I Love Running

I really do love running. This past summer I really struggled to be able to say this. I am sure it was a combination of the running schedule, the early hours, the stress of RS, and the people I ran with, and the sheer number of marathons--4.

But this morning, the run was hard, fast(for me) and really rewarding. The air was crisp--37 degrees--and the partner really enjoyable, and the run uneventful. I loved it! 5 miles, 50 minutes and a great morning!

I realize that this statement is strange to people who don't run. There is just something really great about starting the day outside. I love getting my heart rate up, having a chance to chat with a friend, and feeling healthy! So thanks to all who help me keep running. It adds to my sanity! (BTW, my family thanks you too! There is nothing better than a sane mom! :))

After the Top of Utah Marathon

Like Daddy...

Gdog spent the morning trying on different clothes. It began with his own drawers. (Wanting to wear PJ's to preschool etc...) And then morphed into wearing everything at once. Next he dove into the bottom drawer where his sweaters coats and off season clothing are located. Putting them on his head, his arms in the leg holes, his legs into the shirt arms and basically trying things on all over his little body.

Then, tonight, his daddy arrived home and he was off to a different closet!

I am not unfamiliar with little boys wanting to be like their Daddy's. But I was not prepared for how much his Dad adores him too.

"I'm like Daddy!"

New callings...moving forward

A new Stake Presidency was called this past Sunday. We have had a wonderful Stake president these past 10 years, so the entire stake has been apprehensively awaiting the announcement of the new stake presidency. A good friend of ours was called to be the new stake president. He is a great guy. I have served with him in the YW/YM programs, he was our most favorite HT and most recently he has been the HP group Leader (and I am currently serving as the RS president.) I admire and respect him and I am sure he will make a great Stake President. His wife is currently my RS secretary. Serving as his counselors are my RS 1st counselor's husband and our ward's YW president's husband. Now you ask yourself "how could all the wives of these great men be serving in my ward?" Well, yeah you guessed it. All these men are called from the same ward. Strange huh? Considering our ward staffs 1/3 of all the high council, has the largest YW/YM program in the stake (96 youth in our ward), and the largest primary (112 kids), I guess it is not completely surprising. Yet I do know that these men were called of God. Even if it doesn't make sense to me. It is my sincere hope that the rest of the wards won't be offended.

Yet if there is one thing I have learned in my almost 40 years on this earth, it is that you choose to be offended. So I choose to be positive, to pray about more counselor names for my RS presidency, and to move forward! (Because the only other choice is to move backward. :))

Trip with T & G-dog

We just spent 3 days in AZ with Gma & Gdad. I only took T, and Gdog with me because J & M couldn't afford the time off of school. It was fun to go, as always, and I could not believe how much help T was. I think that many times I don't recognize how helpful she is because J & M are around to do the helping with Gdog. T not only watched him while I went to the new Kneaders to help set up Christmas trees, but she planned things for them to do together. Gdog adores her so he loved every minute of putting together puzzles, banging on drums, and chasing Grig--the new puppy. She is really growing up fast. (Not to mention the fact that she is measuring her height against everyone and is now taller than Gma!) Now we are home and she is getting busy wrapping up all her homework that she incurred this weekend. Go T!

That's it!

I took G-dog to Gymnastics last week. It was our last shot at making gymnastics work for us. He did really well. There was only 3 other kids and the gym on my side of town is 1/3 the size of the other gym--hence fewer distractions. For the most part, he followed the teacher and did as he was asked to do. Near the end, the teacher's son joined the group. He--like Gavin--had some difficulty staying on task (there are some really enticing things in a Gym for 3 year olds)! About 10 minutes before it was over the teacher yelled at her son and said "Okay Kevin, go into time out." Kevin went to time out in the corner. G-dog looked back and forth between teacher and son. Then he put his hands on his hips and yelled "That's it! I'm outta here!" And proceeded to run full speed towards the exit door! I was laughing so hard it was difficult to look him in the eyes and tell him if he didn't want to participate he could sit on the side, but couldn't leave until the class was over. Ahh never a dull moment.