Marathon

Shane decided 6 or so months ago that he was going to do a Marathon. He attempted to sign up for the Ogden but was too late and entirely too cheap, so he conjured up the "First and Last Plain City Marathon". He mapped out his course of 26.2 miles, planned for stops all along the way, got a few nice folks to help keep him company and planned the date--May 22nd.

He started at 7:00 a.m. after "carbing up" all week making us all eat pasta every night. He had plans for company to start around mile 14, but was pleasantly surprised to see his aunt Lisa on her bike planning on riding with him for the first nine miles. Kiley also took those miles as the refreshment gal and the boys and I picked up after her cheering and providing refreshment. Shane's uncle Niel picked up at mile 14 running and at 16 he got a whold crowd---Becky and Nichole on thier bikes, Juan (Shane's friend) on foot, and Braxton and Brandon (Juan's son) on thier bikes. Trish (Juan's wife) served as bike patrol in her truck keeping everyone far away from the bikers/runners. Later on Tara took over as the refreshment gal and I took photos, and Jake Weston and Bryce Moyes joined on foot. Becky, Russ, and Nichole finished up as the refreshment folks, and Braxton and I joined on foot for the last little while. The finish line was FULL of people who love Shane cheering and holding signs. Shane couldn't even stop his legs from moving long enough for a photo, it was pretty funny, he had to walk for about 1 hour after just to calm down his legs, and even then his legs were pretty restless.

Shane and I were overwhelmed with the support that people showed us. We had no idea so many people would jump in on his crazy idea, let alone be so supportive giving up their Saturday morning. It really meant a lot to us.

Shane did awesome! He ran the whole way and never gave up. He proved that he could do it, which was EXACTLY what he set out to do. He was pretty sore a couple of days later but much less than I expected. I thought he would sleep for two days, but he was surprisingly doing very well. I did notice that as the next week wore on after getting up at 4:30 every day for work he was exhausted by Thursday. Since then he has had a couple of catch up sleep naps and is back to his old self!

What we've been up to!

I had my 30th birthday yesterday and so a couple of weeks ago I went in for a new do. My hairdresser is fabulous (plaincitybeautyshop.blogspot.com) and I just let her do what she thought would look good. I really like my cut/color. I haven't ever had so many compliments in my life!

For my Birthday Shane and I spent the day shopping, going to the temple, taking a long afternoon nap, and then for dinner at my favorite restaurant (Bella's where I happen to work also) and Shane surprised me by calling some of our friends, 5 couples, and having them meet us there. It was fun to have good company. Braxton and Dakota were at the cabin with my mom and Cam was with Brent and Rebecca most of the day. It was a great way to celebrate being 30--good friends, good food, and a great husband. Dakota graduated from Mother Goose Time preschool. He is moving on to Kindergarten and I am so happy for him. He seems so much ready just in the last few months. He is catching on to what he needs to know and his nervousness seems to be leaving. Braxton is beyond excited to be in the same school together. They sure love each other. The kids all said what their favorite part of preschool was and Dakota said "the Dinosaurs". One day he came home from school and informed me "Mom, do you know that I am the only one in my WHOLE class that hasn't seen Dinosaur Train!" (a show on PBS kids), well I am quite the cartoon slacker he informed me and he has watched a few times in order to now be the only one!

Braxton had his awards assembly at school a couple of weeks ago. He earned Overall Academics. I was so proud of him. He really thrived in school this year. He had the best teacher a boy could ask for and she taught him so much and gave him the confidence he needs to be able to accomplish hard things. It is amazing what a difference those teachers can make on a child. He is a great reader, he loves math and it seems to come so easily, and he did so well on his citizenship which is such a change from last year, we are so happy!!!

Well school is out and the kids are very excited. We have been watching baseball/T-ball games for the past two weeks 4 nights a week and are very worn out from that. It is fun to do, but just a little busy for our taste. Now Dakota's is almost over, so we will just have Braxton's games. Both of them are really liking to play baseball and are getting very good at it. Dakota got to play 1st base for the first time and he did very well. Cameron looks forward to playing on some park every night, which saves our sanity so we can watch the game.

Shane and I have had some time with just Cameron this weekend and it is pretty cool to just spend time with one child, as well as pretty cool to only have one child :; He is so fun and less grumpy when he is home alone. Shane has spoiled him rotten giving him all his attention and Cameron has loved every. minute. of. it.

Mother's Day

My awesome boys got up early and went outside and cut me this beautiful bouquet. Shane has done this for years now, but this year Braxton got Dakota out of bed and they did it on their own, they are so thoughtful. Being a mom is awesome! Shane spoke in sacrament, (which was not fun to wrangle those boys alone!) and he did such a great job talking about how important it is to be there for every one of their firsts as well as the bad times. He talked about how kids need moms because their brains would be fried by TV if Dads were the ones home. He also talked about his mom and how she is never afraid to put in both hands and get blisters in hard work. This is very true she is a hard worker and great example.

My mom is also a great example to me and I love her very much, I am glad that we can have a day to honor our moms.

Moments

I worked late last night and had to get up with Dakota in the night, so I was feeling a little groggy this morning. When I finally wandered out of my room I saw this. Braxton playing with Cameron in his crib. They had set up a motorcycle track with books and were jumping them. I love moment like this!

T-Ball

Dakota started T-ball this week. I am so impressed at how brave he is being. I didn't put him last year even though he was old enough because he is pretty timid, but this year he is so excited and doing so well. I love to watch them do things like this for the first time. Every day he is asking when his next T-ball game is and Braxton asks when he gets to watch.

Braxton had a soccer game at the same time on the same park during Dakota's first game. The minute Braxton's game ended he started to cry and his coach asked what was wrong. He told her that he really wanted to see Dakota's first game, and was hoping soccer would get over first. He has such a tender heart and has so much love for his brothers. I hope he always has that kind of love and desire to see them excel that he has right now.

I also felt for the first time how weird it is to want to be there to support both of your children at the same time, and having to decide or stretch your time between the two. I realize I will be doing this many many times, but I feel a little sad to not be there for both of them. We will also be having some of Braxton's baseball games on Wednesdays when I work. I have always been able to avoid this so far in life, but it was bound to happen. I guess it is life, and I will get used to it, but being the Mom that is what I do. I drive, I watch, I volunteer, I help, that is what I do. This is my full time job right here in this family, and I feel like I would like to accomplish it to the best of my ability, I suppose I need to realize that sometimes you can't win them all. They will not be scarred because I can't make it to a few games, and in a few years I will be sick of games I am sure!