4th of July

Our 4th started off at 6am. It was a fabulous day, we had a lot of fun. Partied all day, and witnessed three miracles too!

It was a little overcast, not what you would typically want on a 4th of July, but I was excited because that meant great running weather! I felt good and prepared in every way (physically and mentally) to run a race. I had signed up to run the freedom festival 10k. We planned to be out the door by 6:20 to get to the start line by 7am, but waking up 3 kids, getting them all dressed, out the door and buckled in the car took us twice as long as we expected!
I was starting to wonder if I'd ever make it on time....which I didn't. With road closures and traffic due to the parade....we could only get a few block from where we needed to be, so Brian dropped me off and I had to run TO the start line! I was one of the last few to cross the start line...there were 5,000 runners ahead of me.
I was feeling good though. I quickly began passing people and getting into my groove, but then about 2 miles into the race my heart began having flutter-like palpitations. I kept running. Another mile later, my heart was aching and I was having a really hard time breathing. I couldn't believe it-- was I having a heart attack?!?
I didn't understand what was going on! I was well prepared to run the 6miles and have gone that distance before. I am training to run 3 times that much in a month from now, and knew I was well prepared. This was supposed to be an easy, just for fun kind of run...I was so confused and so disappointed, this was so WEIRD!!
I did the run-walk thing trying to catch my breath. I was really thirsty, but all the water stations at that point were out of water, Gatorade and cups. My vision started going, I couldn't see peripheral and what I could see in front of me was very hazy. I  had what (I now know) is called "tunnel vision". I felt I would pass out soon, a thing I've never done before. It was a little scary.
But I kept walking-- I moved close to the curb so if I did fall over, I'd fall into grass instead of pavement (hopefully). I was too prideful to ask for help and I really wanted to finish. It took me 20 minutes to recover, meanwhile strollers, other walkers, and larger runners were all passing me. I was just praying I wouldn't DIE!
The very last water station had ran out of supplies a long while earlier, but it was close enough to some one's house that they rigged up a hose and brought it into the street for the runners. There was a line to get water. I got a sip, kept walking, and with one mile left to go in the race, I started feeling good again. I decided I would try to run to the finish line. And I did just fine! I ran the rest of the race without a problem! It was so weird! Brian and the kids were there to cheer me on at the finish and it really boosted my spirits. It definitely wasn't my best run, but I enjoyed it anyway, and in spite of my condition, I finished in the top 10% for my age category, which isn't too bad....miracle #1- I survived!!

When we got home (which took over an hour because the parade), we did yard work and decorated for our BBQ. I had spent the weekend making decorations and really enjoyed making the yard look festive. It was fabulously decorated in my opinion!

Then the boys in the family all came over to play some ball. It was fun to watch and cheer them on. Brian did pretty well herniated disc and all...

After that we went for a swim at Liz and Scott's pool. I didn't swim because it was too cold for Eli (and Zoey after one dip- enough for her!). Brian and Jackson were living it up in the deep end. Jackson is getting to be a pretty good swimmer, but he is used to the Lindon City pool where he can touch at almost every point. He didn't realize this new pool was so deep.  He was playing and splashing around in the deep end, the adults were chatting and having fun, and I look over and Jackson was all but drowning! He had flipped out of his floater and his hands were splashing in the air and my heart leaped out of my chest for the second time that day! I yelled for someone to save him.  Brian dove right to him and very quickly brought him up for air and to the side of the pool, where he cried. Which was a very good sign because that meant he was alive! After a few minutes, he bounced back and went swimming again, with a lot more eyes watching...Miracle #2- Jackson was saved!

By then we all had a nice appetite worked up and we came back to our house for some good grillin' and chillin'! We had a nice pot-luck spread of side dishes and Brian grilled Delicious steaks. We ate, chatted, laughed, and enjoyed wonderful company and a wonderful day.

We finished off the day with the PG Jr. High firwork show- which rivaled stadium of fire! It was fantastic!  The kids just squeeled and danced and spun around having the time of their lives. I loved seeing them have so much fun and it reminded me what childhood is like. I really enjoyed seeing it through their eyes! Eli was mesmerized by the show and laid on his back staring into the sky. When the show was over, we gathered our things and chatted for a minute with some friends, and when I looked around for Zoey, she was GONE! It was dark, and there were hoards of people everywhere, and trying to pick out my little girl in that crowd was near impossible. Brian took off calling for her. I was holding Eli and Jackson by my side. Brian came back a minute later with no luck. I handed Eli and Jackson over to some friends so I could also look for her. Brian and I split up yelling her name. Our friends took our children and knelt in a circle and said a prayer for Zoey. My heart was racing once again. All the friendly people who were sitting on blankets by us and enjoying the same fireworks show seemed so innocent before, were now looking like threats to me. Who could have taken my child? I ran calling her name, walking as fast as I could, scanning the crowd in the dark and returned with nothing. I was trying to think what would I do next? On my way back, I spotted Danny in the crowd and he told me Brian had found Zoey! I was so relieved...miracle #3- Zoey was found safe! She had started following the wrong person our of the field and ended up by the side of the school where some other little girl spotted her and asked if she was lost.

