tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23062704520434713302024-02-19T22:39:50.028-08:00The Life & Times of The MillersKarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05837471695832312138noreply@blogger.comBlogger353125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306270452043471330.post-85537788189092470392013-09-16T22:32:00.000-07:002013-09-16T22:32:36.901-07:00Changes!There are some big changes happening in the Miller family! We are...<br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;">MOVING BACK TO SANTA MARIA!!!</span><br />
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Well, Orcutt to be exact. We are <b>so </b>excited! Matt took a job with an eCommerce company in San Luis Obispo, and we decided to move back where most of our family lives. He loves the company & I love the fact that I will be back where my family & best friend is! Ada keeps asking, "When are we going to live closer to Nonnie's house?" Soon, my dear, soon. That 3-hr. drive has worn on her the past 3 years :) We will miss our friends and ward here (come visit us please), and I am sure going to miss running on West Cliff!<br />
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It's crazy, because I received an opportunity a few months back to work a food truck event at Fresh & Easy in Lompoc. I thought, "Hey, why not. We have family there and can make a weekend out of it." Then I looked at Matt and said, "You're going to have a job interview that weekend." He hadn't applied anywhere down south yet, so he was like, "Okaaaaay." He applied with Shopatron in SLO, they interviewed him on the phone as we rode down to Lompoc (while I drove and fed the girls chocolate to keep them quiet), and then interviewed him in person on Tuesday morning!<br />
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The other change is that I am going to start posting everything over on <a href="http://karainthekitchen.com/">Kara in the Kitchen</a>. It's funny because I started the food blog to give the food its own space. But now I feel like I want to include more of me in the posts over there! The food and recipes will still be organized by category and searchable. I own the domain and I like blogging through WordPress more (even though it's a bit scary and I have to learn on my own through trial & error). I'll keep this blog up for the blogroll & memories, but I won't continue posting here.<br />
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We also sold our Volvo! It's the first car we bought & paid off together, and the car that we brought both of our babies home from the hospital in. A girl bought it for her mom to commute over the hill in. We thought that was really sweet :) Bye bye Volv!<br />
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Now, let the house hunting & packing begin!Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05837471695832312138noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306270452043471330.post-12860249434846640162013-09-08T00:40:00.000-07:002013-09-08T00:40:09.451-07:00Bobba's 80th Surprise Birthday Party! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Over Memorial Day weekend, my grandpa turned 80 years old. He is the most wonderful man, and his sweet wife had been planning on getting our WHOLE family together to surprise him for years! </div>
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It was tricky, with 20+ people who love to talk like we do, to keep it a secret.</div>
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We had a few slips...but luckily Bobba was none the wiser.</div>
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See his reaction in Sean's video below:</div>
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I love it! I love his hand out and the, "How did this all happen?!" at the end. He was completely surprised by the whole thing!</div>
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Devin & Liz were amazing and hosted every dinner and get-together in their beautiful home. We sat and ate, talked, laughed, and played games for hours.</div>
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We got to see our cousin Daniel, who had just returned home from his mission in Houston, TX. We were only missing two family members: Chris, who is serving a mission in Oklahoma and Jennie's husband, Phe who had to work. We missed them! Matt & KayLa's baby, Georgia Kay, was blessed on Sunday with all of the family there. It was so special! </div>
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Lindsay was behind all of the decor. She and Nana would go out to lunch and plan every detail of the big bash. She had black and white pictures of Bobba printed out and attached to the back of our dinner plates. It was all just perfect! See for yourself:</div>
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We decided that Nana LOVES the secret surprise! She would say things that were so close to giving it away with Bobba around and we'd all try SO hard not to ruin it...Nana is so clever and we all had to try and catch up.</div>
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After the big surprise, delicious dinner, and decadent Madonna Inn cakes, all of us sat around the table and passed around a collection of memories about Bobba. We had each been asked to share a story about Bobba, then sent it to Lindsay who printed them out and compiled them into a book. We each took turns reading someone else's memory, and needless to say, many tears were shed. Almost every memory about Melvin John Drake involved his lifelong commitment to service, hard work, and testimony of Jesus Christ. It was fun to hear Bobba's side of the story after certain more humorous memories, too :) </div>
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After that, all of the grandchildren sang Oh Susanna and Oh My Darling Clementine to Bobba. He had mentioned that those were his favorite old folk songs from growing up in Montana. Lindsay and I used to run away with our hands over our ears screaming, "Noooooo!" when he would sing to us as young children. He sang along with us, and we all realized what a depressing song Clementine is! Sean accompanied on guitar.</div>
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We later watched a slideshow of pictures of Bobba in his childhood, adulthood, early family years, as a grandpa, and great-grandpa. Mackenzie put it together and it was so fun to see! Bobba wanted to pause on every picture and give us all of the history behind it.</div>
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Devin had the genius idea to attach a tent to their sliding glass door that leads into their backyard. Since all of the furniture was moved for the tables, they put the sofas and chairs in the tent and it was our favorite hangout spot! Can you tell that Ada is in heaven with all of the attention from my cousins? :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_46I67SVVvMYZ4zO-5N-FmoZNjq9ME81D13lr6GN7oAAosJOvN3ChtMPzktK08RnksLDwdxRBsz52GXfTNaR7V83igXV8CWHp1KW0pTkUOpMl0ll7amErahf6d1DA6Bswl2iINSY5o2Wr/s1600/IMG_9413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_46I67SVVvMYZ4zO-5N-FmoZNjq9ME81D13lr6GN7oAAosJOvN3ChtMPzktK08RnksLDwdxRBsz52GXfTNaR7V83igXV8CWHp1KW0pTkUOpMl0ll7amErahf6d1DA6Bswl2iINSY5o2Wr/s640/IMG_9413.JPG" width="640" /></a>Over the weekend we did things like walk the Bob Jones Trail, play at Avila Beach, go shooting at VAFB, and play games and eat more food and dessert and candy :) It was the perfect weekend! Devin & Liz even have bingo cards & a little basket to spin with balls in it (That helped in getting Ada to warm up to Devin more)! They had some pretty sweet prizes for the winners...check out Morgan's eye-patch & David's cowboy pistol!</div>
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Beach day:</div>
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Treats & snoozin' for Uncle Dana! We have a lot in common...chattiness, left-handedness, two a's in our names, love of Dr. Pepper & Snickers...so fun to see him. Also he made me pee my pants when I was seven years old.</div>
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Sitting on the beach while my kids are entertained and loved by my awesome cousins?!</div>
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Tired little girl!</div>
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Dessert!!</div>
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Ada loves her Uncle Sean :)</div>
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Lola was infatuated with baby Georgia! "A baby smaller than me?" she says!</div>
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It was a perfect weekend. I only wish that it could have lasted longer. I am so grateful that I was born into such a loving family, thanks to Mel & Alice Drake. Because of them we are all best friends, and when we get together - it is like no time has passed at all. This man just went through a quintuple bypass this year and has recovered incredibly. I've watched him fix plates of food to bring dinner to widows that he Home Teaches. I think he has been there to help at every move in the Santa Maria 3rd Ward, and has fixed countless cars of the family & things around our houses. All in his quiet, happy way. Love you Bobba!</div>
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Also, this happened. David vs. Matt.</div>
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Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05837471695832312138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306270452043471330.post-46219993959406370042013-07-02T21:45:00.003-07:002013-07-02T21:45:28.160-07:00Favorite Running Gear Giveaway Winners!So apparently if your last name starts with the letter C, you are a lucky person with giveaways! Our winners are Michelle & Katey, two awesome girls that I know will put these items to good use.<br />
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Congratulations ladies!! Hope you enjoy the Yurbuds & Pro Compression socks as much as I do! You should have received an email from me, contact me if you didn't :)Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05837471695832312138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306270452043471330.post-43913174454360401202013-06-28T08:58:00.003-07:002013-06-28T08:58:51.868-07:00Epic Summer Playdates<!-- Hyundai Santa Fe: Epic Playdate - Part II (Content Series) / Clever Girls Snippet --><script src="http://member.clevergirlscollective.com/track?u=10486&g=698" type="text/javascript"></script><img src="http://assets.clevergirlscollective.com/pixel/p.png?a=campaign&gid=698&uid=10486" style="display: none; height: 1px; width: 1px;" /><!-- END Clever Girls Snippet -->
We have lived in Santa Cruz for almost three years now, and we just barely found out about a little gem called Loch Lomond Reservoir. It's about 25 minutes from the city, up in the mountains, and feels worlds away from the busy weekend beaches that are Santa Cruz's reality in the summertime. It was so peaceful up there! Loch Lomond is where Santa Cruz gets its drinking water from (so you can't go swimming in it) but you can rent boats, fish, and paddle around in the glassy water. <br />
Our girls had never been in a row boat, so it was exciting and new to them! Lola wasn't a fan of the required life jacket for children, but with some coaxing from big sis - she kept it on the whole time.<br />
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I was amazed by their willingness to help row! It's a great upper body workout.</div>
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Ada took her rowing duties very seriously. They look so cute in those life jackets all squished up under their necks! </div>
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Lola was obsessed with splashing in the water! Matt's holding her little dress to keep her from falling in. Little daredevil.</div>
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The trees come all the way down to the water. Just gorgeous! </div>
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Always the sign of an epic day:<br />
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Sweet Maggie from Mighty Girl posted <a href="http://mightygirl.com/2013/03/25/movie-night-at-the-barn-check/">here</a> about her son, Henry's, 6th birthday party on her sister's farm! How fun would that be? <a href="http://vimeo.com/62319023">Here is the video</a> Hyundai made of the shindy. (We watched Lincoln last night, so parties are now shindies.) I want my sister to have a barn too, but <a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_1473683047"></span>Lindsay<span id="goog_1473683048"></span></a> isn't quite the farm girl type. Maybe my little brother will have one someday, I could definitely see him with lots of dogs, goats, and chickens running around.<br />
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Here's to many more Epic Playdates to come this summer!!
