Barber Bustlings

The famous North Shore Waikiki Sunset Gorgeous Day at the Beach in Waikiki Many people have asked about the marathon and I cannot do it justice with just a summary. If you want to hear, "It was rough but went well" then feel free to skip the long narration that follows. Hawaii was amazing. I needed the break and truly appreciate the opportunity. I have said in previous posts that I know the Lord guided me to this path and despite the many challenges, I am grateful. The week before the marathon I did an 8 mile run which ended badly with excruciating pain in my left knee down to my ankle and foot. I limped home very worried and decided not to run until the marathon. I went to the chiropractor Wednesday night and she told me I needed to take three weeks off for my leg to recover. I reminded her the marathon was in 4 days. Her face went dead pan and simply said, "Do what you can then." I wanted to advise her to never become a motivational speaker but let it go. The nigh...

We had a fabulous Thanksgiving with Scott's side who live about an hour away in several directions. We had 27 people come so I did two turkeys and they both turned out really well. We had plenty of food and a great time. I loved having it here and would definitely do it again. December is already speeding by. I am happy to have our church progressive dinner (that I over see) done. This Sunday I teach the Relief Society lesson and then next Thursday I head to Hawaii. When I get home I turn around a few days later and head to Utah for my mission companion's wedding. Busy days! I am really excited to do this marathon. I am weary of training and ready to go back to running simply because I enjoy it. I must admit that I am grateful to have had this goal and feel so grateful for this talent I have discovered. We did 20 miles last week and I injured my left leg, knee and ankle. I have been seeing a chiropractor and I am amazed at how much better I feel. The pain is gone and my foot th...

This was in the airport by my gate. So cool! Michelle and I in front of her lovely home Veteran's Day at the park. It was 93 and still hot! For Myles' preschool we went to ride horses. This was the only animal he would get on. Myles followed Landon around on the trampoline to make sure he didn't fall off. So sweet! Myles wouldn't ride the horses but he loved feeding them carrots and petting them True to form, Landon loved the packaging from his presents more than the actual toys inside I had a wonderful time in Houston with Michelle. I was able to see my aunt, Shae (why didn't I take a picture with you woman?) who picked me up from the airport and we went to lunch. I am so glad I was able to see Shae without time constraints, busy schedules or my crazy kids. Texas is really pretty with the trees and I'm so glad I waited until this time of year to visit. The weather was fabulous. Michelle and I had a great time catching up; she is one of the sisters I am collecti...

Landon is always full of life Myles can't leave his scabs alone so he always looks like he's been in a car accident Bailey is always ready for the camera I finally figured out how to add a video. We took the kids to the playplace in the mall and had DQ blizzards (my favorite besides Cold Stone). Life has been good for all of us here. The kids are growing up too fast. Landon is pushing things around as he walks; my favorite is the laundry basket. Bailey is finally enjoying reading. She is too social to read during the day, but enjoys it at night when she should be sleeping. Myles is enjoying preschool and is such a sweet little boy. I have some really wonderful kids. Tomorrow I head to Texas to see my friend, Michelle Mason. She came out last year to help when Landon was born. I can't believe he is almost one! I'm excited to see my aunt in Houston and to have the weekend with Michelle. Last night I did some birthday and Christmas shopping. I've got my little family a...

Looking at a Possible Stress Fracture!!!!! My doctor gave me two weeks to try running pain-free before he benches me. Please pray for me! I am hoping the new shoes, ibuprofen regimen, icing my foot and running less will keep me in the marathon. I really don't want to stop training....

Even Scott and Myles were done by this point The only way we could get Landon to sit still was to allow the binky in the pictures. My friend, Rebecca, took some family pics of us and I love them. The kids would not cooperate (now we know morning pics are better than afternoon) but the photos look good. Landon was not in the mood to smile and by the end, Scott and Myles weren't too thrilled, either. We haven't had any family photos taken since Landon was born. I can't believe he will be one in less than two weeks. I got really impatient and already turned his car seat around and started giving him whole milk. What a crazy year this has been. Scott is right, though; I don't really remember life without him. He is doing really well in physical therapy and is a pretty happy baby. Life has been pretty normal this week, except that I injured my ankle on my long run Saturday. Today I am going to see a specialist. I am nervous because the marathon is only 38 days away. We have ...

We had a great visit with my mom. I got the painting bug in me (at what other point in time would I have such a great helper here?) so I did the family room orange. I've been wanting to redo the room for awhile. I had a yellow color picked out but saw so many orange walls in my friends' homes in Utah that I came home ready for orange. None of the pictures do it justice, but it looks really good; I love it. The fireplace is a butternut squash color; it looks so cool. We kept really busy with Grandma here. We went to lunch, played at the park and enjoyed the helping hands. My stepdad, Bert, came for the last two days. We enjoyed having Bert here and getting to know him better; my kids loved having grandparents here to spoil them. We took them to the train park in Scottsdale. We were able to squeeze in some family photos just hours before their flight. Mom and Bert will be moving to London in two weeks and we will really miss them. Fortunately, my mom has a trip back to the state...

