It has been way too long...

Holy Moly,

I cannot believe

2010 is almost over and the last time I

updated my blog

was during the summer!

Well, needless

to say so much has happened since then. I am still running my tail feathers off. I ran seven yesterday like it was no big deal, and have another 10K, the Jingle-Bell run this Sat. I have been following my schedule and feel very confident for the half marathon this Feb. I have been running outside for the longer runs and for the shorter run of 4 miles or le

ss, I go to the new gym in Driggs. Anytime fitness-and it is open 24 hours a day! Pretty cool to be available to go work out anytime, hence anytime fitness. Driggs is really expanding.

I think the reason I haven't updated this blog is because back in Sept I started my new teaching dream job! I have loved every second of my new job. I love my kids, my classes, and my coworkers. I am so blessed! But, ever since school has started the free time moments are few and far between. When I was hired my friend told me, "Welcome to the fast lane!" and boy did she mean it. Between meetings, lesson planning, schedule shifting, presentations, hanging out with my mentees, working on my masters, trying to running a half marathon and being a wife there is just NOT enough time in the day, week, or month to keep an updated blog! As long as I can pop in every

now and again for updates I guess that will have to do.

Once baby comes I am sure things will really be out of control hectic, but I will want to post as often as possible to show baby growing up. I signed up for Alfac's short term disability and hospital stay insurance. The moment made it all VERY real to me. Aflac states I cannot give birth ten months after I sign so I can become pregnant officially Feb. 1st. So lookout!! This spring is it! The idea of a baby is so exciting I can hardly stand it. And when I signed those Alfac papers I felt so grown up, so responsible, so adult to be planning ahead like that. Truly was a pretty cool "Aha" life moment.

NIck and I went to Oklahoma for Thanksgiving and although it was an intensely short and hectic stay, I was so glad we did. Right after we left Granddad, Ole' Oklahoma Shay, went to an MRI and discovered he has severe bone cancer, and then he stood up and broke his hip because the cancer has deteriorated away his hip bone. It was really scary, but the doctors had a window of opportunity and went in for surgery to replace the hip joint. All went well! So he is now in recovery, but he does have a slight infection somewhere and liquid in his lungs. My prayer now is that it does not turn into pneumonia, because I remember how that turns out. If your reading this, prayers are much appreciated!!

On a lighter note Nick and I are like to two pigs in mud; just as happy as can be. The snow is flying here in the valley, Christmas is right around the corner, and less than a week from today Christmas break starts and I can go snowboarding every morning!! You better believe I will too! Our three four legged sons are g=doing awesome too. Summit had a little mishap at the groomers when we dropped him off for a haircut. She buzzed him down to the skin! He looks so ridiculous! I guess we waited too long to bring him to the groomers. Apparently you should bring him at the end of every fall and spring. So now every time I look at him I have to giggle. He looks like Mr. Buttersworth from Austin Powers. So freaking funny! WEll, my lunch break is almost over...gotta run ...until next time...

Dogs days of Summer Coming to a Close

Hello All,

With only two weeks of summer left, the slow realization that summer is over is setting in. But, on the bright side I get to start back to work!! I am starting to get so excited about going back, I have plans to meet my teammate Jill Tuesday to hike Snow King in the morning, then go to the school and figure out how we would like to decorate our classrooms. I am thinking about painting a mural on one of the walls, and I have to come up with a cool theme for decorating. I was toying with the idea of "Survival" as a theme because we read so many books on survival-but I am not sure just yet.

I go to a day of training on Friday for the new computer system-two teachers from each building are chosen to become experts on this so we can go back and train other teachers. I feel very lucky.

Nick and I have been very low key the past two weeks-no mountain climbing, camping, or dirt-biking. We have been going to the movies and hanging out close to home-a lazy float down the Teton, I took my mentee, Meraldi, white water rafting on the Snake River, and went school clothes shopping for a pair of black school appropriate shoes. So like I said, very low key.

This weekend my best friend's Steph's is turning thirty!!!!!!

We are planning dinner at Teton Thai and then are going to the county fair in Driggs to watch the figure eight races. Our friend Julie's husband Paul is racing in it, so we are going to cheer him on. Should be a blast. Sat morning I am going over to Jackson to take my mentee, Meraldi, to the village to ride the Tram and go on a nature walk. The Teton Mentor Program brought in a naturalist to be our guide. I am really looking forward to it.

