Toe Nails Are So Over-rated...........We ran our first marathon.

Today Ray and I ran our first marathon, the St. George marathon. There were a lot of people we know who also ran it. It was great seeing people you know on the course. Especially because there were almost 7,000 people who ran it. It was also great seeing people you know at the end of the course cheering you on, as you are wondering how the heck you are going to run just one more mile. And thanks Ambrea, Keanna, Josh and Holly for being at the finish line. It means a lot.

As you know I'm addicted to running. I've been running seriously again for about 1 1/2 years now. I've done I think 5 half marathons, the Lake to Lake relay race and the Ragnar relay race. I've been training for this marathon since the spring. Now Ray on the other hand has had a hard time getting any training in. As some of you know he has been working 850 miles away. Where he has been is very rainy. At one point it rained 40 days in a row. Well, all the rain has made it very hard for him to get any training in.

So I felt I was fairly ready for this. I had set a goal, which I now realize was kind of high this being my first marathon. Well, I did really good for the first 15 miles (a marathon is 26.2 miles for anyone who didn't know this), but then at mile 15 I start to get cramps in my hips and thighs. And this time at about mile 8 I got a gut ache. One of a runners worst nightmares. So up until mile 15 I was doing fairly well, but the cramps hit and it just makes it hard to run. So I would walk a bit, then run. Back and forth trying to still keep ok time. Needless to say I didn't make my goal, but I still didn't do horrible. I'm just frustrated and discouraged. I had hoped to do better and I want to figure out the gut and cramp problem. I took all the advice that 2 experienced runners had given me and applied it in my training and today, so I just question where it went wrong. I did it in 4 hours 27 minutes. Ray was able to do it in 5 hours 18 minutes which I think is great considering the farthest he has ran in the past 3 month is 10 miles. (Since he is back home I put him in some serious marathon training for 2 weeks :) ).

Right now we are saying we will never do a marathon again. I will probably eat my words though. I had said I would never do a marathon period. Boy, I ate my words on that one. But seriously the half marathons are a lot of fun. Just long enough for a challenge (13.1 miles) but not so long that you kill yourself. But maybe if I get figured out what I'm doing wrong I won't kill myself on marathons.

It another check mark on out bucket list though. Something new and different we experienced. We are always looking for some kind of adventure. It keeps life exciting.

"13"

Happy Birthday Asthon!! I can't believe it, you're 13. Thirteen years ago today you came into this world, and have brought us so much joy since then. They told us you wouldn't be born alive, and look at you now. An official teenager. Aaahhhh. :) You are such a good kid and we are very greatful to have you as a part of our family. Thank you for being so awesome.

Missing You

I miss you dad. :( Ray and I have been faced with a very big decision this past week and its been so hard not being able to call you and get your opinion. We've talked to mom several times. And she is very good to give us counsel, but dang I wish we could talk to you also. It may seem weird but I did feel you giving me comfort one night. I've woken up every night last week at 4 and couldn't go back to sleep because this issue has just been weighing on me. Sure makes for a very tired week. :)

Head Bands

A girl I work with makes these fun headbands. She sews little beads on that are called sead beads. You can choose pretty much any design you want. The cost for one is $10, unless your design is very detailed. If you provide your own headband then it is $8. I wear the 13.1 one when I run, of course. If you are interested in buying one just let me know.

!!!First Day of School!!

Wednesday, August 11th was the kids first day of school. I really was not ready for them to go back. Even though I work part of the day I enjoy having them home. We had a fun summer and don't consider summer over yet. We still have things planned.

Ashton is now in 7th grade. He goes to Fossil Ridge Intermediate, where there are 6th and 7th graders. So this year he is "the big man on the campus". I can't believe my baby is in 7th grade. :) And this is Keanna's first day of school. Ashton had gotten the stomach flu about a week and a half before school started. But it was just a 48 hour thing. Keanna kept telling him she better not get it. Guess she cursed herself. She got it, but she got more than just the flu. Hers started on a Thursday night. By Sunday she was still really sick. When I say sick, I mean really sick. She was running a fever of 102, and even when I gave her advil it would only come down to 100. One night she really scared me. She was really feverish and shaking. We layed her on the tile and put cool wash clothes on her. After about 30 min. she started to cool down. Well by Tuesday she was still so sick. She literally was sleeping about 18-20 hours a day. So that evening we took her to the dr. Her supposedly 48 hour flu had turned into a bad case of strep throat. The next day was the first day of school. But by dr.'s orders she couldn't go to school for 2 days. Oh my goodness, poor Keanna. She is starting high school and couldn't go to her first day. How horrible. Finally by Friday she was able to get up and go to school. But then on Saturday she had to catch up on sleep again. Then by Monday she was feeling pretty good. But even by the end of the week she said she still gets tired easy and her appetite isn't fully back. She lost 4 lbs. (she didn't have 4 lbs. to loose in the first place). But she has jumped in and gotten on track with what she missed the first couple days. Wow, she had us worried for a few days there.

