The tales of the Ragnar

*Disclaimer: Long post and Bathroom talk...I'm just sayin!
I decided that running the Ragnar Del Sol here in Phx was something I wanted to put on my list of things accomplished.

Back in Sept 2011, Emily Anderson and I signed up and started training. We had a great team and our van was hand picked with woman we knew and loved.

We trained from Sept-Feb 2012 and finally we started counting down the weeks from 15 to 3 and then 2 and then "this weekend it will be over". Emily and I would text one another our runs and how we were feeling and how we did that week. She even came up to Mesa for a farewell and did a run with me on a Saturday. It was so nice to have my training buddy back, even if for one early morning run. I always loved running with her...our conversation was good, she'd push me & she was up to running whatever I was. I loved it!

Well with Ragnar just around the corner we both had fears of being injured or being sick and not being able to do our best. the week before she got a little head cold and I had a swollen knee...which worried me badly.
I had this darn swollen knee for about a week before. A little sore when I ran and then it would get more swollen afterwards. I really didn't need this 6 days before this big event. I was sort ticked because I had trained and stewed over all the what if's for the past 4 months and then this. I prayed daily, iced daily, took a few Aleve's and wrapped it up for a few days. I even went to see Uncle Sam and the chiro's office on the 23rd of Feb., a day before the race. Which was such a good stress reliever.

After I saw Sammy I came home and just tried to be so prayerful in my mind and heart. I just kept hearing.."listen to the Spirit". Once I finished packing my belonging and Lukey got home I was ready to go. I thought, "I should ask for a blessing" but I didn't. As we were walking out of the bedroom with bags in hand, Luke told me "I am going to give you a blessing." I was so relieved to hear this idea.
I sat down humbled and so willing to show my faith in this Priesthood blessing. I listened as Luke blessed me with health, energy and safety. I know it sounds weird...but it was like I had this tingling in my knee at that time. Maybe he healed me or maybe my mind was just being nuts. Anyhow...I got up and had faith that all would be okay. I thought many times of people in different church videos, when they had received a blessing and having them be reminded that it all depends on their faithfulness. So...I was going to be ever so faithful.

Through out the day and a half of running I would be prompted to ice my knee, even when it wasn't hurting. OR I remember a voice in my heard say "listen to the Spirit" and then I would feel like I should take an Aleve and rub it down with some muscle oil. Or a few times I was prompted to elevate or get out and stretch it. I must say...I didn't have any swelling the entire day and a half...as well as NO pain thee entire time running or resting!! I was so happy and so relieved.

Faith, Priesthood Blessings and the Spirit...I am a believer.

Thursday (2/23/12)

7:00 pm - I get dropped off at the airport to meet my team and switch to their vehicle. We pick up Danielle from her flight and off we go to SURPRISE AZ.

8:00 pm - Dinner @ Paradise Bakery..yummy molasses bread with turkey and cranberry sauce....with creamy chicken & wild rice soup. So what I needed. We chit chatted around the table, laughed and discussed Black History Month.

9:00 pm - we head to the Hotel and get lost in the ghetto of surprise. Finally find the hotel and unpack our bags.

10:00 pm - Back down stairs we go to decorate the van with paint. We decided to support Black History Month by giving ourselves some nicknames. We met a man in the elevator that had been drinking and I teased him a bit for a good laugh among the girls. (hee hee)

11:30 pm - Finally we make up our beds and try to crash. NO Sleep really...maybe I dozed from 12 - 3am....in and out.



Friday (2/24/12)

3:00 am - ALARM SOUNDS

We dress, pack up our bags and move out. running a little behind, but doing okay. We got in the car had a prayer and off we went.

4:50 am - Arrive at start line. we take a 15 minute mandatory safety course on wearing vest, headlamps, crossing roads to help support your runner, maps and bibs. speaking of Bibs...we got the wrong ones. we were the "sol sisters" there was another name "Sole sisters". We got theirs and didn't know til after our first large exchange. It threw a few things off through out the race.

5:30 am - We line up along the side of the start line & cheer for our first Runner...Elisha.
We watched her exit the field and off she went. We all got back in the burb and leap frogged her to mile marker 4...where we could support her with water and moral support. As we drove along we realized she had a doozy run with many hills. She did fantastic. The sky was huge with so many stars, no moon and just peace on earth.

After our support we moved on to the next exchange to allow Emily to prepare.

Exchange 1 with Emily was great. She did a wonderful job. She looked strong and felt strong. Good job. We supported her and then moved on to the next exchange so that I could prepare for my first leg.

