*Monday Memos*

*MONDAY MEMOS*

            

 (If pictures are too small, just click to enlarge - if print is too small, you need glasses! ☺)

dear five miler, I really needed to get in seven today, but we were going to have our water turned off all day while they repaired the water lines and so I had to be back by 8:30 or NO shower!  I didn't get out early enough and so just got in five. 

I found TWO pennies on my run today!  As well as two heart rocks!  I even found a hear shaped potato chip!  Wow, heaven was sending down the love today!

 I also found these chickens totally out of where they should have been.  I had to laugh.  I looked for eggs but couldn't see any.  I must have seen over 1000 geese on my run today.  I saw so many different flocks just flying all over.  The photo on the right is hard to see them in, but they were everywhere.

 I was today!

dear mission prep, it's going, but not really fast. I feel kind of paralyzed actually and not really motivated to get to it! The countdown is on.  As of Monday, there are only 51 days. That means by the time this post is published next Monday, there will only be 44 days!  Eeeeek!

dear mckay's last day at work, the lasts are really starting to come fast!  McKay has worked at the clinic since he was 15.  He is a file clerk and has done a great job.  He wanted to quit now so he could focus on graduation and getting ready for his mission.  

They had a going away party for him at work this week.  They gave him a nice card and a cake.  I think he is happy to be done!

dear home sweet home, I love how beautiful my home looks in the spring surrounded by purple flowers!  It's my favorite time of year!  Mmmm....and smells so good too!

dear mr. cat, for some reason the past few days you won't go outside for longer than 15 minutes.  It's so not like you.  You love to be outside ALL day long and most of the night when the weather is nice.  I fear something may have really scared you and so you are staying in for safety reasons. We do have a lot of dangerous animals right in our backyard... racoons, deer, wild turkeys, MOUNTAIN LIONS!  Not sure what it is that has scared you but something has.  Probably just another mean cat! He looks like he has it so rough doesn't he? 

dear 8 miler, I decided to head out towards Honeyville at the last minute.  I have stopped running that route as often as I used to because I know it's a bit more dangerous than just running on normal streets since it is a highway and there isn't a huge running strip on the side.  But sometimes I need a change.  I love to see the peacocks on that route and today they didn't disappoint.  I mean how many people on this planet can just go for a short run and see peacocks?!  How cool is that!  I also knew the change would help pass the miles quicker because I just wasn't in the mood to run that far today.  I am not sure why I couldn't keep my race pace up even though I really tried, but I just was not feeling it.  It frustrated me...a LOT, but I have to relax and trust in the training and know that it will all come together on race day.  I'm starting to feel the nerves already.

dear trip to ogden, I ran into Ogden on Tuesday to do a few errands.  I had to get me some new running shoes since my Hokas have betrayed me.  I feel really bad because I LOVE my Hokas.  They just don't love me.  They have caused me to get Plantar Faciitis and so I have to quit wearing them even though I love how they feel when I run.  There just isn't enough arch support in them.  I will try and see if they will take them back even though I have run in them.  Most running stores are good about taking back shoes if they are causing an injury. 

BYE BYE HOKAS!

I stopped in to visit Mona while I was there.  She was very happy to see me.  We chatted for a while and she is very excited that she gets to come home this week!  I just love this sassy, tells it how it is, Maxine-like woman!  She is a dear friend and I truly do love her.

dear sherri's boston poster, I forgot to add this last week.  Robin made it to wish Sherrie good luck from all of us.  Sherri stopped by today with chocolate and a sweet note (they key thing at the bottom) to show her appreciation for it. I'm glad she had such a great experience at Boston even in the downpour and head winds.  She is an inspiration to me.

dear bryce's 24th birthday!  Holy cow!  I can remember so vividly the day this guy was born.  I had gone to SLC for an ultrasound (we were living in Bountiful) and as soon as they did it they told me I was having this baby TODAY!  They said I had almost zero amniotic fluid left and I had to get to my hospital ASAP.  We later joked that Bryce drank it all because that kid was ALWAYS thirsty! I told them I was delivering in Brigham and they told me to not even stop at home on the way to get my clothes or anything but to go immediately to the hospital.  Well, we did stop home but then rushed to Brigham.  He was born soon after.  Boy #3.  He was the only one I knew the gender of.  And only because of complications.  I remembered when they told me I was having another boy, I cried.  Then I immediately remember thinking how dumb is that?  I love boys!  Boys are great to raise!  Of course, everyone would like at least one of each, but I was really okay with all boys.  And the minute I saw him and held him, I didn't care if he was an alien!  I couldn't have been happier or more in love with my son.  Gender does not matter!  I was SO grateful he was healthy and such a darling baby!  He really was one cute baby!

