Saving the world from being dull and clean and quiet.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
Madsen Bikes ROCK!!!
And I would love to win one. Though I can haul the two littlest kids in the bike trailer, my bike is in sorry shape.
This would be SO much fun to own. I would ride the bigger kids to school everyday with a bike like this.
Crossing my fingers that the stars align and I can win the link contest.
This would be SO much fun to own. I would ride the bigger kids to school everyday with a bike like this.
Crossing my fingers that the stars align and I can win the link contest.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
There is beauty all around
In our home, I try to make the Sabbath a different kind of day. It doesn't always work as smoothly as I'd like, but the plan is that in our hours outside of church, we spend time as a family: playing together, holding Family Council, and maintaining some feeling of reverence and worship. There are the obvious no-no's for us, like attending birthday parties and going to amusement parks, or even running races or going out to dinner, but we don't have a long list of hard-fast rules. (Though I do work to steer us clear of TV and computer games.)
When I was growing up we didn't go outside on Sundays. I am less concerned about whether we are inside or outside and more concerned with what our activity is about and how it makes us feel.
This afternoon I enjoyed a rare nap whilst the children played pretty darn nicely. I'm pretty sure they involved Mr. Bloomers in some board games as well, but as I was in and out, I can't be sure.
This evening we took a drive to the Morton Arboretum. We skipped the playful Children's Garden and cruised slowly through the windy roads. On the lookout for the colors of fall, we munched an unconventional dinner of popcorn sprinkled with candy corns and M&M's with a side of raw carrots.
It was delightful.
After a full loop of the main route by car, we meandered around the main lake area on foot, checking out the imaginative scarecrows (Demi Leave-ato? and this lovely faceless one?) created by a number of Girl Scouts. (I'm not sure how our girls were left out of such fun. We may just have to create our own such work of art.)
The sunset was brilliant. I remarked to the children how much our Heavenly Father must love us to have blessed us with such a beautiful world and such gorgeous colors. I know there are hard things in our lives. Believe me, I know more than you might expect. But when I stop to see the beauty that is all around, I feel God's love. And that reminder is what the Sabbath day is all about.
When I was growing up we didn't go outside on Sundays. I am less concerned about whether we are inside or outside and more concerned with what our activity is about and how it makes us feel.
This afternoon I enjoyed a rare nap whilst the children played pretty darn nicely. I'm pretty sure they involved Mr. Bloomers in some board games as well, but as I was in and out, I can't be sure.
This evening we took a drive to the Morton Arboretum. We skipped the playful Children's Garden and cruised slowly through the windy roads. On the lookout for the colors of fall, we munched an unconventional dinner of popcorn sprinkled with candy corns and M&M's with a side of raw carrots.
It was delightful.
After a full loop of the main route by car, we meandered around the main lake area on foot, checking out the imaginative scarecrows (Demi Leave-ato? and this lovely faceless one?) created by a number of Girl Scouts. (I'm not sure how our girls were left out of such fun. We may just have to create our own such work of art.)
The sunset was brilliant. I remarked to the children how much our Heavenly Father must love us to have blessed us with such a beautiful world and such gorgeous colors. I know there are hard things in our lives. Believe me, I know more than you might expect. But when I stop to see the beauty that is all around, I feel God's love. And that reminder is what the Sabbath day is all about.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Coming back, and more on why I run
This summer was tough on my running.
Here are my monthly totals (in miles) for the last year:
November 2009: 100
December 2009: 72
January 2010: 92
February 2010: 111
March 2010: 115
April 2010: 100
May 2010: 112
June 2010: 47
July 2010: 55
August 2010: 22
September 2010: 57
October 2010 (as of 10.9.10): 35
Not surprisingly, as my running numbers have fallen, my level of pressure, frustration, stress, anger, anxiety...all the bad stuff...has crept onward and upward. It hasn't been pretty, though as always, I work hard to hide it.
The truth is that running is my mental health and wellness. One of the reasons why I was in favor of adopting our dog is so I would have a running buddy helping me get out there on the days I was too tired or too unmotivated to do it for myself. I need running to even me out so I can have the physical and mental ability to live up to the many responsibilites I face every day.
I'm proud to report that I'm back in the game again. I'm feeling better and happier and stronger, though I have a ways to go.
Four weeks ago I determined that I would go out everyday for the next four weeks, with the exception of Sunday. And I have been successful.
I started running 2 miles on 9/11. That was a Saturday. The next week I ran a little over 2 miles everyday, with a plan to run 4 on Saturday. The Artist was up early that morning and I opted to walk with her instead. That is the only day I've missed on my current running plan.
The following week I did just over 2.5 miles everyday with 5 miles on Saturday.
And the next week I ran 3+ miles everyday, with 6 on Saturday.
And today I ran 7.03 miles, after having run 3.67 miles every other day this week.
On Sundays I still get up and walk the dog, since he needs an outing, but it is a day of rest.
The scriptures teach us that our bodies are temples. I know that when we take care of our bodies by getting adequate rest and exercise and by eating well, that we are in a much better position to understand and follow the will of God in our lives. We find greater peace and happiness.
