Amy's 2 cents

Super Fun Fall Saturday Night!

2011-10-17T16:14:00.000-07:00

We've had the major task looming over us to clear out the garden area in the back yard to get it ready for a REAL garden next spring. Its been the dumping ground for yard clippings, fall leaves, and chopped down trees for years at Shaun's house. On Saturday the weather was phenomenal! In fact, I dare say it was the best weather of all time in the State of Utah that day. BEAUTIFUL! We took the kids to Chubbys to have a cheeseburger, and then came home to clear the garden! We did it in a jiffy with everyone working together. Afterwards, I took the girls to Hula class and came back to Kai and Shaun using axes and saws chopping down trees! They were both in hog heaven. We decided to have a little fire pit to burn some of the massive pile of leaves that we had and some of the dead wood that night. It turned out to be one of the funnest nights we've had!

Camping in the backyard!

The girls were SO sophisticated at our campfire with their fancy fans

Skip the hot dogs...Went right for the marshmallows!

Awe! How Sweet:)

Why use a stick when you can use a 6 hot dog cooker thinger

Sheez I Love this girl!

Shaun and his impression of Tom Hanks in Castaway ....FIRE!!

Give me a kiss Kaibo!

And even more yummy sugar!

To quote Kai..."Shaun is connecting with the spirits"

It was only a matter of time before the shirts came off...crazy boys!
Kai was on LEAF DUTY, which meant that he had to add a hand full of leaves from the pile to the fire every so often so that we could start burning through the HUGE pile that we made.
Shaun had to finally say, lay off of Leaf duty for a minute Kaibo...we're smoking out the neighborhood!

Shaun's version of "Put another log on the fire"

And another...

Kai and Shaun SO proud of their fire and their awesome work of chopping trees down

LULU! You are so crazy cute!

Lucy bailed on the fire to jump on the tramp

Time to put out the fire...Kai is pretty worried about the amount smoke billowing over the fence and into the neighborhood...It was a flippin miracle that we didn't get the fire dept called with the amount of smoke that was looming across the street. Woopsie!
What a fun night of fire, Shaun and Lulu Hula dancing around the fire, eating amazing hot dogs,
my kids making me smores left and right.
And just enjoying being together:)

I feel brainwashed!

2011-03-06T23:03:00.000-08:00

If you know anything about my girls and I...we LOVE a good musical. Mama Mia...Hairspray...my latest fave Burlesque. Somewhere in my deep dark desires...I think I should have been a singer dancer performer gal...but I got jipped on the singer part...oh and the dancer part too. Bummer!

Oh well... So Shaun knows this about me and the girls and although he may not admit it openly, (that's my job to out him on my blog!) he quite enjoys a good musical as well:) Hairspray is playing at the Hale Center Theater and Shaun got us hooked up with some tickets! What a guy:)

We'd been looking forward to this for a while and the girls couldnt WAIT! We'd been listening to the music in the car for the whole past week to get ready...ya know, in case they needed us to join in the singing and stuff:) We all went on Saturday and holy cow it was good. I was very surprised at the quality of voices and how much they can do on that little stage. My girls were singing along and loving it. Lucy was commentating at every little difference betweeen the play and the movie. She loved Penny the best.

When it came to the final song..."You cant stop the beat" I could barely contain myself. It took everything inside me to not start belting out the words singing along and stand up and dance like a crazy woman!
The girls of course loved it beyond belief, Kai...questionable. So on the way home Shaun asked, "So Kai, how did you like it?"
In a pretty somber monotone way only Kai can say, he replys.... "I feel brainwashed"

I had to laugh! What a character that boy is! I guess I need to take him to more mentally stimulating events to counteract the girls and I and our flamboyant taste in entertainment! And that's why I love Kai so much!

50 Miles? Are you Serious?

2011-02-06T22:31:00.000-08:00

I'm training for the Squaw Peak 50 miler in June and the training is coming along slowly but surely. I just wish I could get up on the trails and get my climbing legs built. I've spent a bunch of time on the stair climber, but it just isnt the same. I did have a great run up on a trail in the snow which was strait up and strait down...that felt great to get out off the dreadmill! That was only 9 miles...so 41 to go? Oh boy oh boy! I've got some work to do.

I can't believe that I'm going to attempt this...it seem so much bigger than me. But I'm confident I can finish. Just how long its going to take me will be the big question. When I've been at the finish line in the past, Ive been there and watched all the folks coming in around 10-12 hours...I will be more in the mid teens range! YOWZERZ! I've asked my die hard buddy Brandi to pace me the last bit. She has that crazy do or die attitude that no matter if her leg is chopped off, or mine for that matter, she'd get me to the finish line. Come to think about it...why isn't SHE doing this race?

I've got a great race line up to get me ready for this one. I've got a 18 or so mile trail race on Antelope Island in March, as well as a half marathon in Moab sometime around there too. Then in May the Timp Trail Marathon, which is 2 weeks prior and will be a GREAT indication of how I will be on Squaw Peak.

Can't wait to feel ready and have it here. Just need to get those miles logged weekly! NO EXCUSES!

St George Weekend

2011-02-06T22:11:00.000-08:00

Since Shaun is in full blown "training mode" for the St George Ironman, we've been making a few little trips down to St George to get him on the course to train. We brought the kiddos this last time and you would have thought that we took them to Disneyland with how much they loved it.

I drove down seperately from Shaun with the kiddos in the car...they were PERFECT little angels the whole way down. I got them a happy meal...put on a movie...and all was well!

Even though it was January, it got up to 65 degrees and was beautiful! Shaun got up Saturday morning and I drove him to the starting line of the Painters Half marathon... Which was my first half marathon 4 dang years ago! I wish that I had registered and ran it since the weather was just perfect it seemed. I did have a raging case of race envy that day, but got over it:) Shaun did great of course.. came in about 10-15 minutes before he told me he would so me and Lulu missed him at the finish line.

The rest of the trip consisted of a few dips in the cold but refreshing swimming pool and some outdoor adventures! Shaun wanted to take the kids on a hike so we headed up Snow Canyon...We were directed to some Lava Tubes...so we started our hike... but since we were with Shaun, it ended up a trail run which the kids LOVED! The views were amazing and it was a beautiful sunny St George Day...was SO happy to get out of the freezing cold for a moment to thaw out.

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-31T21:13:00.000-07:00

I was so happy to have the kids this Halloween and was bound and determined to make it a good one. Friday we decided to take the kids to Shaun's wards Trunk or Treat. They had dinner starting at 6:30 and then the Trunk or Treat started at 8. So I decided to make dinner at home and then we'd head over right at 8. We got all ready and headed over...we pull in and notice cars pulling out. We headed to the trunkers and then really noticed that everyone was really leaving! We saw one group of people sitting on their trunk so we walked to them dodging the cars that were pulling out...got a piece of candy...and that was pretty much it! Needless to say my kids were not too happy. Kai and Lucy got over it pretty quick...but Zoe?...this picture says it all...

We packed up everyone back in the car and headed back to Shaun's. I said, "how bout we have you trick or treat to Shaun's house" just trying to make it up to them for the lame trunk or treat experience. I pulled over the car 2 doors down and said jump out and wait until you see us go into Shaun's house so we can get ready and then come to the door to trick or treat.
So everyone jumped out of the car...and Zoe b-lined it to the door of the house that I dropped them off in front of! I started panicking saying No No! Don't go to their house (since it wasn't actually Halloween). Shaun was laughing and said, Don't say anything...just let her go to the door! HA!
I guess Zoe was a little confused about what we were trying to do.
So...we drove down to Shaun's ran in and were ready...
Then here they came...

Zoe eventually got happy and we had a great night on the ACTUAL Halloween night. Boy oh Boy they looked so cute!

Nike Women's Marathon Recap

2010-10-30T12:29:00.000-07:00

I wish SO bad that I was able to blog along the way of my race....it would for sure be more insightful than blogging about it 2 weeks later. I had the RACE OF MY LIFE that day. Even though it comparably wasn't the fastest of marathons...it was perfect for me. So here it goes...

We started the morning by heading down a couple of blocks to Union Square in San Fran..I've done this race before so I knew just how crowded it was going to be. I told Nicholle and Cody where to meet us which is where two years before I met up with Mandy and Brandie...about a block back from the starting line. It was warmer than I had anticipated. I was SO excited for this race to start. My first time around the block I remember being nervous and not knowing what to expect. This time, I already had decided I was going to have a great race and just ENJOY! No worries along the way was my outlook going into this race. I did have a goal of finishing under 4:20...but it wasn't set in stone. I had no idea what was reality for me to do since all of my long runs were on trail and gave me NO indication of what I could really do on a road. I felt very trained based on distance...but unsure of my speed. So the plan was, just go with what feels right.

Kristin, Shaun and I met up with Cody and Nicholle and waited for only about 20 minutes before the race started. I got VERY excited and all pumped up when I heard Joan Benoit come over the loud speaker...she is VERY inspirational to me. For those that don't know, the first year women were allowed to run a marathon in the olympics was 1984...and she brought home the gold for the Americans. A HUGE moment in Olympic history...and she paved the way for women's marathons. Anyway, sorry about the side note...Youtube her olympic finish...you wont be disapointed. She gave some great words of encouragement and it got me even more excited. The music was pumpin and it was a total party! Then the gun went off...it only took us about 4 minutes to get to the starting line. But then to find out later from Shaun, it took about 30 minutes to get all 25,000 women accross the starting line! SHEEZ!

So this isn't a marathon that lots of FAST people come and do. Dont get me wrong, there are some very fast ladies, but it isn't the majority of the participants. AND the ladies that do this aren't necessarily race savy. Meaning...the slow slow ladies were right at the start of the starting line...so when the gun went off we were weaving our way through masses of people that should have been further back, and yes...there were walkers right at the start of the starting line. REALLY LADIES!?

I was so excited to be at this race with my friends Nicholle and Kristin. It was both of their firsts...Nicholle's first marathon and Kristin's first half. I was just so excited for them to finish this awesome milestone and that I got to be here with them.

As I got going, the miles seemed to be moving along quickly. I was keeping a close eye on my Garmin to make sure that I was staying below my goal time, but not pushing it too hard. I had some great tunes and felt pretty amazing. I was nervous that some pain was going to set in later so I was cautious. I hit the BIG ole hills and ran up every one...no walking was my goal. It's pretty evident that I SUCK up hills, although I was running, I was getting passed and passed and passed up those things! I didn't really care too much because I knew I could pass em all down hill...and I did! Just sayin:)

I decided that I was going to smile and enjoy this race...every step of the way. When it started to feel hard, I would smile and just feed off of the energy of the spectators. It worked better than I had expected. There were big sections of spectators that were cheering along the way, I would have LOVED to see someone I knew there, but knew that Shaun and Cody were most likely going to just be at the finish line. So I decided to pretend they were in the crowd and that made me happy enough. I was so so excited to see them eventually...having someone cheer you on just makes all the difference in the world...well I think at least.
I got to start thinking of how very lucky I was to be able to run and feel this great. I felt SO blessed and got very spiritual and said a few prayers of gratitude. What a feeling! I made a couple of friend along the way, we talked about our outfits and where we got em...and stuff like that. HaHa!

Early on...around mile 5 the 4:05 pacer caught up to me. She had a little crowd with her and was running at my pace so I just decided to hang. I spent nearly the whole race with her in view, either a little ahead or behind. It was seriously messing with my head....I kept thinking...I am NOT a 4:05er! I am a 4:44er! I was so elated beyond all belief that I was actually keeping that pace and feel so great. But I still had about 10 miles left and didnt know how those would be. I got teary eyed even, thinkin, "I am actually doing it! I cant believe I am running with the 4:05 pacer for this long!" I knew that she was a little behind and would be kicking it in gear in the end. The pace that we were running was actually more of 4:11 pace..but still! I was doing it!

