St. George Marathon 2013

Training for a marathon is never easy, but this year, it was tougher than usual.  Trying to fit the mileage in around school and family was tricky.  4 a.m. runs became the norm instead of the exception.

As the St. George marathon got closer, I started wondering, "Did I do enough?  Is my body going to break down?  Is my brain going to break down?"

Luckily, Nyah drove down with me to St. George so I was forced to keep my nervous energy in check. We had a fabulous time talking and laughing the whole way there.  Nyah ate 3 tacos from Taco Bell and 2 orders of nachos.  I ate a bag of Kettle Cooked potato chips.  (great pre-race food)

The next morning, I woke up at 3 a.m.  Shockingly, that is a "normal" time with my new schedule.  I was nervous.  I went to the bathroom 4 times.  I gagged two pieces of peanut butter toast down in the car. I felt sick. Why is race day filled with such anxiety?

We stood by the porta potties for 1 1/2 hours.  It was cold.  I ate a banana.   I felt sick.  The lines for the bathroom got extremely long, so I decided to brave the outdoors.  I really would have been a great pioneer. :)

When the starting gun went off, I had trouble hitting pace.  I couldn't get around people.  I was worried about tripping on blankets and clothes that fellow runners were dropping everywhere.  At about Mile 2 I was able to hit pace.  I drank every 2 miles and ate GU every 4 miles.

I didn't listen to music at all during the race.  I found myself talking out loud to myself:  "Vanessa, you can do this.  This hill looks just like Center St.  After you get up the hill, there is bound to be some downhill.  Nyah is going to be at the finish line.  Just keep going."

In any other situation, I think I would probably be put into a mental facility.  Talking to oneself is not normal.  Is it?

The last 3 miles were extremely difficult.  I pretended I was out for a regular run around my neighborhood and talked myself through different landmarks that I see on a normal day.  It really seemed to help.

The last .2 miles was glorious.  Seeing all the people standing along the sides of the road gave me just the boost I needed to finish.

It was a great race.  I got a PR:  3:06:36.  The best news though:  I ended the race without any gloves, but it was because my hands got hot.  No potty stops during the run!

Off to College

This was one of the hardest days of my life.  Saying "goodbye" to my eldest . . .

We loaded the Pathfinder up to the brim with Cali's clothing collection.  Before we drove to Utah State, we had to make a pitstop in Salt Lake to watch Carson play in a soccer tournament.

Carson, Ian, and Aaron had to stay in Salt Lake to play another game.  Nyah, Cali, and I drove to Logan, shopped at WalMart for much needed apartment items, and then carried every single item that Cali owns up 3 stairwells to her unairconditioned broiling hot apartment.  I had sweat dripping from every inch of my body.  It was disgusting.  The boys showed up just in time for photos.

It was heart wrenching to see the girls walking side-by-side . . . one last time.

Ian spent hundreds of hours learning to make a quilt.  He made the quilt for his sister, Cali  It was the best going away present in the universe!

Luckily, Cali is only a couple of hours away, but oh, how I miss my girl!

Ian's 15th Birthday

 Ian "accidentally" discovered his birthday present about a month early.  It was an effects pedal for his electric guitar.  He found it hiding in the car washing wagon in the garage.  I asked him to wash my car, forgetting that I had "hidden" his present there.  Surprise ruined.

Thus, when Ian's birthday rolled around, I had already spent all of his birthday money on the pedal.  I felt terrible that he'd have nothing to open on his birthday.  I dug around in my pockets for some change.  I had to buy him something to open on his big "15"!  I found enough change to buy him a Duck Dynasty t-shirt.  He is a fan. :)

 Cinnamon streusel muffins were on the menu for his birthday breakfast.

We went laser tagging for Ian's birthday that evening even though we had just participated in the same exact activity for Carson's birthday the week before.  The kids and Aaron played 6 or 7 games of laser tag.  They were very sweaty.  They were very happy.

Happy birthday, Ian Riggs!  I think you are absolutely amazing!

Carson's 10th Birthday

Carson's birthday wish list was rather simple this year:  flavored drops for his water bottles and a board game.  

 Ian surprised Carson with a brand new soccer ball.  I thought it was so sweet that Ian spent his own money on his little brother.

 We headed to Nickel City - - Carson and Ian's favorite hangout. We all enjoyed some laser tag!

 We finished the day off with some J Dawgs.

 Last, but not least, we headed home to enjoy some warm chocolate chip cookies smothered with ice cream, whipped cream, and a cherry!

 I can't believe my baby has been around for a decade!  He is amazing!

A Kayaking Trip at Utah Lake

Carson got to celebrate his birthday a day early with our friends, the Ruckers.  Carson couldn't stop smiling all night.  He had a blast on the kayaks at Utah Lake.  We met two guys at the lake that have a skimboard company.  Jill and Carson tried the skim board out and flew down the sand.  We all had a blast!

Nyah's Tomato Plant

     Nyah wanted to plant a garden this year, so Grandma Joannie decided to start her out with a cherry tomato plant.  Nyah planted it, pruned it, weeded it, and harvested it.  Then she said, "Mom, I really don't like cherry tomatoes.  Will you try one and tell me if it's good?"

     Well, I don't really care for cherry tomatoes either, but because I am such a supportive mother, I decided to pose with it . . . and then eat it.  It was sour.  The cherry tomato plant is now covered with shriveled cherry tomatoes that no one will ever eat.  Maybe we should try a cucumber plant next year.