...but a face to face, lip to lip conversation. Hehehe.
Yes..with him starting a new job that means...we'll be moving again. Moving...baahh!
We have moved so many times in our 14 yr marriage, I won't even bore you with the details.
Okay, I will.
20 moves in 14 years.
That could be an entire move with all our belongings. That could mean only moving our clothes and our bed. That could mean driving across the country 2 times and nearly 8 years apart. That could mean moving 100 yards from one house to the next...twice. That could mean sleeping at my mom's or mother-in-laws home for more than 3 months while our stuff is shoved in a storage unit waiting for our job to be available.
OH...you name it...we probably have done it.
We've lost items that were dear and priceless and then we have lost items that we couldn't give away fast enough. We have broken mirrors and found things from when we first got married that we forgot we had.
Stuff. Stuff. Stuff...who needs it?
Well...so we are off again. We will be moving in the next few months. Once we rent our home out and locate another in the Mesa/Gilbert area.
I am excited to go back to that area...where all of Lukes family lives, HOORAY.
And let me not forget that it's 2 hrs closer to my family. YIPPEE!
But, I am so sad to leave my sweet, dear friends that I have made here.
Ones that have taught me patience, love, laughter, to accept others, to extend your family to your neighbors and of course a wicked game of spoons. I have learned so much from the woman that I am surrounded by. I have just really learned to love them all.
This area that I live in is one in a million. We are all mostly transplants. Either working for Border Patrol, Raytheon, Davis Monthan Base or of course some other job. But most of us are not from this area...therefore in need of extended family.
Which, I feel has made our ward and area so wonderful and close. Oh...I'll miss this place.
I love that we live so close to the pool, park and schools. I love that we live on just a wonderful street with such neat people. I love that I can run in the morning and see numerous people I know from either church or school and feel safe. It's a great place.
NOW...I must look outside my selfish reasons and remember that this is such a blessing for my family. We have been given an opportunity to start new and go closer to family. We have been praying and fasting and trying to keep so still in our minds to hear what Heavenly Father wants for us.
And then this came!
WE have been blessed and for some reason...we are to be in the Valley of the Sun (again).
That's right..I celebrated my 36th birthday on Wednesday and it was a great day.
My lover took the day off. We dropped mr. memphis off at a friends (thanks E.A) and then we were off.
at the movie!
We hit a few places for a few things and then of course...to the movies.
We saw "The Rise of the Planet of the Apes"...it was pretty darn good. I love watching movies and so does my man...so it was a good morning.
We then had lunch at Red Lobster and just enjoyed one another company. My love language was filled that day... QUALITY TIME!
Around 2pm we headed home for the kids and then off again to Costco for a few little things.....which always turns into more than you need. I have a love/hate relationship with that store.
Later...I got many nice phone calls, texts, a hiliarous and disturbing JibJab card from my MIL, and even got to skype my parents in Samoa.
When I woke up the following day...I was suppose to run a few miles with my sweetie...but we slept in. It felt nice, but I was feeling like I missed a chance to run.
But, I decided to hit snooze as well and run once the kids were off to school. Let me just say...running at 8am in AZ in August (monsoon season) really just plain and simple..SUCKS!
I pushed my little Memphis boy in the stroller and came home so gross and hot. He had a ball..eating grapes, drinking water, throwing out granola bars and riding in the carriage. Anyhow, as I ran I kept thinking about a friend of mine that is doing a triathlon in a few weeks and she asked me to go with her. I really thought about it, until she said you have to swim 26 laps. That was, in itself, a good enough reason to NOT do it. Besides I am committed to something else that weekend. (wait till I post what I am doing that weekend...can't wait...so EXCITED)
Anyhow...yesterday morning I thought about all the reasons I am not thrilled with swimming 26 laps. Breathing quick short breaths in water, panicking because I didn't breath right, putting my feet down...just anxiety comes over me a bit.