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<i>I was selected for this opportunity as a member of <a href="http://clevergirlscollective.com/" target="_blank">Clever Girls Collective</a> and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.</i>Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05837471695832312138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306270452043471330.post-3632404551478821082013-06-26T14:16:00.000-07:002013-06-26T14:17:53.570-07:00Favorite Running Gear Giveaway! I am SO excited about this giveaway!! Today I am giving away two of my favorite things and must-haves for running.<br />
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#1. <a href="http://yurbuds.com/">Yurbuds</a>!<br />
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I have ALWAYS had a problem with earbuds while running. They've always fallen out or hurt my ears. I've tried the ones that came with my iPhone, they hurt by the end of my run. I've bought those tiny ones with different sized rubber pieces that were supposed to never fall out. They fell out and hurt. Yurbuds are genius! The silicone doesn't hurt my ear, and they twist into your ears to lock.<br />
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These incredible earbuds will not fall out. I tested them during my half marathon and I was so sweaty. I thought for sure that I would have to adjust them at some point during the 13.1 miles, but I didn't! These bad boys stay put.<br />
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#2. <a href="http://procompression.com/">Pro Compression Socks</a>!<span id="goog_518849313"></span><br />
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If you've seen my pics of me running, then you've probably noticed my favorite hot pink compression socks :) I originally ordered the calf sleeves, but they accidentally sent me the marathon sock. I was so bummed because my long Saturday run was coming up and I <i>really</i> wanted to wear them. I contacted Pro Compression and they said they'd send my original order out immediately, and to go ahead and keep the marathon socks. How cool is that?! And guess what? I ended up liking the socks more than the sleeves! So thank you, Pro Compression, for sending me them in the first place. And for being such an awesome company!<br />
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Compression socks help with circulation and recovery. I notice such a difference when I put them on. My high arches feel like they're getting a hug & my calves aren't as sore the next day. Love love love compression socks! Now I need to get the orange Ragnar ones for Napa in September :)<br />
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Giveaway time! Thank you to Yurbuds & Pro Compression for supplying these awesome products for my readers! Good luck :)</div>
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/939a750/" id="rc-939a750" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br />
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<br />Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05837471695832312138noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306270452043471330.post-45358556881998837742013-06-11T16:46:00.003-07:002013-06-11T16:46:24.420-07:00Adaisms<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The latest things that I've heard come out of my favorite 3 1/2-year-old's mouth! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I tucked her in for bed and said, "Sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite!" She looked at me and said, "Bed bug? Does he have a pillow on his back?!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aquabats = Unclebats</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dentist = Toothbrush Man</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Asking all of her favorite things before bedtime, I stopped because her eyes were getting heavy (and I was running out of ideas). She was an inch from my face and said, "Say more words."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">She swallowed a candy whole at a Thai restaurant months ago and it got stuck in her throat. We went there again and she said, "I ate a candy here and I had a sickness."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">While driving in the car, "I wish we could live by my boyfriend. My girlfriend is named Signie and my boyfriend is Kenno."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222;" /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">"Cap'n Walt has a plane and a car. Uncle Sean has a plane and a bus." </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">"Mommy, my teddy bear's not real. And I really want to sleep with real people."</span></span></span></span></div>
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Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05837471695832312138noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306270452043471330.post-40985404531922098192013-06-07T10:48:00.000-07:002013-06-07T10:48:49.422-07:00Lola is 22 Months Old!My baby is almost two years old! She is still our little snuggle-love. So sweet and loving! She just said the word happy for the first time today, which is fitting for our happy girl.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKZIk1-LMWfFJkIj3HPhrMVbJ4WzJrQxr3FX-2s7-id2FR26sIvN6CD7LO0Pja1yi9-4Z9ap5SjOkB502ixjgP2AsuVX1n1R3GJqYClXkan5HRe-Oft7p35qktJxelXVK8UPRLMN5Nvnr/s1600/IMG_9345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKZIk1-LMWfFJkIj3HPhrMVbJ4WzJrQxr3FX-2s7-id2FR26sIvN6CD7LO0Pja1yi9-4Z9ap5SjOkB502ixjgP2AsuVX1n1R3GJqYClXkan5HRe-Oft7p35qktJxelXVK8UPRLMN5Nvnr/s400/IMG_9345.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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Fun things about Lola at 22 months:<br />
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Everything has "eeeee" on the end. If something is hot: "Hottie!"<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6q6G7skRiqKDPp0FfKTpQE8auqEA1P0NQaRKybsULwtWjQyaqsc-ncRUFJoRi8bEEqXD5zY4u6_K02yqSNXFmSlebK1BExv4XG74n4TjKZ_-FW11MeUN-nXjCiMG8hk-fgK61_tJl5imC/s1600/IMG_9514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6q6G7skRiqKDPp0FfKTpQE8auqEA1P0NQaRKybsULwtWjQyaqsc-ncRUFJoRi8bEEqXD5zY4u6_K02yqSNXFmSlebK1BExv4XG74n4TjKZ_-FW11MeUN-nXjCiMG8hk-fgK61_tJl5imC/s400/IMG_9514.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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While handing you something, "Hee-ya-go!"<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkyztM_IFlBzVk9MXGcJZbbVw1wlIpRkBpVAcY7zxAyG0FyIbdE9c8S4KSiFEBm5BZ0NThIN7-bz4zD5R9JvIdVbFjvkhzQaLyze-hegl-SYeAgolYreauDpUO4g49_dUgDVtLHOwhAuX_/s1600/IMG_9286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkyztM_IFlBzVk9MXGcJZbbVw1wlIpRkBpVAcY7zxAyG0FyIbdE9c8S4KSiFEBm5BZ0NThIN7-bz4zD5R9JvIdVbFjvkhzQaLyze-hegl-SYeAgolYreauDpUO4g49_dUgDVtLHOwhAuX_/s400/IMG_9286.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
When I explain something to her, "Ohhhh!"<br />
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When she does something well, "YAY!" (with arms in the air)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqkF_95UikvHPzK4cNEBVuFupFzpkEKei9aNOXZtAQFNOzphmqF8MKyzSbQIONrYzKMdLtb7fKWepz511ACyt1DD0FsSRxdrn9PMoaMgua7sEzUxM8NbIQnhSq1I-_spt0ht8NfRBekrs5/s1600/IMG_9300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqkF_95UikvHPzK4cNEBVuFupFzpkEKei9aNOXZtAQFNOzphmqF8MKyzSbQIONrYzKMdLtb7fKWepz511ACyt1DD0FsSRxdrn9PMoaMgua7sEzUxM8NbIQnhSq1I-_spt0ht8NfRBekrs5/s400/IMG_9300.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
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Gah-go = gotta go<br />
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Cah-co = Costco<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfw3bBLzXrc5d-yi2pqwV59j_5eFoPhiADPCUVG-ysg6Ga7_Rp1M3s-3S7wlKVXfprG7IEOcz8WOJ-0fufiJjcZ8QlsJQ_TUr1pSPuZp4UPo0Y2r5q6K0OVwFWTguIGCiWGPjAJAtSJJp6/s1600/IMG_9320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfw3bBLzXrc5d-yi2pqwV59j_5eFoPhiADPCUVG-ysg6Ga7_Rp1M3s-3S7wlKVXfprG7IEOcz8WOJ-0fufiJjcZ8QlsJQ_TUr1pSPuZp4UPo0Y2r5q6K0OVwFWTguIGCiWGPjAJAtSJJp6/s400/IMG_9320.jpg" width="300" /></a><br />
Favorite words: No & Mine (Myyyyyy!)<br />
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Has to have her favorite blanket and a stuffed animal to sleep with, "Elmo!" or her bunny from Auntie Linds. I lay her down, tuck her in, then she looks up and says, "Bye." This girl loves her sleep!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8k7w2uPi15zd6BKNo-doGvwcalqUNZb856kKZkd8DePJLxGfex9sx-B1FMO7NXpSVcvJ1t1p8zdK8kE-KXHMSNaDVeBZlVqBZ-UJ3TnNUSXlFY_PTFizQ1yNaWWQGiwaCQoMfy0D4vaEl/s1600/IMG_9425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8k7w2uPi15zd6BKNo-doGvwcalqUNZb856kKZkd8DePJLxGfex9sx-B1FMO7NXpSVcvJ1t1p8zdK8kE-KXHMSNaDVeBZlVqBZ-UJ3TnNUSXlFY_PTFizQ1yNaWWQGiwaCQoMfy0D4vaEl/s400/IMG_9425.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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On Dora the Explorer, there is a mean fox named Swiper. You have to say, "Swiper no swiping!" Then he can't take whatever he was going to steal and says, "Aww man!" and runs away. This is Lola imitating him:</div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="515" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/O97nDrT22ug?rel=0" width="760"></iframe><br />
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Has the cheekiest little smile I've ever seen on a toddler! So happy, cute little dimples, just the sweetest. Loves to be a monkey or owl, depending on which bath towel she gets:<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="515" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/cBvhruk49LA?rel=0" width="760"></iframe><br />
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Her favorite color is, "LELLOW!"<br />
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Loves her sister, "Dayda!"<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="515" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0ZLTA8Qz83Y?rel=0" width="760"></iframe><br />
Loves to chant her name, "LO-LA! LO-LA!"<br />
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Happy 22 months sweet girl! xoxo<br />
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<br />Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05837471695832312138noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306270452043471330.post-10926740573413054162013-06-05T15:11:00.003-07:002013-06-05T15:11:59.940-07:00Happy National Running Day!<div style="background-color: white; color: #111111; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 1.467em; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.hungryrunnergirl.com/2013/06/running-pop-quiz-2.html">Hungry Running Girl</a> posted this quiz for us to do in honor of National Running Day! Do it yourself in the comments or on your own blog. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Also, tweet or instagram why you run and Timex will donate $5 to the One Fund Boston to help those affected by the Boston Marathon bombing. 60 people will win a Timex Ironman watch!</span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1. On average how many races do you run a year? 2...I'd love to do more than that!</span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2AqcpXr83YrugrFVUa0enCXNCV6-sgKXoQSN7csSSawpZGHlaJMAa1oB2kczufgU0W6hyTckUKEFU4yXdA4ekmftbwQcLrqKU89tu1o7yeYo1rDQ666LOt8OB073UYWy0blECDvI8H52/s1600/IMG_4017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2AqcpXr83YrugrFVUa0enCXNCV6-sgKXoQSN7csSSawpZGHlaJMAa1oB2kczufgU0W6hyTckUKEFU4yXdA4ekmftbwQcLrqKU89tu1o7yeYo1rDQ666LOt8OB073UYWy0blECDvI8H52/s640/IMG_4017.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2. Head accessories, things you have to run with: Hat, sunglasses, lipgloss, ponytail/bun.</span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaRglwv0gUjAMjhtaNrkPJQ1SHIPWmLe_r4SX0kexOGK8BHZcs5hnHW_WTdFaXHJp9G-bZrxEcl3vk6M-t572SoL8Q_fTfMacs7sUdZ_QC_VsX1a16deVZNZjdN-rgCtZkMhw7suzI5X-y/s1600/IMG_8710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaRglwv0gUjAMjhtaNrkPJQ1SHIPWmLe_r4SX0kexOGK8BHZcs5hnHW_WTdFaXHJp9G-bZrxEcl3vk6M-t572SoL8Q_fTfMacs7sUdZ_QC_VsX1a16deVZNZjdN-rgCtZkMhw7suzI5X-y/s400/IMG_8710.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">3. Where do your workouts come from? A training plan. I used one from Ragnar first, then from Fitness.com, now on one from Double Your Endurance.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB-5ammeGMLxHOZhzjg802t4mEV19fmosIhtwuIADUQUNu0VnxkSXMPqluNvwx6tZu0QqLEhclUFtqPqPp_UrXpJJ2-FsoRm2nREFyq_VHO75DuuE4zJDBtTiXWFICbHHoUaYVH1-_i4-A/s1600/IMG_3989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB-5ammeGMLxHOZhzjg802t4mEV19fmosIhtwuIADUQUNu0VnxkSXMPqluNvwx6tZu0QqLEhclUFtqPqPp_UrXpJJ2-FsoRm2nREFyq_VHO75DuuE4zJDBtTiXWFICbHHoUaYVH1-_i4-A/s400/IMG_3989.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: left;">4. How many miles on average do you put on a pair of shoes? 300? I just run in them until they start to feel lame. I guess I should be more scientific about it! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRo7lfNF0gUtyL6du5gx30dznyWYNqtM4sqZJk1mSGzJrlJyW3IA9WVZM0DVm-FweCBMdBegaxOJx63zxW3Qvr4v_HsXYsXPwzA2ZNVa6YdFlB8sDct14kiYxi2FnlwSQMbDduZLqYyu61/s1600/IMG_9248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRo7lfNF0gUtyL6du5gx30dznyWYNqtM4sqZJk1mSGzJrlJyW3IA9WVZM0DVm-FweCBMdBegaxOJx63zxW3Qvr4v_HsXYsXPwzA2ZNVa6YdFlB8sDct14kiYxi2FnlwSQMbDduZLqYyu61/s400/IMG_9248.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">5. Cell phone - do you bring it with you on your run or leave it at home? Bring it! Always! I feel naked without my phone, plus it tracks my mileage through RunKeeper. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKRiDqRjh0_mSbZpmg0q1jgI9UOcbCDQOdZwNRCyGcUwV-jQ60ucBC0z9WaOwUicAsjYjGNQGtr6MI3Z-FZMJh5auejKtu33qSi5QEInxE3vNbEwqFCmL6eqaF7UaU1qtT1kLdORyg_0sy/s1600/IMG_4021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKRiDqRjh0_mSbZpmg0q1jgI9UOcbCDQOdZwNRCyGcUwV-jQ60ucBC0z9WaOwUicAsjYjGNQGtr6MI3Z-FZMJh5auejKtu33qSi5QEInxE3vNbEwqFCmL6eqaF7UaU1qtT1kLdORyg_0sy/s400/IMG_4021.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">6. What was your last running related injury or have you been an injury free runner? Stress fracture on the top of my right foot last year. Booooooooooooo!</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifCXBJ16IfYGDZIhNNc2wuTlUwiWbdKa4PRIw80B4yUd0QsEMTyLs6_OTkqRHpF7_kFzeEAGSLvzUDQBdJeJTPWB9e9CV-fWrj2r0q19fTBQkDVqfaEwf8zXBI7VyXGSc2jvJnfkQ_IHWv/s1600/IMG_9246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifCXBJ16IfYGDZIhNNc2wuTlUwiWbdKa4PRIw80B4yUd0QsEMTyLs6_OTkqRHpF7_kFzeEAGSLvzUDQBdJeJTPWB9e9CV-fWrj2r0q19fTBQkDVqfaEwf8zXBI7VyXGSc2jvJnfkQ_IHWv/s640/IMG_9246.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">7. Is your current running goal about running a farther distance (adding more mileage) or getting faster or BOTH?!? BOTH! I am so proud that I completed 13.1 miles, but next year my goal is to do it faster.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPJHE_6uYS4odrjEgew7CzX7RURwBPk5M8V_ti0cA0iv9vbu9c1mcZZ-7traGDBW-6okQqehIt41LFfVG1RpEj68xlsH2P1hW8MKt179qPnLOM11ZziICVqXBe7tSOnF3KHbFKOU0Qhyphenhyphen-/s1600/IMG_3992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPJHE_6uYS4odrjEgew7CzX7RURwBPk5M8V_ti0cA0iv9vbu9c1mcZZ-7traGDBW-6okQqehIt41LFfVG1RpEj68xlsH2P1hW8MKt179qPnLOM11ZziICVqXBe7tSOnF3KHbFKOU0Qhyphenhyphen-/s400/IMG_3992.