This boy has tugged at my heart strings for his entire 24 years.  We have had a lot of ups and downs and a lot of great memories.  He has always been my mischievous one, but that is part of his charm.  He has a heart of gold and would give the shirt off of his back to a complete stranger.  He is the most generous person I know and is constantly giving.  I used to joke that he needs to be a millionaire just to survive as a medium class citizen because he gives so much to others.  He also gives his time.  He is living at home now and he ALWAYS is the first one up to do the dishes and he stays until they are all done.  He empties the dishwasher even when it's not his turn.  He does laundry, yard work, cleans the house, and just is constantly trying to help out.  If we even suggest a need around the house or yard, it's done!  He is one of the hardest workers I know and he never stops working!  He is a partner in a business and spends hours on that and then works for Dave's dad and for Dave the rest of the time.  When he does have some free time he loves to camp, fish, hunt, snowboard, play soccer, and do crazy adventurous stuff.  I call him Spidey because he has the most incredible balance and can walk up walls and balance on anything.  And... he is just SO nice.  So tender.  So kind and so sweet to everyone.  He doesn't have a mean bone in his body.  Everyone that meets him, loves him.  His nieces especially love him.  What a great kid!  I am honored to be his mom!

This is what I posted on Facebook:
[̲̅̅H̲̅][̲̅̅A̲̅][̲̅̅P̲̅][̲̅̅P̲̅][̲̅̅Y̲̅].ː̗̤̣̀̈̇ː̖́..ː̗̤̣̀̈̇ː̖́.[̲̅̅B̲̅][̲̅̅I̲̅][̲̅̅R̲̅][̲̅̅T̲̅][̲̅̅H̲̅][̲̅̅D̲̅][̲̅̅A̲̅][̲̅̅Y̲̅].ː̗̀ to my third born son Bryce! What a ride it's been with you!! You have been full of life and adventure since day one and there has never been a dull moment in the past 24 years with you around! You brighten up my life and I am so proud of you and for all you've achieved and for what an incredibly hard worker you are. You have a quiet nature but you also have the kindest heart I know and are always so grateful and appreciative. That mischievous smile of yours will always melt my heart! Picture overload but I LOVE pictures and the stories they tell and the cherished memories they bring to my heart. I love you and I hope you have an amazing day!

dear speedwork, I was on my own this week for speedwork. Jen and Robin couldn't go and so I headed to the high school to do my Yasso's on the track but when I got there it was packed with a bunch of boys playing football for a gym class.  Soooooo.......I was NOT about to go run the track surrounded by that!  I headed to try out the golf course hills since I haven't done them since last year.  They are brutal!  But I figured I would just do four repeats and then head back to track.  I was happily surprised they didn't feel as hard as the last time I did them.  I ended up doing four repeats and then tried to get a good running shot so I could remember what I did in order to blog about it!  Yes, sometimes photos are the only thing that save my memory!   I set up my timer app and when I got home I saw this!

How cool is that?  The coolest part of it all is that I had NO idea those sun rays were even there.  I was going to ask for caption help on Facebook, but I decided I like this one.

Meanwhile back at the track...  when I arrived there were only about four kids out there and so I got going on my Yasso's.  I was not near as fast as the last time.  But before I let myself get discouraged I had to remind myself that I had just done four killer hill repeats and ran three miles. I ended up getting a 3:56 for my record that day and so I was happy with that.  The rest were around 4:00.  When I got home I set a new PR for planking at 3:30 and so I was pretty stoked about that! 

   

From the time I did my first Yasso and my last, there ended up being about 20 kids or more out there.  I was there right during lunch.  There were also five couples who were either on the bleachers, on the field, or hiding behind a huge mat, all making out.  They were totally oblivious to me.  It was interesting to say the least!  But then I felt so sad and so bad because there was this one overweight boy sitting on the bleachers all by himself.  He was just sitting there looking at his phone the whole time.  I could tell he probably didn't have any friends and so he probably goes out there every day so he doesn't have to draw attention to himself that he is alone at lunch.  It truly broke my heart.  I can't even imagine having no friends!  And the sad thing is there are so many kids that don't.  SO many that go through school without a single friend.  It is just so terribly depressing to me.  My heart was breaking for him.  I wished I was his age and I would befriend him or ask him to a dance.  Now, would I have done that when I really was that age?  I don't know, but I don't think so!  I have matured a lot and I am sure there are not a lot of kids his age that go out of their way to be his friend.  But, maybe there are. Some kids these days are so incredible that way.  I hope so.  As I ran the track I prayed for him.  And then when the bell rang, he walked in front of me but he was looking down. I wanted to say something to him and so I asked him if that was the lunch bell.  He said yes and I then asked him if everyone had the same lunch.  He said yes.  I said some more small talk and at least he talked to me.  I now wonder if there was more I could have done.  Deep sigh.... just so heartbreaking.  Some kids have it so bad.
 