Exchange 2 was MINE. I was so nervous. The sun had made the world a bit brighter somewhere along Emily's run, so when it was my turn it was fairly light.
I wasn't sure how I'd feel with a slight incline at first and then a 6 miles stretch, as far as you can see, road ahead of me. You know the roads that you can't see the end and can't see anyone on it for farther...well that was it. I knew I had to make it past the end of the road. Once I got to the end it curved to the left and went farther. My last 100 yards were slight incline, a cattle guard that slowed me to a dead stop and then a rocky dirt road. The map had this run listed as a slight decline but felt flat as ever to me. But later seeing my pace as 8.3, I realized it must of been a decline. I felt wonderful afterwards and so happy to have that first leg done! Nerves over.

Exchange 3 was Elliot...she did a great job. She's a pretty runner. Looks relaxed and seems to enjoy running...even with a bum knee.

Exchange 4 was Marcy...she also did a great job. She's fun and a strong runner. She ran a marathon last year and then a ragnar the next weekend...she's a maniac.

Exchange 5 was Danielle...she did wonderful. Having never run before she was using the Ragnar as her diving into the deep end of running. Unfortunately she ran at 12:30pm and it was getting so warm. She pushed herself hard the first 3 or 4 miles and then after our support the sun was beating down on her. They said on the radio that they already had people going down to dehydration. She finished strong and did great. So impressed.

Exchange 6 (BIG ONE)

At this location we turn over our baton to the next van of 6 and then we got to refresh.
EAT, REST and REGROUP.
This location I was able to see a few ladies that I knew from Tucson and Gilbert. It was a huge dirt field with dust flying everywhere and lots of sneezing. There was free PB&J's and clif bars. After catching up with a few friends and seeing our second set of 6 keep us moving down the road...
OFF we went to the next BIG EXCHANGE.

Once we all finished our first legs we decided to head straight to the next big exchange. We needed to rest somewhere and eat something other than trail mix, pb&j and oranges. So we drove about 30 minutes back to Surprise gassed up the car, grabbed some ice and found an LDS Church to park it at. We pulled out all of our sleeping bags and tried to utilize all the shade we could....which wasn't much. We closed our eyes and tried to sleep. I think I might of got an hour or less. I just remember waking up to a bladder that was about to burst. I knew I couldn't wake the others to take me to a "real" bathroom,  that would of been cruel. I needed to find a bush, corner or anything. I walked the parking lot but had no luck. The houses around the church were so close and the bushes were to small. I thought, this is it...I am going to have to sit on the curb in my clothes..pee down myself and try to explain that to my fellow team mates. I was feeling panic and so I found a small half wall that enclosed the air conditioners from view with the all the corners covered with dried leaves. The gate was unlocked and I felt it was a sign to take advantage. I opened it and found a corner out of view. URECKA

Once I could breath easier I headed back towards the girls on the other side of the church. I was just sure that someone from some house saw what I did and for sure was going to call the police on me. I would of been so humiliated. As I walked back around the church in my little black ankle socks a big maroon suburban came barreling through the parking lot. AAAHHH Haaaa....the bishop of the building had caught me...I was sure of it. I hurried and snuck into my sleeping bag, barried my face in my pillow and pretended to be asleep.
The suburban pulled up and 6 people got out. I realized it was another team looking for refuge and I was relieved.
Just then my fellow team mate woke up and said "I need to pee". I was reluctant to spill the beans on what I had just done...but saw her eyes swimming and so I gave into my better judgement and told her. I was happy to see that she was going to do the same thing. I wasn't along in this after all. when she returned...another team mate was about to bust and so one after another we watered the cement and bushes around the church. NOT 15 minutes later a police car shows up in the lot and parks. A lady officer gets out and walks over to us. NOW...we are so busted. My potty break was just one...but now it's been 5 or 6 of us in different areas and that was the breaking point. She approached us with a smile and asked "are you girls running the ragnar?" we informed her that we were and just needed a place to rest, we wouldn't be much longer. She smiled  and said they had received a few calls about  people on the church grass sleeping. I am sure the tattle tails knew of our deeds and were unimpressed. Later a bishop did show up and again confirmed that we were only doing good things. We reassured him we were not going to vandalize the building...(just pee in the bushes) oops!



At exchange 12

 


 

After a 2 hr break, we packed up and moved on to Subway for a bit of nourishment. After a lovely meal we made our way to the BIG Exchange. We found a spot in the middle of a sea of huge white 15 passenger van Heaven and started our journey to find the other half of our team. We waited for their last runner to come in and for our next 6 legs to begin.

