Ten on Tuesday - Our Garden with Photos

1. One of our goals this year was to plant a garden,  in our home we have a place already with the sprinklers and pipes set up for a garden and after 10 years in our home, we really wanted to do it.  We had planted a garden once before but it was not very successful at all!

2.  Bryant spent quite a bit of time prepping the area. He borrowed Kim and Scott's rototiller and made the ground great.  He added sand and our compost.  Last week, during spring break he and the kids planted lettuce, strawberries, mint, peas, watermelon, carrots and squash.

 3.  On sunday we had our first sign of success - the top picture is the lettuce coming out!  We were so excited that something grew!!

 4.  The second picture is the peas starting to poke their way up through the soil

 5. The third picture gives you a better idea of how the lettuce looks, it is the green rows!

 6.  The fourth picture is a side shot of our garden.  We didn't want to start off too big and get discouraged so we started with 3 beds and we will see from there!

7.  The picture of Madi is because she is great but also because starting next week - she is doing the couch to 5k traning program.  I am doing it with her and it is going to be a lot of fun for the two of us to spend that time together 3 days a week with no one else!  she is really excited.

8.  Shot of another pea popping up!  Hopefully there will be more!

9.  Max and his ipod touch - Max got an ipod touch from the Orthodontist late last year for completing his braces, wearing their shirt and brushing his teeth.  He loves it and uses it as much as I let him.  Saturday morning he came to my room and told me that he could not plug in his touch to charge.  I looked and it looked like some of the pins were bent.  Well, I made an appointment with the Apple store to come in later that day.  I was hoping that it was covered under the warranty.  He and I talked about it and he knew that he might have to pay some money to get it fixed.  Well, we got to the store, they looked at it and said that it was his fault since he was probably jamming the charger in and it would cost XX amount of dollars to get it fixed.  I asked him if he was willing to pay for it and he said yes.  Well, they don't really fix it but give you a new one.  I had given the salesperson all of our info on her ipad and then there was a problem.  She said that she would be right back.  She came back in a few minutes and told me that since they were having a software problem on her Ipad that it would be FREE!!!!!  I could not believe it!  Max was way excited and was so happy to have his ipod back!  Thanks Apple for making a boys day!

10.  Random Fact - I am learning to like to eat more and more veggies!  Last night I ate fresh green beans and loved them!!  I  think I better stop before something happens!

10 on Tuesday

1.  I am sitting outside right now watching Maya ride her bike.

2  The weather is amazing!  It has been great.  Friday and Saturday were a little crazy with sun, rain , hail and window.  But yesterday and today it is beautiful.

3.  I love March in AZ.  The weather is truly great and it is the best time to be outside!

4.  My bike - I must say that when I saw that Bryant got me a tandem bike for Christmas, I will alittle worried that it would not be used a lot.  But now, my kids love riding on it with me.  I love it when they are with me  We talk, laugh and joke and it is a great way for them to spend time with me without them realizing that they are trapped.

5.  My recovery from the marathon.  I was worried that I would be sore for quite a long time.  On Monday - I went for a walk and that basically made all of the difference in the world.  Wednesday and Saturday I went for bike rides and my legs feel great.  I have not run yet again, but hopefully soon.  I actually miss it!

6.  Next Year - so Bryant has decided that he wants to run the half marathon - so we signed up.  It is Satuday March 1st and anyone who wants to come and run it with us are welcome.  The more the merrier!

7,  Spring Break - The kids are on spring break right now and they have had a great first two days.  Yesterday since both Bryant and I worked, they spent the day at the Halls - where they played and played.  It was great that they had such a good time and it made me feel less gulty about not being there for them

8.  Today - they planted the garden with Bryant, tried to go bowling (but there were leagues starting so they could not) tried to do laser tag (but it does not start until 4:30pm) brought me lunch at work and chilled.  Who knows what tomorrow will bring.

9.  I am teaching an indexing class at church and Sunday it seemed to go really well - it was to the 1 & 17 yr olds and it is easier since they know how to use a computer.  We will have to see what happens when we get the adults in there

10.  Random fact - I wish that I had told Karen that I could run the ragnar in Cape Cod - It is weird not having anything to train for - but the next weekend we are doing something fun as a family so it still would not work but it would have been a ton of fun!

