I ran in the road and got hit by a boat

If you run in the street your going to get run over by a car. My kids have heard me say this literally probably a 100o times. Yesterday I ran in the street and got hit by a car, or actually a boat. It wasn't very fun, it scared me and left me with some pretty nasty cuts and bruises. But I didn't die, I wasn't maimed, I didn't even break anything, in fact it triggered a rush of adrenaline that pushed me to finish my race in record time. Other than some pretty nasty cuts and bruises I am fine, and I get an amusing story to tell.

It happened around mile 4 of the Speedy Spaniard, Spanish Fork's annual 24th of July 10k. Rick and I were running together he was pushing me a bit so I was focusing on staying up with him. I was feeling good and running strong. We came to an intersection where several cars were lined up waiting to turn. A truck pulling a boat pulled up to the stop sign and signaled to turn right. Runners were on either side of him, but seeing his blinker Rick choose the left side and I followed. The truck pulled out to the left. I saw him move and I saw the trailer swinging around towards me - I stopped and hugged the guard rail. It kept coming, I heard spectators yelling I realized there wasn't room for both me and the boat on this side of the guard rail I turned around to dive over the rail but before I made it over the boat slammed into me and pinned me against the rail. It swiped me as it moved past leaving some pretty big scraps, a couple cuts and some ugly purple bruises. I was kind of in shock - I couldn't believe I had actually been hit. Several people ran over to check on me - I was as embarrassed as I was hurt so I just bucked up said I was fine and kept running. I was blinking back the tears and hoping the tears would blend in with the sweat dripping down my face and no one would notice I was crying. I watched the truck for a minute fully expecting him to stop and check to make sure I was ok and at least apologize but as he drove out of sight I wondered if he even noticed. With all the people, who were standing in front of him, yelling, waving their arms and coming over to me I would think he would have figured out something was going on. But maybe he didn't - I guess I will never know. Rick was very concerned and stayed with me till mile 5 to make sure I was fine and get me across the last few intersections before he went ahead and pulled away. We both finished the race ahead of our goal time. It didn't' really hit me how lucky I was to walk, or run, away from that with so little damage until I had a few minutes to really think about it. If he would have been going faster, or gotten in closer he definitely could have broken my legs. I was very blessed to come away virtually unscathed.

The race

Many people are surprised to find out I love to run. I am not good at it - at all, but I do love it. I try and go every morning or at least 5 times a week. Last month I challenged myself to run 100 miles in 30 days - I did it and it felt great. Running definitely has its ups and downs. The thrill of finishing, and the agony of exhaustion setting in with several more miles to go. Running can bring both pain and euphoria. For the most part I prefer a quiet little run all by myself - no stress, no pressure, but every once in a while a little competition is fun. This summer I ran a 5k in Soda Springs for the 4th of July. It was a lot of fun, I made my goal, it felt good.

But the best part of that race was seeing my Mom cross the finish line. Mom is 60 years old, and up until a few months ago she has never run. She decided she was going to run the race - so she did. With a bum knee she trained and worked and persisted. Watching her do it was a privilege. Mom has accomplished a lot of things in her life, a lot of very impressive things - way to many to mention. But among the most impressive in my book is that she raised 6 strong, smart, responsible children who consider her not only an excellent mother, a great example but also a cherished friend. She battled cancer and won. And she ran a race.

Running a 5k might not seem all that big of a deal. Lots of people run, but my mom wasn't' one of them, up until a few months ago anyway. And then one of her good friends lost her husband. It was a tragic snow mobile accident. As I watched my mom mourn with her friend and the young daughters who were left with out a father I saw real love, and deep compassion and unyielding support. Maybe I've been to immature or just oblivious to notice how blessed I have been my whole life to have all of that kind of support in my corner my whole life.

My mom has been there for me, just as she was for her friend since before I was born. The sacrifices she made to be prepared to be a wife and mother, to find the right man, to marry in the temple, to make and always keep sacred covenants, put me at a great advantage the day I was born. I have always had a great example to teach me, show me and lead me, I have always had a friend who laughed with me, cried with me and cheered me on. And whenever the going got tough she wasn't only there cheering she was holding my hand and pulling me forward. One of the greatest gifts she gave me was not only always being there for me, but more importantly the knowledge that God was there. She helped me find the faith to know Him, to trust Him and to rely on Him. By doing this she ensured that I would always have the support I would need to make it through whether she could be there or not.