I guess the most exciting news happened last night at the Cowboy Steakhouse-it was my last shift of the summer! I picked up two nights a week throughout the summer and last night I officially retired! It was a happy drive home Ill tell you what. I have always dreamt of the day I would hang up my apron and break out my teacher duds. Waiting tables has treated me very well over the years, but that chapter of my life has closed and now I open a newer and better chapter of a professional career. I feel so blessed every waking moment.

Until next time...

We keep on going..and going..and going....

On Friday Nick was able to take a half day of work because he is working 4 nine hour days.
So, we took full advantage and loaded the boys up in search for a great swimming hole. Mission accomplished! We found a sweet spot totally secluded and in the most beautiful location. It was very relaxing and the dogs had such fun. Afterwards, we headed down to the Knotty Pine for a little dinner and sunshine.

Saturday morning

was my second 10K race, this time it was here locally in Driggs. The Tin Cup Challenge. Man what a blast, and super hot! I finished and never stopped running! Next on the horizon is the Mesa Falls half marathon. YIKES!

After the race Nick and I loaded up the gear and the dogs and heading into North Leigh canyon for an overnight camp. We staked out a spot earlier in the week, but when we got there the spot was taken by horse trailers and other campers. So we drove around and found a great spot near Tin Cup creek that was beautiful. After setting up camp, Julie and Reagan, Stephanie, Eric and Dex all joined us for BBQ and Smores. Good times had by all.

After a beautiful night sleeping under the stars Nick and I woke up for a hike into North Leigh canyon to Green Mountain Lakes. Elevation gain 2,040 feet in four miles! It was a challenging hike for me to say the least, but we made it a success! The dogs were happy to get to the lake and swim their little tail feathers off. I tried to get into the water, but it was freezing! I Should have known better! Nick and I took a lunch break while the dogs swam. Nick wanted to go further to Granite Basin Lakes but I talked him out of it. It was another 2 miles and 1,000 feet elevation and I wasn't sure I could hack it.

Luckily, he agreed. The walk was beautiful through fields and meadows of exploding wildflowers.

All in all the weekend was amazing, as every weekend in the summer should be. I am super sore and tired this fine Monday morning. I will have a few days rest and then Nick's parents arrive this Thursday. I am looking forward to it their visit, we always have fun when they are here. I guess that wraps up our weekend,

until next time..

Gone But Not Forgotten

Death is a real and crazy thing. My Dad passed away this past January and I am still in disbelief. He wasn't supposed to go this way. And every day at some point in the day I think of him, and the fact that he is gone, and the fact that I can never pick up a phone to call him on our ritualistic Sat calls. More than anything I get to thinking when I think of him, about my own mortality. The fact is we will all go at some point- and I hope and pray I will get to live a long and healthy life with my husband, but I can't help but wonder what does it all mean? Where do we go? Will we be reunited in the end? Now I know I am not the only one who feels this way-but really. What does it all mean? Today driving home from work I started thinking about my life path and literally got chills thinking about how grateful and blessed my life has become. My husband is my best friend, my dream job has arrived, my backyard is a paradise to play in year round, but I keep thinking about my Dad and how he got jipped and it pisses me off. I just know how special every waking moment is, how special every family and all the friends I have are, and how lucky I am to have chosen a life best suited for making me happy. I remember when I flew home to Dallas while dating Nick to go to a job fair and was hired on the spot. I remember thinking geez, Jackson Hole won't return my calls and Dallas hired me on the spot!? What is the deal? I knew I wanted to teach. I knew I wasn't found alive in the Smokey Mountains for just any ole reason- I had a purpose. But what was my purpose, my life path? When I came home to Teton Valley and I told Nick my plans for moving home home he said," I don't want to tell you what to do, but if you stayed here with me we could really give it a go." Then I was deciding what was more important: career or true love? That may sound cheesy, but the very first moment I laid eyes on Nick I truly knew he was the one. I told Kari, Steph, and Julie that same night. My choice was clear.
But still I drive home at night looking at the amazing sky filled with sparkling diamonds and wonder what is my Dad up to? Is he watching over me? Does he know I got the job he always told me I would get if I just hang in there? Will he see his grand kids? That part burns the most. My kids will never meet my Dad. It crushes me and it really pisses me off. Why? Why Dad? Why then? Grrr. I want answers but I know life will never answer those questions. I just have to believe that Dad watches over me and knows all that happens. I am sure he is flinching every time I get on my dirtbike and go raise some hell up a steep mountain trail. I just have to believe he knows I am happy to my very core.

