Another race

After viewing the last post I made to my blog I realized I hadn't yet noted my last race. I experienced Ragnar this last June and Loved it. I had a great team that included my brother and sister in law, her brother, a couple my brother works with and a crazy good runner. We had a lot of fun getting to know each other. I also loved running into my sister at the van exchange points. I certainly learned my limits as a runner and look forward to extending those limits.

something without need

This past year has been filled with getting things done that needed to be done. This summer I wanted to do something that didn't need to be done. So I made a quilt top. I have never pieced a quilt before and while this is a very simple one I 'did it by myself!' I used the old jeans sitting in my sewing room waiting to be donated or made into shorts. The printed red material is from my grandmother. So far it is free. I just had to buy the red material and that was pretty cheap. I look forward to tying it when the basement is finished. Don't look too close. Not all the corners and seams match up and I even allowed a few tucks to make things fit. No matter. I loved spending time on something that had no need.

Racing continues

This last weekend was the third race in a row for our family. Two weekends ago, (the one after our 1/2 marathon) was the school's 5k. Katherine and Elliot took first in their divisions. Matthew and Emilia had a great showing as well. I did a great job of running it, maybe I should say organizing it.

Then last weekend we traveled to Boulder Co for the Bolder Boulder 10k. We had a great time with Matthew's brother and family. The race was crazy. 54,000 people ran it. Needless to say, it never thinned out. We were weaving in and out of racers for the entire race. It was a fun atmoshpere and route. Glad I ran it.

Now...two free weekends. At least from races. Then the Ragnar. Should be fun. I just wish all this running would help with my waistline.

#3

Finished my third half marathon. I was pleased with my run. This was a bad year for training but I still beat my goal and my best time. 1:49:49!! It was a beautiful run down ogden canyon and through the river parkway trail. Thanks to Matthew for keeping me running when I was ready to quit during training.

Haven't yet decided what my next goal will be, another 1/2, maybe a full. Who knows? I know I need a good time on memorial day in order to beat my brother-in-law on the 10K. Competitive? Me?

1 2 3 4 I declare....

A deer war. Again this year, my birdseed has disappeared quickly. The deer tracks led right to the feeder. I declare war. Already some of my little tulips are nibbled on. I declare war. Here is my plan to defeat and beat back the pesky critters. First, I put up some noisy wind chimes. I know this isn't a great option, but I figure it is like warning the deer. Then, my big guns..... pepper. Hot pepper. Some of you know that I use my dads recipe for feeding my lawn. It includes things like, mouthwash, dishsoap, epsom salts, beer and amonia. While these ingredients might be enough, I added lot of ground red pepper. Just smelling it made my eyes hurt. I drenched my entire flower garden with the stuff. I only wish I could get video of the first taste the deer get. That would indeed be sweet victory.

Spring time

I love the changing seasons. I love the beginning of every season. Today I saw the first crocus in my yard. The birds are quickly re-establishing in my backyard and I look forward to getting out and mowing the grass for the first time. We have had fun this year identifying the birds in our yard. The blue one is a scrub jay, and the spotted on is a northern flicker. I have even learned to identify some of the calls.

Christmas lights

I love Christmas lights. Matthew used to love Christmas lights. Since we moved into this house, however, Matthew doesn't put up lights anymore. For the first couple of years I got out a ladder, stabilized it with a block of wood on our "oh so ever" level driveway, and put lights on the lower part of the roof line. If I weren't such a baby about heights I would go Griswald up on the roof. The last two years have been pathetically lightless with the exception of the lights I put around the front door. I don't think they really count.

Not this year. When we bought Matthew a flagpole for father's day in my mind I was calling it my lightpole. I knew I wanted to hang a star with lines of lights streaming down. I know, everyone with a flagpole does this, I DON'T CARE! I just want lights.

I searched for a good star to buy. They were all stupid, small or non-existent. Then I decided to make one. Finally, on Tuesday all my dreams came true. I made my own star, painted , wrapped lights, then hoisted it up the lightpole. I didn't have stakes to hold down the streaming lights so I wrapped a couple strands around the pole. Then, even though it was 2 in the afternoon, I plugged the lights in. No one has dared turn them off yet!

Thanksgiving

Since it is almost Christmas, I thought I would finally post about Thanksgiving. It was the first Thanksgiving in several years that I was really excited about. Usually Thanksgiving is a great way to kick off the Christmas season. Not this year (though the Christmas season followed any way.) This year I really looked forward to spending 5 days with my family. By family I mean, Matthew, Katherine, Emilia and Elliot. Matthew's parents have migrated to Florida and so we were able to have our own Thanksgiving. When a friend asked me about my plans her comment was, "I'm sorry. It will be a let down. We did that a couple years ago and we were bored." In my mind I thought, "I'm sorry you don't enjoy your family."

So, to start the day out we went on a 5k charity run. It was small, mostly just the family of the guy who organized it, but held in a beautiful park. The kids were mostly good sports and I was very proud of them.

