Some of my favorite things about this spring!

Basking in the morning sun! I like sitting in the chair by maggie! The warmth of the sun shining in feels so good.

I ran 10 miles yesterday! The weather is slowly warming up!

I love listening to the birds in the morning!

April Showers Bring May Flowers! Nature Walks

Watching my kids grin ear to ear playing on toys!

Lots and Lots of bike rides





Being Dallin's Soccer Coach

Fresh flowers in my living room :)

What are some of your FAVORITE things about Spring?

Haircut

Yes, I went to Fantastic Sam's last night and cut my hair! Do you think I did something Drastic?
If you thought 'No' you are right. It is against my nature to do anything drastic. It FEELS so much BETTER!. I had a few inches taken off and had it layered. Ah' it feels refreshing. It is one of those things you just need to do more often, to give yourself a boost.



This morning I had a great run! I am starting to pick up the pace and it gives me more of a challenge. I am starting to feel the runners HIGH. It's awesome! I get the good chills and I feel like I can keep on going like the energizer bunny. The training is well worth experiencing a runner's high!



I have not metioned yet that I have taken a challenge to have no treats/chocolate for 21 days. I am at my 2 day mark and so far so good. Hey, I know you are laughing thinking it has only been two days but taking this challenge is a struggle for me every minute. I have not had the ........

YET . . . but it will be coming and I am preparing myself for it. My twenty one day mark will be the day I run my 1/2 marathon and my treat is going to either be ice-cream or a candy bar. Actually, make that both! Vanilla ice-cream with a candy bar crushed on top. Mmmm that sounds good. If anyone would like to take this challenge we would like to have a get together and go bowling or something that does not involve food to reward ourselves. So far our group consists of Rosie and Me :) Please join! The more the merrier :) This challenge is to help us be Healthy and to cut back on the sweets, everything in moderation :)

Making Peace with your hair :)

We all have days when we scream "I've got to do something with my hair" I am having one of those days, I have unruly hair and I am ready to chop it off and do something drastic. I have not grown out my hair for a long time and I am trying to let it grow long. I don't know if i will make it!

Sarah Breathnach has this written in her book " A woman's hair has for centuries been called her "crowning glory," but every woman I know speaks of her intimate relationship with her hair as a nightmare. I don't know any woman personally who really loves her hair, just women who cope. Hair is a living, powerful, mercurial, metaphysical energy force to be respected, reckoned with, and reconciled to, but it can not be controlled any more than atomic fusion. Occasionally, it can be cajoled into becoming conduct (we refer to these lapses as "good hair days") but it can never be coerced. Think of all the money, time, creative energy, and emotion we invest in our hair. Yet most of the time it insists on expressing its authenticity, not necessarily ours. I don't know about you, but I'm exhausted from the mini skirmishes I wage with life every day, and the battle with my hair is not the least of them. . . .above all, learning to accept your hair is part of the process of learning to love yourself. The poet Marianne Moore believed that "Your thorns are the best part of you" and she was right.


I don't know if i agree with 'our thorns being the best part' but I am going to try and make peace with my hair today and hopefully I won't take a pair of scissors to my hair :)

I could eat donuts for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner!!

And yesterday I did just that! Donuts for Breakfast and Dinner! Man O Man!

I must confess that I am a food junky. I know that this is not surprising for some to read but I am taking the first step for myself and admitting it. Now, I need to do something about it. Is there a sugar/chocolate rehab for people that are addicted to sweets? I need to look it up and see what i can find. Maybe i can find some baby step guidelines to wean me off of junk food.

Well, anyhoo I think these donuts are scrumptious and my husband said they are a heart-a-tack in a basket ;) Last week we had a recipe exchange group and one of the ladies gave this idea to do with your kids. Super easy donuts: Pillsbury Buttermilk Biscuits! stretch a biscuit out like a donut, the kids can have fun doing that part and then fry in a pan of oil and then dip in cinnamon and sugar. This can be a good treat for family home evening tonight :)

Enjoy!

Happy Birthday Dad :)

This picture was taken when I was eleven years old and I was with my Dad on a Daddy Daughter Date! It is one of my favorite pictures taken with my Dad. O' the cherished memories! I wish we could be with you to celebrate your birthday. We had a lot of fun with you last year when we made you a pinata! Fun Memories! We send you our love!