Elisha started us off again nice and strong through Surprise, Emily ran next, as usual strong and steady... also through the town and then it was My turn.

Leg 15 or my 2nd (8:00pm) started in the town. I really enjoyed this run for so many reasons. It was down a little hill then up another and then we crossed over 4 lanes of traffic to go off road on a "trail". We started running, in the dark, on a path that was rocky and sandy and the bottom of a wash. There was a part that you had to slow to a walk and carefully walk down this super steep hill. It wasn't long, but it was steep and rocky. The next mile was either break your ankle rocks or sand in your shoes....but it was fun and a good change. There were times that all you could see was small blinking LED lights ahead of you and what ever light your headlamp gave off. I would be running and then the ground felt like it wasn't there...the ground would be a few inches deeper than your last few steps...it threw off my pace. But, on this part of the trail...the pace was DON"T KILL YOURSELF OR SPRAIN YOUR ANKLE.
We finally came out to a sidewalk and ran down a hill around a corner to behold a nice big hill you had to go up. It was a good challenge and I felt strong. I loved seeing a dad with his three kids on the corner with cowbells and signs and it being 9:30 pm. that was fun.
Once up the hill, I started going out of town. I ran along a small 2 lane, narrow shoulder or rocky side road till the end. I thought the  sky was huge and black, the stars so bright and the weather perfect to be out running. I couldn't help by have a smile on my face. I ran the last 4 miles by myself and enjoyed every minute of it. This exchange was a long narrow dirt road turned into a parking lot. The exchange went well to Elliot, I ran to the potty and just like that, we were off to support her.

The next 3 exchanges went well...elliot, marcy and Danielle, of course all did amazing! At one point we passed Elliot and saw her limping pretty good. My heart was sick that she was in that much pain...but never did she say she couldn't finish her legs and never did she complain about it being to much. She kept on moving. As well as Marcy being sickly with a stomache deal...she ran like a champ. Danielle always seemed to get the brunt of the runs. Either it was boiling hot or 1am in the morning and she had sat in the van throughout all of the rest of our legs. That would be difficult..but not to her...she was amazing.
We met van 2 at some sort of clubhouse around midnight thirty or oneish AM, and then headed straight to the next big exchange...we were so tired.

Saturday 25th
The actual day started with us running our last leg of our second run....and just a few hours later us finding exchange 24.  This exchange was a empty dirt lot with a some sort of fire house/warehouse next to it. We decided it was sleepy sleep time. Emily Anderson was not afraid of our sleeping arrangements. She grabbed her bag and headed straight for the dirt lot with a huge tarp on it and parked herself there and fell to sleep. I wasn't so gung ho about sleeping on a rocky dirt lot, in the cold...but soon realized it was either that or sleep sitting up in a crammed suburban with 5 other ladies. So...marcy, elliot and I headed over to join emily's party. We laid our sleeping bags out, hit the bathrooms and the free hot chocolate stand and then found ourselves back in our bags ready to sleep.
I was tired and didn't have much trouble finding a dark spot in heaven to rest. Although there was a lot going on around us as far as the exchange, people coming and going and trying to rest...but again...so tired so ready for sleep. I think I slept from 2 till 4:30 am when, again, the bladder was calling for relief. Once I got up...I was up and just in time to hear the alarm ringing and prepare for our last leg. We cleaned up our make shift camp sight and headed to the chutes to cheer on our vans first runner with her last leg! I couldn't believe that this was it for our van...this was our last bit of road to cover in this marathon relay. Excited, nervous and in a weird way..sad! All the months of training and being nervous, wondering if youre ready...all of that would be over in the next few hours.

Elisha got her last leg started around 5:30am and we were out to support her on this. She had a good steady incline the entire time and did awesome.

