My first 10k

Yesterday was the big day of the 10k. I was feeling really sick to my stomach and nervous about doing it. I honestly was worried I wouldn't be able to run the whole thing like I wanted to. Mainly because I am not a runner. I really wish I was but I don't go and do it everyday, I would much rather do my turbo kick class or go hiking or backpacking. The best part of the race was that Jake made me a playlist on my Ipod and put in some really motivational songs followed by some funny songs that gave me a good laugh. It was a great day and I was able to run the whole thing without stopping. It felt so good be in control of my body and be able to feel proud of myself for accomplishing my goal.

My great friend Whitney did the 5k race with her husband. I couldn't talk her into the 10k but maybe next time :) Also, my good friends Danielle and Stephanie ran the 5k as well. Bummer that I didn't get a picture of all of us.

Jake had to take a picture of me at the starting line. Everyone around me was super fit and into running as fast as they could.

This was the finish line, the girl in front of me hurried and passed me at the very end. I was sort of bugged but o well, I had passed her earlier.

1 hour and 5 minutes later I got to take a break it was a fun day and I hope to work up to a possible half marathon. We will see how it goes.

Summer Break

I just finished up my first year of teaching preschool. It was such a blast and I loved every minute of it. This week has been so crazy but was still a lot of fun. I am looking forward to a nice relaxing weekend. Last weekend our friend Matt had us run a 5k with him. If you have read earlier in the year you know that my knee has given me a lot of problems lately. I was just going to walk the whole thing and then when we  got there I got excited and told myself that I would jog the whole thing and only stop if my knee started to hurt. It did great and just kept on moving. I ran the whole race in 35 minutes. Not super fast but I was so happy that I was able to run without stopping and without pain. I think a lot of it has to do with my favorite Turbo Kick class I have been going to. It is such a good work out and has helped my legs to feel a lot stronger. I think I may have become addicted to running now. I signed up to do a 10k on Saturday and am so excited to see how the knee does at running a little more.

Here are a few pics of my cute little class. We were missing 2 students in the picture. They did such a good job singing their songs. They looked so cute. I am going to miss these little kiddos so much next year. 

We let our butterflies go. They didn't really want to fly very far at first. But eventually took off. 

Also, I am not one to usually post things about my weight but I am so excited that I finally got back to my pre-pregnancy weight this week! I lost all 60 pounds in 16 months. I am really excited to go backpacking and hiking this summer now that I am in better shape. What are your plans for the summer? 

Finger Painting

I am curious to know from those of you who have been a parent longer than me if they love to get into everything? Kambree loves the fact that she can walk everywhere and climb onto things. This morning was a pretty crazy morning. I was trying to start cleaning up things so I gave Kambree her breakfast in a little bowl. After she was done eating she started to walk around with the bowl (which was fine with me) until I hear silence. Silence always means trouble. As I walk back through the hall way I hear a little girl start to giggle and there she is putting the bowl in the toilet water and splashing it all over her. Her face was wet which was a bit disturbing (and gross I know). She wasn't very happy when I got her all washed up. While washing her up she decides it will be fun to grab my makeup bag and dump it all onto the floor. By this point I thought, what can I do to get out some of this energy? I made up some homemade finger paint (flour, water and food coloring) then plopped her outside with some wax paper to dig in. She was timid at first but then got the hang of things. The binky is in the mouth because I was worried she might eat it, but of course she had a little taste when I wasn't looking. 

She thought it was really fun to put it all over herself and the deck and back door. I am hoping it will rain soon. 

Bath time to clean up was great to because Sequoia decided to come visit and entertain Kambree. She was laughing so hard when Sequoia tried to eat the bath toys and she loved squirting her. I love it when these two entertain each other!

So that was the morning and it is now nap time and she doesn't seem one bit tired :( 

San Diego

This weekend we celebrated our 6th anniversary! It has been a wonderful 6 years and we feel so blessed to have each other and such a great life. We went to San Diego to get away from the cold and enjoy some nice beach weather. Kambree was great on the plane ride and loved waving to everybody she saw. Here are some picture from Sea World. Kambree loved all the animals and walking around touching EVERYTHING!

It's crazy how the Shamu show gives you chills all over your body!