I ran out of Golden Gate park and onto the Great Highway, and thats right where I saw Shaun and Cody...YAY! It was like heaven seeing Shaun there! All I could think of saying was telling him what pace I was running and when to expect to see me at the finish. So I yelled...4:15!!! 4:15!!!! He kindof laughed and gave me the keep going motion with his hand...

Immediately I thought...CRAP! Why did I tell him that! Now I have to do it! What if I cant do it! Oh CRAP! I let it bug me for a couple miles...and then I realized that I still was doing it and if anything it pushed me to keep my new goal. Then the run around the dreaded lake...it was never ending I swear. But the chocolate mile with some Ghiradelli chocolate was a nice reward. Once I got back onto the Great Hwy...I knew it was almost over. Only a few more miles...this is where pain started setting in. It was SO hard to keep going those last two miles. I could see the finish line clear down the road and it didnt seem like it was coming any closer.

Finally! I hit 26 miles...just .2 left! I saw Shaun and Cody...gave em a thumbs up and then I ran through the finish line at 4:15:30!!!

Now...this race...the BEST! Once you come through the finish line you are handed your little blue box with your Tiffany's necklace in it...by a handsome San Fran firefighter in a tuxedo...on a red carpet. Then they hand you a bag...a cute bag...then they just start chucking it full of food and drinks and chapstick and your finishers shirt and more treats and bars and water bottle and swag swag swag. For what you pay for this race...you get your money's worth! The support along the way is awesome too! There were sections that just had crowds and crowds of volunteers, the aid stations were awesome and every volunteer treated you like you were amazing! I have never done a race quite like this before...and I have to say it is one of my most favorite races.

After I got loaded up, I went strait to the bathroom...which was my one and only pee stop that morning. I did a marathon with no potty breaks?! Who am I? Not typical for me at all. I loved it! After a stop at the pot, I headed down to meet up with Shaun and Cody to watch Nicholle come in. As we were standing there, I said, "I LOVE marathons. I want to do that again!". Shaun said, You still have some runners high going on:). We were looking for Nicholle, and I thought I saw her a couple of times, but then as the person got closer it was an Asian lady...both times! Which was very ironic and funny considering a previous statement that Nicholle had made the night before. I finally got it right and spotted her. She looked mad at first, but then when she saw us she got happy. The first words out of her mouth were, "I want to blow my FREAKING LEGS OFF!" I know that feeling all too well! She did awesome and I am SO proud of her!

We met her at the finish line and SLOWLEY made our way over to get Kristin who was shivering to death at a gastation since she had finished a couple of hours before us. She was all seized up and frozen solid. She did awesome too. It was perfect running weather...a little rainy, misty, and cool...but it was crappy spectator weather. I am so thankful for Shaun...he was a great spectator and supporter that day and actually on the whole trip.

All in all I could not have asked for a better race or felt any better. It was simply awesome! Now...my next goal...Marathon under 4:00. I know I can do it now! I am no longer a 4:44er!

St George Weekend/Marathon

2010-10-04T20:32:00.000-07:00

We had a great little jaunt down to St George this past weekend to go support Shaun running the St George marathon. First of all...if you ever want to go down to St George...rental houses are the way to go! We got the sweetest house for as much as a hotel room. Pedro and Carol came down with us and shared the house. This house had the coziest bed I've ever slept in! It is for sure in the top 1 in regards to the comfiest bed ever! Not to mention the pillows! Oh heavenly! I stripped down the pillow cases to even check out the brand but stupidly forgot to write down the brand. Oh well...

Anyhow... the kids were in immediate heaven when we pulled up. There was a killer tramp and playground in the back yard. It made it such a great weekend for the kiddos to play and not get "bored" like they would be in a hotel room.

We went to packet pickup...and to be honest...I was SO sad that I wasn't running. I still feel that way actually. I wish I would have registered! I am the WORST at having race envy. I've just learned that I better register and do it so I don't feel jealous of those running. The expo was pretty awesome...got myself a great running racer back tank...Black of course! I really need to branch out.

The next morning the boys headed out super early... this is the point where I have NO race envy:) Carol and I headed to the finish line, while the kids were already asking for snow cones at 9:30 in the morning. We got a pretty good seat right at the finish line in the bleachers which I was happy for since I was worried about Carol, she wasn't feeling very good with some morning sickness and nausea. It started getting HOT fast! And man oh man was it crowded. We watched some of the top runners come through...they make it look so easy! Shaun said he would be coming through at about 3:30...which I knew meant probably around 3:15 so we were ready and waiting. Then at 3:05...there he is! He always underestimates is races by a LONG shot and then kills it! I was so impressed and proud of him. I mean...3:05!! That is so freaking fast...about a 7 minute mile average. I can't even imagine being in the 3's let alone being so close to the 2's. Jealous!

I ran over to the exit of the athlete's corral thingy and gave him some great CONGRATS!!! He was drenched in sweat... it was really hot by this time. It was time for some snow cones! My kiddos deserved it...they were being so good and it was a dang heat wave.

Now time for Pedro...while we waited for him we watched some great finishes...and some very scary finishes. It was amazing to me how people would get 30 feet from the finish line and their legs would give out to the point they would fall right to the ground. Then they would try to get up...and nothing! They litterally couldnt get up...their legs were just not working. It is a true testament to the power of the mind. As soon as they would see the finishline and were almost there...they were DONE! Their mind carried them through until the finishline...or 30 feet before or after the finishline.
One girl in particular was hard to watch...she fell and couldnt get up. She was embarrassed and people were just yelling for her...saying "you can do it"! She just couldn't get up. Finally the national guard volunteers came running out and helped her up. Once they got her up...she still tried to use her legs and they were just dragging. That ended up being a pretty typical situation as the day went on.
We saw lots of our friends come through and got to cheer them on. Pedro came through at 4:35...which was fantastic for his first marathon! Nice job Pedro!
We got some more snow cones...and then headed home to Sandhollow. Oh what a beautiful lake! It is officially one of my favorite lakes...no I have never been to lake Powell:)

Shaun talked me into doing a little open water swim accross to the big island thing...it was SO refreshing and nice! The water was crystal clear and beautiful. My kids had a GREAT time exploring and rowing around our little raft. It was hillarious to watch them try to figure out how to manuver it around.
I dont have a life jacket for Kai so he had to use one of the girls pink barbie jacket. While Zoe was rowing him around, he said "Dont go on the other side of the rock, I don't want the teenagers over there to see me in this pink life jacket". HAHAHA! He was totally ok with us seeing him in the pink lifejacket...but by damn those teenagers better not see him!

All in all it was a great weekend of relaxing...watchin movies...eating good food...playing...and just enjoying life with the kids:)
We drove home to Shaun's house and was met with a hot yummy dinner from Ryan and Mercedes! What a treat! Now time to get my butt in race mode for my San Fran marathon in two weeks! SO excited and have goals in mind!

Amy...the Master Aesthetician!

2010-06-06T15:37:00.000-07:00

So...for many of my past posts I have gone on and on about being in school and how long it took me. Well the day finally arrived in April...and I graduated! I could barely believe it myself. I was able to complete 100% of all of my state boards and tests prior to completing my hours so that when I walked out that door...I was done! I passed my boards which seriously I had my doubts. They were more nerve racking than I had thought. I am SO relieved to be done and licensed. This is something that I have had on my "bucket list" for many years and to actually accomplish it...you have not idea how great it feels.

So yes...I am finally a Master Aesthetician! Now...to find a job!

Kaiizen Mexico Orphanage Trip

2010-04-25T10:44:00.000-07:00

I was so lucky to be able to go with a group... Kaiizen... to Mexico to visit an orphanage and play with the kids. This was an adventure for sure...first off never have been to Mexico except for a little 3 day cruise that was as Mexican as TacoBell.
We caravaned down...stopping outside of Vegas at Whiskey Pete's for a night to break up the 12 hour drive. Next morning we headed out for Ensanada Mexico. Now... before I begin...every person that I told about this trip prior to leaving made sure I knew that there was a chance that I could get beheaded by the drug cartel and they were targeting Americans. Just GREAT! I was pretty uptight about it...and ready to kick some drug lord ass if I got messed with. HAHA..ya right!

Anyway, I digress...

So we headed to the border and was told by Josh ...whom I will refer to as Shosh or Yosh depending on which Orphan was saying his name...to stay right behind the white van they were driving when they got pulled over at the border and then to just follow them into the city. And if we took a wrong turn it would take us to downtown TJ. Shaun was driving...and just as suspected...the van we were following got signalled to pull over to be inspected...Shaun didn't pull right behind them, but rather chose to just keep going and find our way on our own. I PANICKED!!! As soon as we crossed that border...I couldn't understand one traffic sign or street sign...Spanish everywhere...understandably of course, after all we now were in Mexico. I was very surprised at the major difference from one side of that fence to the other. Such poverty, filthy, trash everywhere, shacks instead of houses. It was pretty drastic so quickly. Shaun started asking me if I remembered which way we were told to go...I freaked out! Saying...we were told to stay behind the white van!! You're on your own now! He just laughed...I realized he was saying that to strike even more panic in me...luckily he knew which was we were supposed to go....after he acted like we were lost a few times more...just to see me have a breakdown.

We pulled into an Office Depot...yes..and Office Depot that was next to a Walmart...and Old Navy. Huh...who knew:) We waited for the van to meet up with us after they made it through the border...right then I realized that I had not gotten any cash. I was thinking that you could just find an ATM and pull come cash out...not quite that easy. The line to the ATM was HUGE...so we decided to just get it later. Which I will say I never was able to get to an ATM for then entire trip as there are pretty much NO ATMs in Mexico! No wonder the line was so long!

As we were waiting in the parking lot I was very jumpy and not sure what to expect thinking back to what everyone said about American getting kidnapped and beheaded...I saw Shaun look toward my window so I turned and a man holding a fistful of cell phone chargers was standing right at my window...I jumped and yelped a little bit. I think I scared the poor guy more than he scared me...he quickly walked away. Damn jumpy gringa!!

Another interesting thing was that as soon as we crossed that border...Shaun turned Mexican! Saying everything with a cool little Mexican accent and busting out his Spanish skills in which I'd never heard before to that extent. Very handy to say the least!

So we headed to drop our stuff off at the place we were staying...Shaun's time share. We pulled in to this beautiful resort, dropped our crap off and followed the rest of the crew to Yosh's (Josh) beach house. We pulled down this long very steep dirt road and headed to the house. It was pretty much right on the edge of the beach...very cool location!

The house was very humble and had no showering facilities...and no electricity. Guilt IMMEDIATELY set in considering our place was SO nice and accommodating compared to where all 11 of the other people were staying. We decided right away that we had extra room and needed to share. We got to have Rusty and Laura come to our place... SO happy that they did. They were so fun and it was so great to get to know them better. Laura is the cook for Telos and the cook for the Kaiizen trip...so she deserved some time at a nice time share...she'd payed her dues for sure!

Off to the orphanage!

We headed to the orphanage...when we pulled in the kids came running smiling yelling! They were so excited to see their amigos from America. They were amazing little kiddos! Just handing out hugs and loves left and right. A few of them came up to me and shook my hand and introduced themselves. They had a basketball court and play area that was pretty run down. Yosh took us on a tour...it was such a humble place. He showed us where the sewage would run from the toilets in the open air down to the septic tank. They have since had that covered up, but you still can not flush any toilet paper or it will back up the septic tank. It was a pretty eye opening experiencing to see how these little angels lived.

We had dinner at the orphanage that night which was a pretty yummy potato concoction, beans, and tortillas. We sat with the kids and I made a feeble attempt to talk to them and ask their names in the limited Spanish I knew. We then played the candy bar game...which I guess is pretty universal because these kids knew how to play it right away.