We got a great deal on airfare ($120 roundtrip!) and flew to Utah for fall break. I have missed my siblings and we had so many babies to see. My sister had McKinley in August; Tyler and Shelley welcomed Madden in August; 4 cousins had babies from June to October. We also had to introduce Landon to everyone. We missed seeing Tyler, who was traveling for work, but I was very grateful to Todd and Tess who came to see us almost every day. We had a fabulous trip. We were on the go the entire time. My camera battery died the first day so I don't have many pictures. I'll just have to wait until family and friends forward them, hint, hint! Our first day my mom's parents orchestrated a big family get together after having dinner with just my siblings and us. My grandpa and Landon had a sweet bond from the start. We loved seeing everyone. The next day I got to go to lunch with a friend from Kaysville and then we went to see Heidi (mission companion) and meet Dustin, her fiancee. We h...

My little fashionista, Bailey, has been branching out. I love the scarf look and she is finally letting me do her hair again (after 18 months). She has the best hair and the color is to die for. I love having a 7-year-old. She is a sweetheart with her brothers and a great girl. One of my friends told me that Bailey stood up to some older girls who were bullying her daughter at recess. I was so proud of my little spitfire! She still has tons of energy and likes to be in charge, but she is learning about delayed gratification (at least as well as can be expected) and she is doing great in 2nd grade. I just love having her as my daughter. We went to the Mesa temple for Family Home Evening last week. My kids love going to the temple and to the Visitor's Center. I love how close we are to the temple and am grateful we will have a new temple in Gilbert in a few years. I am excited for my kids to go to the open house and see inside. I did a 10K with my friend, Marci, in July and then di...

B before school one day I still remember wearing vests; can't believe they're back My sweet chubby Landon Potty-training SUCKS right now Bailey is always posing Landon likes to climb under the chair and then screams when he is tired of being stuck Look at how dark Landon is next to Myles! I don't have much to report right now. Life is good. Landon is still doing physical therapy and seems to be slowly improving. Myles is not improving in potty-training. As long as I make him pee every hour, we're good. I won't discuss how abysmal the #2 training is. Myles enjoys preschool on Tues/Thurs afternoons and it works out perfectly: he goes to preschool and Landon and I get groceries or go to lunch with friends. Bailey is doing great in school. We love her teacher and she is excelling in math and science. Scott is still beyond busy with work, church and family. We are grateful to be close to his mom and sister; I'm always humbled that he can worthily provide them with gu...

We had a wonderful Labor Day weekend in Prescott, Az. This was our only real vacation this summer and it was nice and relaxing. The weather was perfect; we enjoyed cooler temps than we have seen in several months. The kids enjoyed playing outside in the rain and getting dirty. Landon slept really well. My friend and I ran a 10K and then met the families for breakfast and a parade. We went to the art festival in downtown Prescott Sunday and Monday. I mostly enjoyed having my little family to myself; my phone died Friday and I didn't charge it or even look at it until Monday when it was time to head home.

Yesterday was a really rough day. Both of my boys get bronchiolitis when they get any kind of congestion; basically they wheeze and we use breathing treatments every four hours for a week until they get better. Their breathing isn't too labored, but they don't sound very good. Landon has been wheezing since Sunday so I took him in to the Dr. yesterday. The nurse practitioner checked his oxygen level and it was 99% so he was getting oxygen despite the wheezing. I assumed she would tell me to continue the breathing treatments at home every four hours for the next week. This is the same procedure with each boy every time either one gets a cold and it goes straight to his lungs. I was very surprised when she told me I needed to take Landon to the E.R. immediately. I asked a lot of questions, mainly, “Why am I taking him to the E.R.? Is it really that serious? What am I supposed to say when they ask why I am there? Are you sure I need to go to the E.R.” She told me that he needed t...

Scott calls Landon, "Malibu Ken" because he is so tan compared to B and Myles Bailey and her friend, Sarah my cute boys Here are the kiddos as we walk Bailey to school. Landon is so tan compared to B and Myles. This past week has gone by so quickly. Bailey is loving school. Myles still asks about preschool; unfortunately it doesn't start until September 1st. We have been swimming in the afternoons. The weather has been so nice lately (105 is much better than 110+) and I went jogging the other morning. It was so refreshing. I'm trying to get ready for the 10K I am running in two weeks in Prescott. We are headed up for Labor Day weekend to the mountains and cooler air. We are renting a cabin with friends and I can't wait. My sister had her baby on Sunday. McKinley was 9 lbs and 11 days overdue. My poor sister seems to be following in my footsteps with kids who like to overstay their welcome. Tyler and his wife welcomed a son, Madden on Arycca's due date, August ...