I was a bit amused when she told me she had started running. I was excited for her. I've long been a fan of running. I was not only surprised but a little doubtful. I have always known her to be very strong and absolutely 100 percent committed to everything she does. I just didn't' really think of her as a runner. But she is. She trained hard, and I was impressed. She kept up with her training schedule even while on vacation and after the doctor told her running wasn't a good option for her hurt knee, but she committed to run the race, and run she did. Watching her finish that race was a visual reminder of the kind of mother I have been blessed to have. Strong and faithful, loving and compassionate, and completely committed.

The Challenges of Today

Sometimes being a Mother is a lot like riding a roller coaster - lots of ups and downs. For some reason my kids had my emotions all over the place today - I went from irate to proud, laughing to crying. I love my kids - all of them, all the time, but boy sometimes I can't decide if I would rather strangle or hug those little necks. Today Anna was at her best and so was Taylor.

Anna is my messiest child. She doesn't like to clean. And she doesn't often do things she doesn't like so her bedroom is pretty much a perpetual disaster zone. But for some reason she got up and decided to clean her room. She told me she was going to do it. I didn't think much of it because quite frankly I didn't believe her but about 1/2 hr later I walked in to find a spotless room with her bed neatly made. I didn't think she knew how to make her bed, but it looked perfect. I was so happy. She spent the whole day helping me and being rather pleasant (this is not always the case). Rick likes to call her a princess - sometimes she fits the name other times she could easily be mistaken for a wicked stepsister. Today was a princess day.

Taylor also decided to be helpful today. He did what I ask him to do and didn't argue or complain. He is really growing up. I have noticed lately how kind he can be and patient. He takes good care of Rachel and tolerates Ryan tagging along better and better each day. He wrote a letter to Grandma and Grandpa today, he read it to me. It was so thoughtful and well written I was blinking back tears. He also has been wanting to show me this really cool thing he heard on youtube. I usually avoid such things like the plague. They always turn out to be something like Charlie the Unicorn, Gummy Bears or something else of that caliber. But I finally let him share it with me. It was a piano and cello duet. Love Story meets Viva La Vida (or something like that). It was actually really pretty. Taylor loved it, he was so impressed with the music and how it was played. I was thrilled that he is finally developing some taste. He told me he was going to practice so he could play like that someday. I was proud. Some days being a Mom has priceless rewards.

Taylor and Anna had a great day, Rachel made up for them however. My Dad told me she is so naughty she is cute. He got the naughty part right. And I guess that she really is a cute little thing - and smart too. She always knows just how to push my buttons and then smile sweetly enough I end up hugging her instead of strangling her. She holds the record for my most disobedient child. We just always seem to be at odds.

Today started swimming lessons. When I called everyone to get ready and get in the car she ran to get her suit. I picked her up and reminded her for the thousandth time she wouldn't be swimming. She started her temper tantrum at that point. I called Taylor to come help me get everyone in the car. He was racing up the stairs and said sure but I have to go to the bathroom first. That was a blow, because from past experience I could tell from the way he was walking I could either wait for his help and be late or go with out him. He has inherited his Father's pooping speed. So I went ahead and left.

Rachel cried and kicked and whined the entire way to the pool, as soon as she saw the water she quit crying and sweetly told me she was ready to obey. Which was a big relief because I was struggling with her, all our towels, shoes, snacks etc, a stroller, and three anxious kids. I was trying to find a spot to camp, get a chair before they were all taken and listen to the director tell me where my kids were supposed to go. So I let my guard down and trusted Rachel's repentance and put her down. She immediately ran, I chased her but she got in ankle deep in the water. Her tennis shoes were soaking. So I put her under my arm and headed back to listen to the level assignments. She then started complaining about how thirsty she was and she needed a drink right now. I told her I would get her one after we got the kids in their right classes. I guess she really was thirsty because she reached down took of her shoe and drank the water out of it. I tried to grab it from her but I was holding so much stuff and she was still laying horizontal under one of my arms that I couldn't reach her without dropping everything. I warned her she better stop, I think she could tell I was losing it because she finally put her shoe down and smiled at me. I relaxed and shifted my attention back to the swim lessons. I felt her wiggling and looked down to see her drinking her other shoe. I gave up at that point. Pool water stained brown from the dirt and sweat of her tennis shoes probably wouldn't kill her - make her sick maybe but I was pretty sure it wouldn't be fatal.

