Brayden likes the tubby!

Brayden just decided one day (one of those days) that he was just going to get in the tubby fully dressed. This is the outcome!! 

Windy WOW!!

The day after we bought our new patio furniture there was a wind storm. I woke up to having 2 of our HEAVY chairs blown in the pool. They were really fun to fish out. NOT!! That is just one example of how the wind is here.

Oklahoma Land Run

When you are in 3rd Grade here in Oklahoma, you get to participate in the annual Land Run at your school.  At Northern Hills it was a day of square dancing, butter making, dressing up, having a picnic once you stake your claim, etc.  It is a BIG day for everyone involved.  

Madelyn was insistent upon bringing our toy wagon to the Land Run.  I didn't realize it was going to be her groups main wagon.  I asked her if we needed to dress it up but she told me that she would take care of it.  Well, she did.......... with cardstock, tape, and a marker.  She told me when I got there that she felt silly because her wagon was so small and messy compared to everyone else's wagons and that people were teasing her.  I told her to lift her head, smile, and laugh with them.  It really WAS funny and that's okay to laugh at yourself a little.  I told her how she shouldn't get hurt feelings about it at all.  It worked.  We had such a fun time with her little wagon!  

Whew, we won't have to do this for another 2 years!  Maybe then I will remember to really "make" a covered wagon.  Sounds like a good Cub Scout project for Bryan and Andrew!

The little boys were so excited to have a picnic of their own next to Madelyn's picnic.  :)

I ran a 5K today!!!!!

I wanted to share this on all of my blogs today because I'm just so excited!!! I've been training to run this 5k for 3 1/2 months now and today was the day.

On the way to the run I was so nervous and didn't even think I would be able to accomplish it. My stomach hurt a touch and my leg was acting up. It was a long morning. When the race was about to begin all of the sudden I started getting really excited. Excited enough to embarrass my husband, too. :) I was majorly stretching, singing songs, and just acting so silly!!

The Race. This was super hard!!! I never really knew what to expect. There were A LOT of hills that I had to climb but, you know what? I DID!!! When I finished 1K I was amazed at how fast the time went by. By the 2K I was getting a little tired. When I got to 3K I knew that I was over halfway there. When I got to 4K I was hanging in there. I actually started crying during the last K because I couldn't believe I was really doing it. I kept thinking about my father who has passed on and how proud he would have been with me for doing this. It was so neat. My husband had finished a few minutes before me and came back to run the last 50 feet or so with me. I saw the finish line and then the clock next to it ticking the time. Something in me snapped and I ran with all my might the last bit! I finished the 5K at 30 minutes and 58 seconds!!! I ran the entire race!!!! I even passed people and for awhile there nobody was right behind me!!!

What am I going to do next, you ask?? Prepare to run a 5K in October for Susan G. Koman. This time I am going to raise funds and make it mean something incredible. My daughter, who is 11, is going to train with me this summer and run it with us. What a fun thing to do together.

Thanks for letting me share this. I knew some of you would be interested. :)

Before and After

Some of you already know that I have been on a journey these past 3 months but some of you might not be aware. I started on January 5th and have continued since then. Here is a before and after pic. I still have 15 more pounds to go but I already feel like a completely different person. I am stronger, have more energy, and have a totally new outlook on life. I also love to run now. I am running my first 5K with Bryan this upcoming Saturday. I can't believe I am really going to do it. I have never thought that this would even be possible for me. Wish me luck!!! I have lost 23 pounds since January 5th and 31 pounds since December.

This is the COOLEST thing EVER!!!

Sound of Music Train Station @ Yahoo! Video

Happy Easter

This morning I remembered to snap a quick picture before we all jumped in the car for church. I hope you all have had a wonderful Easter.

My Baby Girl is 11

I still remember the day she was born. I actually went into labor on General Conference and had to walk around the park with Bryan while we listened to it on headphones. What great memories!! I remember how she used to cry all the time but would stop if we just held her. She was held a lot!!! Here she is...

Our ear piercing rule had always been at the age of 12 but we changed the rules this year when we decided that 11 was good enough.  We want to make a big deal about going into Young Women and babysitting when she is 12.  

Katelyn was SOOO nervous to get her ears pierced but was so brave when she got them done!

So sick!!

I don't think I have strep but I am definitely very sick! I knew I was getting a cold yesterday and took some meds before bed but they kept me up until 4am!!! I will not be doing that again. This morning I am very stuffed up, headache, and I actually felt like I was going to throw up right after I ate breakfast. I just don't have time to get sick this week. It is very busy for me!! Katelyn's birthday is today and we are getting her ears pierced after school. Thursday is the boys Easter Party at Mother's Day Out. Friday night the girls have their "un"slumber party. AND.... I haven't even started getting my new song ready for Primary on Sunday. Oh ya, it's Easter, too.

I had thought about asking someone to come and pick up my boys but I will be okay. I am going to put Brayden down for a nap in a bit and put Thomas on the computer. Then I should be able to get some rest. Wish me luck!

Nothin' But Trouble!!

Thomas was not allowed to have a piece of chocolate cake for dessert tonight because he didn't eat his dinner. Looks like he found a way to taste it anyway!! Before I got mad I ran and got the camera. Thanks for the idea Linnea!

Scarlet Fever and Strep Throat

So Brayden was finally feeling better from his fall the other day when we felt him getting a fever.  I decided to take him in to the dr on Friday afternoon just because he had hit his head, too, during his fall and I didn't want to take any chances.  Well, right when we got to the dr's office he developed a rash over his entire body.  The dr took one look at him and said although he is very young it looks like Scarlet Fever.  She then took the test and it was positive!!!  That would mean that Madelyn had strep since she had stayed home from school for 2 days with a high fever and a stomach ache.  The dr sent me home with 5 prescriptions for all of my kids just in case I needed to fill them.  That pretty much sums up the beginning of our weekend.

Hope you are all doing well!!!  Did I mention that my throat started hurting yesterday during the 1st session of conference?  I think mine is just a cold, though.  Hopefully!!