I'm Sticking To My Task...

I have decided that I need more motivation to stay in shape during my pregnancy. It is hard to have the desire to run knowing that it is inevitable that I will be gaining weight and that I never did get to my goal weight after this last pregnancy. So...Here are 3 5K/10K's I'm looking at running. I would love someone to run with.

• Midnight Moon Run: August 15th @ 12AM. Alta Park Canyon-$12 Reg. fee
• Run in the Sun: August 9th @ 7:30. Midvale City Park-$15 reg. fee
• Sept. 13 @ 9AM. 5K/10K (Hopefully I can do the 10K). 1 mile up Provo Canyon. $3 breakfast for non-runners or family members. $15/$20 reg. fee
  

I have only been able to run 3 times this week and only about 2-2.5 miles each time. It is so hard to keep Maya occupied in the jogging stroller. She wiggles her way out at about mile 1. I have tried treats, drinks, toys, etc. I think I need to put a DVD player somewhere in there. Maybe I'll try to go right as she wakes up or I'll wake her up 20 min. early so she is still groggy. Any other ideas? It is hard enough to make it out the door to run, but with her not cooperating it's not even worth it. How will I ever do this with THREE kids? I have no idea!

Anyway, let me know if any of those races sound run to you. Or, not fun (because they don't sound "fun" to me) but if they sound like something you'd want to do. Or if you know of any other 5 or 10K's going on, I'd love to know. Well, here's to stayin' in shape...

Pregnancy Kicks My Butt

I am always so jealous when I see women who have flawless pregnancies. Meaning, they look beautiful, have gorgeous skin, don't get sick, have increased energy, and they don't gain weight anywhere but the belly. I pretty much hate those women. Right now anyway.

I feel sick. All. of. the. time. One thing I will say is that this has been my best pregnancy so far, but that's not saying much. I don't throw up, I am just extremely nauseous all day to the point of wanting to make myself throw up. Because of this, I cannot get myself to the gym. I want to. Really, I do. I just feel too sick. Or tired. One of the two. I really want to be one of those women I hate right now.

Does venting get rid of nausea because I feel a lot better right now...

Bear Lake

Ah, good ol' Bear Lake! We had such a great time. How could we not? We stayed in the Sweet Water Condos, which is so awesome. They have a huge grassy area for playing sports. We played games every night: Baseball, kickball, frisbee, etc. They also have a pool, a park, and a craft area for the kids.

The kids (especially mine) loved the jet skis and the banana. (that's what they called it, anyway) I didn't grow up doing this kind of stuff, meaning boating or anything adventurous, so it's kind of out of my comfort zone, but I decided when we have money, we will have to get a boat. It's so much fun!

Maya stayed on the water weenie while they pulled the boat out. She loved it!

The water was warmer than usual for the 4th, and I was lovin' that. The kids played in the water all day. They were having a great time. Unfortunately, this is the weekend that I started suspecting I might be pregnant, so I wasn't exactly feeling like myself. It was so nice to relax, though.

The diving board at the pool was a hit with the younger kids and, um...Eric. He couldn't stay off of the thing. On one of his cool jumps, he hit the board wrong and we thought for sure he'd broken his foot. Not good, considering he was starting the academy that Monday. He went to the Doctor and was told to stay off of his foot for a couple of days because he'd torn some tissue. After taking the doctors note to the academy, they basically told him that he needed to work through it and to get the doctor to release him from resting his foot. (does that make sense?) The academy doesn't mess around!

Here's just some random pics. of the kids.

Can't wait for Bear Lake 2009!

Good News!...and a little bad.

A few weeks ago, I realized that I wasn't feeling like myself. I was VERY tired and sluggish. I was starting to get nauseous when I'd run. So, I decided maybe I'd better find out what was going on. And now, we are happy to announce:

WE'RE EXPECTING BABY #3!!

We are very excited, and very surprised! This is a little unexpected, but it's always fun to have some surprises in life, right?

I've been really nauseous and dizzy, which has been hard going on Trek and Girl's Camp the last two weeks. Luckily, I have great friends and leaders that take care of me and worry about me.

I found out right after my Grandma passed away and I can't help but think that she had a hand in this. I can just picture her saying, "What are they waiting for? Send this next child down there!"

The one downside to this pregnancy is that I won't be running the half marathon. I am totally bummed. My 10K fell through because I was asked to go on Trek and now my half marathon dream will have to wait. I guess it's just not my time. I can say that I've run 12 miles, though, and that is a huge accomplishment. I plan on running as long as I can during my pregnancy to keep myself in shape.

So, now if you see me book it to the bathroom or wonder why I'm wearing those "sea bands"--you'll know!

The Best Thing

Earlier this week Hayden and I were waiting for Eric to get home from work. I asked him what was the best thing that happened to him that day.

He said, "Mom, the best thing is that you are always here when I need you. If I have a problem or if I get hurt, I can always find you to help me."

This was very sweet to me that the highlight of his day is knowing that I am here anytime that he needs me. Anyone that says being a stay at home mom isn't worth it is wrong. How could I ever substitute that security my child has knowing that no matter what I am always here to take care of them. At such a young age, it is already evident to Hayden that the most important thing I do with my day is care for his needs, no matter how small.

