New Orleans

Sterling and I went to New Orleans for the American Farm Bureau Federation annual convention. We had a lot of fun but I don't have a lot of pictures.

The French Quarter in the back ground. We learned a lot about American history that happened in New Orleans that I had never learned before.

Pumps that are supposed to help prevent flooding. They weren't enough to combat Hurrican Katrina.

Alligator tour. We didn't see any alligator's but it was still fun. We saw a lot of the changes and still some boat debri from the hurricane.

President Trump spoke at the convention. The security was insane. Long lines and ID checks. It was fun to hear him speak. He knows how to command a crowd and say what people want to hear. 

There are more pictures on Instagram but I don't know why they are not on the computer. I'll have to try to figure that out.

December stuff

The Harker's had their annual food drive for the Utah Food Bank. I love that they do this. This year they had the hill lit up for sledding.

A community member, Heather Johnson and City Council member, Ryan Poduska and I, worked together to bring a public speaker named Collin Kartchner to our schools to speak about the dangers of social media. It was a great and engaging presentation. 

During the Christmas break we took the family to Temple Square to see the lights and explore the visitor centers. 

While playing with the Family History computers, we found that we are related to President Nelson. 

Also, our cat, Mali, loves Sterling. This photo was not set up. It just happened and it is adorable.

And this is what my brain looks like. I'd like to say just during the busy days of December but really its all the time. A mass jumble of lots of things.

Retiring Shoes

173=13

Do you believe it?

The first weekend of November I ran the Snow Canyon half marathon in St. George. These shoes logged 173 miles in training so I could run 13.1  miles in the races.

Sometimes it's easy to judge a person at the finish line. Wow. A half marathon Well done. Good job. hat's amazing. But before the finish line there were iles and miles of struggle, hard training and early mornings.

Sometimes people are like that. We don't know what their training is like or how long they've been oing it. We just see them at the finish line. Or in between runs.

We don't know what challenges they've overcome. What disappointment they've faced. What insecurities they have.

We don't know how many miles they've run.

These worn out shoes will never run another race. They are retired. But everytime I see them, I'll think about the personal race others are running that I may not be aware of. And try to be a little more supportive. A little more understanding. And a lot more loving. We are all running a race. Let's help each other cross the finish line.

Revival Recital 2018 - 7th annual

7th Annual Revival Recital

This recital was so amazing because we had several new performers- ladies who were participating for the very first time!

I shared these quotes from Brene Brown at the beginning.

 I really do think that we are brave, 

reviving 

renewing

learning for the first time 

and then putting it out there 

being vulnerable

for others to see 

I always like to do an opening number that is fun and a little bit of a surprise. I performed "This Is The Greatest Show" and not only did I play it, I played it in costume.

And I totally messed up and made some funny faces. But I don't have a problem with that. 

Mt Nebo Half Marathon

My sister, Sarah, and I ran the Mount Nebo half marathon.

We had so much fun spending the evening together and talking and just being with each other without the distraction of kids, husbands and anything else. Just us. Just sisters.

Sarah had the goal to finish the race in under two hours. So we started together with the 1:55 pacer. Sarah immediately made friends with them and she was off.  As I fell behind and found my own pace, Sarah finished at 1:54!!!! 

I finished?

 at 2:06. 

I used to call Sarah my "little" sister but there is nothing "little" about her. She is a power house and a rock star! She is an amazing example to me of positivity, joy, love and determination!

Cottonwood Half and Westlake Homecoming

Sometime in June or July, Sarah approached Sydney and I and asked if we would like to run the Cottonwood Half Marathon with her. 

Now, running is not my very favorite thing to do, but Sydney and Sarah are two of my favorite people, so if they were both in, so was I!

We woke up bright and early and bused up the canyon. 

And then the race was on. Sarah and I stuck together the whole way but Sydney left us in her dust at the starting line.

The canyon was so beautiful. I really enjoyed every minute of the run in the canyon.

