Training

I am not, nor have I ever been a runner. However, I am becoming a runner to a small degree. I am currently training for a 5K race, the Freedom Run, in Provo on July 5th. If I manage to run the whole way (3.2 miles), that will be the longest continuous run I've ever completed!

So, to train for this unprecedented event, I run several times a week outside. This has to be early in the mornings because here in AZ the summer is rapidly descending upon us. Also, as part of my training, I've been going to the YMCA several times a week. I don't know if fun is the right word, but its been exciting having this goal to work toward. Steve is also training, but for the 10K on the same day. We'll see the fruits of our labors in just 4 1/2 short weeks!

House Hunters!

We began our house hunt about 3 months ago. After seeing and immediately falling in love with this house, we made an offer began the wait. That's because this house, like the majority of the homes for sale in the Phoenix area are short sales. That means that the owner owes more on the home than he can sell it for, thus the bank, or in this case, banks have to approve the sale before it can go through. And they definitely take their own sweet time.

Well, today we got the approval from the second bank!! Now the real fun begins; inspections, appraisals, paperwork, etc. Hopefully in about 30 days it will finally be OUR home!

It looks rather unassuming from the outside, but we love it; the layout, location, yard (or possibilities with the yard) and best of all its 6 minutes from Steve's office! Its in the Palm Valley area of Goodyear, a little west of Phoenix. I wish I had interior pictures to post, but here's the link to the floorplan if you want to take a look!

http://x.uis.net/nharchive/ppicture.php?modelid=33603402

Easter Weekend

Here are a few pictures from our busy Easter Weekend.

Egg dying started out a little sad (too many rules).

Things started looking up when we let Mirnada destroy her

Easter Eggs instead of coloring them

You may know that I am not a jam fan.

Even so, I made strawberry jam on Saturday...my first-ever attempt.

Steve says it came out well!

The Stimpsons came over on to watch Conference,

have Easter dinner and an egg hunt...

(Isn't she a doll!?!)

...and to Celebrate Steve and Suzie's birthdays!

Sooner or later everone goes to the Zoo

Miranda's favorite part of the Zoo last week...

Ragnar

Steve has been training for the past several months for the Ragnar. This is a 204 mile relay that is run over a period of about 30 hours by a team of 12 people. (sounds fun, huh?) Being a relay, each member of the team runs 3 legs ranging from 4-8 miles each. The others drive in a van, rest, etc, when not running. It started in Prescott and ended in Tempe.

Here he is at the finish line with Miranda (Miranda did not run, but likes to wear Steve's medal...even wore it to church last Sunday).

Here's his team.

They were all pretty dead here at the end. Steve's only casualty was a black toenail...not sure how that happened. Good job Steve!!

The Grass is Not Always Greener

Since moving to Arizona, I've discovered that the grass is not always greener...it was much greener in Michigan. However, I've discovered that it is not impossible to have green grass here. It does take some work (and luck) though. During the summer when it is 110+ degrees during the day, the only thing that will grow is bermuda grass which is pretty much indestructable.

During the winter the bermuda grass goes dormant/turns brown so if you want a green lawn during the winter, you have to plant it every fall. We decided to try it. Here's what you do:

1. mow your bermuda grass really short
2. put down winter grass seed (and hope it doesn't get eaten by birds)
3. cover it with dirt

It has taken some time, a lot of 'tending,' getting rid of some pesky gophers (knock on wood) and a really good week of rain, but we finally have a nice green lawn in our backyard (nevermind that the yard is totally devoid of other trees or shrubs...those will come when we own a house). There are still some bald spots and yellow patches, but I'm pretty proud of our work.

The Cake Question

For Miranda's 2nd birthday, I decided to make an Elmo cake. Now, Miranda really likes Sesame Street and Elmo, but she still doesn't really know what a birthday is, nor did she ask for an Elmo cake. But, for some reason I decided I'd make one (without the Elmo cake pan, I might add). It turned out pretty cute and wasn't too hard, it just took longer than I wanted it to. Miranda would have been just as pleased with a plain cake with plain, chocolate frosting, or even a store-bought cake, for that matter. Now don't get me wrong, she enjoyed the Elmo cake for the whole 1 minute before she blew out the candles and we cut it into pieces, but I was just wondering why I (and probably many other mothers) felt the need to make fancy cakes for their toddlers...


Maybe its to use those mad cake-decorating skills I learned at young women's activities many years ago. Maybe its just the thing stay-at-home moms feel they need to do. I decided the best answer (although the other answers may be true too) is...I love Miranda!!! We'll see if next year brings more cake decorating, or just a plain, boring, but equally as yummy cake:)

Happy Birthday to my Baby!