Runners Conquerors

Today I am a runner.
I feel like an imposter when I say those words but I think they are true. I am now, more then ever, able to identify with those that enjoy this grueling sport. I wake up each morning at 4:45 to hit the pavement. Rain, snow, freezing temps not much stops us. I love it, it makes me healthy, I enjoy my conversations and time with my running partner, I love the peace it gives, and the energy I gain these are all great reasons to run. But I run everyday to prove to myself that my mind is stronger then my body. I can do hard things. I guess that is what makes a runner, one that conquers!

I think it is important to have those of us crazy enough to call ourselves runners ban together. In the light of the bombings at Boston Marathon we runners stand together. I cannot imagine the terror those runners felt. The fear of the spectators. Marathons are a triumph of the human spirit against our mortal being. Conquerors. So this terrorist has know idea what he is against. Runners are not the light hearted or faint of spirit; they are conquerors! I stand with you Boston or more aptly run with you.
The Imposter Runner

The Starnes clan goes to California

We had a crazy good time!! We started the week off at the beach. On Monday we went to Seaworld. Splash zone baby! Riding Atlantis a million times in a row! Nathan and Justin trying to climb a ladder but no luck.
Tuesday Disneyland, so much fun!!
Wednesday we went to the LA science museum. It was super fun! Seeing the Endeavor was inspiring!
Thursday and Friday was more Disney fun! The crazy down pour and group text messages was awesome!

Top 10 of 2012

We have had an incredible year! We have been greatly blessed and continue to thank our Heavenly Father for our blessings and trials.

1. Going to Disneyland with our friends! I love that place! So much fun!
2. Justin opening the new school and being crazy busy.
3. Going to New Orleans with Justin. That place gets into your blood. I have a new love of Cajun and Creole food!
4. Running my first half marathon! It was an awesome and spiritual experience. Weird I know! I did better then I ever imagined!
5. Justin and I going on a quick West Water Trip. Justin was awesome and rowed like a champ! Met new fun people!
6. Our list of 50 things to do in the summer. It was so fun the kids loved the outdoor movies and crazy activities! We were constantly busy!
7. Floating in the Great Salt Lake! It is awesome, go do it!!
8. Makayla choosing to become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. What a wonderful day! She was so beautiful and shared a wonderful testimony! Lots of friends and family.
9. The boys moved up in gymnastics to level 3. They are loving it and are quite good. They are also blooming readers it is so fun!
10. We get to have a baby in our house 4 days out of the week. Maci loves having Kye, my sister's baby, over to play. It is also fun for me to have a baby, I get all the perks and none of the parental hassles! But he is easily the best baby!


We hope that you are all well and can reflect on the joys of the last year! I am so grateful for all our family and friends that we have been able to share so many wonderful memories with!
Love you all!

Remembered

In the Relief Society activity this week a question was asked, "how do you want to be remembered?" I think of my grandmother and how she is remembered, charitable, loving, strong, and kind. These are wonderful and I hope to emulate her. But she is also remembered as someone who took her trials with a smile. That is how I want to be remembered; I want to be remembered as someone who despite her trials she handle them with dignity and joy. That through it all I did not complain. I think that when we give ourselves the right to complain about EVERYTHING, we allow ourselves to look at everything in a negative light.
Complaining and whining about ones situation does not make it better or easier. You just sound like an ungrateful ninny!
Find joy, nothing will be perfect or easy! But when we change our attitude it changes how we choose to handle our lot.

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Words

We live in a world were anyone can sit down in a room and put anything they wish on the internet for the world to read. I think sometimes people forget that real, feeling people read those words.

I am tired of HATE.

It makes me sad that we live in a world were people feel it is okay to belittle and be rude to their invisible audience. Intended audience or not, mean words hurt.
I miss the time of privacy where the world of facebook and twitter (or whatever social media is used) didn't know the food you ate or the horrible no good very bad day you are having.
I think it is selfish, yep that is right, to put your every bad thought and feeling on line. What are your "friends" supposed to do with that? How is one supposed take such nasty words or feelings?
What ever happened to the adage that if you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all. These are precious words that few remember when the audience is invisible.

