Wannabe Athlete

So, I have always been a walker, not a jogger or a runner, a walker. Last week in preparation for the Trek, Craig and I were walking some major hills. As I am huffing and puffing up these hills, I am thinking, "If you can do this, YOU CAN JOG!" So on Friday I jogged about 1 1/2 miles of my walk. I was feeling good except for a little twinge in my hip that night after sitting in the truck for an hour. Not bad, I am thinking. Saturday afternoon we hiked around Round Lake with our boots on so I figured I better skip the jogging! This morning I jogged about the same amount, a mile and a half and walked the rest.
Here is my question: Do I continue like this for a few weeks? Do I add more jogging each day, week, month? We have the Trek this Thursday, Friday and Saturday so I don't want to add too much this week. I also don't want to injure anything so I can't do any type of exercise. Any suggestions from those who know about this stuff? I am forty-six and getting kind of old!!! Too old to start?
To tell you the truth, I am excited about this. I never thought I could be a jogger but I have always been a jogger wannabe!

July in Utah

Last week Craig and I were able to go to Utah to visit his family and Kristen and Dave. Fabulous time! I don't think we sat down very much but it was fun. Craig's mom put together a family dinner for Monday which really helps us. We love to see everyone but it is impossible to get around to everyone! We did get to see all of Craig's brothers and sisters that live in Utah at this party so that was great. Besides there are all of these cute nephews and nieces that we love to see but who wants a visit from Uncle Craig and Aunt Carrie! So can't fit it in the schedule! Throw in food, a pool and a little old fashioned parental guilt and a few of them will show up! Thanks, Goodrich clan! Love to see you guys!
We got to divide our time between Dave and Kristen and Grandma. That is a tough choice, let me tell you! My A-list when we left was - a shaved ice, fabric stores, and walking a canyon. All of list was accomplished, whew! I don't think Craig ever did get his BYU Creamery, bummer!
We had a great dinner with Kristen and Dave and his parents, Brian and Sheri. It was probably one of the highlights. Great people, great conversation! Sheri ran the Deseret News Marathon last week with a killer time. She is crazy, gorgeous and in unbelievable shape,but crazy!
Too many great times to write but it was just fun to be in Utah and with such fabulous people. Thanks for letting us come!


p.s. again, the camera stayed in the glove box the entire time! I need Kristin to snap pictures. She is the best!

4th of July with Family

We had a great Fourth of July with all of our kids here. I wish I had great pictures but.. I don't think I took the camera out once. We did have someone take some family pictures so I will post some when I get the disc. Kristen and Dave came the farthest, Provo, Utah. Nathan and Ashley came the next farthest, Rexburg, Idaho. Ryan and Kristin came the least but with the most people! from the Dalles, Oregon. We had a good time visiting, playing cards and other games, and eating yummy barbeque. One morning we went to Post Falls and played on the beach and in the FREEZING water.

Our family has always played games for entertainment, sometimes board games but alot of cards. Poor Kristin, Dave and Ashley! Not only did they marry into the strange Wilkinson family but now they have to play games. Ooohhh... BUT! Dave always finds the best games. This time he brought BANG! It is a card/cowboy game. One person is the sheriff, one the renegade, three deputies, and two outlaws. You can guess the strategies that go with this game since we don't know who anyone is but the sheriff, poor guy! Fun game.

Everyone was kind enough to come back this year for our 4th of July bbq. Susan and Bob's family came along with the Rosenbaum's and my kids. Kristin's sister, Kaylee and her husband, also joined the fun. There was lots of great food and Bree's pasta salad was killer with the curry!

The slip 'n slide was a big hit! The kids kept themselves occupied for quite awhile and the adults slipped in at the end. Sorry if you missed some of the crazier Wilkinson adults enjoying the water, as well. It was too great!

Craig and I so enjoy our family and miss them when we are apart. It looks like 2010 sometime is the next time the Wilkinson family will invade Otis Orchards. We can't wait!

Thank You notes

I am going to write a short editorial because I feel the need. A few weeks ago I loaned a book to a cute fifth grader at my school. This is not an unusual occurance. I lend many books. But this WAS the first time I have ever received a note of thanks. I was so touched that beautiful miss CL would take the time to acknowledge my deed. It caused me to think of my own actions and whether I show enough gratitude for the kindnesses shown to me. My note-writing, thankfulness skills have been sadly lacking. I am determined to be better. Thanks, CL for showing me the way!

Mother's Day

Once again my life is transitioning. This was my first Mother's Day with no children at home. Hmmm, what's the purpose of celebrating if none of the kids whom you mothered are here?!? My sweet husband and kids stepped up to the plate and made it a great day. I received a card on Saturday from one son and two more on Monday, they were trying to spread out the celebration! Good job, kids! All of the cards made me a little teary but one in particular caused me to sit right down and weep. Ryan and Kristin made some great cards that the kids helped with. One had little pockets with tiny cards that they recorded specific things they were thankful for. How cute is that? I was thankful that the pocket wasn't too big. That could be embarrasing to have to come up with too many kind things to say! Look at who there mother is, HELLO!

So, thanks kids for making my Mother's Day weekend a special time. Being a mom is one of my choicest blessings. I am so proud of all of you and your choices. I always wanted more children and my prayers have been answered, three of each! Thanks for being patient with me, for teaching me and loving me. My cup runneth over...

ps - Craig made the day great, too. He gets his own blog next month!

I Spy

For my birthday my sister, Judy, made a beautiful lap quilt. It is an "I Spy" quilt. Well, I tried it out this last weekend when we went to the Dalles to visit Ryan and Kristin and the kids. It was a hit! The kids sat on the couch with me as we searched for Popsicles, dragons, soccer balls and more. Later we spread it on the floor and discovered more great treasures. When we were packing to come home Dylan said, "next time you come, Grammy, you can bring your I SPY quilt." It was so fun to sit and discover together. Thanks, Judy, for the great treasure!

If you look closely at the picture my sister found random fabrics and created pictures within the quilt. You know the books where you say, "find a crayon, or a clown" and they search the pictures. The concept is the same. The quilt itself is beautiful and timeless and the colorful patches catch the eye and the imagination. This gift will certainly get lots of use over the years.

WICKED

Last week Craig and I were able to travel to Portland via Sammamish to see the play Wicked. It was fabulous! Can I say that too many times? It was amazing! We drove with Judy and Beau, who was a great sport since he had major surgery the day before. When we arrived in Portland we checked into our hotel right on a beautiful river downtown. Craig and I went exploring while Beau rested his sore leg and back. Walking through downtown Portland was so much fun, wet, but fun! They have beautiful little parks and interesting shops. We had no immediate timetable or restraints, the gift of empty-nesting!

Room service delivered a yummy dinner while we prepared for the eight o'clock show. Of course, there has to be a glitch. I forgot my black tank top and had to use a safety pin instead. It didn't look as cute but there was no time to run to a store. As Craig and I were finishing our last minute preparations we received a phone call. The play didn't start at eight but at seven thirty! Yikes! It must have been hilarious watching us run down the sidewalk pushing Beau in a wheelchair trying not to miss the opening.

The play was beyond wonderful! Even though I missed the first number of the second act, that's another story, it totally exceeded my expectations. The cast was superb, including the understudy for Glinda. Awesome

The next morning we were able to attend the Portland temple before we headed back to Sammamish. Stunning! I love going to different temples.

Because it was General Conference weekend and we didn't need to be back for meetings, Beau and Judy had to put up with us until Sunday afternoon. Poor Parnells... We came back relaxed and rejuvinated. What a great Spring Break! Dare I say, we had a wicked time!