I think I figured it out

Lesson learned, don't mess with a good thing. I was hapy with my blog...I just wanted a small change (the font colors). I ended it messing my whole blog up. Now I have it somewhat fixed. At least it doesn't look absolutely ridiculous anymore. So get ready for a bunch of new posts.

HELP

I was trying to update my blog, since it has been months and months. Blogspot.com must have updated the settings and I have no idea how to edit the colors on my blog. I lost my blog list (friends and family's links). I am trying to remain calm but if any of you could tell me how to change the colors that would be great. Also, I need your blog web addresses again.

Once I am happy with my blog again I will update it. Please help me.

BAM Run 5K

My family is putting together a 5K run in Farr West on May 22, 2010. The purpose of this race is to raise money for Aaron Greer's daughters. Please visit http://www.bamrun.blogspot.com/ for more information. Aaron passed away suddenly in February leaving three beautiful young girls without a father. I would love if my friends, family, and in-laws would participate in this race.

We are also looking for sponsers to cover the cost of the race. If you own a business or know somebody that does and would like an easy way to get your name out there, please donate to the race. We are hoping that all of the money from the runners will go to the Greer family and that our sponsers will cover the costs of shirts, water, fruit, rewards, timing devices, and the rental of the sound system. If you are unable to donate money and would still like to help, prizes would be greatly appreciated. We are also in need of volunteers.

Aaron had a cheerful attitude. He loved being a father and a husband. He owned a Heating/Air Conditioning Business and Darwin, Travis, and Darrin all worked for him. We are hoping that we can honor Aaron through this race and help out his family and relieve some of the financial burden they may have.

Thank you for your consideration. I hope to see you at the race!!!!

SICK

Jensyn is sick. With what? Who knows. She has a high fever, a nasty sounding cough, throwing up (which makes me want to throw up), a rash that comes and goes, and her body hurts. I feel bad for her. No one likes being sick, but I think it is always worse for little kids. She has been pretty happy despite all she is going through. I took her to After Hours on Thursday. When I was checking her in and told them she had a temperature of 104 degrees the process stopped. A nurse had to look at her to make sure Jensyn wasn't lathargic. (When she was a baby she had a temperature of 105 degrees. Darwin and I took her to the same After Hours and they wouldn't see her because they said she could start having seizures and sent us to the ER. That made us nervous. The ER doctor really bothered me. He said her high temperature could or couldn't be an ear infection and he had us alternate fever reducing medicine. Oh, OK thanks. A few weeks later we recieved a $600 bill for the bit of information. I was NOT happy.) Anyway, the nurse said she was not lathargic and they would see her, good. I did not want to go to the ER again. She was tested for Strep-negative, The Flu-negative, a urinary tract infection-negative, another nurse took a vile of Jensyn's blood-her blood looked fine. Hmmm, probably a virus. We were told to rotate Tylonel and Mortin every three hours to keep Jensyn's fever down. (I wonder how much that information is going to cost me?!?!?)


Here is Jensyn this morning watching Bob the Builder. I am grateful for the Sprout channel, which plays preschool age shows all day long. It has been good here because Jensyn is awake at weird hours. She is very cuddly when she is sick. She hasn't hardly eaten anything since Wednesday which really makes me nervous because she is already so tiny (26 pounds) and she throws up often. I'm grateful for sippy cups, so Jensyn can be in bed and have something to drink. I am grateful for my mom. Whenever I was sick growing up my mom took really good care of me. She even gave me a little bell by the bed so if I needed her I could ring the bell and she would come. Anyway, I think this helps me be much more patient with Jensyn and super nice. She doesn't have a little bell though (our house is small so it is not necessary and I really haven't left her side in case she throws up I want it to go in a bowl and not all over the bedding).



Hurley is happy as always. I love Hurley so much. He is so funny. He keeps bringing Jensyn her toys even though she has told him over and over that she doesn't want them right now. Last night he kept poking her. Jensyn would tell him to stop and he would laugh and poke her again. Yesterday he wore three shirts that he picked out. Then he wanted his snow boots on. What a silly boy. To top off his outfit he put the THROW UP bowl on his head like a hat. Oh, if he only knew how gross that was. I took a few pictures and then took his "hat" away.

I think Hurley wants to be busier than we are. We have been sitting around the house for a few days. Jensyn has always been a home body (like me) and Hurley likes to go, go, go (like Darwin). I wish that it was warmer than it is so he could go outside and play.

We are ready for Spring and ready to be HEALTHY!

Grandpa's Hair

On Sunday night we were at my parents' house. Jensyn looked at my dad and asked me, "Why does Grandpa not have enough hair?"