Emily got her exchange and again...awesome. She had a 7.4 ? run that was all up hill and it was some good ones. (Not training for many hills, I was glad she had this leg and not me). THe last 2 miles of her run were steady steady incline till her hand off to me.
We passed her with ONE MILE TO GO and she looked strong, so we rushed to the exchange for me to prepare for my last 9 mile run.
I got there in the chute ready for her to pass it to me and my phone rang. I didn't recognize the number so I hung up, knowing she would be there any minute to hand it to me. Once again my phone rang...same number as the last call...so, I thought I had better check it.
It was the main operator for RAgnar telling us that "we had an injured runner and we needed to go back and find her. If we wanted to finish the race we would have to finish her run and then keep on going". So we all ran back to the car to go find emily...our injured team mate. We could NOT figure this out...we just passed her looking strong and steady. But, with the news from the main operator.... we had to leave the exchange to find her.
We went back 1 mile to where we passed her and she was NO where to be seen. I thought for a minute and realized that they must have us confused wtih the "SOLE SISTERS". The same name as ours, just different! I called the operator back and informed them of the mistake and was ticked because Emily had come to the chute right when we left. She had waited there for 10 minutes looking for us.
The girls dropped me in the middle of the road at the exchange to find emily. She was standing behind me looking super unimpressed. YIKES. I understood her frustration because she just finished her hardest leg and nobody from her team was there to receive her and also for her to do the exchange. So anti-climatic. sorry emily.

We finally did the exchange and I was off on my last and longest run. I ran uphill for 2 miles right behind two men. I paced myself with them to make it to the top. That part actually felt good. Finally I reached the top to a beautiful view of a huge open valley. My IPOD rang out the most perfect song as I came over the top of the hill... "It's a beautiful Day" by. U2. I couldn't of agreed more.

I felt pretty good til about mile 4 when self doubt started creeping in. I looked for some reason I needed to stop....stretch my calves or my knees, blow my nose, fix my music or go to the potty. I couldn't do it, I knew I couldn't let that doubt beat me.
Finally come mile 4.5 I needed to go to the rest room....so I pulled off into the bushes and took a 1 minute break,  down in a ditch.
I remember saying a little prayer in my head "Lead me, Guide me, Walk beside me". I remember saying that over and over to just get me to the finish line. I talked myself into being in my neighborhood and doing milestones. I knew if I could make it to the 5 mile zone...I was over half way. Then there it was, I saw the sign I was longing for the...."ONE MILE TO GO" sign showed its face.
I knew I had made it..."keep your arms moving and your legs will follow" were my thoughts. I was there and there were 2 men in front of me pacing myself with their every move. As I watched us the scenery go by I saw one man, about 10 feet ahead of me,  stepped off the shoulder with 100 yards left and I said in my mind "DON"T stop, you're there". Once I reached him...my bowels relaxed just a tiny bit and I had to step off to avoid a tragedy. I knew that he and I had the same illness...finish line blues. When you see the finish line in view you relax and that can cause your face to go blue from stress of not messin your britches.
Once regrouped (not repooped),  I was there only 50 yards to go...I was at the finish line.
One thing that makes me nuts is that I followed a man, I thought was running with us, around a van (the wrong way) and had to back up and go back around to the other side for the exchange. What a doof I must of looked like...ran 9 miles and can't find the chute the last few steps. what a ding dong.

Dumb way to end my leg..by I had finished. Yeah!

The next 3 exchanges went really well. Of course elliot did wonderful...her knee was hurting pretty bad, but she ran through it. What a trooper.
Marcy was feeling pretty sick, but ran like no other. She finished really strong and did well.
Danielle had a difficult last leg with many hills, but did awesome and also finished so strong.

Our last leg of Van 1 finished at a High school in Fountain Hills. We were all feeling good and spent at the same time. So happy to of accomplished this and so blasted tired. We got in our car and headed straight  towards the finish line. We decided  we had plenty of time to hit an Oregano's for a early dinner. I had never been there so it was exciting to me. On the way to dinner, I fell asleep  against the window in the deepest somber. I remember thinking I was so loving life....my eyes were shut, my brain turned off and I was drooling all over my pillow.  I was so gone that I didn't hear the girls talking to me when we had parked and were trying to get out my door. I was shot.
Once I came back to reality and went into the restaurant I was feeling good. My legs were a bit stiff but I just kept walking and stretching.
We ate a delicious salad and noodle dish...so good.
Once we finished we decided to head towards the finish line in Tempe.

We got there around 3:00 pm.
We gutted the burb putting lost clothing back to where it needed to be. Food in the bags of it's owner and just cleaned up the area best we could.

Finally we made our way to the party/finish line. We waited and waited till 5:00 pm till our Van 2 made their way to the area.A highlight of my day was my family came to see us cross this off our list.
Once Jane came into the area we joined her on her last 100 yards and ran it together and a 12 member team. Even though I didn't know the other ladies we were a team and we finished it as that.
 It was fun to just hang out at the finish line with all the other teams...but I have to be honest..I wanted a shower and to sit on my couch with my kids and lover all around me. I wanted to talk till my face was blue about this fun trip and all the different things I did and we saw and experienced....but I realized...this is a thing you have to experience yourself. My kids loved the free smoothies and seeing all the different costumes...and well, not so much about me talking. No hurt feelings...just understood it was my story.
 

