Hearts For Honduras

I ran the Hearts for Honduras race in Santa Fe on Labor Day and it was a lot of fun. It was a really hilly run and really hard, needless to say I didn't beat my last time (didn't even get close) but I had a good time and am looking forward to trying it again next year.

Before the race...wow I am roughin' it. I am down 21 lbs and counting though!

Reese stretching before the race.

They had a jump house set up for the kiddos to jump in while they waited for the racers to start coming in.

Next race: The Great Pumpkin Chase 5k

First 5k

Last Saturday I ran my first 5k. I am still 2 weeks away from finishing my Couch-to-5k training program, but I did pretty good. I finished in 30 minutes which isn't fast by any means, but it's not slow either. I am pretty proud of myself considering I couldn't even run 90 seconds 7 weeks ago.

On Labor Day there is another 5k I want to participate in. It is in Santa Fe. I think I am going to haul the whole family to that one. I want to see if I can beat my 30 minute time.

Birthdays

Dev and Ash have both had birthdays! Asher turned 1 on July 28th and Dev turned 6 on August 5th. I can't believe my babies are getting so big! Reese will turn 3 on Sept. 12th.

New Hobby?

4 weeks ago I started the Couch-to-5k Running Plan. For someone who thought she hated running, I am really enjoying it. About a week in I started having shin pain on my right leg and knee pain on my left. It would get to the point that when I got home from running I would be limping. Last week I realized the pain came immediately after I put my shoes on. Yesterday I went to ABQ Running Shop and was fitted for some running shoes by a very helpful sales person. I went running last night and guess what?! No pain! It was a great workout that left me feeling really good. I find myself getting excited to go running again.

Even though I won't quite be done with the program yet, I am thinking of entering this race. Then at the beginning of September when I am done with the program, I am going to enter this race. I am interested to see how different my finish times will be.

And, as a side note: While I was at ABQ Running Shop I mentioned to the sales person that it is disappointing that most of the races are held on Sundays, because we don't participate in activities on Sundays. He was quiet for a moment then told me about a running group I can join that holds "mostly handicap races" on Saturdays. I walked out of there laughing, thinking he was telling me I should join the special olympics or something. I am new to running, but come on! That was just mean! Then I actually looked up the site he gave me and saw that no, he was not trying to insult me, it is indeed an actual race, just a little different. Here is a link to read about it. I learned an important lesson from this--For some reason I think it is funny when people insult me (or when I ignorantly think they are trying to). =)

Mariela the Photog

My sister in law, Mariela, took some great pics of Dev and Reese this week. I borrowed a few from her blog. She did a great job. Thanks, Mariela! xoxo

And here is one I snapped with my phone of Asher:

Wow, I'm on a roll with the posting. Go me.

My Grandpa has been staying with my mom. I absolutely LOVE having him here so close. He lives in Utah and hasn't been able to come visit us in NM in a really long time. He is the neatest man; so fun and smart. While he has been here I have put him to work (sorry, Grandpa!). He

has fixed my phone jacks, given me a tutorial on how to efficiently and correctly use Round Up without killing the plants I actually like (as well as explaining to me how to secretly kill the Russian Sage plants I don't like- but don't tell Brad that!), and he helped me to plant a tomato plant in my new Topsy Turvy. I think I better get him to teach me about caring for tomato plants though because it's on it's way to the plant Spirit World after only 2.5 weeks. I am

hoping to revive it with some TLC and fertilizer.

My kids love Grandpa too. Reesie, who is normally very shy around men she doesn't know took to him immediately and will tease him. She calls him "Bumpa". I love the way she says it. It's so cute. Devin loves to tease and play with him too. It's been so fun to see them get to know each other.

Isn't this the cutest picture? I am going to treasure it forever.

Dear (or not so dear) Joseph Graham,

Will you please stop giving out my phone number to all your debt collectors? I am sorry that every 6 months you seem to have yet another quarter (?), mid (?), life crisis and all the collectors come chasing after you but REALLY- you have been handing out my number as your own for 3 years now.

Also, please tell your wife that her nail lady no longer cares for her business.

Oh yeah, and Eduardo has been looking for you. Please call him back so the man will stop harassing me. He seems to think I have you "stashed" and doesn't believe me when I tell him he has the wrong number.

And don't forget to call American Express. They have "matters" they would like to discuss with you.

Thank you,

The REAL resident of (505) 771-XXXX