For the Beauty of the Earth

Leaf People by Sophie & Grace

Every friend I have that blogs has had an entry lately about the beauty of fall. Here is my contribution to the adoration of the world we live in! On Saturday I ran a 10K here. The entire race was on trails around a gorgeous lake. The sun was shining, it was cool and there was no discernible humidity! I ran with a new friend and had a great time. The leaves are just beginning to change, so no color yet to speak of but I was moved by the beauty surrounding me.

I also LOVE running races. Not because I have ever won. (I think once in my 20's I placed 3rd in my age category in the Art City Days Fun run in Springville, Utah. I thought that was really cool. I still have the dorky T-shirt from the race.) I love races because I love to be with so many other runners. All shapes, sizes and colors of people all having a good time and working towards the same goal. I always feel like part of a really cool team or club or something, as silly as it sounds. I love to cheer for other people. If races gave a Miss Congeniality award I would really be a contender. People here in NC don't cheer nearly as much as I am used to. I love to be cheered for and running races is the only time it happens. Wouldn't it be cool if you heard "Whoo, hoo! Way to go!" when actually getting the dishes done before going to bed? Or "Hang in there, the finish is right ahead!" When hugely 9 months pregnant and you can barely move? How about, "Come on you can do it!" When trying to be patient upon hearing for the 19th time in a 2 hour period, "MOM! COME WIPE ME!!!!" Of course all these things would have to be yelled at an appropriate volume to make them a cheer.

Alas, not once in my life has a stranger yelled encouragement to me. Except for when I am plodding along, trying to finish a race. So I will keep cheering and having a blast all while wondering why in the world feeling such pain could ever be construed as fun.

Happy Fall!

By the way, I ran 6 minutes faster then the last 10K I ran in July, Yeah for me!
And I actually ran in pants this morning. It was 52 degrees here. Whoo hoo!

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

We love you Grandpa Smith! Happy Birthday!

September Stuff & Em's Wedding

 Emilee and Ben's Wedding

 I love this picture! Em is so happy and beautiful!

We met Stan's girlfriend Julie for the first time. She is really wonderful.

 I think I was a little tired by this point....

 Grace & Sophie's first Lagoon trip!

So...here I am again. We got back this week from a crazy, fun, busy trip to Utah for my sister's wedding. If anyone is reading this that I didn't get to visit, I am so sorry! I would have loved to see you. Both of our families are in Utah, so after family and kid stuff there is just not a lot of time for much else.We had fun but I have to say that it is crazy to travel with young kids. I told Jason we are not going anywhere for 6 months during the hardest of our 4 flights and he answered, "6 YEARS!"

Smores at Grandma and Papa's

When we lived in Sandy Grace and Sophie loved to go to Wheeler Farm. It was fun to visit again. 

First Day of Preschool!

Binkie Heaven!

Grace has a huge imagination. She cracks me up all the time with her stories and explanations of things. The other day at lunch Grace said,"I have something to tell you. It's something you can dream about or just imagine. What if there was a really, really,really, REALLY big red fish. As big as a house. And all the people could come and take one bite each day!" We had red fish chewies the day before and I guess she was just showing her inner candy love.

Noah mostly mumbles. He thinks he is talking, but it is just nonsense sounds. She sounds like the adults on Charlie Brown movies. Grace has started interpreting for him. She will tell me, "Noah just said a joke. He said,"What does the bear say to the deer? Eat the trees!" Then she will laugh and laugh.

Luke is talking like crazy. He is using simple sentences and makes us laugh. He just came up to me with my big exercise ball and said, "Mom, bounce!" Sophie is sweet, strong willed and fun loving. She is learning how much fun it is to tease her siblings. Luke gives it back to her already. Good times at the Hardy home.