30 Miles

As many of you know, I started to dabble in running about 5 months ago. Sometime at the end of June I decided to set a goal thru my Nikeplus account to run 30 miles in 4 weeks. Now I know that for most runners this is not a very challenging goal, but I thought I should start out with something I could actually complete. Turns out I didn't do it the first time. Mostly because I took a whole week off when Steve was in Italy! So At the beginning of August I decided to try again. I am excited to say that I just finished today, a day early. Yippee. Now if I could just figure out how to make each mile equal a pound of weight loss... if wishes were fishes. Here is my little goal meter that I finally filled up today.  

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It's official Almost

So this post begins in February when Steven found out that BYU was going to be hiring someone for this fall. As you can guess, since it started that long ago the story is long and involved. Some of you have heard every detail and are probably sick of the on going saga, and others have been lucky enough to have escaped it. I will recap shortly as I have an extra child today and still need to figure out a game plan to keep everyone entertained. Steve applied for the job, we waited. We got a call that was hopeful but only led to more waiting. We waited some more then we got the final call on the 14th of August. Since we have had so much time to think about this decision and all the different ups and downs of everything, one might think that we had our answer ready once they actually offered us the job. But is life ever that clear and simple? No. So we did make a decision that on the surface seemed like a no brainer, but as we pealed everything back and looked at it, wasn't so simple. We love Nashville. We love the people, city, co-workers, even the climate (I know, I never thought humidity would be a good thing for me but apparently it's not so bad after all). Lest this become the long explanation that I was trying to avoid I will spit it out. We are officially moving to Utah and Steve begins work on the 13th of October. We are very excited and very sad at the same time. Of course since this has gone the way it has, when Steve tried to fax in the official acceptance letter yesterday, their fax machine wasn't working. So as I say, "It's official, almost!"

Natchez Trace

Well this week has been interesting. The girls and I all have HFMD. You can read up on it by going here. It is ironic. First off, adults don't usually suffer from it, and we have already had it about 3 years ago. Anyway, it's not horrible, but it is very contagious. So we have tried to stay away from others. Yesterday we decided to go on a picnic though, because we couldn't really stand to stay inside anymore. We went out to the Natchez Trace Parkway. It goes 444 miles and is a very beautiful scenic highway. We went to Songbird Hollow and that's where we enjoyed a gourmet lunch of sandwiches, crackers, grapes, granola bars, and cookies. Then we went out onto the bridge to see how far we could see. I was amazed. It's the farthest I have been able to see in one direction since we moved here, maybe even since we left the west. There are so many hills here and they are all covered with trees, so you never get to really see very far. So it was a lot of fun and well worth it. Here are some pics.

Oh My

This is who I feel like right now. Up until about two seconds ago, there were terrible cries, and howling from the girls room about wanting daddy and not liking mommy. In my defense, if I have any, I spent half of the day yesterday in bed with a fever of 101.6! Today I am feeling better, but not all the way. I have a sore throat, and I am still quite tired. I put a movie on for the kids, (Ironically it happened to be 101 Dalmatians. Which is why I have her on the brain.) then took a shower. I told them I was going to lay down and rest while they finished watching. I gave them a snack and left them happily enjoying their new cinema experience. Toward the end, of my in and out nap I could hear them jumping on the couch. I asked them to stop it at least 3 times from my room. We have a futon and they love to climb on the back of the mattress and jump onto the part where you actually sit. This makes the couch slouchy, and ruins it even more than it already is. We have told them repeatedly not to do it. They were even banned from the couch for a week once. Well I got up and was very calm. I asked them to go and make their beds. They did. Juliana was done first and I asked her to start picking up the dress up things in her room. She immediately started complaining in a rather large voice that she hadn't made the mess. Keep in mind that she is wearing a dress from the dress up box, and earlier had been decked out with crown, jewels and gloves. I didn't point all this out I just asked her to do it again. She recommenced the yelling. Meanwhile, Kathryn had found the last 3 toys that were still in the right place and was playing with them in the dining room. I admit that I lost it and lost it good. Whenever this happens they always cry for their father. I now it's normal, it still bugs me. I'm human, what can I say? So what do you do when your fuse is short, and your buttons are being pushed? Besides counting, because while that does work most of the time, in a situation like this it just doesn't come to mind. Now I can't get the Cruella Deville song out of my head, "If she doesn't scare you no other thing will." 

