"Good night Grandpa Crocka"

Well marathom rehab is going well. I am still amazed at him. Now Ben is always "racin'" around the house. Most the time it is alright with me cause everything gets done that much faster!
Zach has taken the child care arrangements upon himself so I could attend womens conference on Friday. I felt so bad when he said he couldn't get off work and he was still gonna take care of it. Then he said "Becca, womens conference for you is like hunting for me, I want you to go". He is the best husband ever!
No go on the V.P. for Dave. Thanks to everyone for voting for him, it was said to have been close. It takes guts to try and I am proud of him for that. He is probably the most ambicious kid I know. You'll go far Dave!
Ben is becoming more and more independent everday. I love watching him grow...but a little piece of my heart breaks when he says "it's okay mom, I got it".
and then I look at Sarah scootin' around on her belly and think "I'm not sure why I was so anxious for the mobile days". They just grow so fast! It is so fun to watch and be a part of! Ben is sure in for it when she really starts getting around! She is already grabbing at everything! She has two little teefers and I love to see them when she smiles! She loves to be outside, thank goodness! Yesterday was finally warm and we loved being out there!
Now as for Grandpa Crocka and Sierus and Faba and Hick and ....oh my random names! Ben makes them all up and I have no idea how he thinks of them or where they come from! Believe me, they aren't my invention- I come up with names like Sue and Billy.
This is Ben the Buffalo, he has been wearing this just about every chance he has and it makes me laugh...except for when he charges his little sister...then it isn't as funny.
This post has officially been as random as it's title. "good night Grandpa Crocka" which is what we have to say after we say good night to him. The joys of a three year old!

My husband, the Marathon Runner!!!

So, yeah, Zach wins for randomness this time!

He totally ran the SLC marathon on Saturday! He really did awesome! He came home Monday night and said he got the email for the marathon and decided he really did want to do it....and he did! He originally began training in January and then with all the snow and such, got discouraged and stopped. He has been running regularly as there are other races he is participating in, but wasn't training to run the marathon.

I was a little worried because he has never run one and the furthest he had run recently is close to 10 miles. Yeah, he did so well!

Here are the stats: Finishing time- 5 hours 3 minutes Average mile time- 11 min. 36 seconds He came in 1,033rd place! There was some 1,300 or so that ran the marathon.

He was quite sore after as to be expected, but he walked away with two blisters and a nice sunburn. I am still amazed he did it! He said he would finish even if he had to walk. He finished running! Here is the footage, cheesy I know. I was quite emotional to see my husband still in one piece!

Way to go Zach! You amaze me!!!!

One month from TODAY!

Okay, so I am totally running a race! yep! ME! May 17th I am running in the Ogden Marathon Relay!!!! I am way stolked!!! and scared. :)
Me, Zach and our friends Tammie and Jared are running as a team. We're all excited.
This has been super good for me as I like to feel like I'm doing something beneficial for my body but it is hard to find the motivation when I am so tired all the time!
You wanta know what the motivation is? Yep, scared to death! I don't want to fall on my face, so therefore, I run four times a week and do yoga once a week. I am still a little nervous because I have never run this far and I haven't been training as long as I would have liked to. I am sure I will do this again though!
Anyway, wish me luck! One more month to train! AHHHH!

a plea....

Let me just tell ya, the last few days have been CRAZY for me! Not really because of anything going on but because I OFFICIALLY have a three year old. Many of you might know what I am talking about and some of you...just prepare yourselves.
Okay, Ben is not defiant exactly, he is just three. He wants things to be done his way and if I don't read his mind I find out too late that I have done something he was supposed to do or whatever. I am not kidding. "it is my way or the highway" for him!
I thought to myself today if I have to put up with this "walking on egg shells" thing for a whole year I am definitely not going to have any hair left!
So, this afternoon Ben is sitting at the table yelling something at Sarah (teasing, trying to scare her or some other kick) and Sarah is crying because she is way too tired! I am washing pans and I was sick of trying to solve their problems. I started singing a familiar Primary song called "I am a Child of God" to drown out their screaming and crying. (I know, what can I say, I was desperate) What I was trying to do was distract my children and calm the situation. Instead I learned something.
I really was singing quite loud and for those of you that sing, sometimes (at least for me) when you sing loud you are trying to make a point or something. Well, as I was singing this song, it hit me like it was my own plea to my Heavenly Father.
"I am a Child of God" (I am, not just everyone else)
"and He has sent me here" (to this house, with these children, to be their mom)
"Has given me an earthly home with parents kind and dear" (who have set wonderful examples that I can follow and perhaps use in this situation)
"Lead me, guide me, walk beside me,
help me find the way." (I seriously need some help!!)
"Teach me all that I must do" (in this situation, with this 3 year old and sometimes demanding 8 month old)
"to live with Him someday" (there is a reason for all this!)