I finally got the kids in their spots, and found a spot to camp for the next hour while I wrestled with Rachel while the kids learned to swim. I set Rachel down and again she ran. I chased her around and around the pool - she can run fast enough that I have to really work to get her. The instinct is to reach out and stop her by grabbing her hair. I don't think a good mother goes around yanking her babies hair so I tried to get close enough to grab her shoulders. I ended up not being a good mother. I got her and put her in the stroller buckled up the straps and told her she was sitting there till the first lesson was over. She wasn't happy - the whole pool knew it. I got my ipod out to cover up her screaming but as soon as she spotted it she stopped crying and sweetly ask me if she could listen to it. I debated for a second. I decided to be courteous to my fellow swim lesson moms and let her listen. She sat there for quite a while listening to Alice Cooper, Coldplay and Eupore. I was so grateful for headphones. Thankfully no one else was privy to my baby's playlist. Every time she opened her mouth to whine I shoved a piece of taffy in it. The rest of the lesson was pretty peaceful. I guess she had enough of the the stroller because she actually stayed where I told her to for the second lesson. We got home with a bit of my dignity in tact.

I had some things I needed to work on downstairs. I was moving the furniture around to make room for our new Foosball table and projector. It was a big job. Rachel wanted to help, I voted that she take a nap. I lost, she won. She organized all the DVDs- all the ones that were on the shelf where they were supposed to be- she got down and put in piles on the floor of which ones were hers and which ones were Anna's. The basement was a big job, it took most of the afternoon. Rachel disappeared for a while and since I also needed to look for a cabin to rent on the Internet I was trying hard to get the basement done in time to do that before Rick got home. After a while Rachel reappeared in her swim suit. It was wet so apparently she had gone swimming somewhere. I decided to block that thought from my head and worry about it later. Finally she was screaming at me, my back was screaming at me so I quit and went up stairs. It was then that I realized she could have been swimming on my kitchen floor for how much milk there was all over it. The bathroom could have also been a swimming possibility. I guess the spilled milk made her hands sticky so she went to wash them. There was no soap left in the dispenser so she (and Ryan) decided to get the gallon refill out and refill the soap dispensers.

Anyway I started cleaning up those messes and held my tongue.

Rachel really wanted to take her dolls for a walk and was mad I wouldn't let her go out alone. I locked the door which always frustrates her plans. I started in on my cabin search but couldn't concentrate a whole lot. Between playing referee to fighting kids, answering the phone, the door and listening to Rachel beg me to take her for a walk I was having a hard time. I gave up when she started crawling on my holding my arms so I couldn't' "wiggle" the mouse. I remembered that I needed to pass out some fliers for an Elders quorum social Rick is in charge of so I took Rachel and we set out to walk around the neighborhood passing out fliers. Anna came to and was a wonderful little helper. Rachel on the other hand wasn't. I can't figure out why the doors that looked the most appealing to her always seemed to belong to a High Priest who didn't need a flyer. That was a fight to get her to do the doors I wanted her to do.

We made it to the top of the hill and then we came to Kate's house. Kate could be called a cat lady. Rachel went ballistic. She loves cats. I hate cats. She ran for them. Something must be wrong with Kates cats because they didn't run away. I was freaking out, I was so scared Rachel was going to catch a cat. She did too. She picked it up and started carrying in around. I didn't know what to do, I yelled at her to drop it. She wouldn't she just started running from me carrying this crying cat. I was so afraid it would attack her. I was begging her to drop the thing but the closer I got to her the faster she ran. Cats make me very uneasy - borderline scared even. So I wanted to catch Rachel but didn't want to get near the cat. Finally I got her and she let it down. I was almost hyperventilating at this point. But I was got control of myself and we turned to walk away when she spotted another cat. The whole thing started over again. She caught the dumb cat and carried it around while I begged her to put it down. I was frantic at this point. She just kept yelling - No I like cats, live cats. I am sure the neighborhood was watching the whole spectacle through cracked blinds. Looking back I am sure the whole things was hilarious. I was truly terrified. Well I managed to catch her, (not in the good mom fashion again) and shook the cat out of her arms. I picked her up and marched her home praying no cat germs got on me.