We have so much to be thankful for in celebrating the 4th of July, and this year, we are thankful for so much more than our freedoms!

 Happy 4th of July!

Eli at 9 months

 bathing in the sink...every child should at some point, it's a right of passage....

Still our happy kid! His top teeth finally broke in! He is close to walking, will creep along furniture and tries to stand on his own. We have gotten him to stand alone a couple of times but he wigs out quickly and sits back down. 

His big thing is scaling the stairs. He learned to do it in one day! I was working in the basement and put him and Zoey in front of some toys to play with for a minute so I could sew something. I ended up needing my seam ripper which was upstairs and as I was running around to get it, I almost stumbled over ELI! He had scaled all flights of stairs from the basement to the top floor looking for me. It's a good thing I needed that seam ripper or I would have never known he was crawling around up there! 

Anyway, he's got energy to spare! He also is feeding himself finger foods; he loves to eat all the time.

....and we love him! 

Swim Lessons

One of the best things about summer is the pool! The kids are loving their swim instructors this year and are doing really well! Session 1 is almost over...I can't believe it! Jackson and Zoey wear themselves out from swimming. I just love summer days!

According to plan

You know the old saying "If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans?" Well, here's a few things that haven't gone according to our plans, but I'm sure no one was laughing at us either. Although this isn't meant to be a complaint fest, I just want to record for ourselves what life is like sometimes. Maybe someday I will laugh at it all. The only thing that is comical is how much can happen all at once!

It started off with Brian wrenching his back while unloading a load to the dump. Then, he was in a hurry to get packed for a scout camp and he left the truck door open while reversing into the garage and almost ripped the door off of his beloved truck. While on his trip I was working on some craft projects in the basement and noticed a leak. The leak turned into a cracked water heater, which ended up flooding our basement and requiring new flooring and all new appliances (water heater, AC, and furnace). We were out of water for a few days and cold water and AC for a week and a half waiting for it all to get fixed. Which although was an expensive and unexpected repair, could have been much less painful if we hadn't purchased the swing set for the kids and the patio furniture and new basketball goal....but that's life's lesson right? Just when you think you have a little spending money- our lesson learned- don't spend it! Something else will inevitably happen when you wished you had that money! And an MRI later, we are still waiting to see what happened to Brian's back which has been causing him enough pain that it hurts to eat.

No pictures with this post! It seems I didn't capture those splendid moments on camera!

Home

Home is a sanctuary.... at least it's what it should be. And we aren't the only one's who feel that way about our home!

We have a pair of robins, a pair of red-headed finches, and a pair of swallows nesting around our place this spring. It's so exciting. The robin's eggs are beautiful...and the finch's eggs just hatched this weekend (the bundle of blob below are the bald heads and feathers of 5 chicks)!

I have been thinking a lot about family lately. We have a big summer ahead of us filled with family reunions and weddings (both on Brian's side and mine). It can sometimes feel overwhelming! But a few weeks ago, we had the opportunity to go camping with some friends. It was a fantastic trip, and an evening talk around the fire turned into a discussion on what the most important things in our lives are. We felt our family was definitely at the top.

For our children, a sanctuary is what Brian and I hope to create. A safe place to go from the chaos of the world. The plaque mortared in the entryway of our home says "Safe Haven." I loved it from the moment we first walked through as potential buyers-- and am glad that whoever built the house had foresight to have that placed there.

As a New Year's resolution, I decided it would be fun for my personal development to re-do the YW personal progress program.  I had completed it almost 15 years ago, and thought I'd like to do it again. It has been a great experience, but the most worthwhile thing that has stemmed from me doing the program is the desire it has given me to hold more thoughtful Family Home Evenings. I have used many of the things I study from the value experiences and formulate them into FHE lessons.

Our Monday nights have been awesome lately. I really look forward to them! I love seeing my children feel the Spirit.  I have gained such a testimony of the FHE program. I know I have been supported and blessed when I do my part. It has been AWESOME (even when things don't go "perfectly")!

Eli at 8 months!

He's growing fast...too fast! He wants to walk and be off his knees so bad. I think the motivation comes from his desire to keep up with  his older sibling OR keep away from them! Either way, he's a skinny little thing that looks way too little to be pre-walking!

I love how his right leg always makes a statement...it's such a huge step!

