47

April 2 came and I had to turn 47.  This picture took some of the pain away. (I admit, I like it.  I usually hate pictures taken of me.)  However, what this picture doesn't show is the layer of Ben Gay smothered on my back and the ache in my feet.  It's not fun getting older.
Here's advice for those getting older (and who isn't) taken from many friends who have walked this path before me.
1- As your body ages, make the best of what you have.  
2-  Exercise every day.
3-  You don't have to keep up.  Going slower is ok because you are still going.
4- Wear lots of sunscreen.
I wish I had more words of wisdom.  Then again, at my age, I wouldn't be able to remember a long list.

Family Pictures2012

My "Say Anything" Moment

I love this scene in the movie "Say Anything." I had this moment during my courtship with Greg. We had been dating about 2 weeks when I returned home for the summer from BYU after my sophomore year. Greg found out that I had a "serious" college boyfriend. He threw a fit, we had a fight, and I thought that was the end of us. (In all sincerity, there wasn't much "us" on my part since I had only gone out with him about 5 times during that 2 week period.)

The next night when I came home from a long day of work and night out with some friends, my mom told me that Greg had been calling repeatedly. When he called again, he asked if he could come over and talk to me. I told him not to since there was really no point in it. Like he found out, I had a serious BYU guy I was returning to after the summer. Next thing I knew, he was at my door. Since I was pretty irritated that he came over when I asked him not to, I opened the front door and made him talk to me through the screen door.

 He apologized for the way he acted the night before. What he proceeded to say is still a fresh memory after all these years.

"I don't care that you have a college boyfriend. He's not here and I am. If all I can be is the guy you date during the summer, then I'll take it, because it's better than nothing. I do need you to know that I know you're the one for me. I know we are going to end up together. As soon as you figure that out, let me know so we can get on with our lives together."

Pretty bold for a guy that I barely knew.
He proposed 4 weeks after that.
We got married 4 months later.
And this year, we celebrated 26 years.

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.