After the race we went home to warm up and prepare dinner. I love cooking a good meal. Because of my schedule this year, I haven't don't much in the way of "good meal" cooking. My goal for the meal was to not use the microwave at all. (It doesn't count that the water for the jello was boiled in the microwave because Emilia made it the day before.) I had fun creating a nice setting at the table and serving a Thanksgiving Feast.

So, with dinner finished the kids were anxious to put up the tree. I put them off for about an hour while I took the traditional post turkey nap. The kids must be growing up because they actually allowed this and didn't bother me at all. I rewarded them by putting up the tree and all the decorations in the house. We especially loved watching "Elf" while decorating.

Finally, the girls and I went through the ads. Emilia realized that Old Navy was having a great sale and it started at 3 am. Bedtime: 8 pm Wake up: 2 am. Stayed out shopping until about 1 pm. Enjoyed every last minute of it.

I loved having time with my family. They can drive me crazy and make me wonder why I would want to spend time with them but in the end we have a lot of fun together.

I am thankful for time with those I love best.

student quotes

It has been awhile since I have had something to post about funny things my students say. But now I do. A little boy was editing his sentence he wrote (Yippee, he wrote a sentence!!). He realized he forgot a capitol at the beginning. "Snap, I forgot a capitol." Funny enough, but it gets better. Then, "Damn it, I forgot punctuation." It was very difficult not to laugh out loud.

This and That

Once again, we ran the Layton Classic race as a family. This year we actually did a little training to get ready. The kids were troopers as we woke them up at 5:30 to get runs in before school. Katherine, Elliot, Matthew and I all ran the 10k while Emilia ran the 5k. Of course, Emilia was the first to finish. She called me on my run and reported a time of 29 minutes. Good Girl! I am so proud of her, not only did she beat her goal of 35 minutes, she ran it by herself. She is certainly growing up and becoming more confident and independent. It was also nice to have her at the finish line to cheer as Elliot and I finished. We crossed the line at 52 minutes. Matthew was just a few minutes behind us and then Katherine finished as well.

Then came the awards assembly:

Katherin won her division. (do I need to mention she was the only one in her division?) Still, way to go!! She got a cool sports bag, perfect for dance competitions.

Ok, you can't see Elliot in this picture, but everyone cheered and clapped for the little kid who also won his division. (again, only one.) He just didn't even pause as he went up on stage and grabbed a hat, later to be traded for a bag.

I can't wait for next years race.

One more picture. It was crazy hair day at school for the 6th graders:

First day of school

Don't you love the feeling of the first day of school? I love the excitement and unknown of the year to come. Katherine, Emilia and Elliot were up early and ready to tackle their first day. I loved it because every chore as done, rooms were clean, nobody asked to watch t.v., piano was practiced and everyone was looking cute and groomed by 7:30! What mom wouldn't be happy with that?

I also love the first day of school photo. It was raining so we didn't pose in front of the rocks like we usually do.

You can't tell in the picture, but Katherine's braces match her shirt (blue and green bands) and her nails are painted green. Everything Elliot bought has something to do with soccer and Emilia is as usual just stinkin' cute.

The report from the day was positive. Everyone has friends to hang out with and most teachers are liked ( in 8th grade it's hard to like all your teachers.)

9 months till summer..... 12 to another first day of school. Lucky me, I don't have to miss my kids because I can check up on them at school.

I am a survivor

Trek: Accomplished. Matthew and I ended up having a great experience on trek. Amazing that our 8 kids were willing to push that handcart like they did. We never had to ask them, they just did it. I think they learned the lesson of hard work and I know one little girl learned that she could do things that she thought were too hard. I truly learned to loved all my kids. They were so very different but came together nicely.

I should chronicle all of the kids but there is one in particular that needs to be described. Garrett was the funniest kid. He adopted this "country boy" persona complete with the look and accent. (He is the boy laying down in the front row)He certainly kept us in stitches. On the last day in camp he decided to catch seagulls. At first they were going to get under a tarp with some bread on top. Then they would jump up when a bird landed. Didn't work so well. They moved on to a lasso with chips in the middle. They spent hours at this little game and never caught anything, but we certainly laughed at him.

I understand why those who have gone on trek before have nothing but positive things to say. I guess when you are put into a situation where you must work hard but are with great people, it becomes unforgettable.

Heaven's Help

Ok, So tomorrow Matthew and I will embark on what may turn out to be a disaster. We are going on Trek. The weather forecast? Nothing but rain, lightning and thunder. Not the best idea for being on the high plains of Wyoming. So, I guess I am just keeping my fingers crossed, saying a little prayer and hoping for Heaven's Help.

Karate test

Elliot began karate 1.5 years ago. He wasted an entire year at a worthless school. Now, he is at a great school with a master that really teaches. Last week he tested for a new belt. We were surprised this week when he skipped a level and earned the orange stripe. (For everyone like me who knows nothing about karate, a stripe is one level above solid color belt) His master said it was the best test of all last week, so I knew we needed it recorded for posterity. I cajoled Elliot into redoing the form in the backyard.

Wow, that is one noisy cricket.