I had to keep stretching my calves because of the dang Plantar!

I tried out my new Kinvara's.  I like them!

dear tearing up my street....they are STILL digging holes and tearing everything apart on my road.  THIS was taken in our front yard.  Yikes!  Luckily they put it all back together. 

dear women's conference! Yay!  I was SO looking forward to this for so long!  It finally arrived!  I was really excited for who I was going with.  I went with Julie, Carol, and Dawn.  I love each of these women and I was excited to get to know Carol a bit better.  She is a very quiet and reserved person, but one of the sweetest, most patient, and caring women I know.  I was so happy I invited her and she was able to go!  I hope she had fun!  Julie is always fun to have around and I know she really needed to go and I think she felt like she got out of it what she needed to.  We haven't spent much time together lately and so it was good to catch up some.  She has a heart of gold and is one the purest souls I know.  Then my friend Dawn was so willing to fill in for Brooke who couldn't go at the last minute. Dawn is the kind of person that you know will fit right in no matter who is there.  She is just one of those people that everyone instantly loves.  She is so much fun to be around and I count my blessings each day that I was able to connect with her and we have become such great friends.  I tell people she was my high school friend even though we really weren't friends in high school.  We knew who each other was, but she was a year older and we never were friends.  No one would ever know now though.  Like I said, she is easy to be friends with.  Just the kindest, most thoughtful, positive, uplifting, and FUNNEST person around! 

Then we met up with these hooligans! 

Haha!  Just kidding.  I LOVE these women!  They are all in my ward and they are the ones that invited me to go.  (Oops Jalyn on the far left on bottom isn't in our ward but I love her to pieces!)

One of the main reasons I go! ↑ Serious!  These things are heaven on earth!

I LOVE Women's Conference and it never fails to uplift and inspire me in the exact things I am in need of.  My dear friend Lesa Stevenson was presenting a class on How to make your home a House of the Lord, and so we rushed to the class before hers so we would be sure to get a seat in her class.  Luckily it worked and we did!  I was so excited to see her and talk to her! I haven't seen her for years because she has been in Japan with her husband as he served as a Mission President and then an area authority for seven years!  He is now the Presiding Bishop of the entire church! It was so good to see her.

Her class was just as amazing as she is.  I have known Lesa for over 20 years and she has always been such an example to me. She was the Young Mother of the Year chairperson the year I ran.  She is the one that I worked with and so I got to know her really well during that year and the years following.  I just always wanted to be just like her.  She is so humble and so sweet and has every reason not to be.  She invited me and boys to her home in Providence one year to go swimming.  They have an amazing home with a basketball court inside as well as an entire side home with a pool.  Her husband started ICON Fitness and their home is absolutely incredible!  I witnessed first hand how the other half live, but to know her you would never know she was "the other half". She is just so kind, sweet, and humble.  Truly an amazing woman!

We four had a lot of laughs!

If there is no fun to be found, we will make our own!

It was fun to meet up with the rest of the group for the opening and closing and we had dinner with them Thursday  night before the concert.

The concert was AMAZING!  The Nashville Tribute Band was there as was a group called Gentry and several other groups.  Just. So. Good!  Man I wish I could sing like they do!  My favorite was Dawn Armstrong who is in Meet the Mormons.  She only gave a five minute little speech, but it was powerful and very inspiring!  After the concert we headed to our car and much to our surprise the battery was dead. DEAD!  We stayed late taking photos and so we were practically the only car in the parking lot, but I saw a couple in the next lot and ran and asked if they could give us a jump.

They jumped us!  We had some laughs over that but then it STILL wouldn't hold a charge and they asked if we wanted to take their "spare" car!  I was so shocked they would offer that!  But they did!  We ended up getting it started and headed to our hotel.  We got there so late, that they had left our key in an envelope!  Carol and I stayed out in the hotel parking lot trying to figure out how to get her brake lights to turn off (the culprit of the dead battery!) but even after reading the car manual we were clueless!  We even had a guy that was out there helping us, but to no avail!  She called Troy and he said he was coming down first thing in the morning to trade cars. I told her that was totally unnecessary and we could just keep jumping it, but she said there was no way.  So Troy showed up the next morning.  They are the sweetest couple!  I'm sure Dave would have done the same thing.

