A Wonderful Cause...

Hilary has a new CD (to hear her sing live click here):

"If I Only Had Today."

...my sister rocks!

And my brother

Mark

rocks too!

...together, Mark and Hilary are doing something wonderful!

Here is the amazing cause...

South Valley Sanctuary

Mark says,

"For the past three plus years I've been a volunteer on the board for a non-profit domestic violence shelter (http://www.southvalleysanctuary.com/). The sanctuary provides emergency shelter for women and their families who are in immediate physical danger. It has been a rewarding experience. I recently approached Hilary about performing a benefit concert for the shelter and she has graciously accepted. The concert and dinner will be held at LaCaille restaurant (http://www.lacaille.com/) on November 21. If any of you are going to be in town or have friends who might be interested, I'd encourage you to attend or pass along an invitation. The cost will be $100 per person, with all proceeds going to benefit the shelter."

No Dust Bunnies Here...

I am not going to mention whose bed this might be but I am going to take the time to warn you what might be hiding under your child's dust ruffled bed. If you thought dust bunnies were bad...what about this?!

This is all trash. Halloween candy anyone?!

Memory Lane...

Today I was taking a "run" down memory lane. I found these photos from 5 years ago when my baby brother, Matt and his wife, Tiffanie came to Virginia for a visit. It was extra special because Matt (the runner extraordinaire...marathon PR of 2:39), had been training me via email/phone for my first marathon! He surprised me by coming out to cheer me on and then ran the last 15 or so miles with me. He was such an inspiration, that it turned me into a lover of marathons, taking me from a 3:53 (my first marathon time) to my PR of 3:30 (four years later on the same course).
He is a rockin' brother (Mike and Mark...you guys rock too)!

On their visit we went to Harper's Ferry with all of our kids...they only had two at the time and we had 4. Their Lizzie (6 weeks older than Tate), is only 1 here. By the way, I miss my long hair...growing it back as I write.

Here is TATE in all of his glory. He can still be found playing in dirt.

Look at little SOMMER. I can't believe our little girl is growing up. It is all happening way too fast.

Boys are born shooting guns. They know how to hold 'em, make the noise and turn anything into a weapon. CALVIN...our total boy...shooting the photographer.

Here we all are (sporting the ever so popular GAP hooded fleece...love those things)! ETHAN is so little. I can't believe that he is Ashton's age in this photo. We still own that jogging stroller...used it today matter of fact! Luckily, I was only pushing one kid!

And here is the Porter Family, minus Ashton. He would start "developing" a few weeks after this photo was taken (TMI?!).

What fun for me, taking this trip down memory lane. We are all growing up way too fast. Lucky for me I have a husband (and daughter) with super memories to capture the moments for me. It is really the main reason I blog too...to remember.

And boy howdy-how I wished I lived closer to my siblings...MISS YOU GUYS! No fair I am all by myself on the east coast!

A Friend Since Third Grade

This is my oldest friend...not in age of course! I have known this dear lady since 1980 when our family moved from Cheyenne, Wyoming to Anchorage Alaska (did you know our mom's were best friends too...and still are?!).


You know you have a great friend when after 29 years, they haven't changed a bit (time to plug in my scanner and get some proof). She has always been kind, funny, real, and someone I could trust. We were the cutest little things during those pre-teen years, hanging out with our big brothers or bugging our older sisters.

Through high school, I had someone who was a friend to all and supportive... and although surrounded by so many, I knew she would be there for me. We stood by our values no matter what (and it didn't take long before our friends knew the kind of people we were).

After growing up and getting ready to attend BYU, everyone told us NOT to be room mates! They said it would never work out! How wrong "they" were. We became even better friends during our years at the big BYU. I had someone who listened, cleaned up my side of the mess every now and then (we took turns with the disasters we created), participated in pranks (remember the blue sock?), understood my crazy quirks and was always there...no matter what. We played racquetball, ran, climbed the "Y," went on road trips, studied and slept. She was a constant in her beliefs (and it wasn't until recently she told me she wasn't always on her knees praying for hours...she actually had fallen asleep that position), never crossing the line, always keeping the faith.

We both served missions. She wrote me letter after letter, each one building me up and keeping a part of home so near when home was so far away.

We both married boys from Virginia (3 months apart). Thus keeping our friendship right where we needed it (although I know it would have remained strong no matter the distance).

We both had five kids (4 boys and 1 girl) all the same ages.

And today we are as close as we were...as the little girls giggling under the sheets talking about cute boys some 29 years ago. Besides a few wrinkles (I think I have more) things are the same. Giggling will happen when I am with my friend...she is so funny. And guaranteed, I am asking her advice and she gives me "right" answers. It's also sharing the joys of motherhood (and how to keep it that way) and me asking her to "tell me about the old days (my memory isn't so great)."

I am so thankful, I was given this friend. I love you Maleen...your parents got it right when they put Joy in your name!

You Can't Beat Chuckers

What should you do when the kids are out of school?! Go to Chuck-E-Cheese's of course! We did have a no school today due to the Veteran's Holiday. But we lucked out...Fairfax County Schools were in school. Since I dislike crowds so much, we headed to a Chuckers in the Fairfax area! The place was brand new, had loads of new games and the place was ours!

Calvin and Ethan were thrilled with their drinking "glasses." They have never looked better having soda swirl around their eyes when they drink. Too funny. I think it only cost us around $20 in tokens...and they are worth 50 cents.

They loved this bubble ride. Ashton rode it numerous times. Ethan's joy radiates from his face as he takes a turn. There were quite a few "simulator" like rides at this Chuck-E-Cheese. Great fun!

8 miles

Running Boston 2008....

I ran 8 miles today.

I am so thankful I can run again. After 6 months of pain and suffering (most of it mental from the inability to run), my stress fracture is healed! Ahhh! But as one injury fades into the distance, another begins to rise...my bunion (thanks to my good friend Dana for pointing it out last year). I didn't even know I had one...I thought the huge bump on the side of my big toe was just part of me. I asked the doctor about it after he took my cast off last month. He told me not to worry about it unless it was causing me pain. Ironically, I have never felt pain there...until the cast came off. I then went running a few weeks later and thought it was the strangest thing...my toe hurt. Of all places, a toe. But I have learned to run with pain. I think it comes with old age. Everyone has pain somewhere...I can take the toe pain right now.

The possibility of running the Boston Marathon again totally thrills me! I am testing my body's limits this month and inching my mileage up to see if it can take it. Actually...after training and then running last year with a broken foot, I know I can take it, but pain free would be so much more fun...

Anyone want to go for a run!?

Family, Friends and Fire

When your friends say bring the family...there will be fire...we come a running! What a perfect afternoon we had on Skyline Drive in the mountains of Virginia! A bit cold, but nothing hot chocolate or fire can't cure!
Ashton relaxing in a bed of leaves.

Tate and his buddy Cameron. Keeping each other in and out of trouble!

I loved this picture of Calvin throwing leaves...

Calvin with his new haircut. We are pleased we can see his face again. What a cute boy.

I will tell you something. The most simple things bring you closer together...thank you family, thank you friends...and for the warm fire, thanks.