Thankful...Gobble Gobble

I am so thankful for my family (even if my 2 year old wont stop crying the entire time we were paying good money to have our family pictures taken; I just stuffed smarties in his mouth so at least he isn't crying in the picture).
I love these three boys more than words could ever describe. I am thankful that they go along with me on all our silly adventures. That they make me laugh on a daily basis and laugh at my dorkiness. They really are just the best and I am so happy to have them in my life.

I am thankful for my parents, parent-in-laws, brothers, sibling-in-law (pretty sure that is a made up word), grandparents, great grandparents, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews.
I love that they are just there for me when I need them.

I am thankful for my friends, cause quite frankly they are the BEST! There is always a fun time to be had with the crowd I hang with.

I am thankful for chap stick, cause without it my lips would hurt real bad. (no seriously I love chap stick!)

I am thankful for my inhaler, cause without it I could not run or workout without coughing for hours on end. Even though my inhaler makes me feel like an old person, I love it for helping me breath!

I am thankful for my i phone, cause it has changed my life. I work with a boy from the Sudan whose mother has to walk 5-6 hours to get to a phone to talk to him. WOW, and I have an I phone, is something wrong with this picture? So if I am not grateful for my i phone that I am just plain selfish. I have so much!

I am thankful for my jobs, 1- as a mother, 2- as a social worker, 3-a wife, and 4- a friend. Yes they all take work, and yes they all make me a better person.

I am thankful for my car as it takes me to and fro in my daily life and on my fun family trips.

I am thankful for life, and try to live it without any regrets. We are blessed to be here and must take advantage of the blessings we have while we are here.

I am thankful for my new headband, my new warm socks, peppermint joe joes, eggplant, candles that smell yummy, my running group, amazon.com, computers, books, new couches, Mad Men, country music, air planes, dunford chocolate donuts, memories, my camera, toothpaste and lots of other really important cool stuff.

Hope Everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving! I hope you remember to at least think about what you are thankful for on this day of feasting!

Quick Trip

Berkeley and I took a quick trip to Utah last week for my Gramp's funeral. While it wasn't an ideal reason to go, we had a really good time being with our family. Berke did very well on the long flight; I owe it all to the Curious George Sticker book and the I Pad.
Berke loved seeing his Papa Taft and Lori; he loves them so much!

The kids were very good at the wake/viewing (it is called different things depending what part of the country you live in). There were ipods, iphones, DS and other electronic devices being passed around to make everyone happy.

It was great to visit family and see many people I haven't seen in years. We even got to to visit Berke's great great gram, my Gramp's mom who is doing wonderful at 95 years. My Great Gram Taft, Gram Taft, Bill, Nean, Laci and Berkeley. Pretty cute family.

We Taft's LOVE to shop! So what do you do when you feel sad?
Retail therapy!
Four women, one jeep, lots of shopping bags.

Most of my time was spent with my dad and Gram Taft, Berke and I also got to visit my mom and this side of the family. Two grandparents, 3 great grandparents, 4 cousins, an aunt and uncle later, this kid was so confused on why he has so many grandparents!
Berke loved playing cars with his cousin Tristen while everyone ate dinner.

Now we are back to reality. I can't believe Thanksgiving is just a week away!

Grandpa Taft

Michael Vern Taft

Michael V. Taft passed away November 7, 2011. He was born August 2, 1941 in Lehi, Utah to Vern Ivan and Utella Smith Taft. He married Dianne Thiese on October 29, 1960. Mike worked as a welder for the plumbers and pipefitters union for over forty years.
He enjoyed gardening, pets, and was an avid drag racing fan.
Mike is survived by his wife of fifty-one years Dianne, daughter JaNean Taft (Tom Dowland), son Bill Taft (Lori Green), grandchildren Rocky Taft (Michelle Baxter), Laci Gentry (Christian), great-grandchildren Gage Taft, Berkeley Gentry, Chanae Goodman, Ashton Baxter, great-great-granddaughter Kloie Goodman, mother Utella Taft, brothers Neil (Sandie) and Russell (Leslie) Taft, sister Cheryl Taft (Lance Wise). He was preceded in death by his father Vern Taft.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 11th at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 South Highland Drive, Salt Lake City. A viewing will be held on Thursday from 6-8:00 p.m., and one hour prior to the services on Friday.