Simple Things

I was reminded on Sunday that it is often the simple things that brings pleasure and amusement in life. Last week we got a big box of stuff from a Pampered Chef party that I hosted. After distributing everything we were left with a large empty box. Now, when the girls were about 1-2 years old, they loved boxes. I believed that the magic of a box was long gone, but I was wrong. On sunday morning we woke up to the sounds of them taking turns getting in the box, shutting it, and then the other one "decorating" the top. Then after Breakfast they resumed their activities, but just sitting in the box. I realized I hadn't heard a peep for several minutes only to find them happily and silently sitting in the box. So I gave them some books and they lasted quite a while. I think it was a least 30 minutes if not longer. Proof once again that it's usually the simplest of things that amuse. 

Overheard

This morning, I happened to overhear something Juliana said to Kathryn. They were playing in their room and Kathryn was singing. Juliana said, "Kathryn you should be on American Idol." That's all I heard, but it was very cute. She was so sincere. They are a couple of little divas I suppose!

Words to live by

So the girls sometimes say the funniest things. This morning Kathryn happened to mention that while she was playing with the other kids at volley ball one of the moms asked her to share and she said no. I gave her a look and then she thought she might try to change her story. Fast forward through a conversation about how they are bigger and they need to share blah blah blah. Then Kathryn says "We aren't big enough yet." My reply, "Yes you are!" Then Juliana adds her two cents with this gem, "Mom we are medium and you are way bigger than us." I know what she meant, but still the reality is that I am way bigger than them. It was just funny and I had to chuckle. Now for the next phrase that has been making me laugh lately. When they get really hot the say, "I sweat." I have tried to teach them that the correct way is to say I'm sweating but it just hasn't sunk in. I think Juliana was the first one to actually use the phrase. Usually she just says, "Mama I sweat." I am not sure why, but it is really funny. I think probably it sounds funnier in real life than it does in print though.

Hairdo

Earlier this week, we were getting ready to go out and run some errands. I asked Kathryn how she wanted her hair and she said piggytail braids. So I got started. When I had both pigtails in and one braided, Kathryn decided she wanted to leave them like they were, one braided and one not. At first I was going to say no, then I thought why not? I said are you sure, and she said yes. I was twirling her unbraided pigtail and that gave her another idea. So in the end this is the hairdo that came out. Of course, Juliana wanted the same one! Kathryn is on the left and Juliana on the right.

4th of July Pictures

Happy 4th of July

We had a great holiday here in Nashville. We started with playing volleyball at the church with a lot of friends. Then we had lunch and swimming. To finish it off we went to a BBQ with tons of food and even more good company. For all the fun, I only remembered to take the camera with us to the BBQ. So that's the part you will actually get to see. I hope you all had a great holiday and were able to reflect on the wonderful blessings that we have here in America. So I just tried to upload some pictures and I think blogger is having some issues. I will have to try again tomorrow. TTFN

A little of this and that

Well since the cookie incident, we haven't been up to much. Just keeping cool, and waiting for the verdict of how our life will play out. We're busy of course, swimming, keeping 2 five year old girls occupied. I think this must be what really prepares a mother to let her children go off to school. A few months ago, I really didn't know how I was going to do it. Now, we are all ready. Anyway I thought I would just share some everyday pics. The other night Steve wanted to make thin crust pizza. We always make our own pizza and it sounded good to me. I took care of the crust and Steve made some amazing grilled chicken to go on top. So the picture is take by one of the girls of us and our creation. It's a BBQ chicken pizza with mozzarella and gouda! YUM! It was very good. The girls had cheese pizza because they haven't grown into their taste buds yet. Then last night we had cucumbers on our salad and we got the girls to put them on their eyes. They were very hesitant, but thought it was really fun once they tried it. Kathryn is the one minus a shirt, I don't know why children can't stay dressed during the day. Enjoy

Marshmallows

I guess somehow I should have known how this day was going to go when the first thing I heard this morning was two 5 year olds fighting over space on the couch. With each passing day, we are all getting more ready for school. Don't get me wrong, I will miss them, but they are ready for something more. Also, a little warning, this is a long one, so you may want to settle in and enjoy, or come back when you have more time. Anyway on with the story...

First a brief discussion about my kitchen. Since most of my readers have never actually been in my kitchen, I will take a moment to describe it so you can get the full feel of the story towards the end. Galley is the first word. Much like kitchens in Europe long and skinny. Not quite as long or as skinny, but you get the idea. There is only one entrance and one little window that doesn't open and looks out at our neighbors door. I am not complaining about the window because our last kitchen didn't have one, but it was much bigger and therefore redeemed of this failing. Keep in mind, that it has been in the mid nineties lately, and we live on the top floor of a fairly poor insulated building.