I laughed and told Darrin to listen to her. Then I said, "What did you say?" And Jensyn said, "Why does Grandpa have a hole in his hair?" I laughed. I made her ask Grandpa and he told her, "I grew too tall." She seemed satisfied with that response and then he added, "All of my hair fell of my head and went to my chest." Oh that's better.

So BIG!

I can't believe how fast time goes by and how quickly kids grow. This picture was taken when Hurley was 12 days old. Jensyn thought it was great to "hold" him.


This picture was taken yesterday. Can you believe how big Jensyn and Hurley are? He loves to ride in the stroller and she loves to push him. I think it worked better when he was smaller. Now he is too big for the stroller but doesn't care.

I love being Jensyn and Hurley's mom. They make me smile everyday!

Painter's Half Marathon 2010

My mom and I ran the Painter's Half Marathon this morning. I always love the way I feel after I finish a race. Exercise really is wonderful for my happiness. I did not prepare properly for this race and I paid the price during the race and now. The last time I ran was on Thanksgiving. I do have reasons for this....I do not enjoy running on a Treadmill for long distances and I don't like to be outside when it is cold. Lame excuses, I know.

When the race started I felt heavy. It was like my feet were ferrous and the earth was magnetic. This lasted until almost Mile 3. Then there was an aid station and that gave me a boost of motivation. I drank Gatorade and that helped me (during the TOU Half I only drank water and after I felt so light headed and dizzy afterward). From Mile 3 to Mile 5 we ran on a trail by a muddy river and behind some enourmous homes (which kept my mind off the race). Then up some hills (and I sang my heart out during that time).

A lot of this race was on trails and there were a lot of ups and downs. I felt like I hit a wall around Mile 8. I could not take a deep breath. My chest and lungs hurt so bad. Then my hips and knees hurt. My mom was about a block ahead of me. She looked back to see how I was doing. She started walking backwards. I looked at her face and ran to her. When I got to her I asked her to stay with me. I did start to cry (just a little). She told me to take some deep breaths.

Darwin and the kids were at Mile 11 and that was such a welcoming sight. I got a boost of energy. It is nice to have support. My mom and I mostly walked the rest of the way (because of me). I feel bad that ruined her time. I don't know what I would have done if she wasn't with me though. I wanted to quit.

My mom and I right before the race started. My mom was fantastic. Everyone needs a mom like mine. It was rainy and kind of chilly. I was always a comfortable temperature because of the clothes I wore.

Me and Jensyn at Mile 11. That was wonderful. I am grateful for Darwin and my kids and how positive they are.



FINISHED. As soon as we crossed the finish line the volunteers wrapped us in the blankets. It sure kept us warm. Jensyn ran the last stretch with us and we all held hands across the finish line. Jensyn even got a medal (thanks to Grandma Nancy).

Getting ready to finish.

I think there are a lot of things that make running for me enjoyable. There are some very specific things that I am especially grateful for during this race.

#1 My iPod Suffle. It is the perfect size and I love to sing out

loud when my favorite songs are on.

#2 Ibprofen. I don't always use pain medicine but I sure am grateful for it today.

My bones were hurting.

#3 Taylor Swift. I love all of her songs and will press replay on my iPod. I always feel good when I am listening to and singing out loud to Taylor Swift.

#4 Gatorade. I normally don't drink Gatorade while I am training but it sure made a difference in the way that I felt when the race was over. My body hurt but I did not feel sick and dizzy.

#5 Hot Tubs. The hotel we are staying at has a nice hot tub and heated outdoor pool. It sure felt good to relax in the hot tub after the run. I am pretty sure that after every race the participants deserve to stay in a nice hotel and relax.

My next half is in May. I encourage everyone to run a race! It is not always fun but it sure feels like a great accomplishment. (And if I can do it, I am pretty sure you can too.)

Happy Birthday Darwin

Darwin and Jensyn

Hurley and Darwin


Today is Darwin's 27th Birthday. I really hope he enjoys his special day. I served him breakfast in bed (pancakes) and then I asked him to come to the table and eat where humans should. We are going to the Taco Carts for lunch. Then Grandma Nancy is taking the kids and they are sleeping over because we are going to the Jazz game-thanks Adele.

TOU Half Marathon

For the past four months I have been training to run the Top of Utah Half Marathon (13.1 miles). I'm not a natural runner by any means. When I first started my "training" I could not run one mile without stopping. Darwin ran with me (pushing the kids in a stroller) some days. We would go to FHS and I would "run" laps while Jensyn rode her bike and Darwin pushed Hurley in his stroller. It seemed like I would never be able to accomplish 13.1 miles. I had a hard time going around the track more than twice. But with persistance, time, and a lot of encouragment from Darwin, Jason, my mom, and Trav I did it.