Now don't get me wrong I love a good laugh at something posted and the occasional quote can be inspirational but mostly I love that I can reconnect with long lost friends and let them know I am thinking about them and love them.

The internet is not evil, I love and often am very grateful that I can many times find the answer to questions and prayers on it.

But I wish everyone were wiser stewards of such a power!

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New Year, New Dreams

Ok. So the dreams are not so new but I hope that this is the year of great adventures! Whether the adventure is small or grand, they can all be great! I am very much a dreamer, not a resolution maker. I love to reflect on the past year and what will come with the new year.
I videoed the kids about this past year and what they are excited about this year: Disneyland! Yes we are kicking off 2012 right by going to California in February, we all can't wait! It will be a great adventure!
So adieu to 2011 and hello to 2012! It will be a great adventure I can just tell!

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Top Ten 2011

We have been incredible blessed this year. So here are the top ten highlights from 2011.

1. Justin being hired at Midvale Elementary as an assistant principal.
2. Justin being called as bishop for our ward.
3. Our month long summer vacation, which included Starnespalooza, Yellowstone, and rafting in Wyoming.
4. Justin rafting the middle fork of the Salmon River and then catching rafting fever.
5. Ashley rafting the Rogue river with her mom and also catching the fever.
6. The boys starting Kindergarten!
7. Justin riding in the Rockwell Relay. A crazy adventure with great friends.
8. Ashley finding her love of running and creating a wonderful friendship because of it.
9. Taking the kids on their first multi day rafting trip in October. They loved it, Maci constantly says, "Grandmas boat fun!"
10. Celebrating Makayla's birthday by going to California and getting an American Girl Doll.

We have been so blessed this year and the scripture D&C 82:3 where much is given, much is required has played through my head constantly lately. I know that with all our blessings it is important that we give back to help bless the lives of others. I love this time of year where I can reflect and feel the love of our Heavenly Father.

Merry Christmas!

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Rockwell Relay

We had too much fun doing the Rockwell Relay! It is 530 mile bike relay of some of the most intense terrain one can ride. It was epic!
Some of the highlights:
Getting to drive over 20 hours of the 33 hour ride!
Watching Justin fly down Cedar mountain- love watching him do something he loves.
Meeting new people and becoming great friends.
Pretending to be a nurse for road rash kid. Really all I did was hand Danielle band aids!
Seeing a miracle.
Seeing God's hand in all the little things that led to that miracle.
Knowing my kids were happy and safe while Justin and I acted like teenagers again!
Staying up, getting no sleep and having a great time doing it.
Watching people pack and unpack the car 150 million times-it never got old!
Winning a 6 month supply of vitamin water for a silly game! The best part was "shorty" contesting my win, he must have really wanted that v water!
Cow v. Deer who would win? It still remains a mystery.
Sleeping in a koa cabin like it was summer camp.
POONIS!
And much more! That I am sure I am forgetting because I am still very sleep deprived.

Thanks for letting me tag along Team Lucky Girl it was so fun!

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It's TIME!! GO VOTE #25!!

Okay so here it is time to vote tonight at midnight!

Head over to Vintage Revivals (click on link above) and vote #25.

Don't make me beg people, because I will, I am NOT too prideful.

Okay Fine, Here I am on my hands and knees begging you, pretty, pretty please with sugar on top!

Go and vote!

Funky, Fun and Fabulous- For a Fantastic Giveaway

Take my CRAP and make it CRAPTASTIC!

That is what I am looking for Fun, Funky and all around FABULOUS. Don't you love alliteration- it makes me feel clever, cute and quirky! (there it is again!)

Okay so I am entering a giveaway that I SO desperately want to win and totally feel deserving of (but don't we all!!!). Over at Vintage Revivals (love it, love it, love it) Mandi is going to pick one lucky gal and redo a room for her! (Insert flailing arms and me yelling "Oh pick me, pick me!!")