 

I learned so much about myself.
I learned that I am stronger than I think I am.
I can do difficult things.
I learned that Heavenly Father created such an amazing thing...our bodies are incredible.
I learned that even though I wasn't the fastest on the road...I ran the same distance as those that kicked the crap out of me.
I learned that I am a mental runner and if I can get my mind there...the body should follow
I learned that prayer can really set your day in the right direction.
I relearned that I am loved.
I relearned that I love to run.

A few thought I had on my last run were:
Embrace the Pain. Don't you dare give up. You can do this.

All in all...I would totally do this race again...such a cool experience.

Ragnar or Bust!

Today I leave to meet the team at the sky harbor Airport to make our way to Surprise. We will spend the night there and then arrive in Wickenburg around 430am tomorrow morning!

So nervous and slightly scared. I just wanna do good with myself.
My knee is swollen today and for the past 3 days....that's also a concern on my mind. No pain when wandering the house...but feels swollen.
I need to invest in a new shoe..but not today.

I know I can do this...I am just excited and wondering about the unknown!

But..that's what this is all about.

till I return from my adventure!

Buble Mormon?

This morning my little Shelby asked me..."mom, is Michael Buble Mormon?"

I said "I don't know, I don't think so...why?"

Shelby "Dang, I was going to marry him"

ME: "Well, Shelby I know he is already married ...so two things against ya at this point".

Shelby "Well, don't ya know what I am going to do to her?"

Me: "NO..what?"

Shelby "Throw her in front of a train, I wanna marry Michael Buble".

The thing is....I don't know if she would recognize him on TV...she might, but I am not quite sure...she just LOVES his music, like her mama!

I wanted to marry Corey Haim when I was young.

Goonies was the best!

My poor lil Carter.

For the past few nights he has been asking his dad to take him outside and pitch the baseball to him.
He is a fantastic little hitter.
We have a grassy spot across the street but Luke is convinced that carter would hit a car or some one's house, so he won't go there.
Luke keeps telling him he'll take him to a different grassy spot when it's not so late after work.
Last night Luke threw the football back and forth between the boys from the living room to the front room.

The boys loved it and had a good time...it seemed.

Tonight, Luke had some side work and wasn't going to get home til after 6...so again no park for the boys.

While doing homework they were asking me if it was going to happen and I explained no and why and reminded them of the fun they had last night playing catch with the football.
Carter informed me that "it wasn't exactly what I expected".
I laughed and then said "honey, be happy with what you get and I am sure dad will take you soon". He then got so serious and said "mom, I really don't like thing that I get that I don't like".

I thought....so true! (giggle)

I said "me neither buddy".

What a silly kid

January mileage



I want to track my milage over the next little while.

View from my 2nd week Saturday run.
You can't tell very well...but I could see the entire East Valley.



Jan.

1 week: 16.1 miles

2 week: 23 miles

3 week: 20.4 miles

4 week: 23.9 miles

Total: 83.4 Miles

I really enjoyed running this month. I learned a few things about my strengths and my weaknesses. I learned that I love running on Saturdays and I love running early during the week. I knew both of these things..but was reborn to it in my new town. I love running with my lover and pushing myself just a bit more.

Good times.

Emily & I on weekend 3!
I always LOVE running with her!
Great Conversation, Great Run, Great Person!

Super Bowl 46

Another Super Bowl come and gone and this year..LUKE won.
For the past few years he seems to pick the losing team and this year...he followed the brains of the group and sided with ME!

Great Job Giants!!

This year we made steak, chicken, hot wings, pizza, yummy delicious coconut pineapple drinks, chips and dips, little bits of chocolate & whatever else we could find to stuff our faces. We all ate for 3 hours straight while I created shirts for the whole family. Of course the older kids and Luke get to help design their shirts and I just try to put them together before kick off.

For photos of our past super bowl parties and homemade shirts...click here.

This years fans chose the following teams.

Smithers

JUst wanted to post this collage of my little baby that is growing so much. This was the week we were moving out of our home in Sahuarita.

He is a show-off!!

A sad CAT-astrophe

Oh this is a sad story and it is so true....I saw the following with my own eyes!

