Put a Check next to Run a Race!

I completed my first official race last weekend at the Canyonlands Half Marathon and 5 Mile Run in Moab. My friend Nissa and I had personal best. Super excited to have done that for myself. I have lost close to 20 lbs (I know it doesn't look like it) training for the race. Every single part of my body has hurt over the past 3 months with the combination of running, yoga and weight training. Thanks to Nissa for allowing herself to be convinced to do this and thanks Ed for coming to the gym with me everyday and slowing your pace on those Saturday runs.

Nissa and Me Pre-Race

Who woulda thought, me running!?!

Family Time for Free

This weekend we had two family movie nights. We have successfully completed the Star Wars Saga and eaten our share of popcorn and Creamies. We also had a fun walk down Provo Canyon today. I miss the pre-avalanche Bridal Veil Falls. Does anybody remember the trout at the bottom of the falls? Ryan rode his Waveboard and Brennan shared his scooter with Ed. Lucky for Ed, and all of you, that I didn't post the picture of Ed purposely "mooning" me while he rode Brennan's scooter.

This is right before the "mooning".

It was windy down the Canyon, can you tell?

BIRTHDAY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ED!!! We love you!

How old?

Where did February go?

Where has time gone? We have been so extemely busy, I am burning the candle at both ends and in the middle. Since our focus on Family time, we have really taken it to heart and have been instituting a lot of opportunities to do things with the boys, doing things as a couple and for ourselves. For journalings sake, here are some of the highlights of February.
BYU Folk Dance Ensemble - For Valentine's Day, we went on a Family Date. We went and saw the BYU Folk Dance Ensemble perform. It was a fun night and it got the boys exposed to some "culture" (if you call a bunch of BYU students performing folk dances from around the world "culture").

Peaks Jazz Festival - A couple weeks ago, Ed and I went to the Peaks Jazz Festival. It was amazing to see all that amazing young talent and see some of the best in the Jazz world perform. I wish I played an instrument! I wish we would have taken Ryan to the performance, I think it would have inspired his Trombone and Drum playing.

Family Movie Night - Over the last 4 or 5 weeks, we have instituted the Callahan Family Movie Night. This is where we watch a movie together as a family, no interruptions (okay not true, Ed has to answer his phone, potty breaks, snack breaks). We go all out with beverages, popcorn, brownies, ice cream, nachos, you get the picture. This has become a tradition for us, we look forward to it each week and I think the boys really dig it!!!

Gym - I have been working out really hard in preparation for my race in Moab in month. I've been at the gym Monday-Saturday. I also restarted training with a trainer to finish up some sessions I bought last year before my twisted ankle. Can I just say, I am in pain everyday. There has not been one day that has gone by that some part of my body does not hurt.

Jazz Game - Last Monday, one of Ed's business partners gave us tickets to his box seats for the Jazz vs. Hawks game. It was fun date night and an opportunity to visit with Ed's business partner and his wife. Can I just say that, "box seats ROCK!!!!" You do miss out on some of the energy that you get from sitting with the crowd.... But the view? The private bathroom? Comfy seats? Can't beat it!

Going once, going twice....sold on more family time!

This past weekend in our attempts to have FUN for free and be frugal, we had a first! We went up to Salt Lake to an auction....at a real auction house. The now defunct Music School was selling all their stuff so we thought we would check it out. We didn't buy anything, but it was exciting. There was a lot of energy and it was pretty fun. It was ebay, only live!

We were close to the Utah State Capital so we went to the Utah visitor's center and walked around the State Capital. The boys had never been, I had been there one other time for a rally 14 or 15 years ago. It was so great to just spend time with the boys and walk around the grounds and see a truly beautiful building. I am sad to say that we really don't do enough things as a family. So after this weekend, we made a commitment to plan more excursions that cost little or no money. Stay tuned!

The Calling

RULES:
1. Put your iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc. on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS.
4. Have Fun

IF SOMEONE SAYS 'ARE YOU OKAY' YOU SAY....? "Wake" (Linkin Park)

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF? "Best I Ever Had" (Vertical Horizon)

WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A GUY/GIRL ?"Dangerously in Love" (Destiny's Child)

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY? "Just Like a Pill" (Pink)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE? "You're Still You" (Josh Groban)

WHAT'S YOUR MOTTO? "Lost in Love" (Air Supply)

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU? "Faithfully" (Journey)

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU? "Y'All Know" (Will Smith)

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN? "I Feel You" (Depeche Mode)

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT YOUR FIRST KISS? "More than Love" (Los Lonely Boys)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND? "Escape" (Hoobastank)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY? "Jesus of Suburbia" (Green Day)

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? "Locomotion" (OMD-Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark)

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE? "Three Little Birds" (Bob Marley)

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING? "Papercut" (Linkin Park)

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL? "Never Tear Us Apart" (INXS)

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST? "People are People" (Depeche Mode)

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR? "Simple" (Collective Soul)

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET? "The Lover After Me" (Savage Garden)

WHAT DO YOU WANT RIGHT NOW? "Side of a Bullet" (Nickelback)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS? "Not Myself" (John Mayer)

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS? "The Calling" (Santana feat. Eric Clapton)

Props to My Girl Kiki

I have some great friends, but I really need to give a "shout-out" to one person in particular. This is going to embarass my friend Kiki...but she knows I love her!

This is my friend Kiki. She is also my neighbor. I have known her for almost 3 years, and from the very moment I met her, I felt very comfortable with her and we started talking immediately about some really "deep" things and became fast friends. She has that effect on people. I don't think I am the only one.

The last couple years have been really hard for me on a very personal level and she has always been there for me. She offers a listening ear without judgement, a shoulder to cry on, an open heart with love and understanding and words to inspire and comfort.

She is one of the most honest people I know. She has no problem pointing out her own weaknesses and faults, which is so refreshing. It has taught me that it is okay to be imperfect as long as you are aware of it and trying to change. I don't have to BS with her, she accepts me for who I am and there is no superficial crap to muddle through. She is also one of the most "aware" people I know. The last year I started a journey of self-awareness and I think she is the only one that "gets me" and can speak my language. In Ed's professional opinion, she is "highly developed".

On a lighter note....the girl is hilarious. She always makes me laugh, pee in my pants laugh! She's from the South, you should hear her say the word "oil"... it's cute. She is the only one I can call or IM and say "wassup dog" "fo' sheezy" "fo' shizzle my nizzle" etc. and totally get it and banter back (LOL). She is so fun and has "Joie de vivre". She is a beautiful person, inside and out.

Kiki, if you read this (eventually, if Wyatt gives you a break), you are the bomb. I love you so much, "my sistah from anotha motha"!