My sister has asked me to try one with her as well...but the darn swim....yuck.
Once, I finished my run yesterday...I came home and just laid on the cold tile floor, pondering the whole idea of it all.
I decided today was going to be the day to face that challenge.
I walked upstairs got my little swimsuit on, packed up Mr. Memphis and off I went to the clubhouse.
I checked little guy in to the daycare for one hour and set off to see what I could do in an hour, in the pool.
When I got there...I ran into a lady I know from church. She was just leaving and informed me that she and her daughter had just swam a mile. WHAT!!! It's about 66 laps. I told her I was going to shoot for 6 laps. In my mind...I went to see if I could swim those 26 laps, but didn't want to be accountable to her later...so I kept it to myself. What if I didn't finish 26? What if I didn't finish 16 or 10?
I knew I would have to stop between laps to catch my breath...but I was going to get 26 laps in before my hour ended. I know that's a long time ...but I just didn't know what to expect.
Once I got in..I swam 4 laps and was huffing and puffing pretty good by the end of just a few minutes. While I tried to catch my breath and regroup my mind around how this might be harder than I think...an elderly man, that had been swimmming caught my attention with a few casual questions.
Over the next 15 minutes, he ended up teaching me a few skills that saved my bacon. He told me he had swam for years and then informed me of how to kick properly and breath a certain way so my legs don't drag me down.
Let me tell you...once I started focusing on those few tips...I was feeling so much more comfortable. Still working hard on catching my breath...but I got to 20 laps and felt good. I looked at my time and realized I had 15 minutes left. So I had to do 6 more laps to get those 26 laps in.
I swam 6 more and felt good.
Then I looked at my watch and saw I had 8 minutes more...so I thought
"go to 30...just an nice even number".
So I put the goggles back on and did 4 more laps. Then I thought "do 6 more laps to represent your new age".
SO...I did!
I did 36 laps.
Then...I looked at my time and was over by 3 minutes....but something inside me said "beat your age" So I did 2 more laps to show myself that my age is not me! NOW, listen...I stopped between almost every lap to center myself...but...I did it!
I am a freak, I know!
But, I am proud of my freakiness, and that I accomplished something that kind-of scared me. I wasn't afraid of drowning, I knew I could put my feet down at any time. But what is scary to me is not doing something super good and trying something that might make me look like a fool.
Why do I let things like that discourage me so?
(shrugged shoulders here)
I am proud to be 36 years old.
MAN...that number looks like such an old number...but I don't feel it!
I guess, then, it's not an old number.
I am excited to give swimming another try, next week!
Oh...back in January, me and my 3 sisters made a commitment to run a half marathon. We decided on the Bryce Canyon Half.
A few of my sisters had ran this a few times and another sister had ran a few other halves...but this was my first! I was so excited to run it for so many reasons.
reason #One...to know I can do it.
I love the way I feel when I finish something that pushes me to a different place. I have been running for that very reason. To see where I can take my mind, body and soul. I have been thinking about running a lot lately. Since this race, I have lacked in motivation to get out there. I am wondering what pushes me...what keeps people running every day. Running itself is some what enjoyable but I will say that it's not really addicting to me.
The addicting thing about the run is finishing.
It's scary, sometimes to me, when I start a run...am I gonna finish strong and be excited about how I did that day or mad because I wasn't fast enough or strong enough or what ever. I think, I think to much about it all.
I need to find a different mind set. BUT...I love the way running make my body & mind feel..strong and healthy. So...I must continue.
This race was something that made me dedicated to something every morning...for only me. I felt selfish some Saturdays..out running by myself, while the kids were home. But when I would finish...they were all still sleeping...so I got over that and really loved it.
reason #Two....to have some time with ONLY my sisters. I love it when we, sisters, accomplish something together. Since I got married..I have lived away from my family. They do things together once in a while. They run together, bake together, hike together, talk face to face, watch each others children...it's time with one another I don't get. So this was a time I have been looking forward to for months.
