It's Been A While...

We've been busy living life, and I love it!

Here are some highlights from the past few months.

In October, I participated in the Ragnar Relay in Las Vegas. It was freaking amazing! I ended up running about 17 1/2 miles total (spread out through 4 legs over a period of 30 hours), and I averaged about a 9 1/2 minute mile. I've developed such a love for running. I'm actually very sad there is snow on the ground, and it's becoming too cold to run outside.

I plan on running the Vegas Ragnar Relay again next year. In fact, I'm going to get my own team together. If you're genuinely interested, let me know! It's physically tough, but it was such a challenge and so much fun! Pictures will be coming soon.

Mason turned 1 year old on October 24. Side note: does it bother anyone else when people say "one years old"? Anyway, here are some pics:

Did you know that most grocery stores will make your child's first birthday cake for free? Awesome!

He's so disgusted right now.

Really mom? No, seriously.

Having us force his hand into the frosting a couple times was about all he was willing to take.

Halloween is my favorite holiday! I seriously just love everything about it. Here are some pics:

We didn't have to spend much time or money on our costumes. McLane was an Almond Joy and I was Mounds. Get it?

I swear I'm one of those people who thinks innuendo is ALWAYS funny. I will laugh EVERY TIME at a "That's what she said" joke. Yeah, maybe I need to grow up a little. However, I was pretty amused with our costumes, if I do say so myself, but we didn't get a single vote for best costume of the night!
The boys at the party: Grant as batman, Banks as Iron Man, Eric as a married man, Griff as Ted Nugent, Bryce as a married man, Jones as a single man (way to go all out, dude), McLane as an Almond Joy, Schafer as "the most interesting man in the world" (AKA: The Dos XX mascot), Darek as Chris Brown, and J.T. as Bob Ross (who deservedly took home the prize for best costume).
The girls: Me as Mounds, Carlie as the Octomom, Hayley as Lada Gaga, Madison as Cruela Deville, and Hayley as Rhianna

...And in case you didn't hear, the Yankees won the World Series! Whoot Whoot!

Also in October, McLane, Mason, and I bought our first home! I know most people would post pictures of their new homes, and although I don't think much of it when other people do, I don't think I'm going to do that. If you read my blog, you'll eventually see pictures, I'm sure. I don't know, I just feel weird doing it I guess. We're VERY excited about it, though. We're living in the townhomes in Cedar Hills at the mouth of American Fork Canyon. It's absolutely beautiful up here and we love the neighborhood. Also, being out of the basement has brightened my soul!!! I love having the sun shine through my windows every day! Mason loves all the room he has to play and go up and down and up and down the stairs. It's a scary step, but it was time!

My First Half Marathon (AKA: You Can Do Hard Things Part II)

I remember "wogging" the mile in 9th grade gym class with my girlfriends and thinking that it was, like, SO hard. I also remember preparing for cheer competition and practicing for hours until my body ached (and I wasn't even the one doing the LIFTING in the stunts) and thinking that was hardest thing physically I had ever done. Then, I carried a baby in my belly for 9 months, went through 27 hours of labor, and after an hour and a half of pushing, gave birth (albeit with the help of the blessed epidural - you go you natural birth mothers). I had very little complications, but I'm not going to lie, I thought it was freaking hard!

There's something about being pregnant and having a baby - or even just raising a baby - that makes you realize your body can handle more than you think it can.

In August of 2008, when I was 7 months pregnant, I decided that to get back in shape after the baby was born, I needed to set a specific goal. I told my family and friends I was going to run the Mesa Falls Half Marathon when Mason was 10 months old. Honestly, I wasn't REALLY sure if I was going to actually do it, but I figured if I told enough people, I would eventually be held accountable and would convince myself that I was going to run. As I said in this post, I couldn't even run 1 mile after I had Mason. When I finally hit the 2 mile mark without stopping, I almost cried.

I've never been a runner - EVER! In fact, I always thought runners were this strange breed - either you WERE one or you WEREN'T. I wasn't. Until now.

