Tip toeing through the tulips...kind of!

The day of race has finally arrived......ready or not! We had to leave the house by 5:20AM. I made steel cut oats the night before to fuel our body for lie ahead. Really could not have asked for a more perfect day, the temperature was exactly what I love to run in. It was a brisk morning but after a mile or two it was perfect conditions.

Race began promptly at 7:00AM. Teesh and I decided to run together this year while Misty, Sierra and Joani each had separate goals. The run was beautiful. The tulips were late blooming this year so talk about gorgeous! While we were running, Teesh suggested that we come back to take her senior photos here, what a great idea little Teesh LaReesh.
Running conditions were so great other than I was sick sick sick. I had just returned from my Cabo trip and felt like I had pneumonia or bronchitis. My chest was on fire with every breath I took. As we ran, we were tracking to beat our goal until mile 10. Seriously at mile 10, I lost it. We reached mile 10 at 2 hours, best time of year, and I just could not give it anymore. I encouraged Teesh to leave granny in the dust and go for the goal but she stayed back with me. She was so encouraging for me and kept telling me I could do it, that we just needed to finish this. I was secretly so glad she stayed with. Next year we will get that goal. Thanks Teesh for being the wind beneath my wings....breaking out in song now.

Sierra finished at 2 hours 25 minutes. Not too bad seeing how she did half the training and only ran one 9 mile long run. So proud of you Sierra!

Here I am just after finishing. I am thinking I might die. My chest was on fire and my lungs just burned.  I was so so thankful to be done. Teesh did great. She would have had her best time this year but she was selfless and stayed back for me. I will forever be indebted to you little daughter. You make me so proud.

Joani, Misty, Jennifer, Leticia, and Sierra

I must point out the chocolate chip cookie Joani is eating, priceless girl!

Bria and Ada seriously thought they had found pay dirt. They loved these monsters and all the free chocolate milk, cookies, bread and chips they could pack down. Now I know why Corby is at the finish line each year! Thanks for all the support!

Prom Sierra style

Prom at Highland was girls choice. I wonder who Sierra will ask.....deep thoughts!

Sierra asked Connor by placing balloons all over Connors bedroom and putting one word in each balloon. Connor had to pop each balloon until all words were located. What a cute idea Sierra. It was a hard day for Sierra and my relationship, I had a Honor Society Meeting for Teesh the same night Sierra wanted to ask Connor. I tried to arrange it so I could do both but in the end, Sierra ended up having friends help her. One of the draw backs of a large family. Try as I may, I always come up short it seems.:(

With Sierra not being 16 we allow her to attend school dances, but we do not pay for any of it. Bittersweet situation but that was the decision we made. Sierra went with a group of 23 other couples. 46 people altogether. Wow, talk about a fun evening!
Connor had a lacrosse game and Sierra ran her first half marathon so their day date did not begin until 3. Sierra helped several friends with their hair and makeup. She has a true talent in this department.
At 5 o'clock parents were allowed to come to a mansion house, where hors d'oeuvre's and drinks were shared while parents took photos of their precious offspring. Sierra looked beautiful as usual. I had to laugh at this scenario, when I was in high school I didn't even know what an hors d' oeuvre was, let alone go to an event where they were served. My girls have so many more opportunities than I. Lucky them!

 Sierra and Connor

 Sylvia lives in our neighborhood. Sylvia is in the white dress. Sierra and Sylv have been friend since 2nd grade.

I wish I could tell you who all the beautiful girls are but I sadly know only a few. The girls took their dates to Spaghetti Factory for dinner then to the school for dancing. After the dance, they went to GTC (Gymnastic Training Center) where they played in foam pits, jumped on trampolines, climbed on ropes. At midnight, when the night was still young, they headed to a girl's house to watch a movie outside on the side of her house. Sierra got home a little before 2AM.
Considering she ran a half marathon earlier in the day, I would say that was a productive day.

Senior Photo Shoot

While Teesh and I were running our half marathon, she mentioned that this is where she wants her senior pictures taken. Now, since we have purchased Clarissa and we had free passes to Thanksgiving Point it created the perfect storm. Ready or not Teesh, today is the day! Free all the way around, love creating what I want at a price I can afford. 