Death freaks me out. I am about to turn 33 and I figure with my grandmothers genes I probably have max 60 years left. 60 years and then what? I am not too sure I am ready to leave this life in 60 years. Will I remember my life after I am gone?
Have you ever been scared of Death or am I just a freak?

Anyway-here is to my Dad. I am thinking of you always and miss the CRAP out of you already. P.S. I got the JOB!!! (But I am sure you already knew that.)

Welcome to the Fast Lane

In the words of my teammate when I got my new job-"Welcome to the fast lane!" Boy oh boy was she correct on that one. Since I wrote last I have been busy busy! Judy's visit was a complete success, we went to Mesa falls, Yellowstone,Grand Targhee, Jackson, on hikes, shopping, and to great restaurants. We also cooked at home, went on walks around the house, and I even had to work one night so she was able to have a down day.

The day she left my old friend from high school came to town with his wife for the Widespread Panic show at the Drive-in movie theater down the street from my house. It was a great July 4Th. We filled every waking second with activities. Took them up to the wind caves, and then to the God Bless America festival on the 3rd. On the fourth we went up to Targhee and rode the chair lift, before the concert. The concert was a mega blast. WE all had such fun. The next week I made it in the newspaper! It was a riot.

Once Bart left on Monday Nick and I were so exhausted from the past two weeks, we ordered a pizza and a movie and never left the house. It was great and well needed day of rest. This past weekend we climbed up Taylor Mountain on Sat which was a steep hike that took about 6 hours round trip. Then Sunday we went on a killer dirt bike ride to packsaddle and everyone jumped off the rope swing. It was such a blast.

I am working at the Million Dollar Cowboy Steakhouse two nights a week for extra money during the summer. They called me back for the summer and I accepted. Pretty cool. I am still working on my classes for my Masters, they started back up July 1st. I am hoping to be done with all of the classes come December. Then I can just work on my Thesis. Life is great, it is flying by so quickly I can hardly believe it. I guess it is true about what they say-Time flies when you are having fun. I am sorry this post is such a broad summary, but I think you get the gist. Once again I will try to update more often!

Until next time...

Cloud Nine

Cloud nine, what a wonderful feeling. Such relief. So thrilled, I got the job!! Let me repeat, I got the job! I am now officially the Reading Intervention Specialist for Jackson Hole Middle School.WHOHOO!! Nick and I both were so excited we were doing cartwheels in the lawn. Widespread Panic is coming in two weeks to play at The Spud!! Kari's and I best friend from high school is driving in from Arizona with his wife to see the show. What a grand fourth of July this will be.

Judy is coming to town next Wednesday for a week and I am so excited. I have a super busy weekend all mapped out to keep us all busy. We rented a cabin in Yellowstone to stay the night. The cabin is on the Grand Canyon side of the park, not on Yellowstone Lake like when I took my wonderful grandparents. But it still will be beautiful. You can bet there will be many pictures to follow!

The pictures posted above are from Ski Lake, a new spot Nick and I found this morning. 6 miles round trip and a pretty mellow hike, but once you get to the top there is a hidden lake and the dogs had a field day. It was sunny and warm, but once we got home the storm stated blowing in. I had a horrible dream last night that Tuaca got attacked by a grizzly so today I got out the bear bells for the dogs collars and made Nick take TWO cans of bear spray with us. The hike was wonderful, I am so surprised I have never been there before. The valley blows me away every summer with it's simple beauty. And every summer I keep discovering new spots. I love this place. Paradise.

Until next time...

Humpday...

Ok, my interview for this afternoon was moved to Friday at 1:00. But, the interview yesterday was a hit! I felt really good about it and at the end the principal told me I was a top candidate! I really hope out of the two I am given an offer. Although I found out today there is only one other candidate, an English teacher I work with. So if I don't get offered the English position at the high school, than I have a 50/50 shot to get an offer from the middle school. So I am feeling good about the whole thing.

My first race is this Sat in Rexburg. First 10K! I am so excited, not to run super fast but to complete the race with my girlfriends. Plus, Nick is going down also for support and he is going to take tons of pictures. I will post them afterwards.

