Long Time Gone

I've been MIA for far too long so i will be playing catch up for the next little while. Working my way back. I hate that I haven't posted in months and that Instagram has taken over. I love IG but I love even more that I can explain in detail and journal more on my blog. So catch up, here we go...

Today in Primary, Oliver gave a talk. Oliver is always very willing to get up and speak in front of his primary class. I think it's because he loves talking into the microphone...I mean what kid doesn't? We practiced the night before and I helped him with the bigger words. When he got up to speak he did such a great job. I can't believe that he is old enough to read a talk all on his own. Where has the time gone? Here is what he said in his talk... 

"Heavenly Father had His prophets tell the world, from the beginning of time, about the most important birth in the history of the world--the birth of His Son, Jesus Christ. He is the greatest gift that we have ever received because He made it possible for us to return to live back with Heavenly Father. We can give gifts to Jesus by serving one another and showing kindness and love to others just as Jesus did. I know that Jesus Christ will return to the earth again and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen." 

Today was an exceptionally hard day at church. I wasn't going to go because I haven't been feeling good, but I didn't want to miss singing in sacrament with the choir or miss out on Oliver's talk or miss out on the Christmas music being sung in primary. I got up, popped a bunch of pills, took a steaming hot shower and sucked it up. And I'm so glad I did. It was a great Sunday and I know that's where I needed to be. I often joke that if I didn't have the calling hat I do, that I'd stay home so much more, but deep down, I don't feel right when I don't go to church. It's been a while since I have missed a Sunday, in fact, I can't even remember when the last time was that I missed and I'm starting to feel that even if I didn't have my calling, I'd still go. It feeds my soul, it rejuvenates me and overall, makes me want to be a better person. Happy Sunday. 

Ready to Run

 

Remember how in my goals I said that I was hating running? Well I think I am finally turning over that leaf and starting to like it...not love it, not just yet, but I am getting there.

 

Trying to avoid running injuries at all costs so this time around, I am taking it slow and making sure to stretch before and after.

 

And I have the best running partners anyone could ask for. They push me and are really good at sitting there quietly so I can focus on the run.

Getting sweat in my eyes when I really pushed super hard this day.

 

They hardly ever need me but when they do they just knock on the sides on the stroller. Bee figured out that if she does this then she can get my attention and thought that was pretty fun.

 I try to run alone on Saturdays since these are my longer days and since Luke is home to watch the kids. This morning I had only planned on running 4 miles and because I was loving the rain so much and this alone time, I ran an extra 2. It was my best and most fun run yet, but I was sopping wet when I got home.

 

Again, these two being so good. Usually after my run, they are so relaxed that when I put them down for their nap, they go right to sleep. It's a win win for every one.

Getting better, but man, running is hard.

Stretching is always their favorite part. They just love to play with my watch, ear bugs, shoes, glasses and anything else they can get those little hands on.

Recovering from a cold wet run with a Rock Star.

Retreating from the wind and allergies out side and running in the dungeon.

 I was pretty much a sweaty mess. And I loved it.

 

Memorial day run around B town. I ran about 6 miles and ran up Val Verda which I call the Bitch, because man, that hill totally is a bitch.

 It was awesome!

 

Getting better.

 

Since school has been out, running at 9 is nearly impossible. Plus, it's super hot by then to go running with two babies in tow. This particular run was at night, alone and it was so much fun.

 

 And here we are, Ragnar week.
Hoping everything goes well. I've had some great runs and some terrible runs where I just want to throw up and stop, but I think I'm ready. We'll see. I have the easiest legs so I shouldn't have a problem, but you never know what awesome adventures can happen to you at Ragnar.

 

Here's to running and hoping that my like someday turns back into love. I think we're getting really close.
 

Sunny Sunday

SO we usually don't swim on Sunday's and we really weren't planning on it. We walked ovr to our friends house to chat with them like we do a lot in the summer and their dogs pool was out. Milo LOVES the water so of course he B lined right over to the water...and then it turned into a pool party. We let the kids change into their suits and they played out there for quite a while.

 Pool party complete with Creamies and cold water.

Oliver and Milo were loving this. I think it's time to buy them their own little kiddie pool

A Bit of Biking

So, This spring/summer, I wanted to get into something else other than running. I thought that if I did something different along with running, that I might enjoy exercising a bit more.

