A friendly face

Ok, so the plan was for Larry and I to run the Freedom 5k today in Provo. Only we have four kids who don't run (or get up early for that matter). So Larry did "daddy duty" (translation: slept in) this morning while I ran. This is only my second 5k, and the first one was really hard for me. And I was doing it by myself. Well, me and my iPod. (important distinction) So I was excited but also feeling a little lame for being a loner.

So I get there, park, and walk to where the race will start. I don't have anyone to take my picture or hold my keys, so the camera (and everything else) stays in the car, and I tie my keys to my drawstring. By this point, I am feeling quite sorry for myself that I don't have any friends or anyone to cheer me on. (note to self: make EVERYONE get up and be my cheering section next time)

Then I saw Mark Child. Happy day, calloo callay (I probably misspelled that). He is my sister's father-in-law. He promptly showed me that his wife, Deb, was also running. Isn't a friendly face such a blessing? We commiserated on our latest endeavor, and she pointed me in the direction of port-a-potties. (Yes, a huge blessing) As I was walking to the potties, I spotted Shauri, MY sister-in-law (what is up with all these in-laws? Can't the Woods get their acts together and be active? :). She was there with Benjamin, my lightning-fast nephew who, I am sure, cannot fathom why anyone would run as slow as I do. (actually, he is very nice to slow ole me)

The Lord was surely giggling at me today. I was feeling sorry for myself, and then He just made friendly faces come out of the woodwork (in fact, my former bishop's daughter was standing right near me as the race started) to let me know I wasn't a loner. I am sure He giggles a lot at the silly thoughts I have. I really am blessed. For so many reasons. Not the least of which is that I had a rockin' playlist for my run! What a difference that makes. (note to self: don't put any classical music on a running playlist, no matter how "peppy" the piece may be) Gotta love the Police, Journey, and a little big band music to swing my stride! Every new song brought a smile to my face!

Mission accomplished (and only a smidge slower than last time)! Go me!

By the way, Benjamin was SIXTH in the whole race (third in his age group) with a time somewhere around 16:30. YIKES!!! Needless to say, I wasn't. At least he wasn't TWICE as fast as I was (pretty close, though). My time was around 30:15. Pretty good for an old fart! (Compared to Benjamin, that is--I am one spring chicken compared to my old geezer mom!) Just joking, mom--you ROCK!!

I did it!

Yesterday my family (sans Big Daddy) drove to SoCal. And it was amazing. We fixed our DVD player in the supervan, and we laughed through three states (actually four). We watched Mr. Bean, National Treasure, Napoleon Dynamite, and listened to Shakespeare's Secret (it is a book, but I can't figure out how to underline--Whattie, please forgive my English incorrect-ness).

But the coolest thing? I filled up at home and then once in Vegas, and I still have more than 1/4 tank left. SWEET! And we already had In N Out. Just couldn't wait.

This vacation is already off to a good start.

Oh, and the "I did it!" refers to making it to CA without maiming any of the little ones!

I am sorry that I whine

Do you remember when I was complaining about scouting? That I wondered if the program was more for moms than the scouts themselves?

Well, first of all, I shouldn't be whining about that. That's dumb.

And second, the scouting program ABSOLUTELY knows how much the moms of the scouts do. That is why the moms get a pin when the scout advances. No one else gets a pin, only the long-suffering scouting-supporting mom.

I feel validated.

But, in my opinion, they shouldn't make the pins so camouflage-y. They should be yellow or red and jump out at you as you pass by and say, "Pat this mom on the back--her son has done something cool in scouts."

I would wear the prototype. I'm serious. I need all the pats on the back that I can get.

I hate ants!

Ok, so my kids would be saying, "Ooh, Mom said hate." But, I think this aversion is as strong as that. I don't strongly dislike them, I hate them. Here is one of the many reasons why:

I have a "laundry chute." (Actually it is just the place where we throw the dirty clothes downstairs from the upper floors. But I like to think that I have a laundry chute, so don't go and burst my bubble, ok?)

