Life is like a race

So, today I ran my first ever 5k. In November I decided that I would train. I wouldn't call myself a couch potato but to put things into perspective, when I started training running a full lap was beyond difficult.

My initial train, just 2 months ago, it took me 49 minutes to run the 3.1 miles. Today I clocked in at 34 minutes. I was pretty proud of myself.

As I ran today my thoughts wandered through the life lessons I have learned as of late and how the race today was metaphorical.

I want to share just a few.

Go your own pace. Don't worry about what other people are doing, it does absolutely no good to try and be someone you are not.

Don't try to go too fast but push yourself to always improve.

When a girl who isn't wearing shoes passes you, don't even pay attention because at the end of the race she will be nowhere near you and it won't matter.

Getting to the top of the hill is always way more rewarding than cruising to the bottom because it's at the top that you have reason to be proud that you never gave up.

When climbing the hill, just tell yourself how strong you are while simultaneously praying whole-heartedly to God to make you stronger.

When you pass someone up just know that in another 50 feet they may be passing you.

When you are climbing the hill, the right thing to do is encourage the others who are also climbing, even if they aren't as fast. So don't ever EVER get full of yourself.

Live life like runners do with each other. Worry about yourself and encourage everyone else to do their best. When other people are better than you, be happy for them, and be humble enough to learn from them.

When you are climbing the hill, you don't care where your cheerleaders are in their understanding of your pain or progress, you are just so grateful they are there.

It's much more emotionally healthy to live with the voice in your head who is congratulating yourself for how far you have come over the voice that tries to creep in and tell you that you still have so much more to improve.

Without your training, there is no need to join the race.

Sometimes watching your own feet is what you have to do because if you really see the whole hill you'll give up. God knows this about you and that is why he doesn't give you all the answers just because you think you want them.

Surround yourself with positivity, it's the people who can tell you that you can do it that will be partially responsible when you do.

The end is awesome, but it is really just another beginning with a little more knowledge and a lot more accountability.

If the race is hard and you need a nap, take one.

Run the race for you and no one else.

If you have pain, acknowledge it, do what you can to change it, and plow through it because it will go away....eventually.

Who cares what you look like, it's all about how you feel.

The floor

I remember vividly my little brother and sisters setting up that big old luggy VHS video camera and recording commercials.

They were so silly even though they were trying to be very very professional about the whole thing. They were convinced that their cereal commercial was wayyyy better than the "Mikey likes it" marketing campaign.

When I found this video done by Abigiail a few years back it took me straight back to my mom's kitchen table in the 80's.

Children truly are an heritage of the Lord.

And my source of greatest joy along with my Jesus and my husband.

My Man w/o a Middle Name

I love LeGrand Gold. I wish he was given a middle name so that I could say that I love LeGrand _______ Gold because that would seem so much more official.

I do love you LeGrand LG Gold. I hope you enjoy your new given middle name since that is what I mostly call you by anyway. I am so proud to be your wife.

I wrote about my man while sitting at church a while back. This blog seems like as good of a place as any to copy my words for the posterity.

Please ignore if you are single or just mad at your hubby. I don't want to add to your pain. Just know that I have been single and mad at my hubby plenty. It's just that right now I can't imagine my life without the total complete insane love that I feel at this moment and so many others. I am one lucky lucky girl.

I look around the room. One dad takes a screaming toddler out while his wife sits looking relieved for a break and for her partner in parenting and I realize that you are him. 

Then I look straight across the way and I see another dad holding a newborn baby tenderly and I remember how much I love it when you hold a baby. You seem so much stronger in those tender moments. You are the protector for our little ones and the protector of me when I let you be.

I see the teenage boy excitedly taking notes and I think of you and doodling your L's and your G's in a boxy font so they array the way you like and I think of your special experience about the Savior of mankind and I thank God for it and how it has given you the courage to keep trying day after day. 

I look up at the Bishopric and remember the days when I was honored the privilege of seeing you lead with humility and devotion. 

I see the father with the teenage daughter and marvel that I did such an amazing job of picking a father for our very lucky daughters. You are a father that is fun, involved, kind and oh-so loving. 

Yes, LG, the 80% of you that is beautiful trumps the 20% that is still learning. 

I love you LG.

This Sh*z is Shilarious.

I have decided that I am really not that funny.
But I do know how to appreciate other funny people
so that has to count for something.

Enjoy.

Redneck Caroline

We've been having all kinds of fun with our four new idevices.

We are so grateful to LG for spoiling us rotten this Christmas.

Abigail and I got i phones

and

Sophia and Bella got i pod touches.

The girls now sit right across from each other

facetiming one another

like they no longer know how to have a conversation without a device in between them.

We are all glued to our screens.

We have everything at our fingertips at all times:

free music, games, books, notepads, cameras, dictionary, google.

You name it, it's in there.

It has been absolutely ridiculous how much we already rely on these things.

We have even adjusted our family scripture study around them.