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">8. Speedwork—-> at the track, on the treadmill, on the roads or never do it? On the roads. But I would like to try the track to make it more official-feeling! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Lsid3nEPVOvE7xTbaPWzaEgGrrQYNaRY6VQ8jMwKS1-OxmGyGCjOpSEs5SXP7uAebz-gPPa-ufIOAjs7dM5wH4wxwz9-OuQPoPgpSZgr8oYDQXpQnxf3-H9OLFgTqmQdoxkOYdCj17iv/s1600/IMG_8096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Lsid3nEPVOvE7xTbaPWzaEgGrrQYNaRY6VQ8jMwKS1-OxmGyGCjOpSEs5SXP7uAebz-gPPa-ufIOAjs7dM5wH4wxwz9-OuQPoPgpSZgr8oYDQXpQnxf3-H9OLFgTqmQdoxkOYdCj17iv/s640/IMG_8096.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 22px;">9. Stretching after a run: hit the ground after a run and get stretching, stretch in the shower, stretch once you get to work/school, skip the stretching? Ohhhh stretching. I wish I had more time for you. After last night's run, I ran straight upstairs and made dinner, scarfed it down, and went to a meeting. So no stretching happened. I need to be better about it!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibblIx6Xp9HgdkxBoAtUtJml8XRHvLQmC2EW_FCKphNo9YUzFj1F5j1shIeBZXKxaPAUI8yDOnlXWL5YITQE9vCUu-I80VPueaqPYuOL_gvRutty1z8LfyG4u08kXab52IVFN7i3g2MJe1/s1600/IMG_8855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibblIx6Xp9HgdkxBoAtUtJml8XRHvLQmC2EW_FCKphNo9YUzFj1F5j1shIeBZXKxaPAUI8yDOnlXWL5YITQE9vCUu-I80VPueaqPYuOL_gvRutty1z8LfyG4u08kXab52IVFN7i3g2MJe1/s400/IMG_8855.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 22px;">10. What was your reason for starting to run? I've run ever since I can remember. I was one of the fastest girls in elementary school, and beat boys in a dress! I always loved the Jog-a-thons and Turkey Trots and winning movie tickets :) Things have changed of course (I'm not so fast anymore), but I </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 22px;">keep</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 22px;"> running for my health, sanity, and family's happiness. Matt says, "I like you when you run." I definitely am a more patient person when I do! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib3pXI_6zr8tuYnxRwM6-Ooje9EIUOEyNEKJ_Zkn_MYrvxuOZqPId-V5RVLCc-BgeBXIntSwjW4zNL5oLOwbsnq57feRuGNMq-8f43V7zrm0t1NCMzudLvh7NXcC5vx-P-itwlS20BvvBC/s1600/IMG_8045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib3pXI_6zr8tuYnxRwM6-Ooje9EIUOEyNEKJ_Zkn_MYrvxuOZqPId-V5RVLCc-BgeBXIntSwjW4zNL5oLOwbsnq57feRuGNMq-8f43V7zrm0t1NCMzudLvh7NXcC5vx-P-itwlS20BvvBC/s400/IMG_8045.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05837471695832312138noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306270452043471330.post-2352687016680297732013-05-29T00:31:00.002-07:002013-05-29T00:31:47.391-07:00Half Marathon Playlist<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0dUNIGj2fnF0ppxv_rhCarXDOscPzg2Px_-FeD0l9wD3kL3o-YvRQD-8vT_Sb8LvnoBdjBC-1Pf0Gdndxe55elCdFNKco7iMLtw960O2DiAYE2sQ08H5wI_84KF4Un_He2dVmTUGViQ5l/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-05-13+at+4.52.01+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0dUNIGj2fnF0ppxv_rhCarXDOscPzg2Px_-FeD0l9wD3kL3o-YvRQD-8vT_Sb8LvnoBdjBC-1Pf0Gdndxe55elCdFNKco7iMLtw960O2DiAYE2sQ08H5wI_84KF4Un_He2dVmTUGViQ5l/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-05-13+at+4.52.01+PM.png" width="432" /></a></div>
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Here is my playlist from the 13.1:</div>
I know, I know...I have crazy random music taste. It's all over the place.<br />
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California Love - 2Pac<br />
Waiting Game - Yellowcard<br />
Shiny Toy Guns - Le Disko<br />
White Lights - Rufio<br />
Let Me Entertain You - Robbie Williams (wondered what this guy has been up to since '99 and turns out he's <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eG-yMcqwR6o">still at it</a>.)<br />
Life Is a Highway - Rascal Flatts (WAY better than the original!)<br />
Maxwell Murder - Rancid<br />
Our House - Madness<br />
Here it Goes Again - OK GO<br />
Fat Bottomed Girls - Queen<br />
Where the Blacktop Ends - Keith Urban<br />
You Are Loved (Don't Give Up) - Josh Groban (pushed me up Corkscrew Hill! Surprisingly motivating)<br />
Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin' - Journey<br />
California Girls - Katy Perry<br />
Body Count - Justin Timberlake<br />
Rusty Cage - Johnny Cash<br />
I Want You Back - Jackson 5<br />
I Wish You Were Here - Incubus<br />
Sweet Child of Mine - Guns N Roses<br />
You Shook Me All Night Long - AC/DC<br />
You May Be Right - Billy Joel<br />
Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynyrd<br />
Scream - Michael Jackson<br />
Living on A Prayer - Bon Jovi<br />
Jump - Van Halen<br />
Say Anything - Bouncing Souls<br />
Freefallin' - John Mayer<br />
Drink & Fight - Lagwagon<br />
Back in Black - AC/DC<br />
<br />Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05837471695832312138noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306270452043471330.post-83510053128662077692013-05-16T00:49:00.000-07:002013-05-19T23:28:27.231-07:00My First Half Marathon!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last Saturday, I ran my first half marathon ever! It was amazing. It was a gorgeous course running from Santa Ynez to Solvang (30 min. from my hometown). I ran with my cousin & friend, and we stuck together the whole time! I keep thinking that when my children look back on this picture, it will be neat to see the gas prices waaaaay back in 2013!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiApgYcyV27d-4O2qXrt05ForqStqDSahpRK7kKReG8_KF_rMapCIm_7hU1_7JIHkULBNhOnBvxLGhwFhlQVl_576R3FFnBnz5ZB69vqpxT2mZMm-FFReUM8KucJ61VXsZtks2JuPmpv8A6/s1600/IMG_9174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiApgYcyV27d-4O2qXrt05ForqStqDSahpRK7kKReG8_KF_rMapCIm_7hU1_7JIHkULBNhOnBvxLGhwFhlQVl_576R3FFnBnz5ZB69vqpxT2mZMm-FFReUM8KucJ61VXsZtks2JuPmpv8A6/s640/IMG_9174.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Rach forgot her bib in her mom's car, so she got a random bib 2 minutes before start time! It was so funny to hear people at the aid stations give us water and say, "Great job, Kara! Go Roxanna!" It's her sexy running alter-ego :) </div>
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Before the race & scenery along the way:</div>
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We got stuck in the porta potty cube of death before the race! There was a big square lined with potties on three sides. People were lined up in all directions, it was madness. We ended up in a line that was actually 4 lines merging into two. There were probably 200 runners waiting, and we all were saying there was no way the race would start on time because there were so many of us still waiting. WRONG. They started anyway. And we still had to check our bags because we didn't want to lose our spot in line! So here I am crossing the start line, running while putting my phone in my armband and hooking up headphones! </div>
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The residents along the course were AMAZING! We saw a woman walking a turkey, people sitting in lawn chairs cheering us on, but the best were these people:</div>
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Sitting at the end of their property, in the back of their pickup truck with their dogs, waving an American flag. They said, "God Bless America!" as we ran by and I was so happy to be home. You just don't see or hear that sort of thing in Santa Cruz! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje8pv4ojZ1rxsWU0cwVVRVrgL1xfVHtseHmvx6DwcFG-iQJv85Xr-6-rI_s01F8kG3p_Cq6CKrhkYgrADASUPYonilKoqZhKG_nDMs-Q690C4gslX5ssVupZgpq6QrvZLwiw_-4oDh0k94/s1600/IMG_9247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje8pv4ojZ1rxsWU0cwVVRVrgL1xfVHtseHmvx6DwcFG-iQJv85Xr-6-rI_s01F8kG3p_Cq6CKrhkYgrADASUPYonilKoqZhKG_nDMs-Q690C4gslX5ssVupZgpq6QrvZLwiw_-4oDh0k94/s640/IMG_9247.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Lindsay, Matt, & the girls met us at about the halfway point in Los Olivos. I could see the big flagpole for about a half mile, and it really gave me a burst of energy knowing that they were there waiting for us! </div>
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I ran up and saw Ada cheering, "Go Mommy, you can do it Mommy!" And Lola didn't know what was going on until I kissed her cheek :) </div>
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I didn't think I was going to be in the picture below...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62xuATt7BJFLhAQrHVJr1ERFWKn6Bana0N2RRQg0d0tUR9Uh5OBYC6alnHwKEwG0RNWBTCmJGFYPYtyfWQ1Ud3HgC0ukCNrdHO2NT-1dMRaUxaG2arQyY3I8v5ONbYDNl4CTWy9C-MvbO/s1600/IMG_9246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62xuATt7BJFLhAQrHVJr1ERFWKn6Bana0N2RRQg0d0tUR9Uh5OBYC6alnHwKEwG0RNWBTCmJGFYPYtyfWQ1Ud3HgC0ukCNrdHO2NT-1dMRaUxaG2arQyY3I8v5ONbYDNl4CTWy9C-MvbO/s640/IMG_9246.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I was feeling pretty amazing after scaling Corkscrew Hill to Josh Groban's Awake. I felt like I was in a movie! The golden rolling hills, the oak trees, the green lines of vineyards...it was so beautiful. I absolutely loved running with Jessica and Rachel. It was so good to know that when one of us was weak, another would be strong and lift the others up!</div>
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So there was this bison, a very protective mama! She charged Rach when she went in for a picture, and it was the funniest thing I've ever seen! She moved SO fast and everyone running was cracking up. I wish I had a video! </div>
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I LOVED miles 4-9. I was in my groove and my calves had loosened up. By mile 10, I needed a potty break and so did Rach. We stopped and then continued on, my hips and pelvis hurting more with each step. I've worked so hard since having Lola to get my shifty hips tight again, and I feel like all of my hard work held up until mile 10. My body was exhausted, and I had eaten all of my Skittles & Shot Bloks. It felt like all of my ligaments just relaxed and I could feel my bones moving and rubbing against each other. </div>
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At the 11.5 mile mark, I saw a sign with a hot pink shirt on it. I thought, "Hey, I have a shirt like that." Then I realized that Rachel's pic was on the poster next to it! It was my awesome sister-in-law, Kandie! She made a poster and came at the point where I wanted to quit. If it weren't for her at the bottom of that hill, I probably would've walked up it instead of run! Sorry for the big sweaty hug, but I was so happy that you came out and surprised us...we needed it at that point!</div>
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I wasn't mentally prepared for the hills at the end. I looked at the elevation map and thought once I made it past Corkscrew Hill, I was home free. Do not discount those rolling hills those last 3 miles! They may look small but they are no joke. I was getting goosebumps and felt like my legs were going to give out at the tops.</div>
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I kept saying to myself, "You run 2 miles in your sleep. You run 2 miles in your sleep."</div>
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When I finally rounded the last half-mile (worst of my life), I could hear people cheering and knew the finish line was close. I first saw my Nana & Bobba, which was a surprise because they were driving up from a long week of serving at the Los Angeles Temple! I know they were tired and it meant so much to see them there! I almost burst into tears. Then Matt lifted Ada over the railing and she ran across the finish line with me. </div>
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What a perfect way to end a race. See Bobba in the background? :)</div>
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She was smiling and waving at everyone cheering us on. I have a future race buddy on my hands!</div>
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She loved wearing my medal & almost snatched one of her own!</div>
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The three of us, after completing our first half marathon together! My hot pink compression socks saved my calves...and made me stick out in a crowd. Matt said he was looking for my socks! They are miracle workers.</div>
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Afterward, Rach & I took advantage of the free massage booth. That should be a part of every race...best feeling ever! I walked (slowly) away with a bruise on the top of my left foot, and my right pinky toe is still numb. My knees and ankles are starting to feel back to normal. </div>
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Ada wanted to ice her feet along with Rach :)</div>
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Then we headed to Kay's Country Kitchen in Old Orcutt for the best breakfast food in the West. Seriously. Matt and I split the BAGS Omelette and Texas French Toast. I ate my full halves of everything. Matt says he doesn't like me running half marathons because I eat all of the food he was planning on finishing for me! </div>
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I finally got my big Dr. Pepper that I was dreaming of the whole run.</div>
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Our gun time was off because of the porta potty debacle, but my official chip time was 2:57:27.5. I am happy with that because I wasn't out to set a record, I was out to push myself to finish and never stop. Not bad for having surgery 44 days previous! I feel so empowered and strong after finishing this race. I am so grateful for a strong body and for a will to push forward and work hard. I am so grateful for a Father in Heaven who gave me this body, this beautiful Earth to enjoy, and these wonderful people I get to call family to support me in all of my endeavors along the way. </div>
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We decided that this needs to be a Mother's Day Weekend tradition, so I am excited to run it again next year with more friends and with this experience under my belt! Thanks for a wonderful time <a href="http://destinationraces.com/runsb/">Santa Barbara Wine Country Half Marathon</a>!</div>
Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05837471695832312138noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306270452043471330.post-54245645031162065902013-05-03T01:25:00.001-07:002013-05-03T01:25:28.033-07:00Hyundai Santa Fe’s Epic Playdate Recap!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<!-- Hyundai Santa Fe: Epic Playdate Event (Event &
Recap) / Clever Girls Snippet --><script src="http://member.clevergirlscollective.com/track?u=10486&g=630" type="text/javascript"></script><img src="http://assets.clevergirlscollective.com/pixel/p.png?a=campaign&gid=630&uid=10486" style="display: none; height: 1px; width: 1px;" /><!-- END Clever Girls Snippet --></div>
So remember when I wrote about Hyundai's Epic Playdate Sweepstakes <a href="http://karaandmattmiller.blogspot.com/2013/03/hyundai-santa-fes-epic-playdate-weekend.html">HERE</a>? And I wished so badly that I could go? Well, I was invited to it! :D Ahhhh!!