Ten on Tuesday - My Marathon

 

 

1.  This post actually has pictures and maybe even a video!!!  Don't die of shock!

 

 

 

2.  This picture is me on Sunday - it had been 24 hours since my marathon and I was standing up!  I have never been as sore as I was on Sunday but it was all worth it.  These are the posters that the kids and Taci made for me while they were waiting at the finish line.

 3.  All three kids ran with me the last tenth of a mile down the shot and across the finish line.  It was amazing having them there and it reminded me of when Kris did it with my dad 30 years ago!  Hopefully they will always remember it - I know that I will.

 

4.  Another shot of us running - I was so happy to see the finish line and to have Bryant and the kids as well as Kim, Scott and Taci cheering me on at the end.  

5.  The Video is of me at mile 20.  I was still feeling pretty good - just getting hot.  I was so glad to see them .  It got my spirits up so that I could keep on going!

 

6.  So - how did I end up running a marathon.  Well about a year ago at work, three of us were talking about it and we decided - sure lets sign up to run the Phoenix Marathon (it is actually in Mesa but who cares).  It was on a Saturday and it was the first year for it.  So we did.  

 

7.  Fast forward to August - when I started training for a half marathon in November - the running began and my weeks of 3 short runs and one longer one each saturday began.  I started off with 4 miles on Saturdays and got to the high of 15 - I was supposed to reach 18 but that week I was sick and only ran 15.  I ran every week from August until March 2, 2013/

 

8.  I have learned so much - first - that I can do hard things.  That I can set a goal which is far above anything that I ever could have imagined and accomplish it.  That the way to run a marathon is to put one foot in front of the other.  There is no other way.  That you don't have to be the fastest person out there to finish - anyone can run - you just have to start and do it.

 

9.  The race was amazing.  The course was great.  I have never attended another race so organized with so much Swag and stuff for the runners.  It was amazing.  I ran the first half at what I wanted my pace to be.  Kim and Tara ran with me for the next 2 miles.  It was so great to have their company and that helped keep me motivated.  Then at Mile 20 - where the video is from - I saw Bryant and the kids.  I can't tell you what that did to me.  There were people cheering all along.  You bonded with the runners on the course and the volunteers were amazing.

 

10.  Mile 22 - at mile 22 I  got the sharpest piercing pain in my left knee.  I have never had any issues with my left knee and for a minute I was frustrated but then I thought that I was grateftul that it was at mile 22 and not before that.  I had to walk.  It hurt to walk but it hurt worse to run.  Bryant called from the finish line to see how I was doing.  I told him about my knee but that I was keeping on going.  Alittle after mile 25 I noticed a handsome guy walking up the hill to me, it was Bryant - he came out to help me finish the race.  It was what I needed to run through the pain and finish the marathon. 

 

11. Looking back - it all seems surreal and almost like it didn't happen.  I can walk up and down stairs today without any problem (could not say that yesterday) all of my soreness is gone and just the memory of it stays with me but one that will stay with me forever.  Like what Kris said there is no ragnar mentality here - Eat, Sleep but NO REPEAT!!  I have no desire to ever do another one but next year bryant and I are either going to do the 10k or the half and Kim and tara are going to do the 10k.  Come and join us and have a blast!!!

10 on Tuesday - Maybe a little more.... or not!

1.  I have found that if I am going to post on my blog - it works best if I do it on my ipad but I can't figure out how to add pictures from it.  So it's either a more posts with no pictures or a lot fewer posts with pictures.

2.  Today - The kids have extra early out this week for parent teacher conferences - so we pulled them out at lunch time and told them they had dentist appointments but when we were really taking them fishing!  We had so much fun except for the wind.  We went to Dead Horse Ranch in Cottonwood AZ.  We have been camping there several times with Kim and Kindy and one time with Karen and EVERY TIME WE GO IT IS WINDY!!!!!   Maybe we will learn one of these times.

3.  Valentines Day - I had to work all day because of Tax season but when I got home from work - I had to take bryant's car to Costco to get new tires (side note - it was hilarious how many men were buying only one thing - Flowers!), After Costco - I got home and Bryant had a surprise for me - he wanted to take me to the temple for Valentines Day - It was the best way to spend the night with him.  Much better than an overpriced meal and he got me tulips - my favorite.