We got there early the next day and had another full day of amazing classes!  I would have to do another blog post on all that I learned because it was so much!  I ran into Liz Rose as we were walking to class.  We used to double date in college.  She is now on the Relief Society General Board.  No surprise there!  My all time favorite class of the two days had to be Dawn Armstrong's.  The one that spoke at the concert that was in Meet the Mormons (which I still haven't seen!).  She was a homeless single mom at one time and talked about how she went from that to a happily married mother of seven.  What a story! It was so inspiring and it really helped me at the end when she talked about her son (the one in the photo below) serving a mission.  She said, that was when she gave back.  That just hit me.  I have been thinking of sending McKay out on this mission as such a HUGE SACRIFICE and I haven't even once thought of it as GIVING BACK to the Lord for ALL HE HAS GIVEN ME!  It really shifted my mind set.  I needed to hear that desperately!  I bawled and couldn't stop! She also said referring to sending out a missionary, "Never has there been so much joy amidst a broken heart".  AMEN TO THAT!  I think I am going to have to blog all my notes on her class because I don't want to forget how I felt and what I learned.  Her main message was one of HOPE and FAITH. 

 We went to Carrabba's for dinner on the way home! OH MY! It's my favorite place to eat (next to Spaghetti Factory!) and of course I ordered the Sogna Chocolate Dream Cake for dessert! Mmm.....  TO DIE FOR!  I have decided it's better to NOT get it to go like we did, but to have them bring it out on a plate with the hot fudge dripping from it and then just get a box to pack it up to go after.  Next time!  We also hit the Missionary Mall and I got a few things for McKay! Yay!  I have a start!

What a great two days!  Truly a great time.  I felt like I wasn't really myself because I have been so wrapped up and overwhelmed with the whole mission call with McKay.  I've really struggled with it and with a few other things that have been life changing lately - Dave's calling for one.  But the mission call being SO SOON and SO FAR, has been tough to accept. Hopefully this was the reason why I needed to go so I can be inspired to let go and change my mindset.  I am giving him back to the Lord for two years.  What I find VERY interesting is that we are asked to pay 10% tithing.  We are asked to give back to the Lord 10%.  When you consider a mission is two years and most boys are 18-20 when they leave....it ends up being about 10% of their life to that point.  Technically since he is only 18, I am giving more than 10%, but I also know what that means.  I will be blessed even more for that!  Okay, bring on the blessings!☺ The truth is I am not even expecting blessings even though I know they will come, but if I am doing it for the blessings then I am doing it for the wrong reasons. I am doing it because I am in debt already to Him for all I have been blessed with!  Life is GOOD! 

We got back about 10:00 and Carol was nice enough to come inside and scrape my calves and arches to help with my Plantar Faciitis.  What a kind thing to do!  HAH!  She is a physical therapist.  Can I just say it was one of the most painful things ever?  It felt like I was being cut open on the backs of my legs with sharp knives!  Oh man!  What a suffer fest!  She could hear (as could I) popping sounds as she did it and she said I have a really bad case of it.  She thinks I need to have it done twice more before the marathon!  OH EGADS! 

dear saturday long run, my last long one in my training!  Now it's taper time!  I headed out to get in my 12 miles even though  my calves were really sore from the scraping and I wasn't sure how the heels would hold up.  I ran out west and when I was on one of the roads, Taylor drove by me hauling the trailer behind him. He had been to the Green Waste dumping the tree branches they had been cutting down since 6 a.m. that morning. He ended up passing me twice while I was out there!

I ran over to the clinic to check out what they were doing and saw this!

They worked their guts out for almost 14 hours that day!  It's getting done and looking good, but what a lot of work!  I worry about their backs!

Dave helped them too.  He had put in a turkey earlier because it was fast Sunday tomorrow and it smelled so good. It was!  I love it when he cooks!

These are pictures from Friday.

dear quotes for the week...

Such a great thought!

This is so true!

Oh the pain!  The stretching does hurt!  I guess I am supposed to grow some more.

Even a two year mission?  ~~~hah~~~  He will make those he meets on his mission feel this way.  Man I am going to miss that boy! :o)

I really hate endings and change.  But change is constant and so not sure why I resist it so!

I changed this a bit for the sun ray shot...

I need to remember this is two weeks while I'm running the marathon!

dear message of the week,

Today, Jodi, we believe God wants you to know that ...there are no small miracles. A miracle is a miracle. Don't forget to notice them! As you begin to notice miracles, you will find that they are all around. Love and blessings abound!