Full Marathon

I did it. I completed my full marathon, 26.2 long miles in 4:57:21. It was so dang hard but when I was done I had such a great feeling of accomplishment. The training was so hard. Ryan was great and got up with me one morning at 3am to run 20 miles. It was right before Valentine's Day and he didn't need to get me anything else. Just the fact that he woke up that early to run with me was enough of a Valentine's present. Because according to him I needed to get in a 20 miler. I'm so glad we did that. It was nice to know I could go at least 20 miles and then after that it's only 6.2 more to go.
The weekend forecast called for an hundred percent chance of rain. After praying for rain all winter, since we hadn't gotten any since December, I had mixed feelings about the rain. I knew I couldn't ask to stop the rain we needed it so badly but I really didn't want to run in the rain. After all my conflicting feelings I finally prayed to bring on the rain but stop the wind that was blowing so hard. The rain held off until about 10 minutes before the gun went off, but really rain in the desert is so wonderful, it instantly makes everything clean and fresh and smells so good. It only rained on us for about 10 minutes and then the hard pounding, pouring rain came around 1pm. When the marathon was over. So really I couldn't complain about a little rain. Plus because of the rain there was cloud cover. I really think the Lord heard my prayers about rain and cloud cover. The running conditions were the best.
I was so overwhelmed when I crossed the finish line. I did something so hard and was able to do it. I am amazed at what my body can do. I am so grateful for my health. I hope I am always healthy but if something happens it's nice to know that I can accomplish hard things and overcome what comes my way. I am truly blessed to have been able to run this marathon. Will I do another one? Probably not, but the fact that I did one is an accomplishment in itself.

 

Willie, Me and Matt at the start of the marathon. I asked a random person to take this picture and then text it to me. I'm glad I did and it was fun to see to have them at the finish line cheering me on. 

This is the crew I saw at about mile 17. The entire race I had such great support and before the race I had so many people texting me and wishing me luck. I felt so loved and know that I am blessed to have such an amazing family and so many good friends. 

Ryan met up with me around mile 19 and was such a great help. I know I would have finished the race but it sure was nice to have someone helping me out and running with me. 

The finish line. I got a little teary eyed when I crossed. It was such an overwhelming feeling of wow I did this that all the emotions came full force. 

The biggest grin ever. I was so happy to be done running and so happy that I was able to run a marathon. 

 

Basketball

We had a great basketball season.

Jack and Jay both played and did really well. Jack's team made it to the championship and lost to the same team that beat him in the regular season. Jack's team has really improved and it is so fun to watch. The games get a little intense though. I always think if it's intense in 5th grade what will it be like as a senior. Yikes. It's only going to get worse.



 

Jack running the court. He's a great player and really fun to watch. 

 Jack's team: Isaac, Quentin, Brinton, Davis, Jack, Ezra, Cooper, Nolan and Coach Wood

Jay's season was great too. They didn't have a tournament but during the regular season they only lost one game. His team was greatly improved and had a lot of fun.

 One of my favorite pictures of Jay. I love the smile on his face. This picture sums up the entire season. Jay had a blast and improved.

March Madness

Every year I post the family picks for March Madness. I'm really glad I have because I have enjoyed looking back on the years and seeing who picked which team. And how truly awful we are at picking the winners.
Ryan:
Final Four: Florida, Michigan State, Arizona and Louisville. Michigan State and Louisville playing for the championship with Michigan State winning it all.
Dyan:
Final Four: UCLA, Virginia, Arizona and Duke. UCLA and Duke playing for the championship with UCLA winning it all
Jack:
Final Four: Florida, Connecticut, Arizona and Louisville. Florida and Arizona playing for the championship with Florida winning it all.
Jay:
Final Four: UCLA, Michigan State, Oregon and Wichita State. Wichita State and UCLA playing for the championship and UCLA winning it all. On a side note Jay woke up early on Monday morning to get the bracket that is in the newspaper
Kate:
Final Four: Kansas, St. Joseph's, Oregon and Duke. Kansas and Duke playing for the championship with Kansas winning it all.
Well here it is. It's always fun to get our picks in and watch a little bit of basketball.

A date with Kate

The Riggs girls, in my ward, have done a couple of plays and I try to take Kate to them when I can. The play was "Cap O Rushes, an English Fairytale" and Kate loved it. We ended up going the same night as the Hornes so Kate got to hang out with Jersi. We had a good time watching the play and getting some culture. I am glad that we were able to go.

Kate and Jersi with Ashlyn Riggs. Ashyln was the lead in the play. 

 Me and Kate after the play

 The group, me, Madeline Huyter, Kate, Peytin, Talena and Jersi Horne

 Kate, Madeline, Jersi and Peytin with the Riggs twins, Madeline and Morgan. The Riggs twins were in the play.

 Madeline, Peytin, Jersi and Kate waiting for the play to start.

Jay's pinewood derby

Jay's first pinewood derby didn't go as he would have liked as you can tell by the look on his face. His car's weight came off and as the race went on his car got slower and slower. It is such a good lesson on sportsmanship that Jay is still learning. I love this boy of mine and I do love how competitive he is. I just need to teach him when it's okay to be this competitive.

Kate's a Bike Rider

Kate is officially a bike rider. She kept saying I'm not learning to ride until I'm six. Well when she turned six I said it was time to ride. She took all of 15 minutes to learn to ride. I'm impressed with my little girl and love that she wants to ride like the wind.