Recipe for....

PerFeCtIoN! The last few weeks had been very disappointing when it came to my running. I have had problems with my knee and then my hip on the other side. There have been a few times where I have been in tears thinking I would not be able to meet my goal of running the half marathon April 17th. After trying to avoid taking Prednisone, I finally decided it was worth a try to get the inflammation out of my knee and hip. Well, Saturday was a GREAT day. We went to Eden for the weekend with my sister and parents. On Saturday morning I took the first round of the crazy medicine, ate a healthy but light breakfast, and stretched while the kiddos ate. My parents dropped us off at our starting point and off we went. The sun was shinning and Megan had put all new songs on my shuffle. We were jammin'.

I had my new shoes on (yet another pair in hopes of fixing my knee problem) and the scenery was gorgeous. We ran and we ran and......NO PAIN! I loved it. Megan did awesome. I am so proud of her. We have kept each other motivated. After an hour my parents came driving past us cheering us on. They parked at the cemetery and started walking towards us. They passed off the keys and we ran the final mile to the car. We stretched in the sun and it felt great knowing I could at least do 8 miles four weeks before the race. For some people, 8 miles is nothing but for people with non running bodies, 8 is a big accomplishment.

We drove and picked up my parents. They had walked a ways and that was almost as exciting! Seeing my Dad out walking and not out of breath was wonderful.

We went home and had a yummy lunch and went hot tubbing with my honey and the boys. We put the boys down for naps and took showers. Then off to a massage my Dad planned for Megan and I! It was FABULOUS! Oh , it felt GREAT!!!!! By body needed that. I can actually remember the date of my last massage! January 15th 2007. The day before M was born. Thanks Dad! I really enjoyed it.

Next, we had dinner at Carlos and Harley's! Great Mexican food. The only disappointment there was when C got a chip caught is his throat and you would have thought the world was coming to an end. That kid can really perform!


All in all, it was a fun weekend. I am excited to know I can run without pain. I hope it continues!

HaPpy 5th BirThDaY C!

Really? FIVE! You have grown a lot this year. It is a week after your birthday and we are still celebrating. A few days before the big day, Mimi came over. You said "Mimi, do you have anything to say to me?" She was a little baffled. You replied, "How about 'Happy Birthday in three days'."

The Sunday before, we had a little party with all the Pohlman family at Grandma and Grandpa's house. You milked this birthday for all it was worth. The big celebration occurred the evening before your actual birthday. Daddy came home early from work with a gift. You opened it and it was Jazz tickets with sushi for dinner. You were excited.

Mimi came over to go with us and we dropped O off to Grandma and Grandpa's to play for the evening. We went to Happy Sumo for sushi (your favorite food) and then headed to the game. It was fun to see you watch in amazement as we walked through the Energy Solutions Arena. The game ended in a loss and you were VERY disappointed. You are a true sports fan. Sometimes a little too much of a fan. Mimi brought chocolate cakes and a candles. We headed home late and you and Moo hit the sack. You were exhausted.
Yes, this is you pouting because the Jazzers lost.The next morning, we dropped M and O off at Nana's so I could come co op in your classroom. You felt very special with your birthday crown and the cupcakes you brought for your class.

Later that night we went to swim lessons and you practiced you "skills". Next we met Nana and Papa at Lone Star for a birthday dinner.

I am proud of the little boy you are growing into. You love preschool! You love to play in clubs and have followed our guidance in making sure you invite all people into every club. You play basketball in the basement for hours each day. You wear your Jazz jersey and use your Jazz ball. You insist on wearing a jersey for whatever sport you are playing. You tease M A LOT and it drives us nuts. There are many time outs each day for informing M you have more cereal, your apple is bigger, or you have more toothpaste on your toothbrush. We are working on being a little kinder to your brother. You make us laugh every day and amaze us with how smart you are! You are reading words, adding and subtracting numbers, problem solving, and asking many questions. You love swimming, sports, and being with your family. We love being with you too and wish you a wonderful year as a five year old. May you be blessed with health, love, and happiness as you grow into a six year old! Love you C.

