This is how we roll...

So, remember how all my other races I go on and on about the catharsis of running? Well, it seems I've changed my tune for this race! This was all FUN, FUN, FUN!

Back in January Elizabeth got us all excited to run a trail race with her, and then followed through and actually got us to sign up! Best decision ever. This was so hilarious/funny and awesome to run. Who can get tired when there's gummy bears on a trail with laugh out loud funny friends around?

Oh, Yeah. We totally planned our outfits and were matchy matchy stripes and shorts friends. We sang through the canyons and let Malibu know that we meant business. And by business, I mean, that we are serious...oh i mean Seriously awesome runners.

If you don't believe me, you better watch this video. Elizabeth put it together, and it is awesome. If my bumpy video skills don't induce nausea, perhaps our vocal renditions of Bon Jovi will.


Disclaimer: The clips may or may not have been taken out of context. Don't believe everything you see on reality TV, people!

Side Note: Did you SEE that king snake on the trail? Because let me tell you, when I nearly ran over that dead King Snake on the trail and instead jumped a good 5 feet in the air, SHRIEKING at the top of my lungs, i might have thrown up a little in my mouth. And had a panic attack. And had vivid recollections of my Ricks College preschool teachers making me carry the boa constrictor to the other class while I broke out in a cold sweat. If it weren't for friends, I really might not have made it through the next 47 steps it took me to pull it together. Phew. What are friends for? :)

Ryan was REALLY excited to see me at the 1/2 way point, and subsequently REALLY mad I left. Then he was REALLY excited to see me at the finish line, and then REALLY mad that I stunk so bad. I tried to bring him across the finish line with me on my back, but he couldn't handle sweaty Mama and opted for a cleaner fresher scented Dada.

Our supportive audience got to have both the mountains and the beach to add to their entertainment during the time we were running. After they met us at the half-way point to watch us run for the porta-potties and pig out on treats for the trail, they got to take off for the beach (which I was highly unprepared for--one pair of jeans and a long sleeve shirt for my baby boy to play at the beach in? Wow, i'm awesome...)

Then they found pretty flowers to pick in the mountains:

Shelby is just about the cutest thing ever. She kept saying the whole time we were gone. "Mama, Running, Dirt." This is her shortened sing-song version entitled "Mama, Running". I think it's coming out as a single on itunes in July.

We made it to the end hardly even out of breath, which may or may not be a good sign for a "race" but if the race was for who had the most fun, we totally totally totally won!


Post race awesomeness.

I am pretty sure I'm ready for a 30K!!! Woohoo!

Los Angeles Flower Market

If any of you saw that celebrity-filled obligatory go-see Valentines Day, you might remember seeing the Los Angeles Flower Market!

After deciding that I need to really start liking things about Los Angeles, I started putting together an LA Bucket list. Seth sent this as a suggestion this week, and I could hardly wait for the weekend! My good friend Emily came with me early early in the morning, and we adventured out to the wholesale shops. It's $1 to get in, and then you have access to the beautiful smells and sights of flowers and vases galore!


This little beauty of a plant was $2.50, and I just couldn't pass up the beautiful vase...Emily got a matchy-matchy one with me so we'll always remember our trip!
It really is a brilliant vase. I am in love with it. This picture does not do it justice!

Beautiful Gerber Daisies, and the lovely orchid! The pot for the Orchid is also a favorite!
And...these lovely tulips for $7.
We really needed some flowers to cheer up the house today! I think these were just the trick.

I wish I could send all these lovely bouquets to my friends, family, mothers, and mothers-in-law next week.

One little word 2011

I know it's not, like, January or anything, but I have been trying for the past four months to think of my one little word (reference origins: One Little word 2009), and it wasn't until General Conference that it came to me:

Purpose

I know that probably wasn't the theme of any talks, but as I took brief notes throughout the talks, that's the word that kept coming to my head (Along with Priority and Direction, the two close runners up for my word). And I'm SOOOOO excited that I finally found it. I have set a lot of goals and resolutions for 2011, but I wasn't sure where they were going until now. I would like to live my life with meaning, with a purpose, and give reason to the things I'm doing.

Meaning, I'm not just running several 1/2 marathons. I'm healing my soul and putting effort into something that I've found meaningful for my spirit and emotional well-being. I'm not just trying to eat and promote a healthier diet for us all, I'm setting patterns for our family and our futures. I'm not just learning how to bake and cook better, I'm gaining a valuable skill that I can put to use daily. And I'm not just studying my scriptures and earning my Honor Bee, I am seeking a greater relationship with my Heavenly Father. I'm working to become the woman I want to be, and to develop the family that we want to have!

I'm not sure that I can even come close to summing up my One Little word 2010. Balance. Oh, how I REALLY needed that word last year. Last year I wrote "Balance in life, balance with family, balance with church callings, balancing my emotions, balancing nutrition, health, and exercise with everything else I need to work on."

Oh, last January I was a mess, a hot mess! We're still so amazed, looking back, at how blessed we were with our circumstances (Seth being unemployed and studying for the bar AKA caring for his ailing wife and 3 month old son.) I feel so humbled by the circumstances we were in, and how much I learned. I was so embarrassed to have to rely on others so readily, but there was no getting around it, and I believe we learned balance in our little family as a result. (We also learned that we have angels all around us, helping in so many ways!) While some might argue that my emotions are always a little on the edge, they are in MUCH better control now than ever. Thank goodness.

I really think we ended up doing well with achieving a greater balance in our lives, and now I'm excited to move forward with purpose in this next year, finding a greater meaning in our lives as we structure it with (and on) PURPOSE :)