I'm nuts!

As you all know I ran a 1/2 marathon 3 weeks ago and trained my butt off for it. Well a friend from high school asked me if I wanted to run Top of Utah 1/2 marathon in Logan with her. I told her let me see how I feel after Provo. I got back to her and told her I would run with her since I've already ran a 1/2 marathon. Here's the twist, it happened to be 3 weeks after my Provo 1/2 marathon. I know I'm nuts! I thought it would be no deal to run another 1/2 within a 3 weeks period. I was so wrong! I had no motivation to run whatsoever. I only did 1 long run and it was only 9 miles and I only ran once a week for only 6 miles. I was so nervous and thinking I would do horrible at this 1/2 marathon. My goal that I had set was to finish and finish at my same time as Provo, 2hrs5mins. So on Saturday my friend picks me up from my mom's house and we head to Providence (Logan area). I was nervous and she was nervous too because she tore her meniscus, she hadn't ran anything past 5 miles and she only did 1 long run too. My friend has ran marathons and 1/2 marathons and she is tonz faster than me so I told her she go ahead if I slow her down. As we are running I started to get tired at like mile 3. I was shocked because I'm good until mile 11. I looked down at my watch and we are running a 9.1 minute mile. That's way faster than I normally run. I brought my Ipod but we talked while running and caught up on our lives. I believe by mile 9 I had to put my earpiece on to listen to some motivating music. Throughout the run I would see signs for different people and that helps a lot but nothing like your own family to cheer you on. Brandon wasn't able to make my race because his team wasn't at their goal so he ended up having to work all weekend. It was sad for me not to see my husband and my little cheerleaders Jazmin and Mariah and my little rug rat Brock. I was very happy to see my sister in law, RaChelle and my little butterball nephew, Ian cheering me on at mile 11. Joanna, my friend ended up going ahead of me because I couldn't keep my pace. I had to walk a couple of times and I was running really slow. I was starting to get mad at myself and I kept thinking to myself I am not going to finish at 2hrs5mins. I'm going to end up finishing at 2hrs.20 mins. I was getting mad. My thighs were hurting and whenever I would stop it would make it worse. Finally at the last drink station I grab a cup of water dumped it on my head and was back to my pace. I finally see the finish sign and I've never been more happy to see an arc of balloons in my life. My friend comes out of nowhere and runs with me cheering me on and I am just running. For how tired I was I couldn't believe I had that last kick to me. I look at my watch after I cross the finish line and it says 2hrs3mins! I ran 2 minutes faster than Provo! For how crappy I felt and how I had to walk I still ran faster. I was amazed. There were times when I just wanted to faint so that someone could carry me off of the road and not have to finish the race. It was a hard race for me. I think it's because I didn't run the trail so I didn't know what to expect. I'm glad I did it and I'm glad that my friend ran it with me. I am so impressed with her because she ran this 1/2 marathon in 1hr59mins. She helped me push myself and running with her took 40 seconds off of my minute miles. I am getting to my goal of running an 8 minute mile. I only have 1 more race to go and it's the end of the season for my races for this year. I have had a blast running all of these races and I am proud of myself. I have to give thanks to my hubby though. If it wasn't for him being at all of my races I think I would have a hard time running. I love him for being there for me.

Happy and sad day :) :(

Today was Mariah's first day of kindergarten. She was so excited for this day she was beaming ear to ear. I got her up a little early so that I could do her hair (have you seen it, it takes me forever) and she was so excited. She didn't fight me she just got up. I was pretty proud of myself because it didn't take me that long to do her hair. I would have sent her off with Jazmin but we wanted to take her to school for the first day. She wanted to ride her bide but Brandon told her he had to go to work right after we dropped her off so we drove parked the cars by the school and walked her the rest of the way. It's so cute to see all these little kindergartners lining up to head to their classrooms all excited. I have been so pumped for this day but then I had a neighbor lady come up to me and asked me if I was sad to see my baby head off to school. I have to admit I was a little sad. I've been waiting for this day and it came sooner than I thought it would. The past week it's just been me and Mariah and Brock hanging out. We've made cookies together, we've gone shopping, and just talked. It's been fun having some quality time with her. She is so sweet (when by herself) and so cute I'm going to miss it. After school I picked her up (I walked) and she requested Rice Krispie Treats for her after school snack so I had those all done waiting for her after school. Walking home she told me what she did today at school and her new friends that she made. While we were walking home she tells me that she was very parched. I looked at her and asked her if she knew what that word meant. She told me yes and told me it meant that she was very thirsty. I asked her where she learned that word and she told me it was from the Barbie Diaries. I thought it was rather cute. I can't believe I now have 2 kids in school and one at home. I am going to be very sick of cleaning the house while Brock is taking his morning nap. What am I to do with my time now. I guess I can now finish my quilt that I have been working on for 3 years.