Update

I am getting horrible at this blogging thing. I really want to keep on top of it because I have started printing it and my kids love reading it. So here is a little update.

Alan and Uncle John took C and M ice fishing two weeks ago while we were in Eden. C was so proud of the only fish they caught.

We moved M into the bunk beds with C and it is WONDERFUL! They love it and take care of each other. M feels like such a big boy and C enjoys being in charge. We also taught C how to turn the T.V. on (only after 7 o'clock) and the biggest miracle of all........O is sleeping in! He slept until 9:00 yesterday and 8:15 this morning. Do you know what this means? We have been sleeping in! I never thought sleeping past 7:30 would be 'sleeping in' but it is delightful!

C has yet to be to school this week. A little cough Monday has turned nasty and so we have been stuck at home. M is now starting to cough this evening. Why can't kids get illnesses at the same time? Seriously! Right as one gets better the next one starts.

The older boys are taking swim lessons at Westminster. I thought I would get an early start on spring. They love being back in the pool. I must admit, swim lessons in the winter are very different. It is a chore to get them dressed and dry to drive home.

My Dad has RSV so he is being watched closely by the Dr. I will say it again....WHAT A TROOPER!

O got his first set of molars the past two weeks and took ten steps yesterday. He only eats with utensils, has a great sense of humor, loves the camera, and likes to tease. He is very smiley and makes us laugh a lot.

I am training for the Salt Lake Half Marathon with my sister Megan. I am so proud of her. It is going to be so much fun. I got new shoes today and can't wait to run in them tomorrow!

Why does it seem like February hits and over night we get spring fever? It was fun but we are itching to get outside more. Being a Mom to three beautiful little boys is heaven on earth. I look back about a year ago and wonder how I did it. It is so much easier with C and M getting themselves ready in the morning. I can't believe I was getting all four of us dressed, shoes on, pottied, teeth brushed, fed, nursed O, and got C to school on time. It is MUCH more manageable now. I am looking forward to a busy and FUN summer! This will be the first summer since 2003 I will be not pregnant or nursing. I am excited to PLAY! Now if we can just get healthy!

Here is to the month of LoVe!

HaPpy 3rd BirThDaY Moo!

You have made life nothing but bliss! We love you buddy. You easily make us smile every day and we 'love you so much'. Today, you woke to your brother telling you a big "Happy Birthday" to which you responded with a tight hug for him. Then you made your birthday cakes with Daddy and you were VERY excited. You made a Utah cake and a football cake. We went to The Pie for dinner and then to Fat Cats to bowl but it was over an hour wait so you played skeet ball instead. We came home and opened presents and then had cake and ice cream.
You have had a lot of new experiences this past year. You had surgery on your palate, graduated from speech, potty trained easily, started at a preschool three hours a week. You love your teachers, Ms. Mer and Ms. Sarah, and they love you too! You play very well with your big brother but your little brother is more of a nuisance than a play mate these days. I am sure that will change this year.

You love your family and enjoy making us laugh. Our only complaint is when you yell out.....every night! You mostly complain of tummy aches. We are not sure if they really exist. We have tried letting you yell for a while but O ends up waking. Who knows what to do but I can't help but kiss your sweet lips every time I see you, morning or night! HaPpY BiRThDaY Bear!

Holiday Recap!

Every year I end up posting our holiday adventures the first week of January. I guess we are just having too much fun and then we are trying to get back into the swing of things for me to post in the year it all actually happens. So here it is:

December 23rd we went to my parents where my Mom makes a candle light dinner with steak, potatoes, vegetables, rolls, and Cold Duck! I love that stuff. Now it is a little nerve racking watching my four and two year old drink from her goblets she received as wedding gifts but my Mom is adamant they use them! This year, we did not buy gifts and instead brought money. My parents gave the kids $5 bills and then let them make the decision about purchasing some animals for families in other countries. The kids loved it and it was nice not bringing home another toy. We also dressed the kids up and played out the Nativity Scene.

