the day I ran a race so hard I thought I'd die.

Today I ran the White Trails Half Marathon.  Oh my crap.  It was so hard.

On the bus ride to the start line- a lady turned to my friend and I and asked: "have you two ever run this race?" to which we answered:  "No. Have you?".  She told us she hadn't either but that she'd been warned by several friend to (please excuse my language): "watch out for the big ass hill".  Upon finishing the race I came to the simple conclusion that the entire race was one 'big ass hill'.  We ran up and up and up.  My calves screamed.  My heart nearly burst.  I thought I'd die.

My friend Kristi and I thought it would be a nice break from the kids.  A beautiful Saturday morning run.  And I suppose it was both of those things.  But it was harder than I could have ever imagined!!

I took a bunch of pics with my phone- and I think I got some pretty good shots for never even stopping to take them :)  They may be a little blurry, though!

The views were so amazing.  Most of it was under the cover of heavy foilage.  It was unseasonably humid.  I was DRENCHED in sweat.  I removed my shirt at the end and literally WRUNG it out. I'm so glad we were shaded for most of the race.  We did run across a large dam and saw some spectacular views.

Most of the race was single track trail- heavily covered in leaves, roots, and fallen trees.  I face planted it THREE times.  At some points I felt like we were running hurdles going over fallen trees.   Kristi and I have been training pretty hard- with spin classes, bootcamp, and weekly long runs.  But nothing could have prepared us for this.

Pictures don't do the steep climbs justice.  We worked so hard getting up them.  I was physically and psychologically exhausted.  Besides the full marathon I ran- this is the hardest physical thing I've ever done.  But let me toot my horn a little.  At every hill- Kristi and I attacked.  We passed person after person.  We didn't walk a single one.  And by the half way point- we were the only ones running them still.  We are convinced it's the crazy climbs we do in spin class- and the hundreds of squats and lunges we do.  The last three miles we caught up to a wave of young male runners (about our age) and passed them rather speedily on a hill as they trudged and hiked.  We were pretty proud of ourselves and it gave us a great boost for the last leg of the run :)  

The creeks we ran through weren't too full.  We made it over them by using rocks as stepping stones.

Ohio is a gorgeous state with so much to see.  I love being able to enjoy the outdoors while I workout.

This is a picture of the very beginning of the race.  It's pretty crowded for the first mile- and then people start to pace out.  We had to pass a few large groups of slower runners to find our groove- but by a few miles in were pretty spread out and could just pass small groups on the hills as we got to them.

There were several times I just wanted to stop.  To walk the hills.  To give up. I'm so glad I ran with a friend and had her there pushing and pulling me.  There is something so amazing about doing something this hard.  I feel so accomplished.    And even though my GPS said I ran 13.61 miles instead of 13.1- I am so happy I ran the race.  I LOVED it.

Welcome to October.

 I love groupon.  Last week we went canoeing on the cheap- thanks to groupon :)  And it was perfect.  Such a wonderful day.

These kids were so excited to get on the canoe and paddle.  and then we actually got on the canoe and they started paddling.  and then they weren't so excited :)

 They loved the trip and the occasional 'rapids'.  Ike called them 'rabbids'.  And really it was just water splashing over a few rocks.   We took several 'exploring' breaks to catch fish, frogs, and tadpoles.

 We found imaginary alligators.

 I love being outside and I love the Ohio scenery.  I'm sure going to miss this place when we have to leave.

 Metta didn't go canoeing with us- for obvious reasons.  We would have lost her overboard for sure.  She got to spend the afternoon with her favorite family of all girls.  We have some friends who have only daughters and she is OBSESSED with them.

She is a character.  We celebrated the 1st of October with pumpkin pancakes and Halloween decor.  She can't get enough of it all.  EVERY time she re-enters our front room she points and jabbers to the decorations one by one.   She can say 'scary', 'pumpkin', and 'hoo-hoo' for the owl.

Tonight she insisted on FEEDING her favorites.  seriously.

This rat is her very favorite.  She carries it around. Puts it to bed.  Pushes it in her stroller.  She's so weird.

She calls all the skeletons and skulls 'scary'.

surprise!!!!

I flew home last weekend on a whirlwind last moment trip to Utah thanks to my parent's frequent flyer miles!  it was my (not-so)baby sister's farewell church meeting before she heads out to Brazil!   It was wonderful!  I got to see her one last time- and see all sorts of family members- and fly with only one child :)

Kent just happened to work ALL four days that I was travelling/gone- so SEVERAL friends helped out with my boys who stayed home!  I am so grateful for all of the help!  

Flying out was a surprise for all of my family members except my parents.  I LOVE surprises.  My baby sister, Daysa, thought she was at the airport with her her friend to pick up HIS aunt.   She was pretty freaked out when she saw me :)  It was so fun to surprise cousins, aunts, uncles, and my grandparents!!

