How do you know?

This week Greg and I began meeting with our running team to practice. I injured my foot June 8th and this was my first week running since then. I love running. I love the rhythm of my breathing, the pattern of my stride, the freedom, and the huge feeling of accomplishment when I finish each run. One student at the end of practice said, "Running is so boring."To her I replied, "If you are bored, go faster."

I wish that I could take credit for that statement. I heard it the first time I was at the CSN track jogging with Greg after Kel was born. I was slowly bouncing along and noticed a man who was running sprints on the inside tracks. After I finished, he did too. We struck up a conversation about Jesse who had been riding his tricycle on the sidelines while I ran. I told him I thought running was boring to which he gave the same reply. I followed with, "I can't run fast." His reply, "How do you know? Have you tried often enough?"

Isn't funny that so many of your memories are erased, yet we remember moments that helped changed us. I thought about what he said for days after and even at times years later. I began to push myself harder always striving to do my best. I still don't think I run fast, but I know I run faster than I used to, and faster than other women my age.

I use his statement for other things that have come up in my life. When Greg and friend Aida Brown told me I should pursue a Masters. My immediately reply was, "I can't get a Masters" to which later I would think, "How do you know? Have you tried often enough?" I thought that again when I pursued and obtained a second Masters degree. (Yes, thoughts of a Doctorate still float through my head. Stay tuned.)

When I was called to be Primary President, Nursery Leader, Camp Director, Compassionate Service Leader, etc. I thought the same, and rebuked myself the same.

I wonder if this man who I knew for 5 minutes realizes how important his words were to me as the years have proven.

Happy Birthday Michael!

Life has certainly been busy with school starting. September is a great month for it's "getting back into a routine" characteristic, but mostly, for it being the month Michael was born.

I tell everyone as I tell you now that Michael is Greg's and my grandma's baby. I was pretty certain that 3 kids was all I wanted, but they knew better. For a year, I was ping ponged between Grandma and Greg gentle prodding to have one more. (My grandma died a month after Michael was born. I always felt that she stayed long enough to help me through the pregnancy and to meet him.)

Michael is 13 years old now. He is the joy factor in our family and all his older brother's favorite buddy. Greg and I love everything about Michael and I have been so glad that he came to join our family. For his birthday, Michael wanted to go ride go-carts at LV Mini Gran Prix, go birthday shopping at Best Buys, out to lunch at Red Brick Pizza and dessert at U-Swirl! What a fun day we had.

Influences of Cheryl

It has come to my attention that my posts hold are somewhat impersonal, more like a calendar of our lives.. so here's my attempt at emotions...

When my sons were little, they had this uncanny ability to wake up every day before 7am. I used to dream of days when they wer older and I could sleep in. At the time, I had become friends with Cheryl Viet Barney who had kids that were about 4 years older. She stayed up late to wait for them to come home from dates, and got up early to make their breakfast before the left for seminary and school. I never forgot how she laughed when I shared that wishful thinking.. because she knew....

I always admired her for her tenacity, and I liked how she got up early to make sure her own kids always had a good breakfast. Little did I know, in her own ways, she was rubbing this motherly value to me that never left.

It is 4:55 am, and I have been up for an hour. I get up that early because Kel, in his new job, leaves for work at 4:15am. I wake up to make him breakfast and see him before he leaves. Once up, I make breakfast and lunches for the rest of us. (Take it easy, breakfast can sometimes mean toaster strudels, today, I made chocolate chip cookies... I have my weaknesses) Then, at 5:15am, I check to see if Jesse is up (he always is), and then wake Luke for seminary. Jesse leaves for work at 5:30 am, Luke for seminary at 5:50 am.

After Luke eats breakfast, I can quickly sneak in 40 minutes of yoga, shower, eat, and get ready for work. (By now, Greg is up to take Luke to seminary and Michael is waking up too)

You see, Cheryl knew that my sleeping in days were over. Cheryl and I have been friends for about 20 years. I admire and love her, as well as her husband Brent, her mother (Penny Wray), her sister & crew (the Workmans), her own kids (Cecils, Johnsons, Rachel, Merrick) and grandkids. I thought of her this morning while making cookies. I remember her making these delicious turnovers with phyllo dough for her kids in the morning.

So this morning, I am grateful for Cheryl and the influence she's been in my life. She taught me to be self-reliant, learn new things, study, endure trials with a smile (even if that smile hurt), to never give up on your kids, and finally, no matter what mistakes you make as a mother, at least no one can say your kids left the house hungry in the morning.