Do you ever just feel like running a half marathon?

Let me tell you a crazy story...About three months ago my sister Jen asked me if I would be interested in running a 1/2 marathon down in Bryce Canyon. I thought about it and thought about the training involved and felt a little overwhelmed, but thought it would be an adventure. Well after checking my calender, I realized that it was during the same weekend that we would be going out of town and so I told her I couldn't do it. Well about two weeks ago our plans changed and I realized that I would be available. But knowing that I had not been training I quickly put the idea out of my head. But last Thursday (2 days before the race) I called my mom and asked her if she would like to go to Utah with me to cheer Jen on in her race, and maybe even run with her. We decided in a matter of one hour to go (that is really unlike Henry decision making...we usually take at least a week to make these kind of decisions) anyway by midnight on Thursday we were in Provo. Can you believe that I left my family out of the blue....and Chad agreed to watch the girls...all in one hours time frame? I am still surprised. Anyway on Friday afternoon, we headed down to Bryce Canyon which is in southern Utah to run a half marathon. I was very nervous because I had not trained, but I decided to do it. Once I decided the nerves really hit me. I couldn't eat (which I thought wasn't good since I was running 13 miles in less than 24 hours) I couldn't sleep, and I had never run more that 3 miles at one time. Well....Saturday morning at 6:00am we started the run and I did it. I really did it. I even surprised myself and ran alot faster than I thought I could. I never stopped, and at 2 hours 7 minutes and 31 seconds I crossed the finish line. It was emotional, exhilarating, and exhausting. The only thing I can compare it too...and don't laugh...but the adrenaline rush that I get after I have a baby...that is kinda how I felt at the end. Maybe it is the so called "runners high" that I always hear about but had never experienced. The next two days were filled with a lot of ibuprofen and sore muscles, but it was all worth it. I have to say thanks to Jen for encouraging me to do this and running with me. The run was in one of the most beautiful canyons, and it was fun to enjoy it with her. My mom and Cory ran the 5K run and they both got second place in their age divisions. They were amazing! Besides the running, I also got to see the Manti temple on our way to Bryce Canyon...it was beautiful, I got to see Bryce Canyon, see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing at Music and the Spoken Word. It was definitely a great break for me away from the kids and I felt totally renewed when I got home on Monday. Chad and the girls had a great time while I was away. Trips to the park, pizza parties, dessert at Applebees, and movie nights. It is so nice that I can leave and not have to worry about if things will be ok at home. Chad never acts like it's a big deal. Well sorry this was so long but it was an amazing trip for me. Here are some pictures of the weekend events. Thank you to Jen and Cory for letting me and mom invade their home at the last minute and drive with them down to the race.

The Manti Temple

Jenn and I coming to the finish line

My mom getting her second place medal after the race.

amazing Bryce canyon

The Mo Tab live...in this picture they are singing The Battle Hymn of the Republic. They actually have won a Grammy for this song. They were singing it for a special group that was attending the spoken word that day. We got to sing with them at the end under the direction of Mac Wilburg. It was pretty amazing.

Grandma's know everything....almost

Today Sarah said to me "mom, are these gold coins real dollars?" I told her they were. She continued to ask about them...were they collector items, could you really use them at the store, and I told her yes, they were just them same as a paper dollar. She told me that while shopping with grandma the other day, grandma said that she had never seen the gold dollar coin before and that maybe she should keep it and save it. So I guess that's where the questions came from, but what she said next was what I loved.

Sarah--well mom, grandma hasn't seen these dollars before, so maybe they aren't real, because there are not many things that grandma doesn't know........Except Lowe's.

Me--Lows??

Sarah--you know Lowe's...like tools and stuff.

So, mom, you are the woman. You know everything...except Lowe's. Maybe you and dad should go there for your date nights, then you will know everything.

A Patriotic FHE

Last night we decided to teach the girls a little bit about why we celebrate the fourth of July. Now attention spans are short, so I don't know how much they will remember, but I want my kids to have a deep love and appreciation for this great country that we are blessed to live in. We talked a little about how the founding fathers of our nation were inspired men. And that they prepared a place for the gospel to be restored to the earth. We talked about showing respect for our flag and the proper way to fold it. They thought that was fun to fold the flag and they all took turns doing that, then we got to the part they might remember the most...the craft! We made our own 4th of July t-shirts. We had a great night. Here are some pictures of us creating our patriotic masterpieces!