Marathon and on and on and on....

What do Forrest Gump (with leg braces), the Tinman and myself after a race all have in common? We walk with straight legs and look completely ridiculous.

A couple weeks ago I ran my second marathon. I had a fun time training and I was excited to be able to run down Provo canyon again....one minor detail....I basically live in KS and had ZERO hill training. I didn't do as well as I was hoping but I did better than expected, considering the hills and taking 3 weeks off from injuries. There were a lot of "tender mercies" if you will, during the race.

#1. I met up with a friend from Highlands Ranch at the start line. How in the world we found each other is beyond me-there were hundreds of runners! We ran the first 13 together and she was awesome at keeping my mind off running. She left me in the dust at mile 14 and I must have left my motivation at that aid station as well:(

#2. The weather was beautiful

#3. My body (besides my poor lil' knees) held up for the most part and allowed me to run the whole time...although the professional pictures look more like a shuffle rather than a run!

#4. Just as I was about to give up and start walking a little girl on the side of the road stuck her hand out for me to "high five" and that was the biggest boost I could have had. I know she really didn't believe in me but I felt like she did! 

It was fun to have my family there and to ride up the canyon and start the race with my brother. We also saw the Pothiers in the hotel parking lot which was way random but fun! And lastly, I can't write about a race and not mention David. He's been picking up the slack for me as a mom and I couldn't have completed this without his support and encouragement! 

wee wee wee

Well let's see....we went to Craig (for like the millionth time) over Memorial Day weekend. Grant had fun playing with the dog, seeing family, getting dirty etc. etc. We have some friends who own pigs, chickens, geese...basically anything smelly. We thought Grant would love visiting the new baby pigs so we took him out there. He ended up being interested in the rushing river by their house instead. Why must he always be so curious in the exact thing that we do NOT want him to be interested in? I swear if we were showing him the river instead he would run right over to the piglets! It was still fun to do something different.

It's been so nice and sunny lately yet I feel like we've been inside a lot. Why? I have no idea-maybe it's because Grant blisters up at the word "sun"-actually it's because he'd stay outside all day long if I'd let him and since we don't have a backyard I don't want to be one of those creepy park people. *Remember-if I want him to play at the park that pretty much guarantees that he will play in the poopy sandbox (which btw why are those still around???) ,the gutter or with busted glass or something.* What have we been doing instead? Well Grant helped open the milk and then used the stringy thing to use as glasses and then a lovely headband. Wow talk about resourceful! 

                                                                 Child labor laws?

                                                                Boy do I love this kid.

little lovelies-krazy coupon lady

Well, I may not be totally extreme in my coupon savings but I've been known to save a buck or two! Thanks to my friend Teri I learned about this awesome website and have been searching for great deals everyday. (wow that sounds like I am starring in an infomercial for diet pills or something...."I learned about this awesome____")

www.thekrazycouponlady.com

I still struggle with coupons-I'm not wild about a lot of the food that is cheap, no offense but I'm not going to stock my kitchen with canned chili and hot pockets. This website has shown me that there are different options out there besides the frito pie recipes that we all seem to save money on! Apparently my subconscious is telling me that we're a dirty family because most of my purchases are soap, deodorant and toothpaste! If a crisis were to happen we may not have food but we'll have lots of shampoo:)  

picture overload....

A few weeks ago Grant woke up, let us change him, got in the car without a fight, sat like a rag doll in the cart while I went to not one but TWO grocery stores, didn't whine for a treat or movie etc. We were convinced that he was sick. We even babied him all day because he was "sick". Then he acted like that the next day, then the next and the next! WHAT??? We call this the "2 yr old Billy Grant" and we gladly welcome him to stay....which will be short lived now that I wrote all this. Some things about my favorite little boy-

-REALLY into trains right now, every moving thing says "choo choo", he'll even get out the batteries and screwdriver to fix the broken toy trains 

-he gets this shy little look when he's around people and tries to not smile or look them in the eye

-loves jumping on our bed all day long

-he'll scratch his "whiskers" and say "hummm" when you ask him a question

-eats insane amounts of grapes and bananas-basically any and all fruit

-oh and have you met Ernie? This is Grant's hernia named Ernie. They are bff's, Ernie is always there for Grant and helps him through difficult tasks such as trying new foods, meeting new people etc. He is also a good companion when Grant is excited, happy, nervous, scared. We tease about Grant going on dates or taking the SAT and Ernie "talking him through it" oh what will we do when he has to be removed? Maybe there is an "Ernie patch" or something. 

We were on our way to Provo for David's sister/bro in-law's graduations. We stopped at Grandma/pa Ence's and celebrated Grant's b-day. He blew out the candle and started eating as we were singing to him. What can I say-this kid knows what he wants! He may be like his daddy in every other way but this kid can pound the ice-cream like his mama!

Do I look like a proud parent or what? This picture totally cracks me up, I took a picture for another family and they insisted they take one of the three of us. 

Grant sat there and cheered and clapped for every person in Laurel's graduating class. What a polite little boy.

We were lucky enough to be with family on his b-day, we went to a park and let him just run around with his new toys...and of course eat more cake! We love you baby Grant!!!

could this get any better?

The only thing that would make this picture better is if the cat was in costume....possibly a little pink bonnet or biker jacket...maybe large bunny ears while sitting in a basket would be more appropriate for the Easter holiday. 

albinos in arizona

Grant and I visited my sister's family in AZ for "Spring Break"...you know since Grant has been so busy lately and I figured he could use a few days to just relax. My parents were there too and we had a great time. Poor Grant had allergies the whole time. You know how parents never think their kids are ugly? Well...first time for everything! Man he looked rough! He had a blast playing with his cousins and I am SO grateful that they put up with him:)

I told a few friends that Grant better have enjoyed his time on a plane because I sure as heck am not flying with him ever again. He did good on the way there but the flight back....YIKES! I gave him some meds for his allergies....and yes I do mean allergies not "allergies". I thought they'd wipe him out but oh silly Jodee that would be too easy. Nope, they did the exact opposite. He was literally climbing on my head while I was smashed up against the window. Yes the same kid who won't touch me with a 10 ft pole now just wants to climb and crawl and slobber all over me for two hours! I've never been so excited to see David! 

Aren't they cute together?

phew!

Hum...where to begin??? A few months ago I decided to start studying to become a Personal Trainer. I know I know....laugh it up. I can barely bust out a push up and I eat insane amounts of ice-cream. Lucky for me I have an extremely supportive family (especially David) that pushed me to follow this dream. Cheesy? Sure, but I'm just being honest! I actually had a really fun time studying for the exam but I am oh so excited to be able to just focus on Grant again-poor kid has been living off stepped on Cheerios and apples! To celebrate that I passed we went out as a family, then picked up some Pinkberry. Grant somehow found a balloon at the book store, now that I write this I realize we flat out stole that...oops.

Grant must know that I am done studying because he has been super sweet and fun, lots of hugs and kisses. Today I was lying on the couch (so sue me...I was out late and up early!) and he climbed right up, scooted over a little and started stroking my head and twirling his little fingers through my hair. I should be worried but instead I just think it's cute. I promise I only drank water this night, my eyes seem to tell a different story....I just loved that Grant finally sat on my lap for more than 2 seconds!

random note: We had a "Mardi Gras Parade" in our home. Yep, same stolen balloon.

This little boy had way too much fun, I pray he never goes to a real Mardi Gras Parade or we'll be in trouble! See what I mean.....