Each Day Is a Gift

HAPPY EASTER!!!

Today's one of the most special days of my life!!!  Today we celebrated and commemorated the resurrection of our Lord Savior and Jesus Christ!  It is through His atoning sacrifice than we may attain eternal life. 

My baby, Steven, had the opportunity to speak in Sacrament Meeting.  Because of yesterday's wedding, all of his siblings and many of our families are in attendance.  Families coming from California, Texas, Arizona, Oregon, Colorado and Idaho are able to hear Steven speak before he leaves for his mission to Taiwan Taipei in couple of weeks.  It was wonderful and special to have my SSF, Teena, and her family there!!!

Steven spoke on the atonement and what it means to come unto Christ.  He has grown up so much!  He will be a wonderful missionary bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of Taiwan. 

My choir sang a medley of He Is Risen and Christ the Lord Is Risen Today with piano and violin accompaniment.  (Eric did a great job playing the violin at the last minute).  The choir sang BEAUTIFULLY!!!  Hope all in attendance were uplifted!

After Sacrament, families and friends gathered at our home for lunch.  My sister and I had gotten up early to do last min. food prep.  By the way we did not get home from the reception till 10:30 last night and went  to bed well past midnight.  Thanks to my sister, everything turned out beautifully. 

I am so very blessed!!!  I am very grateful for the blessings of the Gospel!  My dream and goal in life was to have all my children live to be Temple worthy.  Yesterday everyone of my children were in the Temple sealing room to witness the union of their brother and his bride, my newest daughter.  My heart was full and over-joyed with the promises and blessings of Eternal Family. 

I am thankful for a wonderful husband who puts up with me.  We have been married for 33 years.  I love him so much!  He is a man of integrity.  He is a great leader and example to those around him.  He serves humbly, quietly and faithfully.  He is very devoted to his family, church and work. 

I am grateful to be blessed with 6 great kids (1 girl and 5 boys).  When I was young and naive, I wanted to have 12 children (6 girls and 6 boys).  Now we have 6 sons and 3 daughters.  When my 3 other sons get married I will have my 6 daughters! :)  Larry and I strive to give our children *roots and wings*.  We hope our children are rooted in the Lord Jesus Christ and His ways; that they have a firm foundation upon which to build and never falter from.  We hope they are rooted deeply in their noble heritage and family ties of which they can be proud of and identify with.  We hope our children are taught, trained and nurtured that they may reach their highest potentials; that as they leave the nest, they will have *wings* to fly, to reach high and lofty goals.

It was bittersweet to bid goodbye to my children at 3 pm this afternoon:  Eric and his family flew back to Oregon to finish up his last externship.  David flew back to school in Glendale, AZ.  Steven back to Logan (his cousin, Emily drove him home and back)  to finish up his last week of school and finals at USU.  Bryan back to BYU before he leaves for China on Wed. 

The last 48 hours went by too quickly!!!  I don't know when it will be the next time we are all together again! Sigh!!! 

A TWO attacks run!!!  

The original plan was to run with the AF Fleet Feet group on their 15 mile-loop starting at 8am atWillow Park on the JRP then west to Harvest Hill, south to Utah Lake and back on the JRP to the start, a route that look really fun but have never run before.   Was late getting home from the musical, Sunset Blvd, last night.   Got Karen's email that she didn't have time to go with the group, opted to start at 7:30 and run close to home.

Woke up to two inches of snow and still snowing!!!  It is almost May for crying out loud!!!  After much debate, Karen and I decided to brave the cold, and run on the icky road to Alpine instead of running in the LC.  With the 8am start, I was able to eat a good breakfast of oatmeal and banana and drank EmergenC; but forgot to take the Symbicort.  I still have not gotten in the habit of taking that thing and have never taken the nightly dose.  Reluctantly put on my *winter* running clothes and head out to meet Karen. 

First sign of trouble came as we crested the hill going up Suncrest around mile 4, my breathing was labored although I felt I have lots of energy and leg power.  Going down the hill, instead of recovering, my heart was pounding and I was wheezing audibly and coughing (it was as though my lungs was filled with cotton).  It was comforting to have Karen there, so we walked till my breathing was under control.  We turned back at mile 5.  Again I had to take a breather to walk down after cresting the hill.  The rest of the run to her house was uneventful.  We made it 9.5 miles at her house.  I went inside to drink some Gatorade while she showed me her basement construction work and the girls' rooms that she painted.  Feeling refreshed I left to run 3 more alone on Bull River.  Planned to run 1.5 mile west to 1500W then turn back.

At the turnaround, my breathing became labored, perhaps due to the cold east wind; and I was feeling weak.  It was as if I had hit the wall, that is not possible...not at mile 10.75...I had a good carb dinner last night and breakfast this morning.  I frequently run 15 miles without any fuel.  My legs feeling fine, not tired or sore.  I felt so weak that I just started to jog/walk the 2 miles home. 

As I got to about 0.25 mile from Karen's house, I heard this growl and something nip at my left ankle.  I looked down and there was this stupid mutt trying to bite my heel.  I didn't hear or see him at all.  I stopped, turned and yelled at it to "GO HOME!!!" while running backward.  He wouldn't budge.  When he charged at my other ankle, I kicked him.  He still didn't go home and keep chasing me with his stupid growling.  I thought I out-run him but he actually gave up chase because we were approaching this house with an open garage where a dog was standing.  I had passed that dog earlier and he just stared at me.   My heart started to pound wildly thinking he's going to chase me now that he's seen the stupid mutt chasing me.  He is a much bigger dog.  I slowed down a tad as I got near the garage and only glanced over and tried to act brave.  He kept staring at me and turned his head to look at the retrieving mutt. 

Whew!  as soon as I passed the staring dog, I started to run towards Karen's.  But I felt like a blob of jello, I could NOT run!!!  I saw that all her cars are still in the driveway with the garage door open.  Thankgoodness they haven't left for the gymnastic meet yet!  I stumbled into her kitchen wheezing with a pounding heart.  Her daughters sat me down and brought me water.  Karen rushed out and was about to call 911 when I told her to just take me home.  My hands were numb, head was spinning, chest was tight and my heart was racing while I wheezed in between telling her what happened!  There's noway I could have walked the mile home without passing out.  She quickly drove me home where I immediately took the Ventolin. 

Stupid stupid me!!!  I need to remember to take my daily Symbicort doses and carry my rescue inhaler on long runs.  Karen saved my life today!!!  My breathing is fine now although I feel totally drained.  Going to take a nap before getting ready to go to Stake Conference.  Had to be there early for dinner with the visiting authority and Stake Presidencies and wives.