Running

A treat plate surprise made by Ellie while I was out running, with a note transcribed by Landon "Dear Debbie, I hope you have a great run today. From Ellie to Mommy."

I've thought out at least a dozen mini - essays all about running in the past few weeks, since those few minutes each morning are some of the clearest of my days. In college, I used to interview myself on various topics while I ran... now I usually just think about all the things I love about running and revisit them again and again with plans to write them down here at some point.

Of course I can't remember the clever and thoughtful an wonderfully poetic lines I imagined I'd write...

But here are some thoughts anyway :)

- Early this week I was just amazed at the brilliant, bold fall colors. The fresh, crisp air of a very recent rain. The golden light of the mountains in there perfect yellow-fall shades. What a gift! What a sweet reward for getting myself out on what I thought would be a soggy and grey morning run. 

- The next morning was snow!

blurry pic from the snowflake dusted  ipod:)

And I thought I would be a lonely runner in the slushy new snow, but again I was surprised with a lovely run full of friendly hellos from neighbors and dog walkers (though the dogs were sporting new sweaters :) Oh, I love these few morning minutes. 

- Jordan picked up my new (used) treadmill for me today and I'm excited that there is a possibility to keep running as the temperatures keep dropping... but I will certainly miss my favorite things about running  --- neighbors who I don't know at all but feel like friends from our daily 'good mornings' or smiles or waves, the beautiful neighborhood trees and mountains,  the robins and squirrels and once-in-a-while rabbits darting around, Ellie or Owen's personalized soundtracks of made-up songs, my favorite tree to stretch under when I get home...

- I injured my foot a few weeks ago (after my longest solid run ever of 3 1/2 miles!) and had to give up my plan of running a 10K in a few weeks. But recovery has come much faster than I had feared, and I've been thrilled to be back, even without the big plan in place. 

-  Every few weeks I add or swap out a new layer as the weather gets colder. My latest bright orange running shirt / extra warm magenta gloves combo is a new favorite for the instant 'I'm a runner' feeling it brings :)

The Amazing April Brough!

Admiring Aunt April's new medal :)

April decided a couple of weeks ago that she was ready to check off another item on her life list and run a marathon. With only a few practice runs ( plus a month of backpacking to get in tip-top shape), she braved a last minute sign up for the Top of Utah marathon and then ran yesterday, and she did absolutely amazing. We had a great time cheering her on and celebrating her great success with her!

Camp Fire

We found out this weekend that we could again have a campfire (with the fire restrictions taken off), so we spent our Monday evening in Logan Canyon. Our latest campfire essentials are: wood, hatchet, lighter, marshmallows and roasting stick, blankets, and a Panda Express dinner (silly!)

A springtime campout that I just found pictures of :)

Just a few more weeks and tonight's beautifully green spot is going to be bursting with reds and oranges and yellows!

A Summer Tuesday

I borrowed Jordan's ipod weeks ago to try out instagram for a day -- just finally put these on my computer and thought they were so fun -- sweet memories of a happy summer tuesday (flower) day. 

Fun Run/ Counting

Ellie's favorite picture to draw - we've had fun runs floating all around our house :)

Our ward had a Pioneer Day fun run in July  and Landon amazed us by running most of it and finishing ahead of us (!) I kept thinking he'd stop for a while and I'd catch up the little distance, but he just kept on going!  Later that day, Landon and Ellie started running laps around the block in our house and then they just kept going and going and going. Together they ran 100 laps and then Landon finished somewhere past 200 - what great little runners!

right hand - 1,040  left hand - 1,223  both hands - 110

The other day I came home from a meeting to see Jordan and the kids working in the front yard and Landon practicing his basketball dribbles. When I arrived he'd recently passed the 2,000 point and he was still going strong! 

Feeling loved

A special bed for Mommy

I woke up sick this morning and the kids got straight to work secretly putting together a plateful of provisions for me (fortune cookies, chocolate gold coins, banana bread, fruit snacks...) Landon was happy to be the official taster. Then I had clear instructions to not come into the living room until they're ready! Jordan took the day off work to help, so I went straight back to bed. And woke to find the living room preparations -- a special bed set up for me on the couch complete with love notes, animals, ellie's special blanket, and landon's pillow. I sure love my little family!

First Day of School Pics

A happy Landon off to first grade