my relationship with RuNnInG

Running and I have a relationship.  We go back about 7 years and while we may not love each other, we do put up with each other.
We began our relationship back in Denver when my friend, Aly, who had been a runner was looking to get back into it. Not only was she going to start running again, but she wanted a running partner and guess who she wanted it to be? ME! I immediately declined and told her I hated to run and that just the thought of it made me feel sick to my stomach. But something happened to me that night as I laid there in bed -- I decided that there was no reason I couldn't be a runner. I was only 24, I didn't have bad knees, I didn't have asthma and I really had no excuse. So the next day Aly and I went on our first run. We only made it up to the end of the road and back, but by the time I got to my apartment complex I wasn't sure I could make it up the flight of stairs to our door.
It was a huge deal when I could finally run 2 miles without stopping and I was happy doing that a few times a week after both Mac and Jaxton's pregnancies. After I had Beckam, my body decided that it needed a little more, so I began running 2 to 5 miles a few times a week and kept this up after Jilli's pregnancy as well. I even decided to enter a couple 5K's, but mostly for the t-shirt you got for finishing.
Then this past April my sister, Michelle, called me and asked me to run a half marathon with her in July, while we were in Utah visiting. My immediate response was much the same as I had given Aly years before and I found myself feeling slightly sick just at the thought of it. Being the encourager that she is, she kept at me, promising me that I could do it and by the time we hung up I had committed myself.
Leading up to the race I began hearing from people that the race was "very hard." We were told that a good portion of the 13+ miles were up hill and that you should automatically add a half hour to your regular time to finish this race -- not really encouraging news to me.
July 16th came much faster than I wanted it to, but I felt as trained and ready as I was going to get. The first three miles were hard, really hard and when I reached the top of the three mile hill and saw my other sister and her husband standing there cheering us on, my eyes filled up with tears because every part of me just wanted to go home with her. I didn't. I kept running and running and running, up, up, up, down, and up, up again. I tried to fool myself by saying prayers over and over of how thankful I was that I had a healthy body that could run -- I actually think it helped. Mile 12 finally came and while my sister started talking about how we could better train for next years half marathon, I could only think about how I was going to finish this one. We turned the final corner into the parking lot and I gave it all I had left. I felt like I was sprinting, but I wasn't sure since I couldn't actually feel my body. When we crossed the finish line together, I saw my dad waiting there, cheering us on and taking pictures (bless his heart). I was proud of myself for keeping my 10 minute per mile pace, even through the endless hills and I was proud that I had finished even though my body was begging to stop. I did feel better about the race when the newspaper quoted an experienced runner, who placed 17th in the Boston Marathon, saying it was the hardest half marathon he had ever run. I was glad to know it wasn't just me who thought it was incredibly challenging (PHEW!).

Will I ever do it again? I surprise even myself when I say, yes, and that I actually look forward to it.
Seven years ago I never ever would have thought that I'd run (or want to run) 13 miles -- just goes to show what some encouragement, some training and lots of prayers can accomplish.
I hope that even though I don't love running, the fact that I do love the way it makes me feel is enough reason for us to have a continued long and healthy relationship.

UTAH -- Part 1 of ?

Six weeks is a long time to be away from home, no matter how much fun your having.  Eventually no naps, no bed times and no routines catches up with you -- and if that wasn't bad enough, you also soon remember that you still have to travel 36 hours home with these people.  AND not to mention catching up on 6 weeks of non-stop pictures is kind of a drag as well.

Jilli refused to sleep in the crib at my parents home, so her other option was sleeping on a full-sized bed. You can see how she had to work a little to get the hang of that one.

Here's the whole Olsen clan with a few extended clan members.

The 2 lone girls in a sea of 13 boys. It's a good thing they like each other!

Here's Beckam with his new best friend, Cecil Cago Bagley.

If your son ever locks your keys in the car, the best city to do it in is Montpieler, ID. There's no such thing as a locksmith, so instead they radio out to the sheriff who comes apologizing to you for making you wait an extra few minutes since he had to get out of a meeting to come save you. Bless you small-town sheriff! You were our hero for the day!
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And that was only the first 2 weeks . . .