In her classroom by her desk

Harryos

Last weekend Brandon and I went to our first club together, Harryos in Park City, Utah. It was a little weird being at club when you are married but we went because he has a friend that was playing there. His friend plays the drums and a guy that was on his team sings in The Mana Poly Allstars. It's a reggae band so that weren't very many people at this club. We went because Brandon's friend from work got tickets and invited us to come. So Brandon and I decided to make it a date night. We went to dinner at Park City and then headed to the club. We felt dumb because we arrived at the club a little too early. We were about ready to walk around main street but then his friend from the band came and talked to us. Now it's been forever since I've been to a club and I was looking at this club and was thinking to myself this is the famous Harryos where celebrities come but it's tiny. How do people dance in this little tiny club? Esa (Brandon's friend) explained to me that they just do. They scoot all the table back a little. Shawn (Brandon's friend that got the tickets) reserved a booth for us so we went and sat in the comfy little booth area and sat and listened to the band while admiring his fellow co-workers acting pretty funny. A bunch of people from Brandon's work also came to the club. I can only handle island music or reggae so much and then I am done. It was a late night for us old people. We didn't come home til 1 a.m.! I know we are such little party animals. We had fun though.


This is Eric, Kim (Eric's girlfriend) and me and Brandon hanging out

All day school is rough

Here's Jazmin's report on her first day of full school. I picked her up and asked her how school was. She started crying telling me how tired she was and how she wants to go an "A" track because they get out of school earlier. I had to explain to her that "A" track goes to school earlier and they get out earlier but they are in school the same amount of time "B" track is. I then ask her how school lunch was and this is what she told me. "Mom they put hot dogs in the hamburger." I was like, huh. She told me that they put hot dogs in the hamburger and then said it was gross. I asked her if she got milk and she told me she got chocolate milk. I then asked her who she sat by at lunch and she told me she sat down by herself. I think she was so tired from having to go to school all day that everything was soo horrible to her. My friend called me and I asked her what was on the lunch menu today, she was older daughters, and she told me corndogs and bbq rib sandwich. I then asked Jazmin which one she picked and she told me the corndog. I then asked her well you love corndogs. This was her reply "Yeah but mom they tasted gross." Oh Jazmin. I'm hoping tomorrow will be a better day for her.