DAD - I must tell you one trait that you have passed on to all of us kids. And that is the eyebrow wiggle. Marnie and I were discussing this when she just came to visit. She didn't think she does it but she does! Penny actually does it too! I remember when I returned home from my mission I was sitting at the table with you and we were eating breakfast and we both looked up at each other and wiggled our eyebrows up and down. I realized at that point I had gotten that from you! It's amazing to see what little characteristics we can pass on.

This may not make sense to others but the Penhallegon kids know what I am talking about. It's hard to explain :) Instead of a smile or saying something we just give an eyebrow wiggle and we all got it from our Dad :) Did you know we all do that? This is something I just realized ALL of us do when we were together at our family reunion! Thanks for being you Dad! LOVE YA

God's World
O world, I cannot hold thee close enough!
Thy winds, thy wide grey skies!
Thy mists, that roll and rise!
Thy woods, this autumn day,that ache and sag
And all but cry with colour! That gaunt crag
To crush! To lift the lean of that black bluff!
World, World, I cannot get thee close enough!
Long have I known a glory in it all,
But never knew I this:
here such a passion is
As stretcheth me apart, -- Lord, I do fear
Thou'st made the world too beautiful this year.
My soul is all but out of me -- let fall
No burning leaf; prithee, let no bird call.
Edna St. Vincent Millay

Every day brings something beautiful!

SWEET VIOLETS

Yesterday, I was thinking about what kind of poem i would like to discover, so i thought to myself 'i will take a picture first and then have that inspire what kind of poem i would like to find' so . . . . here is my picture . .

When I looked up poems about violets there is a whole society that has been inspired by violets and have written poems about this flower. These little flowers are beauties. I pick some every day and put them in my kitchen window. Have a Beautiful Friday :) Love to all :)

The Violet


Down in a green and shady bed, A modest violet grew; Its stalk was bent, it hung its head As if to hide from view. And yet it was a lovely flower, Its colour bright and fair; It might have graced a rosy bower, Instead of hiding there. Yet thus it was content to bloom, In modest tints arrayed; And there diffused a sweet perfume, Within the silent shade. Then let me to the valley goThis pretty flower to see; That I may also learn to grow In sweet humility. Jane Taylor

I ran for two hours! 30 more minutes to go! I think i can . . .I think i can . . .

My goal for this morning was to run for two hours and I did it! I started running at 5:10 am and finished at 7:10 am. It was an absolutely gorgeous morning. The moon was a golden, reddish color and it was going down right above lake lowell and reflecting on the water. I tried to take a picture with my cell phone but all you can see is a black screen with a white dot in the middle. O' it was a brilliant moon set. I can't say I have ever seen a moon set. Then when I finished my run there was a beautiful sunrise. WOW! What a way to start the day!

My husband just bought me some ear pieces so i can listen to music while i run and that helped a lot. There was a song playing with the lyrics "how far we've come" and it was neat to reflect on how far i have come! I never thought i would be running a half marathon and I am doing it! Bring it on Baby :) The joy comes in the journey and training for this run is teaching me so much! Thanks for letting me share my progress and thank you for all of your encouraging words. I couldn't do this run without my friends and family supporting me!

Celebrate with a Poem

Did you know April is National Poetry Month?


My husband is probably nervous reading the title of this post, no need to worry honey ;) But, i must say that he is an amazing writer and I have a good collection of love notes ;) Anyhoo, I have been spending time lately at the Dentist office and I saw an article that gave some great ideas on how we can celebrate this month with a poem and i thought how neat it would be to have this for a tradition with my family.

• Memorize a poem - Getting a poem or prose passsage truly "by heart" implies getting it by mind and memory and understanding and delight. (Our Prophet is a great example about memorizing poems!)


• Take a poem out to lunch - Adding a poem to lunch puts some poetry in your day and gives you something great to read while you eat. Slip a poem in your child's lunch box!


• Recite a poem to family and friends


• Put a poem on the pavement - Go one step beyond hopscotch squares and write a poem in chalk on your sidewalk!