So I already told you how my day began, and really it hasn't been all that bad. I was able to clean my bathrooms, that were so dirty I could almost hear them calling me at night in my sleep, the girls got a bath that was overdo, and some of the floor saw the underside of the vacuum. Since I decided to clean, I didn't shower because that defeats the purpose. Then the girls were getting a little restless so instead of facing the shower and other tasks that I needed to do, I painted their toe nails. It was fun mommy daughter time, and I knew in the end it would actually make my day more productive. Then it was lunch time. That is when I had the brilliant idea.

It's Friday afternoon, we're all slightly bored, and it's too hot outside to do anything but swim and the afore mentioned bath took that off the list. So what would come to my mind but cookies. The girls have fun, I get a little sugar to stave off the cravings that plague me, and Steve has a nice treat when he gets home. Huge plus for everyone. Besides a few days ago Juliana had a brilliant idea to make marshmallow cookies, so I picked some up when we did our shopping this month. We dug in. I have to say that there was this little nag in the back of my mind that something about this wasn't going to work, but I shoved it aside and plowed ahead. Dough is prepared, the first batch goes in the oven. Following is the result.

Not very pretty, you should have seen me trying to get them off the pan. The marshmallows practically disintegrated causing the cookies to fall apart, and stick so bad to the pan, I had to pry them off. The pan is still on the oven waiting for someone else to clean it up.  So I knew we couldn't proceed and expect good results. What was the logical thing to do? I don't know what you chose, but my brain immediately chooses to pick all the marshmallows out of the rest of the dough so that not all of it will be a waste. I proceed. So picture me in my galley kitchen with the girls standing on stools just waiting for the marshmallows, with a 350 degree oven less than 2 feet behind me. At first it really wasn't that bad, but I soon wondered just how many marshmallow I poured in, and how much longer it was going to take. Good thing I still haven't showered, because I would have had to do it again. Anyway here is a picture of most of the marshmallows that were recovered.

In case you are wondering it really isn't that easy to find marshmallows in cookie dough, chocolate chips are a sinch comparatively. So that is what I spent most of my afternoon doing, and now I have no desire to look at the kitchen let alone make dinner. Maybe this feeling will wear off before dinner needs to happen, although I kinda doubt it. Now I know you are all on the edge of your seat wondering if the marshmallows really were the problem. Here is the after shot and you decide. Thanks for listening.

The Cake

This year the girls wanted a princess cake. It was a lot of fun to make, minus the stressful moments when I wanted to curse! Steve stuck with me and didn't run away even when I went into my very horrible self hating mode. In the end it turned out pretty good considering this was our first ever experience with fondant. Steve made the fondant for me because I had to pick up the kids from a birthday party. He was also the genius behind the train that looks so fantastic. Between us, I think we make a pretty good team.

Birthday Celebrations

Yesterday we had a party for the girls and the park with some friends. We actually combined it with another little boy in our ward whose birthday is the day after the girls. It was a bit chaotic, but very fun. Here are some pictures. They are all pretty self explanatory so I won't provide commentary. I will say that Kathryn has the white shirt and Juliana is in Pink. 

To and Fro

This day! I tell you, it's not going as I planned. Perhaps my plan wasn't very well thought out, and that is why I am having problems. It's actually the girls birthday. We are having a party on Saturday, so pictures will follow. This morning I needed to get a few things so I headed out with the girls and a friend that we are watching. We got everything done in record time and came home. Then I realized I had forgotten two things that I needed at one of the stores we had already been to. I thought, no big deal, we'll go real quick after lunch.  So we did just that and everything went smooth. We got home, the kids are enjoying a fun dip and I start to make cup cakes for today. This is when I realize that I don't have any eggs. The water and oil are already in the cake batter so there is nothing to do but get eggs. I check with the one neighbor that I know, and she is not home. So we load in the car one more time, and go back yet again to one of the stores that we had already been to. So in all the to and fro, not much else has been done. Finally the cupcakes are almost  done, and the kids are watching a movie, so maybe I will get one or two things done that I wanted to! Anyway here is a picture of the girls on their big day. I can't believe that they are 5. It hardly seems possible. I will post some photos of their party this weekend. 

