Mom ran her first 5k

I know, I know, to most of you this is not some kind of spectacular feat. But for me... this is HUGE! It has been a long time coming... all my health issues over the years and especially my heart issues which have defeated my attempts at any and all types of exercise for the past 10 years. Well, in January as everyone was setting their new years resolutions... I set mine. I decided I was going to do this for myself. It was my time. So, with my dear friend Betsy, I am on a quest to conquer a half marathon in September. John called a few connections and set me up with the most awesome trainers ever. (We've learned over the years that husband and wife mixing trainer/trainee just really doesn't work for us! Ü hahaha!) So, here I am, 3 1/2 months later, 17 lbs lighter, running my first 5k. And - no heart problems! Not once have I passed out! It's a miracle!!! Seriously! I'm so happy!!!

Saturday, amidst the 31 degree temperature, rain/snow mix falling down, I did it! And as I neared the finish line and saw my wonderful husband, beautiful kids (all 3 crammed in our jogging stroller trying to stay warm- poor things!), my mom and my brother - I got so choked up I could barely breathe!

This is just the beginning for me....

My trainers... Greg and Rich.

A Not-So Happy April Fools

I love Family Fun magazine. I am always happy when it arrives in my mailbox. I love all the fun crafts, games, gifts and funny articles about parenting and kids. So, when I received my April issue I found this great idea for a fun April Fools idea for my kids. I've never really participated much in April Fools day, just because I never think of anything fun to do until after the fact. Then, by the next year I've completely forgotten my good ideas. Well, I got this fun idea and I went for it!

So, for snack time I told the kids I made them a special fruit punch drink for snack time. They were so excited, practically licking their lips! This is what they got:

Jello.

This is what they did:

And then:

Mahlia is just devastated... she did not think this was funny at all! Joseph is just plain furious. Jackson, well, he was pretty unemotional... he was just wondering what the heck was going on.

I even tried to make up for it by adding whipping cream.

At least it made Jackson happy!!!!

Guess April Fools just isn't our holiday. Which is just fine by me!!! Ü BTW - I am laughing so hard as I write this... this could have been the funniest thing ever!

Update

Joseph did an awesome job on his school program. The theme was "Presidents of the United States" and his part was on Abraham Lincoln. All the students did an awesome job on their parts and the teachers did a great job writing the program. It was quite impressive. Way to go Joseph! He was also one of the top readers in his class during the school read-a-thon! And what a handsome boy he is! (don't mind that his shirt is a size too big! I was amazed at how many stores I had to go to looking for a white shirt for that boy!!! Finally I gave up and bought one that was way too big. It just means it will last longer, right?)

A few days later..... He lost his tooth!!!

Mahlia got to get all dressed up in her princess dress(es) and go to her BFF Andee's birthday party. All the princesses were picked up in their carriage to be taken to the royal party. She was in HEAVEN!!! (note: she couldn't pick just one pink princess dress, so if you look close... she's wearing two dresses!) She is ALL girl, can you tell???

And Jackson, well, he got a new haircut! I'm so blessed that all of my kids love getting their haircut. I've heard nightmare stories. So, I do not take it for granted!!! Jackson is doing awesome. He keeps coming up with new words to say every day. I love it. He is such a cutie and is growing up so fast... it kills me!!!

Well, that's it for now. I do need to post Mahlia's b-day pics. We had a great time and love her so much. It was so fun to celebrate her birth!!

Here's a sneak peek! (I have no idea where she gets this posing thing...put her in front of a camera and she strikes a pose!) Ü hahaha!!!

'Tis a blessing to be Irish!

I feel so blessed to be of Irish heritage. I'm thankful for my Great-Grandmother, Sarah Jane Scott Jackson, who took the trip to America all by herself at the age of 21 from Dublin to Utah in search of Zion. I'm thankful for the missionaries that taught her and supported her in her voyage.

We love St Patricks Day at our house... and I love seeing everyone in GREEN! It's so refreshing and brings the hope of Spring!

Joseph could hardly wait for leprechaun searching today during lunch recess. (his friends at school told him they found two yesterday... so Joseph is determined to find one too! YIKES!)

May the luck of the Irish be with you today and always!!!

Lessons From a Six Year Old

I'm not sure why, but lately the kids have decided that just as everyone is all tucked into bed and all is peaceful and calm... it's time to start confessing. "Mom, I'm sorry I wasn't a good listener at dinner." "Mom, I'm sorry I tripped Jackson." "Mom, I'm sorry I said I hate you. I really don't." and so the story goes. Well, the other night as I'm just finishing their bedtime songs Joseph says to me, "Mom, isn't it weird that sometimes it's really hard to say 'Sorry'? I mean, it's just a word, 'sorry'. Why is it hard to say it sometimes... it's just a word? But sometimes when I know I need to say sorry to someone, it's really, really hard. But I know I will feel better after I say it, so I just say it. But sometimes it's really hard." I LOVED IT! It's so true! "Sorry" is just a word, but sometimes it IS really hard to say it! But we always feel better afterwards. Thank you for the reminder my sweet boy.