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We left Lola with my mom in Santa Maria, then Matt & I took Ada down to Dos Pueblos Ranch in Goleta for the day. I've driven by that sign hundreds of times before, and it's easy to see why Cabrillo first came to shore here. We were treated to delicious food (hello breakfast burritos!), engaging game stations, fun music, and gorgeous scenery.</div>
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It was a perfect, blue-sky, sunny Santa Barbara day for us. First thing was first: hula hooping!</div>
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This is serious business, guys. Tongue action required.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0yvRAyW8GgKI1Xd6SaqKEIlsod-1WvgUufoUzEXn1Xzc1slor8sfR6vlZl4dnP7sC5WmGpuE__GO36YLwISe0ulXj3MQTBdVwoSLc-TdSnvPXwYMiBb9780aJRyO4OMM3Pve5H8hFGHtm/s1600/IMG_0720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0yvRAyW8GgKI1Xd6SaqKEIlsod-1WvgUufoUzEXn1Xzc1slor8sfR6vlZl4dnP7sC5WmGpuE__GO36YLwISe0ulXj3MQTBdVwoSLc-TdSnvPXwYMiBb9780aJRyO4OMM3Pve5H8hFGHtm/s640/IMG_0720.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Check it out, I'm wearing my blarf! It's my scarf I bust out for blogging events. I feel the need to be fancy since other bloggers are much more fashionable than I, so the blarf comes out :)</div>
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Ada played photographer:</div>
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Then we did sand art together. Liz from <a href="http://sayyestohoboken.com/">Say Yes to Hoboken</a> put this activity on & was so nice. Hi Liz! :) This was Ada's favorite! After every other activity, she would ask to go back to sand art. She & I could've stayed there all day! </div>
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Definitely my daughter :)</div>
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We had to take advantage of the photo-op in front of the shiny new Santa Fe! Matt's sold. So am I...it's a beautiful car & perfect for family adventures! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhutoGS-0-Xk_pPLeH9hDOP79aeotLOB6DdPreL9U3-IwzTaoYMSj22wMN3YpbUvY0YvqrZz1sjYQMgUF5a101X-RK0uST57KZXld_MJdtzasgTXRQBZH4ln27EO5HlLfRkk6DvQsceapgm/s1600/IMG_0743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhutoGS-0-Xk_pPLeH9hDOP79aeotLOB6DdPreL9U3-IwzTaoYMSj22wMN3YpbUvY0YvqrZz1sjYQMgUF5a101X-RK0uST57KZXld_MJdtzasgTXRQBZH4ln27EO5HlLfRkk6DvQsceapgm/s640/IMG_0743.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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There were ballon making classes:</div>
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Giant beach ball volleyball:</div>
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Matt punching the ball & taking out a kid (not really, I hope)</div>
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They even had a big Quiet Tent! Absolutely genius. Ada said she wanted to lay down at naptime, so we did just that. There were pillows, books, and soft music playing. I was kidding with Matt that we were going to fall asleep and then Ada would be wandering the ranch alone! </div>
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Buncha nuts.</div>
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We had a tin foil contest...Ada didn't want to be a warrior - she wanted to be a princess.</div>
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She didn't mind getting a whipped cream beard though!</div>
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She knew what to do with that! Mmm.</div>
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Papa was a...super balloon shiny turban guy?</div>
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This Princess sure loves her Papa :)</div>
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He's good at carrying stuff on his shoulders.</div>
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Eating McConnell's ice cream! The best.</div>
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Then there was a paint fight! Maggie from <a href="http://mightygirl.com/">Mighty Girl</a> organized it, and it was awesome. She was so sweet, and it's a good thing I had no idea how huge she was in the blogging world before I met her because I would've said something ridiculous. Well, I still might have anyway, but I wasn't nervous talking to her at least :) </div>
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Look at that sweet face. Does that look like a girl who's about to douse you with paint?</div>
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After the paint war, it was time for us to head home. We were pooped from all of the FUN! </div>
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Ada was so overly tired from missing her nap, so on the ride home she was cranky. She was asking for snacks but I didn't have any, so we stopped at McDonald's and got her some fries. I think she ate one before I turned around to see this:</div>
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I think that is the sign of an EPIC day indeed!</div>
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Thank you so much to Hyundai, Federated Media, Clever Girls, and Dos Pueblos Ranch for putting on such a wonderful event. They really thought of everything and it was such a great time!</div>
<i>I was selected for this opportunity as a member of <a href="http://clevergirlscollective.com/" target="_blank">Clever Girls Collective</a>, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.</i>Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05837471695832312138noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306270452043471330.post-12443533914960805302013-04-30T23:04:00.002-07:002013-04-30T23:04:29.788-07:00Running Music!I ran 9 miles last night, just to know that I could do it. I ran slow, 11:30/min. pace. I didn't want to injure myself and be hurt for the half marathon in 2 weeks! I honestly didn't feel good until mile 4. The sun went down and Sweet Home Alabama came pumping through my headphones!<br />
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Here is my playlist from last night (all radio edits, I might add):<br />
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Mirrors - Justin Timberlake<br />
Jump - Van Halen<br />
Don't Stop Believin' - Journey<br />
Fight for your Right - Beastie Boys<br />
I Kissed a Girl - Katy Perry<br />
Stronger - Kanye West<br />
Living On A Prayer - Bon Jovi<br />
Live Beside the Ocean - Everclear<br />
More Than A Feelin' - Boston<br />
My Love - Justin Timberlake<br />
Only The Good Die Young - Billy Joel<br />
Scream - Michael Jackson<br />
Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynyrd<br />
You & Me - Dave Matthews Band<br />
You May Be Right - Billy Joel<br />
Shook Me All Night Long - AC/DC<br />
Back in Black - AC/DC<br />
I Believe in A Thing Called Love - The Darkness<br />
In Your Honor - Foo Fighters (nothing gets me moving like Dave Grohl's scream)<br />
Gold Digger - Kanye West<br />
Money Maker - Ludacris<br />
No Way Back - Foo Fighters<br />
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What are your favorite songs for running?Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05837471695832312138noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306270452043471330.post-17187665399959002642013-04-24T23:27:00.002-07:002013-04-24T23:27:53.837-07:00My Fault.I did a bad thing. I didn't follow my training schedule. I completely forgot about a meeting for church last Wednesday night...I didn't put it in my calendar. Boo :( So when Matt got home from work, we went to Costco to pick up my antibiotics (yay for sinus headaches all day & night) and were planning on running my 5 miles as a family afterward. Then I got a text from my friend saying she was almost to the church and I went, "Oh no! I completely spaced!" Told them I'd be right there and hustled to the church. When I got home from my meeting, it was after dark and I was too scared to run alone...even with my pepper spray. That tells you something about Santa Cruz! The crazies come out at night.<br />
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So I ran my 5 miles the next day, which was supposed to be my rest day. Then I walked 1, ran 3, walked 1 the next day, Friday. Then I wore old tennis shoes camping that night. Bad, bad idea. I have extremely high arches. When I make a footprint on the ground, nothing connects my heel to the ball of my foot. My arch doesn't touch the ground at all! So I dug around for my old arch supports and couldn't find them but thought it wouldn't be a big deal. Wrong! My feet were so sore from wearing the old tennies while camping & painting the wharf the next day. Saturday was supposed to be my big 8 mile run, but I could only make it 3.3 miles before my right calf was giving me trouble. I knew better than to push through it and was running slow, stretching it out, everything I could think of. But I knew I had to stop and just let my feet & legs rest. <br />
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So I've been resting. I always rest on Sunday (wore my comfy heels to church too...does that make a difference for any of you ladies? Or is it just because of my high arches?). Monday I walked 2, ran 3, then came home. I was still sore but it was a huge improvement from Saturday's run. I took it easy and stretched often.<br />
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Today I ran a slow 4 and am sore. There were only tiny twinges here and there in my right calf where the pain was on Saturday. Mostly just soreness in my calves altogether. I've been trying to focus on running properly...keeping good form is really hard while pushing a stroller! Tomorrow is a rest day and I'm going to foam roll & stretch all day. While wearing my hot pink compression socks! Aww yeah :) Speaking of, keep checking back for something exciting...who doesn't love a giveaway?!Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05837471695832312138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306270452043471330.post-77752988252420145102013-04-18T23:44:00.003-07:002013-04-18T23:44:51.594-07:00Half-Marathon Training!My cousin Rach & I had this crazy idea that we should run a Half Marathon. Why not? We did <a href="http://karaandmattmiller.blogspot.com/2013/03/my-first-ragnar-relay.html">Ragnar SoCal</a> last year and tried to get a family Ragnar together but it didn't work out, so we figured that the two of us should run a 1/2 together! I found the <a href="http://destinationraces.com/runsb/">Santa Barbara Wine Country Half Marathon</a> which fit the bill perfectly. 30 min. from our home, on a Saturday, and would have us home with our mommas for Mother's Day! My total distance for my 3 Ragnar legs was 14.5 miles, so I've never run 13.1 all at once! I'm nervous & excited. But more excited than anything :)<br />
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Whenever I've trained for an event, something has come up. With Ragnar it was a stress fracture on the top of my right foot. With this, it was my gallbladder. Since having it removed, training has been great! Just some minor irritation on one of the incisions that my waistband hits, but it's healing up nicely. I feel strong and sore :)<br />
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The training plan I'm doing is from <a href="http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/workout/running/training-schedules/half-marathon-training-beginner/">Fitness Magazine</a> and I LOVE it! It's something different every day, so it keeps you guessing and lets your body recover enough. I moved everything over one day so that Sunday and Thursday are my rest days, and my long runs are on Saturday.<br />
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I like that you walk miles, run a few, then walk. It gets you used to being outside for a long period of time and burns fat! Cross training is great, I've been doing yoga & P90X.<br />
Last Saturday I ran 6.5 miles and I hit my halfway point and hit a wall. I immediately got a text from my husband saying, "Go West Cliff!!! You're making great time babe!" He was tracking my phone on the iPad and it was the BEST pick-me-up ever!! Gave me the second wind I needed to finish strong.<br />
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I have my longest run yet this Saturday, 8 miles! I'm running 4 and Matt is meeting me with the girls for the last 4. Training with a double stroller makes you feel SO FAST when you run without it! Today I was going into the wind for the first half of my run, and the sunshade acted like a huge parachute catching the wind and pushing against me! When I turned around and had that wind at my back, it was wonderful :)<br />