Vegas Getaway

So I am finally posting about our anniversary getaway that we had last week. We decided to go to Vegas and so Brandon looked up some deals on hotels and found an awesome deal. I can't remember what was all in package but we stayed at The Planet Hollywood. It's been 5 years since I've last been to Vegas and I couldn't remember where the heck this hotel was at. When we were driving on the strip trying to get to the hotel (lots of construction) I realized that Planet Hollywood use to be The Aladdin Hotel and got a total different look from the inside. We had an awesome view of the strip and we could see the water show that the Belagio does. By the time we flew in, rented our car, found the hotel, checked in, I was starving. We got settled in our room and went straight for some grub. After eating I was pooped! I got up early that morning and ran 9 miles and cleaned my house because my sister in-law and in-laws were staying out our house. My sister in law took my girls to seven peaks Friday so it was just me and Brock and I got a lot done while he was napping. I think it was 10 or 9 vegas time and I was tired! I went back to the room and went to bed. We got up the next morning ate breakfast and went to the swamp meet to meet my sister and my brother in law and the kids. My sister was suppose to meet us in vegas (she lives an hour away) at 8 but they got up late so they meet us there around 9 or so. Brandon and I walked and looked around so by the time they got there we were done and it was getting hot. My brother in law made a comment how Brandon doesn't need to go to Mexico now cause being at the swamp meet was like being in Mexico. They had the vendors, food, beverages, mariachi band, etc. My brother in law called it little Mexico. After awhile we decided to head out and go to the indoor outlet mall at the other end of the strip. We bought some things and enjoyed the nice cool air condition environment. Next thing on our list was to go to Brandon's favorite restaurant Buffalo Wild Wings. We don't have them in Utah so whenever we are in Vegas and now in Bullhead, Arizona we must go and eat their wings. I have never ate so much freakin wings in my entire life. I couldn't tell you how many wings I ate but it was alot. We ordered like 80 wings but all different flavors. They have like 15 different sauce and the have them ranged from low to very hot. Their hottest sauce is called blazin and I hear it's pretty hot. We ordered 6 of those for my brother in law and 6 of mango habanero. I decided to try the mango habanero figuring that yes it's probably hot hence the habanero but the mango taste has to sweeten somewhat right, wrong. I freakin felt like my mouth was on fire! My lips were burning so bad I couldn't handle it anymore. Brandon failed to mention to me that particular sauce is ranked the third hottest sauce. Thanks Brandon. After being rolled out of that restaurant we said bye to my sister and headed back to the room to relax before the Blue Man Group. The Blue Man Group was playing at the Venetian and I enjoyed. Well worth the money. As we were leaving the Venetian I noticed that there was a rug carpet rolled out, poster of the nightclub was being put up, and photographers were lined up. Being the star struck person that I am I told Brandon I am staying because I want to take pictures of some celebrities. I had seen signs up around town promoting this "someone" at the club in the Venetian and figured someone really famous could be there. After waiting for an hour and having to move from my fabulous spot this "someone" finally arrived. I was so flippin disappointed when it only lasted 15 minutes and no one famous came. This person was Rumor Willis, Bruce Willis' daughter. I know not too important huh. I didn't even know who she arrived with and then 4 other girls came and I knew 1 and that was Audrina Partridge. Never ever again will I wait for an hour if it's someone not too important. What a waste!
Sunday was a day of listening to a time share presentation but only did it for the free show and free lunch and dinner. Hey if it's free why not, right.? We had fun and it was a nice getaway for the both of us. It was fun to see how much Vegas has changed since I was last there 5 years ago. It's not even the same town anymore with this new city center that they are building. That thing is going to be massive. Well sorry that this was a long post but Brandon bugged me about not blogging about Vegas. So now you have it Brandon.

Don Juan the Monkey and his trainer. This guy rakes in money with charging you $5 to take a stinking picture of the monkey. Plus people give him money and the monkey takes it from you.


Here's my $5 picture of the monkey with my nieces and nephew.



The red carpet



Rumor and her boyfriend



Rumor and her entourage






Audrina Partridge




Any ideas who the Asia girl is? I don't.

1st day of 1st grade.

I officially have a little girl going to 1st grade today! She was so excited to go to school this morning that she woke up at 6:40 a.m.! Early little riser, huh. I figure I might as well get up to start her hair. She wanted me to do her hair wavy so I guess it's good that she got up that early since it takes me forever to do her hair wavy. She has thick hair and it's a pain. Not as bad as Mariah's hair though. I hot her hair all done and she got all dressed up in her outfit that she wanted to wear today. She asked me to fix scrambled eggs and toast for her so that was her breakfast. I finally convinced her to let me walk her to school this morning because she wanted to walk to school with her friends but I told her their mommies were taking them to school since it's the first day. She agreed and we walked to school. I took her picture by the front door and off she went to her class. She basically ditched me at the front entrance to the school. I wanted to take a picture of her in her class but she was off. It's so hard to let her grow up sometimes. I can't believe she is already in first grade. Where did the time go? I'm pretty excited to hear all about her first day of school and better yet her first day having school lunch. She was so nervous about getting lunch, but I told her, her teacher was going to walk them through the lunch line today. That made her feel better. She cracks me up sometimes with her things she worries about. I have now idea where she gets that one from :) Mariah was a little sad that her sister was not home to play with her and that there were NO kids around. So I made her favorite lunch, peanut butter, and we made some cookies for Jazmin's after school snack. She enjoyed that. I was so pumped to have Jazmin going to school all day, but I really miss her. It's so weird cause the house is so quiet with just one child gone. Brock does make up for the extra loss though. Well enjoy Jazmin's first day of school picture.

Hallelujah!

The day is finally here, school starts tomorrow! I am super excited to ship the kids off to school tomorrow. It's going to be soo nice to have one child in school all day and then Mariah will go 1/2 day, but that's still leaves me with one at home for a couple of hours. All the fighting that I've had to endure through out summer will finally come to a stop. So excited I could do backhand springs right now. I think Mariah will be kind of bummed with Jazmin being gone all day and she won't start till the following Thursday but we will have fun.

7th Heaven.

