Back in the Race

This is the half marathon that I've been training for after a year and a half break from running. It took a long time and I never lost the weight to be at a safe weight for this distance event. In fact, I gained. So given this fact, I have run intervals at a much slower pace to keep it as safe as I can. This is also the first half I've trained on my own for. I did have my friends, Anjuli and Amanda sign up with me.

It was cold and really windy that morning and that did not change even when the sun came up. I could not feel my fingers or nose the first 2 miles. Mile 8 was all gradual uphill with headwind which was fun to play with and I was glad to see my husband and kids out cheering for me at the end of mile 8 and the finish. They were all wearing shorts, mind you.

I finished way after my friends but Anjuli and her family stayed int eh cold to cheer me in. I was so happy to have them and my own family there at the end. This is the first time Neal was able to join me at a half.

It was a good race. I always give myself a window goal time. My fastest time being 3 hr, 10 min for this race given I was doing 4 min run:1 min walk intervals. The wind was hard but it was also fun and I played with my effort/pace throughout the race. I came in with an official time of 3 hours, 7 minutes, 44 seconds, well under 2 minutes on my best goal time!

STAAR Testing - Our Nemesis

I hate that teachers feel forced to teach to this test and I am not quiet about my opinions on that. I do not get nasty about it to my kids because it would devalue the hard work they put in every day to get by. 

This is what my kids get:

 This is what I rant on Facebook:
"Because you cannot reduce the awesomeness of human learning and experience to a set of numbers. Because standardized tests do not value the creativity, diversity, and actual abilities of our kids OR their teachers."

Again, what my kids get:

 

What I rant: 

"Because "standardized tests exist for administrative, political, and financial purposes, not for educational ones....Everyone benefits except the children. For them, standardized testing is worthless..." - Thomas Armstrong"

By the way, I have teachers "liking" these like crazy.

Easter

For Easter we wanted to include our fellow friends in a service project as a way for all to feel closer to the Savior. When you do good, you feel good. A local faith based food pantry posted that they were hoping for people to donate their plastic grocery bags so recipients could get their orders to the car easily.  We thought this would be perfect for little ones since the items were easily accessible and free. After 2 weeks, the kids were able to deliver a large black trash bag tightly stuffed with clean, hole-free grocery bags and a box of diapers to meet the pantry's needs.  We were so grateful to all the families that participated. Most often it doesn't take much to show a caring heart and to make someones life better. Thank you!

At home we got our visit from the Easter bunny a week early! It brought day packs stuffed with a camp towel, bathing suits for the upcoming season, a couple summer shirts and shorts and, of course, a chocolate bunny and a salty snack.

Throughout Easter week we discussed the last week of Jesus Christ's life and his teachings. We watched bible videos to go along with it. We also posted pictures on a wall in our dining room to remind us of the importance of Jesus in God's plan.

We also put out a jar to put bunny tails (cotton balls) in whenever they showed kindness within our family--something we are ever working on. If it was filled by Easter, we would have homemade cinnamon rolls during our church's General Conference, which fell on Easter. We barely made it. 

On Thursday, Oma and Opa stopped by to visit and share baskets with the kids. Thank so much!

General Conference was historical and wonderful! We sustained the new prophet, President Nelson, two new apostles, and other church leaders. Changes were announced for priesthood holders and the organization of their groups, as well as, changes to visiting teaching, home teaching, and ministering.   Our prophet also announced several new temples to be built in the future, including the first in Russia.  What a wonderful time in the church and for our world. To see so many blessings and promises being fulfilled is exciting.

One of my favorite quotes from President Nelson was when he counseled, “In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost. My beloved brothers and sisters, I plead with you to increase your spiritual capacity to receive revelation. Choose to do the spiritual work required to enjoy the gift of the Holy Ghost and hear the voice of the Spirit more frequently and more clearly.”

Now to do the spiritual work and more consistently.