We now have the kids read a chapter ahead of time,

on their i device, of course, 

because that somehow makes it much more fun than the regular paper Bible.

They make notes on their gospel library app as they read.

We then get together and discuss what everyone learned.

It is awesome.

Totally awesome.

Our scripture study has never been better.

We are truly likening the scriptures to our own lives.

I have been floored at the insight our kids have gained.

If I would have known what would have transformed from getting

i stuff, I would have done it a long time ago.

Of course, we have also been having a lot of fun.

Check out the juicyfruit sweet talk app.

Hilarious.

Absolutely hilarious.

Please disregard my overly obnoxious laugh at the end.

Reading

Yesterday, a good friend e-mailed me asking about my reading habits.

She thinks the fact that I read 50 books last year is astounding.

Funny, I think it's a pathetic number.

This friend asked for tips on how she (a slacker reader)

can reach her goal this year of 20 books.

Of course I have some suggestions,

but let me begin with a disclaimer.

Reading is my thing.

Some of you have exercise, housekeeping, or crafting.

I could ask you the same...

how the heck did you run a marathon, wash your windows 5 times, or sew 85 million bags?

I do exercise, house-keep and even have a sparse crafty moment from time to time,

but not as much as most of you, I promise.

Some of you may have exercise, housekeeping, crafting, AND reading, but I guarantee you have other issues and the rest of us don't need to hear from you unless you are gonna admit it.

So, the first and most important answer is love yourself for who you are.

You may not read as much as me, but I don't look as good as you...you get the drift.

We all have strengths and weaknesses. 

One of my strengths is reading, and it may be your weakness.

But, just know we are both (commendably) working towards perfection in our own areas.

That being said, here are a few suggestions for those of you who are working on making reading a strength.

First of all, reading is lifestyle at our house.

Every night before bed, you can see every single member of my family looking like this:

Funny, I had drafted these photos to write about long before my friend's inquiry.

Our bedtime allows for a half an hour of reading every night and that goes for LG and I also.

Second, take a book with you wherever you go.

You will be surprised how all that time standing in lines or hanging out on the sidelines will add up.

Most of my family members have a book in hand if they know they are going somewhere with a potential for boredom. Reference this old post about Sophia at the soccer field.

Third, read what you like. If you are trying to challenge yourself to read more, don't start with The Scarlett Letter. Read what you like. You will find yourself reading more when it's easy to be drawn into the storyline. I personally only challenge myself with "more difficult or out of my preferred genre" a couple of times a year or if I am getting paid. 

Fourth, use your downtime for putting your nose in a book. I will admit to using a lot of my Christmas break sitting on the couch reading. And summer is the best time to really crank out half of your yearly goal.If you read only at the pool next summer, I guarantee you will be able to finish a book a week.

Fifth, make a weekly stop to the library habit. You will be happy with how much a good librarian can help you find something that you will enjoy reading.

Sixth, books on tape, are man's best friend. Whenever we go on a long trip, we always make sure we have books on tape. LG even figured out how to play books from his kindle over our FM transmitter. Awesome stuff.

Seven, read together. Get into a bookclub that will help you stay focused. Or read aloud as a family together. Right now, our family is reading the Little House on the Prairie series. It has been so fun to read and discuss how we are similar to the Ingalls family. (They lost their dog on their trek west too).

Never Dull

My kids crack me up all the time.

I found this today while cleaning.

Bella helped me a ton with Caroline at Target the other day.

We were really searching for a new basketball,

but you always have to take a moment or two to try out the merchandise.

And don't forget your helmet.

2012 plus announcement

Man, 2011 was a great year for me.

I just got a job at  private alternative school that I am way excited about.
I am signing up to run a 5k tomorrow after I've trained diligently for 6 weeks.
My marriage is better than ever. (Trust me there were times that were really tough).
I have been reading my scriptures and saying my prayers consistently (almost daily).
I reached and surpassed my reading goal of 50 books.
I have been paid for book reviews this year.
Most of all, I have felt God's hand in my life.

I hate to sound all braggy, it's not really my style, but this year has been awesome for me, and I want to say thanks to all of you who have helped me in little and big ways. I really really deserved a good year. I've been through some really rough times over the past decade. Yes, decade.

2012 is looking like it will be even better.

The first thing you need to know is I started a new blog.
Come over and check it out.
I am super excited about the new challenge.

Ispyutah.com

My goals this year are:


FAMILY

1. Read scrips every day.
2. Do good every day.
3. Be quiet.

PERSONAL

1. Run four 5k's. (keep 3x wk)
2. Read 54 books.
3. Weigh 180 or under.
4. Attend temple monthly.
5. Plan a family camping experience.
7. Dailies. (scripture study, prayer, service)
8. Be still and quiet.
9. Go back to college.
10. Stay under budget.
11. Go to bed & wake up w LG.
12. Show love and compassion.
13. Bond with the girls.


How about you? What are your goals?