The weather has been super wet and raining here. I wish the sun would come out for more than 20 minutes. I would like to take the bikes out, go on a hike, go camping, and get a tan! Plus I don't like running in the rain nearly as much as a beautiful sunny day. Sun-come out come out where ever you are!!

Until next time,

Jenn

The pressure! Oh, the pressure!!

I know I know, it has been too long since I have last updated my blog. Well, my mind is fully occupied with work and my interviews. I have two interviews this week, one at the middle school and one at the high school tomorrow morning. Yikes! Also, I just found out that an English teacher here at the middle school is applying for the RtI position!! Arg! So my nerves are a little on edge due to the fact that she has worked here forever and will be my strongest competition. Jill, my partner, keeps telling me to go in there with confidence and own this job. I started the build-up with this program this year-it is my baby! I just have to get the job. I just have to. I saw this amazing rainbow driving home from work last week. I pulled over to take this picture because it was so striking. I looked out the window and my jaw dropped to the floor. I feel like it was a sign for good things to come. I have eaten my nails down to the bone and chewed off all the skin on my lips from anxiety. Yikes! Oh the stress, only 4 more days till summertime and no more classes. If I can only make it to then-and not fall over from stress. In four days all this waiting should be over...I'll now if I have a contract in four days. Four more days to hurry up and wait. Then in five days I can relieve all of the stress I have harbored and run my first 10 K foot race!!

Wish me luck-send me prayers-until next time,

Jenny

Epiphany!!!

I have been so busy that I have neglected you, my blog. I am sorry, but now I am back. On my run yesterday (4 miler) I had a vision. The reason I have been struggling trying to find a writing intervention to use with my students is because I haven't written one yet!! I have decided to plan and create my very own writing intervention for students that score below basic on the PAWS writing assessment. The idea is to teach students the skills they need to show growth during progress monitoring. In order to do this, the fidelity of the intervention has to be consistent. I haven't been able to find an actual writing intervention that I can record data for accurate results. Until now! I have decided to create an intervention aligned with my school and district's curriculum and create a binder showing the step by step the process I used. I am so inspired and feel like this is my role in the district. A pseudo-curriculum writer!! Hooray!

We only have 16 days of school left until summertime!!! I am so excited for the break. My principal caught me this morning walking in and told me her gut feeling is that they are opening up the position for next year! She also said they have to interview all applicants, which means I would still have to interview. But, the good side to that is I have already been doing the job all school year this year--so I am the only person this time who has experience. I have home court advantage. I feel in my heart of hearts it is now my time to shine. This will be my year to get that contract. I just know it.

Well, for now...

until next time.

I am back!!

So I haven't posted since Nick and I went to Spring Creek Ranch for our weekend get-a-way. That Saturday morning I ran 8 miles with my friend Katie. Woke up that Sunday and had pulled my hip-flexer, to the point that I was limping a little up until this past Wednesday! So, with little guilt I took the week off from all exercise trying to get that hip-flexer back into shape. I think it was pulled from over-use. Last time I had issues with my hip was when I hiked up Table Mountain-12 miles round trip! So needless to say, this weekend I was extremely antsy! I

wanted to get out and run so bad, but did not want to further injure myself. On Saturday I went into the gym and did a great workout, and my girlfriend Kari and I hiked up Mud Lake. This felt fantastic!

Mud lake is super steep in spots. It is a great hike because of how steep it is. The hike really stretched out that hip-flexer and I woke up Sunday feeling pretty darn good. I am back!! Running and weight training look-out! Sunday afternoon I went for an experimental 3 mile run and felt great. The hip is a little sore today, but today I do not run. Instead, I go back to the gym for an hour or so weight training. Tomorrow I will try and run 3-4 miles. I kind of had to take a step back to recoup. Hopefully if I take it easy I can try for 8 again this Saturday.

This is a snapshot of my very first homemade heart healthy pizza! I made from scratch the whole wheat dough, topped it off with spicy turkey sausage, and made a wonderful tomato sauce with tons of garlic and red pepper, then topped it off with bocolini and low-fat sharp cheddar cheese. It was a hit, Nick ate FIVE pieces!! I guess the heart healthy wears off if you eat five pieces, but it had been so long since we ate pizza!! And it was so good, If I do say so myself. I was joking around and said I needed to open up my own restaurant and Nick's reply was, "Naw, then you wouldn't like to cook at home." I thought that was funny. Nick would rather me be home cooking for him and that way he doesn't have to share. Flattering in a way. Love that husband of mine!