This morning luke and I were out running. Early, before the sun had even thought about peeking above the Superstitions.
The road was dark with just a few street lights lit to guide our way.
We had just gotten our ipods arranged and our gps loaded to follow our route.
We adjusted our hats and our gloves and off we went.
While following this road that gradually rounds to the right we noticed a van.
Let me stop.
I need to change this and write what I thought rather than what "we" thought or felt or saw.

I saw a van a head of us, coming towards us. It was quite a distance a head of us. I looked back to the street to start my focus and saw this little cat on our side of the road in the bushes about 20 feet ahead of us. Bushes that we were going to be runnnig right next to. I saw that cat scat to the right and then with in a split second dash to the left, straight across the street. I saw and knew what was about to happen before it did.
I watched that dang cat running for the safety of the otherside of the road, and then I instantly grabbed Lukes arm for support,  while I held my breath.
Wouldn't you know it....that stupid little cat ran right in front of that van that I saw down the road. It ran and made it before the front tire got him...but not the middle of the car.

DANG!

I can say I am glad I had just turned up my tunes because even with my ears plugged I heard a little noise and just prayed that I would see that feline running on the otherside of the van down the road. But, with a sick stomach I saw a ball of fur in the road.

I turned and looked at LUKE...he was disgusted as much as I was. I couldn't turn back and see if he was still struggling or a flat cat. I had to keep moving. So sad!
I thought that was such a sad death.
That cat was running from 2 people that wouldn't of hurt him, into a large moving piece of metal with 4 wheels that will run you over!

DANG!

this is in memory of all the cat in the world that didn't see that car coming!

Gray Cat
died 2-3-2012
(sniff sniff)

schedule change

I was thinking about my life just a month ago and how things have changes.
School schedules, church schedules, activities schedules, work schedules...just about anything I once had down has been turned over.

Let me just compare my morning schedules for now.

Sahuarita Monday schedule
5:15ish - 6:00 am - kiss Luke goodbye as he drives off to work for the rest of the week and then go Run!
6:10 am - Wake kids, Feed Kids, Make Lunches for Kids, Kiss kids
6:45 am - Be at Bus Stop just down the road.
7:00 am - Help Lainie get ready for school
7:28 am - Shut the door behind Lainie on her way to the same bus stop, only this time for Middle Schoolers
7: 35 am - Wake Memphis, feed him, dress him and then I get Breakfast.
8:00 am - Drive to the Church for the weekly Volleyball games with the ladies from the Stake.
8:30 am - 11:00am - Play vball with wonderful ladies and 6 to 8 Missionaries from our area.
11:00am - 2:30pm - Fix lunch, Clean house quickly, take a nap & Shower.
2:30pm - Walk to bus stop to collect the three younger kids, take them home and have a snack and start homework.
3:30pm - big sister gets home from school so we fix another snack
4:30pm - panic because I don't have dinner planned..fix quesadillas quickly and leave for soccer.
5:00pm- 7:00pm Soccer practise for the older 4 kids, coach the boys team and try to keep an eye of Memphis.
7:30pm - Quick 2nd dinner, showers, prayers
8:15pm - BED for the kids
9:00pm - BEd for Mom

Mesa Monday Schedule
5:30am Run with Luke around the neighborhood
6:30am Make lunches for all the kids and Luke
6:45am Kiss Luke as he leaves for work for the day
7:00am Shower
7:15am Wake the kids, Help the find socks, do hair and have b-fast
8:00am - walk all 4 kids to the bus just around the corner
8:10am - Feed Memphis and I some oatmeal and turn on Fox News for the daily's
9:30am - Unpack a few boxes, dust the house, vacuum.
10:00am - 12:00pm - maybe read, or hang a picture, or sit with little guy
12:00pm - Take a nap with Memphis
3:30pm - Walk to the bus for the kids, return to feed them a snack
4:00pm - Start Homework
4:30pm - Kids go out to play and I panic because I don't have dinner planned yet. I avoid the kitchen and just await LUke's arrival.
4:45pm - Luke gets home
5:pm - Kids still play outside and I really panic because I still haven't started dinner
5:30pm - Start dinner and laundry and dishes all at once ( I didn't have any free time during the day) (:
6:20pm - dinner
6:30pm finish up homework/reading for the kids
7:30pm - shower, pj's and think about bed.
8:00pm - bed for kids
9:00pm - Bed for ME!

Then the Groundhog day starts again!
I feel like I have gained 10 lbs with all my free time during the day. I use to volunteer at the school twice a week and with volleyball twice a week and then watching neighbors kids so that mama can get to her child's class....well...I jsust want to eat!