Super lucky to have Corby talented enough to take these shots. Look how gorgeous my little baby has become. Teesh is not only gorgeous on the outside but also on the inside. You won't find a more compassionate, more patient, and more easy going girl. I scored big time in being chosen to be her mother, not worthy most days ,but oh how I love her!

Thanksgiving Pointe Museum

As part of our registration to run the Half Marathon at Thanksgiving Pointe each registered runner received a pass to the amazing museum. Ada and Bria were all over that jazz. This museum is fantastic, so much to do. Teesh and Corby took the girls through. Teesh was our photographer!

 Bria insisted on wearing my medal the entire day after my run

 Bria you are just adorable and Corby what cha doing?

This is a place we need to come back when your momma's legs aren't as tired as they are today

Trials

Words of Comfort...

“Suffering is universal; how we react to suffering is individual. Suffering can take us one of two ways. It can be a strengthening and purifying experience combined with faith, or it can be a destructive force in our lives if we do not have the faith in the Lord’s atoning sacrifice. The purpose of suffering, however, is to build and strengthen us.” -Robert D. Hales

Cabo San Lucas

 A few months ago, Corby earned an all expense paid trip for two to Cabo. We left on Sunday and returned late Wednesday. Wow, it was amazing and mind blowing all rolled up into a fantastic time.
Teesh took us to the airport at 6:30AM Sunday morning to catch our flight of 8:00AM. It was so nice to just sit and relax and anticipate the fun that lie ahead. We had a lay over in LAX for a couple of hours where we enjoyed a relaxing lunch. I was surprisingly OK with both flights. I usually get motion sickness but this go around so far so good. Happy dance for sure!
We arrived in Mexico and quickly went through customs and waited for our Cadillac to pick us up. We were given strict instructions to go past all people to outside. Good thing they were clear because about 3 people stopped us insisting they were our ride. We kindly ignored their pushiness and when outside saw the Futurity First logo with a gentlemen holding our info.
The ride from the airport to our resort was quite the amusement ride. I would see signs that would have 8 sides, red in color, and said "ALTO". I don't know Spanish but I am sure it was a stop sign. Stop signs in Mexico mean slow down from 80 mph to 40mph. Wow, by the time we arrived I needed to lay down. Darn motion sickness.

 Here is a little glimpse of our room. It doesn't look that great from this view but it was so nice. The sheets were 1000 thread count, the shower had amazing water pressure(I know the simple things in life, but I love a powerful shower in the morning and most hotels have wimpy water pressure)

 A few shots of the resort. So beautiful and colorful. Perfect temperatures all day long.

 Isn't it amazing! I just loved the scene all lit up at night.

 Corby thought this tree was amazing. We think those are coconuts.

Wanted to take this photo to show that not all of Cabo is fancy, most looks like people live very poor.

We freshened up and met all our friends/co-workers for a nice dinner on the beach. I did not know what to expect so I went with the idea that I would know no one and I would make friends, I am proud to say I did, several. There was an open bar so I believe every single soul had a glass of wine or beer can in their hand. I happily drank my bottled water. The dinner was amazing. Let's just say I could get use to 5 star resort treatment. The weather was perfect. The view gorgeous and the company not bad. We sat with the Oklahoma City Office(#1 office in company with the #1 and #2 top agents) I wanted to glean as much info from these successful people as possible. Best part about this whole deal,  these individuals have similar values as Corby and I, even all the more why we would want to hang out with them.
Monday, we slept in and then attended breakfast followed with a mandatory meeting till 11:00. Not many spouses attended but I did. I thought it to be interesting and intriguing. They had product carriers there giving away prizes and I happily will report that Corby won the best prize given, a Google chrome notebook. I willed that baby into existence. I told Corby, "we will win" and then we did! I am in control of my life! (not really, but it worked for this experience;0) They had a panel with three top agents sharing their business tactics. I really learned a lot from this. I came away feeling like now is the time to get Corby that personal secretary that he has begged for for years. We shall see if it can happen.I had a pedicure and manicure scheduled for later that day while Corby had a massage. It was so relaxing. I got a lot of funny looks as I was constantly offered alcoholic drinks and consistently declined all offers. I drank a ton of bottled water and loved it. During my pedicure, the lady cut my toe and it began to bleed. She put a cotton ball on it thinking that was all it needed but I clearly knew it would require more attention. I was served fancy cheese, wine and frozen grapes rolled in sugar. They were delicious. Give it a try sometime. I was getting a pedi with a lady from the Illinois, Chicago office. We met up with them for lunch.