I ran the Mesa Falls Half Marathon on Saturday. I followed a training program at runnersworld.com that you can find HERE. It was a beginner's program, and it was absolutely perfect for me. My specific goal was to run the entire 13.1 miles without stopping in under 2 1/2 hours. Thanks to my step-dad, Doug, who pushed me along the way, I was able to achieve my goal. I finished in 2 hours 15 minutes, which is approximately an average of a 10 minute 20 second mile. I know that for you runners, the time isn't super impressive, but I'm ecstatic that I even finished. I'm ready for the next one!

Mom, McLane, and Mason came to cheer us on at the 10 mile mark. I was actually feeling pretty good here despite miles 4 - 7, which were straight uphill and increased 300 ft. in elevation just on that stretch alone.

Even though Doug has completed 2 marathons and is a life-long runner, he ran beside me the whole way encouraging me. Here we are coming in at the finish line, and I thought I was going to die.

I think the most painful part of the half marathon is when you have to actually STOP running because then you start to feel what you just put your body through.
My motivation. I love these boys!

My cousin, Nicolee, ran the full Marathon. It was her first, and I was so proud of her. I don't think I really want to ever run 26.2 miles, though. I'll stick with my 13.1!

Come See Us Play on August 23rd!

We (Charley Jenkins and Haywire) don't play too many gigs in Utah County, but we are really excited to play for the Lehi Arts in the Park concert series on Sunday, August 23. It's a free show you can bring your entire family to for a nice Sunday evening activity. The concert will start at 7:00 in Wines Park located at 500 North Center Street in Lehi. Come enjoy some good ole country music!

Things That Must Go

I've listened to Radio From Hell on X96 since I was in Junior High, and one of my favorite segments on the show is their "Things That Must Go" list. McLane and I have decided to put our own list together. We don't mean to offend ANYONE - this is just our opinion - but MAYBE you should rethink some of these things if you do them (just kidding...sort of).

1. Skinny Jeans on short and/or "stubby" girls. I know they're trendy, ladies, but I promise that unless you're VERY tall or VERY skinny, they aren't flattering, and you are a stranger to the truth if you tell me that it's comfortable to have the circulation to the bottom half of your body cut off because it's all flowing toward your muffin top.

2. Crocheted headbands/skinny elastic-type headbands around the hair when they make your hair bulge up like a mushroom.

3. Pronouncing scissors "skizzers" and THEN waiting for a reaction like people don't get it.

4. Using the last square of toilet paper and then not replacing the roll.

5. Driving under 74 mph in the carpool lane.

6. THAT guy or gal that stands THISCLOSE to you while waiting in line.

7. Stopping when you DO NOT have a stop sign, and then motioning for the other person to "go ahead" while they're appropriately stopped at a stop sign. This happens at an intersection near our house DAILY!

8. Mary Murphy's screaming.

9. Saying "acrossed" or "anyways"

10. The boys in blue pulling people over on the freeway during rush hour.

11. People over the age of 25 using the word "chillaxing."

12. The phrase "the thing of it is. . ." What does that MEAN?

13. Saying "irregardless."

14. Talking on your cell phone in completely inappropriate places (movie theaters for example).

15. Taking kids under 13 to PG-13 movies during the busiest show times. If your young kids want to see a PG-13 movie and you don't mind, either wait for it to come out on DVD so you can answer their inappropriate questions while you're NOT in a crowd, or go when the theater isn't likely to be crowded.

Okay, we now happily invite you to add to our list of Things That Must Go. Let it out!!

I've Come to Realize. . .

1. I've come to realize that my toes.....
are short and stubby and will never look like they have "knuckles."

2. I've come to realize that my job...
shouldn't even be considered a job because I'm doing what I LOVE!

3. I've come to realize that when I'm driving...
it's WAY more fun to just jam out to music than to worry about people watching.

