Bike racing

This has been Jerry's summer of fun.  Since I can't even dream of running (how do people do it when they're pregnant, I mean really??) he's been able to ride his bikes a lot, road and mountain.  He has spent a lot of time especially on his mountain bike.  I know he has had a lot of fun.  After all of his rides he decided he really wanted to try some mountain bike races.  So after all of the running races he's supported me in, it was time to return the favor.  And let's be honest, the mountain bike races he found, were in some of my favorite places. 

 

The first ride was at snowbird.  The kids and I had a picnic and hung out while he was riding his brutal course.  It was fun for us!  Here he is coming in...

The kids are so good at cheering on.  They get really excited and let everyone know who their daddy is! 

One morning after a bike ride, Jerry came in wearing this yellowish jersey.  Kate said to him, "Dad is that THE yellow jersey?"  Hilarious and priceless! 

Only in Utah. 

 

The next race Jerry found was at Solitude Ski resort.  It was a much bigger and more popular race.  He had a lot of fun there, too.  Again, we hiked around, played on rocks and ate otter pops while Jerry was suffering!

 

 

The best part about the Solitude races is that they had a fantastic kids race.  It was probably a mile or so per lap and you could choose 1,2, or 3 laps.  Matt was only able to race once and he chose to do two laps.

There were quite a few kids and most chose two laps.  He was 6th out of the two lappers.  Some of the kids are crazy and amazing.  There was a four year old girl who did one lap.  And some of the kids actually just lead the way and then race in the adult race.  Crazy!  Matt is in the middle on a red bike with a black/red helmet. 

 The single track coming down is not easy.  There is also no place to pass so he got stuck behind a slower rider.  Afterwards, he said he just raced to have fun, not to win.  That will do for now, but we'll work on his competitive side!

The glorious finish line! 

When he came across the finish, he raised his arm up like this.  I thought it was so great, but my camera didn't take the picture fast enough so I made him do it again.  He was not thrilled.

 

You might notice the band aid he has on his arm and think it's from biking.  It's not.  It's actually from running into a pole on the way to his classroom that morning.  It was so funny.  When I picked him and Kate up, he gets in the car and very seriously says, "I ran into a pole today on my way to my portable."  I turned and looked at him and was like, "What?"  He said, "Yea, I was walking and not looking and ran into a pole and in knocked me down and even knocked my glasses off."  He was kind of laughing so, of course, I was too.  He said a 6th grader helped him up.  When I asked him if he just wasn't looking or looking down or something, he said he didn't know.  He said, "I was just walking along and then bam, I was laying on my back."  Oh, we have laughed and laughed.  He really didn't have any bumps or bruises, just some scratches.  Funny story though!



50 years ago today

50 years ago today my parents were married and sealed for eternity in the Manti Utah temple!  I have never seen this picture before so I was really glad that my brother found it.  My mom might be mad at me... sorry mom!

 

I think it's pretty amazing what a lot of hard work and committment can lead to!  Of course, my parents aren't perfect, but they have been such good examples to me my whole life.  One thing that will always stand out is how hard they work.  They are constantly working at something.  They have spent many many hours serving in our church.  My dad also worked hard hours as a doctor and on his farm.  My mom has spent her life raising 7 of us knuckleheads as well as supporting my dad in his many endeavors.  They are truly amazing at how they just keep on working.

Somewhere around November 1, they will be released as the temple president and matron of the Monticello, Utah temple.  They have again spent countless hours driving to and working at this temple.  Shortly after my dad retired, they were called to work in the temple.  A couple of years later my dad was asked to serve as the first counselor in the presidency while my mom served as assistant to the matron.  Three years later they were then called to serve as president and matron.  A day or two after they are released, they are going on their first real vacation, a cruise.  It's not the first time they've left home, they've taken me to some cool places like Orlando, South Carolina, Hawaii, San Diego, etc., but it was always for a conference for my dad or something like that that would make it not a true vacation.  I don't think sitting still is in their vocabulary!