So I tried biking.

 It started with spinning. After going to a few different classes, I finally found one that I totally fell in love with. The instructor was so awesome and her music was pretty great too. If you know me, you know that music plays a big role in my life and so a work out class with good music was something that just did it for me.

 

And then these crazy ladies introduced me to real riding. Since I didn't have a bike of my own or anything that has to do with biking, I borrowed everything from Luke, and AJ.

Good thing I'm man size.

 

Our first ride we went out and did 20 miles. It was so much fun and I was instantly hooked.

 Second ride. Luke bought me a helmet and I still borrowed his shorts, We did 32 that day and I could feel it. Kim and Amy are awesome.

On this ride we muddies our backsides and we were trying to get a picture of it, but as you can see, there is nothing to see.

 

Still spinning. I look forward to this class every week. I even brought a few friends along. Too bad we can't take a good selfie though.

Amy is pretty hard core. She introduced me to the 4th North climb today and the Blvd. We official named it the filthy fourth. 13 miles later, an incredibly memorable tip over from Amy and helmet hair later, we were done.

 

 

Another ride. 18ish miles and right before Amy's big Century ride at Little Red.

Trending with the socks and sandals.

 

This is where things get official.

My good friend Bob has been looking around for a good bike for me. I trust him because he knows so much about cycling and does it quit a bit himself.

 

He called me one day telling me that he found me the perfect bike for a pretty sweet deal. Of course it was an awesome deal and after driving to Highland and testing out this new beauty, I officially became a new owner of a road bike complete with my own shoes. I was so STOKED!

 So a couple days later, Amy and I went on a test ride. It was perfect!

 

Welcome to the family.

 

 Thank you thank you to AJ for allowing me to use his bike and shoes for weeks and weeks. Bob for helping me find this bike and giving me bike maintenance lessons. Amy and Kim J. for introducing me to such a fun sport and of course, Luke for putting up with my shenanigans and supporting me in my silly dreams.

Melissa and Baby Boy 2

Tonight we got together to celebrate Melissa and her 3rd child. Since showers aren't usually held for people's third child, we thought it would be nice to just have a dinner and book giving "shower". Something simple and yet fun and a way to show how much we love Melissa and her growing family.

 

The food was pretty good but the company was exceptional. We had so much fun laughing and talking and mishearing other peoples comments. It really was such a fun night. We did miss a couple of ladies, but this group was great. Man, I love our neighborhood.

 

Can't wait to see more little kiddos running around the hood. Congrats to the Feils!

Ensign Peak Hike

We wanted to do something fun to kick off the start of summer and the last day that Oliver had school. On a whim, we found another back pack, got some dinner packed and headed to Salt Lake to go on a hike.

 

Our choice was Ensign Peak. It was a short easy hike with a fantastic view, I worried about how much Oliver would enjoy this, but the whole way up he was having such a great time.

 

Rest stop for the boys.

 Reaching that windy top and having dinner.

 

 Goodness, how I love my family.

We wish we could have stayed long enough to see the sun set, but this was pretty amazing enough. I joked that Oliver looked like Smeigle hiding on the trail in this picture.

 

 

Me and Bee

 

 

Love my people.

On the way down, Oliver said that this was the best day he's had because it was the last day of school and because we got to go on a hike as a family. That right there was just what I wanted it to be.

 

Happy summer! 

Kindergarten Graduation

Oliver had his graduation today! It was so much fun to see what they have been working on all year and to see him interact with his classmates.

 

(side note: the girl that he thinks is a cutie is standing to next to him fixing her hat)

 

They put on such a great little program complete with singing and dancing. Luke and I were loving Oliver dancing with his hands in his pockets. We just know that when they actually did this in class that he was a rump shakin and booty bouncing making all his friends laugh. That's just Oliver. Get him in front of an audience of parents and he hold back a little.  

 

 

Receiving his diploma.



 

His teach Miss Wilkinson was so great to him. I just know he is going to miss his classmates and his teacher.

He did it!

 

Congratulations Oliver. We love you so much!

 

Dear Mother, All Flowers, Remind me of You.

I love this day. I love that I get to celebrate all things mother. From those that have bourn children, to those who love and nurture them.