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The Half Marathon is only 3 weeks away...I can't believe it!Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05837471695832312138noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306270452043471330.post-80314131034693720342013-04-08T18:59:00.000-07:002013-04-08T22:41:18.932-07:00Lysol Healthing Initiative<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Lysol means CLEAN to me! As a child, my mom would have us clean our bathroom and change our sheets every Saturday. We would fill up the sink with hot water and Lysol and scrub the bathroom down. The smell of that all-purpose, lemon cleaner is a favorite of mine. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">While my cleaning habits have changed a bit, Lysol is still by my side. I love Lysol wipes and use them for everything. Wiping down my kitchen table, the girls' toys, doorknobs, counters...basically any surface that needs cleaning!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Lysol has started a new campaign centered around the idea that we want to keep our families completely healthy, along with keeping our homes clean. They are calling this idea <b>Healthing</b>. I like it! Don't just clean your house, take steps to make sure that your family is healthy in all aspects of their lives. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Extra steps that I take to keep my family healthy:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">- washing hands after being around others, especially before eating</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">- using hand sanitizer when washing isn't an option</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">- getting outside with my daughters at <i>least</i> once a day</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">- teaching my girls to cough and sneeze into their elbows</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">- feeding my family well-rounded meals and snacks</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">- using Lysol wipes to disinfect toys and items after germy hands have touched them (ie. we have a playdate with someone who has a runny nose, or my own girls have been sick)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">- wiping down the grocery cart before touching it, especially during cold & flu season!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Spring cleaning season is upon us, and one of my favorite tips is to take cleaning room-by-room. For me, there is no way that I could clean my entire house in one day without losing my sanity. If I break it up into one room a day, it becomes much more manageable an I am much more likely to actually complete the task! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One of my other favorite cleaning tips is to start top to bottom. I love to vacuum, so I used to always start with that. Then, once I'd dusted and wiped surfaces off, I realized that I was putting more things onto the ground that needed to be vacuumed up! I was making more work for myself. So start from the top with dusting, work your way down to wiping off surfaces, then vacuum/sweep/mop. It makes a big difference for me! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">To spread the word about Healthing, Lysol and Giuliana Rancic have partnered up with YMCAs to demonstrate Healthing in action. At each chosen YMCA, Lysol will be demonstrating the steps to take to "healthify" their lives and will make it fun for children as well. One lucky family will even receive a one-y</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">ear membership to the YMCA! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To see how you can implement Healthing into your family's life, head to Lysol's website: <a href="http://www.lysol.com/healthing" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://www.lysol.com/<wbr></wbr>healthing</a>, their facebook page: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/Lysol?ref=ts&fref=ts" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.<wbr></wbr>com/Lysol</a> or their guidebook: <a href="http://www.lysol.com/healthing/what-is-healthing" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://www.lysol.<wbr></wbr>com/healthing/what-is-<wbr></wbr>healthing</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>I participated in a campaign on behalf of <a href="http://www.momcentralconsulting.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Mom Central Consulting</a> for LYSOL</i><i><sup>®</sup></i><i>. I received a promotional item to thank me for participating.</i></span></div>
Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05837471695832312138noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306270452043471330.post-38211975574587985512013-04-06T15:37:00.000-07:002013-04-06T15:38:31.943-07:001 Week Post-Op<div style="text-align: left;">
Well, ye olde gallbladder has been history for 9 days now. I am happy to say that I am almost back to normal! The bellybutton incision is bruised and hurts the worst. The rest are just a little sore, depending if Lola kicks me or elbows me on that day :)</div>
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The day after the surgery, I felt the worst. There was pain in my neck and shoulders from all of the air bubbles, and I needed help laying down in bed and getting up. I pretty much hung out on the couch that day while Matt juggled work calls and watching the girls. He is super man! He says that he doesn't know how I do everything, and I made sure to point out that I'm not on the phone trying to close deals as I parent two little girls every day!</div>
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Friday night, my mom got into town and I was so happy to see her! The next day, Matt helped me shower (I couldn't get the bandages wet) and I felt so much better. It's amazing what clean hair and fresh make-up can do for a girl. My mom and I went to the Gilroy Outlets while Matt watched the girls and it was awesome! Everyone was skeptical of me going shopping two days after surgery, but it was a total break without two kids and a stroller :) We took our time (my mom said she's not used to me walking so slow) and got a lot accomplished. We even stopped at Target on the way home and got stuff for the girls' Easter baskets! My only major disappointment was that I could not find a good sports bra. Is it so much to ask for ample coverage on a high impact sports bra?! I went to lululemon, Nike, Jockey, and Under Amour and they all had flimsy sports bras or pads that looked ridiculous. I guess I'll just have to order one online and hope for the best.</div>
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Sunday I went to church and was kind of a zombie...Ada was really clingy to me so I went to Sunbeams with her and sat with her in Sharing Time. I made dinner and took a nap. Then the girls had their egg hunt & were so cute! Ada knew the routine and Lola just carried one egg around forever.</div>
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Monday we went to Downtown Santa Cruz and shopped some more. We had a yummy meal at Cafe Campiseno, it's a cute little green building outside of New Leaf Market with some seriously good Mexican food! It closes at 6 PM though, so plan accordingly. </div>
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I've been living in maxi dresses since the surgery! And my friend told me about these great things called <a href="http://www.shadeclothing.com/shop/dept_item.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524445995461&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374306257264&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395917465&bmUID=1365279386552&productSizeSelected=0&fit_type=">half-shirts, I ordered one from Shade</a> and need to get more! It's perfect for under dresses and not wanting anything on your stomach. </div>
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My mom has been such an incredible help to me. Lifting Lola in and out of her carseat, in and out of high chairs, lifting the stroller in and out of the back of her car, and carrying the carseat to her car. I'm not supposed to lift anything heavier than 10 lbs. for 2 weeks (yeah, not gonna happen...I've already broken that rule multiple times with Lola). </div>
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She also got up with the girls and fixed them breakfast while letting me sleep in. And watched them when they woke up from naps so that I could nap too. I am convinced that I wouldn't be feeling as well now had she not come to help me when Matt went back to work. She is amazing!!</div>
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On Tuesday, we went to San Jose to go shopping some more! We went to the Stevens Creek Mall and had a blast. Ada doesn't like being in the stores for very long and can't wait to go back out into the mall! We ate at Cheesecake Factory and found a parking spot right in front of it. It was a good day :)</div>
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In Nordstrom, I was wiping Lola's hands off with a baby wipe while my mom was checking out. I stood up and saw that Ada had wandered off. I wasn't worried, because she knows to stay close. After calling her name and walking a bit with no sign of her, I immediately went to the escalators that she was fascinated with. She wasn't there (thank goodness). I saw a girl flag my mom down and walked over to see a sad, scared, little Ada grabbing onto my mom's leg. I bent down to hug her and she said, "Mommy I was <i>really </i>lost!" She cried a little bit and my eyes welled up with tears. I thanked the sweet girl who worked at Nordstrom for helping her. She said that Ada told her my full name and exactly what I was wearing! That made me proud and I told Ada that she did everything right. It turns out that she was trying to get back to the dressing room where the pedestal is to look at your clothing in the mirror. The girl had the phone in her hand to page me, we got there just in time. She was gone for about 2 or 3 minutes, and we talked about how important it is to stay close! After the ordeal the girl asked Ada if she wanted a balloon and she lit up and forgot about the whole thing.</div>
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On Wednesday, we went to Zachary's for a scrumptious brunch. We shared Mike's Mess and brought home a loaf of their incredible whole wheat bread. When the girls napped, I finished laundry and packed. We drove down to Santa Maria while the girls were awake, and oh how I wished that I had been packed and ready to go during their nap! I didn't think to bring the DVD player and the drive was spent breaking up squabbles and trying to shush screaming. It hurt my incisions to keep turning around and I was so glad to finally arrive in SLO and get some tri-tip! We met up with Lindsay & the girls were so happy to see her :) They got to bed sooooo late and were so hard to put down. Subsequent nights have been much better!</div>
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On Thursday, we went to Farmers Market in SLO and met up with my friend Linda and her cute girls. I miss this so much!</div>
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Sam & Ada were born two weeks apart. They are so cute together & the best of friends!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyB7SFwyLeTROsGTsm87hB6meegWLOcdw3jEeWA_fOi1VE4QwjlJZSqKv4OhpNDm2LWgSvEjhjL3n_GgZKzMLh2LTgpd1M5vJ9E3xs4aMet5kWrFS0RI1M2Z3Dj_8irEqmMEdGFe_6poci/s1600/IMG_8556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyB7SFwyLeTROsGTsm87hB6meegWLOcdw3jEeWA_fOi1VE4QwjlJZSqKv4OhpNDm2LWgSvEjhjL3n_GgZKzMLh2LTgpd1M5vJ9E3xs4aMet5kWrFS0RI1M2Z3Dj_8irEqmMEdGFe_6poci/s640/IMG_8556.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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F. McLintock's BBQ, grilled artichokes, & lemonade! Mmm</div>
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Lola was happy with donut holes from SLO Donut Company & strawberries from Linda<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijxVmzwGEygXEUjA0cA1Z6yPgEIPThmbfnEWZ7AImn6K6c7Mo6IZEFZBPB6M1tspwLqkDS-Rld6edBm6Cav8Dhmq0wMbyV-wA1_7CvrAs3MBKZtu8MHWhtSotEmNI4L68F4D2CR2yrJGP7/s1600/IMG_8559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijxVmzwGEygXEUjA0cA1Z6yPgEIPThmbfnEWZ7AImn6K6c7Mo6IZEFZBPB6M1tspwLqkDS-Rld6edBm6Cav8Dhmq0wMbyV-wA1_7CvrAs3MBKZtu8MHWhtSotEmNI4L68F4D2CR2yrJGP7/s640/IMG_8559.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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And so tired from a fun day!</div>
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Yesterday, we went to Avila Beach's Farmers Market and the weather was PERFECT! Nice and warm, no wind, and clear blue skies. We met up with my sister-in-law, Kandie, and her kids, friends the Griffiths, Tiana & Linda and their girls. It was so fun! Fish tacos from Old Port Inn and lemonade, live music, friends & family...heaven!</div>
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Tomorrow is my birthday!!! So happy to be home, feeling better, and celebrating with my dear family :)</div>
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Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05837471695832312138noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306270452043471330.post-38137798044231673562013-03-31T21:14:00.001-07:002013-03-31T21:14:21.874-07:00Gallbladder Be Gone!I finally had that pesky organ removed! It was such a strange feeling being in the hospital bed with no pain. I sat back, read my book, and enjoyed peace and quiet. I was joking with the nurses that I came to the hospital to have surgery just so that I could have a day off! They would see on my chart that I had two small children and say, "Oh, you're busy!"<br />
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My <a href="http://karaandmattmiller.blogspot.com/2010/02/my-gallbladder.html">first gallbladder attack</a> was when Ada was only 2 months old. Evidently it's very common to have problems with your gallbladder after having babies. Since then, I have had 4 more attacks. Every time I went into the ER, the ultrasound would show that there were stones in my gallbladder, but that my organs were not in distress and my blood work was fine as well. Every time I would ask them to take it out, and they'd say no. You're young, healthy, and it will pass. Well after this last attack, I was up all night throwing up and Matt had to take the next day off work. I was fed up and knew that I couldn't go on living this way! It didn't matter what I ate, one attack was after a salad while everyone else ate pizza. I just needed it to be out. There was no way I could go on wondering what was going to trigger an attack. I was afraid to eat and scared to fall asleep. And there is no way you can be a good mother after you've spent the night hugging the toilet!</div>
So, I scheduled my surgery and opted for robotic laparoscopic gallbladder removal. Because A: Technology is awesome and B: The robot let my surgeon have 3D vision and more mobility. It was really neat, he told the robot what to do from his little area then came bedside to finish up when he was done. (That's not my surgeon below.)<br />
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No make-up, headband, hospital gown. I sent this to Matt with the caption, "Bringing sexy back!" Yes, I'm fully aware that I'm working the angles in this pic. Hospital gowns are giant tents of unforgiving cloth.<br />
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Everything went according to plan and they even got me in ahead of schedule. Everyone was extremely nice, my first nurses Barbara and Kathy, and the Kevin dude who rolled me into the waiting area. My anesthesiologist was Dr. Plum, with the needle, in the operating room. He was great and talked to me about his <a href="https://jawbone.com/up">Jawbone UP</a> bracelet that I noticed and really want!<br />
I really wanted to see the robot, and Dr. Lee said I would when they wheeled me into the operating room. Not the case! The last thing I remember is, "Okay, Kara. Now you're going to go to sleep." And I did :)<br />
When I woke up, I was in a recovery room with a nurse who looked like Roger Sterling from Mad Men.<br />