I started noticing some of the kids in particular. Silvia...an angel of a girl! She had a little limp which made it more difficult for her to walk. She had the best smile! I was so drawn to her as well as little Miriam and Johanna. The surprising thing was how I would ask how old they were and was shocked to find they were easily a couple of years older than how they looked. This little Johanna was 7! And she easily looked 4 or 5.

Shaun had decided before to put together a race for the kids. He brought extra bib numbers, and finishers medals. The orphanage directors were concerned about the kids running on on the road...which was dirt and had maybe 1 or 2 cars coming down in every hour:) So it took us a long long walk with all the kids to find the best route...we had to cross little streams that once were roads. Well actually thinking about it...they are still roads. I did see a few cars go through it. Finally we came to a field that we decided to just have them run laps. We got everyone's number pinned on them and they LOVED that. They looked so official!

We had the kids go in three different divisions. Older boys, Older girls, and then the little kids. It was AWESOME! Those boys took it so seriously...one boy in particular had his eye on first place and ran his heart out until he won the race! He wore that medal around along with his loot for first place forever. It was awesome to see the kids cheer each other on as they came across the finish line. They would chant each others names as they got closer to the finish line and get the whole crowd yelling...SIL-VI-A...SIL-VI-A...over and over again. Silvia was the little darling that had a hard time walking let alone running. She came across the finish line holding hands with one of her friends helping her along. She was ALL smiles!

Little Axel who was the littlest of all made it across the finish line holding hands as well...he LOVED it....especially his medal.

We also took them to the movie one of the nights. It was a big deal for the kids so they all got dressed up in their cutest clothes with their hair combed and all cleaned up.

We had a couple of the older boys ride with us...they were typical 15 year old boys...chatty and goofy as can be. We decided to take them to Clash of the Titans... we got them a CRAP LOAD of pop corn, drinks, candy, nachos, and whatever was in the concession stand pretty much. And may I say...the popcorn...was AWESOME! They had carmel popcorn at the movies! We gringos are getting jipped! So I was thinking the movie would be in English with Spanish subtitles...ya not so much. It was pure Spanish...not English subtitles. I sat next to Johanna and Miriam. They were puttin' down that popcorn like it was nothing. They were so sweet to keep offering me some. I didn't take any...but every few minutes they would tap on my arm and offer me more. Finally to make them feel better I dug in. YUMMY! There was a part in the movie that the dad, mom, and sister die in the water...I looked over and Johanna had huge crocodile tears in her eyes...we call em the blinkers in my house. She had a major case of the blinkers. She was trying to hide the fact that she was crying. It was sad...she just looked so heartbroken over it. Gave her a little squeeze and she was ok:) So as I'm watching this movie...since it was in Spanish I tried to figure out what it was all about. I had created a story line in my head and thought I was pretty right on...until a few weeks later I took my kids to see it and it was like seeing a whole new movie! It wasn't even CLOSE to the movie that I had thought I had seen. The story was totally different than what I thought was going on. Two movies in one is what I'd like to think:)

Along the trip...my keys got locked in the car...which let me tell you, these Mexicans do NOT know how to break into a car. They jacked the CRAP out of my car trying to get it open for us. They were SO nice and tried so hard...but finally we just called a lock smith and had him open it for us. He opened it and we went on our way to the orphanage...YAY! When we went to get back into the car at the orphanage, my key wouldn't unlock the car manually and my keyless remote stopped working a long time ago. We tried and tried and TRIED to get into the car with my key...no luck. So...the great guys at the orphanage called another local lock smith. This guy came rolling up on a motorcycle with a slicked back ponytail and seriously looked like a major bad ass. Actually... a major SCARY bad ass! I WISH I had a picture of this guy...it was awesome! He opened the car in a jiffy and said that the earlier guy was an idiot and pretty much disconnected the cable inside the door. So we couldn't lock the car for the rest of the trip...in MEXICO! Luckily it all worked out and no problems from there on out. We just had to remember...DON'T LOCK THE DOOR!

We had a few great days at the time share as well....went on a run along the beach...which I don't know why but I thought I was going to die. There was the CUTEST little sea lion on the beach. It was a baby with the cutest little baby face. I tried to get it back into the ocean but it just looked confused. I was concerned cuz it was going the wrong way, I said...SHAUN! Pick it up and put it back in the ocean! He just looked at me like...You're crazy woman! He encouraged me to leave it alone and keep running. FINE! Along the way...I had some of that Mexican food hit me like a ton of brick and I had to GO! I nearly had Charlotte's Sex and the city moment...So i yell to Shaun ahead of me...I've gotta go!!! We found a bathroom on the beach and as I tried to go in, two little Abuelas sitting by the door said, Bano? I said...SI! They said...cinco pesos. HUH!!!!??? I had to pay these crazy ladies to take a poop? I was so mad...told Shaun the news...he negotiated with the ladies in Spanish letting them know that we didn't have any money with us and I HAD to go. She let me go...and let me say, it was the NICEST beach bathroom I have ever seen. No wonder they charged to use their facilities. They were dang nice and worth every peso...if I had paid:)

Thank you little old Abuelas! You saved me from a seriously horrible experience!

While on that subject...the food...OH MY GOSH! The food was pure heaven. Not to mention the coke. They take their coke so seriously there and I just LOVE it! Every time you ask for a coke...they ask you if you want it in the can, bottle, or plastic bottle. Three options? Now that is just cool!!!! Of course, you MUST choose the bottle and it is simply delicious. No high fructose corn syrup...but delicious sugar cane baby. YummY!

The whole thing was an incredible experience...The kids were more amazing then I could have ever thought. They lived so simply but seemed pretty happy for what they had. It makes me sad for what these kids don't have in their lives though...a mom and a dad. A parent to teach them and love them and just take care of them. I wished so bad that I could do more...Josh told us that to adopt a child from down there is near to impossible because of the corruption. So sad! But being there made me feel so sad to be away from my kiddos. I wished that they could be there with me to meet these kids and be friends and serve. I am so lucky to have my kids...and for the first time I realized how lucky my kids are to have me. I'm not a perfect parent, but I sure love them and try to teach them and will be by them forever no matter what.

I'm looking forward to taking a trip back to see my new amigos some time in the near future!

Excited for the NEW YEAR!!

2009-12-29T13:19:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you...but I am SO excited for the new year. 2009 was a tough one...and I'm very excited to move on from this past year.

Here are the top 10 reasons I am excited for the New Year...

10. Lucy, my little lover, FINALLY gets to start Kindergarten! This would be on the top of the list...but its Kindergarten...still a huge pain in the butt with the whole half day business. Next year...1st grade will make the top of the list for sure!

9. Kaibo is going to start either running, biking, swimming, rugby, soccer, baseball...SOMETHING! I am bound and determined to get that boy out and interested in something this year. Maybe get him to do a sprint tri!

8. Zoe will be hopefully getting her back tuck this year. That girl is stronger than she knows what to do with. She is so athletic...maybe get her doing a tri this year too!

7. I get to finally start my business/club/race idea! I have a website...but nothing built yet. I will have more time to get it going past the new year and am SO excited! More to come on this later!

6. Going to train and do an ULTRA relay this year! This is going to be tough...but DANGIT I want to do it!

5. I'm going to try to ski again this year. Its been a few years...but no time like the present.

4. I get to go to school full time starting the new year... Which means....

3. I will be graduating and will be a Master Esthetician in 2010!

2. I will finally be working in either a medical spa or hopefully for a plastic surgeon this year and can start my new career.

1. Doing my FIRST HALF IRONMAN!!!

Wait...is that really going to be the highlight of my 2010? Ok...so they may not be in order. Basically I'm really excited to get moving on with my life...wrap things up at my old job...get going to school full time...graduate...start working...play with my kids like crazy...and TRAIN like a mutha!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

It's Finally Over!

2009-12-29T09:51:00.000-08:00

Christmas is OVER! Sorry to sound like a scrooge...but I am so glad to get the year moving on for a few reasons. I didn't get to have my kids with me this year during Christmas. I got to have them for 5 hours on Christmas eve and had to have them promptly back to their dads by 7 for a "family" party they had to get to. Interesting thing was that come to find out...it was some of MY "family". Huh...weird! Another story for another day:)

I really tried to maintain the attitude of "its just another day" so that I wouldn't get sad or feel sorry for myself not being with the kids. It was tough waking up on Christmas morning and not opening presents with them or doing the whole Santa Claus thing the night before...setting out milk cookies...and then seeing how crazily excited they were for what Santa brought them. That makes me sad that I missed that...but know that they had a great Christmas all the same. So at the end of the day it isn't about what I missed as much as if the kids still had a great day and just got to be kids.

I had a great day regardless. SO much yummy food at two different stops. Oh gosh...I love food! We also got to see the Hess family Christmas video which was hilarious as usual...even my best best friend Neil made an appearance!

The days to follow were so relaxing and nice I didn't want them to end! I went on a fantastic trail run with Shaun and Ziggy. It was beautiful, sunny, snowy, and bright! Ziggy was treating me like I was a sheep, herding me right up the mountain. She was RIGHT on my heels and wouldn't pass me. I loved the company since Shaun is much too fast and just leaves ya in the dust...always circles back around of course to make sure you're alive...but pretty much super fast.

Now back to life...work...school...and my most favorite cutest kiddos!

Family Progressive Dinner

2009-12-14T12:45:00.001-08:00

Every year my family does a Christmas progressive dinner. We start at one house with appetizers, have a little program or talent by that family and then move to the next house for soup...salad...you get the picture. We had our annual progressive dinner last night and it was a hit! It was so fun to see everyone's festive houses all decorated...although when it comes to me and my sisters Christmas trees...when you've seen one, you've seen em all (Taipan decor)!

We had SO much food that by the time we got to the main course...no one was eating. We had a few games along the way...one that resulted in a 15 way tie. It was a pretty easy game apparently:) So my crazy sister decided that there was only one way to determine the winner....DANCE OFF! Which was to be judged by my 87 year old hip grandma. We also had our special guest Neil (33 year old cute as a bear autistic friend) who would be competing. For his solo, he did a few pelvic thrusts right at my grandma...oh it was fancy! She was laughing so hard she was crying. My dad pulled off a few awesome moves as well. I'm talking flash dance/footloose style! After a long battle of dancing to the death... the winner was Heather and Neil as a team. They won a pair of awesome holiday socks...which they determined they would just take turns wearing since Neil does reside in Heathers basement.

At my house for our talent, Zoe and Lucy did a few magnificent tumbling passes. Zoe showed off her roundoff back handspring that she will be doing at her performance tonight. Kai had a temporary moment of Christmas Kai (when Kai turns into a completely different kid...probably due to the overstimulation of sugar and fun during the holidays.). But all in all...it was fantastic! Can't wait for next year!

Ugly Sweaters Galore!

2009-12-14T12:33:00.000-08:00

We had a first annual Ugly Sweater Party this past Saturday night. Oh it was a good one! We had lots of our friends come over to Shaun's..the requirement was to wear an ugly Christmas sweater. My mom has a plethera of holiday sweaters...none really were that ugly though...just more festive than anything. Cody and Nicholle had some pretty dang good ones...Cody's had a sweater that sported a pair of pom poms that tied at the neck...oh gosh that was good! Nicholle even had a tole painted wood necklace to top off her holiday outfit. And Shaun was the official "mistletoe tester". Well at least that's what his shirt said. We had SO much yummy holiday food...and so many laughs that night. So glad I have such good friends!

I actually got in a lottery!?

2009-12-14T09:08:00.000-08:00

So...if you know me and my luck with getting in a race that has a lottery...its pretty bad. In fact so bad that I can say that there is not a single race that I have actually got in that has a lottery. But it looks like the race gods are smiling down on me now...because I actually got into a race with a lottery! The Canyonlands half marathon in Moab. We are going to head down with a group of our friends...Cody Nicholle, Carol, Pedro, Shaun, and Lisa. Its going to be a good one. I am going to try to set a time goal of under 2 hours. And since I havent been running AT ALL lately it will be a lofty goal to meet. I'm excited to have something to start training for again...and good friends to train with.
I'll be posting my progress along the way!