Tanya and Chris from Wisconsin but part of the Chicago, Illinois office. They were fun to hang with for an hour.
 I had the best nachos but wow they were spicy. We enjoyed sitting out on the beach watching the tides roll in. An iguana came right up to us during lunch.

 It was not scared of Corby in the least.

As the evening went on, my toe began to throb. I eventually went to seek medical care. I was given iodine and Neosporin (The poor dude trying to help me, had no clue so Corby and I rummaged through his first aid kit trying to decipher what would be best for me) Top notch medical I tell ya!

 During dinner, we sat once again with the elite table. I really bonded with Cheryl, Scott #1 agent's wife, we were talking healthy stuff. I loved it. She believes a lot like I do. During dinner, there was a fire pit with pillows that people enjoyed while they got wasted, yet again. Cheryl gave us a tour of their presidential suite. Now I thought we had a fancy room but oh no, this room was out of control. The master bedroom was larger than my entire hotel room. It had two full sized bathrooms and a living room with a sectional for your comfort. Every day they were greeted with a bottle of wine and a fully stocked fridge.

Corby and I retired about 10 every night. We just aren't the partying type so while others bragged about staying out dancing until 3 or 4 we slept like good boring children that we are.
Tuesday we were on our own the entire day. We took a shuttle to the tourist part of Cabo. We walked around, enjoyed the scenery and even purchased some souvenirs. I got so tired of being approached to purchase something. Some of the people were so rude. They would insist I look at them and when I would not they would say, "hey, lady" or "hey, Americana lady". I wanted to punch them. Don't speak to me that way, buddy 'ol pal. We had one gentlemen say, "I will only rip you off a little bit" at least he is honest. I was approached with so so much alcohol. It got bothersome after a bit.
Dinner Tuesday evening was in a banquet area of the resort. Corby was given an award, #1 Sales Manager. I couldn't have been more proud as he went up on stage to receive it. He has worked so hard. Dinner was funny to me. I did not take a photo as that would have been frowned upon since it was a formal event but let me explain the dish. I laughed so hard. Our first dish was a salad which consisted of 10 large leaves of dark lettuce with about 2 cm of drizzled dressing on one end. Pears, candied walnuts, and bleu cheese chunks. Now, I love my salads more dry than most but this was really ridiculous. We sat with the Florida office and we all agreed that the salad needed a bit more dressing. I choked down the lettuce salad only to realize the cup full of dressing. How not one of us noticed it sitting there was funny in itself. Then we are given our main entree. A filet Mignon, a piece of fish, a potato patty in the shape of a rectangle, 3 green peas, 2 Lima beans, 2 tiny pieces of asparagus, one sliver of a carrot rolled up, a few black beans and some edaname. The entire vegetable section was less than 15 single items. I just had to laugh. The evening ended with some dancing and bed by 10 as usual.



Next morning we had room service and packed for our departure. It was relaxing and wonderful. I layed around for most of the morning as I began to not feel well.

Our ride to the airport was at 12:30 and we made it through the airport lines in nothing flat. We had over two hours to enjoy in the large large Mexico airport.

Here is the terminal. It cracked me up. See the area of 20 chairs? This is 4 different concourses. Such a small small airport.

The flight was straight through this trip, thank goodness, the landing and take offs are the worst for my nauseating. I was given some ginger to help and it did make things better.
We arrived back in Utah around 6:15 PM. Teesh picked us up with two anxious nuggets. It was so wonderful to see their sweet little faces. I had a great time, but boy oh boy it is good to be home to my family.