Dear Gramp,

It is hard for me to imagine going to your house and not having you there, in your chair, in the kitchen waiting to greet me. I have so many memories of you sitting in your chair, always in that same spot. From that spot you could see who was coming to the door, see the birds visiting the bird feeder in the backyard, keep on eye on the dogs when they needed to go outside or be let back in. You were always there when Gram, Nean and I got back from our shopping trip, waiting anxiously to see how much Gram spent while we were out. We’d show you all our bargains, and you’d pretend to be impressed and interested. You were always sitting there to greet Rocky and I when we were little on Sunday mornings as we’d wake up and gather for a yummy meal together. That was just your special spot.

It is hard for me to picture Christmas mornings without you sitting by the fireplace. You always made the best fires on Christmas morning. You made sure all the beautiful wrapping paper from all the presents got disposed of by burning it up. This may seem like a silly memory, but each Christmas I can picture you sitting on the fireplace so clearly in my head, this was such a special tradition to me.

It’s hard for me to imagine anyone else driving your jeep around town. You love to drive everyone to dinner regularly. When Gram and Nean wanted to stop at Mervyns, Ross or Albertsons afterward, you would always gladly drop them off and wait in the jeep patiently for them to return. You were so good to take Gram to and from all of her medical appointments she had this year from her accident, as well as drive to visit her every single day she was in the hospital and rehab. It is so hard to imagine you not being there with Gram anymore, you two were such a wonderful team.

It’s hard to imagine who will run the BBQ in the backyard now. You were truly in your element in your backyard. You worked so hard to make it look nice, often to be destroyed by the dogs. You loved to have family BBQ’s, where you could fire up your monster chef grill and make everyone happy with juicy hamburgers, delicious steaks or tender chicken. You really were the master BBQer. If I think about it this really had to be your happiest self. You love to be with your family, outside, BBQing and eating good food.

Dear Gramp,

Thanks for teaching me to have a sense of humor. You were never a man who had a lot to say or who talked a lot about deep philosophical things, but people always wanted to hear what you had to say. Mostly everyone wanted to hear what witty, sarcastic thing would come out of your mouth next. You truly could match wits with anyone and loved to give those you cared about he most a hard time. This is definitely a trait you have handed down to my dad and I think I picked up on a bit of it as well. I can only hope Berkeley can get some of you humor as well.

Dear Gramp,

Thanks for loving your family so much. You and Gram are constantly showing your family how much you love them. You always wanted to with your family. Each Sunday you would drive to pick up your mom, Pop or both so we could all eat dinner together. There wasn’t a week that went by that you weren’t having dinner with Nean, Gage, Gram, dad or everyone. You truly loved being with your family whenever you could, as it was always your number 1 priority. Thanks for setting such a good example to me about the importance of family.

Thanks for being such a great Gramp to Rocky and I. We couldn’t have asked for anything better. You and Gram have always been there for us and helped us in any way you could. Thanks for being the best.

Thank you for being such a wonderful Great Grandfather! I know being able to watch Gage regularly has been one of the biggest joys for you and Gram the last few years. He has brought so much joy and laughter to you and your home. He’s been so lucky to be close with his great grandfather. I know he is going to miss you; eating his broccoli at Chili’s with you, along with the many other fun things you did together.

I know you and Gram keep up with my blog regularly mainly so you can keep up with Berkeley. The last time we talked on the phone a few weeks ago, you told me you had read how Berkeley had pushed a little girl into a fountain and of course you had to get on the phone and ask me what kind of child I was raising that would do such a thing. I am so glad Berke got to spend time with you this summer.