I waltzed her into her room swearing she would never touch another cat as long as she lived and plopped her on her bed. I glared at her daring her to get up - she is smart enough to know when to stay put. So I shut the door walked out and tried to tune her screaming out while I started dinner. I got a hold of myself and got the kitchen cleaned, the table sat and hamburgers on the grill before she came tiptoeing out of her room. It wasn't' long before Rick was to get home that I went to check the burgers only to realize the grill was out - the gas can empty. I headed for the spare. It was empty too. Could anything else go wrong today I thought. I quickly realized that of course it could it wasn't even 7 o clock yet I still had plenty of time for things to go wrong. I pulled out the George Foreman grill and braced myself for the whining about how the burgers don't look "right". I was going to cover them with cheese so the kids couldn't tell the were different than usual - but we were out. Somehow I got through dinner alive and then started in on fhe. We didn't get done till 10:00 though and I rejoiced when it was time to put the kids to bed. It is always so wonderful to put the kids to bed on a day like today.

I tried to be careful while moving furniture but my back and legs are aching - my throat is still sore and my emotions are frazzled. All that furniture moving, Rachel chasing and wrestling has worn me out physically and emotionally. Unfortunately I don't have a whole lot to show for it either. I got the Foosball table stuck in stairs and had to wrangle it out again leaving a huge gash on my wall. Rick needed to get behind the entertainment center to check which cables he needed to buy for our new projector. So he moved it (pretty effortlessly), which was frustrating since I had spent the better half of the afternoon moving it. So I still have to move it back again. Tonight my bed is looking like my best friend. But if I was a responsible mother I would do a load of laundry, start the dishwasher, read a story and fetch a glass of water before heading for bed. I guess I am not really that responsible - i am off the bed. I need a good 6 hours so I can get up and start this all over again.

4th of July in Soda Springs

One of the biggest highlights of 4th of July in Soda Springs is the Foam Party. The fire fighters spary their foam all over the grass at the park and the kids have a blast playing in it.

The foam makes it look like it is snowing in July.

The kids all joined in the running fun. All five kids ran the 1k and had a great time doing it. Taylor even got 1st place.

We went to the children's carnival where the kids all played games, rode the ferris wheel and won some pretty fun prizes.

Rachel loves animals. It is her greatest desire to have a cat that is alive. She can't wait to buy her own house so she can do just that. The stuffed animals we buy her just don't suffice. She loves to hold dogs and considers Molly "her" dog that lives at Grandma's house.

We were a bit worried the fireworks would be cancelled when a huge thunderstrom moved in just as we were packing up the car to head for the firework show. But at the last minute a decision to go on with the show was made. The small town affords everyone a very up close and personal experience as we sit close enough for not only a spectacular view but also an occasionally spark or ash falling on us.

Balloon Festival

The 4th of July before Rick and I got married we went to the hot air balloon festival with some friends. We have made it a tradition. We havent' missed one in the 12 years we have been married. It is a fun and amazing way to start our 4th of July. The magnicifint colors, the music, the rising balloons and the excitment are a lot of fun our family has come to look forward to every year.

Hershey Meet

When I first heard of the Hershey Meet I thought, now there is something I could compete in - I am pretty confident I could make a real good showing in any contest featuring chocolate. But of course, as I am sure you all know, Hershey sponsors Track Meets for children and other than giving them quite a nice stash of candy at the state meet it really doesn't have anything to do with chocolate. Despite that, they are still a really good thing.