Today Brandon and I are celebrating 7 years of wedded bliss! It's been a good 7 years that we have had together. Brandon has helped me become a better person and help change a few flaws that I have had. I enjoy that times that we get to have alone together and I am so thankful for all that he does for me and our little family. I love you Brandon and thanks for all that you do.

P.S. I will post later what we did for our anniversary.

1/2 Marathon

I finished my 1/2 marathon in 2hrs5mis! I reached my timed goal that I had for myself and I couldn't be any more prouder of myself. Hats off to me!

The morning started off with me getting up at 3:39 a.m. (I set my alarm for 3:30 but I must have pushed the snoozed button) to get up and get dressed. I got dressed and headed downstairs to eat a piece of toast and then sit on the good 'ol toilet. I gathered my iPod, watch, camel back,sweatshirt and kissed Brandon goodbye. I met my friend and her neighbors in her cul de sac and we were headed off to Provo. We parked and walked to catch the bus and it was so cold. There was a slight breeze which meant it was going to be a lot colder up in the canyon. We were all shivering and shaking and I was regretting wearing my running shorts. When we get to the spot we had to be there were tonz and tonz of people. I couldn't believe how many crazy people were up at this time in the morning running a race and I was one of them. It was 5 a.m. when we get to the riverwoods. After missing 4 buses we finally get on one and were off up the canyon to the start of the race. As we were driving up the canyon I couldn't help but realized that this was a long bus ride. I couldn't believe that I was actually going to run this far. What the heck was I thinking?! When we get to the starting point there were tonz and tonz of people already there and the buses still had another round to go. We got off and headed straight for the bathrooms only to realize there was a long long line. I'm talking about a long line that you would wait for at a new ride in Lagoon or Disneyland. It was long and I was about ready to go in the bushes. As we were trying to find the end of the line for the bathroom I found a lady that I knew and chatted for a tiny bit and I lost my group. I was so scared that I wouldn't be able to find them again. I walked around and searched and nothing. I decided that I would stand still and eventually I would find them. I stood still I moved a bit and I found them. Oh I was so glad because I would have never been able to find them in that crowd. The line was actually going pretty fast for the bathrooms and we stood and went. We were all a little disappointed when no of us but one went #2. I decided that I was going to take off my sweatshirt now because I didn't want to have to hassle with stopping to take off my camel back and then my shirt so I stuffed it in my friend's trash bag that they give you. When they started the race I was just amazed by how many people there were. My friend told me it looked like there were more here than the St. George marathon. Once we stepped across the chip start (starting line that starts your time) it was on. We were told to take it slow the start of the race because it was a steep downhill and they were right. As you run the trail it's kind of funny how you see people come out of bushes or off up a steep trail because they had to go to the bathroom and there wouldn't be another toilet for another 2 miles. There were water stations and toilets every 2 miles. I think it was between mile 6 and 7 I saw Brandon and the kids waiting for me. Brandon didn't even know it was me til I waved. I ended up passing my friend and one of her neighbors and one of my friend's neighbor passed me and I never could catch up to her. After going up this very long hill you come back down and I saw Brandon and the kids again. I don't think the kids saw me that time. When I had to run the 10 miles for training I felt fine so I thought I would be feeling fine after 10. I was so wrong! Between mile 11 and 12 I started to get tired. My feet were hurting and I had to go to the bathroom bad! I'm a little bit competitive and I hate stopping to walk for any reason so I just keep going. As many times as I've passed bathroom breaks I never once stopped and I was sure not going to stop now. I don't ever want to stop because there is always a long line for the toilets and I had a time that I wanted to make. I ate another shot block and kept on running. Once mile 12 came and we were headed to the riverwoods I got another burst of energy cause I only had one more mile to go. Seeing all those people lined up by the finished line pumped me up even more and I went a little faster. It's the best feeling strangers cheering you on clapping telling you good job was so awesome. I knew I was almost done. I finally see the "FINISH" line and from out of the blue some guy, who had a full one beard (Brandon saw him when he first saw me and calls him the transient) yells "Now is the time to pass her pass her now." I go ok, and pass like the girls into the finish line. I stopped my watch and my watch clocked me in at 2hr5mins but the finish line clock said 2hrs8mins. There was a 3 minute difference. I need to check the final results but I'm going with my watch. I was so tired after crossing that line. I got my chip clipped off, grab a cup of water, and a piece of cantaloupe and headed for the bathroom. I had to go so bad and there was a stinkin line (no pun intended). I was finally relieved when I went but now I had to find Brandon and the kids and I wasn't sure how I was going to do that. I couldn't see them along the finish line ropes and I didn't have my phone so I wasn't sure what I was going to do. I turned and there was my hubby and my wonderful kids looking for me with flowers in hand. Brandon asked where I was and I told him I had to go to the bathroom. He gave me the flowers and a card and took a picture of me and the kids with my flowers. After we headed to IHOP to grab some breakfast. I was so tired and pooped I wanted to sleep forever and thankfully Brock took a long nap for me and the girls were semi good while I slept. The only think that sucked was I ended up having to go to the bathroom constantly and I swear I lost like 10 pounds because of how much I had to go.