Hello Again:)

2009-09-28T10:49:00.000-07:00

Like usual...I've taken a break from blogging. Its beginning to be a theme:) So let me recap the summer. I had a GREAT summer! I had a great time with my kids along with a great break. I cracked my head open on the trails....Hiked a couple of awesome peaks. Learned how to mountain bike and totally loved it..I also went to Sonoma for a week which was simply beautfiul to see Shaun do the Ironman. I got the swine flu which was not so fun...but hey...I survived. I did a few races...nothing too crazy. Got first place in my age group at the Alta Down hill dash...that was a huge highlight for me! Went to a couple of concerts. To wrap it up...it was a good one! Here are some pics of the highlights.

So to start blogging about my life now...here is where I currently am in life.

I am back in school and taking it seriously! Not that I wasnt before...I am just really starting to love the medical end of things and REALLY am going to put my efforts into getting into a medical spa or plastic surgeons office. I absolutely LOVE learning about the make up of the skin and why things happen in your skin. It is so fascinating to me:) But I am a business chica deep down and have a huge desire to start my own thing too. We'll see how it goes.

I have my sweet Kai living with me now...oh boy you have no idea how hard that was for me to not have my boy with me. It was heartbreaking to me. I feel so much better about life having him in my home with his sisters. He and Zoe are in school and are doing great. Lulu and I chill together alot throughout the day. Its great!

So there you have it...I'll do my best to get blogging so I dont feel like I have to recap the last 6 months.

And on that...I leave you with a quote... Something that I say to myself often...not often enough:)

"Stop wearing your wishbone where your backbone ought to be." — Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia)

BEST NEWS EVER!!!

2009-06-10T22:36:00.000-07:00

This is a really weird blog post for me...But this is dang good info!

So ladies...and maybe gents...Here is a problem that I KNOW many of you have experienced. Ya know when you get that musty smell because your deodorant has just STOPPED working. You try different flavors...brands...everything...and NOTHING works! Well if you don't know what I'm talking about...get off my blog :) Kidding...anyway. I was having this problem not too long ago and it was buggin me bad. I texted my friends asking what kind of deodorant they use...went and bought 3 different kinds. NOTHING was working still. I knew this was an epidemic amongst ladies, but no one ever talks about it. Well if you know me...there's nothing I'm afraid of talking about when it comes to this stuff. So I did what I always do to find useless information, diagnose diseases, cure bed wetting, find out why my hands get wrinkly in the shower etc. I googled it. And here is what I found... I am posting it for all you stinky ladies out there that are suffering in silence and believe me...so is your man (if you have one.)

Ok...first off...the reason for the smell is this. The sweat that comes out of your glands is odorless. It is clean. Its when it sits in your pits amongst bacteria that is dwelling in a warm moist place that it starts to stink up the place. Its the bacteria that causes the smell. Deodorant is just masking that smell...so if you have bacteria pits...it is just adding smell good to bacteria pits. Bad combo. Now...don't get all sad that you have bacteria in your pits. Fact of life...get over it. Onward.

Here is the solution. So all of those Dove, Jergens, Suave, Oil of Olay body washes that you are using for moisture...are doing NOTHING to clean your skin...NOTHING NOTHING NOTHING! When you wash your hands...do you wash your hands with lotion? Helz NO sista! You make sure you have something with anti-bacterial properties to kill the bacteria on your hands. You see where I'm going with this?! You need an anti-bacterial soap for your pits to clean the bacteria and break up that cocktail party that your sweat, bacteria, and deodorant have been having. Have you noticed that when you clean your armpits with one of the moisturizing body washes mentioned above that your armpits almost feel like your deodorant has created a barrier and it doesn't clean it totally. That is because you are washing your armpits with LOTION....LOTION I tell you! Ok...a fancy form of lathering lotion...but nothing that will strip away the old deodorant totally...clean the bacteria away and leave you fresh as a daisy.

Now...the hard part is finding the anti-bacterial soap. TaDa! DIAL! Dial is one of the only brands that makes a body wash that is anti bacterial for your body. Now, when it comes to you just being a huge sweater...ya know...wet pits all the time. Not really my issue, but there is another trick. There is some stuff called Certain Dri. It has no smell good so it is strictly an anti-perspirant...and you put it on at night. Its active ingredient is called Aluminum Chloride. This ingredient will actually help your body not create as much sweat in your underarms which will lessen the amount of moisture. It does this by making your pores smaller in your underarm area. Now...don't get me wrong...i am a huge fan of sweating. Its an awesome way to detox and cleanse your body...but your armpits don't NEED to sweat at their full sweat potential.

After putting this on at night...I use my regular deodorant in the morning to give me a fresh scent and it works like a charm! So before you even think of changing deodorants due to musty stinky pit problem... go pick yourself up some anti-bacterial Dial.

You can thank me later:)

Women of Steel

2009-05-19T10:26:00.000-07:00

Well... Race season is ON! Love it. This past weekend I did the "Women of Steel" Tri in AF. It was a little sprint in a pool...a course that I have done many times. I had a great race! I felt really good...minus one little tidbit...when I started riding, my seat was as low as it could go. We had dropped it when putting it on the bike rack from Vegas and I hadn't rode since. Lesson Learned! I started pedaling and immediately felt like I was on a little kids bike. Probably looked pretty funny too! Regardless...it all worked out and I had a great time. It was the fastest that I had done that course yet...probably because every time I do that course in the past...it is FREEZING!!! Nice to have a warm race!

Irongirl... Not to be confused with Ironman...Triathlon

2009-05-11T21:18:00.000-07:00

What a fun weekend and race. It was a weekend of crazy funny moments, great relaxation, and good times with good people.

Nazi Security Guard
Got into town on Thursday afternoon. Thursday night we were about to head out on the town for dinner when Shaun suggested I try out my new bike shoes and clips. Since I hadn't tried them at all and he thought it would be good to just give it a go out in the parking lot. They were amazing... Nothing like my old egg beater clips that I had before. Clipped in like a dream! Unclipping was a different story. They were a little stiff to get out. It was dark outside and we were quietly just circling the building when a security guard said as we approached... "You can't ride your bike here!" Shaun told him that we were staying there at the condos. The guy tried to tell us that it was against the rule and we need to stop right now... but we continued riding past him towards our building. We were going to head back in when rebel Shaun said, "And one more lap because we're American." I agreed! We thought we were funny and continued on to do our little "we live in a free country and we can ride our bikes if we want to" lap. I then saw the security guard and he was mad. He said, "I said no riding bikes here!" Shaun told him again that we were staying there. He said, "Show me your room Key!" Shaun circled to stop and talk to the guy, I slammed on my breaks to stop and panicked because my feet weren't unclipping. I started yelling, "Shaun Shaun!" because I couldn't un-clip and was slowing down really fast. He said, "It's OK! It's OK!" thinking that I was yelling at him to not confront the security guard. Right then... Crash! I was down... Knee first and then the rest. It hurt like a beast! Both Shaun and the security guard just looked at me like "what the crap!?" I was SO mad that I crashed all because the security guard made us stop so quickly.... And because I'm retarded at unclipping... Oops! I was laying on the ground and was still clipped in and so I couldn't get up. All the while the security guard was still demanding he see a room key. I'm laying there attached to a bike while I'm afraid Shaun is going to freak out on this guy. Shaun helped me off my bike and got me up. Then it was on! We showed the key... All the while I was hobbling holding my bike while I kept trying to pull Shaun back from this guy afraid that they were both going to start dukin' it out. Some words were exchanged and once the security guard realized he was an idiot and we actually were staying there and not hoodlums rolling around his precious parking lot, he tried to be nice and offer to get me some ice. I was not happy about that at all! We basically told him he's done enough damage for the night as we headed back to the room to check out the bodily injury. Nothing to major... Phew! As we recapped it ... I couldn't help but just laugh! No riding bikes? Since when and why!!! Psh! But it was a great freedom lap!

So the next morning we decided to go for a ride... a real ride...at least it was supposed to be. We headed out and I immediately thought I was dying. My GOSH my legs were burning. I couldn't even kind of keep up. Shaun would be waiting for me, barely pedaling at all and I would be dying pedaling as hard as i could just thinking... "Oh crap... Tomorrow I have a race, and I can barely ride my bike." It was the biggest confidence crasher ever. Finally Shaun said, "I can tell you're biked out". A nice way of saying "Why the crap are you so slow?"...so we decided to head back. When we got back to the condo Shaun said, "check and see if your brakes are rubbing." I picked up the back of my bike, spun my wheel and it BARELY turned! My breaks were rubbing my whole ride! I was so annoyed but SO relieved that I wasn't just a complete big wuss! Shaun adjusted it and I was good to go. I would have died doing that race the next day with my bike like that.

Open Water Swim
We headed to the resort that we were staying in for the race. It was beautiful there! It reminded me of Spain or Italy or something that doesn't even resemble Las Vegas. It was The Montelago resort. They have this awesome lake that the hotels sit right on. It is a beautiful lush and green oasis surrounded by desert mountains and hills. I checked in for the race and checked my bike in. I've never done a race that you check your bike in over night. It was weird leaving my bike. We had planned to try to get an open water swim in prior to the race in order to get my nerves calmed since I am terrified of open water! We headed down to the lake... Shaun of course jumps right in. I sit there for a while thinking of getting in. He says patiently, "How long are you going to make me tread water before you get in?" That was my cue to get my butt in that water. I slowly inched in off the dock and panic immediately set in. I was terrified of what was underneath me, around me, basically anywhere that I couldn't see. Completely freaking out. I doggy paddled to Shaun panicing the whole way. He said, "OK let's go" and started swimming. So I followed him... Scared out of my mind with every stroke! He could hear me freaking out and stopped and said, "OK, what are you scared of?" I didn't want to say... because to say it out loud sounded retarded! He said, "Just tell me". I said "Alligators and sharks". Yep! It sounded even more retarded coming out of my mouth than I thought. He said "Amy! There are no sharks or alligators in Las Vegas! Just concentrate on your swim... Right arm, left arm..right arm, left arm." So I started swimming saying that in my head and it worked. I ended up cutting our swim short because as much as I was getting better I was still scared. By the time we got back to the dock... I was OK... Sort of. Race nerves had definitely set in all day with a crappy ride and a freaky swim.

We had a great dinner at claim jumper.... I had to get boring spaghetti and meatballs (carb loading apparently) while Shaun got some amazing turkey dinner. Luckily he shares pretty well!

Race day!
Got up bright and early...5:30 to be exact. And got ready in a flash. I was excited and felt good. We headed out... Did a good deed along the way and gave a girl walking a ride. Now the thing about all women's races is that they are more than a race... It's a competition of how cute your gear is and most importantly a fashion show.. And if you know me, you'll know I love every minute of it:) It was a very girly event... Girl power every step of the way which can be a little much at times. Got body marked and headed to the swim start. I got in and swam a little to get used to the water and to help avoid a freak out. It worked. The owner of Irongirl got on the loud speaker and basically said "I know you all made major sacrifices to be here today. Remember to leave all your crap behind, this is your day to just enjoy and clear your head of everything except to just race." Nothing was more perfect for me to hear right then. I decided that I would just totally enjoy the whole event.. No stress... No heartache... No worries... Just thoroughly enjoy the moment and have fun. And I did! I may have taken it a little to much to heart. I lallygagged in the water for too long. It wasn't tiring at all in the water... I just didn't want to push it and panic. When I got out I felt a little too good! Ha! Then came the bike... I am a slow poke getting going. But once I got warmed up I felt great and had an awesome ride... Again feeling a little too good:) Along the way I really started to get reflective of how thankful I am that I have a healthy body and am able to do these races. I feel so lucky and so blessed for my ability to finish a race... No matter how slow or fast. I said a little prayer along they way and said thanks. Then came my favorite.. The run! I had an awesome run! It was a hard one... Lots of big hot rocky dusty hills. It was pretty much like leg 5 on Ragnar aka Avon pass. But with some down hills. Not much flat at all. It was VERY dry and hot. Not a single tree shrub or indication of life to be seen. The aid stations were awesome! At mile 2 they were dumping ice in a cooler and I asked if I could take a chunk. I basically had them dump ice down my shirt. It was my own personal cooler of ice and it came in handy for sure! There was so much support and encouragement from all the ladies. Everyone was chatty along the way. I loved it. As I came down off the trail I saw Shaun at the end on his bike. I knew I was getting close. There were 2 chicks in black that I had been trailing and was set out to beat. As I came off the trail I passed the first one... Then the blonde was next. As I was running a guy said to me, "Go get that girl in the black!" as if he was reading my mind! I came down the shoot just dying to pass her. And about 25 feet before the finish line.. Got her!!! That was my big victory of the day!