I really wanted to cry. This was MY prayer! I don't know what it is but everytime I have sung that song since Ben was born I have always thought of him and who he is and now Sarah and who she is. I really honestly was awakend today. I am a Child of God too! Not that I really didn't know that, but I think I needed the reminder.
I can be guided in this situation and there is a way to get through this...I need to seek the inspiration. Boy, even the little boost and reminder of who I am has made me appreciate the opportunity a little more. (that sounds crazy even as I type this. :))

I am so thankful for the very funny ways that my Heavenly Father reminds of things that matter. I know there are many people around me who are more natural at the mom thing than I am and a lot of times it is asking for advice.
Any one?
Thanks for letting me share. Happy Mothering! :)

Vote Dave for Senior VP!!

Here is my little brother Dave's speech...I was able to go to the assembly and that was fun. He's a good kid and he's having fun running and it's been fun to watch him. He made primaries, we find out Friday if he wins...Go Dave!

-Good ol' high school! :)

Spring, every other day? or week?

Let's just say I am ready for the option to go outside everyday. I would love to work in my garden or sit out and read a book while Ben runs or plays in the dirt. It is tiring for the kids to sit around all day like this:
I want to see more of this:
and this: (Ben & Alexa really had to focus running down this hill- Ben learned the hard way by totally falling on his face!)
I love to watch him wear himself out!
We walked to the park a few weeks ago with some of Ben's cousins Brady and Alexa. Wow, they practically ran! We had a great time! Anyone recognize this spot? Yeah, they loved walking up there!

Hooray for Elder Ballard!!!

I don't know what you all thought, but I'm almost positive many of you were thinking what I was thinking...."a talk just for me! Oh thank you!"..."I really needed that!"
I just loved conference this weekend! Oh man! I came away feeling motivated, happy, like life is good, I can do better and I am so blessed to have the opportunity to be here at this time, to be a wife and a mother! My job is important, I just need to be a little better and try a little harder.
I loved the counsel Elder Ballard gave! It is so important that we fill our well so that we will have water to draw for our families and the others we serve. So good!
I am just so thankful to know we are lead by a Prophet of God, His mouth piece! How important it is that we sustain him with our prayers and in our actions.
The church is true!
So, how do you fill your wells? Suggestions?

April Fools!

Many of you stay at home mom's may be able to relate to this one.

I woke yesterday morning and went about the usual routine- kids up, fed and hubby out the door. Well Zach comes into the kitchen ready for work and our conversation goes as follows:
"how do I look?", "you look awesome" (as he is wearing my favorite shirt.)
"Look good enough for my first day at CHASE?" "What?" "Yeah, I got the job" "What?" "I interviewed last week and I'm starting today." "What? I didn't know about this. You would have told me, I don't believe it." "Yeah, I'm starting today- salary is __ and I am working as a personal banker"
"Okay who did you interview with?" "Something Carlisle" (as at this moment I can't remember the name he said)
"But you never told me" (as I'm thinking, "since when does my husband get a new job and not tell me!!! Good grief!")
"April Fools!"
"It's April Fools day!" "Aw man!" *Good laugh!*

And so I suffer at times because I have no reason to know the date.

Once I learned the date I decided to attempt something a little different-

But then it was 4:45 and I was at my friend Shannon's house down the street. She was the ambitious one and I benefited. She sent me home with some meatloaf in muffin cups.

I made instant potatoes, put food coloring in and boiled some carrots. We had cupcakes, carrots and dip. Needless to say when Ben saw his plate he was more than willing to hop in that chair!
Thanks Shannon for the dinner! The meatloaf was really tasty!- not quite a cupcake, but it'll do. Fun day :)

a good day...

While playing a game with Ben there came a knock at the door-

Abby & Logan: "Can Ben go for a ride with us?"
Me: "For a ride?"
A & L: "Yeah, in our wagon. We got it for Christmas & it has a door."
Me: "Well, since it has a door I guess that'll be alright." ;D

M: "Where will you be going for your ride?"

A: "up to Evelyn's and down to our house and back to your house so Logan can play."

So responsible! :)

AND play they did!L: "Oooh, it is spooky in here!"
I love it when Ben has friends over! It is so fun to watch them play. They are at such a fun age!