Thursday, August 8, 2019

This is GREYSON

5 YEARS OLD


Words to describe our Greyson

G Go-Getter - He will never give up! A whole hearted kid that gives it everything the has and gets the most out of life.

R Resourceful - All the knowledge in his brain is used to get what he wants. There is never no in his mind. I am sure this will take him far in life.

E Energetic - I guess you could describe him as the energizer bunny.  He never stops and food recharges his battery.

Y Youthful - One of the youngest kids in the family. You would never know it by the way he can keep up with us all. He may only be 5 but he'll be right up with all the older ones.

S Sureness - The kid that knows his limits. If he can do it don't stand in his way, his confidence will carry him strong.  He is also confident in what he can't do and knows when to say no.

O Optimistic - With a positive outlook on everything to look forward to while being 5 he is sure it will all be great!

N Never - Never say never with our little Grey Grey. He will do it no matter what stands in his way.







My heart broke when he woke up sick on his Birthday. He has been looking forward to this day all year. Awfully sick on his day but I did enjoy the snuggles and care I was able to provide. He was a trooper the next day as we had our Copper Mountain fun the last day of vacation for his Birthday celebration.


Sunday, August 4, 2019

This is Everet

9 YEARS OLD


E empathetic - He feels deeply for others and on his own. His heart is real and he shows and shares his feelings.

V victorious - He is set on the victory and is always out to be the champion.

E entertainer - Just watch him give it his all with his love for music while wearing his headphones or on stage. He doesn't mind taking the spot light.

radiant -  a hopeful boy who always sees the good in life.

expert - He knows what he knows and don't try to tell him different.

T exuberant - He has an uncontrollable excitement for life and all the thing in it. His energy and personality radiate it. 

talented - his natural athletic talent are a gift as he works at soccer and track and field.



Saturday, July 13, 2019

Run Trail 4 FUN

Why the Trails...


It's hard to see with our eyes the beauty, depth, and size of the world we live in. It amazes me every time I see a view from my hikes or runs. They mean much more when you've physically tired. It's like a reward for your hard work and a gift from God to keep going because there is even more then what you see here and now, today. Thoughts are cleared, spirit is renewed, and you can move on with energy you didn't have before.


Run4Fun today reminded me of this and my belief that I can do it! I had no expectation for myself other then to have fun. A spot in 3rd place was a fight. I was reminded that I can do even better. (It should of been 2nd, see HERE)


There is something about making friends while running that just hits the fast forward button and your instantly over that hump of really getting to know someone. It's fantastic!




Wednesday, May 22, 2019

A Marathon

The dream of running a marathon has always been on the back of my mind. As my family grew and life got busier with kids, my running and fitness goals were interrupted by pregnancy and taking care of my family. I always made time for exercising, with the help of the daycare at the gym, but making the time and commitment to train and run the distances needed for a marathon was overwhelming. I began to tell myself it wasn't in the cards dealt to me. I talked myself into being okay with it just like I had to talk myself into being okay with never giving myself the opportunity to try for college basketball....and so life went on.

I have always enjoyed going to the gym. It has been my sanity in the midst of little kids hovering around me 24/7. Run, weight lift, aerobic classes, crossfit, etc I LOVE IT ALL! One of the trainers at the gym (Sherrie Sheppard) had been coaching a running boot camp. She tried to convince me to sign up but my knee had been causing me pain when I ran so I turned her down. Next time around she convinced me that through her camp she could help improve my knee improve. I decided to give it a try. I had been frustrated with running lately because every time I ran my knee would hurt and I'ed have to stop. I felt that I didn't have much to loose because not running wasn't healing my knee and there was no way I would quit exercising all together. This defines a big part of who I am. I met my new best friend Jessica Hess through this camp. Together we discovered a whole new world of running that started at 5:30 am. I new people did this but it never occurred to me that I could get up, go outside, and train in any season, winter, spring, summer, or fall. This was a whole new world for us and it was exhilarating. We trained, my knee improved and I was ready to run the Salt Lake City Haunted Half Marathon. It was amazing.

A PR!!! Sherrie's training worked!

Jessica and I were stretching at the gym on day when she said, "Let's do a marathon." I agreed, not knowing if I was committed or not but thought lets go with the flow and see what happens.

The Marathon Mind is where it all started. The plan was in place. Sean-Paul asked me what I wanted for my 36th birthday and this was it. The plan and coaching (physically, mentally, and nutritionally) needed to cross off a bucket list item for Jennifer O'Neal. Next thing Jessica and I were signed up for the Ogden Marathon and well on our way to training for a 3:30 (8:00 min./per mile pace) with high hopes of qualifying for Boston.


We were dedicated runners. Stuck to the plan almost to a tee. We were ready. It felt like I was preparing for child birth. This time my body looked awesome and there was no guessing on the date. May 18th was the day, rain or shine.

May 18th came. Six or less hours of sleep. I had finally got into bed after laying out everything for the race and rethinking over and over my outfit choice. The rain in the forecast made my clothing choice so difficult. I didn't look at the clock but must of been lying in bed for over an hour before I feel asleep. 3:45 am came and I jumped out of bed right when my alarm rang.