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I asked him if anyone had ever told him that before, and he said yes. But that he doesn't see himself like that. He had the same white curly hair and I loved him. He called me sweetie and rubbed my arm. I was in a ton of pain coming out of the anesthesia, and he made sure to give me more morphine. Evidently I have a high tolerance for that stuff, because they kept pumping more into me and I was still in pain. Then they gave me fentanol and it finally took the edge off. I was so tired and just wanted to sleep, but every time I would drift off, my breathing would become shallow and my other nurse, a little Philippino lady named Grace, would yell, "BIG! DEEP! BREATHS, KARAAAAAA!" I didn't care for being yelled at, so I learned to start taking deep, exaggerated breaths the second my machine would beep, letting me know I wasn't breathing deep enough.<br />
I stayed in recovery for longer than expected because of the pain. I didn't want to go to another room where they'd only be able to give me oral pain meds. Once I finally got some water (I hadn't had anything to drink for 36 hours) and food in me, I was feeling better and ready to go home. Matt picked me up and the girls were so happy to see me!<br />
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Ada picked these daisies for me to make me feel better :)<br />
I went home and slept for a few hours, then came upstairs with Matt when the girls went to bed. He worked from home on Thursday and Friday and was super dad and husband! We had Marina & Stacy watch the girls too, thank you SO much! It was such a big help to us.<br />
Friday I laid low and just tried to relax. I walked around the house to try and get the air out of my body, it really makes your back and shoulders sore! My mom got here on Friday evening and it's been so nice having her here. The hardest part for me is not being able to pick up my girls, so it's nice that they are getting some extra snuggles from someone else.<br />
I went shopping with my mom yesterday, and was surprised at how good I felt. Shopping is a completely different game without kids and a stroller!<br />
Today I went to church and did okay. Thank goodness for painkillers :) I was about to fall asleep a few times, but I was glad I went. Sorry to anyone I talked to if I didn't make sense!<br />
Easter has been wonderful. Friday night we decorated these little guys:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhznk_U3IGHlj9x_qePqlrAxAK7Qcqldoe50rMCXih3gogqeGaJlGxnhDg74IPG6h2BM9xsmvR9zzkHikVrl5FXes3hei2kwzWrJOSYNzzBjzdhy9UPjiavTCZBmjR1_lGlXrYWG9LJy1lY/s1600/IMG_8486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhznk_U3IGHlj9x_qePqlrAxAK7Qcqldoe50rMCXih3gogqeGaJlGxnhDg74IPG6h2BM9xsmvR9zzkHikVrl5FXes3hei2kwzWrJOSYNzzBjzdhy9UPjiavTCZBmjR1_lGlXrYWG9LJy1lY/s400/IMG_8486.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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We didn't use the dye at all and they were mess-free. Thanks Target! Notice how Humpty Dumpty has a battle wound...he's dangerous.</div>
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We had an unconventional Easter dinner of <a href="http://karainthekitchen.com/?p=786">Baked Ziti</a>, but it was perfectly delicious & easy. My sweet girls in their new church outfits from Nonnie :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsJ0jk1kHmh4yBk7GEDLevtcfQ1dodH_QEVGBw7_VEtshwR3xIwKm9A-Xd4u7Y-vJ4Urc2oukFM2JDsqtxvqRvpsfQ8q-Spj9nGNfmhkc9NzNOCEwqURhfY8YnZ9_2WjgaGWI-08Zn26Gj/s1600/IMG_8489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsJ0jk1kHmh4yBk7GEDLevtcfQ1dodH_QEVGBw7_VEtshwR3xIwKm9A-Xd4u7Y-vJ4Urc2oukFM2JDsqtxvqRvpsfQ8q-Spj9nGNfmhkc9NzNOCEwqURhfY8YnZ9_2WjgaGWI-08Zn26Gj/s400/IMG_8489.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Ada's been worried about me...sleeping by my side and checking on me every morning. I woke up yesterday to her rubbing my arm :) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBL06ctj8scyrRW4ytDabhQepbmJVGwMGRtbffEyDp0xzxe5hI3EFELK4h0rRYS06UxhyphenhyphenbLNEriroW6EboG274KPj2r0zPfh70swjThEt0kPP38DA96F-XOszFtModEviW-kOgxmXUoVmH/s1600/IMG_8493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBL06ctj8scyrRW4ytDabhQepbmJVGwMGRtbffEyDp0xzxe5hI3EFELK4h0rRYS06UxhyphenhyphenbLNEriroW6EboG274KPj2r0zPfh70swjThEt0kPP38DA96F-XOszFtModEviW-kOgxmXUoVmH/s400/IMG_8493.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Thank you to everyone for the well-wishes. I am hoping that this recovery will continue to go well and that I will be able to continue training for my half marathon as soon as possible! </div>
Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05837471695832312138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306270452043471330.post-28649781335309577832013-03-23T22:22:00.000-07:002013-03-23T22:22:42.130-07:00Ada-isms<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Mommy, I'm gonna eat your face. Then, I'm gonna drink your eyes!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ada was bouncing her feet on my chair at dinner. I kept moving them in front of her, and she kept putting them back on my chair. I said, "Ada, please stop kicking my chair! You're driving me nuts!" She goes, "Nuts on your faaaaaace! Hahahahhaaaa!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She was singing a song she made up. It sounded like, "Douche-y, douche-y, douche, douche, douche-y!" Now I hesitated to share this, because I despise that word! I hate that it has become a socially acceptable nickname for jerks. Disgusting. We never ever say that word, so I know it was just a fluke made-up song with a word she thought she created. Let's just hope she doesn't ever sing it in public. Or at church.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqRfzQmcRGIT-2C8-Y_Ywxp5XGzhgKM-W7wNCtMl3n8YgQXl067iLNqAkSVXQLd6Ottgj7YeztW3ng95qdvHfju0yudSgkOe-eyVc1Dqw0dW_fbEGl_M78edcP_L5QSpjWW8OmtI0E3hp2/s1600/IMG_8114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqRfzQmcRGIT-2C8-Y_Ywxp5XGzhgKM-W7wNCtMl3n8YgQXl067iLNqAkSVXQLd6Ottgj7YeztW3ng95qdvHfju0yudSgkOe-eyVc1Dqw0dW_fbEGl_M78edcP_L5QSpjWW8OmtI0E3hp2/s640/IMG_8114.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We were walking in Target and passed a lady who was severely obese. Ada said, loud enough for her to hear, "Her's got a BIG tummy!" It was the first time I was embarrassed in public by one of my children. I whispered in her ear to not make comments about how people look in public and she innocently asked, "Why not?" We had a talk about being polite and not pointing, etc. on the drive home.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Eating oatmeal at the table for breakfast & Ada is wiggling her bowl around. I sang, "Danc-ing oat-meal!" and she sang back, "Oat-meal dance par-ty, with - the - spoon!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ada would not go to sleep last night. Matt and I said goodnight multiple times, took her potty, etc. She finally came up the stairs and said, "We didn't say prayers." She was right...we came home from the store late and rushed to get the girls in bed quickly. We then knelt down and Ada said a prayer of thanks for the day & that she and Lola would sleep well. She stayed in bed after that :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In Sunbeams, they were learning about water and all of the things we need it for. Ada's teacher asked her, "Do you use water to help your mommy cook things?" Ada just stared at her for a second and then responded flatly, "I'm just a kid." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Angry with Lola because she wanted something she had, "Lola, SHARE! SHARING IS CARING!" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She had a cut on her knuckle and said, "Mommy! Look at my nickel!" </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXVEWJncI7diFE9I8iubsYPvhRZpAY_G7rRMpUV15NM9XQQmhH5qbA9FdqHCfOuwxZMF3YbVLobeiPvByIjyg62KjiMfZvpcD09MPAogQ0LhswOt-mJQM7tkjradjEj-llu7LTlBv_TEmj/s1600/IMG_7999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXVEWJncI7diFE9I8iubsYPvhRZpAY_G7rRMpUV15NM9XQQmhH5qbA9FdqHCfOuwxZMF3YbVLobeiPvByIjyg62KjiMfZvpcD09MPAogQ0LhswOt-mJQM7tkjradjEj-llu7LTlBv_TEmj/s640/IMG_7999.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ones I already shared on facebook but will post for the sake of documentation:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">Sitting here with a stack of Joe-Joes and a glass of milk. Ada comes over, eyeing the cookies and says, "OH! Family cookies!" I said, "Noooo. These are MOMMY cookies." She goes, "I don't know...those really really look like family cookies!"</span> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Listening to Justin Timberlake's new song Suit & Tie...he says, "Let me show you a few things" Ada asks, "Why he wanna show me the toothpaste?!"</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Listening to the baby monitor, Ada is telling Lola to "cry a lot!" so that I'll come down and get them. :) "Cry, Lola, cry!"</span><br />
Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05837471695832312138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306270452043471330.post-47393151025890491062013-03-21T09:00:00.000-07:002013-03-21T09:00:06.628-07:00Hyundai Santa Fe’s Epic Playdate Weekend<div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://clvr.li/YYVZKY" style="color: grey; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Hyundai</a><span style="line-height: 18px;"> is putting on an EPIC PLAYDATE on the beach in Santa Barbara, CA next month! I love Santa Barbara with all of my heart and know it will be a fun time. Some popular bloggers (Heather from <a href="http://dooce.com/">Dooce</a>, Jordan from <a href="http://ohhappyday.com/">Oh Happy Day</a>, among others) will be there teaching things like photography for kids, hula hooping, and there will be an ice cream sundae station, too. Sold!</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 18px;">It's invite-only, so</span><span style="line-height: 18px;"> enter the sweepstakes</span><span style="line-height: 18px;"> here: </span><a href="http://clvr.li/X4rpgE" style="color: grey; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://clvr.li/X4rpgE</a><span style="line-height: 18px;"> and I'll cross my fingers & toes for you! I hope I get picked to go, any excuse to go visit the family and take a trip down to Santa Barbara is a good one! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 18px;">With my family, an ideal playdate is usually spontaneous. On Saturdays, we've usually spent the morning inside...eating breakfast, lounging around, cleaning, and taking care of chores. Then we get antsy and need to get out of the house and do something, so we go. We love going to the beach and can't wait for the girls to be old enough to boogie board and surf! For now, we just jump over the waves :)</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYr81fSzgc6L83llWu4FaGm4nlXz2_1XfPCD3RshuFf6rCRYS11jPkwLCw2PH48iVO_e8Tjfvjra3gqityJaeGLxBl95Y3iUlI7WDIfzdbYpx4ndH3CiYvI01Xdt5N8NpbFD9tQM15By5d/s1600/4f304bdaa6e979e150d011671f92579f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYr81fSzgc6L83llWu4FaGm4nlXz2_1XfPCD3RshuFf6rCRYS11jPkwLCw2PH48iVO_e8Tjfvjra3gqityJaeGLxBl95Y3iUlI7WDIfzdbYpx4ndH3CiYvI01Xdt5N8NpbFD9tQM15By5d/s640/4f304bdaa6e979e150d011671f92579f.jpg" width="640" /></span></a><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">I've been dying to try out the <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/whale-city-bakery-bar-and-grill-davenport">Whale City Bakery</a> in Davenport, the tiniest little beach town just north of us here in Santa Cruz. We've driven by it a couple of times and I looked it up online...they have a great reputation for their fish n' chips and baked goods. Since our favorite fish n' chips place closed (Andy's on the wharf) :( I need a replacement! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 18px;">We would grab food to go and then continue to drive up the coast, looking for the perfect beach to claim as ours for the day. We'd spend our time exploring and pretending, unplugged, and enjoying each other's company. 3 and 1-year-olds love looking for rocks and shells, building sandcastles, writing in the sand, and running around. Who am I kidding? So do 27 and 28-year-olds! I imagine our day winding down at sunset, with sandy, tired little children being carried back to the car. Chubby feet brushed off with beach towels, and girls buckled in their carseats for the drive home...where they both fall asleep clutching their favorite treasure from our epic playdate. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="line-height: 18px;">Also, if kayaking down a sand dune is available...we're doing that too! </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKDbA2flX7aA1wnLMDuXUEv9kPRASEil5UaHqcH88sfO3PsCu7QZYbwjdcXFz5eOQzAtM79l14UQUQKjyQKFlqIllfeh_Uv15u4vHk1JNdS6ksxCmrKeB5E-pirC72wokyyeeT-t_bwJts/s1600/4e2e638a9c9f55842412146ffe139a46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKDbA2flX7aA1wnLMDuXUEv9kPRASEil5UaHqcH88sfO3PsCu7QZYbwjdcXFz5eOQzAtM79l14UQUQKjyQKFlqIllfeh_Uv15u4vHk1JNdS6ksxCmrKeB5E-pirC72wokyyeeT-t_bwJts/s640/4e2e638a9c9f55842412146ffe139a46.jpg" width="473" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That little guy looks SO happy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Hyundai’s Epic Playdate Weekend (</span><a href="http://clvr.li/YYVZKY" style="color: grey; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://clvr.li/YYVZKY</a><span style="line-height: 18px;">) is on April 27 from 9 AM-5 PM in Santa Barbara, CA. You</span> have to have a Pinterest account to enter (go here: <a href="http://clvr.li/X4rpgE" style="color: grey; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://clvr.li/X4rpgE</a> for complete details)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b>Important</b>: When you are asked “How did you hear about us?” Make sure and</span><span style="line-height: 18px;"> choose Clever Girls Collective! GOOD LUCK! :)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I was selected for this opportunity as a member of <a href="http://clevergirlscollective.com/" target="_blank">Clever Girls Collective</a>, and the content
and opinions expressed here are all my own.</span>Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05837471695832312138noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306270452043471330.post-40573363050510857062013-03-18T00:22:00.001-07:002013-03-18T00:22:59.491-07:00My First Ragnar Relay!<div style="text-align: center;">
Last April, I ran the SoCal Ragnar Relay! While nursing! It's one of the most incredible things I have ever done. It is a 200-mile relay race from Huntington Beach to Coronado Island. You are on a team of 12, in two giant vans, and one member of your team is running at all times! You have 3 different legs, and my legs added up to a total of 14.5 miles.<br />
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<a href="http://www.ragnarrelay.com/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWrER2X0m5stSvMeKy-_wvG9-CfaGhQUzOJVKnlsV3-sKTAhOGkzgTjkwOdlGwVk3oSG4EckMcH0KFktTnQs3vKE6wAVyeTDDgg58uf8qoQPjPbPbuYzBHvHX1VxU9j-fSBeW2Yl7NF7mZ/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a></div>