I am so proud of myself for running that much and it was just an amazing experience. To go and see all these people running was awesome! I have to give thanks for my husband who has given me nothing but the best support and praises. I honestly don't know if I would have done this if he didn't support me. I also have to give thanks to my kiddos. They have to get up early in the morning to be able cheer me on. I love it when I see them and they are cheering for me. Thank you guys. I love you!


Saying hi while getting a drink







Going up the hill



Coming down the hill





Heading towards the finish line



I'm in the blue shirt behind the girl in the orange



My girls



Kiddos and the tired mommy

It's finally here!

Well tomorrow is my 1/2 marathon and I'm a little bummed out. I wasn't feeling to good yesterday so all I did was lay around (tried). I was so tired and so achy I was getting a little nervous because what if I get really sick and can't run on Saturday. All that training down the tube. Well today I woke up feeling a lot better than I did yesterday but my throat is a little scratchy. I am going to load up on some vitamins here in a bit because I DO NOT want to get sick! I also found out that tomorrow is not going to be as hot as it has been the last couple of months. I was hoping for nice weather like it was last weekend but nope it's suppose to drop to 79 and have thunderstorms. I'm hoping it's not too cold because that means it going to be really cold in the canyon tomorrow at 5 a.m.! That's right 5 a.m.! We have to be there by 5:30 and I don't think the race starts til 7 a.m. Well at least I have 2 hours to make sure I go potty before the race starts. Wish me luck! I'm hoping that I don't get sicker by the end of the night.

Way Overdue!

It's been sooo long since I've last posted anything up. I have to admit it's just out of pure laziness. I just don't feel like posting anything up. So the last time I left we were headed up to Bear Lake to spend the last weekend with my sister. I felt bad because instead of hanging out with my sister and swimming with the kids I went fishing with Brandon. I totally regret it because it was a long boat ride and I caught nothing yet again. I'm starting to think that I just need to hang up my fishing pole because this year hasn't been a good fishing year for me. I have not caught one stinkin fish!! I usually get a couple but not this year. Anywho, I did have a fun weekend though. The next day we went to the park and had a BBQ. I did get to say a final goodbye to my sister though because she ended up staying at my house before they left the state of Utah and into Bullhead "Hell", Arizona. I am not kidding, people really do call it that because it can get up to 132 degrees. Yuck, I know. So we decided to take them to my favorite restaurant in Provo, Asuka, and the kids loved it. We enjoyed watching their faces when they started the hibachi grill it was hilarious. I was a very nice sister and aunt the next morning and got up at 4:30 a.m. and made breakfast for the kids and my sister and brother in law. Then I put together a little snack bag for my nieces and nephew so that my sister didn't have to stop and get treats at the gas station. They left my house on Wednesday July 29 at 5:30 a.m. for their 8 hour drive to Arizona. I cried a little because I am going to miss seeing my sister whenever we are up north visiting. I'm hoping next weekend I will be able to see her because Brandon and I are heading to Vegas for our 7 year anniversary. We will be married for 7 years on the 17th of Aug but wanted to get away for the weekend and enjoy having a little fun. I am so excited for 2 reasons 1)a weekend to ourselves with no kids, and 2)school starts 3 days after we get back! We will have fun. It may be hot but we will have fun.

This Saturday is my 1/2 marathon. I am so ready for it. I have been working so hard on the training part and I'm excited to run my 13.1 miles. I ran the last 10 miles on the course last Saturday and it wasn't too bad. I just can't believe how much I have enjoyed running and that I am actually running a 1/2 marathon. I would have never thought in my wildest dreams that I would love to run and enjoy running races. I am glad though because it helps me stay in shape and it's also a way to relive stress and my frazzle moments that I get.

Well I think I've caught up on all that has been happening. Not too much though, but I need to get working on getting pictures posted. That will soon be coming.