We barely made it to the port-a-potties at the top of the canyon before the gun went off to start the race. We had planned to stick with the 3:35 pacer to give us and good guideline as we ran the long road down the canyon. Oh, and down is not all true, up hill was just as generous in this trek. Now Jessica and I missed that pacer and had to stick to our brackets to guide us to our goal.

A running friend, Jefferson made it.
First half, feeling good! Loving the race despite the cold and rain. Actually, the light rain was refreshing and I was thinking the weather was perfect for running. Took a 10 second potty break around mile 5, that was needed really bad! Managed to catch up to Jessica, which I hope didn't spend to much of my precious energy at the beginning. I was happy and feeling good. I was thinking we would cross the finish line between 3:30 and 3:35. I was doing it! We passed a couple of friends and I slowly fell behind Jessica. I don't know why...maybe I was worried about spending to much needed energy for the end or maybe it was to hard already. As I look back I think I could of kept up, why didn't I?


Jessica's bright orange rain jacket was the thought that kept me running as fast as I could. Earlier on in the race I asked her who she was running for. She said the only one who cared was her. She was running for herself and I said I will run for you. She said, "I will run for you." So we ran! I always saw her jacket, not to far ahead. That orange jacket kept me running. We met up again at an aid station. Thank God for all the aid stations they were my checkpoints. If I could make it to the next aid station I was rewarded a drink, orange slice, Gatorade, which required a few second walk to get it down. This aid station relief started to kick in around mile 15-17. I had a hard time realizing I wasn't running quiet fast enough to make my goal. Like I do with my everyday life I tell myself that some how the extra time needed will appear or I will magically do what is needed to be done in an unrealistic amount of time. So...
I kept running, faster in spurts slower when the terrain got tough or when my lower body ached. At mile 20, I thought, 6 miles! Yeah! I have run 6 miles before. Cheers from my phone were coming more frequently from family and friends and I was anxious to see my hubby, kids and of course, crossing the finish line. The emotion of wanting to cry was on the surface a lot. I think it was all the emotion of everything that had led up to this point. I decided to settled into my music, the beautiful scenery, and run to that next aid station. I think it was past mile 21 that I noticed my toes starting to cramp. This is a sign of not enough fuel or hydration for me. I reluctantly stomached another gel and more water and it subsided. Turning the corner by the river and seeing one of my coaches (Camie Draxler) brought all emotions to the surface. She ran and gave me a pep talk as she told me it was okay to cry. I started but it was taking to much energy so I buckled down to her other advice and kept running. I met Jessica at the next aid station, ah...her orange jacket was in reach. I wasn't going to let it go. Unfortunately, I did. I gave it my all and saw one of my other coaches (Emily Riddle) who ran me to the finish. The last 2 miles were a test of mental power over the pain in my body. I had four babies with no meds, I can do this! The question was how fast? I remember thinking, if only the marathon was 24 miles or maybe 22! My coach was my legs and my mind that last mile. Seeing the finish line so far away was playing tricks on my mind and body. I wanted to cross that finish line so bad but wondered if I could make it there. I felt like my coach took me there. The Marathon Mind coaches understand everything it takes to run a marathon and I knew she understood everything I was going through at that very moment and maybe that is what kept me running.









Crossing that finish line was a mix of all kinds of emotions that I can't even describe. I do know that I felt like I accomplished something big! The other thing I knew was I might fall over at any minute which friends, family, and coaches kept worrying about. I have never pushed my muscles that far before, a new feeling for me but a great one!

I DID IT! I RAN A FREAKIN' MARATHON!
  • If I took less time at the aid satiation would I of made my goal?
  • Why didn't I move my legs faster, just a little, would I of made my goal?
  • Were my mental thoughts the cause to slow me down?
  • Should I have done more tempo runs up hill, then would I have made my goal?
I have been asking myself these questions but find myself just as happy with the race. I gave my training everything I had and gave the race everything I had.



To see detailed results CLICK HERE



Sunday, June 17, 2018



HAPPY FATHER'S DAY


From the time I was a kid
till I was big

You taught me how to build a sand castle at the beach
and showed me how far I could reach

You have taught me the fundamentals of basketball
which game we love most of all

I am grateful for the qualities inherited from you
and hope they will see me through



Happy Father's Day

from me to you!



Sunday, May 13, 2018

Happy Sharon Day

My Mom...



Spent your anniversary giving birth
And from that day forward you showed me my worth

Long days at the park
We definitely made our mark

Mother and daughter together
The only girls, it was always better

From all your floor mopping
To more fun clothes shopping

You taught me the skills and the drills
To get life's thrills

My Mom forever
And ever


HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

I am forever indebted to you for your charity and life lessons. I feel privileged to be your daughter and friend. You are an amazing women of talent, beauty, strength, and love.

Love, your daughter.




Happy Lois Day

Your MOM...


Took care of your as a child
Tamed you when things got wild

Taught you to work hard
 And put up your guard

Made you meals
Like salt and pepper on oatmeal

She sacrificed her all
So you could have a ball
And together watch football

Her joy in life is you
From changing your poo
To watching everything you do

From kid to Dad
You make her glad


We love you Lois and are thankful for your sacrifice as a Mother. It's not always easy but the reward is great! Sean-Paul turned out to be the best Husband and Father I could ask for and that speaks volumes about you.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!