Thursday, May 26, 2011

Big Accomplishments and New Challenges

This last month or so since Easter, has been a bit of a whirlwind for me.  I don't have too many pictures to share of it all, but I wanted to documented it anyway.  So sorry, this post will be a lot of journaling. :)


April showers brought us:
1.  Easter (see previous post)
2.  Ward Split = me, as the new Primary President.  This is a new adventure for me.  Sometimes I feel so inadequate, but I am blessed to have an AMAZING presidency, great kids in our primary, dedicated teachers, and last but certainly not least, A TON of help from my Savior.  It is difficult to describe, but it has already been so rewarding.  Loving my new calling and growing a lot!
3.  SLC Marathon - this was not a highlight for me.  My friends and I decided to train/run the Ogden Marathon in May.  For our training we (me, I think), had the DUMB idea of running the SLC marathon 5 weeks before our race as a training run.  It was brutal and my advice to anyone training for a marathon...DO NOT run a MARATHON to train for a MARATHON!  Although, most people would just assume that to be common sense...not me. :(  I regret it still.
4. Upgraded our front yard.  For years now we have wanted to do some landscaping in our front yard.  It was one of those things that the front looked ok, so the money to do it was needed/used elsewhere.  This year was no different, but we finally decided to just do it.  I am so glad we did.  It looks beautiful!  Major improvement and I smile everytime I come home. :)  LOVE IT!  Fun project!
  
With May came flowers and more showers (truly the rain hasn't stopped!): 
1.  Mother's Day:  Despite the fact that I was asked to speak in church on this day, my mother's day was truly great!  The day before Trev took me and the kids to go get the flower pots I had wanted for a month as my Mom's day present, they are now resting beautifully on my front porch. :)  On Mother's Day I woke up to the kids and Trev making my favorite breakfast.  It consisted of eggs, turkey bacon, homemade hashbrowns, fruit, and cinnamon rolls...mmmmmm...
Then we headed off to church, I spoke (which means no corraling children in the back) and the men brought all the women chocolate and flowers.  After church, we loaded the kids up and took flowers to Trev's mom, and then headed up to my mom's house for dinner and a chat with our family's missionary, my little brother Kyle.  We skyped him, and it was so neat to talk to him.  It also was a Mother's day present in and of itself to see my mom so giddy to see her boy. :)  So tender.  Perfect day.
2.  Trev's Birthday:  For Trev's day, we had a yummy, man's dinner (Meatball sandwiches, Greek Salad, and Lemon Bars).  Then stayed home with the kids and did smores and roasted marshmallows in the backyard with the kids.  It was low-key, but nice. 
3.  Jake's Birthday:  We celebrated early because his birthday was the same day as the Ogden Marathon.  So for his special day, we started by going out to breakfast at Ihop with my mom and dad.  Then when Trev got home, he took Morgan and Jake to the Legacy center to swim.  Jake finally got the nerve to go on the big waterslide all by himself!  Over, and over again.  I guess getting to the ripe old age of 5 gives you a little added confidence. :)  Then they came back and we had a How To Train Your Dragon, Toothless, Cake and ice cream.  Jake got a skateboard, ramp, and bouncy balls (Morgan's gift).  He LOVED it!
4. Ogden Marathon:  Last weekend, marked my end of 5 months of training.  I ran the Ogden Marathon with my friends.  It was an amazing experience.  One that I am SOO glad I did, but also SOO glad is over. :)  This was my 3rd marathon, and best one yet.  I got a 4:25 time, and found a way to enjoy it!  Both big accomplishments for me.  It is such a hard, rewarding, motivating, spiritual, and eye-opening experience.  Yes, I will run another one, but it won't be too soon. :)  I recommend it to everyone.  Thanks to my friends' phone I do have some pics to share of this moment. :)

(Me, Esther, and Carina picking up our packets at the Expo the night before.)

(Me studying the map...getting nervous).
(Out to dinner to carb-load with my girls (Carina, Martha, Esther, and Heather).

(Recovering and happy to be done!)

5.  Last thing, Jake graduated from Preschool!  He has been going to Miss Mikki's USA Tykes Preschool for 2 years now, and is ready to head off to Kindergarten!  I can't believe my little boy is 5!  Where has the time gone???  Here are a couple of pics of him at graduation.

(My little guy with his teacher, Miss Mikki...LOVE her!)

Well, school is about out for the summer, which I can't wait for!  I am just really excited to not be on a schedule for awhile.  Can't wait to spend hours on end being outside and spending time with my kids...preferrably near a pool. :)  

A little moment for me.  This last bit is something for me.  Lately, I have been learning a lot about patience.  I thought I had it, seeing now that I need more.  My life these days feels so rushed sometimes that things seem to blur together.  I don't want that.  I want to enjoy these amazing accomplishments and phases in my life.  I also want to be the type of person that looks to new challenges with excitement, diligence, and above all...patience.  I don't know why I am so interested in moving to the next thing...because at some point, there won't be a next thing.  It will be the end, so I NEED to try and cherish these moments while I am in them.  I need to be patient with myself, my family, my life.  Perhaps the reason they say patience is a virtue is because when you are patient, it makes you slow down and enjoy each step.  Like I said, learning about patience right now, and just needed to record these thoughts.  Sorry if they are a little scattered, but I feel the Spirit as I ponder them.  Thanks for indulging.

That's all for now...stay tuned for more living... :)