Run or Dye!!

I did my first official race! It was just a 5k and I didn't pace myself right or do enough uphill training that it totally killed me so I sped walked a lot of it instead of running, but I DID IT! It was the "Run or Dye" Santa Cruz event and I was asked to do it with my friend Kris. We had a great time and chatted the whole way (since we were going at my turtle pace, chatting was possible ;)

Before

And one on her tiptoes because my tallness made her feel short.

AFTER!!

We had dye in places that dye should never be. As soon as I got home Robert cracked up and pointed out that the dye outlined my bum sweat. GROSS!

One last pic before I got cleaned up.

It was a great time, and I definitely would do it again. I'm hoping to do a 10k Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving, but I definitely have some work to do! Yay for living healthy!!!

Broken Doors and Depression

Once upon a time, 3 weeks ago, Robert took the girls to the grocery store. They got the necessary items and Robert loaded the newly purchased groceries and the girls back into the car. He slid the door closed and it bounced back. So he tried again and this happened...

Of course his first reaction was to take a picture so that I'd believe him. Some bystanders then helped him hold it in place while they gorilla taped it back on so he could drive home.

In the thick of my postpartum depression this would have totally pushed me off the edge, but both me and Robert could not stop laughing at the whole situation, and continue to laugh about it again and again over the past few weeks every time we thought about it. This made it apparent to me just how much I've improved. I'm not completely out of the woods yet. There are still rough times, especially around my period, but I'm improving and it feels so good.

We were so thankful for all the tender mercies with this random door dilemma. Thankful that nearly immediately people offered to help Robert in the parking lot. Thankful that Robert was in a parking spot by a planter so the door didn't damage another car when it fell off. Thankful that a member of our bishopric was able to get it back on fairly easily the next day and show us what to watch for so that it hopefully doesn't happen again. Just SO thankful!!

Grandma Lorraine

This beautiful lady is my Step-Grandma Lorraine. She married my Grandpa Lane Wilcken after his divorce with my Grandma Millie. She left this world on August 30th less than 4 weeks short of her 99th birthday. She was such an amazing, classy lady. I don't know all of the details, nor do I need to, but due to some misunderstandings that I was not a part of, I have not seen her for a dozen years, but I've not ever stopped loving her and cherishing the memories I have of her. When I heard of her passing I immediately decided I needed to attend whatever funeral services there were. She asked that there not be a service, so there was only a viewing and family prayer. It was great to see all those who were able to attend and celebrate the vibrant life of this special lady.

We love you Grandma Lorraine!!

First Day of Preschool!!

We decided to enroll both of the girls together in an official preschool this year. They were counting down the days until the first day weeks in advance .

  

The preschool we enrolled them in is through the city's parks and rec department. It was the only one within our budget. Every other one was at least double if not triple or quadruple the price of this one. After being there for a month, I'm noticing it's basically just organized play, or in other words more like a daycare than a preschool. There's not much teaching going on. Maybe they will teach more as the year progresses, but for now in a 3 hour day they sit and do circle time for 10 minutes in the middle and the rest is just playing either inside or outside. But you get what you pay for, and I think having a school type schedule has been great for the girls and they are making lots of friends. So we're happy. I've also started supplementing at home, working on a few worksheets of 1 or 2 letters a day and that's been going great. So for now we've found a good balance, we're happy with it, and the girls love it. And I feel like I've been promoted as a parent. It's not just tending babies any more. I'm sticking a toe into the realm of chauffeuring kids to school and play dates and whatever else fills their schedule. It's scary and exciting all at the same time. Oh the life of motherhood.

Instagram Revisited - August

8/9/2014 - You know you've played 2048 too much when... #roadtrippinagain

8/11/2014 - Decided this time around it'd be best/more practical to run in the area surrounding our apartment instead of driving to the coast. Not a bad second choice though if you ask me  #livinghealthy

8/11/2014 - Throwing paper "stones" at Goliath. #fhe #ilovemyfamily

8/12/2014 - If things go according to plan, we have about a year left here. I don't know how we're ever going to leave this place. #lovethebeach #santacruzlife

8/13/2014 - Only saw 15 deer on my run this morning. I wonder where the rest are hiding  #livinghealthy

8/13/2014 - Hey James, you have a little something on your face there. #lovethebeach #santacruzlife #ilovemykids

8/18/2014 - She keeps lifting this above her head and yelling "I am Thor!" #proudmommymoment

8/23/2014 - This pretty lady's birthday is today. She is such a blessing and example in my life. Love you Grandma!

8/23/2014 - Remember that one time that I said my house was spotless. Well, this happened... #life

8/31/2014 - A month straight of being early to church. Go us! #winningatlife

Zip-a-dee-ay and Heidi-ho, It's Birthday Time for Me!

I love birthdays!

Started the day off with an early, foggy morning run. Unfortunately this was one of my last runs because we still have not figured out a time to fit running in with Robert's seminary schedule. That's okay though. I've kept up with my stationary bike, Slim in 6 workout and Zumba.

For lunch we went to Pizza My Heart and got shirts for the whole family.

Then for dessert we went to Yogurtland

My crazy kiddos!

That night we dropped the kids off with the Hewitts and went to WICKED! Robert got the tickets with the Joseph tickets that we went to in May as a discounted bundle for my Christmas present, but it was no mistake that he chose my birthday as the night for Wicked. I love it! I've seen it before but it was so great to be with Robert for his first time seeing it and for me to see it again.

I think one of my favorite parts of this birthday was my Facebook feed. The day before I posted that I would love if instead of the usual "Happy Birthday" post people would post the first memory that popped in their head about me. So many people responded! It was such a fun walk down memory lane.

It's been a great 27 years!! Can't wait to see what the next 27 years have in store!

A Very Mary Birthday!

Can you believe it??? Our little Miss Mary turned 3!

Her last picture as a 2 year old.

For her birthday breakfast she requested donuts.

The many faces of Mary :)

Once we got the donuts wiped off our faces and dressed for the day it was time to open presents.

These dresses are also going to be their Halloween costumes. Two birds with one stone? Yes please!

We found a great deal on a big set of Lego Duplos on Craigslist. It's been a huge hit for the whole family.

At one point, Mary requested we get her a unicorn for her birthday. Obviously, that couldn't happen, so we talked her into settling for a pony ride. We went over to our Bishop's house and he gave both the girls a ride. They kept their excitement very contained the whole time we were there (in other words, they said almost nothing the whole ride) but they were talking it about it near constantly for at least a week afterward.

Our bishop is awesome. He walked them around and around that little corral as patient as can be with them and the girls loved it.

Then it was off to the pool.

Hanging out poolside with my boy.

Tuckered out!

There was a bit of a meltdown regarding the frosting of the cake. She wanted one big pink star cake and one big chocolate cake. This is the compromise that was reached.

This picture cracks me up!!

We love our Mary! She's already proving to be the stereotypical three year old - lots of tantrums and lots of tears - but she also gives us plenty of sweetness to balance it out. Our family just would not be the same without our sweet Miss Mary!!