It is really hard sometimes to do the things we ought to. I have used chocolate chips to help me cope rather than thinking to pray on many an occasion. I've stayed up late watching some dumb movie to give myself a treat alone from the kids, only to pay for it when I'm too tired the next day.
But I'm learning, and hopefully my kids will be able to learn along with me how to take care of themselves. Our physical health is interdependent on our mental, emotional, and spiritual health.
Now if I could just figure out how to make that whole idea of a house of order work in my home...
Here are my monthly totals (in miles) for the last year:
November 2009: 100
December 2009: 72
January 2010: 92
February 2010: 111
March 2010: 115
April 2010: 100
May 2010: 112
June 2010: 47
July 2010: 55
August 2010: 22
September 2010: 57
October 2010 (as of 10.9.10): 35
Not surprisingly, as my running numbers have fallen, my level of pressure, frustration, stress, anger, anxiety...all the bad stuff...has crept onward and upward. It hasn't been pretty, though as always, I work hard to hide it.
The truth is that running is my mental health and wellness. One of the reasons why I was in favor of adopting our dog is so I would have a running buddy helping me get out there on the days I was too tired or too unmotivated to do it for myself. I need running to even me out so I can have the physical and mental ability to live up to the many responsibilites I face every day.
I'm proud to report that I'm back in the game again. I'm feeling better and happier and stronger, though I have a ways to go.
Four weeks ago I determined that I would go out everyday for the next four weeks, with the exception of Sunday. And I have been successful.
I started running 2 miles on 9/11. That was a Saturday. The next week I ran a little over 2 miles everyday, with a plan to run 4 on Saturday. The Artist was up early that morning and I opted to walk with her instead. That is the only day I've missed on my current running plan.
The following week I did just over 2.5 miles everyday with 5 miles on Saturday.
And the next week I ran 3+ miles everyday, with 6 on Saturday.
And today I ran 7.03 miles, after having run 3.67 miles every other day this week.
On Sundays I still get up and walk the dog, since he needs an outing, but it is a day of rest.
The scriptures teach us that our bodies are temples. I know that when we take care of our bodies by getting adequate rest and exercise and by eating well, that we are in a much better position to understand and follow the will of God in our lives. We find greater peace and happiness.
It is really hard sometimes to do the things we ought to. I have used chocolate chips to help me cope rather than thinking to pray on many an occasion. I've stayed up late watching some dumb movie to give myself a treat alone from the kids, only to pay for it when I'm too tired the next day.
But I'm learning, and hopefully my kids will be able to learn along with me how to take care of themselves. Our physical health is interdependent on our mental, emotional, and spiritual health.
Now if I could just figure out how to make that whole idea of a house of order work in my home...
Thursday, October 7, 2010
First Day of School Part Two
The first day of preschool. Whew. I can't express how weird it is to only have one kid THREE days a week for 2.5 hours. It is odd.
Little Mommy is such a fashionista. For an outfit like this she would usually choose tall black boots, but she was stuck with tennis shoes. She so preferred boots over tennis shoes last year that she wore her boots down! This year we have to get nicer ones so they'll last.
Little Mommy continues to play with her awesome bud K, and she has made new friends this year as well.
Max has been so excited for school to start. Fortuneately, he was able to make the switch to underwear SIX days before school started. That's cutting it close since they don't take kids who aren't potty trained.
Max has made a few great friends and doesn't sit in the naughty chair anymore now that's he's come to understand that wrestling or hitting the boys at school (even in fun) isn't allowed. :)
Little Mommy's teacher wouldn't let me in to take pictures so I had to sneak a couple in through the glass in the closed door.
Here's Max getting started at the table. It was fun to see how the boys lasted about 10 seconds before wandering the room. The girls were happy to sit and play quiet toys or color.
This is a happy (albeit goofy) face after the first day was over.
These best buds had a great day too!
PS Funny thing...my two preschoolers have bonded with a brother and sister who share their names! How weird is that? The boy is in Max's class and they have the very same name. The girl is in Little Mommy's class and their names are very very similar. The mom is great and we've shared a couple of fun playdates. AND...their dad is an attorney.
Little Mommy is such a fashionista. For an outfit like this she would usually choose tall black boots, but she was stuck with tennis shoes. She so preferred boots over tennis shoes last year that she wore her boots down! This year we have to get nicer ones so they'll last.
Little Mommy continues to play with her awesome bud K, and she has made new friends this year as well.
Max has been so excited for school to start. Fortuneately, he was able to make the switch to underwear SIX days before school started. That's cutting it close since they don't take kids who aren't potty trained.
Max has made a few great friends and doesn't sit in the naughty chair anymore now that's he's come to understand that wrestling or hitting the boys at school (even in fun) isn't allowed. :)
Little Mommy's teacher wouldn't let me in to take pictures so I had to sneak a couple in through the glass in the closed door.
Here's Max getting started at the table. It was fun to see how the boys lasted about 10 seconds before wandering the room. The girls were happy to sit and play quiet toys or color.
This is a happy (albeit goofy) face after the first day was over.
