If You Offend Easily, Don't Read

With the "gift giving" holiday ahead, here are some of my frustrations with the whole thing.
 Receiving:
 1. Say "thank you" when you get a present. Don't tell me it wasn't what you wanted or that you don't need it. Just say THANK YOU. You can throw it away or re-gift and I won't know or be hurt. Telling me it isn't what you wanted is just mean.
 2. If you tell me you don't want or need anything, that's what I'm giving you. Don't pout about it later. I gave you what you wanted.
 3. Don't compare your gift with someone else. This is only ok and somewhat tolerable when you are 2. When you're 22, 32, 42, 52, 62, 72, etc. and you compare, you're just a jerk.

 Giving: 1. Don't tell me to go pick something and send you a bill. Just give me money instead. One is somewhat less personable than the other.
 2. Don't ask me what I want and then tell me to keep it under $20. Just give me a gift card then.
 3. I'm not ten years old. I don't care if you don't give me anything. I would rather you be nice to me all year than give me a gift yearly. There, I said it.

Life's lesson from running.

Greg and I decided to run this half for our anniversary. We try to run two a year. This is what I've learned running as it applies to life:
1. Those who run for competition sake are most likely to throw up at the finish line.
2. Getting older means it's OK to run slower. You win just by showing up.
3. Running uphill isn't bad if you stay focused.
4. Running downhill increases your chance at getting injured. You get careless.
5. Don't become over confident when you pass people. The race is long, they'll probably catch you and leave you behind.
6. Don't judge those who have to walk. You might have to.
7. You can cheer on a complete stranger.
 8. The race is nicer if you run with someone you love.
9. Mile 4 is hard, it's uphill... likewise, mile 8 is great.
10. Music during the race makes everything better.

Sixteen!

Michael was born on September 20th. We knew he would be our last baby and I tried to treasure every moment. I wanted to keep him my baby forever but he grew up anyway. I loved being his PE teacher in the third grade. Somewhere between turning 8 and 16, we lost our little boy and got a strong buffing young man. He is Luke's best friend and life saver. Kel wanted to spend all day holding him the first year. He still occasionally baby talks to Michael much to his horror and disdain. Jesse loved playing with Michael feels to this day that he is the coolest of them all. Things about Michael that I want to remember 1- He types incredibly fast. I should have recorded it. 2-For the last 2 years, he has eaten a slice of pizza every day for lunch. Gross right? 3-He runs faster than me. 4- I can run longer than him. 5- He would rather be on the computer than go to the gym. (Whose kids is this?) 6- He always starts his morning with us reading scriptures and has never complained. 7- He actually says he's thankful for seminary in his prayers. (Crazy huh?) 8- Greg says he mows faster than his brothers. 9- He's not afraid of heights and will ride any crazy ride. He's been like this since he was little. We used to stuff his shoes full of tissues so he could meet the height requirement. 10- He's everyone's favorite in the family. Honestly!

This is Jesse! Jesse Daniel was born May 5, 1989 after a grueling pregnancy where I taught school until I went into labor. Jesse is the perfect older brother, responsible in every way. My favorite memories of Jesse are 1. Putting on my make up when he was 9 months old. 2. Being inseparable from his "Ernie" doll until Luke was born. He adopted Luke in Ernie's place. 3. Calling us "Greg" and "Hoai My" instead of Mom and Dad. (He still does that sometimes knowing how much I hate it.) 4. Learning to ride his bike without training wheels. 5. Watching him spend endless hours shooting basket outside because he wanted to be Steve Nash when he grew up. 6. Running over his foot with the van when he tried to race me wearing his roller blades. 7. Wrecking his motorcycle after owning it for less than 8 hours. 8. Wrecking his car after hitting a deer coming home from Brianhead. (What parenthood experience would be complete without those phone calls in the middle of the night?) 9. Watching him pick out his first home, the carpet, the paint, the flooring. He has really good taste. 10. Watching him around Greg. They are truly alike in almost every way.

Yea baby!

It's been 4 months since my feet surgery. Last week I was able to run a couple of 5K at pre-surgery pace. Building upon that emotional high, I attempted a 10K and completed that in 58 minutes. I can't say that I quite enjoy running yet because now, I am in re-training mode. However, having Greg by my side encouraging me, the torture almost feels like the fun it used to be.

Winder Moving Company

We moved! We are getting really good at moving since this is our 3rd move in 5 years. We now have 2 homes that we are renting as we live in our 3rd. As soon as the housing market stops tanking, we will attempt to sell all but 1. Our new house is still in Silver Stone Ranch. Guess we love it here (we do)! By far, this house is my most favorite. I feel like we are the bears that finally found a house that is just right. The first one was too big, the second one too little, and this one - perfect!

If it makes you happy....

Cheryl Crow said it best when she sang, "If it makes you happy, it can't be that bad." Lots of things make me happy; Greg and the boys, my students, my ward family, my friends, etc. Another thing that makes me happy is exercise, plenty of it. I am sure that once retired, I will be happily found at the gym for hours. Among the exercises which make me happy, running is certainly at the top of the list. Perhaps this is why it is no surprise that at the age of 46, I finally gave in to years of lingering foot pain and had both feet operated it on. The next 3 weeks will find me in a wheelchair and or walking on tippie toes to avoid putting full weight on stitches. When I told a person who randomly comes into my life why I had surgery, she asked me if I had considered not running. I asked her to tell me what she does that makes her happy. She replied with her list; sewing, cooking, family, etc, etc. I hope she understood that if I don't judge the things that make her happy, it was really pointless of her to be so judgmental about things -particularly running- that makes me happy. Perhaps she never really understood me at all. So here's to the things that makes us happy and a patient sigh to those who don't get us. My stitched feet will run again and it will be painful. I'm glad I married a man that is patiently waiting to help me get back to running. He may not be perfect but he is absolutely accomplished at the art of understanding me. After all, we are both signed up for a half marathon in November.