Do see all the chicken decor- yeah we now OWN chickens so I am TOTALLY over chickens!

So there is the room: A great room- that ain't so great!

It has LARGE and in charge walls that we should just call Marge! Large Marge sent me!
It has annoyingly small cabinets with a HUMUNGO space above it. That I have no ideas what the H to do with!
It also has a lot to hold (people and furniture) and it is not huge.
Do you see this beauty- I love it and it is super useful but I am too afeared (that is Shakespeare for scared) to redo it.

So this is where Super Mandi comes to the rescue. Is it a Bird, is it a PLANE, No it is Super Mandi! (ps if I win I will totally make Mandi a cape because every super hero needs a good cape!)

But mostly I am tired of it and it is BORING!
These curtains:

yep those things are older then my first born! ok so ALL the curtains in this space are that old. Sad I know you can shed a few tears for me too!

Isn't she stinkin' cute!

I made them looking like this:

7 months along! Yuck I know!! look I am handy even when preggo!

Why have I not done anything in the last 7 years to update my space well lets be honest my husband does this:
He doesn't stand on desks, he teaches!

So we don't have a ton of this:

And we have 4 monsters to feed!


So here it is I need me dear friends to go vote and help me get Mandi to mi casa! Because I love her guts and I know she would love mine and we would be BFF's- I can just feel it!

April Fool's

We celebrate April first by having an April fool's dinner. This crazy tradition started by my sister when she was 9 or 10. We don't eat on plates, use weird utensils, and drink out of measuring cups. We have fun talking and playing silly april fool's jokes. The best part of this meal is that it is reminiscent of the worst mission meal Justin ever had.

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Converse love Affair

I have a bit of a love affair with Converse. I always have. I had a pair of baby pink ones in high school. They were hard to find but when I did I wore them every day. I loved them. They smelled and were holey but oh how I loved those shoes.
I still have the same feelings about those shoes but now my girls wear them. Makayla has had two pairs both bright pink and she wants high tops for her next pair. Hers are wearing out! Maci has a pair of green and pink high tops. Oh there is nothing cuter then watching Miss Maci run around in those! I get many compliments for her cute converse. She wears them with dresses, pants and about any outfit. I love them on her!

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Birthdays!

CelebratedWe a had a small birthday celebration for Makayla on her birthday. She wanted a spaghetti dinner, so that is what we had. She had a few friends over for cake and ice cream. A good time was had by all! One of our family traditions is the birthday hat and lights. We have always celebrated with them. We had a birthday plate that had a sad end but one day I will replace it.
For my big 31 it was a pretty simple day. My family made me my favorite breakfast, french toast! The night before I said to justin since you did not get me anything you should au least buy me flowers. I had a beautiful bouquet of flowers for my birthday. But I was VERY wrong about not getting something from him. He is a turkey! He is never been one to surprise, he doesn't keep a secret well. I was a TOTAL surprise! My present was on my plate at breakfast and when I opened it I was shocked! He gave me a Kindle. Yeah I know best hubby ever! What was so surprising is that I usually know when something is up but not this time. His cover story was that his school was going to purchase a class set and start a pilot program using e readers for curriculum. I was on board and thought it was a great idea. I told him if I were to get a reader it would be the Kindle. So alas a Kindle now resides in the pitcher home. Oh how I already love it!
I taught in relief society. Most of you are thinking not a fun birthday gift but I love teaching and love the opportunity to study in depth on gospel subjects. I really do love my calling! It was a great day at church. I was wished many happy birthdays and the talks and lessons were awesome!
After Justin came home from his meetings we headed over to my parents. We had a delicious corn beef dinner and a fun birthday celebration. I love my family! I received many birthday calls.
It was a great day!

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California dreamin'

Before I had children I dreamed about taking my daughter to the American Girl Store. I thought of how exciting and fun it would be with byu little girl. After I had Makayla I looked forward to the year she would be old enough to enjoy a doll. We decided 7 was the perfect age. So this was the year. My mom and I have been planning this trip for closer to a year.