4.  Webeloree - Max had his first overnighter for scouts on the 15th and 16th - it was hard to leave him when I left - he was crying and then had a rough time during the night - thanks to Andy Hall who helped him so much!!  I was way excited to see him on Saturday the 16th when he finaly got home late in the afternoon!  It made me realize that I am not ready for him or his sisters to be growing up!!!

5.  Saturday - this Saturday is the day that I have been waiting a year for.  The Phoenix Marathon!!!!  I have been training for the past 26 weeks and can't wait for it to be over!  I am tired of spending 3 hours or so each Saturday running, and running and running.  I have 6 hours to complete the race and sure hope that I do it.  This is a once in a lifetime event for me.  Next year, Bryant said that he would run the 10k with me!!  That training will be much better because I will have someone to train with!

6.  Work is terribly crazy right now - Tax season is in full swing and I have less than 2 months left.  Here's hoping that I can make it!

7.  My goals for the year - I have done well with the marathon, reading the scriptures.  We had a FHE on the garden we want to plant and why we need one.  Hopefully it will move past that this coming 2 weeks.

8.  My parents - the more I talk with my parents - the more grateful I am for them.  They are being full time care givers to my grandparents who are 93 and 94.  They are unable to spend alone time or date night since one of them has to be with my grandparents at all times.  I hope that I will be able to serve as well as they have done.  They are truly amazing!

9.  My brothers and sisters - the more I am around other people,  the more I realize what a truly unique family I have.  There are nine kids, all nine are married in the temple, all nine and spouses have degrees, all nine and families are active in the church and we truly like being with each other.  There are some that I don't talk to as often as others but I love being with my family!

10 - Random fact - the thing that I am looking most forward to about finishing my marathon is that I will have time on Saturdays again to deep clean my kids closets and rooms - they have suffered due to my running!

11 - IT SNOWED IN MESA AZ!!!! - Okay it was more like sleet and rain but Bryant and the kids had a snowball fight and there were white everywhere - Wednesday - February 20th  It was awesome and so much fun.  We took the best pictures and those I will post to show my kids in the snow!

13 things for 13 years

1.  Today Bryant and I celebrate our 13th anniversary.  Time has flown by and it seems like I have always been married -here are 12 more things about our marriage years.

2.  I met Bryant two other times before I really remember meeting him.  He and his roommates brought lemon bars to our house - and after that I remembered him.

3.  I said "I love you first"  it was the first guy that i have ever said it to and it was so scary - luckily he said it right back and the rest is history.

4.  For the first 4 years our of marriage - he worked the night shift so I was home alone 4 nights a week.  When he switched to a diferent assignment - it took a little adjusting having him home every night.

5,  He knows that my favorite flowers are tulips and always gets them for me for our anniversary.

6.  He is a better cook than I am and it took me a while for me to get used to him talk about how good a cook is Grandma Ethel was.  It was hard especially when I made something that she used to make.  I don't cook those things any more.

7.  For our 9th anniversary we celebrated it in Hawaii - loved every minute of it.

8  For our first - I was pregnant with Madi - kinda of crazy but lots of fun.

9.  We have lived 3 places our married lives - tempe, gilbert and mesa

10.  We have traveled a ton - he married into a family that likes to travel.  We have gone to WA, OR, CA, NV, ID, WY, UT, AZ, CO,NM, TN, NY,HI and some of those places many times.

11.  He still melts my heart when he calls my Kari and holds my hand.

12.  I still drive him crazy with the way that I park.  It is never where hewould.  or I hardly ever go the way that he would.

13.  Most of all, we still love each other and are crazy about each other after 13 years and we can't wait for more!!

Ten on Tuesday!

1.  It has been one week since Bryant has started working days and I am LOVING IT!!!!  It has been an adjustment with some things.  No more cereal for dinner or nachos every night either, but it is nice for another adult to be with me.  It has been 2 1/2 years since he has been home at nights and the kids are loving it too!

