One good woman

"...the influence of righteous, conscientious, persistent, daily mothering is far more lasting, far more powerful, far more influential than any earthly position or institution invented by man. Righteous women have changed the course of history and will continue to do so, and their influence will spread and grow exponentially throughout the eternities." Julie B. Beck

Finding just the right quote to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Amy's birth was challenging but I think this one fits her quite well.

At 25 Amy has done most of the regular things most kids do:
attend school, take piano lessons, had a few pets, played that flute, taken gymnastics lessons (and competed too), cheer leading, high school color guard, graduated from college with a degree in teaching, taught kindergarten for one year.

Amy has done some extraordinary things too:
worked at an orphanage in Haiti, spent two semesters working at an orphanage in Romania, married an incredible young man in the temple, given birth to a beautiful daughter (and is expecting another baby).

While the last few things may seem ordinary Amy understands the influence one good woman can have and cares for her family in an extraordinary way.

It's hard to believe that 25 years ago I held my second baby in my arms and today Amy is a few months from doing the same thing.
(cue "Circle of life" music while I grab a tissue)
Sorry for the cheese but I can't help it.

I stand in awe as I watch her.
Amy, you are amazing.
I am so blessed to be your mom.
I hope your day is totally awesome!

I love you!

PS Amy also takes fabulous pictures, check out her giveaway here.

I promise that the next post will not be so gooey

22, 2-fortysomethings, 28 and 51

Wow, I've been AWOL for a while and while I have a few other posts in the works this one is most timely (and most are late, sorry)

July 16th
Greg! I don't even know if you read this ever but Happy Birthday!
You've always been one step ahead of me and I sure love you.
Hope your day was great.

July 21 - Happy Birthday Celisa
We are so glad you are part of our family.
You are an awesome mom and an amazing person.
Hope your Birthday was wonderful.July 29th
Lisa, Happy (late)Birthday!
When we were little we weren't that close,
(cause you were Mom's favorite and I was a bit jealous:)
But I really admire you and glad we are sisters.
Love you!
July 31st
Happy Anniversary to my best friend!
So glad I'm yours and you are mine.
So happy we get to be together forever.
I love you.

Today - August 7 - Mark's birthday
51 years old. Wow, can you believe you are 51?
Where has the time gone?(not to imply in anyway that there isn't still lots and lots of time left cause with the shape you're in I expect maybe next year you'll be half way to the top of the hill). Each birthday you have I secretly hope that in four years I will be as healthy and wonderful as you are and so far I've never made it, but maybe by the time I'm 51....?
Hope your day is wonderful and that you feel the love so many have for you!
I love you!
(did I mention that already?)

Back in the saddle

July 5, 2010

I rode my road bike today.
I haven't ridden it since that ill fated day last October.
Since aerobics was canceled I decided that today would be the day.
I got dressed and then goofed around for almost an hour.
Mark had come home from a vigorous ride to ride hills with Robbie.
He invited me to join them.
I accepted.
I pumped up my tires and Mark lubed my chain.
As I gripped the handlebars and began pedaling I realized that the tightness and pain still I feel in my shoulders and back come from my riding position on my bike.
I must have tightened every muscle on impact.
And then, not 5 minutes from our house I began to sob.
It was strange.
The feeling came from my gut and filled me till it spilled out and wouldn't stop.
I can't even tell you what I was feeling.
But I knew as I rode today that I would never feel safe riding up the canyon on the river trail again - my favorite ride - and that was something to mourn.

July 13 2010
I rode again today.
I was supposed to ride with a friend but she was pulled away by the chance to take her kids water skiing, so I rode alone.
It was hot and the semi's were noisy as they flew past me on the road.
It's just until I get past Bridal veil falls I reminded myself, then I will get on the trail- skateboarders don't ride between Vivian park and Bridal veil falls.
But I could not help but wonder what I would do if for some strange reason there were some long boarders on the trail heading towards me.
I would yell something to get their attention. After considering some options I settled in "Heads UP!" Short, direct and should do the trick.
Once on the trail it was shady and green and the sound of the river beside me was magical.
As I came down south fork the view of the mountains reminded me why the long hot ride up the canyon was so worth it.
I decided to get back on the road after the falls - just to be safe. But the way the road comes together and the shoulder shrinks I think I will take the trail - just on the way down.

If only we drank beer...

This race season has been a little different than years past.

In one of the earlier races in the season Mark woke up the morning of a race with a sore throat.
But, true to form he decided to race anyway. This race was an out and back race (where you turn around half way and finish where you started). Mark was racing pretty well until the turn around. He was towards the front and hit a patch of gravel and went down. He was scraped up and bruised his hip but got up and continued on. When he went down some of the other riders took that opportunity to attack. Mark played catch up during much of the rest of the race and by the time it was over he felt terrible. Not only was he sore from his fall but his throat was burning and he felt achy and sick to his stomach. This was the beginning of what turned out to be a three week long sickness. I got it too - It was not fun.

Since then Mark has done some races and worked really hard to regain the fitness he lost when he was sick. He wondered if his whole season (and all the training he put in over the winter) was lost. Two weeks ago he rode in the pro 1/2 category in a race near Logan. It was long and hot and BRUTAL. He produced more watts for a longer period of time on the uphill portions than he had ever done before and even though he was totally beat he still finished the final lap - the only master rider to finish in the pro 1/2's. Feeling exhausted and sick to his stomach he still wondered if his season was shot.

Fast forward to July 10th and the Porcupine Hill Climb.
A race straight up Big Cottonwood Canyon.
14.7 miles, 3800 feet of vertical climbing.
And for the third straight year he won the Master's 45+ category
finishing more than a minute ahead of his nearest opponent.
The winner gets the jug as a trophy.
Now he has three (actually four - one for a second place win)
You can take these to the Porcupine bar and grill and fill them with beer for only $2.00!
At our house they sit on the cupboard or hold flowers.
Mark has his newest one at work full of marbles.
While the jug is a fun trophy
it's tangible proof to him that he's still got it.

(I never questioned that)

Something my mom taught me

A tutorial on ice cream cakes here.

Mom

Dear Mom,

Thank you for singing to me at night and teaching me about the power of the atonement. Thank you for cheering for me at many softball games. Thanks for teaching me how to cook and how to be a loving mom. Thanks for teaching me how to serve in my callings. Thanks for teaching me about the importance of education. Thanks for you patience while raising me. Thanks for your love and support in my life. I'm glad we are sealed as a forever family. Thank you for teaching me to love the temple. I'm glad you were born when you were. Thanks for your love and example in my life.

Happy Birthday Mom!
I love you!

Rewind

It seems that this summer is moving forward at record speed but I want to take a few minutes to rewind and review what we've been up to. We recently got to have Celisa and Olivia here for a week. Aaron was busy teaching and couldn't come but we appreciate the chance we had to see the girls. I now understand firsthand how difficult it is to get a non blurry picture of Olivia.

That girl is ALWAYS moving!
She and Ellie from UP! seem to share the same motto:
Adventure is out there!

She was so fun to follow around and play with.

She had a blast swinging with Grandpa

Eating dinner outside

Playing the piano with Auntie Jen... got some foot action going.

It was so fun to reconnect and spend time with them.
I'm not sure how Celisa is getting anything unpacked.

I can hardly wait until August when we will all be together.
Thanks for coming to visit!