An annoying part of the race...as girls would come across the finish line the announcer would say "Amy Perez! You are an Irongirl! So and so, you are an Irongirl!" It was honestly a cheap rip off from the Ironman. It was bugging Shaun as well. I have a HUGE respect for the Ironman distance and one day hope to have someone say as I come across a finish line.. "Amy Perez! You are an Ironman!" But I better have just busted out 140.6 miles.... Not my 32.2.

As I came across the finish line, I was soaked from all the ice water I had dumped on me to stay cool. So drenched that I was sloshing in my shoes. At one point I dumped Gatorade instead of water. Oops!!! I ran back to the aid station and they dumped a bucket of water on my head to get rid of the Gatorade.

A great part of that day was Shaun.. He was there at the finish line... And along the course cheering me on. He was the most mobile spectator! He would pop up out of no where along the course because he was rolling around on his bike. It was awesome! I was really happy that he was there to support me and was so grateful for all the work he put into helping me get ready for that day. What a fun race! It was a great experience and even though I wasn't super speedy I sure was happy;)
Great day!

--Amy's 2 cents--

Vegas Bound

2009-05-06T23:13:00.000-07:00

So, I'm headed out tomorrow for my race. The Irongirl Vegas Triathlon. I'm not racing until Saturday, but am excited to get some r & r before the race. I'm feeling quite nervous about the open water swim...I am seriously hoping that I can get an open water swim in before the race. I always panick at the start and I just dont want that to happen this go round. Other than that, I am excited for the experience. It is an all girl race...my favorite kind of race. I got a new cute outfit and am all geared up. I just hope that I dont look like a total fool and fall on my bike because I cant unclip or something stupid. My bike skills are pretty rusty this year...spin class just doesn't get you used to it like the real deal.
I dont have a goal to finish it in just yet, but will most definitely report on how it all goes! Until then...Good Luck to Me!

Love...

2009-04-22T22:52:00.000-07:00

I just was talking to a friend of mine about Love. It can be such an awesome word or such a shitty word if you're not getting it...and even shittier if you should be getting it and aren't. And yes readers...I said shitty! Anyhow, she said something that really got me thinking. "What ever happened to old fashion love? Ya know the kind that didnt involve facebook, myspace, text messages, emails, IM." She told me a story of a friend of hers...Her parents were out of town somewhere and the wife asked her husband to go and grab her shoes from the car. The daughter walked into the room and heard a blow drier going, it was her dad blow drying his wifes shoes. The daughter asked what he was doing. He said that her shoes were cold from being in the car so he wanted to warm them up for her. The daughter just laughed and told her dad that he is wooped. He said that he just really loves her and didn't want her to have cold feet. Now THAT's old fashioned love. Totally selfless and thoughtful. Who in the world do you know that would do that for their spouse? Only the luckiest girl in the world:) Its not that we want someone to actually blow dry our shoes is it? No...but the little things that your loved one just knows that would bring you hapiness...and they do it for you.

I've thought lately alot about what I am looking for and want from the person that I choose to be with. That person will make my hapiness a priority and vise vera. I have had that before in a relationship and it was what made us great. I think that simply making someone's hapiness a priority in your life, helps you steer away from the natural tendency of being selfish and only wanting what makes you happy. Ya know...we all want that out of our spouse, significant others, etc...but are we willing to put that same effort into them as well? Thats the golden question I think. Just like the golden rule...do unto others blah blah... but the golden question...are you willing to do unto others blah blah?

We live in such hard times where everyone is becoming so selfish and self serving. If it doesn't benefit me, why should I do it? It makes it tough to find someone that will just love you and ONLY you. We have so many distractions that entice us or throw us off from giving to the person that we love the most and the best parts of us.

I have such admiration and respect for little old couples that have made it work for years and years on end. I was driving back from Vegas a while back and drove past a car that had 2 bumper stickers on it. On the left bumper it said, "I love my wife" and the right bumper said, "I love my husband". As we approached the car we looked over and it was a little old man and lady in the front. It was so touching and so cute! I can only hope to find that kind of love that will last and grow old with me...through all the ups and downs, the wrinkles and age spots (all of which I am planning on combating with my esthetics career!)

I am excited for the day that I get to be so in love and be loved in return that I get to declare my love for my little old husband on a bumper sticker of my car for all to see.

My Monday Trail Run

2009-04-22T21:34:00.000-07:00

The great news is that I have finally started to take my training seriously...just 3 weeks before my triathlon:) HA! That's the way I roll I guess.

This Monday I went on a fabulous very healing and therapeutic trail run. I haven't done a ton of trail running at all...but I got my fancy new shoes that I love with all my heart so I figured I'd start being one with nature and break those bad boys in. I got about half way and just decided to stop and take it all in for a few. It was SO quiet and beautiful. I havent been in a place that quiet for a long time. I decided to just chill for a moment on a rock...it was great:) I felt SO peaceful and comfortable. I seriously didn't want to leave that spot, and not just because I didn't want to run back either:) It was actually pretty emotional for me. It was a place that I could just let it out and have a mini break down without having to immediately pull it together for the kids sake or hiding it from someone. I could just let it out and not give a crap...cuz no one was there to judge, question, mock, console, bug, etc. I could just freaking BE! The mountains looked exceptionally awesome that day too. The tops were unbelievably white with really crisp looking snow up against a perfectly blue sky. I feel like I just described a dessert at cheesecake factory or something:) Anyway, definitely one of my favorite ways to see the mountains.

My run down was AMAZING! I felt SO great. I felt so fresh, relieved, and surprisingly fast:) I know...surprising HA! Great experience I had to write about.

Just Stuff...

2009-04-19T10:38:00.001-07:00

Blogging Amy is back. So my goal for now is to get it all out through words...oh yea and running...since I am very under trained lately and developing a little ring around the middle. So the bottom line and the reason I started blogging today of all days is this....I am ready to start my life all over again. I am hitting the reset button and saying...OK Perez...lets do this the right way!

So a little update of where I am in life...things have been good lately. My kids are happy and fun as ever. Lucy and Zoe are squealing like little piglets as we speak. Kai is living with Kerry in Oregon. A topic I will talk about in a separate post down the road...but for the sake of Kai and his happiness it is a good thing...and thats all that matters:)

I am excited about my life and what is in store for me. I am learning alot everyday about myself and the people that I have in my life. I am learning of how I want to be treated by those around me. I am learning to stand up for what I want and need in life again. I was pretty good about that a while back, but lost my gusto I guess. I'm going to actually start dating...nerve racking, but should be an interesting experience:) I'm learning to love unconditionally. A friend recently told me that to love unconditionally means to have no judgements or expectations when you give love. Love that! So basically to sum it all up...I'm in "re-evaluate what the hell I've been doing for the past 2 years" mode.

I'm in esthetics school this year. I took a little break to catch my breath and train...well I've caught my breath at least:) I will be going back in a few weeks. I am very excited to get going on my esthetics career one day! I absolutely love the work and it is exactly what I have wanted to do for a very long time.

Now for the update that I've been putting off. My training this year. Now, prior to saying anything I have to say, this is something that I absolutely LOVE to do. It is one of, if not my most favorite things to do. Although I am STILL not fast (one day I tell ya) it still brings me so much satisfaction and happiness! Last June I registered for the Irongirl Womens Tri in Las Vegas...well the time has come for me to do that race in a couple weeks. Should be interesting:) I am excited for it but truly under trained.
I also have the women of steel tri in May and will most likely do Salem in May. That is 3 tris in may...what the? I did the Provo city half in April...a couple weeks ago and ran it in the exact same time that I ran my first one in 2 years ago. Ha! Somethings never change:) I was pretty lazy on that one...no walking but I certainly didnt push it. It was freezing! I have a few more little races here and there throughout the summer...but I am hopefully going to top it all off with the St George Marathon in October! Getting in will be the main obstacle:) Well until race day anyway! I've been going to spin class to beef up my biking ability since there has been so much snow and rain and cold. It is a GREAT day to ride today but I have flat tires and no pump. Geez! Excuses!

Well enough of that for now...just a little update on the little snippets of my life.

Life's good and I'm happy. I have great kids, a good job, healthy, and am learning so much everyday.

Fashionista!

2008-09-17T10:12:00.000-07:00

Lucy was so excited for her first day of school. We got her all dolled up and got her back pack on her. She jumped in the car and we were off. I pulled up to the front of the school and turned around to tell her to jump out and saw this...

She was insistant that she wear her swim goggles with no lenses to school and that her teacher would think she is so cute. Unfortunately for Lu Lu, Challenger has a no goggle policy.

Casanova Kai...

2008-09-17T09:58:00.000-07:00

Kai came home from school the first week of school and had a sealed envelope in his backpack. I pulled it out and it had his name on it. I asked him what it was, he said a letter from someone in class. So the nosey mom that I am, I ripped it open and found a card with some weird wolf on it...I opened the card and saw this...

I read it and looked at Kai...he had a huge grin on his face. I said, "Way to go Kai!" and gave him a high 5. I said, "Is Brigitte your Girlfriend?" He said, no...she is just my friend.

The next day I was walking Kai to school and I said, "bye Kai!" as he started walking across the street. The crossing guard said, "This is Kai? I hear about Kai every day after school for hours! My daughter thinks he is so cute and cool!" Then she said, "My daughter is Brigitte!"

Kai again was just grinning from ear to ear. He was trying to be cool about it, but I could see that he was loving every minute of it!

Yesterday I checked his back pack and he had a little card in his back pack that said, "Kai, I dont have a crush on you any more. Actually I dont have a crush on anyone. Write back, Brigitte."

I said, "I'm so sorry Kai. How does that make you feel?" He said, "Its ok...now we can be best friends. I want Brigitte to be my best friend. I dont want her to have a crush on me."

So there you go...this love story all worked out in the end.

Kids in School...

2008-09-17T09:37:00.001-07:00

So the kids started school a couple of weeks ago.

Lu Lu started Preschool and is LOVING every minute of it. On the day before school we went to meet her teacher. The teacher said, "Whats your name?" Lucy said, "My name is Lu lu and you're going to love me!" It was awesome!

Kai is having a great time in school as well. He has made some great friends and loves to walk to school. We rode bikes to school one day but it was so windy and he crashed his bike and hasnt wanted to do that since. He has reverted back to walking. He meets Zoe at the flag pole after school and they start walking home then I meet them at the cross walk. Its one of my favorite things to do with them.

Zoe is loving school as well. She says she is very popular and I believe it :) She loves to pick out her outfit for school everyday. She is such a big girl when going to school. Gives big kisses and hugs, yells bye mom! And then runs to her class and doesnt look back. She is such a strong brave little lady!

Gotta love these little crazies!

Hello Again...

