Camping in Coalville

We had a great time camping in Coalville. The weather was hot but the river was cool. The fish weren't biting and the mosquitoes left us all a few reminders that they were very hungry. We still had a wonderful time hiking, fishing, eating, roasting s'mores and relaxing with Nana, Bepa, and the clan. On our last day, we drove into Evanston to watch the horse races. Both the kids competed in the "Little Cow Pokes" race and mom and dad placed a few pony bets. It was a great time and lots of fun. The kids loved seeing the horses race and all the loud noises and spectator hype. I haven't been there in years and it was a great reminder of why we need to go more often. We came back to camp and had to watch "horse races" (the kids pretending they were horses) all night. Fun times!

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Race Results!

Today Justin got a package in the mail from the Utah Arts Festival. It's this awesome medal made of sandstone and a certificate for a 1-day lift ticket to Deer Valley Ski Resort with a note saying "Thank you for participating...here is your prize." Well, we are wondering what place he took so we checked it out and....are you ready?....1ST PLACE! He took first place for his division! AWESOME!!! I am so proud of him. So, for the heck of it, we look down the list to the females, just to check if I even placed at all, and......ready?........I placed 2ND in my division! We are one happy family right now, riding a cloud. Okay, I'm done tooting my horn. Time for a celebratory glass of wine. Oh, and if you want to see for yourself, here is the link: http://www.sports-am.com/RaceResults/data/2008%20Art%20Attack%20Results.txt

Update 7/24/08: Today I received a package in the mail too! I got the same medal as Justin but with a red ribbon instead of blue. I also received this incredible scrapbook kit and a disk with 2000 fonts (do they know me or what?). I was so happy. Justin and I just gave each other a high five and proceeded to sign up for another 5K on August 15Th. We will keep you posted with results!

A New Toy! (Thanks Min.)

Last night I went running from my house up to my parents who live next to Brighton High (go Bengals!) and with the hills and all, I SWORE it must have been at least 5 miles. Well, my dad drove me home and we tracked it. THREE lousy miles. I was so sad. Well my bud Mindy told me about the Garmin Forerunner 305, an awesome watch that tracks time, distance, miles, calories, incline, heart rate, it even has real time GPS! I was hooked! I needed to have it. So, last night my darling hubby said "Buy it." and I DID! I am so excited to get it in a couple days and try it out. There are so many things it can do, I can't list them all, but if you wanted to see, go to: https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=142&pID=349# and check it out. Thanks Justin! Thanks Mindy!

Chance Meeting?

Wednesday I took the kids to the pool. We got there early and found one of the very few prized shade areas. A middle-eastern women dressed in a burqa, came in with her children. I knew she would be hot in the 97 degree weather, so the kids and I scooted our chairs as tight as possible and offered to share our shade with them. The woman, Mesa, gladly took us up on the offer. Throughout the three hours we were there, Mesa and I struck up a wonderful conversation. She shared a swim cap that she had purchased in the Middle East a couple months ago, with Sieauna. She asked about the book I was reading and asked me if I had read "A Thousand Splendid Suns". She gave me her just finished copy and I read the first six chapters at the pool, discussing every chapter with her as I read. I got hooked! She said "I just knew you'd like it". She was so friendly, so kind. I came home and put the book on hold at the library. I picked it up yesterday and am almost done reading it. God puts people in your life everyday for reasons we are not sure of, but I am so glad for the chance meeting with Mesa. I hope to run into her again someday.

7/14/2008:

Afterthought: The book was amazing, heart wrenching, touching. I couldn't put it down and finished it in two days. Knowing that Mesa has experienced the aspect of Middle Eastern life, makes her a very strong woman in my eyes. This book, and the Kite Runner, have really opened my eyes to what exactly is going on over there. Also, it makes me realize that sadly we have a long way to go before our armed forces, as well as the people of the Middle East, can make it a country even close to what we have in America. After reading those books, I truly love my country and boy are we spoiled! Wow...all I can say.

Mia & Lilly - Best Friends Forever

I know this is kinda funny, but I just thought this was the cutest picture ever. This, my friends, is why we have fur-children. (Click to enlarge. Mia is sleeping on Lilly's back while Lilly is resting on Mia's arm.) SO CUTE!

Salt Lake Art Attack 5K Race

I did it! I completed my first 5K race and I am so proud of myself. The coolest thing was that Justin came in four minutes ahead of me and was waiting for me about 50 yards from the finish line. When I saw his big ol' smile cheering me on, I was instantly motivated and re-energized and crossed the finish line in a full on sprint. I made the 3.10 miles in 32.47 minutes, which is two minutes faster than my personal best time of 34.5. HAPPY DAY! I was so very excited and exhausted all at the same time. Now, how bout' that 10K?...let's give that one awhile, I'm pretty sore today!

LOVE LOVE LOVE- Happy 13th Anniversary

Today is our 13Th anniversary. I am still so in love. I wanted to give a shout out to my wonderful husband who I adore, admire, cherish, am thankful for, find very sexy and currently miss! Justin, you are an amazing husband and father. Thank you for all the things you have done for our family to make my dreams come true. I am so happy where our lives are at and there isn't anything I could ask for that you haven't already given me. I love you. I love you. Justin, I LOVE YOU!

My Review of "The Kite Runner"

What a powerful book that filled me with such mixed emotions. On the one hand, I loved the story behind the story: the story of two boys growing up in very difficult times under extremely adverse conditions. On the other hand, some of the chapters really cut me inside-hardcore and I actually cried at certain parts. It is a highly emotional book and if you're like me with the high emotions, grab a box of Kleenex and be prepared for some things that you would never imagine possible. Overall, I am really glad I read it. It completely woke me up to the world on the other side of my sheltered, wonderful, spoiled life in America. I doubt that I will ever forget this book.

Ouch Little Lilly.

Lilly's home from her knee surgery. The doctor said it was a lot worse than he anticipated and he's glad he operated when he did. Her knee cap was essentially just not there. He had to break her thigh (femur) bone and reset it with pins. He also had to create a new knee socket to hold the knee ball in. Yikes! The doctor said he has optimistic thoughts for a full recovery. It will be a little strange seeing Lilly walk on all four. She's always used just the three legs-we thought it was normal because she never seemed to be in pain. We had a rough night, but she's doing pretty well today. She sat out in the sun with mom this morning and we shared a banana before her sedatives kicked in and she slipped off to dream land...where she will be most of the upcoming week. Thanks for your thoughts.

Prayers for Lilly

We found out today that there is a sad meaning behind Lilly's nickname "Lilly-Lilly-Lift-her-foot". She's been diagnosed with Patellar Luxation and she needs knee surgery right away. The worst is a stage 4, hers is a stage 3 to 3.5. She will be operated on Friday morning. Please keep little Lilly in your thoughts. Recovery is long, 8 to 12 weeks with no running or jumping. Yikes! The things we do for our fur-children.