These best buds had a great day too!
PS Funny thing...my two preschoolers have bonded with a brother and sister who share their names! How weird is that? The boy is in Max's class and they have the very same name. The girl is in Little Mommy's class and their names are very very similar. The mom is great and we've shared a couple of fun playdates. AND...their dad is an attorney.
First Day of School Photos
So...still catching up here.
August 25th was the first day of school for the older girls.
The Actress switched to a messenger bag this year. It's more cool, you know?
She is in 4th grade this year, in a 4th/5th magnet gifted classroom. Big times here! The homework has been intense, but I do appreciate seeing her be challenged. We hosted a sugar cookie party for the girls in her class a couple of weeks ago which was a great success.
The Artist is looking older and older all the time.
She is in the 2nd grade this year and is a great student. We love her teacher too, and have a playdate today with a new friend, who happened to live in our house just before we did. Small world!
And of course the annual first day of school giant banana split for after school snack.
What kid wouldn't go wild over such a treat!
August 25th was the first day of school for the older girls.
The Actress switched to a messenger bag this year. It's more cool, you know?
She is in 4th grade this year, in a 4th/5th magnet gifted classroom. Big times here! The homework has been intense, but I do appreciate seeing her be challenged. We hosted a sugar cookie party for the girls in her class a couple of weeks ago which was a great success.
The Artist is looking older and older all the time.
She is in the 2nd grade this year and is a great student. We love her teacher too, and have a playdate today with a new friend, who happened to live in our house just before we did. Small world!
And of course the annual first day of school giant banana split for after school snack.
What kid wouldn't go wild over such a treat!
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Spreading the word...
If any of you in the Kaysville, UT area are up to a run on October 16th, I'd encourage you to participate in this one.
I grew up with Christina. We were in the same ward and went to the same high school. This run will benefit her and her family as she battles cancer.
I grew up with Christina. We were in the same ward and went to the same high school. This run will benefit her and her family as she battles cancer.
Brookfield Zoo 5K
So I realize that I have missed a LOT of family events over the last few months. Here's to hoping I can make the time to still document some of them.
Like the Actress's first official chip-timed 5K race in May.
She rocked it folks. I didn't know what a 5K WAS when I was 9, and yet my darling daughter has already finished two! (The other was an untimed church fun run last summer). This is a great race, especially for a first timer. In fact, this was my first ever race last year. The course winds through the zoo early in the morning when the animals are awake and active. It is super fun course and a well organized event.
This time it was my turn to play spectator and keep the other kids whilst Mr. Bloomers and the Actress took part in the action.
In many ways I think being the runner is easier than keeping the kids. I tried to get them to cheer for other runners, but they mostly just thought I was weird. I'm sure that will only get worse as they get older.
The Actress raised a little money of her own for Travis and Mandy, and finished with a fabulous time of 38:42.
She sure earned those post-race refreshments! (And don't worry, I brought our own snacks for the rest of the crew.)
What a great accomplishment my darling oldest daughter! I am so proud of you.
Like the Actress's first official chip-timed 5K race in May.
She rocked it folks. I didn't know what a 5K WAS when I was 9, and yet my darling daughter has already finished two! (The other was an untimed church fun run last summer). This is a great race, especially for a first timer. In fact, this was my first ever race last year. The course winds through the zoo early in the morning when the animals are awake and active. It is super fun course and a well organized event.
This time it was my turn to play spectator and keep the other kids whilst Mr. Bloomers and the Actress took part in the action.
In many ways I think being the runner is easier than keeping the kids. I tried to get them to cheer for other runners, but they mostly just thought I was weird. I'm sure that will only get worse as they get older.
The Actress raised a little money of her own for Travis and Mandy, and finished with a fabulous time of 38:42.
She sure earned those post-race refreshments! (And don't worry, I brought our own snacks for the rest of the crew.)
What a great accomplishment my darling oldest daughter! I am so proud of you.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Cruisin'
You had to know that a cross-country trek, plus the start of a new school year, plus visits from both sets of grandparents, a baptism, a half marathon, a new dog, and serious issues in one child's classroom might push me over the edge. Good thing there isn't anything major on the horizon, cause daily life is more than I can take some days.
As I told my mom this past week, it wasn't that I had anything big going on, in addition to the regular dishes/laundry/toys/etc. the next day's agenda just included:
speech therapy,
a baby-sitter for the little kids while I volunteered at the school,
a playdate for the little kids which included my presence,
visiting teaching a friend at my house after school (since her house is on the market) which included three extra little kids,
and watching another friend's little girl for a couple of hours while he coached an older son's football practice.
To make life easier on myself after such a day I ordered pizza.
Max let the dog out the door while I signed for the pizza.
He ran about a half mile away, across a busy street. On the way back across the busy street a car hit the dog. The driver tried to stop and didn't run over Sampson, but he did knock the dog to the ground.
Dumb dog got up and KEPT RUNNING!
So did I. (Of course I'd been chasing him all along.) Finally he stopped and I carried him home. All 22 pounds.
So no, there's nothing big going on around here, but I wish there were...
like a cruise.
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