We nearly died trying to leave Ohio. I drove down to the Cincy airport and got on the plane JUST as a crazy storm blew through.   The plane was shaking and swaying on the runway.  And then when it finally cleared a little and we took off- we experienced MAJOR turbulence.  The plane was dropping and shaking and jerking and going NUTSO.  People were vomiting and crying!! metta was laughing like CRAZY.  It was pretty funny.  I loved it.

flying with only one child was unreal.  heavenly.  so so easy.  even if it was an 18 month old busy body.  she charmed all of our fellow passengers and never cried.  She wiggled and shrieked some- but overall was great.

I love military benefits.  Almost every airport in the country has a USO Lounge- where we can relax- kids can play- we can watch tv- and chow down on all you can eat snacks!!  I LOVE it.  all for free :)

I didn't get nearly enough pictures!  and none of my entire family.  We can NEVER seem to all be standing on one place!!

These two are just a few months apart and mortal enemies :)  charlotte is My sister Metta's little girl.  And she thinks that Nannie Annie and Gramps' house is her castle.   My baby Metta tried to beat her up a few times over it.

Metta was SPOILED with attention.  She didn't have to compete with Zeb or Ike for ANYthing.

I am SO SO glad that I got this picture.  My three Mettas.  Aunt Metta, Sister Metta, and Daughter Metta.  All such lovely lovely ladies.

The post church party.  I love sitting in the backyard, eating and talking with family.   Being home made me even MORE homesick :)

Mom and my psuedo sister hillarie!  we were college roommates and she is wonderful.

This pic is pretty great, too.  Gma and Gpa with all three sets of their twin grandkiddos!

Maybe my favorite pic of the day.    My grandma and her sisters discussing the day before's BYU/Utah football game.  The family is divided sharply.  The conversation got very intense.   GO UTES!  :)

Here is my not so baby sister- Daysa.  I can't believe she's old enough to be a sister missionary!! and going to Brazil!! so exciting!

Her cat- spooky III.  Her cats keep dying so she just gets another all black one and names it the same thing.

Gramps and his little ladies.

these two little girls had several face offs.  And a few cat fights.

We did a lot of  shopping, eating, and laughing.  Daysa had to sit in the carseat because she's the baby.  I love my sisters.   we always laugh hard.  REALLY hard.  like pee your pants hard.

 Magelbys fresh with the fam. I'm in the back corner.  With my mouth open.  Why do I always do that for pictures?!?

I wish we could have stayed longer!  I loved the trip!  thanks for flying me out mom and dad!!

sunday.

I love Sundays.  But they can be really long sometimes.  especially since Kent has worked 6 of the last 6. and he works the next one, too (not complaining- just documenting).

 My fabulous little monkeys get to church early with me so we can get soft seats- and then stay late so I can go to my missionary meeting every week.  So that means we are there for at least 5 hours.  It's lunch time and nap time.

This afternoon around three- I was getting metta a diaper and some pjs before putting her down for a late nap- and returned to find her at the top of the stairs out cold.  there's toothpaste in her hand. I'm not sure why.

Luckily- Kent did get yesterday off :)  Yesterday was an amazing day.  My pal- Jackie- was baptized. And then we ate the most delicious pumpkin cake you've ever tasted.  Made by her mom -who came into town for the event.

The baptism was wonderful.  I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It's what makes me happy.  

oh. my. goodness. I need help.

so stressful.  I knew that this had been coming.  I know that this is my life. I understand that military = moves. many moves.  But I can still be anxious and glum at the same time that I'm excited and happy.

The 'prelist' of air force pediatric spots was released late last week.  and it's kind of consuming me.  I get like that, though.  When there's something to research and study- I get a little crazy.   I'm already in contact with lots of people in these areas :) I chatted with some girl from cocoa beach, florida for an hour today!  I've scouted out YMCAs and Targets.  My only devastation is that Wright Patterson (where we are NOW) is the only location with a Meijer :)

So- I want some input.  What do you think!?  what sounds terrible?  what sounds exciting?  what about terrifying??  Any experience with any of these spots?? where would you come and visit? where would you NOT come visit?  We LOVE the idea of going foreign- so those are viable options for us!

The list can change quite a bit.  I'm just listing spots that are 'likely' available.  There were some major disappointments in spots not available- but I won't focus on them :)   They could ultimately open up.   And some on the 'likely' list could disappear.  But- we have to make a list of TWENTY.  That's OUTrageous, right?!  way too much stress.  I can (although with some reservation) rank 13 of these spots.  But some of them mortify me.

Also- keep in mind that our 'rank' list actually doesn't mean a whole lot.  Any spot on our list is a place we could go.  And- of course- we could end up somewhere not on our list at all :)  So- why am I stressing about this list anyway?!?