4. I've come to realize that I need...
to exercise as often as possible because it just FEELS GOOD!

5. I've come to realize that I have lost...
some opportunities while gaining much more meaningful ones.

6. I've come to realize that I hate it when...
my house is messy.

7. I've come to realize that if I'm drunk...
someone probably spiked my punch.

8. I've come to realize that money...
is spent much faster than it's made.

9. I've come to realize that certain people...
like Red Vines while others like Twizzlers. I like Twizzlers.

10. I've come to realize that I'll always ....
be short.

11. I've come to realize that my sibling(s)...
are some of my best friends.

12. I've come to realize that my mom...
is Wonder Woman.

13. I've come to realize that my cell phone...
doesn't need to be the newest fad or the most expensive.

14. I've come to realize that when I woke up this morning...
I had only slept for 2 hours.

15. I've come to realize that last night before I went to sleep...
I was on a very long tour bus ride heading home to my boys.

16. I've come to realize that right now I am thinking...
I'm so thankful for a supportive husband who is also a very involved father.

17. I've come to realize that my dad...
can be vulnerable.

18. I've come to realize that when I get on Facebook or Blogger...
I am, for some reason, constantly surprised at how vain we are.

19. I've come to realize that today...
it is more important to spend time with my family than to catch up on sleep.

20. I've come to realize that tonight...
I get to sleep in my own bed with my amazing husband at my side and my baby next door.

21. I've come to realize that tomorrow...
I can do WHATEVER I want. Seriously.

22. I've come to realize that I really want to...
become a better pianist and keyboard player.

23. I've come to realize that the person who is most likely to repost this is...
someone who likes to evaluate where they are in life every once in a while.

24. I've come to realize that life...
is EXACTLY what I make of it despite unforeseen circumstances or trials.

25. I've come to realize that this weekend...
I won't have a gig and will be able to spend some time with my family.

26.I've come to realize that marriage...
is about learning to compromise and letting trivial things go.

27. I've come to realize that my friends...
are people I've CHOSEN to surround myself with.

28. I've come to realize that this year...
my perspective on life has completely changed since last year.

29. I've come to realize that my ex...
is someone who helped me grow.

30. I've come to realize that maybe I should...
write thank you cards more often.

31. I've come to realize that I love...
being a mom.

32. I've come to realize that I don't understand...
why skinny jeans are popular. They don't look flattering on ANYONE!

33. I've come to realize my past...
has helped mold me into who I am today, and I'm thankful for it.

34. I've come to realize that parties...
still ROCK when you're with the right people.

35. I've come to realize that I'm totally terrified...
of spiders but ONLY when I'm sleeping - never during the day.

36. I've come to realize that my life...
continues to take me on paths I never realized I would take, but it's always a wonderful journey.

Family Pictures

Hayley Anderson Kaze took some family photos for us. She also did THESE. You can see more of her stuff HERE and HERE. She's pretty amazing. Here are some of my favorites.

I Love Lake Powell!

We were able to go to Lake Powell with my dad, Dallas, Whitney, and Collin in June, and it was so fun! Unfortunately, we were all taking "sexy" cave pictures (you know, the model-type ones where you're emerging seductively from a cave, etc. . . what, you don't know?) Well, anyway. . . It was MY turn, and as I gracefully stepped off the boat to get into the cave, my camera fell off the back of the boat 20 feet to the bottom of the lake. None of us had goggles, and I'm pretty sure none of us could really make it 20 feet down, so - so long camera. Luckily, Whitney and Collin took a lot of pictures, so I've posted some (needless to say, I lost my motivation to take sexy cave pics, so you'll see none of those - except for McLane's - have fun). Man, I love Lake Powell!

The family on my dad's boat

My cute little guy. He loved the boat. . .

But hated his life vest!

Wake surfing - I wish I had a pic of McLane - he actually got up! Me, well, I got a lot of water up my nose!
Cliff jumping!
This is kind of a crappy pic, but if you can see the look on my face, you can see SHEER TERROR! Yeah, I was scared.
And the SEXY CAVE PICS!
Check out that handsome beast! Roar!
Classic model shot. Beautiful.