• Put a Poem in Your Pocket Today! - I would like to discover a new poem today and I will share it with you tomorrow morning! Have a good day everyone and share a poem with your children, friends or spouse today :)

A poem I often think about is one my mom has told me many times. . ."I'm rocking my Baby"

...The cleaning and scrubbing will wait till tomorrow, for children grow up, as I've learned to my sorrow. So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust go to sleep. I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep. from "Song for a Fifth Child" by Ruth Hulburt Hamilton

Penny is two now and I still think she is my little baby! I am learning to my sorrow that she is growing up way to fast. I love taking a few minutes everyday to rock my baby! She is so precious and sweet!

April 16th A DAY TO REMEMBER

Six years ago today, I had one of the best days of my life! I had a boyfriend (now known as my husband :) that planned a breakfast date with me. I have all the details written in my journal but that beautiful sunny morning after we ate at a one-man-band diner, he took me back to my apartment and he needed to get ready to go to class but we paused for a few moments and he gave me a KISS! I can still remember that moment as if it was just yesterday. A paused moment in time that created a forever bond. Now, six years later I am still in love!

I surprised Rolo this morning and took him out for breakfast. My sweet friend let me drop off the kids at 7 am so we could enjoy a meal without the little ones. (THANK YOU) We went to I-HOP and our waitress asked us what we were up to and we both looked at each other and smiled, then Rolo said we are celebrating our first kiss. I wasn't expecting him to say that but it was true and the waitress thought that was so sweet. We were the only couple in the restaurant! I wonder how many times the waitress has heard that line before? I am so glad that we took the time to remember a special occasion. We had mentioned our two kids to the waitress, then it hit me, WOW! six years ago we were just dating and look what that one kiss started. I am blessed! Thank you my love! I love you!

I would also like to share a poem Rolo wrote for me a couple months ago. I have it posted on the wall by my kitchen sink and I read it every day. He is so good with expressing his love in words and in his actions ;)

"To love well is to live well - ere not love is but husk and shell. Treasures obtained with greed, serve naught but your worst to feed - while the treasure obtained through selfless desires transforms, exalts, and inspires" By Rolo February 2008

Scatter sunshine!

Scatter sunshine all along your way; Cheer and bless and brighten, Every passing day!

I made some cupcakes for my young ladies in primary. Our ward was split on Sunday and I am going to miss the girls that I have had the oppurtunity to teach. They always brought a smile to my face.

I used a recipe from Kraft Foods for Lemon-Cream Cheese Cupcakes. The lemon flavor is a great treat for spring time. I especially liked the cream cheese in the frosting, and I did the simple version and just used a lemon cake mix. You can click on this link and you can get the recipe :) kraftfoods. 0 My oldest sister also had a good idea to top the cupcakes with crushed lemon drops. I think that would add a nice little crunch :)

Dallin had fun decorating his own sunshine cupcake :)

Penny liked the frosting the best ;)

Conference talk from Elder Russell M. Nelson - Thus the ministry of the Apostles—the First Presidency and the Twelve—is to bring about that unity of the faith and to proclaim our knowledge of the Master. Our ministry is to bless the lives of all who will learn and follow the "more excellent way" of the Lord. We are to help people prepare for their potential salvation and exaltation.

What a blessing, to be able to learn from Elder Nelson! Our wonderful Apostles are here to help guide us! This is one of the talks that was meant for me.

In God’s eternal plan, salvation is an individual matter; exaltation is a family matter.

Individual progression is fostered in the family, which is "central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children." The home is to be God’s laboratory of love and service.
Our Heavenly Father wants husbands and wives to be faithful to each other and to esteem and treat their children as an heritage from the Lord. In such a family we study the scriptures and pray together. And we fix our focus on the temple. There we receive the highest blessings that God has in store for His faithful children.

How can we best teach our children? The Lord has given us specific instruction:
"No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by longsuffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned;
"By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—
"Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy." D&C 121: 41-43
When a child needs correction, you might ask yourself, "What can I say or do that would persuade him or her to choose a better way?" When giving necessary correction, do it quietly, privately, lovingly, and not publicly. If a rebuke is required, show an increase of love promptly so that seeds of resentment may not remain. To be persuasive, your love must be sincere and your teachings based on divine doctrine and correct principles.
Do not try to control your children. Instead, listen to them, help them to learn the gospel, inspire them, and lead them toward eternal life. You are God’s agents in the care of children He has entrusted to you. Let His divine influence remain in your hearts as you teach and persuade.

This life is the time to prepare for salvation and exaltation.

