Race Day

The morning started earlier than most mornings for us. I woke up 2 minutes before my alarm went off...at 3:58 am. Race day jitters!!!

Marie (a cute girl I ran Ragnar with last year) picked me up at 5 and we started on our journey into DC for the Suntrust National Half Marathon. Thanks to another dear friend and 2 more teenage babysitters in the neighborhood, Chad was able to come and wait for me at the finish line.

It was a cold 30 degrees at the start line, but that's what we've all been running in all winter, so it wasn't a surprise. The sun was just coming up, the air was crisp, it was a perfect day for a race.

I absolutely love the energy that surrounds a race. It seems to add a little extra spring in your step. I crossed the finish line in 1:43:08, two minutes faster than my goal. As soon as I saw the finish line, I had to fight back the tears. I ran under the finish line arch, and let the tears escape. For some reason, I get so emotional every time I cross a finish line. Maybe because it reminds me so much of life here on this earth and what it will be like when we finally return home to Heaven. It reminds me of how we are all running a race. It's so hard some times, but we hope our work will be worth it. We spend so much time training, perfecting, practicing. I love the symbolism of our loved ones waiting on the other side of the finish line...cheering us on...waiting for us to cross into their wide open arms. I especially love it when we reach our goals and we can cross the finish line knowing we've done the best we can. I love racing. It reminds me of life. Every time.

we're still alive over here!

Well, it's been a long time. I've got a lot of catching up to do. Chad spent the past 3 months traveling, and we were able to join him for his last week out of town in Alabama. It was wonderful. I could really get used to living in a hotel. Someone to make your bed, clean your bathroom, and your own personal gym. Perfect! We're so glad to have him home now. I really don't know how all those single moms do it. It's tough running a household alone! I'm grateful for how hard he works for us.

I have to take a moment to talk about my mom. I'm so proud of her, I can barely contain it! She started running a little bit ago, and now she's up to 3 miles without stopping. Isn't that so cool!? It makes me smile every time I think about it. They are coming to see us soon, and we are planning a 5k just for her with all the bells and whistles... well, not really bells and whistles, but a finishers medal, t-shirt, and she will break the tape at the end! So fun!

Speaking of races, I have a half marathon this weekend. Wish me luck!

The Girls in their new Christmas dresses!

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa Jones.

They looked so beautiful today.

And Jacob wanted his picture taken too.

He's such a good little man,

and a good looking little man also

Is there a better way to start the new year than with a RACE?

Vanna was up sick all night, so I left the house alone this morning.

No little cheerleaders to love me across the finish line.

No tiny runners to run with me for the last 30 feet.

No amazing running partner named Nat who's sick too.

Just me, myself and I.

There was one runner in front of me named Marcy, with a Y, and she had lots of cheerleaders.

I just pretended they were cheering for me.

That was fun, and helpful.

A nice lady also stuck with me to help me keep pace.

That was fun, and helpful too!

When I felt like slowing down, she reminded me pick up my legs, and my pace. When I came to a hill, she reminded me to let my legs lengthen and speed up. I wish I had someone like that every race.

My goal was 22 minutes.

I didn't reach my goal.

Next time.

I ran 23 minutes, which is the same time I got late in October. I am glad I am back where I was before my surgery.

Guess what else I'm glad about?

I won an award in my age division. A gift certificate to the running store!

When they called my name, I couldn't resist jumping up and down. Did I really hear my name?

I even let out a little scream.

I was so excited to tell Chad that I ran all the way back to my car to call him.

My first award!

I'm in shock!

I'm saving it for some new running shoes.

My sweet running team that I coached gave me a gift certificate to the same store after the last running season ended.

Isn't that so thoughtful?

It too is going toward my new running shoes.

Happy New Year!!!!!!!!

A New York Christmas!

A month after my surgery, and I'm finally feeling 100%!

What a wonderful feeling it is to be able to have a perfectly happy throat.

No more sores on my tonsils.

No more headaches.

That awful surgery was well worth a month of my life.

We decided last minute to head to NY for Christmas.

It was perfect timing, since Chad's parents and two brothers were flying in from Utah too.

Staying in Times Square is always an adventure.

The kids kept calling people bad guys.

I shouldn't have shown them Home Alone 2 before we left.

We woke up the first morning to head out to the toy stores.

After a long day of shopping we met Mark, Liz, Tom and Travis at a live nativity somewhere in NY.

What a treat that was.

In fact, it might have been my favorite thing about Christmas this year.

To sit in that beautiful stone church, with high ceilings, children singing, and watching Mary ride a donkey between the pews toward the front of the church,

I couldn't help but feel the true meaning of Christmas,

remembering our Savior Jesus Christ.

It was just beautiful.

Thanks Liz for taking us there.

Thanks Liz again for taking some pictures of my family.

I usually choose to leave my camera at home instead of being tempted to watch the kids through a lens.

It's too easy to forget about my parental responsibilities when I've got my camera around my neck.

Here's some in front of the tree at Rockefeller Center

and

Some watching the light display on the side of the Macys building.

So much fun!

Oh ya, and Vanna and Jack on the bus.

My Christmas Day treat was getting to finally meet my new niece, Chantel. Liz is such an amazing mom, and it was a treat to be able to meet her new little baby, who was born 11 weeks early and is still in the NICU.

Wish me luck!

I'm going under the knife tomorrow! (I was going to make a funny joke here, about surgery, but decided it wasn't appropriate.)

The day has finally come for me to get my tonsils out.

And my deviated septum fixed.

And I'm freaking out.

Really.

I think I ate as much as I could today. The thought of not being able to eat scares me. So now, off to sleep, just to wake up and head into the surgery room.

I'm doing my best to be brave, but I'm not so good at that.

Wish me luck!!!!!

I love these guys!! Happy November!