It's Amazing the Difference a Few Months Can Make

I ran another 1/2 marathon yesterday morning and I liked it. It's amazing the difference in how one feels when you have been running longer than 8 weeks before a 13.1 mile race. And the difference it makes when it is sunny, not windy, not freezing and beautiful fall scenery is all around you. It was still chilly - upper 40s - but I'll take that any day over what I had last time. Last time, it was only sheer mental fortitude that got me through, but this time, I had to play very little mind games and was able to just enjoy running.

I didn't have hardly anytime to warm up, because I didn't take into account the gridlock there would be at the exit off the highway and in the streets leading to the start line. I ended up parking a little further than expected, leaving all the stuff I had planned to gear check in the car, stashing my keys behind the front tire and then booking it to the start line. They were already singing the national anthem when I got there, so I stretched a minute and we were off.

It was a great course - it was hilly, but I didn't walk any of the hills. I didn't walk any of it except at two drink stations for about 20 feet while I chugged some Gatorade. The last stretch of the race was a gradual downhill for a lot of it which was appreciated. There were fun bands along the way playing for us. My favorite was at mile 5 when the band started into Bon Jovi's Living on a Prayer. It's amazing how much the music pumps you up. And this course was great for people cheering with signs and ringing cowbells and playing music from their cars along the way. They made it fun. JC and the boys were waiting for me at the end, and imagining them them there waiting and cheering was another great motivator.

The only group picture we have, and poor Little Man's stroller and top of his hood is the only thing to make an appearance.

My goal for this race was to finish in 2 hours 10 minutes, and I am happy to report that I did it! My time was 2:08:44. That is 9 min and 6 seconds less than last time, so I was really happy with that time. In my age group, I was 161 out of 382. It was a fun race. Oh, and by the way, I did all this with a teeny tiny bun in the oven.

Little Man's Birthday Celebration

I never posted any pics of Little Man's birthday. We had two small parties to celebrate - one on his actual birthday and one this past weekend when my parents were here. On his real birthday, we just had cupcakes and he opened one present. Then we had a Cars themed celebration the next Saturday. He was so excited to see his Cars cake with a toy Lightning McQueen on top. Little Man loves cars and trucks, so that is what most of his presents consisted of.





And here is a clip of Little Man after he received a stuffed Curious George monkey. I still crack up when I see it, but maybe no one else will think it is funny. I like to refer to this clip as "Little Man violates Curious George."

Special Day

My parents came in town Friday morning, which gave them a free day with the kids full of trampolines, board games, walks, and Slurpees. They also were able to catch one of Big J's flag football games. But the reason they came was because of Saturday. Big J was baptized Saturday night, and they were able to come to see him and even participate in the program. My mom played the piano and said one of the prayers, and my dad was one of the speakers. Big J was very attentive during the whole thing. There was a good turnout for his baptism, both from members of our church and not, so we were happy so many people came to support him. There was a sweet spirit there and I hope it was a day he will remember.

Big J and his dad before the baptism. Look how handsome they both are! I can't believe he is 8!

All of us before the baptism.

Grandma and Granddad. We are so glad you could be here for his special day!

In his white baptismal clothes ready to go in the water.

Entrepreneur

Yesterday as I drove Big J and his friend home from school, they were making big plans for their new company "Moldy Cheese Books, I.N.C." Not "inc." but i-n-c. I don't think they knew you could say "inc."

The plan was they would write books, all centered around cheese (??don't ask me why??), and then make copies of them, laminate them, and sell them. Anyone who wanted to be in their company had to pay them $1 a month and they would go around and ask stores if they would put their books on the shelf. They discussed getting a website made (Big J suggested hiring his dad to do this) and the web address would be http://www.moldycheesebooks.com/. Nobody go stealing that domain name, ok?

They were so cute making their business strategy. When we got home, Big J asked if he could borrow a clipboard because he was "the manager" of the company and needed a clipboard.

Big J is always trying to concoct ways to make money. For example, this past summer during Little J's T-ball games, he took an ice chest full of drinks and walked around asking people if they wanted an "ice cold drink for 50 cents." Nobody bought one - which may I just say is *TOTALLY LAME.* If I have money on me, I always buy from kids on the sidewalk selling popsicles or lemonade or whatever it is. I figure if they are taking the initiative to get out there and work hard to earn some money, then I can fork over a few cents. It's the principle of the thing. Kind of like I don't buy Girl Scout cookies or other fundraiser things like that unless the kid is the one selling to me, not the parents. Anyway, he didn't lose his entrepreneurial spirit, despite the rejection. In fact, he went back the next game and tried again.

So let it be known that I am giving you fair warning - WATCH OUT WORLD because one day Big J is going to be running things his way - armpit farts and all.

Oh, the Injustice!!!

Little J in 2006 - age 3 1/2

Little J loves Legos. Not the big bulky ones, the tiny little Legos that come in specific sets. He loves to create his own things with them and plays with them all the time. This morning, after lots of playing and "bombs" blowing up and other forms of destruction, the tiny Legos were all over the living room. I asked him to pick them up to which he immediately started whining at the injustice of him having to clean up his mess. But my irritation at his whining was dissipated when he wailed,

"This is a TRAGEDY!!!!!"

Indeed. I couldn't stop laughing.

General Conference Funnies from Little J

General Conference was today, so we had a nice relaxing time at home watching it on the TV. Here are some of my favorite things that came out of Little J's mouth during that time:

He was playing with Legos and trying to build something that apparently wasn't working out right. He exclaims, "Ugh! My idea is a rotten egg!" I guess that's the new slang for a not very good idea.

When the choir was singing, he gets up and gets about 6 inches from my face and "whispers" very urgently with wide, intent eyes, "Mama, my voice is an instrument."

He looks over at me at one point and says, "Mama, why do you listen to conference with your eyes closed?" Um...because I'm using my ears? Definitely NOT because I am falling asleep....

Happy Birthday, Little Man!!!

My baby is 2 today.

Little Man makes me smile every day. Every. Single. Day. Multiple times a day. He is sweet and funny and wonderful. I love to see the world through his eyes as he discovers new things, begins to understand new things, and forms his own ideas of how things are suppose to work. I love the smell of his skin. I love his smiles and his laughs. He has the most angelic face - we're talking serious melt-your-heart factor here. We all adore him and are so happy he is part of our family. I love you, Little Man!!! Happy Birthday!

Big brothers meeting Little Man for the first time.

First day home.

Proud brothers. Check out that hair!

4 days old and surrounded by love.

My little papoose 5 days old.

19 days old and looking like a 3 month old.

Precious. 2 1/2 months old.