Girls Night In

Haley writing Marcos the March Madness brackets. :)

Can you believe she sat here just like this for almost 30 minutes!?!?!?

just random funniness!

This was just funny! A few months ago I got the boys a FREE 2 year subscription to Lego magazine. C and K get the mail every day as they get off the bus. This day they discovered the magazines. They were so excited that they couldn't wait to walk the 15 more feet to the house. The literally knelt down in the driveway to read them. LOL!
Funny Kid Quote of the Day

Oh the things I need to be grateful for....

For the past 3 months I have been going back and forth about going forth with a surgery that COULD be great if it worked, maybe it wouldnt' do anything, or possibly make things worse and have to live with those side effects as well. It has been a struggle I have been fighting with and praying like crazy about. Every time I knelt down I always left with the same feeling - Faith and doubt can't dwell together. Then when I would study my scriptures I would read Press forth with faith, how can one dwell in fear and still call themselves faithful.
4 weeks ago I went forth and prayed that all would turn out for the good. After two weeks, I had two days of the "same old" pain. Man! He was really testing my faith now! My recovery time is a full 6 weeks of lifting practically nothing, absolutely no exercise and pretty much taking it easy. I have been able to get up and help with the kids more and drive them to the varies places but it has been a struggle to behave and "take it easy". I have lots of time to pray for faith and count my blessings. I had a few days where I didn't want to do anything and could care less what the house looked like or if the girls and I were still in our pj's at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. We all have those day's right? I knew those days had to be few! So I started counting my blessings. And I'm so grateful that the list is long! I am so very grateful for 4 healthy children. I am so thankful for all their patience, love, and help with everything I can't do for them right now. K was so cute this morning. He woke me up with a hug after Cheeto left the bed to get in the shower. Then K says, "Mom, do you feel like you can get us ready for school today? i have really missed you in the morning. I haven't said anything, but you make my lunch better." I said, "oh yeah, why? I thought daddy did a great job." K says, "Mom, he makes us make our lunches every morning. At least you help us with our sandwiches which helps us get it done faster." LOL! Funny boy!
I'm grateful for an incredible husband that has kept our house and family going. He has been my rock, especially when I felt like this was all for nothing. For 2 weeks straight he gave me pain killers every six hours on the dot- night and day. (I tease him that he should have signed a medical prenup. If only he knew what an expensive pain in the butt i was going to be 12 years down the road :) ) I'm extremely grateful for his job and that his employment offers such great insurance.
I'm also eternally grateful for our Savior and the comfort I get just knowing Him and feeling His love. Without that and the church the past few months would have been so much harder than they are already. I know that. Even when I'm having a crappy day and being tested... I know that we will get through this. And whether it helps or not, what is meant to be is meant to be. All things happen for a reason. I will just have to be more patient and take one day at a time.

I was also very grateful that my parents worked it out that my mom could come help for a week. It was so nice having her hear. I was able to rest at home and still be around the kids. It's easy to rest knowing she had everything under control. :) She cleaned and cleaned my house. She didn't have to ask the girls to help her. They were so excited to just be next to her. It didn't matter if she was cleaning, cooking, doing homework, playing games or just telling stories. I seriously slept the afternoon away everyday she was here.

On Sunday morning, Mom had them playing beauty parlor. She washed their hair in the sink- using the hose (that just made the girls giggle more) and then she told them the shampoo was dying their hair pink. So now when I wash their hair they say, "Yay for pink hair!"

Beautiful girls

Mrytle Beach Marathon 2011

All his fun gear- laid out and ready to go for the early morning run

Mile 16 and the only thing he asked for was- CHAPSTICK. :)

mile 20.2
He just dumped a glass of water over his head...
this the funky sweat (i mean water) spot on his right shoulder.

the home stretch. 200 feet to go.......

Gun time 4:15

that would be a full hour faster than his first marathon last fall!
Split times:
Split 1- first 6.55 miles/9.02 min mile pace (warm up)
Split 2- second 6.55 miles/8:08 min mile pace (hitting his stride)
Split 3- third 6.55 miles/7:02 min mile pace (getting greedy and acting foolish) - "his words"
Final Split- 15:04 min mile.
He hit a wall and his legs were cramping like crazy.
They didn't have fuel stations as frequent as he is use to. I offered to try to get to him more he said he should be fine. Lesson learned- LISTEN TO SHENA! lol!!! oh yeah- and FUEL better!

Cheeto you are amazing! I am so proud of you!

a little spent....
I loved the medals! FLIP-FLOPS!

I'm such a fan! :)

.... AND let the record show that I'm hugging Cheeto all nasty and sweaty. He thinks I NEVER do this! I will admit it is NOT one of my favorite things but I was so so proud of him!

I thought the water was so cold but Cheeto liked it on his "oh so sore beat up" feet.

Victory Cheer!
It took everything Cheeto and Leesa had to jump but in my opinion (not that it was my sore muscles paying the price lol) it was so worth it for this great shot!
I LOVE THIS PICTURE!

I had this idea to write 26.2 in the sand and then going up to our room on the 12th floor to take a picture. It felt so huge writing it but from the 12th floor it needed to be MUCH bigger!

Happy 32 to me!

My man knows how to treat a girl right!
I had a dr. appt the morning of my birthday. It really wasn't a great morning to start "my" day. But when I came home there was a "surprise" from Cheeto. He was so sweet!

He also came home early from work to cook everyone dinner.
And he said this year, he was going to be good and actually take pictures of my party.
He took it to the extreme almost. I would feel bad leaving out his work of art.

As you can tell, there is a theme. Cheeto went around waiting to take pictures of people until they had a mouth full of spaghetti. LOL!

I hope Dad and Lettie don't kill me for posting these. :)

He was a little nicer to me. However, I look so TIRED!

K made me a fabulous an almost from scratch cinnamon-streusel cake. It was to DIE for!

Lots of excited helpers!
Birthday's are so fun with kids!
Thanks honey, for the fabulous day.

Ya, she watches me a lot. Above she is demonstrating her downward dog. And below she is doing what I do in p90x- leg raise and sweep it through to runner's pose. :)

Monkey see. Monkey do.

C and K bought themselves nanos last fall. Their nanos have video cameras on them. It's funny to see them video taping everything we do. They almost act like the paparazzi. LOL!