This week...

There are a lot of things that I love...

but being closer to this during the week,

 is just down right amazing! Ahhh... the memories of Litza's Pizza.

My sister and her husband showed up a little unexpected this week. She lives in New Orleans, LA. So imagine the surprise when she came to the door! The pictures speak for themselves.



 We love you Lauren and John!

Last but not least, I was in the Denver airport waiting to come home from my business trip, when a random lady walked up to me and handed me an American Flag. "Wave it please when the soldiers get off the plane. They are returning from 22 months in Afganastan. They are finally home."

(This is one of the soldiers, his dad held him for a good 15 minutes.)

YOU BET I'LL WAVE IT!

Well, I waved, clapped, cried and thanked them.  And not just me, but the ENTIRE airport terminal erupted in cheers, tears and clapping.  It was amazing.  I was a total boob as I stood there with tears literally streaming down my face.  I can't imagine what they go through and what they have seen.  But for that I am so thankful.

SO, Happy Memorial Day!

Run..

Last year at this time I was getting ready to run the Wasatch Back, aka... Ragnar with 2 of my favorite people.  So there we were, us and 3 other women, (2 of which we didn't know until the morning we started), all started off on an adventure that we would take us from Logan, UT to ummmm, I honestly don't remember, but I am pretty sure we were near the back side of Heber Valley in 24 hours.

AHHHH.... I LOVED that race, and HATED it and quite frankly will never forget certain things.  I am pretty sure that it was harder than my marathon.  I have NEVER been that sore, nor had I ever ran back to back to back in under 24 hours while sitting in a sticky smelly car in between.  I was the driver and that didn't help with not being able to stretch between runs.  When I say smelly car, I mean it.  Just imagine 6 woman, 24 hours, eating, sleeping, running, sweating, breathing, farting.... well you get the picture.  I am quite certain that my Tahoe has never been the same.

But, just writing this makes me wish we were there again.  Running our guts out, push our bodies to the limits and then doing it all over again.

1 year ago, I could run 14 miles at a time and be just fine.  It was thrilling.  I'm pretty sure if I went running right now, I would run 1 and want to die. Ok, I'll give myself the benefit of the doubt and say 2.

I haven't run since that race.  For no other reason than just pure laziness.  I have been lazy.  But, I miss running.  It is my therapy.  Everything disappears when I run.  I can think, talk, listen to music, pray, make decisions... what ever it may be that I do while I run, I come home feeling better, happier, healthier and stronger.

I want to run.

I will run.

I need to run.

Who wants to go with me?

Date night?!

Mara,
I would LOVE to go on a date night with you on Saturday!
Love,
Mom

The new me...

It's been awhile since I've visited my blog.  A lot has happened.  I'm pretty sure that my life has done a complete 360. 

Life isn't the same anymore.  It's not better, but it's not worse.

My new reality is just this:

I get up at 6am.

Shower.

Get dressed in big girl clothes.

Wake my kiddos up and give them as many kisses as they will let me.

The nanny arrives.  AND, she is wonderful!  An angel, really.

I kiss my sweet B and my kiddos again.  They get sick of it, but I don't.

I get in my car, plug in my head phones, turn the country music up as loud as it will go, and drive.

I haven't gotten used to the commute yet, but I'm finding my groove.

I stop at Starbucks and get a Grande Skinny Vanilla Roiboos Tea Latte.  It comforts me.

I make the rest of my commute, all of 2 minutes.  Drive in circles up the parking garage. 

I even have a favorite spot. 

I walk into my office, turn on my lamp and computer.  Sit down, take a VERY deep breath and start my day.

I have to be on.  Meaning...  Happy, excited, a leader.  It can be hard.  Really, really hard.

I love my sales team.  They are unique, fun, talented and I can't believe how much they have taught me.

I hope that I can teach them.

Each day is different between the hours of 8-5.

I'm pretty sure that's the main reason I like my job.  It's NEVER the same.

I turn off my computer, lamp and close my office door. 

Climb the stairs to my car, plug in my country music and drive in circles back down.

The commute coming home just plain old sucks.

I am usually home by 5:45.

I walk in my home, kiss my B and my kiddos, again more than they want.

Make dinner, sometimes.

And then I sit and relax with my family and kiss them some more.  We play, we watch movies, we laugh and we snuggle.

I have found a new me.

I am a full time working mom.

I am better for it. 

There are those out there who think that I am putting my kids in a bad place.  Not giving them a chance to be nourished and grow. 

Truth is, you couldn't be more wrong.  So, please don't judge.

You see, I am not working for the money, or the insurance, (ok, maybe for this one.)  I am not working to prove anything, or to get away.  I am not working because we can't afford our life.

I am working to show my kids, mainly my girls, that you can be strong, successful and independant and still raise a family that has values, strengths and happiness.

Do I miss being a full time mom?  Absolutely.  Do I miss my kids?  So much I can't describe.

Am I happy?  Yes.  Are they happy?  YES.

This opportunity came out of the blue.  I know it was for me, but I also believe it was for them.  I don't know how long I can keep up the pace, but I will get up everyday and try with all my might and stregth..  I will get up and prove to my kids that I am strong and I love them so much.

Right now, the time that I have with my kids is precious. 

It's happy and when mom gets home from work, we go out and rule the world!