Wasatch Back

Last weekend I was able to run the Ragnar Wasatch back. It was quite the experience. Everything went pretty smoothly other than the idiot who slept in and made the whole team over an hour late ( I am so sorry!). It was challenging and exhausting, but so fun and very worth it. My aunt described it perfectly as being like pregnancy. She said it's so hard and you never want to do it again. Then it's over and you forget about the hard part and can't wait for the next time. My team consisted of cousins and my aunt Kristen. We were named Un. Bell. eivable, and ran in the the honor of Grandma and Grandpa Bell.

It was such a blast to spend two days and a night squished in a car with some of my favorite people. Thank you to my awesome cousin for founding and owning this amazing race. As a first time runner, I was overwhelmed, impressed and so proud of him. What an amazing idea to make running a team sport. Pretty cool to think that as a family we ran from Logan to Park City. 188 miles!!

I ran 3 legs. A total of 15 miles. My favorite leg that I ran was at midnight in the farm land of Morgan. The stars were bright, the air was crisp, other than the sound of Sprinklers it was silent. It was heavenly.

Thank you to all my teammates for the conversations and laughs. You guys worked so hard in organizing. I just got out of the car and ran, when I was told to do so. Maybe next time I can be a little more help...or at least get out of bed on time. I love you all!!!

What's new in our family?

Nothing too exciting. But I always tell you all about it anyway right?

Soccer: Lots of World Cup going on at our house. How 'bout yours? Owen couldn't be happier. He'd rather watch "gocca" than Tigger and Pooh.

Treavor's calling: Nursery leader! can you believe it? He's with two other men, and they chose the right guys for the job! I walked in on Sunday to get something from Treav, to find three tall men with their hands on their head singing head shoulders knees and toes, with 10-12 munchkins staring blankly back. I love it!

The wreath on my door and runner on my table: I had a craft night with Treavor's mom and sisters. Always a good time!! I love my new creations that took a lot of help from all 7 of the other women.

Pimples: I break out when I'm stressed. I have multiple zits almost as big as the one on my chin in my 8th grade photo. And that my friends is sayin' something. I remember my mom trying to convince me that the giant blemish was cute and a sign of "youth and adolescence" or something like that. I almost believed her!

Perma-pigtails: My hair has been, and will continue to be in teeny tiny pony tails until it is over the awkward-growing out stage. It could be a while, but that's ok, I've

always liked ponytails.

Blue walls: we painted our kitchen. It took me 3 years to get around to it. Never in my life have I chosen the exact color I envisioned, until now. I love it.

Visits with Bodie: Telisa is in town with her cute boys, and Treavor and Telisa took them to the aquarium. Owen was a little apprehensive about some of the animals he saw. How cute is Bodie's obsession with ears? Treavor said the second he picked him up, his hand went straight to his ear.

"Bolf"': Owen is loving golf. before he plays he puts a hat on. He always takes two practice swings, and then hits the ball.

Thank Goodness it's Friday!

Today we went to the gas station to get a treat. We both chose blue tootsie pops.

When I told Owen it's called a sucker, he put it up to his foot and started kicking it.

Soccer is his latest obsession.

We ate them in the front yard.

Owen was happy.

Some Thoughts

I'm loving the weather. We've slept with the windows open for the last few weeks. That is my favorite part of this time of year! rain falling sporadically, wind blowing, the sound of the train on the nearby track, the smell of the dark crisp night, and the birds chirping in the morning. It makes me sleep better, wake up happier, and enjoy my day more. Spring is my favorite.

Pillsbury should make a toaster strudel with no jelly filling. Can you imagine? Just warm greasy bread with icing on top. YUM!

Owen has been at such a fun stage. He's starting to remember and talk about things we do. He used to only want to do something when I brought it up, but now he's having ideas of his own all the time.

• We borrowed my father in law's truck and Owen was in HEAVEN! every time we see a truck on the road he says "WOW, CUCK!" To actually ride in one, was pretty amazing for him. a few days later he was sitting in his high chair eating, looked up at me and said "Bumpa CUCK!".
• Throughout the day if he ever gets a little bored he'll come to me with his hands in the airand in a really high pitched voice say "eeeeh moke?" (where's the remote?), informing me that he want's to watch TV.
• A couple days ago, out of the blue he said "pease, Ninnie, Adews?" He wanted to play with Kinnie and Andrew. Considering that they had a moving truck parked in their driveway, the timing brought me to tears.

I've been enjoying my internship with DCFS. I think in the last couple weeks, I've learned more than I do in most college courses.

• I've been doing a lot of shadowing of child protective services. I get a little peace of my heart broken every day, and have learned that I could never have that particular position as a career (3 weeks down, 5 to go). but thank goodness for agencies and people who make an effort to help these poor children. Seeing all these abuse cases, have pretty much wiped away my fears of being an inadequate mother. They also make my prayers a little more thankful for my life and childhood.
• Owen is so taken care of. He gets to go to the park with Grandma and aunts all the time, his days are full of sandboxes, slides, treats, rock throwing, rivers, extra bottles, visiting Lindie at school lunch, and anything else he might rub his chest for (please).
• Treavor is a sport. He's pretty much been running the show around here when he gets home from work...dishes, laundry, and putting Owen down.

We're glad Owen got a haircut.

(Don't worry, this is the "before")

Cousins

We had one last hurrah before Landon and his cute family are off to a far away state for dental school. It has been priceless for me to watch these three kids interact the last little while. Kissing those sweet cheeks goodbye was painful and visits to grandma's are going to feel a little lonely.

We sure love them!

Sweet Mothers

Our little family of three is so blessed to have two strong, sweet, gentle, loving, doting, faithful, selfless women in our lives.

Happy Mothers day!

Dear Kathryn,

When I think of you, I think of compassion. You more than anyone I know actually feel what other people feel. I'm so impressed at the way you can read the people in your life. You know what they feel, and you feel it with them. Your strong desire to alleviate any pain, help solve problems and celebrate achievement and joy makes others feel so loved. Your productiveness, sense of humor, time, service and lipstick kiss marks brighten our lives constantly.

Thank you for laughing at Treavor, listening to me, and loving Owen.

You will never know how blessed you make the lives of your 20 grandchildren. You will never know how grateful I am for the way you taught my husband how to treat a women. You will never know how you immediately made me feel like part of the Peters family, And you will never know how much I love you.

Dear Mom,

When I think of you, I think of love for little things. I love your deep and sincere passion for a cool breeze, good smells, creamy chocolate, folding your children's laundry and a Sunday afternoon spent with your family. My life is better because you taught me how to let little things make me happy. You know how to fix any feelings of sadness. You know how to make me feel special. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the lasting memories of painting nails on the front porch as a little girl, reading books on the couch before bed, cuddling in my teenage bed, listening to leaving on a jet plane. Thank you for listening to details about crushes and friends, and for the multi-daily chats on the phone as an adult. You have been and still are 100% devoted to being at the back door at 3:05 when your kids come home from school for the last 22 years. Thank you for making your children your life, and for realizing that now, as a mom, I need you as much as ever. I love you.

what's better than running?

Running with your brother!!!

Last weekend Landon and I ran the Thanksgiving Point half marathon. He made this run bearable and even enjoyable for me! I'm going to miss our long Saturday runs. I learned how difficult it is to run while laughing really hard. Thanks for the good, good times Land. What am I going to do without you in a month?! Miss you real bad, that's what.

Here's a picture of a red, swollen squinty me, and the world's best big brother.