My husband mentioned to me while i was taking this photo 'that not even food can escape from the watchful eye of my camera'. It is a tradition for us to make Crepes on Conference weekend. So, every six months we indulge ourselves with these yummy crepes. We put ice-cream in the middle and then top them with peaches or strawberries. And may i recommend Costco's Kirkland brand of vanilla ice-cream. I want to eat a gallon of that ice-cream just thinking about it. I'm addicted!!!! Enjoy a yummy weekend breakfast by making these Crepes -

Recipe: 4 eggs, 1 1/2 cup milk, 1/4 tsp salt, 1 cup flour

Whisk eggs, milk and salt. Add flour, beat until smooth. Oil a small skillet. Pour 1/4 c. batter into center of skillet. Brown both sides. Makes 9 crepes

Famous Potato Marathon

Today is the day I am signing up for my 1/2 marathon! I will be officially 100 % committed.

I hope all of us in my family can set a goal and cross the finish line together!

You can do it! Just Do it!

ymcaboise 1/2 marathon / 10 k information - At this link you will be able to register on line. There are also some maps to show you the route we will be running.

This morning we had a nice 5 mile run. The birds are starting to sing earlier now, i love listening to there little melodies, there is music everywhere when you are up bright and early. It is a great way to start the day!

Have a Good Friday Everyone :) Keep Smilin :)

Must See Movie - August Rush

I loved watching this movie! It is rated PG! Perfect for a friday night - date night movie!

TAGGED BY ROSIE :)

A: The rules of the game are posted at the beginning.
B: Each player answers the questions about themselves
C: At the end of the post, the player then tags 3 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

1. What was I doing 10 years ago…I was a young, carefree college student at Ricks College


2. What is on my to-do list for today? I called all of my family members and tried to use the commitment pattern ;) on them to run/walk a 10k. I am a pesky youngest child that likes to pressure hopefully in a postive way - encourage my family to do this ½ marathon/10k together. Stretch-Yoga. Cleaned my house and made all the beds! Took Penny to the doctor. Gave her extra love because she has a bad ear infection. Baked Cookies with Dallin. Cooked some red meat for dinner and put some in the freezer for future meals. Cooking raw meat makes me want to be a vegetarian. I just love eating it too much :)


3. What would I do if I suddenly became a billionaire? Buy new shoes, buy a vacation home, live in a mansion and hire a maid and eventually go bankrupt! Not! I don’t even like shoes. I would put it into savings and triple the money :)


4. Three Bad habits... Perfectionist – Control Nut - my way or the high way, easily distracted , people watcher


5. Places I have lived.....Grew up in Wenatchee WA, College - Rexburg ID, Mission - St Louis MO, Provo UT, Nampa ID


6. Places I have worked... First Job I worked in a cherry warehouse, C.N.A - I worked at an assisted living place as a nursing assist. (yes, I have wiped one to many bums in my life time than I would like to admit), A cook at a Dude Ranch (wanna-be-cowgirl) Dental Assistant for an Endodonist, Worked with troubled teens ;) Social work


7. Things people don't know about me. . . . I love chocolate with Peanut Butter, Future goal is to become a yoga instructor, I enjoy doing chalk drawings – I want to become an artist and draw some childrens books. I think cows and pigs are cute. I love taking pictures of the outdoors, I am a dreamer and would also love to be a photographer. I like clam digging!


I would like to tag the following.... My friends that don’t have a blog, maybe this might encourage you to start one ;) Shauna, Chalyce, Wendy D. :)

Take time to enjoy the small and simple things!

A few thoughts in my mind this morning - I love watching small flowers blossom but more importantly than that i need to remember to enjoy watching my small children grow. Right now my children are watching there favorite cartoon 'Super Y' As soon as it comes on they love running into the kitchen, they dump out my kitchen towels and then they have me put a cape/towel around them so they can be super heroes. It makes them happy but at the same time it makes me go crazy. I need to chill out about them unfolding and dumping out all my towels. It is one of those battles for me to let them just be kids. Then they try and fly off our couch and dump all the cushions on the floor - Mess number 2 that i need to learn to chill out about :) They are just having fun! Where do you draw the line? Is that just part of having children? So anyhoo, my husband was so kind this morning and let me sleep in a little bit. I have been a little stiff from yesterdays run. When I looked out the window this morning this is what I saw . . . .
Snow/Ice Yikes! It needs to warm up outside! i am ready to start planting things in my garden but it has been to cold to go outside. If it warms up today I would like to go plant some snow peas. I am also excited because I just bought two new flowers to add to my garden this year. . .