Until next time..

Our Spring Creek Ranch get-a-way.

Nicky and I decided we both needed to take a weekend and spend some together time rekindling. We found a great deal at Spring Creek Ranch. When we arrived and checked into the room I was fully impressed. The rooms had the most amazing views of The Tetons I had ever seen. The back deck looked out over a huge valley. The room also had a huge stone fireplace. Super relaxing. We had dinner reservations at The Granary and I had the elk tenderloin. The entire meal was so relaxing. We stopped in the bar before dinner to have a couple of cocktails. They were serving strawberry and jalapeno infused tequila to make the most amazing margaritas! Yum! We were the only ones in the entire place so it was very mellow. I could actually feel stress melting away. I could see Nick was also starting to relax. The views outside the restaurant were stunning, and the entire wall of the building was made of glass so we could look out. There wasn't a bad seat in the house. Truly an amazing experience. After dinner we took a soak in the hot tub and looked out over the Spring Creek pond, with the sounds of a babbling creek nearby. Nick is such a great person to spend time with, my best friend. We love and enjoy the same things. I love being married to him and feel really blessed, especially this weekend. (Awe..heart-warming.)

The next morning we ate the most delicious breakfast, soaked in the hot tub watching the morning wake up, and then went 'drivin round' looking for wildlife. Nick was my tour guide. He claimed he would show me wildlife and boy did he get lucky. We saw several herds of elk super close to the road, as well as, a bison crossing the road as we drove by! It was great, it reminded me of when I was younger and my granddad would take Jeff and I to the wildlife refuge to "grind up smoke". I came home with a grin from ear to ear. Great weekend. Hope to go back every year.

Until Next time..

8 Miler this Saturday-sheesh!

The weather has turned sour! Yesterday was full on blizzard mode here in Teton valley, so needless to say I took the day off from my run. Today looks a little less scary outside so I shall run 5 miles when I get home from work. I am planning an 8 mile run this Saturday! I am excited and nervous about it at the same time. Due to the mileage increasing drastically I am planning a water station with a protein bar break on mile four. I keep reading everywhere how important it is to refuel during long runs. I already have my route planned, now I am just trying to see if I can get anyone to join me.

Nick and I signed up for our romantic getaway this Saturday at Spring Creek Ranch. The local special is such a great deal. I am so looking forward to spending some quality time with my favorite husband, and best friend. We are going to be celebrating our 2 year anniversary soon! I can't believe we have already been married two years! Time is flying by so fast I wish there was a pause button. Turning 33 this year is surreal to me. I still feel like I am 25.

My horoscope tells me I will get good news at work around May 5th, I am hoping it is referring to the middle school opening up the RtI position. Then my dream would finally come true and I can start getting paid a decent salary! My boss tells me he/she should know something by the middle of May, so I only have to hurry up and wait two more weeks! Fingers crossed. If you are reading this, please go ahead and say a little prayer for me!!

Last night I called Gramma and we talked on the phone for well over an hour. She is such an amazing woman. She is my hero. Granddad seems to be doing well with his health, Gramma says his appetite is starting to come back. What an amazing couple, those two. Married for 64 years! and going strong. If Nick and I could be so lucky.

Well the bell is about to ring and my classroom will be flooded with the little kiddos, so I must go. I'll write more later...

Until next time...

Free Period..

My lovely seventh graders get a free period today because we spent the last month studying for their final science test and they just took the final. I have an ELL science vocabulary class. It started out pretty rough because I am not a science major, but over the months it has become one of my favorite classes I teach. The kiddos have such personality and I just adore all of them. They are watching Amazing Panda Adventure which is pretty darn entertaining if you ask me. So, what a better time to blog then free period. Nick told me last night I need to blog more often. So here I go. He and I are talking about taking advantage of the Jackson Hole local special and go spend the night up at Spring Creek Ranch. The special includes dinner for two and breakfast for plus a deluxe room. The way this year has started out, my dad, his dad, and all of the drama I really believe it is past due. A get together for a little rekindling is in need. Plus, a night out on the town is always nice, it has been a while. Spring Creek has a secluded hot tub surrounded by trees, and considering it is supposed to snow all week it would be perfect to relax with a glass of wine, my favorite perfect, love of my life and a soak in the hot water during a snow fall. Ahh. Heaven. Hopefully we go.