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I drove down to Santa Maria on Thursday to drop my girls off at my mom's house. Thank you Mommy!! I was so stressed out by many things...I had a stress (ha) fracture on the top of my right foot that wasn't completely healed, I had to pack all of my girls' things to leave at my mom's, then pack all of my things separately for the race to take down to Huntington Beach. Matt had just graduated and was in the middle of interviews and work so stayed up here in Santa Cruz. I ended up with a stiff neck and am grateful for Rach and Tiana for rubbing it so I could run! I made granola bars and we had lots of good snacks for the road. We spent the night at one of Elise's friend's house...thank you friends!! Tiana, Rach, & I ended up sleeping in a closet converted into a bedroom with Bob Marley flags and a bong it it. It was comical :) I had to pump in the bathroom during the night and people kept asking, "What's that noise?" haha </div>
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Here is beautiful Tiana, ready to run her first leg. Our team name was Run Like an Egyptian, hence the flashy costumes. It was already really hot at this point in the morning!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI9qnbZIy6m1Wk93FuGo-NMyQckfgL1lhKZcT8kUETAeU1JAA7VntzaHxudNbqyGC6fyXzOJ2Y81Nw1_knhbao6O3wr9Dlcx5uhmYB3p4D_gV2gJFhaGAmsNy8XTMCuqAQD39orZoN1h1_/s1600/IMG_3984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI9qnbZIy6m1Wk93FuGo-NMyQckfgL1lhKZcT8kUETAeU1JAA7VntzaHxudNbqyGC6fyXzOJ2Y81Nw1_knhbao6O3wr9Dlcx5uhmYB3p4D_gV2gJFhaGAmsNy8XTMCuqAQD39orZoN1h1_/s320/IMG_3984.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here is my gorgeous cousin Rach, who ran right before me. It was SO HOT here! We were resting up in the shade. She had a really rough time, and I was worried when she wasn't at the exchange in the amount of time she told us she'd be there. There was a saint of a man who helped her along, and she finally made it through the 110 degree heat and to hand off the bracelet to me.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiARns5uvv3ZbvXcg3IM2IDpG0R_ZV7HUU2XwzV43vV18zax78oAexAN1JXMv8ZM4HZL_ALmFLLHGBnA5HcaAP1Fnutlv0Bs6dcte782-0tbfxGvA7GsePYm_v3hGAZUp1RnOPrFusUyx3z/s1600/IMG_3987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiARns5uvv3ZbvXcg3IM2IDpG0R_ZV7HUU2XwzV43vV18zax78oAexAN1JXMv8ZM4HZL_ALmFLLHGBnA5HcaAP1Fnutlv0Bs6dcte782-0tbfxGvA7GsePYm_v3hGAZUp1RnOPrFusUyx3z/s400/IMG_3987.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Game face on. Nobody recognized me without my smile :)</div>
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Cousins!</div>
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What happened during my run was the worst run of my entire life. It was 110 degrees out, in the middle of Corona, CA. There was a heat advisory, and I was running 5.65 miles straight up a canyon! I could feel the asphalt burning my skin. It felt like a giant griddle on high heat under my feet. See the CamelPak I'm wearing in the picture above? I ripped it off my back and gave it to my teammates around mile 2 because it was BOILING. I went for a sip and it was so hot I just spit it out.</div>
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The only thing that kept me going up that cursed canyon was knowing that I would see that big white van pulled over, with my team cheering me on. Bringing me water, pouring it down my face to have it dry seconds later, and offering words of encouragement. </div>
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What really surprised me about Ragnar was how supportive other teams were. A random team gave me water during a long stretch. I caught up to a woman and stopped to commiserate about the heat, and she and I stayed together for most of the leg. We ran a minute, walked a minute. It kept us going. I really appreciated the camaraderie between teams! </div>
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I have never experienced heat exhaustion like that. I trained in 60-70 degree beach weather in Santa Cruz, my body was in complete shock! It was strange, my legs and everything felt fine, it wasn't a soreness or pain. It was like the energy and life had just been sucked out of me. Getting to the top of Temescal Canyon and seeing Mary ready to run was one of the best feelings in the world!</div>
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I was dreaming of this Dr. Pepper the whole run...that server was my best friend because he kept 'em coming :) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBX29HEi9HnEbjntLlZ5459RaUqt9QqrT4D-yO8f3qBg9iJ53HKDXj_6qnw_siJ-l1LtBPCMD0uEVDIO5TauQmnu-YpZkwmCrB8rQ6XoqN4mUsnRZphfrLwOm5FFFcTRiEO4V0XSwjLRpv/s1600/IMG_3993.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBX29HEi9HnEbjntLlZ5459RaUqt9QqrT4D-yO8f3qBg9iJ53HKDXj_6qnw_siJ-l1LtBPCMD0uEVDIO5TauQmnu-YpZkwmCrB8rQ6XoqN4mUsnRZphfrLwOm5FFFcTRiEO4V0XSwjLRpv/s320/IMG_3993.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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After our van finished up our legs, we were able to head over to this crazy little place in the middle of a valley, the Lawrence Welk Resort. Who knew such a place existed?! We busted out our sleeping bags, grateful for the cool evening air, and got some much needed rest. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsgwgoAVMWGMI5t8_SIISR76xcaqd2RwaaYpZUnafzx8Vm8TFLKKkcE660-xjayb1Ul2HZE0VZildaQmYApeApw83snMJW63AltRsH3MadegiQyAPsvYntmM_gfWRyBTnPhT7sSYN9G-BJ/s1600/IMG_3996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsgwgoAVMWGMI5t8_SIISR76xcaqd2RwaaYpZUnafzx8Vm8TFLKKkcE660-xjayb1Ul2HZE0VZildaQmYApeApw83snMJW63AltRsH3MadegiQyAPsvYntmM_gfWRyBTnPhT7sSYN9G-BJ/s400/IMG_3996.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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We also equipped the vans with lights and all things LED!</div>
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Elise sliding down the front of the van:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3520B0BCEeL6aVzpskidQzX33rY4AE0OOUhGprOwZa9PaRLe7RFEwvXckVSncJgKVouGN67xlcYewB_3umP-PcJerNYNsMsULuT8J4WYn3yxGQVpn2REYFEDFNZp9VL3wBNoBzkey-C1j/s1600/IMG_3998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3520B0BCEeL6aVzpskidQzX33rY4AE0OOUhGprOwZa9PaRLe7RFEwvXckVSncJgKVouGN67xlcYewB_3umP-PcJerNYNsMsULuT8J4WYn3yxGQVpn2REYFEDFNZp9VL3wBNoBzkey-C1j/s400/IMG_3998.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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We got word from Van #1 that we were almost ready to run. So we all met up and cheered our team on! Then off to the next exchanges. Thank goodness for Carly & her Garmin! That thing got us everywhere we needed to be on time. Carly's mom was our driver and she was a hoot! So full of energy, she gave us little tokens along the way to lift our spirits, and she was just so fun. She filled in for us last minute and I am so glad it was her! </div>
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Tiana finishing her night run!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEFV-1zwLQ_YRli0npfUcWZbwt7LaneKjxJ3fZTvSohjStZ8SLD_g0gxN1bz3R6k9YaxQLpCInPZNfVlldjxlhWH83Yl5TgSl9kUPxeN4iOhOM_wYBw9c7wKYL9b3_TpG6E8_BWrx8n2vY/s1600/IMG_4003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEFV-1zwLQ_YRli0npfUcWZbwt7LaneKjxJ3fZTvSohjStZ8SLD_g0gxN1bz3R6k9YaxQLpCInPZNfVlldjxlhWH83Yl5TgSl9kUPxeN4iOhOM_wYBw9c7wKYL9b3_TpG6E8_BWrx8n2vY/s400/IMG_4003.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Night runs are my FAVORITE! I have always been a night runner. I used to run with my dog, and just love being outside in the dark and cool air. If Matt will go with me, I will run every night. My run was through the city of San Marcos and I will NEVER forget it! I passed (killed) three people and felt like I was flying. I ran 3.75 miles in 38:42 which was a PR for me :)</div>
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We rented a hotel for the night and each took turns "sleeping" (it is so hard to relax when you're waiting for the text that runner #6 has begun and you've gotta get in the van and go!) and showering. I may or may have not timed people's showers on my phone so that we all got a turn :)</div>
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Rachel's glowstick legs!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzKSc8SXXZS7hm_pK1QvjA39KbJHyjZoS8_x1OVib8zV89u_6S9A1nhlAOP4dR0hoQMpUaX7OvdDALn3-AxRSeKm79GlehTHGIkoH_6EHxVH71ZrDjn-OZTp9GdgRju6HV2AgWULWNV-v/s1600/IMG_4001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzKSc8SXXZS7hm_pK1QvjA39KbJHyjZoS8_x1OVib8zV89u_6S9A1nhlAOP4dR0hoQMpUaX7OvdDALn3-AxRSeKm79GlehTHGIkoH_6EHxVH71ZrDjn-OZTp9GdgRju6HV2AgWULWNV-v/s400/IMG_4001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Our vans were AH-MAZING!!! Kandie constructed these pyramids that were feats of engineering. Everyone watched our vans as we drove by and we were notorious by the end of the race!</div>
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Aren't they beautiful? </div>
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Rach showing them off in all of their glory :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg28mYD5qIOGZIyT8XDZkKmy0k9JqYdYW5OsaJEDuD4v-puFCwSbQcv4j01nRdZDyhCn7ETXlOCePsGKJsvKBHUJHKmhyphenhyphenm8N30yJg5NxpOQoz0vn_3G_Fmy6rz7PYtieGl7YD85TCQ9QI2X/s1600/IMG_4006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg28mYD5qIOGZIyT8XDZkKmy0k9JqYdYW5OsaJEDuD4v-puFCwSbQcv4j01nRdZDyhCn7ETXlOCePsGKJsvKBHUJHKmhyphenhyphenm8N30yJg5NxpOQoz0vn_3G_Fmy6rz7PYtieGl7YD85TCQ9QI2X/s400/IMG_4006.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Everyone gets crazy on little sleep, add in exhaustion and adrenaline from running and it's hilarious. I get really giggly and crazy and Tiana gets sleepy and quiet. Nothing's changed since we were kids! I just found out on this trip that she asked her mom to take me home from her 7-year-old birthday slumber party because I wouldn't go to sleep! hahaha :) We had some fun times on this trip, all of us laughing and talking. </div>
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My third run was the next day, and it wasn't good. I never expected to talk so openly about bodily functions with a group of people. But, pooping is very important to how well you run, so there you have it. I had to go so bad my whole run and then when I was done running, I couldn't go. It was so frustrating. I was the second to last runner, so I was really grouchy at the finish line. But sooooo happy to have completed the race and to receive my medal! </div>
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Team Run Like An Egyptian!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9z43qwoVpmNW6ZX7AeCq8GRlGYJePoKbO60XJt0h15FAjM2N1K-CJ7-GJafcseh7J0nP0N_qJg9BFqPpOCyvceden_mQ5qncClbxloeISxv8UszrYC_x10-HDBtNYDuXjqQFHrwMwQUFu/s1600/IMG_4017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9z43qwoVpmNW6ZX7AeCq8GRlGYJePoKbO60XJt0h15FAjM2N1K-CJ7-GJafcseh7J0nP0N_qJg9BFqPpOCyvceden_mQ5qncClbxloeISxv8UszrYC_x10-HDBtNYDuXjqQFHrwMwQUFu/s400/IMG_4017.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Advice & lessons learned:</div>
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- pack all clothes & underwear for your legs in separate giant Ziploc bags, your van will thank you</div>
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- bring baby wipes and face wipes</div>
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- pumping in a hot van without tinted windows is not fun, I'll never run a Ragnar again while nursing</div>
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- next time, I want to wear my costume/have time to do make-up/get more into the party part of it all (see above)</div>
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- <a href="http://www.clifbar.com/food/products_shot_bloks/">Shot Bloks</a> are awesome</div>
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- <a href="http://www.rei.com/product/831594/the-stick-traveler-roller-massager?cm_mmc=cse_froogle-_-pla-_-product-_-831594&mr:referralID=5957e248-8f99-11e2-9dea-001b2166becc">The Stick</a> saved my calves! With no time to stretch after your run and before jumping in the van, this was a lifesaver, thanks Elise :)</div>
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- you will become addicted. I want to do another one so bad, and was on a backup list for next month's...but the team dissolved :( </div>
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- you will make life-long friends</div>
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Best part of it all?</div>
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Coming home to these faces :)</div>
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Can't wait for the next one...who's in?!</div>
Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05837471695832312138noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306270452043471330.post-27667212840810107452013-03-02T22:30:00.001-08:002013-03-05T08:56:49.450-08:00Stats<br />
The girls had their check-ups this week, and they are both "thriving" in their doctor's opinion.<br />
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<u>Ada's 3-year-old Stats</u><br />
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Height: 38 inches (3 ft. 2.74 in.) - 74th percentile<br />
Weight: 35 lbs. 11 oz. - 82nd percentile<br />
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<u>Lola's 18-month-old Stats</u><br />
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Height: 33 inches (2 ft. 9.07 in.) - 81st percentile<br />
Weight: 28 lbs. 3 oz. - 95th percentile<br />
Head Circumference: 19.4 inches - 99th percentile!<br />
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I forgot to put that Lola says, "Whoa!" whenever she tumbles or regains her balance after stumbling. It sounds just like Joey from Blossom...anyone remember that show? :)<br />
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This is how Lola kept herself (& us) entertained while waiting for the doctor:<br />