If he's close enough to latch on to my pant legs than watch out! He'll pull up quickly to a standing position and beg for help, which isn't always convenient. Sometimes I find myself in a predicament with him latched to my legs and my hands full- and just stuck until he decides to move... I am trying to decide whether having him walking soon will make things easier or harder. I just don't know if I am ready to have 3 toddlers!

But we sure love him. He's so happy and so great to have in our family!

May Fools

Have you heard of May Fools' Day? It's kinda like April Fool's. We were the only ones in on it this year......

This is the view from our backyard:

 See that building behind us? This is the church we attend. This is literally the walk we make each Sunday:

Just a little stroll. The kids love it. It's so nice being close! 

We had it nice, until yesterday when we were told our ward is getting moved to the stake center to make room for a new singles ward to meet in this building. 

So for kicks, Brian- and his great sense of humor- put this outside our house in the front yard as people were headed to work this morning: 

We had a bunch of calls from people in the ward wondering what was going on, worried about us and all....until I told them it was just our way of celebrating april fools' day a month and a half late! They laughed. I love how Brian still makes me smile over things like this! 

Backyard Fun!

It's finally completed! The kids are just ecstatic about their new play fort and swing set. The squeals and laughs of happiness are music to my ears! I hope they get plenty of playtime on it this summer. So far  it's the first thing they want to in the morning (before breakfast and while still in p.j.'s) and the last thing before going to bed...."just one more slide?!?" Zoey woke up from her nap the other day and this was the first thing from her lips, "I want to swing." They LOVE it.

Hopefully they know how much their dad loves them, because he built the whole thing (and how much their mom loves them, because let's face it, it was my idea :) .

We thought we could have it done in a day or two, but it took more like two weeks! Weather dampened the progress and Brian travelled in between nails, screws, and posts....but it finally is completed and we are all the happier for it! You can't see it in these pictures, but he also put together a teeter totter (it's in the shape of an airplane and really cute). The blue baby swing (hanging in the wrong direction for now) was a purchase I made back when Jack was a baby- we lost the tree I intended to hang it from. But I kept it all these years and now we get to use it for Eli and any others after him!

Easter

Easter was fantastic. Sacrament meeting was wonderful. We had a lamb dinner and did the Easter Story on a flannel board (it had taken me all week to pull together). As always, the Easter story was so touching.  Easter is as big around our house as Christmas in the respect to the importance of it all. 

 Saturday was spent doing the egg hunts at the grandparents' and enjoying time with family. It was a great occasion!

Mock Emergency Week

I was browsing the web, looking for something for Primary, when I came across a website that suggested going on a "mock emergency week." I decided to give it a try. Two rules: you couldn't go out grocery shopping to "stock-up" beforehand (simulating a disaster where you cannot make it to the grocery store OR you find the store has been looted prior to you making it there), and you could only use what you had in your home (fridge, freezer, pantry, food storage).

I had bananas on my counter. I had in my fridge 6 eggs, 1 1/2 gallons of milk, sour cream, some cheese, a green pepper, carrots, green onion, potatoes...not a whole lot. My freezer had some baby food, ground beef, frozen veggies and other random stuff. The pantry had basics, cereal, crackers, pasta, etc. The bulk of my meals came from our food storage.

Brian and I had spent a lot of time working on our food storage a while back, but we never really gave it a trial run....this was the perfect opportunity. Although, I do have to say that we had all the conveniences of electricity and gas to be able to cook our food as usual. Maybe next time I try this we'll go off the grid for an added challenge!

Our menu consisted of items such as whole wheat pancakes, cornmeal pancakes, wheat bread for sandwiches, chili, chicken tetrazzini, hawaiian haystacks, shepherd's pie, peach cobbler, jello ice cream, and chicken soup.

It was pretty easy the first few days. I heard comments like: "This is a food storage meal?" The kids liked everything I made, which is good to know. It progressively got harder as the week wore on. By Thursday night, we ran out of milk. It was hard to hear my kids ask for more milk or for a drink of milk and not be able to give it to them. I also noticed how fast we went through produce and cheese. I was craving fruit more than I thought I would. And I really wanted some cheddar cheese. I guess that's why the saying goes, "You don't know what you've got 'til it's gone"

The thing we learned from this experience is that 1) we have an awesome 3 month supply and a fairly good 1 year supply of basics 2) we know how we ought to scale our recipes in the future to feed the right amount of people 3) we are more aware of what we want to bulk our food storage up with (I'd really like to learn how to wax my own cheese, so I can store it on the shelf!).  It was a great time of year to do this too: end of the winter when our produce put up from last fall was low, and we didn't have the convenience of our garden to supplement our meals....it gave us a good idea of how things "might" be should anything disastrous happen.... Give it a try!!