running = blogging

I realized yesterday that my lack of running may be contributing to my slow down in blogging. I actually went for my first run since the race (a short one) and remembered why I like to run so much. It's me time ... it's the one time I feel like I'm all by myself and can think! It occurred to me that while running I would often think about what to write about on my blog.

Here's a photo of the kids with their buddies, Brodie and Kinsey, from when we went camping in Tuolumne Meadows last summer. Every year we go up to the top of Pothole Dome (a granite hill) one evening while we're there. They've taken photos in front or on top of this boulder every year since Karis was a baby!

so much to be thankful for

I do have so much to be thankful for! When I start to feel bummed because I can't afford to buy something, I need to remember I am one of the wealthy of the world! We have 2 cars, we own property in this expensive city, we NEVER worry about whether we'll have food on the table and we have choices as to what we want to eat, we have more clothing than we need just so we can wear a different outfit every day. For much of the world, these things are far from reality. I am so thankful for how God has provided for us. Also, I am thankful for a healthy, wonderful family and such incredible friends in my life! (You guys are a blessing to me.)
Karis' Kindergarten class had a Thanksgiving feast this week. It was great to have so many of the parents together with the class. The food was yummy! I have to admit my favorite thing was the tamales one mom had brought! (not the Turkey and stuffing) Happy Thanksgiving!

a case of blogger's block and a bad knee

Yes, I'm still alive. I haven't posted in awhile ... I guess I've had a blogger's case of writer's block. I just haven't felt like there's been much to write about. (Not that there really ever has been! :) And I haven't been taking any photos to share.
My last 2 weeks have been spent nursing my poor leg. After the race 2 weeks ago, I didn't run until the next Saturday. But when I did, I had to stop running after a few blocks ... I think I reinjured my leg ... bummer! After the advice of friend, Alison M.(who is a PT), I haven't been trying to run or doing my cycling class ... and I've taken up swimming again. I like swimming, but it's boring compared to running and spinning. (I need some music!) I'm very anxious to get out on a run again! It's funny ... I was in the best running shape that I ever have been in ... but now I will have to build it all back up again once I can get out there!

I don't have any photos to share from the last two weeks, but here's a photo of my family, including my mom and my brother, Scott (taken at our family reunion this past summer).

i did it!

13.1 miles! woohoo!
and I did it a little faster than I had anticipated ... 2:03.
I almost died when my iPod froze at 2.5 miles! It took about a mile and several tries to reset it. For me, the music is very motivating. I think my time would have been much slower had I not got my iPod working.
From about mile 6 - 9 were the most mentally challenging ... it's a long, straight stretch along the beach. But the last 2 miles were the most physically challenging! Right when I crossed the 12-mile marker, I got a tight cramp in my calf. I was planning to try to kick it up a notch for the last mile, but ended up hobble/jogging my way in. (I almost had to walk it in, but chose to push through the pain ... not something I'm usually very good at doing!)
Thank you to the Huggins family, the Bower family, and Tammy Johnsen for coming to cheer me on at the end! And thank you to my family (Gammy included) for cheering me on in several places along the way.
Congratulations to Steve Greig, Scott Johnson, Cheryl Hess, Jana McKee, Ramon Gupta, and Tony Davis for running!
Thank you to both Megan Robertson and Cathi Speake for both watching Daniel in the last few weeks so I could get some midweek, non-treadmill runs in! Thank you to so many of you for your encouragement!

what are the producers of lost thinking?!

Okay how many of you fellow Lost fans noticed that on the previews for next week's show, they said that it would be the "Fall Season Finale" ... and noticed the advertisements for a new show starting in 2 weeks at 9:00 on Wednesdays? Now, is anyone else thinking, "Didn't they just start this season?!?!?!" Last night was only the 5th episode! I'm starting to think that I'd like to be an actor on Lost ... fame, a good paycheck, work in beautiful Hawaii ... and very little work to do because the season is soooooo short. I'm frustrated that they've opened up so many new questions and given so little in the way of answers ... And now how long do we have to wait? I wouldn't be surprised if the next new episode isn't till the middle of March! (And I don't think they can blame the break on someones maternity leave! I sure hope that when they do wrap everything up that they do a better job than they did with Alias!)

Spoiler - stop reading if you didn't watch last night.
On another note, I'm very sad to see one of my favorite characters go! I will miss Mr. Eko. Anyone else going to miss him?

my fairy princess & my little dragon

We had lots of Halloween fun! The kids of course were very excited to go Trick-or-Treating. A few days before Halloween we went to a Pumpkin Carving Party at Jim & Jennifer Mosley's house. Below is a photo of the kids prepping their pumpkin to be carved ... with Stacia Greig's help (I'm bummed that I didn't frame her head into the photo!).