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Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05837471695832312138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306270452043471330.post-86981456208194738402013-02-24T23:00:00.001-08:002013-02-24T23:00:29.272-08:006 Year Wedding Anniversary!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Last July, we went to Sacramento for our anniversary! It's funny, people were like, "Ohhh, Sacramento?" when we told them. But it was because the Oakland Temple was closed for renovations and Sacramento was the next-closest one. Also, Matt had never been to our state capital, so we thought it would be a good time for him to check it out. We'd originally planned to take a tour of the capitol building, but that didn't happen. He saw the outside & we just enjoyed being kid-free thanks to my mom :)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCSJtNOmLPT8aW1zPNEaRzO7bjP10UELRfL4Hsn9GJkuCghBVHP2rsr7V9T7N-JgtrjQKaXmxMGf_-tzxtu8hn6zUVt-ivFTZJaB0rTjovN5UKHvOz_ZTdwWFmAMA3ieP1dtp2g4bNoF0/s1600/IMG_5066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCSJtNOmLPT8aW1zPNEaRzO7bjP10UELRfL4Hsn9GJkuCghBVHP2rsr7V9T7N-JgtrjQKaXmxMGf_-tzxtu8hn6zUVt-ivFTZJaB0rTjovN5UKHvOz_ZTdwWFmAMA3ieP1dtp2g4bNoF0/s400/IMG_5066.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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We stayed at The Citizen Hotel downtown. It was beautiful! It used to be an old law office building, and they still had tons of law books in the foyer.</div>
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Actually did my make-up instead of slapping it on while fending off two little ones!</div>
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He's so smart, he needs a mustache.</div>
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For breakfast, we went to Tower Cafe on the recommendation of a friend. Thank you Ben! I got the Custard French Toast and it was like a dessert. Everything was HUGE and our bellies were so happy when we left.</div>
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We went to the Temple and it was perfect. Peaceful & rejuvenating.</div>
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I loved being in the Temple 6 years to the day that we were Sealed for time and all eternity! </div>
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We did some Sealings and it was awesome. I was proxy for a mother being sealed to her daughter, and I was overcome with such strong emotion! I could feel how long this mother had waited to have her precious daughter sealed to her forever. </div>
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So happy that we are each other's forever :)</div>
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Afterwards, we went to the mall to shop. I picked out some cute earrings at Nordstrom Rack & still wear them all the time. People compliment me on them and I say Matt got them for me on our anniversary ;) Technically true!</div>
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We went to Cheesecake Factory for dinner...mmm!</div>
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I look way too excited to dig into the Red Velvet Cheesecake! It is my favorite there, which is surprising since I am such a chocoholic.</div>
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I love you Matthew Miller & and am so happy to have shared the past 6 years with you! Thank you for laughing with me every day :)</div>
Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05837471695832312138noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306270452043471330.post-84575831248008552302013-02-22T00:00:00.000-08:002013-02-22T10:17:36.940-08:00Lola is 18 Months Old!<div style="text-align: center;">
How can this be?! My baby is 18 months old! I almost forgot and didn't put her in Nursery until halfway through the second hour. She was perfectly happy to go in during singing & snack time :) She kept happy on the rocking chair with no tears at all. Matt said when he went to pick her up, she whined a little fake cry, like, "Awww you leeeeeft me!" </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjITZKARN0d4NEtbc6EMV3WpYkmEhaUj8RKg9KIg24U4d_nBx3onBeOzmvL3KfY95GQomiVELP7NrujuB-y-EpQJIRfELwFOIoJCv2ijSq9q2lt4qt90ri1gMo2Rm40FCim3BOL-v3Jofoi/s1600/IMG_7743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjITZKARN0d4NEtbc6EMV3WpYkmEhaUj8RKg9KIg24U4d_nBx3onBeOzmvL3KfY95GQomiVELP7NrujuB-y-EpQJIRfELwFOIoJCv2ijSq9q2lt4qt90ri1gMo2Rm40FCim3BOL-v3Jofoi/s400/IMG_7743.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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We lovingly refer to this as her Chris Farley face.</div>
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Lola is such a crack up! Her little personality is so funny. She loves to give raspberries, kisses, and hugs. She's our little snuggle love!</div>
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This picture was taken by Ada. Lola has toothpaste on her face. I can't leave them alone for 2 minutes!</div>
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Loves the rocking chair our friends are loaning us :)</div>
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LOVES to dance!</div>
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She used to be strictly a Mama's girl, but since being weaned she sure loves her Papa a lot more :)</div>
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- Loves her stuffed animals and blankies. </div>
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- Starting to give sassy looks...dramatic eye-rolls already! </div>
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- Realizes when she's being funny and keeps doing whatever is making us laugh</div>
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- Says, "Eeeeeee" for Please</div>
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"Iiiiiiii" for Ice (frozen Gogurt)</div>
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"Day Dew" for Thank you</div>
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"Day-Duh" for Ada<br />
"Huh" for Yes</div>
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Papa</div>
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Mama</div>
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Uh-Oh</div>
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No<br />
Heya<br />
Ello<br />
"Balah-la-la" for Banana<br />
YAY!<br />
And many other, indistinguishable, words.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="515" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1Ov580ftgHk?rel=0" width="760"></iframe><br />
She is such a fun, sweet little girl. Sometimes she gets a crazy streak and just wants to steamroll everyone and wrestle...it's wild! She loves to watch people at first. Ada will run out and say hi to every single person while Lola hangs back and observes until she is comfortable with the situation. We are so glad that you are ours, Lola Jennie! </div>
Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05837471695832312138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306270452043471330.post-15792952136849120112013-02-08T23:47:00.001-08:002013-02-09T01:01:30.710-08:00On Being A Good FriendI have come to a realization. I am not a very good friend. Well, I guess I mean to say that I'm not good at making friends.<br />
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I used to think that I was really good at making friends! And I was, er, good at having lots of friends. I think. I guess it turns out I was just a big flirt and good at making lots of guy friends :)<br />
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Since being married, I haven't been able to make friends the way I used to. It's just so different. You have your family who wants to see you more because you are not living with them anymore. You have a spouse that is your built-in date and companion to everything. So you lose the need to call a friend unless your spouse is busy. Also, I am paranoid about the appearance of anything inappropriate with someone of the opposite sex. Probably because I was such a flirt in the past! I don't ever want to have anyone think there is anything inappropriate going on. Once you throw kids into the mix, forget about it! Unless you have a friend with a child that is around the same age, or you have a nanny, you probably won't be spending much time with them.<br />
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I am also pretty selfish. I think of my dirty house and don't invite people over. Or I don't think to invite someone to something because I am doing it with my family. I want to stay in my yoga pants and be lazy instead of pulling on a pair of jeans and looking presentable. But then I think, "Wouldn't it be awesome to have a friend who could stop by and I don't care about any of that?" <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marina & I walking West Cliff</td></tr>
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I get so frustrated sometimes because I miss having a good friend to be around. I started a moms group for our ward, but with our kids it feels like we can't talk more than 30 seconds before having to run and save a child from falling in the pond. And it's always too short when I get together with a girlfriend and we have our kids with us. We take 2 bites of our lunch and have to tend to our kids. I always get home and realize we started a ton of stories but never finished them! Or I've come home from hanging out with a friend and realized that I did most (if not all of) the talking. Sorry ladies : /<br />
My closest girlfriends that I talk to on a regular basis are my mom, Nana, my sister, and Tiana. Tiana and I have been best friends since we were 3 years old. We met in Sunbeams at church and bonded over shoes. We schemed up a plan to get our moms to buy us "big girl shoes" by telling each of our moms that the other girl had shoes with no straps on them, when in fact neither of us did! I've been a terrible friend to her at times. Mostly when I was in high school and boys were #1 priority. But, she stuck by my side and we still call each other (well, she calls me - see...bad friend) and have such a deep friendship because of everything we've been through and know about each other. She likes to tell my mom stories about us in the past...it's hilarious :) Every time I go home to visit, we lament the fact that we live so far away from each other. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiana & I in High School (pic from Natalie, thanks!)</td></tr>
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I admire people like the aforementioned (along with Brittni) because they are such good question askers! They think of such thoughtful things to ask me and others. They really make people feel important. I think that I'm too busy trying to make everyone laugh or too concerned with myself that I need to shift and think about who I'm with more. <br />
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I was talking to my mom about being sad that I couldn't participate in a book club. She said, "It's just not the right time for you now. You will have plenty of years to be in book clubs." She's right. Wise momma :) I think the same thing applies here. Life with young children comes with so many joys, but some of the changes and sacrifices that we make as mothers leave us feeling guilty.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On a date with our hubbies</td></tr>
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I think that this season of my life is just all-consuming. Gone are the days of leisurely lunch dates where I got to hear all of the details of my friends lives. Or double dates that could go late into the night because there wasn't a babysitter that needed to be paid and driven home waiting at home with your children. Being a mother can be very isolating. It's good, and I appreciate this time of young children. I would not trade being these girls' mommy for anything! I had a moment the other day, where the girls and I were holding hands and walking outside in the warm sunshine. My neighbor and I started talking and she said, "Do you just love watching them grow?!" I said, "Yes! It's amazing!" And I really was thinking how awesome my life is. I get to spend my days with two little people who trust me entirely and fill my heart with the biggest love I've ever felt!<br />
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<a href="http://www.tonyajoy.com/myjoy/">Tonya</a> shared this quote from President Gordon B. Hinckley today and it made my heart ache and my eyes fill with tears. He said, "You have nothing in this world more precious than your children. When you grow old, when your hair turns white and your body grows weary, when you are prone to sit in a rocker and meditate on the things of your life, nothing will be so important as the question of how your children have turned out...Do not trade your birthright as a mother for some bauble of passing value...The baby you hold in your arms will grow quickly as the sunrise and the sunset of the rushing days."<br />
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I guess the point of all of this was for me to get this out in the open. I needed to see the things that I do in order to correct them. I realize that I put up mental barriers that prevent me from being a better friend. Like thinking that someone works & wouldn't have time, or that someone's kids are older than mine so they wouldn't want to hang out. Even if that's the case, an invitation is always appreciated, right? Here's to being a better friend. I've been working on it, but there's always room for improvement! I hope I'm not the only one who has felt this way. Please let me know if you've found a way to remedy the bad friend syndrome!Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05837471695832312138noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2306270452043471330.post-89227377652062782972013-01-28T14:20:00.000-08:002013-01-28T14:20:37.549-08:00Ada-isms"I wanna make a bungo couch." - referring to when we push the ottoman up against the couch and call it jumbo couch.<br />
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While listening to music in the car, she always asks what the name of the song is and who is singing it. Last night it was Taylor Swift's, "You Belong With Me." She listened to the song a minute then said, "Mommy, I just belong to you." I was fighting tears back so I could keep driving!<br />
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Handing me a paper shaped like an oval, "It's a Bolbo. Just like our car." (We have a Volvo.)<br />
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Putting laundry into the dryer and Ada's helping me. While wearing her Google hat. I say, "Put it in soup boy!" She says, "I'm not a soup boy!" - pause - "Yes, I'm a scoop boy. Cuz I got my hat. I'm a scoop boy all day long."<br />
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"Is that Heavenly Father?" - Ada while watching Lebron James speak. (Maybe she knows something we don't?!)<br />
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Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05837471695832312138noreply@blogger.com0