 

I am so grateful for my parents and the family I was born into.  I have some pretty amazing siblings as well.  Of course, they all know  I can beat them at something but I will let them bask in my compliment.

 

Happy 50 years mom and dad! 

Being pregnant on my birthday

This is the day that I have longed for and dreaded all at the same time.  I've always had this great life plan that just kind of ended at age 35.  Not that I was planning on dying by any means, I just had some goals and things like that that I wanted to finish by 35.  And then I just stopped thinking about it.  Even though life hasn't quite matched my plan, I've always had this magic age of 35 in my mind.  And now I've reached it and all of a sudden I don't have a plan and it kind of feels weird.  So for that reason I've been dreading this day. 

On the other hand, I've been counting down the days and hours practically to get to this day.  This is the last big thing on my list before the baby comes.  And it feels so good to be here!  Less than a month, 4 weeks exactly from today, thanks to scheduled inductions, we'll get to meet our little Bobia.  And let me tell you, I am ready!  Part of my aforementioned plan was to be done having children by the age of 35.  Well, I figure I'm pretty close.  But my plan was not to have a 5 year break so I have mixed feelings about this pregnancy.  I'm pretty sure it will be our last because I can't imagine going through another pregnancy, but a little part of me is not quite ready to close that window, officially.  (Please don't tell Jerry!!)  But just in case it's our last I just wanted to record a few thoughts...

I do not like being pregnant.  I am not a pleasant person to be around.  Sadly, Jerry gets the full force of my misery and the kids are second.  Sad that I can suck it up and appear competent around those I don't care about the most, but I know my family will forgive me and still love me.  There have been days where I've made it from the bed to the couch and that was my biggest accomplishment.  There have been times when I've run to the bathroom to hide my sobs, my being sick, my horrible thoughts of complete and utter failure and anything else I just want to hide from.  Feeling sick all day and all night takes it's toll on me.  My mind becomes this battle ground of dark, depressing thoughts versus trying to find something positive to hold on to.  It's not easy.  And that all lasts all the way until my belly gets big enough to really be uncomfortable.  Then begins the heartburn, the back pain, the pain in my rib cage, the swelling which this time has led to carpal tunnel syndrome in both wrists.  I all of a sudden become totally incapable of normal human behavior.  I can't lift, walk right, turn, sit on the floor, get up off the floor, maintain a normal body temperature, and now it hurts to drive, write, type, clean anything that requires wrist movement.  And I just have to take it one day at a time.  Just get through this day.

But on the the other hand, there is something magical about being pregnant that even I can't deny.  When I feel the baby move, barely at first, and then more forcefully it already becomes worth it.  With every kick, push, hiccup or turn I think of this little baby growing.  And as I get bigger and I can sometimes specifically feel a knee or elbow or something, I remember that a precious little being is there.  That it's a real human being.  And that I, insignificant I, gets to be the one to have this little spirit and I'm so grateful that I'm able to be pregnant.  I still hate it, but I'm grateful.  And for this split second, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  And I feel like I just might make it.  This time around I've thought about this baby every single day for at least the last three years, realistically probably longer.  And now that I'm only a month away from meeting Himher I feel like I just might be able to be patient and enjoy what I possible can from being pregnant and remember how it feels, just in case I don't feel it again. 

And I have a whole month to make a new life plan that goes beyond the age of 35.  Any ideas of what to do with my life??? 

So happy birthday to me, even though no one can give me what I really want, which is a normal size belly, a night without heartburn and the ability to stand up without looking like a whale trying to walk!  I hope I will have enough breath to blow out the candles on my cake tonight.  And extra thanks to Jerry for taking me out last Friday to celebrate my birthday just the two of us.  That was pretty much the perfect gift!