I ran 13.1 miles on Saturday, August 29, 2009. It was hard but totally worth it. The race started at 7:20 am. I fell asleep at 1:40ish am. I was so excited that I could not fall asleep. It felt like the night before school starting or Christmas. At 4:45 am I woke up and said to Jason (I slept at his house and he was coming to wake me up) "It's racing day!" Jason, me, my parents, and Travis set off to catch one of the many buses to the starting line.

My goal was to finish in two hours and ten minutes. That would be 10 minute miles. My actual time was 2:16. Which means my average mile was 10:38. I felt really great the first 6 miles. Miles 7-9 flew by (not fast by any means) I was really starting to enjoy myself and I knew that I was going to finish. Then I hit mile 10.5 and SSSSSSSSSSLLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWEEEEEEEEEEDDDDDDDDDD down. I walked a lot of that mile. Jason said that he would come back and get me. When I saw him at mile 11.5 I started waving and I was so happy to see him. I took off running towards him. I was so happy. He told me that Darwin and the kids were at the finish line and my eyes filled with tears. I was running too fast and had to slow down. I made Jason talk the whole time. It really helped keep my mind off the PAIN I was feeling.

Then I saw the finish line and Jason said, "You either have to smile or sprint." I chose to smile. That was easy. I told Jason not to leave me. When I was almost to the finish line I sprinted past four women (I don't know where that burst of energy came from).

I was thinking how great Jason is. He is one of the best brothers in the whole world. (I am a very lucky girl to be right in the middle of 4 wonderful boys.) Then I thought, "All of us have a wonderful brother. Jesus Christ is a brother to all of us. And just like Jason came back to get me, to make sure I finished and succeeded so does Christ. He wants all of us to succeed and He has made it possible for all of us to return to our Heavenly Father."

This is my cute mom finishing. (She is in the pink skirt.) Her time was 2:30.



This is me-yes I know I look like death-I felt like death. My legs hurt so bad. I'm glad Jason was right there cause my legs turned to jelly. My time was 2:16.



This is my happy dad. He is amazing. He started running in June so he could do a 5K. His time was 2 hours.



Part of my fan club. Cute Hurley. Poor Jensyn, her head is missing in this picture. And flowers from Darwin.



My biggest supporter, Darwin. He helped me so much. he would bring me water on my long runs and if it was dark when I was running he would either come with me or follow behind me in the car. I love you.



The McKellars (even though I'm a Parker). Jason, Dad, Mom, Jen, and Travis.
Jason finished in 1:25 and Travis finished in 1:27. How amazing huh? That is 6:30 miles!

What a wonderful day. I'm looking forward to the next one.

Jensyn's three!

Jensyn turned 3 last week. We had a very fun day celebrating. (Actually we have been celebrating all month but I will just talk about her actual birthday.) Darwin and I asked her what she wanted to do on her birthday (we were thinking Lagoon, movie, bowling, etc.) she wanted to go to school lunch (free) and to her Grandma Nancy's house (also free). She is such an easy girl to please.

The morning of her birthday she woke up at 5:30-she never does that, I think she was just too excited. The night before she asked me, "Mom, where are going to get my birthday?" I tried explaining that we don't pick up a birthday it just starts. I can't believe she woke up that early. Darwin set her up to watch cartoons and I made cupcakes and did some laundry. We woke up Hurley around 7:30 and got ready to go the breakfast at the school (also free). Jensyn then said to me, "I don't want my birthday to come today but it can come tomorrow." Hmm, I wonder what she thinks her birthday is! After that Hurley had a doctor's appointment but was happy to be going somewhere. Then we finally got to Grandma Nancy's!!! Now the party could really start. All of Jensyn's cousins on the McKellar side were there. It was a fun day. We played in the backyard, went to lunch, and then we went swimming at my mom's neighbor's pool (which was perfect). Darwin met up with us after work and we swam some more.

Both of the kids fell asleep on the way home. Jensyn had been asking if her cute friend Lyndee could come over to watch a movie. I asked Lyndee's mom and we were all set until i had a sleeping three year old. Now what? Finally around 8:00 Jensyn woke up from her nap. Lyndee came over and Darwin took them to get snowcones.

It was a great day. I love Jensyn so much. She is very smart. She has been potty trained for a year. She talks really well. She is a great big help with Hurley (when she wants to be). She loves the color blue and the movie Cars. She is spunky and small. She loves to go running with me she even stretches on her own before we go and that cracks me up everytime. Happy Birthday my sweet Jensyn. I hope you loved your special day!