One of those Great Days

Ever have one of those days that is just so perfect and relaxing. Well I had one of those.
October 29, 2016 in Cedar Fort, UT at my brother house. The men got together to help put a new roof on my brothers barn. Meanwhile the ladies got together and chit chatted and played with the kids. The weather was perfect and the company even more so. The day was just so easy going and the air was fresh, it cleared my mind and allowed me to sort through feelings. I loved it. We enjoyed lunch and a walk together and the men loved being handy. Life is good!

Liv loved the kitties and they didn't mind being played with

My beautiful mother

Men hard at work

Checking out the small town school playground

My fun sister in law

The men with their finished product

I just love the country.

TriathaMOM August 2016

My friend Kara did a TriathaMOM in 2015 and encouraged me to do it with her. A triathaMOM is more like a sprint triathlon. It is a 300 meter swim, 11 mile bike ride, and 5K. I signed up in January as apart of my birthday gift to myself and started training in March. They had a 12 week training program to follow. My goal was to condition my body so I wouldn't die. I was still nursing so I had low expectations on weight loss in this process. But to my surprise my body reacted really well to my training. I wasn't training too hard core. I did Jazzercise every week, then I alternated between biking and swimming weekly. I also tried to lift weights once a week. Nothing to crazy but totally made a different along with eating better. Honestly I just didn't want to die and be sore for weeks after wards. 

I save my money and bought some mountain biking shorts.

Then came the big day. The week leading up to it I felt like I could finish in 2 hours but then I got nervous and set a goal to finish in 2.5 hours. 

The weather was beautiful. I woke up early (5 am) and got there to get a spot in the transition area and get all set up and make a last minute potty run. I was excited but totally nervous having never done anything like this before. They gathered everyone together to review some last minute rules. There were about 500 people racing. So many different walks of life and shapes and sizes. Pregnant women, elderly, young, and middle age. It was awesome. All through the race everyone was encouraging each other and cheering. It was really lovely the comradely. 

We lined up in our perspective swimming time and waited to dive in. The pool wasn't deep so I found that I was walking in the water at certain times. Swimming went well and then I ran to the transition area to jump on my bike. It took me a while to get a groove on the bike because my legs were tired and my head was still foggy from all the hustle and bustle. But once I got going I was cursing. Then after the bike ride I started my 5K. I ran some and walked some. There were some switch backs in the trail. I tried to run faster as I approached the finish line. I ran through it and they called my name and announced it was my first triathlon (because my ankle computer chip told them it was). My cousin ran up to give me a hug. I had no idea she was going to be there but she was working the massage table. It was so awesome having someone hug me at the end. Then I got in line for a massage and stretch which was wonderful. I wasn't sore as much because of it. They also had a light breakfast, I ate like 3 bagels. I was so hungry. They had a kid carnival going on that I checked out. I waited for my friends to come through then I went home and hung out with the family. 

I left my phone in my car because I was nervous about getting distracted with taking pics and I really wanted to be engrossed in the experience. But I wish I had someone following me around and taking action shots. So above is my before pic.

And this is my after pic

Overall my time exceeded my expectations. I finished in one hour and 56 minutes. 

This was so much fun and I am definitely going to do it again next year. I think I did so great preparing physically but not so much mentally. Which is what I want to work on for next year. They had a sports physiologist come talk to us before we started and it really helped me focus. 

My age. LOL

My pretty necklace I got at the end. This was such a cool experience. Never be afraid to try new things and push yourself. 

Roanism

Roan is 5 years old this Thursday!!!! Oh Man I cannot believe how time has flown but I love every minute with this fun, silly, caring little boy. The older he gets the cooler he gets. I love how his mind works and all the fun things he shares with us that he is thinking about. The last year I have logged a couple of those thing here. Enjoy!

Mom I'm a child of God but people in primary call me a Sunbeam

Hug yourself as he hold Liv's arms to her chest

Mom I have a surprise for you as he hands me things that belong to Grandma. Progressively more and more things that he randomly gets from around the house. TA DA

Picked up Roan from Daycare and he said, "Mom I like Lightning mCQueen but I don't have to watch it anymore. I am growing up."

Always looking on the bright side. After wetting his pants he says, "At least my shirt is still clean." ;)

I like my friend Mary but I don't want to marry her

On the phone he doesn't know what to say so he tells people on the other line what is in the room currently. Food, tv, baby sister.

He moves his shoulders all super cute like when we play dance dance revolution

Loves to tell me stories. One day I kept the radio off in the car and he told me these wild stories. One was about a planet earth and people dressed in white and aliens and Jesus, essentially it was the plan of salvation. Then he told me about Planet Trailer and Cat Car Planet. It was pretty rad,

Starts sentences with "Actually".

When I give him a task he repeats task to me as if it was his idea.

Please go  brush your teeth and go potty then we will read a story. Mom how about I go get ready for bed then we can read a story.

Likes to give out assignments. I will go brush my teeth while you watch baby sister. 

Be sure to drive safe Mom and don't hit any cars or mailboxes. 

Smart Alec-Roan still needs to be wiped after pooping. One time he said he was done and I told him it would be a minute since I was feeding baby sister and he replied, "Can Dad do it. He's not feeding baby sister." Another time when I told him it would be a minute he responded, "Can someone who's not feeding baby sister come wipe me." Since I wrote this he has learned to wipe himself. And he can pee standing up too. 

Cars eat gas and houses eat people

I can't tell you right now its a long story.

Says EEE but he means WE.

You've got to see this!!! Or You are not going to believe this!! Or you've got to be kidding me!!!

I'm just chilling with Grandma in the kitchen.

How many of these do we have left.

When the sacrament was passed he asked the deacon how much water they had left. Time and a place buddy!

I had a dream last night about Willie Wonkie. 

Always giving commentary about what sister is doing and thinking. 

When I ask him what he did at Daycare today he gives a big sigh and the lists everything. 

Roan also does this cute thing where everyone has a their own voice when he is sharing stories about preschool. 

Roan is such a good big brother. We do have to remind him often to be gentle but he is so considerate of Liv and looks out for her all the time. He is so good at making her laugh and trying to make her feel better. 

He has such a fun imagination. I am always finding these hilarious set ups with his toys.  

Here he told me there is a race going on and all the other cars are watching and the airplanes are flying over it at the end of the race. 

Making trains with the cars complete with people and animals. 

 This tiger was in his cage

 Love his smile

 He loves to care for animals

 Morning snuggles

Happy 5th Birthday Roan!! We love you

We moved into our home June 2013. Since then I have taken a picture of Roan on this wooden made chair in our yard. It is crazy to see how he has grown. 

Livs 1st Birthday Party

We had a cookies and milk 1st birthday party for Liv

It was wonderful and simple to put together. Liv had a good time and was surrounded by family and friends. She did really well but started to get tired an hour into the party. She clung to me for the most part. My favorite part was the smile on her face when everyone started singing Happy Birthday. Her smile was so big and sweet.