Half-Marathon Run

Exhausting but fabulous Day! I woke up around 4:15am to prep for my half-marathon race. Erin showed up at my door at 4:30am and off we went. Race day is always a little chaotic. We had to park at the finish line and then were bused out to the start. I still can't believe a little less than 8 weeks ago Erin talked me into training for this. I'm really glad she did. I've had some post pregnancy issues that have put me into a little bit of a slump so I needed a kick in the rear to get going. We went online, picked random running schedule, and stuck to it. Some mornings I just couldn't make myself run in the 45 degree weather so I went to the gym and ran on the boring treadmill.

  

My new theme song is "Timber"

When Erin and I managed to meet up for our longer runs we usually ran along the canal. We had quite a few interesting incidents. One of which I ran into a tree branch because we were running in the dark and even with my flashlight I didn't see it coming. My foot was pretty bruised for a couple weeks but thankfully I didn't injure anything else and managed to collect my pride and continue on our 8 mile run for the day.

"It's going down, I'm yelling timber"

That song is now a great inside joke with me and Erin. When it came on during the race we both started laughing.

Race day came and I felt prepared. I have always struggled with finding the right "energy" to consume while I run. So I just don't eat anything. Usually that works fine for me. But at mile 9.5 I hit a wall. So glad that Erin was there to make me push through it. She should have just left me but she didn't. We finished hard and just under our goal. I was never so happy to see a finish line. This race is ridiculous, you can't see the finish line until you are pretty much there. It's not so much fun. So happy I ran it and got to run it with one of my best friends. A much better experience than my marathon.

 Jenessa was so sweet, the night before she brought me this basket. Filled with pre-and post race items.

My friend Lindsey came out and cheered for me. She cracks me up with her "Shelly Huber looks HOT when she runs!" LOL The race course went right by her house. So sweet of her to cheer me on!

 We did it!

We finished our 13.26 miles in 1 hr 49 mins 27 sec.; 8:22/mile pace Hallelujah!!! Next time I'm going to shoot for a sub 8 min/mile pace... ;) 

Jenessa was watching my kids so Ron could go help a family move in our ward and THEN go help clean the church. (Poor Ron, he's so good) Jenessa was crazy enough to surprise me at the finish with my kids. So fun to see them! I'm so happy she killed herself getting them all there (crazy girl!)! I have good friends and my life is blessed.
Both Mason and Noah had championship basketball games at noon and 3, and we finished the day off with some sand volleyball with friends at the park.

Pinewood Derby Success!

I just love cub scouts! Mostly because I love little boys. I don't understand why anyone would not want to work with these happy crazy kiddos. Boys are so much fun and have such sweet, crazy, and wild spirits. Mason is undefeated with his pinewood derby cars. 2nd year in a row taking 1st place. Next year should be interesting when Mason and Noah are racing in the same derby! I look forward to that.

 THIS is what Cub Scouts is all about! Teaching these boys important morals and values. Helping them gain a quiet reverence for the American Flag. I love what this program does for these young men. Cub Scouting is more than just something for them to do. It's all about the boys they are now and the men they will become

 I need a pic of Mason and Ron

Me and my Crew

Today I had to take my kids to the store and then to help at Activity Days at the church. I have recently been called to Primary Presidency and loving it so far. One of my responsibilities is Activity Days. As I loaded up all 4 of my kids headed to the store for some folders they needed I remember thinking how fortunate I am. I'm blessed with 4 healthy children, all of which are relatively well behaved. I like to think of them as my buddies (motherhood can be a little lonely at times). They all get along fairly well and play pretty well together. Honestly that's one of my favorite things in the world, to watch them play and work together. Ron has been working a lot lately and I'm really proud of how I have handled it this go around. I still wish he could be around more but I'm very thankful he has a job and is able to provide so well for us.

Callie on the other hand has NOT handled it so well. She has had a really hard time with Ron's absence. Ron is everything to this little firecracker and she misses him constantly. I tried recording her sad whining one night when she was chanting over and over "Tomorrow he has work, and the next day... All day he has just work. I want Daddy." It's really sweet but heartbreaking to watch and I wish there was more I could do for her but we get Ron home in the mornings until about 8:30 and that's a huge blessing.

I've mentioned this before but Callie really prefers if Ron lays by her at night until she falls asleep. Ridiculous I know but... oh well. We cater to the ridiculous if it gets our kids to sleep. Well, Ron wasn't home so usually I am up for the job. Noah being the sweetheart he is volunteered. I didn't think it would work but when I went to check on them a little while later I found this. I LOVE sleeping pics so I couldn't resist. I know they won't stay this little forever and I want to remember the good times so I HAVE to document it.

April is 8 months old

She has started to vigorously wave when people say "Hi!"
If you ask her "Give me five" she will slap your hand a few times. I love it!
I swear she has said "Mmmmomma" a couple times. probably just adorable baby babble but I will take it!

LOVES bath time 

She gets into EVERYTHING!!!!! Pushes buttons, opens cabinets, LOVES the washing machine, she loves legos almost as much as her brothers!!!! Makes me nervous.

In November she was really sick. Woke up middle of the night with Stridor (labored breathing) I took her to the ER and was there from about 1-4am. They were really fast to get us back check her out, administered a steroid inhaler mist thing and gave her some meds. We stayed in the ER for a couple hours while they monitored her. They finally let us go home with instructions to watch her Croup and follow up with her doctor. Even through all of this she was an incredibly happy baby at the hospital. Last month I took all 4 kids into get the flu shot. Starting with Mason and going down the line of kids. The nurse was amazed not one of my kids INCLUDING April cried or fussed. She said she has never seen that before. I wasn't surprised at all. My kids are really tough and I am very thankful the doctor isn't a scary place for them.