Tour de Nash

Last Saturday we all participated in Walk Bike Nashville. It's an event to celebrate and encourage places for people to walk and bike in and around Nashville. So the girls and I did a 4 mile walk all around down town Nashville. We actually were sweepers with our good friend Anne Marie and her girls. By sweeping I mean we went last after all the other walkers and made sure no one went the wrong way, or had any trouble. It was a lot of fun. I pushed the girls in their stroller and some of the hills seemed to last a very LONG time! We got to see a lot of down town that we haven't before and it was well worth it. Steven rode in the 50 mile bike tour with one of his young men who was finishing his cycling merit badge. It was a perfect day with sun and a nice breeze. Here are some pictures of the event. The only bad thing was that we forgot sunscreen and we ended up being outside a lot longer than we anticipated so Steve and I had some red faces and arms.

We are all waiting to get started.

The beautiful Cumberland River

Juliana and Kathryn waiting for Dad to get done.

Nieces and Nephews

So here are the promised photos. I had so much fun catching up with these little ones. Hopefully one day we won't be so far away. 

Grandma, Olivia and KJ

Stacia, who could say no to that face!

Josh, Olivia, Kaylee, KJ

(left to right)

We had cake at Grandma's house for Mother's Day

The day I left, we went to get a snow cap. KJ and Josh had blue and yellow flavor.

I'm Back

I know, you were beginning to think that I was dead! But We are alive. It's been really busy and I went home for Mother's Day weekend. All by myself. My wonderful husband took work off and took care of the girls, and I had a get away that was very fun. It included a lot of visiting, catching up and laughing. Most of my sisters were able to come to my moms and we all had a sleep over. I got to catch up with some of my friends from high school which was also a lot of fun. The only thing that wasn't great is my head cold that won't seem to leave. Well here are a few pics. I am going to try and do better now. Although I can't promise anything because there is a lot I have to do in the next little while for church. So until next time, enjoy!

Amy R. Me Laura D. Kristen B.

I know it's hard to believe that Sabrina was able to get us to paint, but she did, and I have to say that we all did an amazing considering it was our first venture.

Marie and Susan settling in for the night.

The best part of our time was actually at an ice cream place called the Blue Bunny. I forgot my camera and as fate would have it, the other camera we had didn't have working batteries! So I guess getting pictures wasn't meant to be. However if you are related to anyone who was in attendance you should ask them about the spoon dance, our waiter who wanted to give Marie break dancing lessons, and just how much ice cream we actually were able to consume! I will try and post some more latter with pics of the nieces and nephews. I am now their favorite aunt and they can't wait for me to come back! Hee Hee.

We're cracking something

So we were just eating dinner. Kathryn said she was cold and Steve responded by saying, "I'm Steve." He does this often and any of you who hang out with us will vouch for this. He thinks it's a funny joke. After 6 years, I have to say that I am getting a bit tired of it. That is another blog though. So Juliana said, "Dad, you drive me nuts." Then she and Kathryn were saying it, and explaining that they learned it from me.(I know not something to be proud of, but it adds to the story.) So somewhere along the way, this phrase turned into, "You crack my nuts." I know it's another one that shouldn't be funny, but it is. They mixed up 'drive me nuts' with 'crack me up'. So here is Kathryn saying, "Dad, you crack my nuts." Then she said, "Mom, do you crack nuts?" To which I replied, "I don't crack nuts." Then Kathryn said, "Why do girls like nuts?" I don't really know what she meant, but again it was funny. So I just said, "Well everyone likes nuts. Daddy likes nut and so do you. Like peanuts, and cashews." This finally took the conversation in another direction and it was over. The conversations that you have with children are priceless. It will be a dialogue that I will never participate in again. I guess these conversations make up for the ones that are the same every day. Like, "Can I have a treat?" "No, it's almost dinner time." or "I don't like this food." (This is actually one that I did hear this evening. Maybe my cooking skills need to be stepped up a notch.) Gratefully every now and then, they come up with things that are funny and refreshing, even if they are a bit off color. Since they have no idea, it makes it entertaining without being vulgar. So I hope you enjoy another glimpse into our normal, and sometimes exciting life. Here is a link that will make you all chuckle. It's more about children's eating habits than about what they say, but you will relate none the less. Enjoy!
http://www.feministmormonhousewives.org/?p=1742

A little note

It has come to my attention that if you are viewing my blog using Explorer, it might not be working right. The text does have a background behind it that makes it easy to read. So if you are seeing the pink background behind everything, then try using a different browser. I don't know why, but I do know that Explorer is a little lame that way. Have a nice day.