Carrying on Mois's world

If you haven't read my blog since post number 1, or if you don't know my life story, you might not understand mois's world.  So if you are in that category, let me explain.  When I was 8 or 9, I was obsessed with all things french and gymnastics, especially Mary Lou Retton.  This was when she won her gold medal and scored a perfect 10 on the floor.  So to be like her, I would lay on the floor and do hundreds of situps while watching t.v.  I cartwheeled or somersaulted everywhere I went.  I stretched and stretched so I could all three splits.  And I tried to speak french.  Basically that was counting to ten (which I can still do) and naming colors and that was pretty much it!  Somehow, in an effort to spite one or more of my brothers, I created a world called Mois's world.  There were no boys allowed here and Mary Lou Retton and I were the queens.  If you know me at all,  you should be nodding your head and thinking, "this sounds so typical of her".  It was.  I was full of attitude and sass that I of course grew out of at some point. 

Well, imagine my delight at this year's olympics.   We all had so much fun watching them together.  I miss having them on, but I do feel so much better with a lot more sleep!  My favorite thing though was Kate and Sara watching gymnastics with me.  It's my favorite thing to watch and I loved talking about it with them.  What I loved even more was when they went upstairs and got their leotards on and started doing gymnastics all around the house!

 

I tried to get some pictures of them in action, but they are all too blurry.  The best thing they did was take all the cushions off the couch and build a vault.  It was hilarious.  They couldn't quite flip over the vault so they came up with all sorts of ways to twist and turn and roll over it.  It was so much fun to watch them. 

It totally made me laugh to watch them and made me so happy.  I know that with these two girls around, Mois's world will not die and I can't wait to pass on the crown.  With the attitude and sass these girls have, Mois's world will be a thriving imagination spot.  And in case you're wondering...

Still no boys allowed!

(Painting done by Sara)



Sara goes to school

Today was Sara's first day of preschool.  She has been looking forward to this day for a while now.  We had her open house a couple of weeks ago where she got to officially meet her teacher and meet a few other kids in her class.  Since then she's been really excited.

I have to admit I was sad this morning to drop her off.  At first I told Jerry if we didn't have another baby coming I'd be really sad, but it really wasn't just the thought of sending my "baby" to school.  Sara has really become my little buddy especially the past couple of years.  She really doesn't play by herself well at all so she pretty much just follows me around all day.  So we're always talking or snuggling or reading books or lately, even taking a little snooze together.  She goes with me on all my errands.  I have loved her with me.  So as I was dropping her off and I knew she was excited but also nervous, I had to tell myself, "don't cry, don't cry..."

She had a great day though and I was really happy and proud of her.  She told me last week that her brain would be crying because she would miss me.  I think preschool is a necessity for both of us.  I was happy that she went in so easily and was so happy and excited when I picked her up.  Yea for her!

Waiting in the garage for her teacher to see me and tell her she can go.  I kept motioning for her to just come, but she was very obedient and waited for her teacher to give her the green light.

Running to me, all smiles!

 So happy to have her new doggy backpack.  Oh I love this girl!

Jerry told me I should take her too lunch and make a big deal out of her day.  See how spoiled this girl is.  But I wasn't about to complain.  I asked Sara where she wanted to go and strangely she said Burger King.  I don't think she's ever been there and I haven't been there for many years so I was surprised.  She said it was because her friend Maddie had a crown from BK and she wanted one too.  Now that made sense! 

But she ended up liking the toy in the kid's meal better.  They are Gary the snail from Spongebob eyes.  She wore them all afternoon.  When we went outside to ride bikes she asked me to wear the headband which I did.  After we came back in I realized I'd been talking to our neighbor that we don't know very well for a while and I was wearing the eyes the whole time.  She probably thinks I am some sort of freak.  Oh well, that's me!

Sara is bummed that she has to wait all the way until Wednesday to go back to school, but after her tantrum before bedtime that I know came from just being tired, I'm not bummed.  Plus we get the whole day together tomorrow!



Happy Day!