Dear Gramp,

I am going to miss you. My heart is so heavy that you left the world so fast. You are going to be missed so much by your wife, mother, daughter, son, brothers, sister, in-laws, grandchildren, and dear friends. I will miss your laugh, your amazingly cool and well-maintained mustache and especially your presence in my life. I know you are with your dad now and will watch over us all. Please know that we love you so much, and always will.

Love you Gramp!

THE SHIP

I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.

Then someone at my side says: "There, she is gone!"

"Gone where?"

Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port.

Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says: "There, she is gone!" there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout: 'Here she comes!"

And that is dying.


Henry Van Dyke

Product Placement

The joy in life comes from the little things, right? Just wanted to share with ALL of my loyal readers (the 3-4 of you still out there) what things bring me a little joy these days.

MAD MEN
Oh how I love this show. Christian and I have been watching it on Instant Netflix and we are hooked. We are 1/2 way through season 4 and love discussing these complex characters. Not sure why I didn't join this bandwagon sooner, but glad I finally did. Not to mention, Don Draper is some FINE eye candy ladies!

Echinacea Tea is my new wonder drug. I have been trying to do more holistic remedies lately (not that I will EVER give up IBU profin) and this tea is a proven miracle drug. I have been drinking 1-2 cups a day when I start to feel sick and it has been fighting my colds like a charm. When I am feeling healthy I try to drink a cup a week just to keep my immune system at peak functioning levels.
Have I mentioned that I am totally becoming an herbal tea junkie? There are so many delicious flavors and it is the perfect trick to warm up in the morning and no calories to boot.

Please direct your eyes to the lovely head band I am wearing in this picture.

A woman was selling them at the Hartford Health Expo when I was there for my 1/2 marathon. I have always tried to wear a headband when I workout, the idea is great, but they always slip of my big noggin.
I have found the BEST headband EVER!
These are called GLAM Headbands, they are non-slip adjustable headbands with special grip slips.
I wore this bad boy my entire race and it never moved!!!!
AMAZING!
I have short hair so this is such a wonderful find for when I hit the gym. I have been wearing it constantly and plan to get a few more because they are so super duper awesome.
If you are interested you can find them online at
www.glamheadbands.com
They are affordable and you get free shipping if you spend $25. A pretty good Christmas gift if you ask me.

I am always looking for a good book to read (not that I create much time for myself to actually read a book if I find one). I recently read Bossypants written by Tina Fey and it was hysterical! Tina writes just like she talks; if you are in need of a good laugh you should pick up this book. It will pick up your mood and have you laughing out loud. Comical genius!

Go to Bath and Body Works, buy this minty deliciousness for your lips.
It will change your life.

This tooth paste is Da Bomb!!! Try it, you'll love it. It is like a party in your mouth! Then put that minty lip gloss on and you are good to go in the oral hygiene department!
Seriously so good!

So those are my little joys as of late.
It is important to remember those little things when life seems overwhelming and hard.
What are some of your little joys?

All Hallows Eve

This year Berkeley decided he wanted to be a cowboy for Halloween. Grandma Sorrels bought him his outfit and all he needed was some cowboy boots. I let him help me pick out the boots; he was so excited he was going to get Mater (from Cars) cowboy boots. The day they arrived he was so happy and was cheering; we couldn't open the package fast enough. The kid was IN LOVE with his boots. Twenty minutes later, I put the boots on him and he is having a complete and utter meltdown to get the boots off!!! He refused to walk in them, he HATED them! I tried again a couple days later and got the same reaction.
As we were getting ready for our Halloween Party Saturday night I told him he got to wear his special boots with his costume. I took them out of the box and set them on the table...this pictures is worth a thousand words. Just seeing the boots put the kid into meltdown mode.
"Put the boots in the box Mommy!" Needless to say, no cowboy boots were worn to the party.
How can a love fade so fast? I thought every little boy needed a pair of cowboy boots, but apparently I was wrong.

