The Rundown of our Race

(no pun intended)

As most of you know, my friend Melissa and I had been training for a 5K. As the day got closer the excitement built. Until the day before. Melissa little boy aspirated some peanuts and was admitted to the hospital. Poor little man had to stay overnight. This didn't stop my hardcore race partner. She let her (supportive) husband stay with their son that morning and met me across the street from the hospital (at a Hardees with tacky decorations for the holidays) to carpool over. We thought we were going to be pretty good on time until we pulled up. There were cars EVERYWHERE. This was not only a 5k, but also a half marathon (we had three close friends running the half- YEAH Kim, Stacie and Marcia!!!) We finally found a parking spot a little ways from the start line and were ready to go. It was COLD. The above picture is after our finish near our car- so I'd already taken off my toboggan. We didn't win (duh) but we did meet our goals........to finish, to finish without having to walk because we couldn't run anymore and the goal to finish in less than 45 minutes. We actually finished closer to 30 minutes than 45 minutes. Not bad! I know I wouldn't have been able to train without having Melissa there every step of the way. While I used to love running, I've been out of the loop for a while and so had NO motivation. So I really needed Melissa for all those training mornings.......

So, I know you're wondering if we're going to keep it up......yes, you'll be seeing more of team Melissa and Cortney in 2009.

Morgan's 7th Birthday Party

Even though her birthday isn't until tommorow (the 11th), due to scheduling issues we needed to have her birthday party last Friday. She made the choice to have a 'SPA' bithday party and the invites we sent out were little pink sleep/relaxation masks with a bit of cardstock attached with the info. We had planned (and did) pedicures, manicures, face masks, dinner, presents and 'hanging out'. Thanks to Megan, my mom and my friend Rachael for helping with the party and my friend Kim for watching my two youngest. Morgan wanted to invite everyone she knew but I put the limit at seven. (This was our first real 'friend' birthday party.) All the girls had tons of energy. And yes, I got the pictures on here out of order. I know people keep telling me how to do it- but I always forget in the moment.

oh yeah- Morgan planned the ENTIRE thing- down to every last detail

Rae with her face mask and cucumber eyes

Raelyn, Morgan and her friend Payton

The Birthday Girl

We borrowed Klacki's chocolate fountain to use for part of our dinner!

Morgan enjoyed all her presents!!

all the little ladies soaking their fingers for the manicures

and soaking their feet (and reading magazines) for the pedicures

Morgan was so nice to Rae the whole time- I'm so proud of her

What happens when you try to age out of your morning nap at 9 months old....

Gracie girl is trying to 'outgrow' her morning nap and go down to only 1 nap a day in the afternoon. This is what happens when she doesn't morning nap- she falls asleep at lunch!

Fire Station Field Trip

We took a field trip to the fire station this past Tuesday. Megan joined us for the fun. They let the kids see the trucks/engines/tour the fire house/etc. but didn't let them get in the engines?!?! What's up with that? Every other time I've EVER been they've let them in. oh well....

Jack had a slight obsession with rubbing the tail lights on the fire trucks

Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey, and share our love with friends and family.

President Monson's talk during the Sunday morning session of the 2008 Oct. General Conference of our church was entitled Joy in the Journey (sound familiar? Look at the top of my blog) You can go here to read if you haven't already. Or if you have, read it again- it's excellent.

These are a few of my favorite things....

**Running Edition**

As very few of you know, I've recently gotten back into running. It's been years. But I signed up to do a 5K this Holiday Season so I decided I had better get back into shape. Here are a few of the things that make my running in the early morning hours possible....... (just a few of my favorite things)

1. Asics Running Shoes- specifically the GR-2130 model. These shoes ROCK! I have inserts that make them even better, but my feet are never tired or sore. Maybe that's because I'm not pushing myself hard enough, but I'll just keep telling myself it's the shoes.

2. IPod Nano- I have the Couch to 5K program downloaded on podcasts and it makes running a breeze- Robert, the 43 year old man living in Northern California who decided to start running again on his birthday, put together these podcasts to help those of us who hadn't run in years (or ever!)

3. Moving Comfort Sports bra- And not just ANY Moving Comfort sports bra, but this one. I know the guys don't care about this, but I promise you that there are some women who will thank me later. Now, don't skip over this bra because of the price. Not cheap. But worth EVERY penny. I own two- a pink and white. Never have to layer sports bras again. Ok, so go buy one. Today. GO.

4. My running parter- Knowing that she is out there waiting to go with me keeps my sorry butt getting out of bed in the early morning. Love her.

It all started with a trip to Target.....

We can't be PC on my blog....of course not....it'd be too normal........

So.............. I get home from the Target feeling all happy because I picked up this cute stick bundle I've been wanting for a small corner in my powder room for only $6!!!! (gotta love the clearance) It has a nice stand on the bottom to keep it standing straight. Decorating isn't my forte but I was thinking it looked nice in there. When Josh got home from work I showed it to him and the following conversation then followed......

Me: Don't you love this decoration I got for the powder room!!! It was only $6!!!!!!

Him: You paid 6 bucks for that?????? What is it anyways???

Me: It's a decoration. It's cute. It's kinda trendy. It's supposed to be a bundle of sticks.....

Him: WAIT.....no wait......you bought a FAGGOT?!??! I mean- you paid 6 bucks for a faggot?! (Then he starts laughing hysterically. Can't stop. Great....)

I was still trying to figure out what just happened....then it dawned on me......I'm married to a sixth grader. Gotta love a man who has never grown up. Riiiiiiiiiiiiiight........


P.S. For those who DON'T know, a faggot is a bundle of sticks......(in addition to a rather derogatory term for a homosexual man)