Lessons learned

Last weekend Matthew and I spent an entire day in the middle of nowhere pushing a handcart trying to prepare to be a ma and a pa for trek. Apparently we didn't get enough. Yesterday, after planting 15 bushes in our yard, we headed out in search of treasures hidden in the desert floor. Yep, geode hunting. Of course we took Matthews car, why put the miles on one we actually own. Off we went into the vast Utah dessert. You might think we were alone, but you would be wrong. We learned that anyone with an ATV heads out that way for Memorial weekend, we watched crazy ATVers doing things I never want to see my own children doing. Finally, after 50 miles of dirt road we arrived at the Dugway Geode pits. WHEW! That was a long ride, thank goodness for the miracle of having every ounce of music we own on an ipod. (Miracle #1)


Now, remember we already dug 15+ holes back home? Now we get to dig even bigger holes, in the desert floor. This isn't nice soft Sahara sand, we are talking about anciently packed and hardened sand and clay. This is a lot of work. Elliot and I had a pretty good system. He would loosen up the dirt with a crow bar, then I would shovel out. Emilia sifted through what I shoveled out looking for promising rocks. Katherine busied herself with carving her name into a rock. What can I say, she is a self absorbed teen and wants the universe to know she was there. After two hours, we came up with two small geodes, at least we think they are, we haven't cut them open yet. ( I believe this qualifies as miracle #2)

Remember again, we took Matthew's car even though my car has a higher clearance? Remember also, 50 miles dirt road? When we got back into the car to leave we had a completely flat tire. YIKES! We are out in the middle of nowhere. See picture below.



We are surrounded by those crazy ATVers (many of whom are carrying guns) and there is absolutely no cell coverage. But all is ok, right? We have a spare, we know how to change a tire (0k Matthew knows). Getting back into the car we realize that we are now on the one and only spare, one other tire is now at low pressure and we have fifty miles of rough terrain to traverse. Oh yeah, no food in the car. It is now 6 pm and we haven't had a bite since noon. Emilia is certain we will all die. I even feel like we are in the opening sequences of a slasher movie. But we make it, 50 miles to highway 36. (miracle #3)

Side note: Emilia is able to make herself pee on a tree (miracle #4).



Food in Tooele, safely home, decent movie after for Matthew and I (Seven Pounds).



This morning on the way out to church, Matthew's other tire is flat, and Matthew still managed to make it to Sacrament meeting (miracle #5)



Lessons learned. Digging holes in your own backyard produces treasures enough, no need to go out into the desert.

What does every mother want and need for mother's day? Beer, of course. I laughed hard when Matthew presented me with my 24 pack of Busch beer yesterday. I had actually asked for it. Now, before you all send me links to AA, let me explain. I use beer in a recipe my father gave me for the lawn. My lawn is very thirsty right now and I am too much of a chicken to go out and buy beer. Matthew, however, loved going out on a Friday night and joining the beer buying/partying crowd.

I never thought I would want to drink it, but after a long day of emotional Emilia, defiant Katherine and poutty Elliot, I did hold one in my hand for several long seconds. My biggest reason to not partake? I hear it doesn't taste very good.

I hope you all had a good mother's day. I bet none of you got beer!

Wii Fit

I have been on the look out for the Wii fit board. Finally I found one and picked it up. We have all enjoyed it. I thought, this is great, the kids aren't just sitting on the couch. However, now I have a few misgivings about it. First, my darling little Emilia, who has just started her growth spurt, was way at the top of healthy weight range. She cried for an entire day about almost being overweight. Then, Elliot, asked me if I were in the healthy range, then proceeded to talk about how he needs to eat more at every meal because he is in the underweight range. I have tried to tell them that the program is probably written mostly for adults and the important thing is eating right and moving around. They give the the "whatever" look. What if this fun little toy turns my now healthy children into obsessive, worried unhealthy kids? I can only hope that the newness and excitement of Wii Fit will wear away like DDR and Rockband.

Jen gains point but deer win game

I may have won the battle of the bird food with the deer, but the deer have absolutley won this season. I checked out my tulips this afternoon. Every single tulip has been munched down to a stubby little mass. I can only hope there is enough left for the tulips to make food to keep the bulbs alive for next year. I now have a year (hopefully) to devise a way to win the battle next year.

Happy Dancers (warning: proud mom moment)

Today was one of those days!! Beginning with a fun visit from Grandpa Hafen for a Guest day at school and ending with the picture to the right.

In between I ran my car to the dealership for a leaky sunroof. Ran Emilia to the doctors for a broken finger (she hid her cast in the picture). Re-worked the choreography for the girls duet due to Emilia's lack of tumbling abilities now. Dressed the girls for competition and made it on time.

I was so proud of both girls. They have worked hard with me for the last few months. It was a joy to be able to choreograph something more difficult than bounce, bounce, clap, clap. They are beautiful dancers and even though I know Emilia was hurting, they still took 1st place. (They call it queening in the dancing world, thus the tiara's)

Thanks girls for making this a great experience for me.

Good News

No, I didn't see a dog today. I did, however, manage to find a place for my bird feeder where the deer can't get it. This morning the deer tracks go to the feeder, and I see some marks on the rocks where she tried to get the seed but the seed is untouched. I win, deer lose!