Anyhow..to me..having just our time with NO interruptions was something I was longing for. I love being around them so much. We are all so different and yet so much a like....I love it! We have a good time. My 2 sister in laws were going to run with us as well...whom I LOVE just as much...but one lives in GA and the other made a commitment to her stake to help with a pioneer trek. So it was the 4 of us.
We left town around 5pm and headed to Bryce. We arrived, picked up my oldest sister at a campground, drove to Henriville to pick up our packets and then off to dinner.
We drove around to many different places...but it being a tourist place...things were either packed or 25.00 for a plate. We were not interested in either. Finally..Subway was our place for nourishment. We ended up eating at 9pm (Utah time) and headed to the hotel. Got settled and visited for a few and then by 11pm...were in our beds trying to sleep. Oh, yeah..we had to wait for the toilet man to come fix our potty. POOR GUY!
1130 pm we were all snoozing. 2 am..I was up, wide-eyed and NOT going back to sleep.
As many times as I visualized attending the Temple, Visualized me sleeping, thought about the peaches in the cooler next to the ice and the milk that my sister bought that would be warm for her breakfast, and anything else I could run through my brain. I tried music to sleep, meditation, praying and just picturing the stars and a black universe. NOTHING was putting me to sleep. I stayed awake...along my sister till 5am (4am AZ time). By then...everyone else was up and at em and we were preparing to get to the starting line.
I had to kneel down and pray that I might have the physical & mental strength to not worry about not sleeping, but finish strong and find all I could inside me to do my best and use no excuses.
5:45am we were having our last minute preparations and knelt down as sister to pray for our day to be joyous and that our feet will be guided in strength and we will finish happy. 5: 54 am We walked out our door and started our .5 mile walk to the starting line. We knew we would be late crossing the line because we could hear them starting the race and we're not there yet.
My older sister mentioned that it really didn't matter because we had a chip on our shoe that clocked us from start to finish...so being 6 minutes behind the first person that crossed the line...it wouldn't matter.
That put my mind at ease and I felt much more relaxed.
6:04 am Three of the four of us crossed the starting line together. We high-five and were on our way. I didn't see my sisters again the entire race. I was torn about this. I wanted to run with them for the company of it...but my mom reminded me that we needed to experience this on our own, at our own pace and focus on what we were getting out of it. I LOVED IT!
I Started the race feeling great...no issues.
In fact there was a time when I was running down into the valley. A place people call "the Dump" and it looks a lot like these photos.
On my IPOD, at this very time was this song...
I know that it's a love song...and I was thinking of my love at this time...but the words that just hit me were "Do you feel Alive?".
I was only into this race about 1.7 miles but...I heard that and remember saying to myself... YES..I feel Alive!.
Looking out over the beauty of the valley, feeling my body moving and just at peace....it was cool.
It was all cool..in fact we started our run with the temp being about 47 degrees.
I LOVED IT! cold nose, cold hands and warm body.
MILE 3...My belly felt like it was being torn open...just below my belly button. I needed a bano and fast. I stopped at a port-a-potty...only to see the line 7 people deep and my time was ticking away. So, off I ran hoping there was a bathroom soon.
Mile 4.5.... was the mossy caves and again a line of 5 deep. I remember they had bathrooms back off the road for hikers...I ran there with only 1 person in line...I waited. OH the Smell! The chemicals in the place burnt my throat and I left coughing and not able to finish my purpose. (sorry for the details, but it was all part of my experience). So off I ran.
Mile 8....I found 4 port-a-potty's on a trailer with nobody in line. OH...I MUST ENTER!
With better success...I was back on the road. I hated thinking of the time I was wasting...but so necessary. At this point...I made it a mental point to NOT look at my watch and just run to finish. I knew I was behind where I wanted to be...but with situations that required my attention...I had to forget the time and run to enjoy.
