Running For Those Who Wait!

Yesterday Kurt's whole family was able to participate in an Adoption 5K called "Running For Those Who Wait" at Murray Park. Everyone in the family participated in some way or another by either running or watching the kids while we ran. About three years ago Kurt's sister and her husband were able to adopt three beautiful kids. They went from zero kids, to three kids, all at the same time....and what a blessing they have been to the entire family. It was a cool experience running for something that we know can really touch lives.

I've been running a little more lately and usually run over three miles most days, but at my own pace, and walking for some of it. My goal this race was to beat my time last time, which was 32 minutes. I'm proud to say that I was able to run this 5K in 24 minutes, shaving off a good 8 WHOLE minutes. I was excited...24 minutes means I ran about an 8 minutes mile. It was a big accomplishment for me. Kurt ran it in 23 minutes! For some reason I can never keep up with him at the end. Now I've got to start getting myself ready for a 10K. YIKES. Here is Kurt and I looking so pretty with red faces and no make up after the race.

And Ethan being the stud he is while cheering us on with Grandpa Russ and Travis, who so nicely watched all the kids!!

Swimming & BBQ's

I love memorial day....maybe because I know that Summer has finally arrived (maybe)! This past weekend we didn't go anywhere fun, but we stayed home and worked on the yard! YUCK!! We are finally getting the backyard to how we want it, and getting a cement pad poured in the back and new cement in the front and down the side of the house! YEAH! It will be nice! Besides all the piece of crap yard work we did, we did manage to have some fun. We headed to my parents for some swimming and a yummy BBQ for lunch

Then we headed to Kurt's parents for a yummy BBQ for dinner, dutch oven style. Russ got out the bouncy thing and the kids absolutely loved it! Ethan was afraid at first but after being thrown on it a couple of times he wouldn't get off. Of course us girls sat and relaxed while the boys were throwing the kids.

We ended the day by doing some more yard work before it got dark! A big thanks to Trevor, Travis, Russ, and Lynette for showing up and loading the literally 8,000 pounds of concrete!! Yes that's how much it weighed!! Hopefully we will be done working on it in the next couple of weeks, just in time to enjoy it for the rest of the summer!

And I had to add this picture cause I thought it was so cute of Ethan. Him and his little patch! Even though there are times I want to scream and not hear the word "Mommy" one more time, I sure do love him and his crazy personality which keeps me laughing!

My BFF...The BodyBugg

Well I kept putting this off. Not because I'm not proud of myself for kicking myself in the butt and getting healthy, but because it's an embarrassment. After we got married I gained some weight, and then after I had Ethan it seemed to just go down hill. To me I've always been a confident happy person, I never let my weight get me down. So to this day when I look in the mirror I still see ME! My clothes now fit different, but to me I still am me in the mirror!

Back in the middle of November I decided that I needed to get healthy. Kurt and I both want more kids and I didn't want to be heavy when I got pregnant again. So I set off with the goal in mind to get healthy. My brother Phil and his wife Alaina have been Gym guru's and have gotten themselves into shape, healthy, and they look great. Alaina had done the BodyBugg for the last two years and I decided to call her and see if it was worth it. For those of you who don't know what the BodyBugg is, it's a small armband you wear on your arm that has a small computer inside. Every day it calculates how many calories you are burning. You plug it into your computer onto a website, and then enter in all the food you have eaten that day. What this does is put into perspective how many calories you are BURNING a day and how many calories you are CONSUMING a day. Obviously you try and burn more then you eat. Some of you may have also seen this on the Biggest Loser.

My first goal was 30 pounds and I hit that in February!! And in the last three months I've lost one pound shy of 20. So I'm down 49 pounds. It's amazing how much it has changed me. I eat COMPLETELY different, yet I still enjoy my favorites. I've just learned that some things aren't worth it. I have so much more energy, I want to walk and be active instead of sitting, and I just feel better all around.

When I first started I could barely walk at a fast pace for more then ten-fifteen minutes. Now I'm up to running straight for 3 miles at a steady pace. I can do things I never thought I could do. Now I've ran a 5K and hope to do more. I wanted to document this for myself, to see before and after pictures, so that I never go back. This is quite embarrassing to me...I didn't realize how fat I was! I know most of you who see me on a regular basis were used to me like this...but ugh!! How embarrassing. Plus my hubby jumped in too and has lost 25 pounds.

