The Greatest Race There Ever Was…..or at least for now

We did it! We ran the Houston Rodeo Run 10K this past weekend and we did AWESOME! The fact that we each made it across the starting line and then a short while later (short being a relative term) across the finish line really says something and I think everyone who had a time goal beat that as well. My goal was to run it in 70-80 minutes and my finishing time was 76:58 so I was happy. And my sweet family came down to watch us cross the finish line and enjoy the day in the city. I’ll tell you what even though I’m still a little sore it was well worth it; the ride up and the chats, the months of preparation, the knowledge that a goal was accomplished, the hopes of new races and better times. I hope everyone can experience the fulfillment of their goals and dreams. And ladies, I’m proud of us! Blue Bell here we come!

Oh yes, and if you ever need encouragement in a run little smiley face stickers on the hands work like a charm :)

A Date with the Mud

So my little ones and I decided to plant a garden, from seeds. It’s been a great learning experience in love, patience and planting triple what is needed in hopes that something may survive. One morning last week while Sis and I were clearing out the garden after a few days of amazing rain I looked over and saw this sweet memory.

Don’t you remember the first time you really played in the mud? I mean got deep down dirty, head to foot, loving the feel of the squishy, slimy mud?

I remember making mud pies. Not so yummy but oh so fun to make.

And here is our little garden before it made it into the ground. We’re halfway planted now. We just need to get some more dirt. It’s actually been a great teaching tool in prayer and in where food really comes from. And little kids definitely make it twice as exciting!

A New Prophet, A New Day

Our dearly beloved prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley passed away last week and a new one, President Thomas S. Monson was announced today. New is probably not the correct word since he has served the Lord and in my Church for the last half century but he now holds a new mantle, one that I greatly respect and admire because it means that he is leading a life that the Lord trusts. At a press conference today amidst complex question after question he was asked how he felt when the responsibility of being prophet fell upon him. He immediately answered, "Well, that's easy. I got down on my knees, thanked the Lord for my life and my family and asked that He go before me and that his angels bear me up on either side(paraphrased)." What a great man and what faith! May I have the faith that this man holds in his Savior and Lord, even Jesus Christ. And may I commit my life to the service of my Lord is my prayer.

Little Boys Grow Up So Fast

My little boy is all grown up or so it seems today. He went from walking to trying to master eating with a spoon instead of his hands, drinking from a big boy cup (which he is sure he should be able to do), coloring with crayons instead of eating them and helping his mom with the laundry all in a three in a half week period and all but the first of these in 24 hours. What a sweetie! He also is trying so hard to communicate with his family. He’s just all grown up. What is a mommy to do?

A Christmas conversation with a toddler

Mom: Why do we celebrate Christmas? Who's birthday do we celebrate on Christmas?
Sis: Ummm, treats.
Sis: I want to go trunk-or-treating. Can we go trunk-or-treating, Mom?
Mom: We celebrate Jesus' birthday on Christmas.
Sis: I get candy. And Jesus gets ummm (thinking for a moment) sheepies.
Sis: Sheepies go "baaaaa"
Sis: Cats go.....(meow) What does a wooster (rooster) say?

Isn't it fun when you can follow a child's train of thought?

Don't cry over spilled milk....

You know the words to the old saying, "Don't go crying over spilled milk," Well, tonight I came close, really close. I've been asking my dear husband to give my one year old a hair cut for the last few weeks and tonight he decided to do it. However, instead of just trimming up the back and sides and making him look like a little boy, he decided that it would be better to preserve my little guy's ear (my son was moving around a little too much) and just went to it with clippers. And oh the hair cut he gave him. My sweet little boy now looks like a little man. The moral of the story, be very careful what you ask for.

Before and......

After!