2008-08-02T14:49:00.000-07:00

Great news...I've actually been training for the Nike Womens Marathon. I know I know...I can hardly believe it either. I made a contract...signed it and put it on my fridge. I have only missed 1 day of running so far from my running schedule. I dont know why I didnt do the dang contract to begin with. :)
I've felt pretty good with my running as well...minus the most painful knee ever. Even with the knee stuff I feel like I am making progress. It feels good to be dedicated and not let outside influences effect weather or not I run...or run well. That may all change tomorrow...but for now I'm doing pretty good.
I have a few goals that I have set for myself for the marathon. One is ONLY walk if I am DYING...i mean litterally DYING...not just hurting. Two is to not exceed a 10 min/mile average. I know that seems pretty weak as a goal...but basically what I am saying is that I want to be in the 9's. I may get a little more specific as I get closer to the race. But my biggest goal of all...my third goal... ENJOY IT!!!! I am getting more and more excited about this everyday and more and more nervous about it as well. I want to be able to enjoy the experience and still want to be able to say when its over that i want to run another marathon. I would love to actually say that i am a "marathon runner". Wouldn't that be nice! Ha ha!
I'll keep all of my dedicated readers out there posted to my progress. I know...it is just facinating to read about :)
Signing off...
Ap

Team Paige/Wasatch Back 2008

2008-06-24T22:55:00.000-07:00

I just read my girl friend Mandy's take on this last weekend of our race...it was the perfect description of what happened. I dont want to rip off her blog post...so I will try my best to share from my own experience.

We had an AMAZING experience last year as a team. We werent the fastest bunch, but we could hang. We had a great time together...bonded like most women dont bond in a life time since we were in such close quarters for so long. Unbelievably we finished with the same amount of enthusiasum as we started.

This year was a bit different for many reasons. One of them being a heartbreaking story about a little girl named Paige. Let me explain...

Last year we had my brother in law Chase's mom, Natalie come run with us. I hadnt really gotten to know her that well prior to that, but was excited that she would come help us out. She ended up being THE GLUE that held us together last year. She was the one that at the end of the race everyone could honestly say...I LOVE HER!!!! She wasn't the speediest, but we didn't care...we needed every bit of her to get through that race.

I continued to get closer to Natalie after that...I mean, how can you not! She is the best. In September, I got a call from my sister Heather letting me know that Paige, Natalie's 5 year old little girl had been killed in a car accident down in California. They were down there for Stephan's football game, but had decided to make a little trip of it and was on the way to see Wicked the musical, but they didnt make it. A semi hit them, essentially pinning Natalie in the car, crushing her ribs, and immediatly killing Paige. Paige had been asleep and did not suffer at all but was taken instantly.

I was so heart broken for my friend. She had been through so much already in life and to have this, was just unbelievable. I went to the funeral and as I leaned down to give her a hug and kiss...Natalie said, "Can we run for Paige?" I said, "Absolutely". I knew what she was talking about with her saying anything further. She wanted to run the wasatch back in honor of her little angel Paige.

We got a team together of past runners and some new recruits. We started the race on Friday morning at 10:20. I was so excited to be able to do this for my friend...I could tell that it meant so much to Natalie that we all were there to run in memory of Paige. Along the way, we started having some setbacks that made it difficult for our team. I was letting alot of it really get to me.

Unlike the year before, we had some things come along the way that were just so hard to put behind and move on. As a team, we were much slower this year. We felt like at times that we would just never finish. I lost or better yet...someone stole my ipod. My camera was busted and is irrepairable. I was trying my best to just let go of it and enjoy myself, but because of my own personal life...I couldn't. The ipod was BRAND SPANKING NEW! The camera was a pretty nice camera and if any of you have seen the pics I take of my kids...then you would know its a big part of my life. There were quite a few bumps in the road this year...ipods, cameras, injuries, personality clashes, slower than normal, and so on.

One of the true highlights of the race was the porta poties...I am NOT exagurating. They were an absolute treat. Last year however, that was not the case. The smell alone was something that could knock your sox off when you walked in. This year, Rebecca and I went to use the "Honey Bucket" around one of the first legs and I said, ok...hold your breath. I walked in and said, "WOW! It actually smells...GOOD!" They also were equipt with a hand sanitizer right in the "Honey Bucket". We loved them so much that our team name from here on out starting next year is "The Honey Buckets" Our slogan you ask? "Our shit dont stink". We might have adjust that to "Our poop dont stink". (Credit for that is due to Rebecca!)

My legs of the race were tough. I was not as prepared as I would have liked to be. Life has been busy and life changes have made it hard to get out and run. My first leg was Avon pass...WHAT WAS I THINKING!!! Never ever ever ever again will I do that. It was excrusiating. It was 7.5 miles up hill on a dusty road with not much shade that never seemed to end. To avoid rolling my ankle or falling, I started running funny and didnt notice it until I felt a pain in my knee. It was then that I noticed that I was running with my right foot turned out a bit. I was doing that to get a better footing on the ground, but it completely messed my knee up. My lungs felt great, but my legs were shot. I ended up doing about a 12 minute mile average up it. Which I was pleased as punch about. Sounds slow? Probably was...but give it a shot and let me know you do!

Then there was my leg 2. I was nervous about it because it was about 6 miles...mainly flat...but my knee was in alot of pain. I started running and within about 100 yards, I had a red hot burning pain on the outer part of my right knee. I kept running through it and didnt want to say anything to the van. I should have just shut up, but as they caught up to me, I let them know. I knew that I was slowing us down and I was DYING in pain. I was praying the whole time begging heavenly father to help me get through it and to let me continue. At the point that I couldnt take the pain any longer, I came up to the van and Rebecca was out ready to run...she said, Amy, get in the car, I'm running for you. I had gone about 3.5 miles before I couldnt take another step. Rebecca took off in a flash and finished the last of it for me. I got very emotional as I headed into the van and I'm so glad that it was dark so they couldnt see that I was teary eyed. I HATED with everything in me giving that leg up. I felt like such a failure. I was afraid that i wouldnt be able to do my next leg.

Then leg 3...I was bound and determined to get this leg finished one way or the other. There was no way I was going to let this get me. I was SO mad that I had given up the night prior. But not today! It was an easy leg of 4.5 miles downhill, but there was still in so much pain in my knee. I started down the hill and man alive it hurt...but I just blocked it out. I got into my groove and did it. I was so happy that i was able to redeem myself for my team for a bit.

I was also able to help out on leg 9... the leg before ragnar. It was exhausting to try to run up that thing, but we did it.

I was so blessed and lucky to have some great friends with me in my van...my aunt Rebecca and my good friend Mandy. They kept me sane through this race. I also met a new friend who was equally as genuine and I am so excited to get to know better, Andrea. We had many laughs along the way. One of my favorite moments was when we were waking up in the morning on day 2 after a pretty long decent sleep (not usually supposed to happen during these types of races, but being a little slower has its benefits I guess) and Mandy saying, "I am SO proud of us...I just can hardly believe that we are doing this!" I thought that she was refering to the race and that she was giving us a little boost of encouragement. She continued by saying, "I am just amazed that we can pull this off! Have 4 women sleep in a mini-van mashed in here like sardines!". I really gave it some thought...at that point in the race, that was more impressive to me than anything :)

While we were sleeping however, van 2 had a long night. Sweet Natalie was doing her best...she walked her leg with many of her team mates by her side. They pulled her along and did everything they could to encourage and keep her up. She herself was in a lot of pain because of her injuries. But she did it...she wanted to do it for Paige. I am so proud of her.

Along the way, we had many people come up and ask us to tell them about Paige. Many got teary eyed. A few mentioned that they had a hard time when we would drive past them while they were running because they would see this sweetest little girl's picture and new that it was in memory of her and that she was no longer with us. I know that Natalie touched many people along the way.

We finally finished after it seemed like 2 eternities had passed. By the time we came across the finish line there wasn't much left of a venue. I was very discouraged, sad, frustrated, and confused all at the same time. I had such a different vision of what this would be for our team, for Natalie, for me. Our team ran across the finish line together holding pictures of Paige...then it hit me when I saw Natalie, her son Stephan, Chase, and Brooke. That it was ok...we had been through hell and back throughout the past day and it was to a certain extent embarrasing, but it was ok. We werent there to be a big fancy fast team. We were there for a different reason, for our friend Natalie and for sweet Paige.

It has taken me a few days to really let that sink in. I had a very difficult night after I got home that night. I was exhausted physically and emotionally. I was holding on to the fact that I had busted my rear to do something that was SO difficult and yet we still came in near to last place. I ran as fast as I could through excursiating pain because I didnt feel that we could afford to slack at all. I did the best i could possibly do and it seemed that we came up short. Along the way, we started joking about how we would get stuck in a hard spot while running and we would remember the old church video of the boy that fell down and then he heard the words of his father saying, "get up and finish the race". That ended up just being the goal...nothing more than just finishing the race. There was a point that I was in so much pain while I was running and just started praying and thinking about Paige. I know that she was there along the way...I know that she was there with her mom. I got very weepy during that run for a few reasons...one because I was thinking of how hard it would be to go through was Natalie has and then also because i just knew that Paige was there. I was still weepy when I had to bail on my run, some because I had to quit...others because of the spirit that I was feeling and the comfort I was feeling.

Even through all of that, I had to have and still am working on an attitude adjustment... just finishing was not good enough for me and it was eating me alive. I have since taken a good hard look at me, and have decided that it was all for a purpose. It doesnt mean I am happy about my ipod, camera, and hurt knee, but I am happy that I was able to maybe lift the spirits or help a friend in need. There will be other years to try to kick some butt...but this was not the year for it. I am greatful for this experience. I came home that night and put my kids in bed with me. I just held them and loved them and thanked Heavenly Father for allowing me to have them with me.

I was pretty lonely that night as well. I just wanted to have someone put thier arms around me and tell me that I did a good job. That even though it didnt turn out like I had thought that I still was awesome. I just wanted someone to take care of me and to help me with my injuries so that I could get feeling better. Just someone to lean on and let me cry to. I cried for hours that night...I tried to go to sleep but it was so hard to let go of the pitty party that i was having that night. It was a BIG OLE party. Some of the worst guests that seem to linger after you are ready for the party to be over...a guy named loneliness, a guy name heartache, his retared friend named discouraged, and who can forget the worst guest of all failure. I knew if I slept that i would be ok the next day. It was true, but I still had a major pitty party hang over :)

Things are better today...I'm looking at this for what it was and being greatful for it. I am looking forward for the race next year and the Honey Buckets debut.

All in all the lesson that I learned is to just get up and finish the race. No matter what.

Vera Wang move over!

2008-05-05T22:24:00.000-07:00

I never know what we're going to get when Lucy gets dressed. I've taken the philosophy that she can dress herself (mainly cuz she wont have it any other way) if we dont have to be in public. Wait, I take that back...she did wear her tinkerbell dress to the grocery store today. Well anyway...she takes great pride in her outfits.
This particular one is her swim suit with a t-shirt, a pair of cotton tights with her flip flops. She was so excited about this one! She usually goes through about 5 of these types of outfits a day. SO much laundry, but I get a kick out of seeing what she comes up with.
When I was getting Lucy ready for bed, she was distraught because she said she had left some stuff at the park. It was already dark so I took Kai with me for protection...I looked around in the dark and could see scattered peices of clothing. I found EVERY peice of this outfit at the park except the swim suit. She was so relieved to get her clothes back. We had a nice little talk about not taking clothes off except at home...I cant tell you how many peices of her clothes I find in my car, the yard, the park. It is awesome....it is what makes Lucy. She dances to the beat of her own drum without a doubt. I LOVE Lucy!

Smile in your liver...

2008-05-02T20:07:00.000-07:00

After a meeting at work today I decided to take a little drive up the canyon. I have recently fallen in love with the mountains. It all started when I started really noticing them on my way to work everyday. Everytime it would snow, I would look up from the office and see these amazing white giants with blue skies behind them. It was something that fasinated me.

