St George Marathon

October 6th I ran my first marathon. A little over a year ago I started running. In my ward there are a lot of runners that like to run races. After I had Jocelynn I signed myself up for the Sprint triathlon to get myself back in shape. I loved it! After having Carter I thought I'd do a half marathon so signed myself up for the half marathon in Santa Barbara. I never would have thought I'd do a marathon. The most I used to run was 3 miles. I've learned a lot of lessons through running. I think it has made me stronger mentally. I wasn't planning to do a marathon till after my third child but I decided now was a good time since I'm in shape. I ran 3 half marathons. Santa Barbara, Fontana and Hollywood. My friend told me that St George was a good first marathon. Everyone loves to run this one so it is lottery to get in. One night I talked with James about it and it's a big commitment to train. I thought maybe because of his work schedule he would say it wasn't a good time. He said go for it! That's all I needed. Weeks later I found out I got in! What had I done? Thankfully friends of mine were training for their first also that fell on the same weekend so we did this together. The training began. Thankfully I was off of school for the summer. I only ran 2-3 times at night during the week when James got home and Saturday mornings were our long runs. We would put out frozen waters the night before and map out a run. The last month before the race was very hard because I started school again.

 James took Friday off and my friend Melinda was watching the kids for me. We drove up and I was so tired that day so was a little concerned. I slept the way up and we met some friends for dinner to load up on the carbs. I was staying at my friends that night and I haven't seen her in years. We picked up my bib and drove to where the drop off was. We got to my friend's house at 830pm and I was so tired. I didn't get in bed till 10pm and made the mistake of drinking a glass of water at 9pm so didn't fall asleep till 1130pm. My alarm clock went off at 330am and I left to catch the bus. I don't know why I left that early but I did. I didn't have to catch the last bus till 530am. I guess I was just anxious. The bus took us up the mountain and there was bonfires and music playing. I was ready and I was excited to do it! 

The run was beautiful and perfect weather. Nice and cool. I stopped to go to the bathroom twice. I was keeping a good pace and started getting tired at 18. I started to walk through the water stops and then kept running. Throughout the course I was getting stomach cramps which was so frustrating and painful. At mile 23 I was crying. It hurt. Mentally I told myself to stop crying. I was almost there and I was going to finish.

These last pictures my friend got of me running in. After I crossed the finish line I lied down and couldn't get up. I came in at 4 hours and 17 minutes. It was an experience I will never forget. I hope to get faster and run more races. I'm grateful for James and supporting me in this. I've learned how strong we are. Mentally if we think positively we can achieve anything we want to in life. I know that for sure.  

This is my dear friend. She had a big impact on me when I was 18. She was my roommate in college for 6 months and taught me a lot. She is now a mother of 3 and such a great person.

After the marathon I showered and we headed to Vegas. I slept in the car more and we got some food in Vegas and went back to the hotel and we were asleep by 8pm. That next morning we visited James cousins and their children and then headed home to see our kids.

My mom made this sign for me. My parents have always been great supporters in everything I do!

 

Monster Mash Dash

 Carter is 2 but seems older to me. I try to remind myself from time to time that he still is a little one. He talks in complete sentences and even tries to reason with me at times. Lately he has been in the terrible 2s although they do not last nearly as long or as dramatic as my sweet girl. He is all boy, climbing, throwing, jumping. 

 I love these jeans on Jocelynn. She is my sweetie but also sassy. This is her friend Gwen. They love playing together and get along so well. 

 We went to a Monster Mash Dash. The kids loved it. They got bib numbers and when they race was over they each got their name called and got medals. 

There were ghosts to run around and they had to run through a graveyard and a tunnel. It was so fun for them!

 Oranges and apples and some Halloween crafts were given afterwards.

I have a running board and Jocelynn says she wants me to make her one also to hang up her medals! She now has 2 and loves it!

Jocelynn's Birthday!

 Started tradition now to decorate their "birthday chair" and streamers from their door. It doesn't take long and means so much to the kids. Joce had a great birthday. She had a great day at school. I made goodie bags for her class and she was sang to by her class. 

After school, some of her friends came over to play,open presents and have cupcakes.

 She had a sweet surprise from some of her best friends and mommy's best friend Melinda. She brought us all cupcakes and a present for Joce. She loved it and loves these girls.

I made the cake below. She wanted a chocolate cake with strawberry frosting with sprinkles and vanilla ice cream. She loved it. We ate it thoughout the week.

 At night, Daddy met us at Denny's for dinner. It was fun! 

Jocelynn's Special 5 year old Trip

 My best friend does this with her kids and I loved the idea so much I want to do it with mine. When our kids our 5, 10 and 15 we'd like to take them away somewhere with just mom and dad. We haven't been back to Disneyland since Jocelynn was 2 so decided to take her there. We got a hotel down the street from Disneyland and loved having this alone time with her. I have to admit it was hard leaving Carter. I felt a little bad that he was missing out and we missed him but I kept reminding myself why we were doing this and one night away he would be just fine and he was with Grandma and Grandpa. 

 We loved this time with her to talk and she had a lot to say. SHe was so happy and excited to get this special time with us. It seems like since she turned 3, since Carter was born she has grown up so quickly, time is passing by quicker. We walked over to eat at a Mexican restaurant.

 She got flan for dessert and loved it.

 She wanted to take a picture with this statue guy, she thought it was funny and a picture of the sun on the wall.

 It was fun snuggling with her in the hotel. The next morning we got up early took the shuttle over to Disneyland. She kept wanting me to tell people that worked there it was her birthday. I asked the worker if they had a button and they did. All day long people were saying Happy Birthday Princess! She loved the attention although she would quietly respond thank you.

 We went on everything. It didn't start getting crowded until later. 

We had such a fun day. We drove to pick up Carter and he had a great time with Grandma. It made me happy knowing he had such a good time. We got annual passes. Jocelynn is out of Kindergarten at 1130, 1030 on Wednesday so we will be going there a lot this year. This is the last year Carter gets in free also. We are so excited to take Carter there! Such a great memory! I think it was for her also!