 

I know this day is sensitive to many around me. I have been a recipient of the sensitivity to this day when it took years to get Oliver here and even more years to get Briony and Milo here. I know what it's like to feel the pain on this day, but I am so blessed to also know the beauty of it. In sacrament meeting, there was a talk given about Mothers day and I was so touched by it and the way this brother had made sure to include all the women in the congregation. He included a quote that I loved. He said "Some women give birth and raise children but never “mother” them. Others, whom I love with all my heart, “mother” all their lives but have never given birth."

 -Patricia T. Holland: Becoming Women of Greater Faith in Christ

 

Below I have a picture of me with my mom on my birth day. Isn't my mom so beautiful. And then two of the most incredible moments of my life, The birth of my own children.

Oliver has always been such a great kid And I love that he is my first born. His gift to me was this card that he made at school with his teacher. He was right on with most of his answers.

 

 At church we got some M&M's from the Young men, temple bracelets from the Young Women (not shown) and thump print necklaces from the primary. Luke surprised me with a couple of Hasta plants that I have been wanting. It was perfect.

 

That night we stayed home and had bacon wrapped hot dogs over the fire and some of our favorite neighbors joined us and brought delicious chocolate cake. This was also so perfect and so low key. Just what I wanted.

 

I am so grateful that I was able to have children after all. It took a lot of work and faith and prayers and I am so thankful that I that I was given this role and responsibility of being their mom. 



 

"Life, every life, every heart beat began with a mom.

Who willingly accepted a divine roll, a thankless job, a sticky, sleepless, soul stretching career

for 9 months 90 months 90 years?

She taught us right from wrong, left from right, baking soda from baking powder.

She slept little and worried much.

She laughed, lathered, rinsed and repeated...and repeated

Who taught us to love God, to love others, to love ourselves?

Who prayed with us, who prayed for us, who read to us, who taught us what the words meant?

It was Mom.

Who's the champion, the cheerleader, the chief inspiring officer? Who was the queen of bedtime, dinner time, holidays, holy days, early mornings, late nights, music lessons, life lessons and everything we cling to with all our hearts?

it was

it is 

and will forever be, Mom."

 

-It was Mom: A Mothers Day Tribute to Moms. LDS.org

Funny Oliver

This kid. He is the funniest kid I know. I always am saying how Milo is the sweetest and Briony is the cutest and one day Oliver asked me what he was and so I told him that he was the funniest. He seemed to be pleased with that answer.

 

Here are just a few Oliver-isms that have happened lately.

 

-While we were all hanging out in the living room, out of nowhere Oliver says "I had Diarrhea this morning {pause} there was a pyramid of poop." 2/14/15

 

-After hearing Taylor Swifts popular song, Blank Space, on the radio Oliver asked "Mom, is it true that boys only want love?" 2/27/15

 

-One night when we were struggling to get Oliver to read he sat on his bed pouting and said "I hate my life." We had a little talk about how that hurt my feelings and how he shouldn't say things that aren't true because he's mad. He started to tear up and them told me he felt bad for saying that.

 

-My farts smell like old tomatoes 2/4/15

 

-He has a Lego calendar in his room and the picture for May shows a few Lego people playing in a rock band and another Lego guy dressed up for Cinco De Mayo. A few days after he turned the page to may he asked "Can Mexican people who like tacos be in a band?" It took me a minute to figure out why he was asking this, and then I remembered the calendar.

 

-"It was kind of terrible at school today because an army of girls was trying to kill me...but it was kind of fun." 5/12/15

 

 

All things Milo

This boy has been my busiest boy. He is the sweetest but holy smokes he is so curious.

 

He loves to climb up onto the couch all by himself. He's pretty proud of himself.

Sometimes when he's made it, he likes to relax just like this. 

 If he could have his way, he would nap with a binkie every time, but we quickly caught on and put a stop to that. He no longer has access to them.

 He loves to play. Like I mentioned, he is so curious so playing with toys is a favorite...especially toys that aren't really toys.

He loves the squirt bottle.

 He loves to explore.

 A new found favorite is playing with dirt. I don't know if these plants will survive hurricane Milo.

 

 He is mostly happy all the time

He really likes to tease Briony. I think it's his way of trying to play with her and showing her that he loves her.

 

Even though at times she may not show it.

 He is so proud of himself for standing on his own and taking his first steps. We are proud of you too, Milo.

Love you, Milo Man. You are truly amazing!