 Everyone dotes on her and fights for time with April.

  

Her personality is so pleasant and happy all the time. I love her sweet gentle cuddly and loving personality. I can't imagine life or our family with out her. I can't believe she's almost 9 months old.

Merry Christmas

First Christmas Day miracle. Callie slept in her bed ALL night long and until 7:45am! Santa needs to come to our house every night.

 Mason's Christmas Gifts 2015

Harry Potter Book Series

Kindle Fire Tablet

Ninjago Lego set

Skateboard

Bike Accessories (night lights)

Noah Christmas Gifts 2015

Treasure Chest

Chapter Books

Lego Movie Lego set

Kindle Fire Tablet

Bike Accessories (night lights)

Callie Christmas Gifts 2015

Kitchen

Kitchen Accessories

Princess Puzzle

Personalized Doll

Gift card to Build-A-Bear (I can't wait to take her there)

 April Christmas Gifts 2015

Baby Book

Baby Lullaby Doll

Counting Bears

Stacking toy

  

Ron and I were up until 4am Christmas Eve putting this together. (Mostly Ron, I was awake for moral support and "parts organizer".) I wasn't sure if she would even like it. She didn't have very many things on her list for Santa. All she told me all she wanted for Christmas was a teddy bear, a doll, and girl legos (which PS I'm so sad I FORGOT to wrap those, bought them a month ago and just spaced it!!!!! I guess I'll save that one for her birthday) I think she really likes it. Now if we can only figure out where to put it...

We also fixed the Trampoline!!!!! New mat bounces great!

The Holidays are always packed with family events and family time. Sometimes dividing time between 2 families can be exhausting. But I'm so grateful that we live close enough to family that visiting is easy and happens frequently. I know my kids love it! Christmas Morning my mom caught the neighbors kitty outside. Too cute!

Sabbath Day

Sundays are a little difficult for me. Don't get me wrong, it is still my favorite day of the week but I look at them a little differently now. I still feel like it is a day for me to recharge and get energized (even though often times it sucks the energy right out of me). I like that I have very little "extras" planned on the Sabbath Day, just church and family time. I sometime struggle with feeling my spirit renewed on Sunday's. My kids are the most amazing and wonderful part of my life (besides Ron of course) but that doesn't mean they make my life very easy. LOL Not sure exactly how to say this but I come home plenty of days after church feeling exhausted, with a throbbing headache, and just a hot mess. I remember when I was pregnant with April one particularly exhausting Sunday in the foyer after church one of Mason's primary teachers came up and talked to me. I honestly have no idea what she said I completely blacked out for a moment and almost passed out. I'm not trying to be dramatic but the struggle is real sometimes. Ron is in the bishopric and I KNOW that has blessed our family immensely so I wouldn't change that. For now the "morning person" that I am is trying to enjoy 1pm church. Soon we will have 9am church and I'm sure I will have new struggles with that. I'm so very thankful for my struggles and my challenges. One of my single friends reminded me the other day in a text that I'm "living the dream". I know I am and I thank Heavenly Father daily for my dream life and family. Because of Ron's meeting schedule and our church time he is able to come home for a few mins before church and help with the craziness of pre-church chaos. I'm so grateful for that. 9am church will not be so luxurious. 

Sunday's with April are actually a little less stressful. I know how adorable April is but it's nice to see and feel that love from others towards her. I'm her mother, I HAVE to feel that way. There have been a few Sundays lately where I haven't even held April for more than 20 mins in the 3 hour time block. When I walk into church I'm immediately ambushed by young women begging and wanting to hold her. One family in particular has taken her quite a few sacrament meetings the entire hour! Ron usually comes and gets her the 2nd hour of church and when I'm teaching primary if Ron doesn't have her the last hour my team teacher holds her or other women in the ward ask for her. I've even had young women come up and ask me after church if they can have April the following Sunday during Sacrament meeting. Too cute! I think I need to get a sign up sheet, April has a waiting list. I definitely feel the love from those in my ward wanting to help me and doting on my perfect baby. I'm not sure how long this will last but I'll take it. Hopefully it last until she is like 4 years old. I can dream right? Something tells me the novelty will wear off when she isn't so sweet and a little feisty in church. Time will tell.

When my kids misbehave during church I have them "practice" being reverent at home. 

Christmas Tradition

We started a new tradition in our family this year. My Aunt Kelli gave us the idea a few years ago. Since Christmas is really about Christ and thinking about the Savior's birth we are trying to stress "Christlike" actions this month. The idea is you add a piece of hay to Jesus' manger every time you perform a good deed or a small act of kindness. I don't have a manger so what do I do? I turn to my Dad. I asked him to help me make a simple manger to have under my tree. Well, I had no idea that my dad would take the idea and run with it! He is so sweet! He designed and made the manger all on his own (he even let Mason help). I think it turned out pretty fabulous!

My kids have been really cute about doing small acts of kindness. One day last week Callie got particularly excited and did ALL of her brothers (aka "the brothers" as she calls them) chores. She vacuumed, cleaned the bathroom, took out garbage and recycle bins and even cleaned their room for them and made their beds. She was so excited to just be serving her brothers. They of course were thrilled to get home from school with chores all finished. Service really holds a special place in my heart. I got that from my mom. The Savior spent his whole life serving others so why can't we? I love this time of year how easy it is to be a little kinder, more thoughtful and just all around better. I'm really grateful for perfect moments like this in my incredibly imperfect life. Times when I witness my kids have that "ah-ha!" moment and really enjoy emulating the Savior.