After some conversations with Jerry and I, Matt decided to not spend all his money on baseball cards.  I usually really try to let him spend his money on what he wants, but I just couldn't quite be ok with him spending that much on this season's cards and for teams he doesn't like as much.  Anyway, he decided he would rather have a Rockies jersey.  Jerry found a store on ebay where he could buy it for 35.  We went to a store to try on sizes and they were going to charge 70 for him to get his favorite players name on the back.  The only bad thing was he had to wait a few days to get it.  But when it came... it was a fabulous moment!

 Some serious excitement! Especially after checking the mail every day for four or five days.



And his favorite player, Todd Helton, branded on the back.  Anything that has to do with the number 17 he just refers to as Helton.  What day is in 5 days?  Helton day.  How fast am I driving?  Helton.  How old is that teenager?  Helton.  Pretty funny and a good use of money, as long as Helton gets off the injured list and doesn't retire!

Other summer fun

Even though we've been in school for the past 2 1/2 weeks, we are still holding on to summer as long as we can.  A goal that Jerry had this summer was to get Kate to ride a bike without training wheels.  She's a little tricky in that if it's not something she wants to do, she won't try at all.  But she also wanted to learn.  We have a bit of practice left to do, but she's doing great. 

 And of course, if Sara sees someone else doing something, she wants to do it, too.  Being a bit of  a daredevil, she'll ride a lot faster than Kate.  She makes me nervous sometimes!

Happy Birthday Kate!

Sunday we got to have so much fun celebrating Kate's birthday.  She has been looking forward to this day for a while.  I can't believe she is 7 years old.  It seems so crazy.  She makes me so happy and we always talk about how I was so glad to get a girl and I always dressed her in pink and had a bow in her hair everyday.  We laugh about that.  She has told me that she hopes the baby is a boy and she wants to dress him up and put bows in his hair.  It cracks me up.  Like mother, like daughter, Clark?

Here are some pictures from the fun day.

On Friday, Kate invited a couple of friends to go see the movie Brave.  It was a lot of fun.  We came home afterwards and had donuts and presents.  Simple and fun, my kind of birthday party!

Sunday morning we of course started with presents.  Kate asked for a Lego friends house.  If you're not familiar with them, they are geared specifically for girls around Kate's age.  Whoever in the lego business that thought of them was a genius.  I like the Lego factor and Kate has been loving it.  She was so excited to open it.  Finally, after so many disappointing present opening moments, I finally got the moment I've been waiting for.  She was thrilled. 

This girl cannot be serious.  At least I am getting more pictures where she is actually looking at the camera and that's all I care about for now.  I'm so glad she's so happy!

All three kids had blast building the house and then playing with it.  Such a great toy!

Amazing how big of a flame 7 candles appears to be!

All blown out!  Wish fulfilled I hope!

Kate is definitely my challenge child, but I love her so much.  We are already working through emotional drama on a regular basis.  The other day she was throwing a fit because she was tired of her clothes and didn't have enough.  I thought we had a few years before we had that discussion.  But she is also more flexible than say Matt and his strong A-type personality.  She is also the best snuggler and I love how much she talks to me and how close I feel with her.  She is the most excited about the baby.  She has a natural mothering instinct and I'm excited to see how she handles the baby.  She is also a hard worker.  She has to be.  Sometimes it breaks my heart, nothing comes easy for her.  She has to work hard in school often spending more than an hour on homework.  She works hard at dance and any other activity that requires coordination.  I keep waiting and looking for that one thing that is easy for her to master.  I try to remind myself that maybe this is not a curse and that maybe for some reason in her life she'll need the confidence that she can work hard at something.  It is just hard to watch her always having to work so hard to not be a step behind.  She is, however, the best at playing by herself and the world that she enters especially when she's playing dolhouse, even rivals Mois's World.  She is so happy when she's pretending.  She really is a happy girl and even though her emotions are all over the place, I love having her around me.  She makes me happy!  Happy 7 years, Kate!  I love you!