Summer Adventures & Goodbyes

Our Summer Adventures have officially begun! Instead of the jar that I went with last year, I decided to do things a bit different this year. Each day has a Summer Adventure, but the kids have to accomplish all of the above tasks before we can do it -- talk about motivation to get your bed made.

Our adventures range from making homemade juice to going to the pool to doing service for neighbors.

Any time I start thinking my kids are a handful, I see them do something like this and it reminds me what easy children they really are. My kids have always been so good to entertain themselves. I've had all their toys locked up for the past month (that's a whole other story), but they still find things to do. Who needs a million lego pieces laying around on your floor when you've got dirt and a Happy Meal toy?

Here's Mac and his friend, Ariel, solving the world's problems.

Jaxton celebrated his half birthday. He's already lost two teeth and is counting down the days until he heads to Kindergarten. Love this kid so very much!

My dearest NC friend, Kristi, is moving to Indiana. We held one more girl's night in her honor and celebrated what a wonderful person she is. I wanted her to leave NC with something special, so I had those closest to her write what they admired most about her and then I decorated a jar and put the messages inside. I think it turned out to be something Kristi will cherish for a long time.

We're headed to UT for quite a while, so we'll see you on the flip side of summer!

Fabulous & Four

Even though I told this little guy that he had to stay three forever, he went ahead and turned four anyway. I sure think he's just as wonderful as a four year old as he was as a three year old.

The best surprise of the day was when these three teenagers showed up at our door with cookies and blowpops for the birthday boy -- talk about one happy kid! My deepest "thank you's" to Anthony, Makenzee and Madison -- what other three teens would take the time to surprise a four year old on his birthday?

Beckam didn't hesitate when I asked him what kind of birthday party he wanted -- a Green Power Ranger birthday party was the only option for him.

When the kids showed up we made Power Ranger masks, then we played "Pin the Badge on the Green Power Ranger," followed up with some cake and ice cream. After all their bellies were full we went outside to play "Capture the Bad Guys" (colored army guys that were hiding all over in the grass -- like an easter egg hunt) and then we came inside to open presents. Afterwards we headed to the neighborhood playground until parents came for pick-up. Party success!

And for the record, Beckam's growth stats are 36 1/4 inches tall (75th%) and 41 lbs. (50th%). He also received his Kindergarten immunizations and giggled through the entire process -- he's a tough guy.
We love you Beck! We think you are SO wonderful! We love your imagination, how you love to be cuddled, rocked and sung to, your stubbornness, your ability to make us laugh, your mischievousness side and your kind heart. Happy Birthday Baby Beck!

Spring Ball

Both Jaxton and Mac had very successful Spring baseball seasons. Mac enjoyed getting into a league that was more competitive and Jaxton enjoyed being on a team with his two best buddies.

Jaxton isn't SUPER competitive with others, but he is with himself. While most of his team was just "there," Jaxton was there to play and be serious about it. When his team headed outfield he was always the first to grab his glove and yell out "Where do you want me, coach?" He hit great and was such a hustler. I had so much fun watching him play.

At the beginning of the season we had to sit down with Mac and explain to him that he needed to "let his game do the talking." In other words, he wasn't shy about letting everyone know that he was the only consistent hitter they had. :) Mac definitely is an emotional player and put everything he had into every game. He loved the step up in competition and enjoyed making friends with his teammates.

The most exciting part of Mac's season was the last three games where they beat the undefeated team twice to secure the title of "League Champs."

Nate was the head coach for Mac's team and if the fact that their team went from the losing underdogs to the winning champs says anything about his coaching abilities, then I think he has a bright future -- too bad he say's he needs a few years off to recuperate. :)

And what did my other kids do during the 90+ degree, ultra humid back-to-back ballgames? They did their best to keep cool under shade, poured water over their heads and took breaks in the van with the air on. Bless their hearts -- I have good kids!

Can't wait for Fall -- all three boys will be in soccer, Mac will also play baseball and he'll start piano lessons, (I can't help but think I'm already setting myself up for failure . . . I guess only time will tell.)