My goal this week is to find the keys to our church and start a volleyball group here in my area for Mondays and Fridays. AND....only eat when I am hungry.

Here's to being busy.

The Same Only Different

I went for a hike with my family just a few days ago and taught myself a lesson!

It's amazing what happens in a brain when you start thinking.

I love to see things in nature and learn a "natural" lesson or learn something about life that has always been there, you just have to see it differently.

Would you believe that these two paths are the exact same? 

I could hardly believe it when I came back down the trail. I remember the stairs on my way up the hike...but when I came to this path on the way back down, I said out loud to my  Lover, "I don't remember this part of the trail". He said "it's the stairs that we went up." I didn't believe him until we got to the bottom of the rock path and I looked back up the trail and sure enough confirmed that it was the same.

It kind of surprised me that I didn't see it from the top.

But, I didn't!

I had to stop and take a photo of the paths that were the same...only different, depending on how you saw it!

 

I instantly started thinking about the past few months and the different conversations that I have had with different people in my life. Women that I long to be like, woman that I strive to be like, woman that enrich my life, woman that are working to get right with life, woman that encompass such passion for life, woman that are all about strength, woman that are working to get out of a hole, woman that are cruising along in life & woman that just are trying to keep their head above water.

I had a conversation with a great friend of mine. She has just recently had a great loss in her life. We started thinking about pushing ourselves to places that are scary. We talked about the responsibility that comes with going there,  and how things are scary when you know you have to go to those places within yourself, but just don't know how you can get there.

We discussed the possibility of failure when we start a task and how scary that can be. And so we avoid starting, so we don't fail. but in the same breath we talked about how that's not where we want to be in our lives right now...yet it's so scary. We don't want to fail...but how can we fail if we don't try?
How could we find the strength within us to push past the "not wanting to fail" point and just do it?
How can we sort through different thoughts in our minds/lives/Spirit?
Where do we put them?
Is it to much to deal with?
Could we do it?
Our lives, at this current junction are very different. She is mourning a loss of a family member and I am mourning my losses or changes that are small in comparison but...seem to effect me.
We talked about different ways we can sort though things in our minds and lives and what seems to work for us individually. Each having different things to sort through.
Is it: Writing, Reading, Praying, Running, Drawing, Pondering, Meditating, talking, sleeping?

I have thought about this conversation and how we are so different and then in the end when you look at things from a different angle, we are very much the same.

Don't get me wrong...I am NOT in ANY way comparing our lives and our struggles and trying to make light of her situation. I am just saying...we are a both daughters of a loving Father in Heaven that wants us to make our lives brighter and lighter. And I believe HE is cheering for us to figure this life out so we can return to loved ones.

I think about another friend of mine that has gone through life changing experiences over the past 2 years. She has taught me so much about living life to it's fullest, loving your family beyond and just being content and excepting of ME. I have learned from her that some things just DON"T matter.
Really the saying "don't sweat the small stuff" is a lesson I am learning from her.
I have learned that even with her challenges we are the same.
We have so much in common when it comes to striving to be closer to the Spirit. We might be in our different elements and parts of life and we look different...but we're the same.
She is such a wonderful example to me on listening to the Spirit and just being willing to hear promptings that will guide her through out the day. That's what I strive for....therefore we are the same. Two women trying to do and be better within ourselves.

So many different conversation with so many different woman over the past few months that have overloaded my brain. I get overwhelmed with the information that I feel like I need to learn. I feel like the Lord is putting me in different places to learn something so important.
One thing I am seeing that is similar with all these friendships and relationships and encounters is that we are all living this life that we sometimes feel we are all alone and nobody could possibly understand what we are feeling. BUT...when we are honest with those we trust and love...we can start to see that we are so much a like.

I love that.
So, my goal this year is to see things differently. Step back and try to see the similarities that are there between me and another person.
Try to be more transparent in my life.

Let people know I love them, appreciate them and that we are never alone.

MLK Day

Today we had NO school and NO work so we decided to get out of the house and discover for ourselves some new places around our new home. I had heard a few things about this "Usery Pass Park" just north of us about 10 miles and so off we went.

We decided on a 3 mile, round trip "easy" hike that everyone did fantastic on...even Memphis. It ended up to be pretty steep in some places but over all...manageable. Memphis walked a bit of the way and Luke or I carried him on our shoulders. I should give Luke more credit...he carried him most the way. At one point I put Memphis on my shoulders right when a group of people walked by. They looked at Luke walking ahead of us and I could just hear their thoughts. I know they were thinking "why is this guy allowing his wife to carry that child on her shoulders while he carries a jacket and a small backpack." I informed Luke of my mind reading skills and so he made sure they knew I just put him on my shoulders. I had to laugh out loud. "UM...yeah, she just started carrying him....I have carried him up and down, until now".
The older lady just laughed and said "Yeah, right." She was joking...but it was funny.

