I'm not a superhero...

...but I play one in real life. 

I often realize at the end of the day that I have been wearing any number of things that the girls have had me wear. It's fun. 

2013 wrap-up

We had some major changes in 2013 and we are so happy with where we are in life.  God has been so kind to us and blessed us in so many ways.

I know my happiness comes from the knowledge that Jesus Christ's true church has been restored and that through the power of the priesthood I have been able to make covenants that will allow me to return to live with my Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ.  I know that I can have the opportunity to live with my family in God's presence.  I am so far from perfect.  The kids point out quite often where I fall short.  But I am trying.  Each day I try to improve and be a little better.  I am grateful for that opportunity to make improvements.  Elder Russell M. Nelson said in his most recent conference address that this is a gospel of change!  I am working to be open about the areas in which I need to change.  Little by little I know it is possible.  And what a blessing that is.

July Birthday catch-up: Faith

To start things off right, on Benny's birthday I found my first grey hair!  I definitely feel like I have earned it.  For better or worse, however, I have not been able to find it since.  I am sure I don't have much to worry about on that score, though.

With a birthday on Sunday, we had to celebrate on Saturday.  I had been wanting to go out to Cataract Falls and enjoy some family time and have a picnic.  The weather had been just beautiful and we were so enjoying what everyone told us was a mild summer (we did not complain!).

We took sandwich makings and after a slight detour (we ended up at Lieber State Recreation Area and had to be re-routed) were able to find a picnic table.

What we were not expecting was the complete downpour that started minutes after unloading our supplies!

We ended up spending a lot of time in the van.

The kids had a good time, though.

This doesn't show it all that well, but the rain was just pouring down.

Finally things cleared up enough to get out and check out the lower falls.

Then we went to the upper falls and checked out the bridge.  There is something significant about this bridge (the only one of its kind left in Indiana?), but I don't remember exactly.  We will just have to go back and check it out again!

That night we got to go on a date!  This was our date night sunset from the Target parking lot.  We had gone to pick up a few things, one of which was a new journal for me.  The really great thing is that I have just about filled that journal up already and in the next few days will start the next one.

That night we went to dinner at the chinese buffet that has since been closed.  We have a moment of silence every time we drive past. :)  And we also got some frozen custard - my favorite!  We may have done something else but I am too lazy to look it up in my journal.  At least it is recorded somewhere!

My annual strawberry shortcake that Spencer makes from scratch.  It's nice to change it up after Benny's birthday just a few days before.

Last year I read on a friend's blog that she set the goal of thirty miles of exercise the week she turned thirty.  She was training for a triathlon, so between the running, swimming, and biking that worked.  At one point after reading that I thought I would be able to run thirty miles the week of my birthday (at one point in time I was running that much - and I did not yet have a working bike, so biking was out).  That became less of a reality with the way our schedules were after the move.  I ultimately decided that my goal would be thirty miles the month of my thirtieth birthday.  It may not sound like all that much, but it was good for me to have something to aim for.  Here I am after completing my thirty miles!

And it was fun getting my workout summary emailed to me from mapmyrun.  I did it!

Unfortunately I really have not run much since then at all.  My foot was hurting, schedule got worse, then the winter came.  In the past I never wanted a treadmill, but since I have not been able to get out for so long, I have started wanting one.  I think there may be one in our future.

Thoughts on 30:

Honestly, I have never had a problem with getting older.  If anything, I feel like it gives me credibility.  Spencer always says "Age is but a number."  Last week in our ward adult religion class we talked about President Eyring's talk from priesthood session, "Bind Up Their Wounds."  I can't remember exactly what it was in there that got me thinking this way, but it started with the idea that those who are prepared should not fear death.  I realized that those who are doing the best with what they have and improving the best they can on their situation have no reason to be ashamed of their age.  It is, in fact, something to celebrate!  I have done a lot in my thirty years.  I earned that grey hair and I am just surprised there aren't more!  And I am really looking forward to the next thirty years.

Braid crowns

Growing up my favorite hairdo was a "princess crown" (a French or Dutch braid done around the top of the head). I have wanted to do one for Lilia for a long time! I tried over a year ago when I thought her hair was long enough. Her hair is so fine that it didn't even last until we got to church that day. A couple of Sundays ago I tried it again and it turned out great! She loved it and asked for a repeat the next day. 