On with my drive...It was about dusk so the mountains were big, beautiful, and glowing. I put on my tunes and started heading up the canyon. I had the uncontrollable urge to drive fast, sing at the top of my lungs with my sun roof down, and take in the awesome views of my new favorite thing to look at and be in the middle of.

I started on my jaunt but immediatly I got stuck behind an old fart in his Lexus with his 20 somthing year old "lady friend" on a leisurly joy ride. I got a little impatient...dont they know this toe-up from the flo-up mom driving my *mini-mini van needed to get my ride on? FINALLY i passed them and I was FREE.

I began zipping up the canyon and just loving the view. The snow up there was still so awesome. You would think that I would have enough of snow by now, but for some reason it really hit the spot today. I found a trail to a peak that I want to hike when it gets warmer. It is "storm mountain" and is right next to my favorite peak...Twin peak (not the one in a.f.).

I kept driving...not thinking about anything but just enjoying. I started to relax and tried to be present to experience every sense that was happening. The view, the air, my music. I felt like I could just keep driving forever and would be so content.

That is when I felt the most amazing thing I haven't felt in a long time...happiness! True and pure and clear happiness. It was unbelievable. I actually started laughing to myself, not because anything was funny but because it felt so amazing. It was in my liver all the way into my heart and then up to my mind.

There is a part in Eat Pray Love when this old cute medicine man tells Elizabeth, "To meditate, only you must smile. Smile with face, smile with mind, and good energy will come to you and clear away dirty energy. Even smile in your liver." He goes on to say that when you smile from your liver then you really believe your happiness because it is all the way through you. Anyone can put on a happy face, but to smile from your liver, that is when you know you're truely at peace and happy. I was totally smiling in my liver.

At the time all this happy happy joy love feeling was happening, the thing I kept thinking is "why are you so happy? Where did this come from?" I can take a few stabs in the dark on that one, which is for me to know and to hold on to. It was just simply amazing.

I think I'll be taking lunch breaks like that more often :)

*The reference about the mini-mini van needs to be clarified. I call it that, but it actually is NOT a mini van. Just wanted to make that clear :)

Banana Pancakes

2008-05-01T13:35:00.000-07:00

I'm so in need of some "easy" days. They are just around the corner, I can feel it! I have been listening to my music today and Banana Pancakes by Jack Johnson came on. I have heard this song MILLIONS of times but today I just wanted to sit and relax and listen to this mello song about just chillin in bed, getting cozy on a rainy day.

What sounds better than waking up slow on a rainy day, staying in bed, ignoring the phone and the alarm, making banana pancakes and just chillin like its the weekend. OH gosh...I need to snap out of it and get into reality. But wow, for a minute I took a little trip into Jack Johnsons "no worries-ville". And it was a great little trip!

MY favorite things...

2008-05-01T13:00:00.000-07:00

I am SUCH a "favorite things" person! When I saw Heidi's fav things, I had to do it! I love reading other peoples faves too.

Its always funny to look back at your old fave things lists to see how retarded you were in the past.

So here goes... My favorite things!

1. My Blue Bike...oh i love it so much! I dont know why really...its not like i ever ride it :) But I sure do love it!

2. Chile Verde Burrito at Guadalahonkys

3. COKE fountain drink, glass bottle or in the can...NOT in any kind of plastic bottle! Its like a fine wine when accompanied with the Chile Verde Burrito!

4. Dove body glow subtle self tanner lotion. UTAH WINTERS SUCK! The only way to keep some color!

5. Suave Cocoa and Shea Butter body wash...smells SO good. (You can get it as low as .97 at
walmart!!)

6. My intelligel bed...I have yet to find anything that would compare...UNBELIEVEABLE!

7. Black and white or sepia pics of my kids. One of my most favorite things to take and make and look at. A friend of mine from work actually asked me if I would come and take her kids pics rather than going to Kiddie Kandids when she saw the pics at my desk of my kids! I was honored! Hopefully I dont screw it up :)

8. Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. A great true story of how a sweet broken down girl was able to turn her hurt, shame, guilt and self loathing into peace, self love and ultimatly found the person under all of that mess that she was looking for. An older wiser and Oak Tree version of HER.

8. Movie Theatre popcorn WITH extra butter in the middle AND on top with a large Coke. OH MY GOSH...one of my guiltiest of pleasures.

9. My Sanuk shoes. So Cute yet so comfy. I saw these things at the outdoor retail show and just had to have them.

10. Latin Ballroom Dancing...watching and dancing. Oh i love it!!! If only Michael Walker would get his little tushy back into Utah so I could have a dance parter.

11. Peach Pleasure Jamba with Soy protien boost. Not to mention it has the least amount of calories because it is all fruit and SUPER delicious.

12. Ab ripper X from P90X. I swear it is the BEST ab work out I've ever done. I have been pretty religious...no six pack yet. Could it be the buttered popcorn? Anyway, highly recommended. I hate it, but I LOVE it!

(I just noticed that more than half of my list is food...oh gosh!)

The little Perezies own blog

2008-04-28T10:20:00.000-07:00

I've decided to make a blog specifically for my kids and our adventures together. It is kaizoelucy.blogspot.com.

I'm going to keep this blog mainly for my my personal rantings and ravings. I have felt a little weird about not giving my kids thier share of the spotlight on my blog...so now they have thier own.

Enjoy

I heart ME!

2008-04-27T13:22:00.000-07:00

I have set out on a little mission within my heart and head recently. I have decided to go on a little walkabout to learn to love myself. It is something that is completely foreign to me...I didn't think that it was THAT foreign, but as I've started studying myself I have come to realize that I was further away from it than I had thought.

I need to fall in love with ME. I need to love me enough to let go of shame, guilt, and the things that I have done that are hurtful, embrace the pure good in me and fill in the empty spots with things that will bring me peace.

This sounds all good and great right? Well, let me assure you my friends that this is a hard dang road, but a very rewarding road at that. I have turned my guts inside out and taken a good hard look at them. Not a pretty sight...but progress has come.

The purpose of this blog is so that I can actually make a statement of things that I love/like about myself. (I almost just barfed in my mouth when I wrote that...it makes my stomach hurt thinking about it really!)

Those of you that read this may not agree that you love these things about me...that's OK. Its not about what you love about me right now. Its what I love/like about me.
OK...Here goes...sending it out into the universe!

I like my sense of humor. A little edgy and sometimes crass...but it is something that I like about me.

I like my belly button. SAY WHAT YOU WANT...I love it.
(see..me still caring what other people think...AAAHHH!!!)

I love the way I love my kids. I sit on them and kiss them and nibble on them and smell them and cant get enough of every sense. They might not love it...but I sure do!

I love the way I speak to God. He gets me.

I like my eyes. But lets be clear here...not the wrinkles around my eyes, but my eye balls themselves. I have always liked the color of them.

I like that I am verbally equip if needs be. (I'm guessing that some may NOT like this about me, but hey...I like it)

I like my sense of style...or lack of style :)

I love that I'm not afraid of hard work and am a very hard worker (Thanks to my dad:)

And last but not least...

I like that I can apologize.

There you have it...what I like/love about me.

Running...UGH!!

2008-04-22T18:13:00.001-07:00

I have taken a little break since my last half marathon from running. It was a hard race for me for some reason... I got so sick after and I thought...is this worth it?

Here's the thing with it. I am SO sick of fast runners...don't really care for them at all! Mainly cuz I'm jealous. Its like they have this elite little community and unless you can break a 7 min mile on a marathon they wont let you in their club. It bothered me so bad for a while...now i say screw em. I didn't start running to be able to bust out a 7 min mile marathon. I did it because of the way it made me feel. I did it because I felt that I had pushed myself to do something hard. I did it because it was a sense of accomplishment for me. I don't want to compare myself to others with running. It takes the fun and enjoyment out of it. (I still say screw em :) Oops...My jealousy rearing its ugly head again.

So this is my official "I'm still on the running wagon" blog. Running is for ME...no one else and if I were to just bag it because I feel bad?...well that's just stupid. For some reason I cant give it up. No matter how slow I am, i have to remind myself why I started running and why it is such an important thing for me.

So here is my update on my running...
My marathon training schedule started Monday...I had sworn it off like the plague...but decided that I just needed to do it if I was going to get through this marathon in October. I got out and ran 4 miles Monday. It felt great-ish. I ran outside and that part was awesome. I have been a slave to the treadmill for a while and am SO sick of it.

Then came Tuesdays run....I thought, I dont need to do it (lazy!) but I packed my running stuff for work in case I found it in me to do it. Well my co-worker Mikey is getting ready for the Wasatch Back and needed to get a run in too. So we drug each other out on a 5 miler or so...it was good to run with someone. I havent run with anyone for a while and it sure makes a difference.

Then today Wednesday...ran outside again. I felt great...listened to some awesome tunes and tried to clear my head. Oh I love running sometimes...best therapy ever.

So there you have it! I have been 100% diligent so far on keeping with my marathon schedule. All 3 days of it!

Job well done to me!

Pull it together you sissy!

2008-04-20T17:01:00.001-07:00

Oh what a day... I wanted to share my experience. Too personal?...dont care!

I had a tearful weepy night last night and couldnt seem to pull myself out of it...I woke up not feeling a whole lot better. I started the day with a prayer for comfort and peace. I was very blah in my effort to talk to heavenly father. I felt so drained, tired and not wanting to put much into it...just wanted to have it taken away from me by just sitting there thinking about praying but not actually putting my full self into it. Lame...i know.
I got up and went to church to help ease some pain. Church was good...I felt a sense of love and comfort from some unexpected sources but was still so weepy and knowing that I needed to get my sorry butt to work later and needed to pull it together. I came home and hunkered down...got the kids fed, put dinner in the crock pot, cleaned up the house and headed to work. As I was pulling into work...oh the stupid floodgates burst! I was saying...WHAT THE CRAP AMY!! PULL IT TOGETHER YOU SISSY! SHEEZ!
I was early for work so I decided to read a little from the book I've been reading. I had lost my place in the book and it was marked on a page that I had already read. I opened it and started reading...one of my most favorite parts...this is what I read.
Here it is...
"I remember kneeling down one morning, touching my forehead to the floor and muttering to my creator, "oh, I dunno what I need...but you must have some ideas...so just do something about it, would you?"
"Similar to the way I have oftentimes spoken to my hairdresser. And I'm sorry but thats a little lame. You can imagine God regarding that prayer with an arched eyebrow, and sending back this message: "Call me again when you decide to get serious about this." (so funny)
"Of course God already knows what I need. The question is- do I know? Casting yourself at God's feet in helpless desperation is all well and good- heaven knows, I've done it myself pleanty of times - but ultimately you're likely to get more out of the experience if you can take some action on your end. "

She goes on to tell an old italian joke about a poor man who goes to church every day and prays before the statue of a great saint, begging, "Dear saint- please, please, please...give me the grace to win the lottery." This lament goes on for months. Finally the exastperated statue comes to life, looks down at the begging man and says in wary disgust, "My son-Please, please, please...buy a ticket."

"Prayer is a relationship: half the job is mine!"

This goes right along with the scripture... "Faith with out works is dead". Dont ask me where to find it...i just know that one from seminary.

After I read this sitting in my car I thought. DUH! I did just what she had done...muttered some desperate plea of "do something would ya?" I hadn't done my end of actually communicating with God of what I needed and how I was hoping he would help me. I then prayed...a very detailed prayer and had the heart to heart that we needed to have. I will say...Prayer works! The floodgates have closed for now :) All is good.

Our adventure to Cali...

