I'm so glad when daddy comes home!

Happy Father's Day Scott.  We love you with all our hearts.  All of the children wrote in the back of Scott's new book Fathers of Faith. We all shared examples and experiences of Faith we've had with Scott.  

Absolutely Lucy

Eliza's hosted her first book club.  The book was Absolutely Lucy.  The book and the party were a hit.

Girls Weekend 2012

This spring several events aligned together to help create a very memorable weekend with the Stevens/Forman women.  Janette has been pondering our family history and compiling a large record of stories and pictures to be accessible and easy to share with our children.  All of the women in the family have varying info and memorabilia to exchange and compile, so what better excuse then to plan a girls weekend.

Grandma Forman is the amazing Matriarch of the Forman family and the magnetic force that draws us together.  She has extended her mission for the third time which allows us all to stay in her premium Temple Square accommodations.  We played games, laughed and enjoyed sweet moments in her lovely apartment.

We made the most of the Salt Lake Temple and the museums that surround.  I took some pictures (poor quality Pics) of some artwork that struck a note in my heart.  I love the creative expression of music and art.

This symbolic picture caused me to reflect on who I represented the most.  I wondered if I was one of the followers in the back fighting the storm with my on strength, or one of the faithful, focused disciples at the feet of Jesus!

I have felt the strong presence of an influential grandmother who has passed from this world.  Many times I have felt her friendship and love during moments where I was alone...particularly driving and running.

My parents put all of their doubt, pride, personal needs, desires and fears behind them and served a labor intensive mission in Nauvoo, Illinois.  I was grateful for the experience they had and example they are.  I am grateful that we were able to go and learn more about the early history of the church.  I loved this depiction of the angel placed on the Nauvoo temple just days before the saints were driven from their beautiful city. 

Grandma Forman planned meals, a temple session, and a tour of the Utah State Capitol building (I didn't know that the building sits on springs under ground).

Amanda, Tami, Grandma Joyce Forman, Grandma Lori Stevens, Angela

The other event our trip was centered around was the 2012 Utah Valley Marathon.  I convinced Angela to join me last minute and Angela convinced Kristi to join our team.  We have a lot of fun visiting about running...splits, racing strategy, training, dreams and aspirations.  Most people don't really get the depth of long distance running, the commitment and passion, the unpredictably of the race, the heart and desire to push all physical boundaries or the thrill and heartbreak of success and injury.  We three girls always have so much fun and so much in common, no matter what each specific race outcome is.

I was very disappointed with my experience in Boston this year, not because of my effort during the race, but  because of the circumstances.  I knew that if I worked really hard for three weeks in between the two marathons I could pull off a PR.  I did just that.  I actually ran two long runs (20, 21 miles) and threw in 3 speed workouts including one day of 10X800's with an average of 3:08 pace.  Utah Valley Marathon turned out to be another test of mind over matter and un-ideal weather conditions.  I have decided that the very core of what makes running a marathon so challenging is not just the training but the unpredictable race day curve balls flying by.  Wind, leg cramps and hills became my nemesis, but of course I don't ever participate with the expectation that it will be easy.  No excuses, just really tough running.

I did make several new friends while running and enjoyed the first few miles in the beautiful canyon.  We three girls completed the race and managed to win 1st place for all the teams.  

I ran a 3:48:07.  My mile splits were as follows: 8:18, 8:09, 8:13, 8:06, 8:13, 8:25, 8:16, 9:06, 9:14, 8:33, 8:09, 9:03, 8:36, 8:18, 8:34, 9:43, 8:54, 8:44, 8:17, 8:31, 8:28, 8:44, 8:53, 9:22, 9:21, 9:10.  Miles 19-21 I began to try to gut it out a little faster and managed to pass the owner of Shuu's, a very popular running store in Boise.  I returned home to be surprised with a large goodie bag full of running paraphernalia for my success in Utah. It came from the Shuu's running store.

Upon returning home to Grandma's that day I felt a few moments of melancholy and was missing Scott but those feelings dissipated when my attention was again turned to extended family(especially the steadfast support and hugs of one of my biggest cheerleaders Grandma Stevens).  We toured the old cemetery in Salt Lake to visit our ancestors and the prophets graves.  Tami shared several stories and Grandma told us little tidbits of unique information.  I actually really enjoyed being there even on really tired and sore legs.