The last five or so miles in the city were less enjoyable but we made it and crossed the finish line. I think we ran a 2hr. 12min. race.

At the finish line, Sarah lifted Cooper over the barrier and he finished with us. Sarah was also there with her Homecoming date, Evan, who was nice enough to get up early and meet her there. 

My first and maybe only Half Marathon and it was awesome. 

So is my sister.

Stats:
Sydney - 1st/ 28 in 15-18 age category
Time: 1:48:10.49 at 8:15/mile pace

Karin - 138/273 in 40-44 age category
Time: 2:10:41.29 at 9:58/mile pace

Sarah - 154/294 in 30-34 age category
Time: 2:10:42.42 at 9:58/mile pace

Later in the day, Sydney and Evan went to the Homecoming dance.

I've included this video to demonstrate how awesome my kids are.

They set up streamers for Sydney to walk through and Rachel played the trumpet. And everyone said I Love You as she left in a big old beat up truck. 

That's a pretty good window into the personality of my family!

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's day to my mom, to me and to all the other wonderful women out there who care about other people. I really ought to write something about how I feel about mother's day.

Let me just say this - Adam called Eve a mother before she gave birth to anyone. Eve is the mother of all living and was given that title from day 1 (or Day 6 :)). All women are/can be mothers. So ponder for a minute about what characteristics make up a mothering heart. 

OK- enough of that. We had dinner at mom's house and it was so fun. The bachelor brothers were there and Sarah and her boys. Wish I would have taken pictures before the cousins left. These pictures are the ones we cherish for years to come.

I love being mom to these clowns!

And plus, isn't this the cutest picture of father and son. I'm so grateful for the loving relationships we have in our family. It takes effort, patience and forgiveness. And its worth it!

Day

My Hike: Pleassant Grove "G"

This is the view from the top of the Pleasant Grove "G". 

This hike begins at the same parking lot as Battle Creek Falls, only you go behind the pavilion and start up the mountain there. Its steep for the first bit, which is good. Similar to the "Y", a quick steep hike. 

Having hiked the "Y" and the "G", I guess next up is the "U"!

Bounteous harvest

After a summer of growing and caring for a garden, I am sometimes too gardened out to do anything with the harvest!

We had a lot of peaches, you can see HERE.

We also had a lot of corn and I was so late getting to it that almost half of it was bad. I saved what I could, husked, blanched and froze it. Now we can have fresh corn-off-the-cob all winter long!

I also made my favorite recipe for spaghetti sauce and froze a bunch of that.

I'm not a crazy awesome canner, but I do have my favorites:

Tomatoes and peaches. 

(And frozen corn and spaghetti sauce.)

And this year I got a camping stove which made it soooo nice!

I also made some peach fruit leather. (I need a little more practice on that one. It wasn't a hit this year.)

I HEART canning. 

Hawaii- day 4&5- Polynesian Cultural Center&Beach cruising

We started out day 4 at the Dole plantation with a delicious dole Whip ice cream. Mmmm, good!

Then we were off to the Polynesian Cultural Center. We had sooo much fun! During this canoe ride in Tonga, we realized our guide knows our neighbors, the Sikas. So we posed for a picture and sent it to him. 

The canoe pageant was fun. I'm always amazed that the dancers can balance on those canoes.

Coconut tree climber in Samoa.

Pig for dinner at the Luau!

After dinner and before the show, we took the missionary shuttle to the Laie temple. 

And the show. It was so beautiful. The dancing, the story, the setting. All of it was just amazing! The perfect way to end the day!

We also found time to drive around, look at the ocean and sit on the beach. Nice and relaxing, just appreciating the beautiful world God gave us.

Day 5 was Sunday so we went to a three hour block on the north shore. It was so nice, even though I think I slept through most of it. I love that the church is the same where ever you go and always feels like family.

This was our cool ride for the few days we were on our own. Loved the power!

And as a fitting farewell, we were treated to this beautiful sunset! Good bye Hawaii! Until next time!