Maya is Two!

I've got some catching up to do on my blogging!

Here's what we did to celebrate Maya's birthday. We decided to go to McDonald's for dinner and to let the kids play in the playland and have cake and ice cream. Here's my attempt at the Yo Gabba Gabba cupcakes--

Hayden enjoying the food as quickly as possible so he could go play.

Eric and Hayden

Here's Maya getting ready to blow out the candles. Notice that Eric has to hold her hand or else she would grab it and stuff it in her face. That's our Maya.

And we finally did let her have her way with the cupcake! For some reason(because they're a lot like me!), both of our kids just eat the tops of the cupcake and leave the rest. They really just want the frosting!

I love this picture of Maya opening her baby doll from Grandma Judy. Can she get any more excited?

Cousin Jaxson and Maya. Jaxson is a total ham for the camera. I guess that's what happens when your mom is a photographer!

Uncle Ryan and Matt--"They're Lovin' It!"

Hayden and his best friend and cousin, Trey. Notice how Trey has a great smile and Hayden is concentrating really hard on winking for the camera. Very slick!

We had a great time! I know Maya won't remember a bit about this party, but it's so important to me that I make their birthdays special. I really think she did feel special. After I made the cupcakes, I called her in the kitchen to come and see. She got so excited and was naming all the characters. It was worth the extra effort.

Great things to come for Maya! Potty training starts Monday!!

My Hero

(Someday I need to get a scanner, but this is the best I can do with pictures for now)

Not many people get to grow up living next door to their grandparents, but I did! They have always been a huge part of my life from as early as I can remember. As some of you know, my dearest, sweet Grandma Margaret passed away this past week. I have struggled because so much of who I am and want to be comes from the inspiration of my Grandmother.

Here are a few memories and tributes to my Hero:

• My Grandma loved vacations and every summer she would take her family and go on long road trips. On the day we (my siblings and I) knew they would be coming home, we would wait outside or sit on the couch looking out the window waiting for their car to drive up the street. Grandma always bought cute little trinkets at every town they stopped at for each of her grandkids. We would all sit around the couch as she would tell us about each gift and where it was from and what she saw in that town. Sometimes she would send us postcards from the different cities. That was always such an important thing to us that she remembered each of us while she was away.

• I had many heart to heart talks with Grandma. One that I will never forget is when I was struggling in high school. I felt inadequate and like my talents weren't up to par. I wasn't chosen for any of the groups or teams that I wanted to be on, and I felt like giving up. She told me that it was not in my nature to give up. She said she pictured me as one of those pioneer women who had lost everything, but still had the courage to get up and tie her bonnet a little tighter and lift her head up and move forward. I have never forgotten that. She saw potential in me and always encouraged and supported me.

• My Grandma was wonderful in the kitchen! A couple of years ago she started a Christmas Candy Bake off for all of her granddaughters. We would make chocolate covered cherries, fudge, homemade mints, etc. It was fun to have that time with her, and also to learn the recipes that have been passed down. We will carry this tradition on, for sure!

• When I was about 15, my Grandparents took me and my sister to Hawaii with them for a week. I think most people would be bored with their Grandparents, but mine were super cool! My Grandma made my Grandpa rent a red convertible for us to drive around in. They took us to the BYU Hawaii campus (because I was interested in going there) and we talked to the Dean and had dinner there. The whole time my grandma would point out the cute guys and tell me who was looking at me. She was so funny! My Grandma loved Hawaii, but hated the water, but after some persuasion from me and Heidi, she got in! I will never forget Grandpa holding her hand the whole time she was in the water. She was so scared! She also let us go Para sailing and snorkeling. Something I will always remember about this trip is her talking to a woman in a store about our religion. She was never afraid to declare what she believed. I loved this trip and it is one of my fondest teenage memories.

• Anytime I am ever asked who my hero is, I always say my Grandma. She has been through more trials and pain than anyone I know. I never heard her complain about what she was going through. The last time I saw her, I knew she was in pain, but she was still making jokes and laughing. She was still my Grandma. I always knew that I could talk to her about any problems I was going through, because chances were, she'd been there and she knew what to do.

• When I was 11 or 12, my grandma talked to me about being a good friend. She said, "Good Friends are like gold, precious and rare; Okay friends are like leaves, found everywhere." I have never known anyone who has met my Grandma and not loved her right off the bat. She was a good friend to everyone and there is not anything she wouldn't do for someone if they were in need.

• She was a great example of service to those in need. She always served others and asked us to help. We would help her and Grandpa make and take dinner to the widows in Farmington every New Year's Day. I will never forget the joy on those lonely women's faces! They were so grateful. My Grandma was a good woman to think of their needs.

I always knew my Grandma had a testimony because of the way she lived her life. She used to have a quote on her refrigerator that said, "Share the gospel everyday, and if necessary, use words." I love her and I will miss her. I am sad that my children will not grow up knowing such an exemplary woman, but hopefully I will be able to carry on her legacy of faith and perseverance. I can totally picture her in heaven; still busy as ever and helping to move the work along!

Thank you for everything that you have taught me, Grandma! Thank you, especially for the heritage that you have left me to try to live up to. I love you!

Here is a copy of her obituary: Margaret Ann Webb Elliott