Up-coming Races

I have really slacked off with my training since the cruise with lots of excuses--too hot, too cold, no time, I'll do it later.  So, I decided that perhaps I needed something to work for.  With that in mind, I have registered for two 5K's...
                                                                              this...

                                                                           and this...

I have tried to run at the gym, but halfway through, I found it very easy to say I'm too tired, and just got off.  Today, I did my usual outside run.  Halfway through, I found myself again saying that I was too tired, but I had to keep going if I wanted to get home! 

The Beach In January!

At Christmas, when Todd's family was here, we had amazing weather and ended up at the beach on a day that was perfect.  Little did we know that it was going to be like that for the next month!  It has been in the high 70's or low 80's all this month, and everyone had the day off of school/work today, so we made a quick trip to enjoy the beautiful weather at the beach. 

Monday's Memory--Susie

My doll, Susie, has been loved by many.  I remember playing with her as a youngster, making new clothes and dressing and redressing her.  Somehow, Amy didn't play with dolls much, so Susie was around, but didn't get a lot of attention.  I'm happy to say that she is now getting loved once again.  Emma loves to play with her, and when Claire and Sophie are here, they also play with her. 

Updated Pictures

Nerf War Revenge

One of our activities on New Year's Eve was a nerf war.  But it was no contest because I got a pretty poor idea of a gun...only one shot at a time, and you had to load and cock every time before you could fire.  Well, today I made a trip to the toy store and bought this baby!  Watch out kids, I'm ready and I'm coming for you!

Monday's Memory--Rap Music

Todd was here for Grandma Johnson's funeral by himself, so I got to spend a little one on one time with him.  It was wonderful to spend some quite time talking or watching a couple of movies.  Saturday evening he wanted Jack in the Box because they don't have them in Utah.  So, he took my car for a taco run.  The next morning, as I started the car to take him to the airport, rap music came "blaring" from the speakers!!!  I remember how I yelled at him as a teenager because of his music...and now I realize how I have missed that!

New Year's Goals

Last week, one of the Sacrament Meeting talks was about goals--setting them and achieving them.  With the new year in view and knowing that I was about to set new goals, my ears perked up and I tried to take the message in.  Two ideas "spoke" to me.  First, I need to live with intention--life takes action.  Simply going to the gym isn't enough to get fit--you have to go AND you have to work.  The second idea that hit me was that we were not sent to earth to fail--winning is simply getting up every time we fall.
That's a comforting thought as I reviewed my goals from last year.  My social goal was to invite a friend to do something with me.  I was successful for about half the year, but then time got away from me and before I knew it, several months went buy with no outings. I just gave up on the idea--a fail in my book!  I did "run" in the 5K. In fact, I did two--a great success! My third goal was about fasting.  I did what I set out to do, attending the temple fasting once a month and bearing my testimony in Sacrament Meeting.  But I find it interesting because even though I accomplished my goal, I don't think I grew closer to the Lord by it.  After lots of pondering, I think that sometimes I went through the motions, but my heart and spirit weren't in it--a partial success.  I honestly feel like I'm a better person than I was last year at this time, but I certainly have run to grow.
Once again, I have spent quite some time thinking about goals and what I would like to work on.  I'm am going to keep up with my fasting, but try to find a way to make it more meaningful.  I need to add meaningful prayer with my fasting to feel the spirit more.  My physical goal is to get to my goal weight and stay there.  I have been able to get there, but I've never been able to maintain it for longer than a week or two.  I need to figure how to do that.  I'm also going to run in two 5K's this year.  My social goal is also two-fold...I'm going to recognize my friends birthdays; send a card, take them out to lunch, make a phone call.  I'm also going to work on my relationship with my brothers; spend more time visiting with them when they are here, calling them, sending a card.  I have already taken my friend, Holly to lunch for her birthday and I have already signed up for a 5K in April, so I'm off!