2008-04-20T16:39:00.000-07:00

I decided to take my kids on a little adventure this last week to California. It was so great! We went to the beach, the aquarium, disneyland and Seaworld. The kids were able to see Kerry and had a great time with him.
The kids were SO good for those 3 days. They had so much fun and were little troopers the whole time. We got up at 3 am on Wednesday morning to make our 6 am flight. I had given them a pep talk the night before about getting up ontime and not crying or whinning when I come to wake them up. I woke them up and they all 3 popped up out of bed without a wimper! They were dressed and ready to go within minutes. Kai and Zoe kept saying, "Come on mom...we're going to miss our flight. LETS GO!" We were out the door and ready to roll by 3:30 am. They were SO excited.
Kai and Zoe had to sit at the front of the plane alone and lucy and I were towards the back SEPARATED! It was quite funny to see Lucy sitting between these 2 big men...(dont worry folks I could see her the whole time!) she didnt move a muscle. Just sat nicely watching her tv and eating animal crackers. What a cool little girl!
At disneyland, the girls got thier pictures taken with the princesses...they were in heaven. Kai's favorite ride was star tours...I nearly hurled after! BLAH!
The beach was amazing...there is nothing better than the beach. Oh I love the beach! I took as many pics as I could and am excited to see how I can crop and zoom in to get some of my favorite sepia pics. They found a jellyfish even...dead of course! Poor lucy got rolled in a wave...fully dressed in a sweater and skirt. She was VERY mad about that. I remember the first time I got rolled in a wave...I never made peace with the ocean since. NO LIE! I need to overcome that I think. I love the ocean to look at and the beach to chill on, but the waves scare me. I need to add that to my list of accomplishments this year...MAKE PEACE WITH THE OCEAN :)
Then there was Seaworld...the place where as a kid I decided that i wanted to be a dolphin trainer and hung onto that dream until someone pointed out that I was going to have to be in the ocean. DANG IT! I still love dolphins and killer whales. I am so retarded...during the Shamu show I actually got teary eyed! HA HA! What a head case I am! Anyway, it was so cool to see. I tried SO hard to get Kai to touch a dolphin during the feeding time, but we didnt have any fish and those dang dolphins would come right up to us and we would reach as FAR as we could...but then would bale as soon as they realized that we didnt have the goods! Stupid Dolphins!
Kai told me that it was my black sleeve on my sweatshirt that was driving them away...i told him that I thought it was his orange sleeve...he rolled it up but still no luck.
All in all, it was a great trip. The kids were so happy to see Kerry and it was great to be in sunny california.
TTFN

Goals

2008-04-13T19:12:00.000-07:00

Earlier this year, I wrote in my journal about the things that I want to accomplish this year. I figured I needed to throw them out there even further into blogworld...maybe then I'll actually do them.
Already I've noticed that a couple of them may not happen...I will revamp as the year goes on.
So here they are in no particular order...

My First Marathon (Schedule to take place on Oct 19th in San Francisco!)
1/2 Ironman (one of those that may not take place but will always be on the list)
Wasatch Back Relay (Running again with my ladies...GO TEAM PAIGE)
Travel outside of the US (I just applied for my passport...should be here soon!)
Read the B.O.M. (Making my way through some pretty slow stuff right now. Something about Isaiah)
Start School
Take Ballroom Dance
Keep a Journal (check!)
Lose 10 lbs (a newly added once since I chubbied up within the last couple of months)

Here are my kids goals...
OH! This first one kills me!!!! I have failed miserably already. Just keep moving forward!
No Yelling
Read 20 minutes a day with them
Read Scriptures to them daily
Hot breakfast 3x week or more
Good dinners nightly
Compliment them daily
Ask Questions about thier day
Teach them something every day

Ok...its out there...now lets see if I can deliver!

Finally...GRASS

2008-04-12T23:29:00.000-07:00

I got it all done! I have to say that there is a sense of pride that I have by getting this yard in by my self...ok with the help of a team of 2 mexicans that can throw down a sprinkler system in a day...o0ps forgot about them. Ok...so what I meant to say is that the front yard is in...grass and everything. It looks great! I think...maybe is just looks great to me because I'm comparing it to the dirt that was there before. Regardless, I got all of the sod in with the help of Tonya and Jaime Brotherton. Love them! I was so happy to have their help today. I will post a picture of my work later.

One downer for the day...I wore my dang flip flops while I was laying the sod and my feet are now like SANDPAPER! They were so dirty and dry and UGLY! My feet look like they aged about 50 years today from walking in dirt all day. No Lie! Oh the scars of a hard working woman :) He he!

Friend of the day...

2008-04-11T20:27:00.001-07:00

I just wanted to say HOLLLAA to my friend of the day... Emily! I couldnt ask for a sweeter lady in my life. Yesterday, she just showed up at my house with a little treat that looked exactly like the cupcake in the picture. It was all wrapped up in a box with a bow. She is such a great friend to me! I would post a picture of her, but she would probably kill me. (Not to mention, I dont think I have one.) I am so happy to have her in my life. I just hope that I can be there for her the way that she always is for me. I love you Em!

I GOT IN!!!!

2008-04-10T16:34:00.000-07:00

After much deliberation and CRYING for a day straight about not getting into the Nike Women's Marathon...those sons of guns let me in!!! I can barely handle it! They messed up on my registration and didn't actually put me in the lottery after I had registered....so i emailed and called and waited. About an hour ago, I GOT MY ACCEPTANCE!!!

I've wanted to do a marathon for a while and picked this as the one I wanted to do for a few reasons...one being the Tiffany's Necklace at the finish line...I mean HELLO! And the another being that it is in San Francisco. It will be amazing! This comes at a good time since I've needed something to motivate me to get my big bum moving.

Here's to wishing me luck!

A Personal Record!

2008-04-10T15:12:00.001-07:00

I did the Provo half marathon on Saturday and set a personal record!!! It sounds way more dramatic than it really is. I did it in 2:06:35. My best time previous was 2:12. I was quite happy...but the thought of taking another step right now doesn't sound too appealing :) Congrats to me!

BE PRESENT!

2008-04-10T13:19:00.001-07:00

This morning, I woke up very mad at the world and everyone in it. As I was getting the kids ready for the day, I was starting to think about everything that I was going to say to everyone that had made me so upset, and boy was it going to be GOOD!

As time went on, the anger turned to a sick nasty feeling inside me...I stopped for a second and thought about it...I wasnt going to accomplish ANYTHING by thinking of what I was going to dish out. I looked at my kids during all of this and realized that I needed to focus my energy on living in the moments that are bringing me joy. Also, my kids deserved to have my attention today rather than have me rant and rave in my mind about how i was going to soc it to someone. I need to be PRESENT!

When's this guy going to be done!

2008-04-10T09:59:00.000-07:00

It was general conference over the weekend. I made the kids sit down and watch with me on the Sunday morning session. This was a new experience for the kids...and a funny one. I remember that my mom had us do conference bingo while watching so that it would keep us entertained and partially listening. So I quickly made some conference bingo cards for the kids. There was a talk from the former general young womens president that was about what "delights" her. She was saying the word delight many times through out the talk. I think it was bugging Kai because he said, "why does she keep saying that word! And what does it mean!" I told him it meant happy, so he proceeded to mark off the word HAPPY on the bingo chart. Then Elder Packard was speaking about how the quorum of the 12 was formed and Kai was getting SO bugged at this point. He said, "When is this guy going to be done! I havent been able to mark off anything on my bingo chart!" He took this bingo thing pretty serious I guess. Once the Elder Packard was done, he said, "Finally that guys is done!" He proceeded to be the only playing conference bingo and winning every time since the girls weren't interested in the least bit. All they wanted to do was to dance when the tabernacle choir sang.

So, my take aways from conference...as I was watching conference and President Monson got up to speak at the end of the first session. I thought, "I miss President Hinkley, It just isnt the same" I was in a way sizing Pres Monson up thinking..."I dont know about this guy, we'll see." SIDE NOTE: For all of you amazing people out there that are thinking...HOW COULD SHE QUESTION?...keep reading please!

It took no more than a few sentances to know that he is the real deal. When he said, "Together we shall move forward doing his work. I pledge my life, my strength, all that I have to offer in serving him." That was so powerful to hear. The spirit was so strong during that talk. It was so powerful and filled with compassion and love.

I also love the talk about the "Daughters of God" by M Russell Ballard. He said,
"The first question: What can you do, as a young mother, to reduce the pressure and enjoy your family more?
First, recognize that the joy of motherhood comes in moments. There will be hard times and frustrating times. But amid the challenges, there are shining moments of joy and satisfaction.
Author Anna Quindlen reminds us not to rush past the fleeting moments. She said: “The biggest mistake I made [as a parent] is the one that most of us make. . . . I did not live in the moment enough. "

This is something that I am going to start doing more. Living in the moment.

You have no idea how strong my love is!

2008-04-10T08:28:00.001-07:00

Good news...Its finally sunny today! So lets get this blog thing started. All of my friends are bloggers...I thought it was a very weird nerdy thing to do until I realized that I have alot in me to say and not always a listening audience :) So my audience is anyone that wants to read now. Love it.

I've been reading the book Eat Pray Love. If you havent read it...READ IT! I'm not done and it has only taken me about 4 months to get through it...slow reader...but I relish every moment of it. It just rings true in so many aspects of my life and our lives in general.

I wanted to post something from the book that hit me like a ton of bricks... is an excerpt from my most favorite part of the whole book...well if I had to choose just one. This is a true story...more of like a journal of a woman. She has been praying and struggling with her prayers, being scatter brained while she prays, feeling like she is not getting answers or connecting. She is so bound by guilt that she cant accept that she is entitled to be heard by God. She has been struggling with how she feels about herself and guilt for messing up relationships in her life....so here it is...

"When I tried this morning, after an hour of so of unhappy thinking, to dip back into meditation, I took a new idea with me: compassion. I asked my heart if it could please infuse my soul with a more generous perspective on my mind's workings. Instead of thinking that I was a failure, could I perhaps accept that I am only a human being - and a normal one, at that? The thoughts came up as usual - OK, so it will be- and then the attendant emotions rose, too. I began feeling frustrated and judgmental about myself, lonely and angry. But then a fierce response boiled up from somewhere in the deepest caverns of my heart, and I told myself, "I will NOT judge you for these thoughts."

"My mind tried to protest, said, "Yeah, but you're such a failure, you're such a loser, you'll never amount to anything-"

"But suddenly it was like a lion was roaring from within my chest, drowning all this claptrap out. A voice bellowed in me like nothing I had ever heard before. It was so internally, eternally loud that I actually clamped my hand over my mouth becuase I was afraid that if I opened my mouth and let this sound out, it would shake the foundations of the buildings as far away as Detroit."

"And this is what it roared:

YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW STRONG MY LOVE IS!!!!!!!!!!!!

"The chattering, negative thoughts in my mind scattered in the wind of this statement like birds and jackrabbits and antelopes-they hightailed it out of there, terrified. Silence followed. An intense, vibrating, awed silence. The lion in the giant savannah of my heart surveyed his newly quiet kingdom with satisfaction. He licked his great chops once, closed his yellow eyes and went back to sleep."

"And then, in that regal silence, finally- I began to meditate on (and with) God."

There you have it. I took so much away from this part! It is so true that we beat ourselves up with hatered and we judge ourselves so harshly. All in the same while, not allowing ourselves to be open to the power of prayer because we dont feel worthy. It has taken me SO long to figure this out...I am entitled to pray and be heard from God and to speak to him even if I feel like CRAP about myself. In fact, that is when he is there, waiting to say...YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW STRONG MY LOVE IS!!! So that we can come to him for rest and solice. Which falls in line with the scripture...
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
"For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28–30).
I have never been a big scripture person (sorry about the honesty!) but everytime I hear this scripture I just feel so much relief and love.

Ok...so sorry about the spiritual tantrum...but I have lots of that in me at times and need to share. Even if it is with myself :)

Well, thats about enough for now, I'm going to split...i feel weird that I just spilled my guts. Dont worry folks, there's pleanty more where that came from.