I liked it so much, this morning I thought I'd try one of my own. I really wondered if it was too youthful a look (I'm now 30!), but I decided to go for it. I got comments all day. I may have to try it again!

July 2012 Birthday Catch-up: Faith

With my annual strawberry shortcake that Spencer started making for me a few birthdays ago.  Delicious!  29 was a great year.

Overheard

Faith{to Spencer}:  I'm not jumping to conclusions.  I am coming up with options.

New beginning

I now have two post-baby runs under my belt. Wow, is it different. Spencer's schedule has still been changing every month, so I haven't even tried to come up with a regular schedule for running. Mostly it's when it works out easily. That's not going to cut it, though. I am working on finding the motivation to get serious again. I saw one friend who did 30 miles combined of exercise the week she turned 30 last year. I really like that idea - maybe spread over the whole month. 21 July is not that far away. But with the 27 miles of trails that go throughout the city of Plainfield, IN (just outside Indianapolis where we are moving at the end of June - more on that later), it may be a great excuse to get out and explore the city. 

I am improving, though. My first run at the end of April was one mile and just over 10 minutes. Today I did a mile in 9:45. Far from where I was a year ago but it's something and I'll take it!  

Here's to many more miles!

Running

Honestly, I'm not running as much as I would like to these days.  However, with Spencer's schedule, that is to be expected.  I could take advantage of our YMCA membership and go during the day (the kids actually love the child watch there, anyway), but between it being sick season and not wanting to feel like the whole day is taken with me trying to run, I feel like it's better not to.

Twice in September I actually got up before 5a to go to the YMCA and was able to get back just as Spencer needed to leave for the hospital.  The first day I did that went great!  I did not feel tired at all (that was a Friday).  The following Wednesday I went again and felt like I could barely function the rest of the day.  Unless I'm going to bed at 8p, I think that option has closed itself.

October has been a little bit nicer.  Spencer only had to work the first weekend and in addition, one of his chosen weeks off was last week!  That was so nice in so many ways.  I was able to go running three or four times.  I only go 2 miles each time and I am getting slower each time, but I don't mind.  The weather has been wonderful for running and I love being able to get outside.  I'm looking forward to Saturday.

Unfortunately, November's schedule will be back to hopefully one day off per week for Spencer, so unless I want to get up before 5 again, it looks like things will slow down even more.

I think I was 18-19 weeks in both of these pictures.  Definitely getting up there!

And, no, we're not going to find out the gender before-hand.

 

Wedding dress

A year ago last month Spencer and I made some major changes that we've talked about quite a bit since then.  While it started out for me a way to lose weight (and hopefully quickly), it has changed into our lifestyle.  We have no plans to change.  We feel really good about what we're doing for ourselves and for our children.  I'm not going to lie, though, the weight-loss has been really fun.  I've lost a total of 36 pounds.  Since December it's only been 2 - it came off really fast.  I am healthier than I've ever been in my life and feeling great.

So that's not what this is about, though.  While at my parents I decided it would be a really good chance to try on my wedding dress.  What a great way to celebrate a year of health.  I fit better in my wedding dress now - after four kids! - than I did when Spencer and I got married just over 7 years ago.

Eden took some pictures with her fancy camera, but since I haven't gotten those yet, these pictures that my mom took with my phone will have to do for now.

And, who knows, maybe now that I fit again I'll be able to find somewhere to wear it!

Christmas and Pictures

Andy, Lilia and Anne with Santa at the library.

With Santa at the ward Christmas party.

Christmas Eve with their presents.

Wearing their presents.

After church. The girls are wearing their new Christmas dresses. The boys are wearing their usual with Benny using one of my Christmas ties.

In her new dress.

Wearing his hat Faith made for him.

Posing with her candy cane.

He loves his suit of armor. I had the exact same one when I was a kid.

Next to his car-hauling truck and new church socks. He was almost as excited for the truck as the socks. The kid loves his socks.

The lights at Rhema Bible College.

We had to get this picture, what with Faith's matching hat and all.

We had lots of fun with our friends Steve, Lynsie, and Raymond.

Though she probably couldn't see much, Anne seemed to love the lights.