Last year I planted sunflowers for the first time and it was so neat to plant the little seeds and be surprised with what colors and type of sunflower would bloom. I love watching small seeds bloom into something beautiful. An even greater small miracle are my kids. I think i take for granted my two beautiful miracles that are constantly growing in front of me. I need to remember to ALWAYS enjoy my small children!

I ran EIGHT miles this morning

I am so excited! I have five weeks left to train for my 1/2 marathon. I am in shock, I can't believe I am actually going to do it. My heart is the healthiest it has ever been in my life. I have started something that has changed my life for the better. Alright, my three sisters, are you doing it with me? Are you ready to commit? You can do it! My Brother is coming from UT to run my first half with me. It will be a memorable experience. I am getting ready! I would love it if all five of us siblings could do it together!

I need to print this picture out for some extra motivation! These feet will soon be running thirteen miles!

Thanks to a great gal that shared a link on her blog to picnik, i was able to edit this photo! Cool huh! Check out her blog! - 100percentcottom. I bought new shoes with my sister last week and they have made a huge difference. They are perfect for my feet, Saucony's!

Abuelo came to visit!

Abuelo came to see Dallin play his first soccer game and then we took the kids fishing for the first time. Penny was squealing with delight the whole time, and Dallin REALLY wanted to catch a fish but unfortunately we were unable to catch one. This location where we went fishing is very kid friendly. Next time we need to go early in the morning and the nice thing about this place is that it is close by. We will have lots of fun this summer going there, the kids definitely have a good time being outdoors in the wild ;)

Dallin's First Soccer Game

Dallin came so close to kicking the ball into the goal but a little girl stepped in front! The kids did well for there first game. Dallin is the little man in the group.

O' so SWEET

Kiss the cook :) Baking oreo cookies with cousin Whitney

1 devil choco. cake mix - 1/2 c. oil - 2 eggs - Mix well and roll into balls. Bake @ 375 for 8 min. Cream Cheese Frosting

O' so stuffed! Poor thing she looks pretty full!

Rolo and I had a good time coaching our first soccer practice last night! It's going to be really interesting to see how the first game goes tomorrow. We have a good group of 6 kids. Our goal is to have fun and create good memories for them!

I love my kids, they are so cute and so precious. Look at those blue eyes! Doesn't that just melt your heart? It melts mine and it makes me so happy to have two silly, energetic kids.

Having fun with Aunt Marnie and the cousins

This evening we went to Boondocks! The kids had a blast! But, poor Uncle Rolo is not as young as he thinks he is, he tried being adventurous and got sick on a ride called max flight. It's tough getting older ;) We rode on the go karts, played laser tag, and had fun playing all the arcade games. We have been keeping busy, playing at the Park, bike riding, went to the dollar theater, lots of shopping, playing soccer. . .

WILD KIDS

For breakfast on April Fool's day we had dessert! I wouldn't mind doing that every day. Mmm Mmm Good!

Here is a good recipe for an Orange Julius (From my sister JJ)

6 oz. frozen orange juice, 1 cup water, 1 cup milk, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tsp. vanilla, 12 ice cubes,
Blend and Enjoy!!!!!

Penny and Austin Chillin

"Give me this Mountain"

That saying was a motto in my mission. It meant take the challenge, aim high and conquer. I had a great run this morning! I have taken on the challenge to start running and I can't believe I am easily running 5 miles and feeling great when I am done. I have been running for six months now and it is on the top of my list of some of my greatest accomplishments. It is such a rewarding feeling to have your body in good shape. I can conquer running up hills now, it is neat to see the progress! I am so looking forward to running my first 1/2 marathon "Give me this Mountain"

...when a person is a "picture of health", it is because he is a happy frame of mind.

April, the Angel of the Months

(My daffodils in the backyard 2008)

Today is the first day of April! The sun is shining, the grass is turning green, the sky is a beautiful blue with just a few passing clouds, our bodies relish breathing in the fresh air, we can start to walk bare foot out side, flowers are blooming with radiant colors, I agree with Vita Sackville-West that this is the Angel of the Months.