CERAMICS

 While visiting my parents in Ferron, mom decided to take the kiddos to Emery to a little ceramic shop (it is one of the ONLY businesses in this whole town).  The girlies picked out the figurine that to paint.  Katie chose a cute little elephant, Becky a family of wolves and Belle a sweet little fairy.  The girls really seemed to enjoy being creative.  The tried a little dry brushing to help make the details in the figurines stand out.

 

 It was pretty quiet while the girls did the painting...lots of tongues sticking out as they concentrated on each stroke.  The final products are quite good for little girls having painted them.

SALT LAKE MARATHON

 Our "race" season began this weekend.  Steve and I both participated in the Salt Lake Half Marathon with our friends Dayna and Ryan.  It was a great day for a race.  The start line was not as cold as we had anticipated.  The men took their place towards the front of the large mass that were gathering at the start.  Dayna joined me towards the rear.  It is always a little exciting as you stand there the few minutes before you actually start.  There is a palpable energy.  They counted down and then the airhorn was blown, and then...we waited a few more minutes before we actually started as we made our way, slowly, to that start.

 I enjoyed my running playlist in one ear as Dayna chatted with me in the other.  We alternated jogging with walking (much more walking than jogging).  By mile 9 Dayna was ready to run a little more and my hip was not having any of that, so she went a head.  Luckily it was then that my running angel (Steve) appeared.  He had finished his race with a time of 1:23, wrapped his knee that has been giving him trouble and made his way back up the course to me.  I had him by my side as I finished the course...3:44...not wonderful by any stretch of the imagination, but I really don't care.  I am proud of my accomplishment.  I would love to be a "real runner" some day, but not sure I have it in me.   At least I am out there doing something, something I would have never thought I would do in my life...

13

Last weekend we celebrated Ysabelle's 13th Birthday. 

I still can't get over it...she is a teenager.  I remember that little baby that laid in the bassinet while in the hospital and I looked in at her and wondered what she would be like as she matured.  Would we be friends, would she be athletic or a cheerleader, would Steve have to scare the boys away from this beautiful girl?

And now I know...she is a beautiful young woman.  She is very independant, but has moments that she needs her mom and dad for support still.  She is very smart and can do anything that she puts her mind to.  She can be very nurturing to little ones and compassionate to those who need help.  She can dance and play sports.  She is a natural on the piano and has a beautiful voice when she sings.  She just seems to be a natural at anything she tries.  She is going therough the typical preteen/teenage angst that so many of us have gone through.  I hope she will continue through these upcoming years with few heartbreaks and tears.

I love that girl, my baby girl...

Welcome to your teenage years, Bell-E-Button!!!