I noticed that the laundry was pretty much taking over the entire house, so I thought I should do some laundry room shuttling. As I picked up some of the dirty towels, ants started to pour out of them. EEEEWW! Grody to the max! Gag me with a pitchfork! (OK-enough with the valley girl impersonations)

Did I mention that I hate ants?

I figured out why, too. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, I had a pretty idyllic childhood. Fabulous weather, great culture, and NO LARGE BUGS! Or thunderstorms, but that is a different rant. Since moving to different parts of our great nation, I have heard stories of terrifying bugs of gargantuan sizes (mostly from Alexis--Texas and the Hawaii clan of the Johnsons). Yet, I had none of that in my experience. So ants are the epitome of disgusting-ness and yucky-bug-ness. I know I am a bug rookie, but its all I got!

Oh, and I hate ants.

I'm in love!

I sat here today, at this computer, watching my two middle children having a ball on the trampoline. Giggling, laughing, screaming with joy (well, mostly). Then when Hadland came home from school, I mentioned that he could go jump if he wanted to. He did! And William joined him for a long time. I love having a trampoline in my backyard. My kids aren't whining to be glued to the boob tube. They are outside, having a great time together. And no runs to the ER...yet. Tonight, after all the kids were in bed, I jumped for about 10 minutes. Don't worry, no flips for this muchacha! What fun. I jumped in the chilly night air, looking up at Mt. Timpanogos with its fresh blanket of snow. Not bad, eh? Almost makes you want to live here.

Almost.

I am a gardener...

I think.

Are you a gardener if:

1. you can handle a rototiller?

2. you can pay your kids a penny a rock to pick them out of the garden plot?

3. you can wear a big floppy hat in the sun?

4. you then get completely lobster-esque on your arms?

5. you can dream about tomato juice dripping down your chin as you bite into your own homegrown tomato?

Well then, I guess I am a gardener. Really, the only requirement is that you have a garden, right? I guess you have to work in it, too.

Are you a gardener too? (potted plants count, you know?!)

One other question--are gardeners always sore?

Hands

Sarah got a new word this week--hands. She enunciates the "ds" part so well, I just love to hear her. And she still loves to say shoes. She walks around the house picking up, putting on, and walking around in any shoes she can find. She is so funny!

Tonight she and Lauren took a bath (not a regular occurrence in the evening at our house), and they had a bath. I got tired of hanging out on the toilet seat, so I took Sarah out and got her dressed for bed. I was putting away some clothes in her room when Lauren walked in to say that Sarah had fallen into the tub. I ran to the bathroom only to find a fully clothed (in footed pjs) Sarah lying on her belly in the lukewarm tub water. I just had to laugh. I had to locate another pair of pjs (not an easy feat today) and got her safely in to bed before she could get in any more trouble! A few minutes after all this took place, I was looking for a little sympathy and told Larry what had happened. I told him about the baths, and then I asked him if he could guess what Sarah had done next. He answered, "Poop in the tub?" Needless to say, that stopped my pity party right in its tracks--it could DEFINITELY have been worse than a soaked diapers and pair of jammies! Thank you, sweetie, for helping me appreciate the good times! :)

Yikes!

It isn't like I don't check everyone's blogs multiple times a day...and I just love seeing everyone's new posts...but I don't post? What's up with that? Maybe I am just boring...

My back is much better, thank you! And I am getting "back in the saddle" tomorrow. We got a trampoline of our very own, and we'll be putting it up in the morning. I think the kids are going to burst with excitement (at least I will). I can't wait to see our family having fun on it. So many memories on ours growing up...Jeremy's broken leg, sleeping out in the summer, laying out (some of my sisters even wore bikinis--tsk, tsk), and jumping until we couldn't stand it any more. I just love it when the memories can keep going to another generation.

But, no, I will not be doing any more flips...until I can figure out how to do it without injuring my back!

I'm getting old!