I wanted to surprise Mak so we did not tell her. We picked her up from school and checked her out. She was full of questions. I handed her a box that had a picture of an american girl doll. She instantly knew where we were headed. She was way excited! When we arrived friday morning after an over night pit stop in Vegas we arrived at Newport. Friday we played on the beach ate at Bajio and swam at the hotel. I enjoyed reading and the weather! Saturday was the big day! We woke up and had breakfast on the beach. Makayla collected sea shells and played in the surf. It was a Wonderful morning! After our morning at the beach we went back to the hotel to change for the American Girl Store. My mom gave makayla a dress that matched the dolls. So cute! We headed to LA and like any day on california freeways it was packed. But we arrived all in one piece!

The store is AWESOME! It was amazing and fun. When you oh and aah over the catalog for so long the store is incredible. We walked around and Makayla decided on her doll, Ruthie. Makayla also bought another outfit that she had been saving for. We then had a late lunch there also. We ate on the balcony and had a lovely lunch with a fun question game. Makayla was sung to and blew out a candle. It was so fun. We were there for more then 3 hours shopping and we could have stayed longer. After the drive back we played at the pool and with Ruthie. Makayla loves her and dress her and play with her and do her hair.

I would say it was a successful trip and birthday! I could not have dreamed up a better birthday celebration!
Love you Mak Happy Birthday!

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Valentine's Day Traditions

I don't love Valentines day. It is NOT my favorite holiday. But I have traditions that I love. Since Justin and I moved to Utah we celebrate our day of love on the slopes. I love this tradition we only missed one year because we had a nursing 2 month old. I love it because it is fun and not mushy-not a huge fan of the v day fan fare. The second tradition that I love is the valentines under the plate for our family dinner. We all make valentines and slip them under each persons plate. I get each person a gift and put it under the plate along with a little love note. Then I fill our candy buckets full of yumminess. Because lets be honest valentine's is all about the candy.
I love these traditions! We grew up doing the plate thing since I was a little girl. I remember very vividly of getting so excited to peek under the plate.
Maybe I like Valentines Day more then I thought!

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Body Parts

There is nothing funnier then talking with your children about body parts. The boys have had some interest lately and today as I was changing Maci we had a funny conversation. Kaiden asked what Maci's penis was called. I told him and we moved on with our day. About 10 minutes later Keagan said to me, "mom you have a china and we have a penis and a poonis." I tried so hard to not laugh in his face. I quickly corrected that he does NOT have a poonis just a bum. I think about it now and I still chuckle!

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Maci's Shiner

Poor Maci got her first shiner this week. She was on Makayla's bed and hit her eye on the headboard. It was instantly puffy. So she now looks like she has eye shadow on one eye. Hopefully it will be gone soon.

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Being comforted!

Well I have been feelling a bit disheartened, overlooked, and lost in the mix. (I can share this because I know I only have about 3 people read this blog anymore. Which is fine with me!) I know this happens to us moms but it was really getting to me. So you know what, I went to enrichment (or meeting or whatever you want to call it) and the Spirit touched me. I knew that moment that God loves me and knows me and understands my needs. I am so grateful to have poured out my heart and be comforted. I am thankful for amazing women who could be God's hands and help comfort me.

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Ten years, really?

Yes it has been ten wonderful years. Justin and I celebrated our 10 year back in December. We had a wonderful day snow shoeing. We went out to dinner and had a quiet evening at home with no kids.
I asked Justin what he has learned over the last 10 years and he said that I was a better woman then most. I tried to dig further but no luck. But I can tell you I have learned a ton the last few years. Like learn to let go, don't be so critical, have fun and just be in the moment, it doesn't have to always be done my way, love more deeply then I new possible, to say I am sorry, to say I was wrong (that doesn't happen often) and ask for what I need. I can't say if it was just being married or if motherhood also helped but I can say I have grown. I am so grateful for my best friend and for all that we have been through. Love you Pitcher!

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