Today I am do after school for homework help, then I spend an hour hanging out with my mentee, Meraldi. She is a sweetheart. We hang out every week. I wish I could find a way to open her up a little more. She is extremely shy. I am working on it. So I wont be getting home until 6:00. Then, I have to go run five miles, cook dinner, and go to bed. Ugh. Exhausted already.

Until next time.

Eat Clean Diet!

My friend from high school, Caitlin, introduced me to Tosca Reno's book, The Eat Clean Diet. I really like the principals. Eat 6 smaller sized meals a day, cut out animals fats, processed foods, and refined sugars. Simple simple stuff, but the goal is to lean out someone who is very active as well as give them tons of energy. The concept is that in each small meal there is a lean protein and a complex carbohydrate. An example from the recipe section is broiled salmon topped with mango salsa, served with roasted brussel sprouts and sautéed mushrooms, plus black bean and tomato rice pilaf. See picture. I only ate 5 small meals this day so my portion were increased at dinner because I combined two smaller meals to make one. Delicious! Plus, this morning I got on the scale and weigh 156 lbs!! I finally broke that plateau of 160! I think running the longer distances really helps, plus now with eating clean I am really watching what I take in versus what I expend with exercise. I am a size 8 and it is shrinking to a 6 as I type this!!

Nick and I went to the Eco-fair in Jackson over the weekend. It was a beautiful sunny day, with a little chill in the wind. They gave out free samples of fresh baked bread from the brand new local bakery, local micro-brews, and free samples of locally raised beef, pork, and other game. We walked around and saw the sights then took off for lunch at a cute little cafe with great wraps.

I ran a new record for myself. Saturday morning I ran SEVEN miles!! I went from five to seven, but that morning I was feeling extremely ambitious so I went for it. The weather was amazing and I loved every minute of it! This Saturday I am going for EIGHT mile. Shew! The miles are really starting to get up there! Yikes! Last week I ran 20 miles and this week I will have to run 22!! Crazy how far I have come. I remember January running 3 minutes and walking 2 for 15 minutes and thinking I was the woman! Persistence! I owe it all to the fact I kept running a little bit every other day. Now I run almost every day. 5-8 miles! I am still in shock!!

Until next time...

Update...

As of 4-19-2010 I have officially completed the first year of my Master's program at the Western Governors University. Hooray! It is such a great milestone because I feel like I can start to see the light at the end of the tunnel. My professor claims I will have my ELL endorsement by December if I continue with the pace I have been working. I will not have the Degree, but I will be able to teach if need be. So I continue to truck along. I have signed up to teach summer school at the high school this summer, not sure if I will get it though. I am hoping so, because Nick and I are planning a road trip with the dogs to the north panhandle of Idaho. We will bring our camping gear, and do a 10 -14 day natural hot spring tour around Idaho. He has never been up north near McCall Idaho, and Coir' de lane (spelling?) so, I am really looking forward to it. This year has been so trying with all of the dramatic things that happen in the first three months-Dad, Nick's Dad, Mom's Eye, Tucker's eye, that I know Nick and I both need a getaway. Hopefully summer school will pay for it.

As of today, 4-23-2010, I haven't heard any word yet if the superintendent of the school district has found the funding to open up a second RtI position. I am trying to remain positive and hopeful. It is hard though.

The running has been going great. Tomorrow I will run the c

omplete distance of my race=

6.2 miles! I am excited. Part of me wants to push it to seven miles but I will just see how I feel. I took yesterday and today off from running so I will be strong for tomorrow. With all of the races approaching this summer, I am getting more and more excited everyday and constantly want to continue to challenge myself with the distances. On Wednesday I went running with my girlfriend Karee. She is a strong runner, she clocks herself at 10 minute miles where I am around 13 and a half. She was cracking me up on our run because first of all she wanted to talk the entire way. This was bittersweet because I enjoyed catching up with her and hearing her awesome stories, I was so out of breath trying to converse with her. The other thing that cracked me up was the fact that she kept turning around and running backwards! I wanted to kill her! She made it look so easy, but then again she was in the military for several years! She definitely has the discipline! It was great for me because I really had to push myself the entire five miles! The run was great. I was so soar at night I could barley sleep with muscle aches.