Well, it is official. I am getting old. On saturday I went to an indoor trampoline playground. I went with my fabulous sisters for a little laughin' and a little movin' and shakin'. We did plenty of all three!

My little sister Robin did a flip and made it look so easy. So what did I do? Yep--peer pressure did me in! (it is all your fault, Rob! :) When I finished flip #2, I landed on my butt, caught my breath, and jumped up only to feel a crazy twinge in my back. So now, two days later, I am getting better. I am so getting old, and I am BUMMED about it! I guess I just have to accept my "mature" status and get on with being prudent.

But I hate that word.

I'd much rather be jumping on a trampoline, wouldn't you?

And if you're worried that I have lost my nerve--I'm getting right back on that horse (menos flips, I think). I can be kinda mature, maybe!

P.S. Women's Conference ROCKED!!! And my house was clean when I got home! Yippee!

Women's Conference!

Hey-not that you would be surprised-i will be away for a couple of days. My sisters, mother, and I are going to a "Sister Celebration" at Women's Conference at BYU. My darling of a husband is flying solo with the kids, and i am so excited to have a little time away!

Wish you were all here to party with us!

nonstop

I think it must be payback time. Hadland NEVER stops talking. And I really do mean NEVER! Larry looked at me today while Hadland was waxing philosophical about why the Atlantic Ocean is called the Atlantis Ocean (yeah, i don't get it either). Larry just said, "Hadland, you need to get outside and run around."

If only...

We really need to get a trampoline. Then maybe the kids wouldn't use my couch as one. And it could be like a giant hamster wheel but for kids. Maybe they might even get tired enough to go to bed at night. We can always hope, I guess. One of these days we will get some outside equipment, I'm sure. Or maybe we'll just get a padded cell, and the kids and I can take turns in it.

(You probably already figured it out, but I am sure I never stopped talking either. Hence, the payback.)

shock value

william is the master of shock value. he loves to see my head jerk up when he says something bad. tonight it was moron.

or maybe "mean-o mom."

or maybe "poopy pants" (to his sister, not me thank goodness).

i try not to react because he is so blatant about it. i really should be smarter than he is, but most days he's got me beat.

but he sure is cute.

I almost forgot!

Hadland turned nine about two weeks ago! I didn't actually forget his bday, I just forgot to post about it. He was saying to me a few days before his bday that he would love a big family party with Auntie Nikki, Uncle Treas, the brandleys, grandma and grandpa, etc. I quickly told him that they had just been here the weekend before and wouldn't be able to come back. But lo and behold, on Saturday afternoon (about 5 pm), Darla calls and says, "Guess who's coming to town?" I drew a total blank before she said that her parents were on the way from Canada. I couldn't believe it! So I quickly called all the local (and semi-local) family for an impromptu party, headed to Costco for a cake (which Hadland told me later he didn't like), and tried to clean up a little (emphasis on little). It was a total blast to have everyone over, and Hadland was in all his glory. I love those little tender mercies!

Another funny: my mom called H the day after his bday and told him that he was going to get an extra $10 for her being late in sending his bday cash. What is up with that? I just had to laugh and hope H didn't get used to late penalties, cuz he sure won't get any from lil' better-late-than-never ole me!

April is a great time for birthdays!

On Saturday I had a girls' day out. It was GREAT!! Within a five week period, me, my MIL Virginia, and my SILs Shauri and Darla have birthdays (and Hadland, too, but he isn't a girl). So we decided to get pampered. Virginia and Shauri had never had pedicures before, so we wanted them to try something new. I think they liked it (but it was a little weird for them). They were such good sports, and we all have lovely toes now!

And just so no one rats me out, I know darla is technically a may birthday, but she is an honorary April-ee for this year!

Spring

You know the song, "Popcorn popping on the apricot tree?"

I know it isn't rocket science or anything, but I never really got it. I grew up in NorCal, and we didn't really seem to have that spring phenomenon. Or maybe it wasn't so noticeable.