December 24th we went to Alan's parents and made our own pizzas. We also did the Nativity Scene there. We ate Susan's homemade plate of Christmas cookies. That is a tradition we look forward to every year! Alan calls it "Hunt the Wumpus" when he and C sneak around the house weeks before trying to snatch a few. Megan and Robb came over after and hung out for a little. They offered to stay at our house while we went to the organ recital at 11:30. It was nice to do that again. I went seven straight years until I had C and have not been since. I loved it.
Why is it sooooo difficult to get a Christmas Jammies picture? SERIOUSLY!!!!!!! Christmas morning was wonderful. C slept in M's room that night to ensure he would not see the presents in the morning when he came upstairs. They were SOOOOO excited. Santa rocked this year. He managed to not buy a single toy! Gifts included; a new #4 Utah jersey, Jazz jerseys, backpacks, watches, piggy banks, and a BB gun! Yep! A GUN! Apparently Daddy Santa did not see that movie enough to know "You'll shoot your eye out!".
C picked a snow shovel for his gift to M. M picked a fishing pole for C. They were most excited to give the gifts they bought for each other. Alan started that tradition last year and I think it is wonderful. Did I mention, Alan does ALL our shopping! I lucked out in that area!!!!

We headed back to Pohlmans' for omelets and gifts around 10:00 and stayed until 2:00. We came home and put the boys down for naps. Then we headed back to my parents for a little more family time and fun.
But that was not enough so we went to Eden on Saturday morning for six days. I LOVE THAT PLACE! I went snow boarding for the first time and LOVED every minute of it. OK, maybe not the one wipe out where I was VERY lucky to have had Alan's helmet on. Megan was my amazing teacher and we laughed a lot! Especially getting off the lift. O Memories. News Years was much the same. Alan did a firework show for us and then we went to bed. Only to wake to my brother-in-law banging pots and pans.....inside the house and my Dad laughing his guts out about the countdown oops at Time Square. Never a dull moment.

We came home early to see the Fullmers. It was fun to see them and catch up. They we a little sick so we felt bad but we were happy to be with ALL our family at some point over the holidays. I know most people would cringe reading this, but we sincerely enjoy every minute with family and count that as one of our choicest blessings! Here is to 2010!

Family Photos!

We got some great pics a few weeks ago. I actually dread family pictures but I thought the boys did great. I was very happy with them. Alan was the most difficult. He did not want his hair cut the day before and hated all the clothes I picked for him. The other boys did not complain once but Alan managed to voice his opinion about how we should be wearing Utah apparel. Seriously! I love him.

You can see all our pictures at http://mclark.photobiz.com/cart/event_login.cfm?eventID=303788

HaPpy BirThDaY O!

Come on bud! It is not THAT scary!
There you go! Takin' after your Mommy!

One year old yesterday! You are a sweet angel. I love the way snuggle and want to be held by someone when ever possible. You love your small doggie blanket and carry it around in your mouth. You still like a binkie and we do not mind. You are finally sleeping past 6 in the morning. It happened a few weeks ago and it happened over night. Lovin it! You can sign "more", "eat", "dog", and "sleepy". You say "Ugh Oh", "DaDa", and "I love you". No "Mama" yet, but "I love you." That seems a little backwards. You are a fabulous eater and do not turn anything away, including brussel sprouts. Two top teeth and three bottom make for a very happy smile which we see all day long. You are a skinny mini. Very long but skinny. It is hard to find clothes long enough for your legs but still stay on your bottom. We love you O. Thanks for bringing joy and happiness to our family and for putting up with your brothers. Happy Birthday Big Baby Boy! We adore you!