I Went, I Ran,........

I Conquered! The half marathon was a great experience. And I even did better than I thought I would. But, let's not get ahead of ourselves. All week we were hearing that the weather was going to be cold and rainy. Yuck! But, then thing started looking better and the cold front wasn't going to arrive until sometime between 11 am and 1pm. Well, that was perfect! The morning started out at 62 degrees. There was only a slight breeze and it was cloudy. You just about can't ask for better running conditions. It's warm enough to wear shorts but you don't get too sweaty. There were about 800 people in this half marathon. It was crazy at the beginning trying to get past everyone who was going slower because it was a trail run. So, having 3 abreast was a little much on the trail. Thus, my first mile was about 1 minute slower than it should have. But, after that I was able to make up the time and kept an awesome pace the rest of the race.

Scott, and the kids slept in a little and tried to make it for the half way point but didn't quite make it---partly because I was running faster than normal!!!! So, this is what they did while they waited for me.


Notice there is nobody even close to Carly! I wouldn't want to be by her either when she is swinging that bag around. You never know what might be in there!

As usual, Taylor and Carter are fighting/wrestling. And since it was a park there is a stick involved.


And Spencer, notice his shoes are off. That kid is always taking his shoes off.
And here I am crossing the finish line. My official chip time was 2:11:43. The time you see above me was the "gun" time. But, I obviously wasn't the first one to cross the starting line.


Here I am with my finishers medal! It was pretty cool to wear it around for a couple of hours. But, at the same time I was also thinking, "Okay, so now what?"
All of us that ran the race together. Thanks to all of them for helping me stick to my goal. Such good friends and running buddies.

Wendy D., Amme, Sherri, WendyR.

Running a half marathon was absolutely amazing and I highly reccomend it to anyone. It is even worth the sore legs and knees.

Race Day List

My first half marathon begins in 12 1/2 hours. I am starting to get nervous, but also trying to make myself stay relaxed. Does that make sense? I have actually been meaning to write this post all week. But, with it being Spring Break and all the kids home it just hasn't happened. About 4 years ago I read the book "Running with Angels" by Pam ???. It is an amazing story of 1 woman's struggle to overcome obesity and she ran a full marathon 1 year after she started exercising. Anyway, something she did has always stuck with me. She dedicated a mile to important people in her life. Now, first a disclaimer. If you don't see your name, or feel that you are not included in a group please don't hate me. IT DOES NOT MEAN YOU AREN'T IMPORTANT TO ME!!!!! To be able to cover everyone who is important to me I would have to run 500 miles. And let's just face it, it isn't happening. So, without further adieu my dedication. I will be thinking about you and also praying for you while I run your designated mile.

1-Scott---none of this would even be possible without you. I love you.
2-Taylor
3-Carter
4-Carlyn
5-Spencer---all of my kids have been such a great support during my training.
6-Mom and Dad--Thanks for not getting annoyed each week when I would call you with a new highest number of miles.
7-Shannon, Laurie, Tawna, Curtis, Tammie, Kaley, and also all my bro in-laws and you too, Steph! ----You guys have all been great cheerleaders. You will never know how much your words of encouragement have meant.
8-"The other side" Scott's family---You guys are great.
9-All my Logan Friends--I love all you gals and miss you a ton.
10-Vikki and Camille--My two marathon running friends. You are such an inspiration to me and sometimes thinking about you was the only thing that kept me going.
11-Texas friends--I have made so many amazing friends here in Texas. I can't imagine life without you.
12-Ingrid--You have been so kind to answer questions that I am sure you thought were dumb. Thanks for shoe shopping with me and your willingness to take the weekly running report.
13-Madey--A 14 year old young athlete with cancer. I can't even begin to imagine what you are going through. All I know is I would not have been able to handle your battle when I was 14. Your story has really touched my heart and also all of your friends who are rallying around you with so much support.
.1-Amme B.--If there is 1 thing I have learned in this journey it is that it is okay to take a little time for me. It has actually made me a better wife and mother. So, I dedicate the last 1/10 of a mile to myself and say, "Here's to many, many, more miles."


Race pictures will follow shortly....................................