That evening we partied...the mall, swimsuit shopping, chocolate and chicken, and card games.

Sunday morning we all went to the Music and Spoken Word.  I could attend this special radio broadcast every week and never grow bored of the music and inspirational messages.  I am still carrying the program notes around with me in my planner...it makes me smile.

These cute kiddies cheered me on at the end of the Utah Valley Marathon holding posters and waving their arms.  Janette is a great mother and brought her whole brood by herself to participate in every thing.  I love Kadie, Mary, Michael and Hailey as if they were my own and enjoyed having them sit on my lap and follow my around the Joseph Smith Memorial building.

Four generations of Forman women.

I am very lucky to call these sisters my friends.

While the boys are away the girls will play!

Scott took the boys down to Twin Falls to attend the temple, run a half marathon with his sister Tami and witness Cole Cahoon's baptism.  He was reluctant to leave the girls behind but knew we needed to divide and conquer.  The girls and I worked super hard on some projects around the house but then decided to throw caution to the wind and go play.

 We went to the Natatorium downtown and rode the hydro tube over and over.

 We bought some yummy goodies at the market next door and then rushed to do beautiful hair in time for the ballet recital. 

 The girls have been studying classical ballet at EPAC and had their spring recital. They are both very graceful and beautiful dancers.  I was really proud of them.

 It always amazes me how small my girls really are when I size them up with other kids their age.  Annalise and Hailey are close friends with Danielle and Eliza and have danced with them for two years now.  They are the exact same ages.  

 We wish we could have been to the baptism in Twin Falls and cheer dad on while he ran a very challenging half marathon, on no training, but we look forward to more opportunities to spend time with the family in the future.  Scott decided last minute to join Tami for the the Magic Valley Half.  He tried to just run a steady race but the heat was extreme and the volunteers abandoned the water stations.  He ended up in heat exhaustion on the side of the road.  He had to ask for water from spectators just to cool down his body temperature and finish.  I don't know his exact time but it was about a half an hour slower then he had ran his only long training run about the same distance. Tami and her girlfriends experiences mirrored Scott's but they were all glad they participated.

Cycling Merit Badge

James worked on his Cycling Merit Badge this spring/summer.  Mother and Son rode together for several 15 milers, 25 milers and the big accomplishment was a 50 miler.  James is adept at the riding but we did experience some humorous crashes, lost chains and smashed derailers, conquered big hills and navigated the country and city roads.

Happy Birthday Scott!

 Scott turned 39 this year...Wow!!!

I surprised Scott and picked him up for a grueling bike ride on the 8th street foothills.  That was our first official date, on the exact same trail and Scott is still impressive on those hills.  Then we went for a quick swim at the downtown YMCA.  We met up with Gina and Bryan for dinner at a hip restaurant compliments of coupons from our favorite Coldwell Banker Realtors...Grandma and Grandpa Stevens.

Memorial Day

I love Memorial Day.  I love having a FHE centered around our ancestors and war hero's.  Every year we celebrate as a family by visiting the Veterans Memorial Cemetery.  This year we switched it up and traveled by bicycle.  Isaac was invited to spend the day with a friend and we really missed him.

 We started at our home and rode to the Velodrome.  The kids did awesome up to the top of the steep trails.  We only had one melt down and a few tears...too much speed coming down the back side of the mountain. 

 We then cut through the foothills to the memorial cemetery.  We had never seen the flags from the top of the mountain.  It was really cool to see the flags flying in the air from a bird's eye.  Then we headed towards Optimist football field.  It was about then that James realized he had taken off his helmet at the top and left it.  Mom was the designated go-to-girl with James while Dad headed to Winco with the rest of the kids for a refreshing treat.    

 We met up behind Lakeland village on the greenbelt.  We took a much needed break and cooled down. 

 We then rode to Merrill Park to play on the playground.

 

 The water sprayers were a hit and rejuvenated the kids to make the last three miles home.

 When we got home neighborhood children started showing up and so we decided to run through the sprinklers.  They had a blast and were certainly glad to be home again.  We totaled 5 hours of riding and less then $15 dollars.  Phew Thomas, Eliza and Gideon were champs hanging in there with their crazy adventurous parents...the big kids have gotten used to us, they know not to ask how far till we get home!