She didn't like this ride too much I think it made her sick.

She loved the Elmo ride, but of course when we left at 5 PM she just crashed! 

We also were able to go to the beach and enjoyed some Fabulous Restaurants! Jake had been wanting to try out Blue Water Seafood ever since we saw it on the food network, and it was soooo delicious :)

My yummy mahi mahi salad, I wish all salads tasted this good!

Jake and Kambree enjoying their swordfish taco. 

We went to this gorgeous park that had tons of gardens and people playing music on the street. I loved it and wish so much Utah had more stuff like this. I think we spotted about 6 dog parks while we were there. I was so jealous. 

Another park we went to that had a carousel. It was right along the beach and was so nice to walk around. 

Kambree loved the beach until the water got her.

Then she wouldn't leave my side the rest of the time. 

We had a great time but it went by way too quick! Hopefully the weather can stay nice here in Utah so I won't have to crave San Diego weather again. 

My Beautiful Mother, Janet Butterfield Major

Most of you know that my mom died when I was 4 years old from Cancer. She was diagnosed with Leukemia at age 27 and passed away on April 29, 1985 at the young age of 29. When I turned 27 I was so sure I was going to get cancer and every little ache or sickness I got I was so worried, "what if I had the same thing". This year I turned 29 and I couldn't help to think about my mom. I think about her all the time. She must have been so scared and so sad to leave a 4 year old. I can't imagine dying at this age and having to leave Jake and Kambree all by themselves. I have really no memories of her except 3. I remember making her toast when she was sick. Even though I would burn it she would still eat it and was so grateful. A few years back I was eating pears and remembered that she always would let me drink her pear juice. It's sort of weird how food can bring so many memories. And the last memory is a terrible one. I remember coming home from staying with my grandparents house and my dad was sitting on our rocking chair. I ran through the whole house asking where mommy was? I was so excited to see her. Then my dad showed me her picture in the newspaper and told me that she was in heaven. I remember him crying and holding me and how sad I felt that I wouldn't get to see her again. The great thing is that I know that I will see her again some day and I know she is in a good place. But it doesn't make it any easier to not have her and to not have any memories of her and who she was. I MISS HER SOOOOO MUCH! So many people have told me what an amazing person she was. They say she never said anything negative or bad about anyone. I once asked my dad if that was true. How could anyone never say anything bad about anybody? He confirmed that she was just always so happy and optimistic and loved everyone. I am trying to be like her more. I love it when someone says how much I look or act like her. That I have her laugh. I know lots of kids dread being compared to their parents but I want to be just like her. (and my dad of course, he is a great guy!) So I decided to dedicate this post to her and to the pictures I have to remind me what she looked like and how beautiful and kind her smile is. I can't wait to meet her one day. Here is a poem she wrote to me while she was in the hospital. It's hard to read because she was never able to do any of these things in person, but I know without a doubt that she was there in spirit. 


       I Want To Live                                       
 by Janet Butterfield Major

Little Julie, so precious and dear,
I want to live long enough to hear
The fun things you do on your first day of school, 
About all your friends, and learning the Golden Rule. 


And as you turn to the age of eight
I want to be alive-for baptism can't wait. 
You'll be learning and growing each and every day. 
I hope I'll be alive to help you on your way. 


As you turn to your teens, instead of toys come boys. 
I want to be there to share in your joys. 
I want to be there if you get a broken heart. 
Or if you ever feel you need a new start. 


Let's not forget the first time you drive a car. 
I want to be alive to make sure you don't go far. 
I want to be there on your Graduation Day
A proud mother I'll be in the things you say. 


To college you'll go to get smart as can be
I hope you won't forget your father and me. 
I hope I can help you study for your tests. 
I know I can count on you to do you best. 


You'll meet a man who will treat you very good. 
He will believe the same as you, I hope he's not a hood. 
I want to be there when you're dressed all in white
A wedding in the temple, I know you'll choose the right. 


You'll make me very happy when children you bare, 
I'll be a good Grandma, one who really cares. 
I want to enjoy all this and much more. 
You're a wonderful daughter, this I am sure.

I love you mom, thank you for putting up a fight and trying to make it. I know you love me and can't wait to meet you some day. Love your little girl, Julie