33:03 or 33:50??

I did my very first 5K last Saturday! WOO-HOO!!! I wouldn't have done it without my neighbor and work-out buddy, Chari, - she ROCKS! (well, she runs, but you already got the point) I really didn't know what to expect and I was feeling very akward and very naive about every little detail (ie there are four safety pins given to you to pin your number on your shirt). My BIG goal of the morning was to finish. And honestly, I just didn't want to be very last. I thought it would be ok if I was last - but I didn't want to be that person! As I started the run, I couldn't help to think that it was weird to just be out running with a group of random people around my little town. Why do people do this?!?

I kept on running and even though my good friend did her best to stay next to me, she couldn't help but to leave me to my turtle pace (she's an experienced runner). It was probably 2 miles into the run and I thought I should stop and walk for a bit, but I kept saying to myself "Just go to the next corner!" and I'd push to the next one and so forth. I am so happy to not only have done a 5K - but to do it without stopping was beyond my hopes for my very first. That adrenaline definitely kicked in and it was emotional! I felt good all day and when 9:30 PM rolled around - I couldn't keep my eyes opened if someone had paid me. I was EXHAUSTED.

I wanted to post a picture of me and Chari - but I'm having computer woes. So, I'll describe the picture - It's a picture of the two of us. I have a BRIGHT RED CHERRY FACE - and I have fuzzy hair. And I'm holding an AMAZING purple ribbon that says "participant." It's quite the big deal. I forgot to mention, when I ran through the finish line, Chari noted the time as 33:50 (minutes!) - but on the posted results, they said I came in at 33:03.... I like look of that 33:03 time. And now I have a new goal for the next 5K - beat my old time!

My berry patch

I went to an AMAZING gardening class in February and March and I found it extremely informational, helpful, and at the same time - way overwhelming. But, I've dived in to make a difference for our little "plot of land." I decided to use my small space in our yard for a berry patch. YUMMMMM! I tilled that soil with a shovel and did lots of stuff that I learned in my class! I planted lots (I MEAN LOTS) of strawberries and a row of raspberries too. I still have a itsy-teeny-bitty spot for doing something to be determined later. Our church has a large garden for members to use and I'm hoping that I could use a space there for some of the things I simply didn't have the space for (ie corn, a pumpkin, and a tomato plant). Here is the STARTing of something incredibly sweet!

April Fool's!

Every year, I think I'll do a good prank for April Fool's day... but every year the day comes and goes and I think, next year I'll get it right! Well, as I was dropping off Hunter at school that day, we were talking about April Fool's Day and discussing what he could possibly do as a joke. I merely suggested getting a "pink slip" that could be for pretend. (Pink Slips are BAAAAD - a form of discipline for students who misbehave). Well, when I picked up Hunter from school - he had gotten a pink slip from his teacher. He told me about how they really didn't send the official slip to the principal (and had ripped that part up) and she had even written April Fool's on the piece of pink paper. So began our joke on daddy.

When Shayne called later that afternoon I was just starting my piano/clarinet lessons for the day. I talked quickly and said, "Cole has been so good today but Hunter, he has been a booger. "He even came home with a pink slip today, can you believe that? "I told him that we're going to talk about this and figure out what to do about it later, so now you know and you can start thinking about what we should do." (This was a common conversation at the start of the school year, but we had gone for MONTHS without incident).

When Shayne got home from school, Hunter immediately approached his daddy with the SADDEST expression. It was the face of "I know you know and I don't know what you are going to do." Shayne started to give him 3rd degree asking questions about what had happened and Hunter started talking about some made-up story of kicking a kid while in line. He kept saying, "don't you want to see my pink slip?" Shayne would answer, "no, I want to know why you did this!" This went on for seriously 10 minutes and Hunter did not give away anything. I was starting to feel so bad for him because Shayne was really upset! Finally, I walk past them and hand the pink slip to Shayne mentioning, "read what Mrs. Wright wrote." FINALLY, he looks at the slip and it all clicks - APRIL FOOLS!!!

I think Hunter is going to enjoy drama in school. He can definitely role play and match every expression and word to his character!

Random

Here are a few fun pictures from the past couple of weeks!

Danny is discovering the sweet stuff in life!
Look at Danny sitting up!! Woo-Hoo!!

I love this picture of Danny! He's talking to Nana (my mom). We went to Classic Skate while my sister was in town enroute to Alaska.
Not a very good picture - but you get the idea that Ella and Cole are having a blast playing in the Jungle Gym at Classic Skate.
Here is my sister with her youngest, Maiya. What a precious picture.
Another Kodak moment - Shayne reading bedtime stories to ALL the kids.

Why not?!?

My neighbor had a link to a photographer who has cleverly marketed herself with a free photo shoot giveaway. Of course, I'd love to win the session! Here's the link: http://lizzyphotos.blogspot.com/

Guns and stuff

Well, I'm quite opinionated when it comes to guns. We have some good friends who own a few REALLY nice guns and they are always trying to convince me about how great guns are for my safety. When Shayne's dad gave him birthday money in '08 to go towards purchasing his first gun, I start bawling right then and there. I was upset, to say the least. I thought I wouldn't ever have to have a gun under my roof. I have changed my views a little since that incident. I had to rethink what really bothers me about guns and here is my 2 cents:
First, I should say that I think people have the right to own a gun. But, I think there are more idiots than smart people with guns - and that concerns me. I also think that more accidents happen because people (especially parents) assume their kids will be as careful as they are. If there is going to be a gun in my house - it is going to be well hidden and with the ammo far from it. I think it is far more likely that my kids would do something horrific (accidentally of course) than the fact that I could use it if someone broke into my home. Having a gun hidden to help me protect myself is completely against my better judgement. My friends can not change my mind on this one.
There was a terrible tragedy in Provo just this past weekend where a boy picked up a gun at a friend's house, assuming it was not loaded. Pointed it at a friend - and killed her. Accidents happen OFTEN and it's sickening.
Ok, I've rambled enough. I did enjoy a morning out with my hubby and our good friends to just see what it's like to shoot a gun. There's a great isolated area close to us and honestly, I hope I get to go again! (of course, we had to have photos to prove that I would actually hold and shoot a gun)

Sweet Memories

I was tagged by Amber and I just had to do it right away! Here's the rules:

1. Go to your My Documents/My Pictures
2. Go to your sixth file folder
3. Go to your sixth picture
4. Blog about it
5. Tag 6 people

I tag Lara, Alisa, Chari, Kristy, Elisa, and Joni

And this is my "Found Treasure"!

Cole was just over a year here. Sweet, sweet boy. Being 3 is a lot harder than 1 - but the kisses and hugs you "THROW" at me are bigger than ever and sweeter on my cheek. I love you Pumpkin!

Danny's haircut

Well, I asked Shayne to help me cut Danny's hair... it was down to his eyes! We really did not have the intention of giving him a "buzz" look - but that's what happens when you have clippers and no training.

Here's a pic of his long hair a few days before the haircut.

All that hair is gone!

I didn't recognize him at first - his hair is so much lighter at the roots!

I love this picture of me feeding him veggies... he acts like I'm hurting him!