[Happy Birthday Ambrea]

Happy Birthday Ambrea. Wow, you're making me feel old. You're not a teenager anymore. Where did the time go? I can still remember so well the day you were born. There were so many people there to welcome you into the world. What a blessing you have been to us. We are so proud of you and so thankful to have you as a part of our family.

Can't wait to party it up next week when dad is home. Sorry we have to put it off.

{Dad's Funeral}

I'm warning you now, this is a long post. I couldn't choose just a few pictures. And a good friend of mine has regrets for not enough pictures of a funeral, so we took a lot. Which by the way, thank you Natalee and G-pa Hardy for taking pictures. I had given Natalee a list of pictures I wanted and she got them all, and then some. Thanks also Natalee for coming over the day he passed away and providing hugs and a shoulder to cry on. And Lacey, for giving up your track training the next morning to give hugs and go with me on a "therapy" run. Also to everyone who traveled to come to either the viewing or funeral. And the cards, food and just all the support everyone has provided. Thank you so much.



The funeral turned out really nice. Dad had planned it all out the last month. Mom said the only wish she did not fulfill was her speaking. He had asked that Sherri and I spoke. (Oh great) The grandkids all sang and Ambrea accompanied them. She also played a solo. Way to go Ambrea for pulling those two songs off with just a couple days notice. Then all the grandkids told of one of their favorite memories. The bishop who dad had served in the bishipric with in Salina spoke. It was really neat to hear of stories about him in a church leadership calling. And my cousin Bill also spoke. Jim gave the family prayer. He did great but that was a hard time for me, when they closed the casket. Morgan gave the prayer to open the funeral. On our way to the cemetary as a family we commented on what a beautiful prayer he gave, and we all commented that it made us cry though. lol Dad didn't want it to go over an hour and we kept it really close to that.

This is the hurse pulling up to the church after the morning viewing. (Friday July 23)
Carrying the casket into the church.

The hurse and the procession arriving at the cemetary.

At the cemetary

Jim's family with mom.

Ray and Lynn, a good friend, getting Rick to the graveside.

Ray dedicating the grave.

Lynn presented the flag to mom. Dad served in the Korean war. It was really special to have Lynn be able to present it.

After the funeral mom and dad's ward had a wonderful lunch for us.
Later we went back to the cemetary to see the grave.

We all chose some flowers from the grave to make a bouqet. I have some of mine in a phone book hoping to preserve them. There were so many beautiful arrangements.

Jim, Morgan and Heather.

[Birthday]

Happy Birthday....to me (last week.) It was just a quiet day. Ashton and I spent the evening together running a couple errands and just being together. Keanna was at girls camp and Ray was out of town. Ambrea had visited the night before. Mom had some beautiful flowers sent and on the card it said "Love, Mom and Dad". It made me cry, but it meant so much to me. Mom also called in the morning before work and sang ato me. My day started out with a run, of course, with Lacey. We ran 16 miles. :) She was feeling bad that we did such a long run on my B-day, but hey. It was something I love to do. We had a great time, running through every sprinkler we could find. Anyway, I don't really like to have B-days so much anymore, but I must say this one was nice. Just quiet with not much hoopla.

{Dad}

Warren Gail Shaw, the best husband, dad, grandpa, brother, son and uncle, my dad, passed away this afternoon about 1:30. He was diagnosed with cancer about 4 months ago and developed complications with his lungs due to the cancer and chemo. He has been pretty sick for the past few weeks, but when he decided it was time to go, he didn't wait around. He has always been that way. Don't make him wait for you lol. Mom had called me this morning and I was planning to come home from work, pack and head to Salina. He couldn't wait for us. We believe there was a grand reunion in heaven though. His mom died when he was just a baby. We believe she came to get him. We know and understand that he is happy, but it sure is hard for those he left behind. I'm so thankful to know that I will be able to be with him again someday. In the meantime we already miss him something horrible.

Happy Birthday G-ma!

On June 30th G-ma turned 101. Wow. I've had the opportunity to go be with her and Rick while dad was in the hospital in Provo. For the most part she was very pleasant and funny. One night she got angry over something but Rick was able to calm her down. Because her mind is like a child she will be happy one moment and angry the next. She sleeps a lot also. I will treasure the time I have spent with her, and Rick. We love you G-ma.