The Things My Heart Decides

I'm not a runner.  Well, I wasn't a runner.  Okay, that's not entirely true either.  I ran in high school, but mostly because anyone (everyone) could join the track team.  No embarrassing, possible esteem- crushing try-out required.  So, I ran.  Then, I ran a little in college.  Only because I was too miserly to throw money into a gym pass.  But once graduation came - the running left.

Then, I got married.  And G Mac wanted to run.  So, we started running in the morning.  And I got injured.  "Self-inflicted whiplash" is what the MD termed it.  Seriously?  Terribly true.  Inflicted while trying to dodge an early morning sprinkler that got the best of me.  Hence, running left again.  But this time, it left for a LONG time.

In fact, I started talking like I'd never run in my life ... "I'm not a runner," I'd say.  Don't get me wrong, I had great admiration for runners, marathoners, 5Kers ... and the like.  But, for me, it became an eye-rolling, never-in-my-life-would-I-do-that-to-my-body type of activity.  I'd rather elliptical or spin my body into submission.  Or even walk ... but run?  Nah.

So, imagine my almost disgust, when two plus months ago, I'm driving along the freeway, singing to the radio, casually viewing the varied billboards and of a sudden my heart does a double-flip, my stomach fills with a thousand butterflies and my mind takes on a strange, but sweet sense of anticipation.   I try to shake it off, visibly shaking my head and inwardly screaming, "Are you crazy?"  But the feeling comes stampeding back when I look again to see the giant ad picturing a silhouetted runner against a sunlit mountain range.  And along the bottom ran the words in white -  Utah Valley Marathon.

I'm pretty good at dismissing thoughts and feelings that my mind deems partially insane.  And I followed suit with this odd experience.  I didn't even tell my husband - which, if you know me, that's truly saying something (I tell the poor guy everything)!  But the blasted feelings would randomly resurface.  Especially when G Mac started training for a triathlon sprint.  Though, he did most of his training during his lunch hour, I could see and sense the change in his demeanor and those nasty butterflies would come back (yes, I realize that most of those intestinal flutterings were of the I-love-this-guy variety - but my mind was fairly certain the a portion could be attributed to the not so welcome you-need-to-run-again kind).

What totally did me in though was when I surfed over to a friend's blog and the recent post was titled, "Considering a Half."  It took me half a second to decide to call her.  When I did,  I told myself that I was just going to ask her about it.  But when I said, "Are you really thinking about running another half?"  She said, "Yes!  Do you want to run it with me."  Sheesh ... hook, line and sinker ... I committed.  To be truthful, I knew that my heart had already committed itself that day on the freeway (note that I seemingly have no control over what my heart sometimes decides on its own - that's only happened one other time - insert smiley face).

We started training this week.  The first day I thought I would DIE.  I put on a brave face (I think).  But inside, I was saying "What am I doing ... and why in the world am I doing it?"  Luckily, I have a pretty strong heart and an incredibly vivid memory.  So, the minute those questions flew to mind, I could see the billboard again.  And, surprise of surprises - it feels great!  I mean really great.  So now I guess I'm a runner.  And the littles think I'm awesome (how's that for a great, but unexpected byproduct of my heart's executive decision)!!

Just so you know, I'm really not crazy - so, obviously I'm starting with a half.  But someday, I plan to be that silhouetted runner in the Utah Valley Marathon.  I wonder what my heart will think of then.

Over the [Big] Top - B's Birthday Celebrations

Umm, yeah, this is only a MONTH in the making!!  So sorry for the delay, but anticipate no longer!!!  Here's to B's Birthday!!

 Happy THIRD Birthday B!!

I can hardly believe that my little B is three!  To be completely honest, I feel like she should be 4 or 5 with how long she has been talking, wearing big-girl undies, and sleeping in a [semi] big-girl bed! 

Now most of you who know me, know that I got my enthusiasm for birthdays from my mom! [love her] ... BUT where I got my overwhelming need to completely redecorate the house for the celebrations remains a mystery ...

We (the littles) decided on a CIRCUS theme for the birthday - so I began the hunt for items to turn my living room into a Big Top!  At Xpedex [heart that store] I found red and white rolls of plastic (granted, it is typically used for tables, but would be perfect to create a red/white tent!) 

Next, was a given ... balloons!  I don't think we've ever had a birthday without a trip to Roberts for their helium balloons, but given the height of the intended guests, we opted for blowing them up ourselves!  G Mac and I had major de-oxygenated headaches!!  I even thought ahead, and bought a hand-held balloon blower-upper, but it can still get super tiresome when you're talking about more than 100 balloons!

Next, a slide!  I had G Mac "clean" off the little tykes from the backyard and bring it in - and given the age group - it was the perfect addition!!  

And here is the result ... PRE-guests!

Like I said, a little OVER the top!  But the littles thought it was awesome!!  See the poses below!

This brings me to the party favors ...

*Red clown noses*  *Star-shaped glasses*  *crazy-colored clown ties*!!!!

For the snacks ... POPCORN [of course] and Red Vines

Now the cake ... I remember my mom laboring for what seemed like ALL DAY  to make super elaborate cakes for our birthdays ... again, I inherited the DESIRE, but not the patience, and definitely not the talent ... so here is what I ended up with ...

 

...though he's not one of my mom's [nor one of my best] I'm kind of in love with the little guy!!!

Aside from the normal festivities [cake, presents, singing, etc] the day also included ...

This cutest clown game from Zurchers.   Perfect for the young'uns because they don't have to wear that pesky mask that comes with the "Pin the ... " games.

Walking the "tight" rope!  We even got one of the moms to try!!  Excellent.

 

We actually started everything off with a balloon fight [of course] and the slide was an obvious hit!!

Then we showed a Little People circus video!! 

I also included a circus coloring page to calm things down a bit before the cake [note to self: not everyone is able to wait for the cake - LOL].  All in all - SO FUN - even had time to chat with adorable friend Kelly [don't you love her scarf ... and boots ... and purse - so stylish, that girl!!!]

And - no surprise - G Mac got in on the fun - While we waited for parents to come get the kiddies, he started DOG-PILING!  [love that man] - [he also made the most awesome circus-birthday-party-themed compilation of songs on CD - VERY cool - anybody want a copy??]

 

 And after all is said and done ...

 

Baby G FINALLY gets to play in the balloons after the guests had gone safely home and Granny could keep a close eye on him.

Lots of work - but soooo worth it ... and then I had a HUGE nap ... whew!!!