Never Been Like This

I just have to say that I have NEVER BEEN This BUSY in my ENTIRE LIFE!!!

Is that a good thing?  Well, MOST of what I'm busy with is family or church service related so I guess it's a good thing.  It's exhausting!  But in many ways I LOVE it!  I love meeting people and being an influence for good and positive change where I can be.

This month was my birthday!  I turned 44!  Dang, that sounds SOO much older than I feel.  But I focused on the number FOUR and had a celebration with FOUR of us (me and 3 pals), and we went and had a FABULOUS hike up to Stewart falls!  It was pretty easy, only an hour each way and the waterfall was incredible!  The path was mostly shaded and not crowded at all.  We ate some snacks at the falls and enjoyed the wonderful views.

It was a beautiful day too!  Then we came back to a meal that I was craving:  Sweet Pork Nacho's and fresh fruit!  Yes, I was saving my calories for such a wonderful birthday meal.  I got the sweet pork from Costa Vida and my daughter had it all ready for us by the time we got back.

 Then we each wore FOUR crazy items:  fake arm tattoo, fake mustache, fake ring, and fake hair extension.  We were set up for lots of laffing and playing games.  We played one of my favorites:  Spoons, and also White Lies, Farkle, and Scum.  It was fun just to be zany!

We ended with banana splits choosing from FOUR different kinds of ice cream and FOUR different kinds of toppings.  It was pretty EPIC!  I feel so thankful to have friends I can celebrate with.  It wasn't an exclusive party by any means... I would love to have had a ton of friends over... but just felt I'd stick to a small number  this time and focus on FOUR.  (I wasn't up to hosting a large group this time, but anther time - yes!)

It was ONE YEAR ago on my birthday that we PULLED our moving Truck and loaded down GMC into our new house and neighborhood here.  We didn't know a single soul here!  We arrived completely broke!  We were packed so tight, we had left a bit of our furniture and items because they just didn't fit.  So now it's been a full year and I actually have awesome friends and neighbors to celebrate with!!  Brent was so nice to let me have this day. :)

Right now my life is FULL of Girls Camp Planning and work (we go next week), Relief Society Planning & all that contains, Family errands & needs, Computer Work, Late nights.... AND.... BASKETBALL.  Seriously, that's the ONE THING I just do for myself.  I try to get a run in when I can too.  It is SO fun to play basketball with the ladies here.  We have so much fun and are so comfortable with each other yet play aggressively - and my daughter joins us most of the time which I absolutely LOVE.  

There are big trials, some drama, hurt feelings, issues that crop up and things that bring me down... and I will say that  my life is also quite HARD and downright more CHALLENGING than ever right now.

BUT, my life is also SOOOO GOOOOD!

I think because I do struggle with certain things,
it makes the good times and blessings SOOO much sweeter to me!

And I know I can do hard things.
And so can YOU!

Much Love and Warmest Wishes to you!!

XoxoXO ~Margene

I'm a Hobbler Halfer!!

Today was the HOBBLER HALF Marathon.... or should I say yesterday since it's after midnight.  TODAY (or yesterday) will go down in Margene History Forever!!

It started two nights ago when I went with my running buddy to her sisters house to stay the night so we could have an early start to our race.  We had picked up our race bag and shirts and came back and played games and watched an episode of "The Office" where they do a Fun Run - so funny.  I had all my stuff layed out and ready to go.  I had Joy's rock she gave me "Because of you... I can do hard things" and kept it in my pocket the whole time.  

Then we went to bed and got up at 3:45am to head out by 4am to get the shuttle by 4:30am to take us up into the canyon to the starting line.

4am - heading out to catch the shuttle to the starting line

I originally was very nervous but became less so as it got closer.  Then we started and the race began at 6:30am.  It didn't take long for me to feel overwhelmed at how long we were really going to run.  You know, those mind games!!  We started at a faster pace but I had to slow it down so I could last.  But we visited like we normally do on our runs and had the AMAZING scenery of the canyon, plus the sun wasn't even on us yet.

It was mostly downhill with some uphills here and there.  And to be honest, I was getting some good aches and pains which tempted me to walk - but I didn't give in.  Around the 10 mile mark, I suddenly saw my GIRLS and HUSBAND on the road CHEERING ME ON!!  My girls were holding up a sign that said "Go Mom" "We love you".  It really gave me the boost I needed.  I was so surprised and happy to see them and so was my buddy!!

Those last 3 miles were the most challenging for me and also the most meaningful!  I thought about my parents and the thought came specifically to my mind about how proud my mom would be of me.  I thought of the things my mother struggled with and how she might feel watching me run.  It brought tears to my eyes.  I felt SO THANKFUL that I COULD run!  I will never forget how I used to feel and how grateful I am for how the Lord has blessed me.  I felt thankful for my family and thankful for my running buddy who has become a dear friend.  We ran for a mile or so in silence and I then hit play on my Ipod and "I'm Coming Out" by Diana Ross began playing.  That was the song that took me into the finish line!  We ran it in 2 hours and 46 minutes.  BOOYA!!

My hubs and girls were there to greet us and it was an amazing feeling to realize that I ran that without stopping!  It was pretty surreal feeling.  We got to enjoy a free breakfast from Magelby's right there and also a Free Massage.... which felt SO good for my aching calves.

Now I am tired beyond words... I really need to get better sleep at night and I still have a lot of goals and things I need and want to be doing.  But it does feel wonderful to have accomplished this!  Brent gave me the biggest hug and it feels good to have him feel so proud of me.  He more than anyone knows where I have come from and he's loved me through everything.  I feel so thankful for a supportive and loving husband!  And now I must go to bed.  God bless you in your pursuits! 

Never give up!  

Life is GOOOOD. 

XOXoxoXo ~Margene