I want to eat you up.....

Sometimes when I hug my kids, I get a little carried away and tell them that I want to eat them up. That was the case this morning with Gavin. He replied:

"Mom, eat TYLER instead!"

Grandma

My grandma passed away on Saturday, May 15, 2010. I got a phone call on Friday from my mom. She told me that Grandma wasn't doing very well. They took her off all of her medication and gave her some morphine to keep her comfortable. My parents were supposed to come and watch me finish my leg of the race on Saturday morning. I knew exactly where they were going to be, and when I didn't see them, I knew what had happened. Travis and the kids were at my finishing point, and I was so grateful to see their faces. Honestly, my grandma is the main reason I started running in the first place. Running is something that I had always wanted to do, but never dared to try. I'll never forget a conversation I had with her. She told me that she had always wanted to play the piano, but never had the opportunity to learn. She told me to never have regrets in my life. If there was something that I wanted to do, I needed to do it. I ran my first 5K shortly afterwards.

It's interesting. We have known that this day was coming for a long time now. Every Christmas and birthday, we prepared ourselves that this might be the last Christmas or birthday for grandma. This went on for 10 years, maybe more, but somehow, she kept making it to the next year. No matter how prepared you think you are, it's never easy. In fact, this is the saddest I have been in my entire life. My heart is breaking. I know that she is happy and in a better place. I know that she isn't hurting anymore. But I am going to miss her immensely. Travis asked me what I would miss the most. All I could say was "everything." Really. Everything. I miss her fingernails. They were always so perfectly manicured and shiny. I loved to rub them because they felt so smooth. I loved it when she would tickle my arm or my face with them. I miss the ham and cheese omelettes and hot chocolate she used to make us. I miss the warm chocolate pudding with whipping cream. I miss bubble baths and fluffy towels. I miss the Snicker's bars that she would cut into little chunks for me, Ty and Cari to share. I miss faking sick so I could go to her house. She would make us a bed on the couch, surrounded by chairs so we wouldn't fall off, and let us watch Sesame Street all day. I miss baking cookies in the oven downstairs, because it was too hot upstairs. I miss bouncing a ball off of the roof of the garage and swimming in the irrigation water. No one has ever made me feel more loved or important as she did. She always had time for us. When we were there, we had 100% of her attention. There are so many memories and things that remind me of her. The smell of Zest soap, Jergens lotion and crest toothpaste, just to name a few.

My kids loved her as well. I know they won't remember much, but I hope to help them remember what a great lady she was and how much she loved them.

My grandma is my hero. She was such a great example to me. She has taught me many things over my lifetime. I am so grateful for the opportunity that I had to call her my grandma. She makes me want to be a better mom, wife, sister, daughter and friend. I love you grandma. Thank you for all that you have done for me. You will never be forgotten.

Marathon Relay

The long awaited marathon relay was Saturday. I had organized 2 teams.

United 1 - Katherine Steele, Lisa Chandler, Chrissy Heaston, Me and Cathy Moon. We finished in 4:09:37.

United 2 - Lisa Free, Amanda Johansen, Fran Palmer, Darcie Liptrot, and Heather McDaniel finished in 4:17:21.

The run was beautiful and the day couldn't have been more perfect! I finished 5 miles in 41:30 - an average of 8.26 minute miles! That's my personal best and I was very excited and proud of myself.

This is Darcie and I. Just waiting for our turn to run!

There were quite a few friends of mine running the 1/2 or the full, so it was a lot of fun watching them pass and cheering them on. Tyson and Dustin ran the full. Tyson finished in 4:05:33 and Dustin finished in 4:00:52. Way to go boys! I was sure proud of you! Next time, we'll all be running together :)

It was pretty hectic after the race. I felt bad that I couldn't find the whole team for a group picture. But I had a great time running with an awesome bunch of ladies!

Following the race, the kids ran a kids k. I had planned on Tyler and Emily running, but on the morning of the expo, Gavin asked me to put his shoes on and said "Now I can run the marafon with you mommy." How can I say no to that? I signed him up and expected to carry him through the finish line. Nope. He ran the entire time. I couldn't believe it. About 1/2 way through, he mentioned that he was getting tired. I encouraged him to keep running, and that he did. He finished in 10 minutes. Tyler and Emily ran on their own. I was pretty nervous and just hoped that they would wait at the finish line for us to finish. Tyler finished in 7 minutes and 30 seconds, and Emily finished in just over 8 minutes. Pretty incredible if you ask me :) I was one proud momma!

Next up.... the 1/2 marathon in October!

Take Me Out To The Ball Game

Travis' company got a suite for the Bee's game this weekend. We had such a great time :) The kids LOVED the food. They couldn't believe that they could eat as much as their little hearts desired. Corn dogs, chicken strips, hamburgers, hot dogs, popcorn, Cracker Jacks, watermelon, veggies, chips, 7 layer dip..... etc. etc. They had the time of their lives!

Tyler and I had such a great time laughing and taking pictures of ourselves. I don't remember him acting so silly before, and it was fun to see that side of him.

This was taken right before Kate grabbed a handful of popcorn off of the ground and shoved it into her mouth. Ugh.

Emily ate so much watermelon, I'm surprised it didn't make her sick.

Gavin was too busy to stop for a picture. He had a great time running around with the other kids having balloon sword fights.

The weather was perfect for a ball game, and the game was great too. The Bee's were down 2 at the beginning of the ninth. Two runs were scored to tie the game. 2 outs, bases loaded, and batter had a full count. They ended up walking the winning run in, and the Bee's won by one run! Good times!

Happy Birthday Tyler!

It blows me away that Tyler is 10 years old! Time is sure flying fast!

He had his friend's party a couple of days before his birthday. He only wanted to invite 6 of his closest friends and play Minute to Win it games (his favorite game show). They had a blast acting silly, and I was grateful that he wanted a small party. They ate hamburgers, hot dogs, pasta salad, chips, soda and cake and ice cream. I think they had the most fun playing with his new football in the backyard afterward. In fact, they had so much fun, they stayed an extra 2 hours after the party was over. He had a great time, with some great boys :)

Front: Noah, Tyler, Cade, Collin, Preston

Back: Jordan, Emily, Braxton

Ty and Jess took him on his annual birthday shopping/dinner trip the night before his birthday. He chose to eat at Subway, and picked a DS game and a Wii game. What a fun tradition!

Oh, look! He does smile :)

Here's a run-down of the day: Tyler wanted to go to McDonald's for breakfast, and ate TWO sausage sandwiches. He was a little bummed out that he had to go to school, but after school he got to do a few of his favorite things. His friends came and got him and took him to scouts. He was excited to start in a new den. He wanted me to make chinese food for his birthday dinner, so after scouts, we hurried and ate so we could be to his soccer game on time. We somehow squeezed in family and cake and ice cream. It was a crazy busy day, but he had lots of fun.

Emily saved up her money to buy Tyler a book. He is quite a book worm and loves a new book!

I LOVE this picture of the boys. Gavin also picked out a new book for his brother.

He still loves Legos, and had this set put together in no time.

He wanted a baseball cake.... he's quite the baseball player :)

Tyler is such a special kid. He is so smart. He just took third place in the school's spelling bee (without even studying). He is very kind to others and obedient to his parents. He is always willing to help and never gives up.

We love you, Tyler. Thanks for being such a good boy.