February Is Springtime in Texas

First a disclaimer... Amme did not post this blog, This is her husband Scott. For those who don't know, I am the one who takes the most interest in the yard, garden, and backyard orchard. Amme is a very beautiful talented individual, but sometimes she forgets to water my plants and they die. Oh, well I killed my Mom's indoor palm tree once so I guess what goes around comes around. Anyway, since I do most of the work I decided to publish this post.

The following pictures, of one of our peach trees, were taken about the middle of February. Sorry, I am as slow as Amme at posting. The weather was still a little cold (30's at night burr.) , but this little tree decided it was time to start blooming.


In Houston, peaches ripen in May and June so the growing season starts earlier than for "all y'all" up north.

The leaves of our peach trees did not fall until after Christmas so they were "leafless" for only a few weeks, which made it a little confusing on when to prune them. When I saw they were about to start blooming, I decided I had better get around to it quickly.

We had a couple of light frosts after this tree started blooming, but fortunately the flowers were ok. Hopefully we will get a few peaches this year. We are also hoping that our Texas peaches will be comparable to the ones we are used to from Utah. The ones we get in the grocery store go rotten before they get ripe, yuck!

Behind this picture is our new blackberry and strawberry bed.


I might have bitten off a little more I can chew, with the new beds. I have decided that next year I am not putting in any more raised beds. My new motto is "use what you've got". Maybe since Amme's big race is next week, we will have more time to garden. Notice the nicely tilled but un-planted beds behind the peach tree,

Since the time of these pictures, our other peach tree and citrus trees are starting to bloom also. The weather is nice and warm. But don't feel too bad. After all, we will be roasting down here from May till October.

My Baby Girl Grew Up!

Please join me on a very brief walk down memory lane. While it may not seem like it, there really is 1 picture for every year of her life. She just really matured between 2 and 3.



My sweet precious Carlyn Mae. Five years ago you came to our family. I still remember so much of that time leading up to your birth and how excited all of us were to have you join our family. I think you had the most nick names of any of our family. Just a few were Princess, Princess Fatty Cheeks, Squishy, Fatty Patty. You had the chunkiest cheeks and legs and everyone love to hold you and kiss you. Everyone said you were such a pretty baby. You are such a happy little girl who loves everything beautiful. After two rough and tumble boys it was so fun to dress you up in pink and ruffles. You were always so patient when I needed to finish up with something.
You continued to love beautiful things. You were so proud of yourself at 14 months old when you found one of mommy's shirts in the laundry and put it on. Little did we know that would begin your love of shoes, clothes, and dressing up.
I am so glad you enjoy books and reading. You are such a smart girl and you are always surprising me with your knowledge and your vocabulary.
Carlyn, you grew up way too fast and that is why I still call you baby girl. My sandal girl. I am so glad we live somewhere warm so you don't have to wear socks very often.
After a short lived fear of swimming when we lived in Albuquerque you have become a little fish. I don't know how many times I have had to save you because you just aren't scared of the water at all! Happy Birthday sweetie girl. I love you!
Carly had her 5th birthday a couple of weeks ago. Sorry! I am a slow poster. Yes, I realize in the above picture that she is blowing out the candles on less than half a cheesecake. Please, let me explain. When I asked Carly what she wanted for her birthday she said "Cheesecake". Wonderful! That gets me off the hook because at our house it is manly to make cheesecake. Scott, makes really good cheesecake. Since Scott's birthday is only 1 week after Carlyn's he made just one cheesecake and cut it in half. But in his zealousness to get it cut and put away (we are both trying to lose weight) he didn't let us put candles on and sing first!!! He even started dishing up slices when I said "Um, aren't we going to sing?"
What do you do when you can't decide which new thing to play with? Just use them all!
Carlyn also had her first "friend party" this year. She has been counting down for months when it would be time for her party. She had a great time with her friends and was very spoiled by all of them.
I did get to make a cake for her friend party which was the day before her real birthday. And, for all you cake fanatics out there I think this has got to be the easiest cake I have ever done. It probably also has the most frosting per square inch I have ever done too. But, that is what birthdays are for right?! We love you Princess Carlyn.