We attended the 4th Annual Donigard Halloween Party this year. This party is always AMAZING and so much fun. Bonnie and Kate do some of the coolest decorating for a party I have ever seen, this year did not disappoint.
We went as a bowling ball and pin this year. We didn't win any prize, but we felt good about our costumes.
Berke was a pretty adorable cowboy, even without his cowboy boots.
I love his cheesin' it up smile! Yeehaw!

Here are some great costumes from the party:
Don and Betty Draper from Mad Men
The Ron Swanson Family from Parks and Recreation
Snow White and Gimli from Lord of the Rings

Edgar Allan Poe and his Raven, Legolas from Lord of the Rings, the Mad Hatter and the HULK

Did I mention that it totally snowed that night? Yep, it was pretty slippery driving home and I was pretty mad to bring my snow boots out in October...but what can you do?

The next day we made Halloween cookies and potato ghosts. We skipped the pumpkin carving this year, it just didn't happen. As we delivered the cookies to our neighbors I was not surprised the 3 out of 4 of them had a special Halloween treat ready to go for Berkeley. Two of them even had cards for him; it was the sweetest thing. We could not ask for better neighbors.

Halloween Night we ate pizza and went trick o treating with this cute duck and cow.

Berke came down with a cold Sunday, so he and his little frog voice were not in the best of spirits for going door to door. Once we got in the wagon, he refused to wear his cowboy hat, hold his trick-o-treat bag or have a good time in general. I had big hopes for the adorable streets we would walk around, but we only made it to the top of the hill before this little Sheriff had had enough!

He was happy with his loot however. Not bad for going to 7 houses. He quickly ate his M&M's as our little family watched The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown and then we headed to bed early.

Remember when we were little and we mostly got smarites and tootsie rolls? Everyone gives out chocolate these days...so much better than when I was a kid.

Kate and Colin'd

It was SO much darn fun havin' Kate and Colin visit us; they were great guests and are lots of fun to be around. I have never seen anyone who could nerd out with Christian so well, it was pretty awesome. Lets just say there was a lot of talk about fonts and awesome topics like that during the trip.
This was Colin and Kate's first time to the East Coast, so we had to make sure they fell in love with it and wanted to come back. We took them to Salem, which is always a fun place to visit this time of year. Berkeley was MAJORLY freaked out by many of the people who dressed up there, but he found a lot of comfort being in his stroller, which worked out for everyone involved.

Instead of driving to Salem, we decided to take the Commuter Rail into town, which turned out to be a lot of fun and way better than dealing with traffic. These boys are too funny when they get together!

We had a great tour on the Salem trolley and learned a lot of history about the town. Salem is a beautiful city and has a lot of neat history besides the witch trials.
The house below is the house where the movie HOCUS POCUS was filmed, which just happens to be my FAVORITE Halloween movie of all time.

Who knew that Salem was so beautiful?

Everyone also got to visit the Peabody Essex Museum while I walked Berke around the ocean so he could nap (which worked like a charm!) They loved seeing the cool art. We also ate yummy Italian food in the North End and had cannolis from Mikes Pastry. There was also exploring of Downtown Boston, the MFA and lots of late night laughs.
It was so good to have them visit.
Berke especially LOVED playing with his "friends" and could not get enough of "the guy" and Kate. There were great to play with him nonstop and give him lots of attention.
Tonight he said, "I want to play with my friends again."

Hartford 1/2 Marathon

One of my New Year's Resolutions this year was to run a marathon. I thought it would be the perfect time as I was in the best shape I have ever been in. What I didn't calculate was the amount of time it would take to train for such an event. Working 40 hours, being a mother, wife and friend didn't leave enough time for the intense training a marathon requires. I started becoming way too stressed because I had already signed up for the Hartford, CT Marathon and I didn't want to lose out on my registration fee. During one of my runs, I realized the marathon training was not doable in my current situation and that I would switch my registration to the Hartford 1/2 Marathon instead.
I have decided that since I ran the Boston Run to Remember 1/2 Marathon and the Hartford 1/2 Marathon this year that technically counts as a full Marathon right? Thus I have met my goal.

