Run, Run, Run

Last summer my sister Jessica ran a half marathon. I was pretty impressed but it didn’t sound like something for me because I don’t usually do hard things :). However, I married a runner so of course I was bound to run some day. Even if it was just a little bit. In the fall some time I saw an advertisement for Utah Valley Marathon and on a whim I asked Bryce if he wanted to do the Marathon and I do the half.  Well seeing as how it is no big deal for him of course he agreed and I hurried and registered before I changed my mind. I figured if my sister who had had 3 kids and was 7 years older than me and hasn’t ever really run long distance in her life could do it, then surely I could to do it.

This was in the fall some time so I had a long road ahead. I started just running 3 miles because even 3 miles was tough for me. I had a lot of knee pain when I ran so I thought maybe I would never make it to 13 miles. But I kept up my training. I remember the first time I ran 4 miles…it was the furthest I had ever run in my life!

Finally it was race day and it was great. We got up early and took the buses up. Bryce went to his point and Jerika (Jerika was so kind to agree to run the race with me. It was perfect because our pace is pretty close to the same) and I went to ours. We hung out for awhile then started the race! It was tons of fun and there were tons of people. (by tons of fun I mean in an exhausted sort of way). I had to go to the bathroom from the beginning because I drank too much water before starting. I didn’t ever want to wait in the line for the port a potty so I toughed it out. The best part about the race was NO knee pain, and NO side aches. I actually think that training for this half marathon made my leg muscles stronger to better support my knees. My right knee used to hurt when going up and down stairs but no longer! I am a big supporter of running. Let’s just see if I can keep it up now! Bryce did great in his Marathon, not his best time but after running a half marathon I have even more respect for marathoners. He’s my hero.

Sitting in the dark in some weeds, waiting for our race to start.

                 

     Finished!! 2h20min. Jerika and I sprinted to the finish. It was great!                Watching Bryce come in. What a stud!

                                                                   We did it!

Goodbye Eagle Valley

 

2 years ago I got hired to be a Kindergarten Teacher at Eagle Valley Elementary. It was really a miracle that I got a job with how few teaching positions were open in comparison to the number of applicants. I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to start my teaching career at such a great school. I am transferring to Bonneville Elementary in Orem which reduces my drive time by a half hour. I’m excited to start teaching there…The principal has been so nice and I love the teachers I will be working with.

This is what my classroom looked like 2 years ago when I walked in. Now this is what it looks like when I walk out. So sad

 

I think Kindergarten teachers get showered with gifts the most. One mom gave me this and I thought it was pretty cool. It may have come off pinterest but she sure did a great job! I also got a lot of other great gifts. Parents are the BEST. I will miss my little kiddos next year. I wish I could post pictures of them so you could see how cute they are :)

St. George with the Packers

I love going down to St. George to enjoy the sunshine and have a break from work time. We were going to go down Memorial Day weekend but we wanted to go with the Packers and since they were leaving us for Washington, we found a weekend in early May that we could go. We left Friday after school and came home Sunday morning. It was a quick but great trip.

          

There was this tiny space between the rocks that squoze through to get into this enclosed cave that was dark and mysterious. It took me forever to get through that crack. I told Bryce as I was stuck “This isn’t very comfortable”. But it was pretty cool on the other side!

Aunt Time!

 

I sure love being an aunt! I am lucky enough to have Bennett and Ryan close by (except they left us for the summer!). I wish I could be close to all my nephews and nieces!!

Becky needed me to babysit one day while she met with someone on campus so the boys and I went to the bean museum. They were great. It was good times.

Jake and Stacey came out for one of Stacey’s cousin’s weddings. They went to a wedding dinner and I was excited to hang out with my niece and nephew that I never get to see! Bennett and Ryan hung out with us too (Nate and Becky were there as well). After we played on campus for awhile, we came to our place. I read books to these three for about an hour. Kallie had a stack of books and she just kept handing me them. I sure love being an Aunt!