Now, after a LONG winter in Utah, I get it.

I was driving with my kids the other day, and saw several trees that looked exactly like they were dotted with popcorn. I practically drove off the road (well, maybe not, but I felt like it), and I yelled to the backseats, "OH MY GOODNESS, do you guys see the popcorn popping on the apricot trees?"

Since then, we love to yell out the popcorn color, whether it is just beginning, or whatever else we can think of.

HOW COOL!!!! I told Larry about my discovery and deprived childhood, and he just kind of rolled his eyes. He must think that I grew up on a totally different planet. Well, in my defense, it was a different country, eh?

By the way, it also kinda snowed here today, too. I love snow, but I am ready for spring FOR REAL!

scouting

is it for boys or moms?

i never can tell.

when do i get my patch?

maybe i shouldn't say too much more or i will be the one wearing a yellow scout shirt. yikes!

sounds all around

don't you just love being able to sit in your kitchen and hear NOTHING but the refrigerator?

I sure do. I think I had forgotten what that sounds like.

Obviously there is nothing much to say today. Just that I am grateful for silence.

Phew!

I was standing at the kitchen sink getting some leftover spaghetti for lunch. Lauren walked over and said,

"Mom, are you eating all of the spaghetti?"

(I had just dumped the whole ziploc bag on my plate. Then I put back about half of it.)

"No, honey. I am leaving some."

Lauren: "Phew! I thought you were going to eat it all."

HA! Obviously "eating it all" is one of my frequent crimes. Oh well. At least I exercise some of it off. (sometimes) :)

My first 5K!!

So, I decided that on my birthday I would run a 5K.

No, really.

I know, it is kinda crazy.

I will share my logic.

Well, I have been exercising pretty regularly (Curves) 3 times a week for over a year.

Then, in January I started running every other day on the treadmill. I can do 35 minutes without stopping (that is HUGE for me). That ends up being a little over 3 miles per run. So, I thought to myself that I could do a 5K. No problem, right?

OK, true confessions time. My treadmill has a TV. I have hooked up a DVD player to it, so I run while I watch movies. Is that cheating? I don't think so. I still run 3 miles even if it is while I am watching a show.

My sister Nikki and I decided to run on the morning of my birthday. Thanks, Nik, you are a trooper.

Needless to say, it was WAY harder than watching a movie. But I reached my goal. I didn't stop, and I actually ran a little faster than I normally do. I complained a lot too. But I did it.

YAY ME!

Lest you think I am a total wimp, I am actually going to do another one in May.

Wish me luck!

(And send me any mental pointers you can!)

Happy April Fool's Day

This is as close as I am going to get to celebrating April Fool's Day. I just didn't get into it this year. Cherie gave me a great idea about having dessert for breakfast (I am hoping to try that next year!), but the only thing I am going to pass on is this funny story i heard on NPR tonight. I was just puttering around the kitchen, not really paying attention to the radio, but this story had me saying, "No way!" Here it is in my own words:

A couple in AZ were anxiously awaiting their tax refund check. What they got in the mail instead was an air conditioner. It is part of a pilot program with the IRS to stimulate the economy. Instead of hoping that consumers will spend their refund checks on goods or services, the IRS taps into a sophisticated database of where the taxpayers live and details of their lifestyles and chooses some consumer good that matches their location/lifestyle. They interviewed a supervisor at the IRS about the database and what they take into consideration. They also interviewed a Harvard professor about the implications of this program.

As I listened, I thought, boy, I am glad that isn't me. They wouldn't know the first thing about what I would want to spend my refund on. I am so gullible. I remember thinking, is this for real? It couldn't be, right? But the story followed the format of so many others I have heard, and I was really only listening with half an ear, so I suspended my disbelief for a moment.

Then, at the end of the story, the program host said, "Check your calendars, will ya?"

I had to laugh. They got me good. I guess I can check off "April Fool" on my list for the day.

P.S. Here is the link to the story (I got most of it right, ok?)