As far as the dogs are concerned, they went on a run with me on Tuesday. It was 70 degrees so pretty warm. We ran 3 miles while they kept running along the ditches on the gravel road in search of water. There was no water so instead as we pass the old farmers house they decide to duck the fence (again) and run to chase the horses (again!). Tuaca was suddenly side tracked when he spotted a puddle of muck and horse do-do, so instantly before I could do anything about it, he and Summit were wallowing in the mud puddle. It was about chest deep on them and stunk to high heaven! I yelled for them to stop but it was too late. When Summit stood up, he looked completely black. All of his white hair was soaked in the horse poop. Then of course now that they were cooled off they ran back to me to try and shake it all off on me! I was so mad, it stunk so awful. Tucker was an angel and never left my side during the run. He was rewarded after and allowed into the house for the night. The other two trouble makers were not! And Nick says Summit will not be allowed in until we get him groomed! Ha! Our dogs-like our children.

Until next time...

Great weekend.

Wow, the sun finally came out over the weekend and blessed us with beautiful weather. I woke up Sat morning feeling great and went on a 5 mile run. Then, Nick and I got out and about Sat afternoon and made our way up to Mesa Falls to see all the beauty. Unfortunately for us, the roads had not been plowed and were closed due to all the snow. I guess Nick and I were premature on our Spring outing. So we took another fork in the road and detoured to a place called Warm River. I felt like Nick and I didn't have any recently updated pictures of us so I wanted to find a pretty spot and take a few. We also had to take our sons, so they could get out and go for a swim. Such a lovely Sat. When we got back Nick was fired up and went to work raking the back yard, while I read a book in the sunshine.

On Sunday I Went on a run with my girlfriend Steph and we ran another 5 miles! That was 10 miles in two days and 18 miles for the week!! Running has become my hobby. I love it. Nick and I stayed close to home Sunday, lounging in the sunshine. It was one of those weekends were there was nowhere to be, no pressure to do anything- Just relax and enjoy. My kind of weekend, with my favorite husband. OXOX

Venting some MAJOR frustration!!!

Ok. The running has been awesome. Going to the gym three days a week weight lifting check. The scale going back up to 160, Ugh!!!! I am so annoyed. I started all of this at 165. Beginning of spring break went down to 156. I was so happy and motivated. Now the scale says 160! What the heck? I am been eating the healthiest of my life, thanks to Nick's new diet. I have been exercising more than I ever have in my life. And yet the scale is not moving. Granting to lighten up on myself I will admit I am losing inches, but when I joined the Girls with Goals weight loss club we agreed to lose weight not inches. So I will not even make it to the drawing of 1,000 dollars because it is all based on pounds. So frustrated. Guess I can kiss that 100 dollars goodbye! I am not giving up yet. I still have about 5 weeks. The scale needs to read 145 in order for me to get my name in the drawing for the money. 15 pounds in 5 weeks...really? I should stop eating now and maybe I will make it. Ugh! What is the deal with my 160 weight? Come on already start showing some progress already!! I may just be forced to take the scale behind the house with a sledgehammer and have my way it it! Oh well, I guess purging my frustration here makes me feel a little bit better. Until next time...

Whohoo!!!! 5 miler!

I haven't written in a while, need to update. Today Nicky-boy went off to the gym and I was due for four miles. The sun came out, but there was an intense chill in the breeze. I started running and never thought about running for the first time. I was thinking about what to cook for diner, what to do tonight, laundry and realized I wasn't thinking about my jog. When the turn off came to complete my four mile loop I thought about going another half mile. That was it, one half mile up and one back. Tack on another mile why not? I wasn't that tie rd, or out of breath so I went for it. Amazing! Flew by 5 miles without breaking a sweat. Well, I was sweating but you know what I mean. I am so amped by this because the 10k I signed up for is only 6.2 miles. I am almost there now and still have 11 weeks until the race. I may even start practicing the speed of my runs. As of now I am averaging about 13 minutes a mile. Which I am extremly proud of. I can't believe I ran 5 miles!! Whohoo!!
School starts back on Monday so no more Sprinfg Break! BOoHOo! Oh well, only 10 more weeks till summer break, I think I can make it! Until next time...