The kids did great and had a blast. They were exhausted and many complained, when we were finished, that their feet were HOT. (ya think?)
The weather was amazing the views were over all the valley...which was super cool.
We could see the Cardinals stadium way over in West Phoenix, the Downtown Buildings, San Tan Mountains & almost to Tucson (:

Good times for a day off school and work!

Christmas 2011

Christmas this year was ultra special for me.

There was an amazing Spirit that was with  me for the month of November and Dec.

Even with all the hustle and bustle of shopping, living the weeks with the children by myself. Luke still working in Mesa during the week and then coming home for Sat. and Sunday. Even with what could of been a crazy life....there was something sobering about this season.

It could of been that there was so much on my mind.

When traveling home to Utah for Thanksgiving I stopped by my cousins home and we just talked for a few hours about life and family. I was informed that she is fighting for her life. She is suffering from a SUPER rare blood disease that can be fatal. Five People in the US have this disease and she is one of them...they are on these crazy study groups and meds.  She has been fighting for her life..with the help of her family and wonderful husband. But it seems that the church/community hasn't known about her plight and so there has been no outside help. She is a teacher at the school in a small community and their should be help....but knowing my cousin the way I do. She "thinks" she can do it all by herself. (sounds familiar) Anyhow...she is strong and is going to win this battle...but it's taking a toll on her. I was amazed by the lessons that she is learning and teaching others. I am amazed by her Spirit of resilience and determination. She touched my being wtih her knowledge of the Gospel and the love that Heavenly Father has for us. She is amazing!!

While I was getting ready to leave her home...I received a text that there was an accident at one of my dear friends home back in Sahuarita. Her son had been injured and had been life flighted to the Hospital. My heart was already full  and then this just sent it overflowing with love, pain, sorrow, humility & pray. I still had an 1+ to drive with no service and it was so nerve racking not knowing what was going on back in AZ. I knew I couldn't do anything for this family and so I prayed and drove in a quiet car as my children slept. My thoughts between two families ,  my cousin and my friend. Both fighting for life!

My heart was so soft that evening! I later found out that my sweet friend had lost her son in this tragedy. He was 18 months old and went back to live with his family in Heaven. He was a doll and he was Luke's church buddy. So sad!

With this on my mind over the past few months and then to top it off...I was moving my family away from a place that we love. Nothing in comparison to the trials of my friends and family...but a thorn in our families shoes, at this time.  A place, my kids have known as home for 3 years. A place they have developed friends and talents and courage. So I have been slightly melancholy bout that as well. 

Christmas morning we decided to get the kids up early, church being at 7:30am, get dressed and then head on down the street to the Chapel. We allowed the kids to check out the tree and see if there was a gift from Santa for them. All of them found one, except Shelby, of course. IT was there...she just didn't look hard enough. 

Off we went to Church...Sacrament Only on this day. We sat there with the Spirit thick in the air. Everyone sitting there in their pews. Some barely awake, some dressed to the nines in their new church clothes...but it didn't matter...we were all there and that Spirit could hardly be choked down.

The Primary children sang a few songs for us, a few Christmas stories were read then the closing pray was given. OH...I couldn't breath during this pray. The family that had just lost their little 18 month old...the big daddy of the family offered us our closing pray. What a pray. I felt like I was sitting in Heaven. It could of been the man giving the prayer, it could of been his words, it could of been his families situation at this time, it could of been that this was our last Sunday among these wonderful people,  it could of been this time of year, it could of been all our hearts were turned the the Savior on this morning. 

I think all of thee above were in effect. 

Whatever it was...it was beautiful and set the mood for the entire day...for me!

Once we got home..we changed back into our pj's, had breakfast and got busy on opening gifts. We opened them one at a time...watching carefully as everyone opened their gifts and their reactions. We just sat there in our family room enjoying the day. Not rushed, not crazy, not sugared out (YET). We enjoyed one another and I so enjoyed this morning!

We spent the rest of the day goofing off in the house with one another, sleeping, having a wonderful Christmas/Sunday dinner around the table....and of course ending the day with a sugar high.

PERFECT!

Christmas Eve PJ's



Christmas morning!