I think it is awesome that these kids have the opportunity to compete first against their local area, their district, the state and even the nation. It provides them with an opportunity to try something new, it gives them a chance to shine. I really think kids today need that, they need to know they can succeed- they need to feel like they are good, maybe even the best at something. Of course that is not going to be track or even sports for many of the children, but it is one opportunity to find out. There needs to be similar competition in a wide variety of activities.

OK be forewarned, here I go on a tangent, so just skip ahead a few paragraphs to get back to the Hershey Track meet.

I think today society spends a lot of time being politically correct and trying to protect children by making sure no one fails or that "no child is left behind". I think that more than protecting children this is keeping children from getting the opportunity to get ahead. They are keeping all the kids in a tight little pack teaching them that they are all equal - no one is less than and therefore no one is more than anyone else. While I believe that it goes without saying that children need to know that as a person they are just as valuable as any other person who walks the earth, I believe they also need to learn that they are an individual with unique talents, skills and aptitudes. I think it is okay for them to know they will not be good at everything, they may not be as beautiful as the girl next door, or as smart as the boy in their science class, or as athletic as the kid down the street. They may not be a lot of things - but they are "something" their job is to figure out what it is and go with it. Instead of agonizing over what we don't have or aren't good at we need to find what we do have and capitalize on that. Along with that we need to teach our children to celebrate in other peoples successes instead of taking it as a personal afront.

I believe that one of the most important things a parent can do for their child is to provide them with enough experiences in a variety of areas that they can find what it is they are passionate about, what it is they excel at, what is their "thing" that they can lead the pack in. I believe that there is something out there for every single child. But I also believe that to often we are too afraid of our children feeling like failures that we keep them from succeeding. Failing is an important part of succeeding, in fact it is critical. I recently read a blog that talked about if you aren't failing then you are not pushing your abilities to the edge of the envelope, and if you are not at the edge you are not stretching yourself. (http://wilshipley.com/blog/2005/11/failure-is-success.html) Real success comes when you push yourself beyond your perceived breaking point and realize you didn't break. Each one of those little "realizations' enables us to view our breaking point just a little higher. As we look up we should set our sights on the plateaus that seem unreachable, but as we climb and turn around and look down we realize that those same plateaus were simply stepping stones.


The Hershey Track meet has given my children this kind of experience. Last night Taylor competed in the district track meet. This was not his first district meet, last year he took first at district. In fact last year his district jump would have gotten him around 4th in nationals. He was really good, he knew he was really good. He went in to State a little over confident and unprepared, he scratched once and fell back twice. He thought no problem I'll just do it next year. This year came along and while he still has those same amazing jumping legs he has also had another birthday. Last year he was at the top of his age bracket. This year he is at the very bottom. He has had to fight for every win. He has fought.

At the local meet last year, his very first jump ever he almost hit 6 feet. The measuring official turned to me kind of raised his eyebrows and said, wow - that was good, real good. The rest of the boys were in the 4 1/2- 5 ft range. So I set my sights on 6 feet. The next jump put him there. At that point I knew he had something. I started talking to him about practicing and learning "how" to jump. At first he resisted but soon he was out in the backyard swinging those arms jumping over and over again. He spent hours on the trampoline building up his leg muscles. He was pushing for that 1/2 inch more than the last jump. Well he has 1/2 inched his way up.

As he got in line last night I couldn't help but notice the other boys, some a whole head taller than him and much more filled out. I noticed the girls in that age group. Puberty has obviously found its way into the lives of some of these kids he is now grouped with - it scared me, in a lot of ways. He was followed by a pretty big boy. I saw the disbelief and shock in his eyes when the jump was marked at 7 foot. 7 foot a plateau we had never seen reached before at any meet he had participated in. It only got worse a 7 foot 2 jump, another 7. We were with the big boys now. Taylor responded by pushing it a bit harder each time. 6 71/2 and then 6 10 1/2. His final jump was good I could tell it was, he could tell it was. It was marked and read. 7 foot. When I heard the official I was excited and proud but when I turned to Taylor and our eyes meet I was overcome. It was a look of shock, disbelief and pride all at once. He did it. He hit 7, a mark he never thought he would. He did what thought he couldn't do. On the tape the mark at 6 101/2 may not be that far from the 7. But in his head it was.