2.  FHE - Last night, we need to do some grocery shopping so we decided to make an FHE out of it and talk about budgets and grocery shoppping.  We gave the kids 4$ to spend on their dinner.  It was so much fun watching them decide what to get.  It wasn't the most healthy dinner but they did not go hungry.  I will post the pictures of what people got.

3.  Running - my marathon is in less than 5 weeks and I am getting really tired of doing long runs and HAVE to go running.  Last week - I didn't run once - I went for three 5 mile bike rides, a couple of 45 minute walks and due to the rain - no long run on Saturday.  It was nice to do something different!

4.  I have been struggling with some things the last little while and I am so grateful to people (who didn't even know they helped) who said things or made comments at the right time.  I have come truly realize that Heavenly Father does know exactly what we need and sends people to help.

5.  I love my tandem bike - I didn;t know how much I would enjoy it but I totally do.  The best thing is that I take one of the kids out with me and we get to exercise and talk.  It is great because they can't get away from me!

6.  This week - we have something everynight this week and I sure hope that this does not continue!  I prefer it when we have nothing at night because then we play games as a family!

7.  Maya - she has been doing a little sleep walking lately and it is crazy to see where she ends up.  Last week she made it all the way downstairs and into the office and on the chair and slept on the chair for a while.

8.  Max decided that he was going to run for Student Council historian.  It is the only office that the 4th graders can run for.  There were about 28 other 4th Graders running for it.  He came up with his poster all by himself and also his speech that he gave to the 4th, 5th and 6th graders.  He didn't win but he got to be class representative which is what he wanted all along!

9.  Madi ran for President of Student Council - it was between her and a boy Unfortanutely the boy won, but she did a great job with her poster, speech and she is class room rep too!

10.  I have a new calling at church - I am the back up piano player for primary.  I love it and it is making me practice at home.  Mom and Dad - thanks for the piano lessons all those years ago!!

random fact - when I type my name fast it comes out Laro - so if you ever get something from me with Laro on it - know that I was in a hurry to type it!

10 on Tuesday - a little late

1.  Why does it mean that life keeps on getting crazier and crazier?  I can't believe that it is Wednesday already and that I missed yesterday.  I can only imagine as the time goes by, it is going to get busier and busier.

2.  Last Wednesday, I went to my chiropractor who I have been going to on a regular basis since April of 2009 for my hip and kne due to running, and thing are going so well that I don't have to go back for three months!!!  I guess the stretchs that I learned from my PT and also my insoles for my running shoes have made the difference!

3. Thursday was the beginning of our cold wave.  It was also the day that Max and I get to do webelos for church together.  As we left, it was sprinkling and the wind was starting to go.

4.  When I woke up on Friday it was 37 degrees and supposed to be 27 on Saturday.  So, I decided to do my long run on Friday instead, and I am so glad that I did!!!  The cold weather brought back a lot of memories from growing up in Rochester.  It made me miss it alittle!

5.  With the cold weather, we have had hot chocolate every day with mint creamer and whipped cream.  Yummy Yummy!!!

6.  Madi and Max are both running for Student Council Offices.  Madi is running for president and it is between her and one other person - it will be interesting to see how it goes.  Max is running for historian and there are a lot of kids running for that.  So - Friday we get to go and hear them give their speechs and when they get home they wil know.

7.  Max is becoming more of a boy - not that he is not already one - but on Monday he came home from school and I had to sign a paper that said he talked to be about him not being obedient.  Monday - during recess- he and some other boys were playing with some ice and he made a poor choice.  Needless to say, he has lost time on his IPod touch - he has learned his lesson (hopefully!!!)

8.  This has been the longest cold streak in AZ since 1960.  It is crazy that it was warmer in NY than in AZ.  Our orange trees, lemon tree, peach tree and other trees have  suffered, hopefully not too much!

9.  Bryant only has to work one more night and then he will be working days.  Since he won't be going to church on Sundays, I am looking for ways to make my home a place that is a refuge from the world outstide.  So if you have any thing that works for you, let me know!!

10.  Random Fact - One reason why I love the cold weather is that I get to wear my sweathers that rarely see the light of day for most of the year!!!  That is the one thing that I miss about living in AZ is all the cute sweaters, coats, scarfs and etc.