Only .5 mile from this point was where I felt my body being pushed by some other force than my own. I felt strong and wasn't in need of help (as far as I knew) but...I got it and must of needed it more than I thought. Maybe I needed to know I wasn't alone and that I was being accompanied.
Mile 9....I ran past the Cemetery and gave a glance to the family.
Mile 10...My body was in a groove and feel super...but my mind said "it's 10 miles, you re good...STOP"
I remember my leg slowed for only one step to a walk and that made me mad...and I sad "GO". I remember something my mom told me "the only way to get to where you re going is to keep moving".
At this point I was distracted by beautiful green fields with pink cliffs behind, that I know my dad ran through as a kid. It put a lump in my throat.
That was a good thought. I was missing my dad.
Mile 11...I ran into my bro-in-law's brother and his wife. I trailed them for a bit and visited a minute and then off I went.
Mile 13...I was feeling good.
My legs were sort of numb...but still feeling good.
My breathing was good.
My feet were good.
I knew the finish line was just a minute or two away and then I saw my 2 sisters standing on a corner ready to encourage me. At this point I felt great...but when my sisters joined my sides it was like my brain gave out and I remember thinking (really loud) "Robbie, help me!!! How can I do this??? Robbie, Help me!!!"
I broke down in my brain...but my body Spirit took over and I finished the race strong and so so Happy. As soon as I stopped, had the volunteers cut the chip off my shoe, collected my medal and grabbed a water..my belly started screaming at me to find the nearest out house. I was on the run again!
Enough of the toilet talk.
I did give a notice to my time...it being 2:11. I was slightly disappointed about it...but then realized...I FINISHED!
My sisters and I all found each other and sat on the grass that has held many a family reunion for our family. We looked over the pink cliffs that were above us and this brings me to my number 3 reason for running this race.
reason #Three....to spend some time...if only a few hours...in my daddy's stomping ground. My father was raised in the small towns just 13 miles east of Bryce Canyon. My grandparents and greats and aunt & uncle & cousins lived and live there now. So...having lived away from the area since I got married and only visited a few times since, I loved being there among the red, pink & white mountains. Oh, the beautiful alfalfa fields, the beautifully manicured cemeteries that my family rest in. IT was like going home all over again. There were times in this run...one in particular where my body was being pushed by the spirits of family members cheering me on. I remember exactly where I was when I felt like my body was in a strange state of being. It was as if I could of looked behind me to see a person giving my shoulders a nudge. Like I was being touched with the softest hands all around me...Like my feet were barely touching the ground. I remember a smile came across my face as if I were part of side show and everyone knew what was happening....but nobody said anything. It was strange and special. Later...talking to my sisters a few of us had similar experiences. I think we all observed and paid respects to our family that were in the 2 cemeteries that we ran past. It might sound strange...but it's our experience.
As we finished our race, collected our gear we jumped on a bus and headed back to our hotel for clean up duty. On the bus we happen to sit next to these young 23 year old guys. They were #1 & #2 in the race...the first guy set a new course record. He ran the 13 miles in 1 hour and 4 minutes! WHAT!!! I was inspired.
All in all...it was a wonderful experience. One I can't wait to do again next year.
Love you girls and thanks for going with me.
After the race...and yes...we ate those Jalapeno Cheetos! Yummy
Shelby: Mom, what's for dinner (while the bowl is in front of her and she's eating) Me: It's called Pesto with chicken Shelby: Mom, is Pesto another word for no taste? Me: No, you smarty pants.
It turned out, everyone ate the tasteless food tonight.
Ran again this morning with much hesitation....fear of wetting the pants once more. However, I am happy to announce I was accident free. OH, I am a big girl now
This morning was better, didn't hurt as bad and I felt stronger. I questioned myself much this morning on why I am doing this. Why I want to do this? Then you get home and feel good about what you just did and remember it's a good thing.