While we were waiting for the results he asked me if I thought he would get in the top 3. I told him, "I really don't know, it will be close but does it matter." "No" he said shaking his head. "I jumped 7".

Pets on the run

While in Ohio a few weeks ago I helped hunt for a runaway hamster. An experience that called for all the courage I could muster. The little thing had escaped its cage and been on the run for a few days. It was assumed he had gotten outside and had made a nice snack for a neighborhood cat. But then he was spotted late one night, he had apparently been enjoying his freedom running though the dark house living off dropped crumbs and the leavings of small children. He was finally apprehended and returned to his cage with no apparent damage. So when Taylor came to me asking where Jr. was I brushed it off. My first thought was, Jr is a turtle he is in his turtle tank. It is not like he can really run away or anything. I assumed he was hiding under a rock or something and sent Taylor to re investigate. Not there. My next assumption was Dallin had taken him on a bit of an outing to visit the neighbors horny toads. Something Dallin likes to do, both being reptilish things he assumes they could be friends. I told Taylor not to worry about it. Well next morning Dallin went to feed Jr and found an empty tank. I asked him if he had taken Jr. to the neighbors. He said he was sure he hadn't taken him out of the tank at all. Same story from all the kids. So we went turtle hunting.

Being rodents I know hamsters eat all kind of little crumbs and things, I wasn't so sure if that was true of turtles. We feed him goldfish, crickets, and turtle sticks. I was pretty sure there where none of those things lurking about under our couches so I was a bit worried about him starving to death. Jr. also likes to swim-pretty much all day. So without water I wasn't sure how long he would survive. I fully expected to find a shell with a rotting turtle inside. After about only 10 minutes of looking and a prayer or two, we found Jr. under the bed. He was perfectly still with his head scrunched in. I warned the kids he might be dead. Dallin's screech of "he's moving, he's moving" calmed that fear. So we stuck him back in and went about our day.

I assumed someone had gotten him out and put him down and forgotten about him. Jr. lives in a big aquarium filled with water, with glass sides, that is about 4 feet off the ground. This is not wonder pets, Turtles simply can not fly. A few days later the tank is again missing a turtle. This time I immediately sent the troops searching. They turned over every couch, cleaned out under all the beds, and looked in every nook and cranny. I was getting a bit worried. I did not want a rotting turtle to smell up my basement. I wondered if he could climb stairs. So I went looking. Still no turtle. I was getting desperate especially because I had seen both Taylor and Dallin drop to their knees pleading for Jr. safe return. I wanted their faith rewarded. So I decided to try the storage room again. I got a flashlight and got down on my stomach to look under the shelves, which took a lot of courage on my part, how creepy to come face to face with a reptile. Anyway I had gotten through pretty much the whole room when I spotted a bit of a bumpy brown thing. I called Dallin in to investigate. It was the very edge of Jr. shell sticking out from between the freezer and a sleeping bag. I again warned Dallin that he wasn't moving so might be dead. But once Dallin grabbed him he started squirming. I had Dallin cover the tank - I wasn't dealing with anymore roaming reptiles. A few days later on my way to start some laundry I happened to glance in my boys room, something I try to avoid, and saw Jr, scurrying - as fast as turtles can scurry anyway, across their bedroom. I started screaming for Dallin. I wasn't sure what to do, I couldn't let him get away yet I just couldn't bring myself to touch him either. I dumped out the laundry basket preparing to trap him when Dallin showed up. So I decided I better investigate his tank. Something I should have done a lot earlier. The top was still on but there is a side panel that snaps on to allow you to get the filter on and off easier. It was missing. Jr's climbing rock was next to that side. All it took was a climb up on the rock and he was up high enough to crawl out that hole. Why the kids hadn't noticed this I am not sure. But the tank is back together, the rock is on the other side of the tank and the turtle is where he belongs. I have had enough of escaping pets.

I have laid down the law where the birds are concerned. No getting them out of their cage. Well the kids pretty much respect that rule. They don't get the birds out, they just get in with them. I guess I can handle that, in fact if I wasn't so scared of the neighbors calling child protective services I would just shut them in there. No roaming pets, no roaming kids - I could get used to that.