Here is a picture of us in Hawaii last year.

And here is the one of us this year.

I didn't realize the difference until I looked at these pictures. I hope to keep on losing, but am SO happy with where I am at. Now I just feel like it's a bonus when I do lose more! My ultimate goal that I had said in the very beginning is 13 pounds away. One day I will be there, and I will keep on striving to reach it!

Happy Mother's Day!

Mother's Day is always a good day. Maybe because everyone thinks you are important for that one day!! Today was a good day, besides that Ethan was SUPER whiny all day long! Church at 1:00 is a REAL treat! We had to wake him up from his nap, which resulted in some major crying, and no pictures except for this one.

Kurt took good care of me, let me sleep in (which Ethan wanted no part of), made me breakfast, took care of the house, and spoiled me. Our anniversary and Mother's Day always fall super close together, so I got these beautiful flowers that always last me through the week, plus a cute outfit that I picked out!! Thanks babe!!!

Church was fun and a lot of work since we as a Presidency had sharing time for Mother's Day. After church we headed to my sister's for a BBQ with the family. This was my moms last Mother's Day here in the U.S. for three years, so we all got together for the she bang. Next we headed over to Kurt's parents to hang out for a while.

I just want to tell my mom how much I love her! She is amazing. I will miss her so much while she's gone and won't know what to do when I can't call her and know that she is down the street. Living so close to both of our families has some major advantages and we get to see them all the time. I love you mom and hope that I can become at least half of the mom that you have been to me. Thank you for everything you do for my little family and the example that you have set for me! I love you so much and words can't express how thankful I am for you! A mom is so irreplaceable and I can't imagine not having you in my life. I look back at the way you and dad raised us kids, and hope that I can do things like you did. I remember the zuka juices you would bring to school for me, toast and hot chocolate when we weren't feeling good, trips to the mall, St. George vacations and all the swimming, and most of all the respect that I had for you and dad and not wanting to disappoint. You have made me who I am and I hope to be able to raise my kids the same.

And to my wonderful mother in law. Thank you for raising such an amazing son who takes care of us and is such an amazing husband and father. He has always had your example to follow and has become a man because of you & Russ. Thank you for being so involved in our lives and always being just a phone call away! I'm so glad that I have two families who are so close and who will be there the minute we ask! I love you and appreciate all that you do for us!

The Cookie Monster

Need I say more...? He was licking it clean!

Happy Anniversary to Us!

Today Kurt and I celebrated 5 years. It feels like it went by so fast. Five years ago I was 20 years old and waking up to get married to my lover boy! I had no idea what life was going to bring, I was just SO excited! It's the same today...I can't wait to see where we are at in another five years. My wedding day was such an awesome day and so unforgettable. Every year seems to get better and better. I never thought I could love someone so much! I married such an amazing person who loves me no matter what. In my eyes life is about sharing it with someone you can laugh with. That's one of my favorite things about Kurt...he always makes me laugh. Honestly not many people can handle me. I can admit that I'm a tad high maintenance...yes I said TAD, and I worry on OCCASION... but Kurt knows just how to handle me, make me forget about my worries, and have fun! I love you so much babe!! Thanks for an amazing five years and many more to come.

My First 5K

I actually did it. I've never run anything in my life, and I finally did my first 5K. When I first started working out almost six months ago I could barely walk for twenty minutes at a fast pace. Now I'm proud to say that I ran 3.2 miles in 32 minutes, and I ran the entire thing. The run was "The Linda Butters Memorial Fun Run" right up here at Jordan Landing. It was POURING rain the entire run, but well worth it. Here is a picture of all of us who ran, and yes, we all look hot with our soaking wet hair and clothes. My mother in law Lynette (who took third, and got a medal for her age category), Mindy, Alaina, Kurt, Me, & Kellie. Now I can put a check next to this goal!! Thanks to my hubby who stayed with me the entire way...until the very end when he sprinted to the finish line. Now it's off to another possible 5K at the end of this month.