Anyhooo, when we were in Utah this summer, we were visiting with Christian's college buddy, Colin and his wife Kate. They passively stated they would love to come out; maybe if there was a race they could come for a visit. They didn't know that I had a race ready for them to run; what I didn't expect is that they would actually come out and visit us.

Colin and Kate took a red eye to Boston from Salt Lake and arrive early Friday morning. We left around noon and headed to Hartford, CT. We decided to take McDuff with us this weekend as he is always getting left behind. Christian failed to read the hotel policy about pets and how there is an extra charge of $200. We are VERY lucky that we have good friends, the Hammonds who live in Hartford, and wonderfully took our dog for the night so we could avoid the extra cost.

We carbo loaded Friday night and then woke up and headed to the race. When we walked out of the hotel we were greeted by this gorgeous sunrise.

We drove to downtown Hartford where our friend Kim had a parking spot at her work all ready for us, which was beyond awesome, as the parking was a nightmare! It was great that the entire Hammond Family came out to cheer me on and help Christian with the dog and the boy. Their kids feel in love with Mr. McDuff and we were so happy he was in such good hands.
Here is my cute family before the race.

This is my 3rd Half Marathon and instead of training for endurance, this time I trained to increase my speed. I have never been a fast runner and run a 10:45-11:00 minute mile. As I trained I was able to maintain a speed of about 10:30 minute during my long runs. My goal was to beat my previous 1/2 marathon time of 2 hours 18 minutes. I was so nervous on race day, I always get race day nerves. This was my first 1/2 running by myself, without my gal Kelly.
I started running and the adrenalin kicked in; I was monitoring my speed on my Nike GPS watch and I was making good time. I knew this would be my last 1/2 marathon for a while and I wanted all my training to be worth it. I ran my little heart out; my ipod was filled with a pumpin' new play list and I was pushing myself hard. The race course was absolutely beautiful and the entire town came out to cheer us on. I felt like it was a little mini Boston Marathon with the amount of people cheering. As we ran through neighborhoods, everyone was out with their cow bells and signs cheering us on. My favorite sign read, "Status Update: Kicking Ass!"
I really started getting tired around mile 8, my legs were feeling the speed I was pushing on them; this is when the mental game kicked in for me and I had to talk myself through the rest of the race. I was so proud that I did not stop once during the race. At mile 12 I felt like dying and wasn't sure I could maintain a fast pace and at that point told my body it could slow down and just finish, but my legs just didn't want to slow down because ahead I could see my friends the Hammonds and my sweet family cheering me on. Seeing them gave me the energy to push through to the very end. I was so happy when I crossed the finish line, 13.1 miles completed! My official time 2:07:30 which was a 9:44 minute mile. HOLY CRAP! I was SO proud of myself and still cannot believe I ran that fast for that distance. I only finished 5 minutes behind Colin, which made me feel like a total Rock Star.

Here are our good friends the Hammonds. They were so stickin' awesome to take care of our dog, get us an awesome parking spot and cheer me on. We even got to go to lunch with them after we showered and got to spend a little quality time with them. We are so lucky to have such cool friends, we owe them big time.

We ate a delicious lunch and walked through the little town where the Hammonds live (so cute). We went to this cute fountain to take a group picture. Kim told me how here littlest girl fell into the fountain last year in the fall and it was a bit traumatic. Fastforward 5 minutes and we are all gathering around the fountain when BAM! Berkeley has pushed their youngest daughter into the fountain as she was in his "space." The poor thing was terrified, I felt so bad!! Notice the large puddle of water next to me, yep, that is where it all went down. Clearly Berkeley feels bad.
So here we are with Colin and Kate in Hartford.

Here are all three of the Hartford 1/2 Marathon finishers (the ones that drove in our car anyway).
We were all pretty sore and exhausted but loved the run. I would totally do this run again and recommend it for any first timers.