ALTUS		Altus, OK
ANDREWS	AFDW	Camp Springs,
		MD
AVIANO	USAFE	Aviano, Italy
BEALE	ACC	Sacramento, Ca
EDWARDS	AFMC	Niceville,
		CA
EGLIN	AFMC	Valparaiso,
		Fl
EIELSON	PACAF	Fairbanks, AK
ELMENDORF	PACAF	Anchorage, AK
F E WARREN	GSC	Cheyenne, WY
HOLLOMAN	ACC	Alamoagordo, MN
KEESLER	AETC	Biloxi, MS
LACKLAND	AETC	San Antonio,TX
LAKENHEATH		Lakenheath,
		England
LANGLEY	ACC	Hampton,
		Virginia
MACDILL	AMC	Tampa, Fl
MINOT	GSC	Minot, ND
MOODY	AFSOC	Valdosta, GA
MOUNTAIN HOME	ACC	Mountain Home, ID
OFFUTT	ACC	Omaha, NE
OSAN	PACAF	Seoul, Korea
PATRICK	SPACE	Cocoa Beach, FL
PETERSON	SPACE	Colorado Springs
RAMSTEIN	USAFE	Kaiserslautern
		Germany
RANDOLPH	AETC	San Antonio, TX
SCOTT	AMC	Belleville, IL
TINKER	AFMC	Oklahoma City, OK
TYNDALL	AETC	Panama City, FL
VANCE	AETC	Enid, OK
WRIGHT PATT	AFMC	Dayton, OH
YOKOTA	PACAF	Fussa, Japan

proof that metta is a miniature david bowie. and other pics.

David Bowie look-a-like proof.   almost identical, right?!

Last week there was a family movie night at one of the YMCA's where I work.  Metta was a nightmare.  She was NOT interested in sitting to watch a movie :)  So I chased her around the place for ninety minutes while the boys watched the movie with friends.

Metta LOVES nightgowns.  I found a yard sale with at least ten different nightgowns in sizes ranging from 2-5 so I bought them all.  She is in heaven.

 So- this week our car starting making a funny noise.   A funny noise that was suspiciously familiar to the noise it was making six months ago when we had to replace a bearing.  Turns out it was the very same bearing.  Luckily this time the part was still under warranty.  But- it all happened on a day when Kent was on call (30 hour shift) so he couldn't help me it.  I had several friends help with dropping it off- giving us rides, etc.  But when we went to pick it up I didn't want to bother anybody else so we walked to the shop :)  It was only two miles.  But it was HOT and MUGGY.  The kiddos didn't have as much fun as a I thought they might.

they were rewarded with ice cream cones.

 These last two pics are from Carraige Hill.  It's this amazing 'living' farm just up the road from us.  They've got animals, dressed up people giving tours and demos- and a real live penny candy store.  It's all fabulous.

 Metta was desperate to catch a chicken. no luck.

Metta spaghetta. Metta-mucil. Metta wetta betta. Metta-tarsal.

 She just hit the big 1-8.  18 months and a little bit 'girls gone wild'.  I thought I'd take some fun pictures of her for her half birthday.  Picture taking of your own 18 month old is not possible.   Don't get me wrong- I  got some great shots- just none that are frameable.

Metta is the most social 18 month old you'll meet.  And I was told that by a pediatric developmental specialist.  She wants to greet every person she sees.  She give high fives, handshakes, and blows kisses ALL DAY LONG.  

and she jabbers INCESSANTLY.  The only problem is that the jabbering is purely that.  jibber jabber.  She doesn't say very many words.   She's picking up more and more everyday and I'm sure I'll be wishing for her to stop talking by this time next year! Her very favorite word is 'binky'.

She is naturally happy.  really such a joyful little girl.

She LOVES Ike.  The two of them wrestle and make each other cry and pester each other until I have to separate them.  

Metta is still a fabulous eater.  Broccoli and carrots and beans and zucchini and honey dew and bananas are her favorite foods.

She has a really hard time saying goodbye to MY friends.  She cries and reaches for them and climbs in their cars when it's time to go.  She likes me fine- but she likes my friends more.  I think she wants my pal- kristi- to be her mom.

She's really fast on her feet.  She loves to run.

She's also my first child to stick foreign objects into bodily orifices.  I was getting her down from her highchair last week and found a blueberry in each ear.   She shoves pens and pencils up her nose.  She'll be our first 'object removal ER visit' for sure.

Ohioans would call her 'ornery'.  I just call her a busy body.

She's loud and screeches now and again- but not any more than your average 18 month old.

 If I don't have her in piggies- she looks like a miniature david bowie.

so pig tails it is. ALL of the time.

I can't believe how much I love having a little girl.  And she's a pretty darn good one to have :)

I succumbed.

Today was Ike's first day of REAL preschool.  Not a Co-op. not a mom's group. the REAL DEAL.  I succumbed.  I was so done with three years of teaching co-op preschool ( I really don't like teaching kiddos this age)- and all of Ike's pals were headed to school so I decided he could, too.

Ike and his pals are attending a local Lutheran Preschool.  He LOVES it.   

Ronan, Ike, and Ava. 

I asked him how his first day went and he replied: "It was CRAZY, mom!"-  then he giggled and said: "just kidding.  It was normal."

 He's got a few familiar faces in class- and a bunch more new friends to make.  I'm excited for him.

 He's pretty excited, too.  He's our goofy kid.  The class clown.  Likes to break the rules. Loves candy for breakfast.

 So- it's just Metta and me for 2.5 hours.  and really that just means she's at the gym.  His preschool coincides with when I work- so I'll just be at the gym and when we're done we'll pick him up.