The Holy Church of the Winged Shoe

J has a friend, R, who is training for the Ogden Half-Marathon. R didn't run much before he started training, and he doesn't plan to run after the Half-Marathon is over. R's brother is a big runner and is encouraging him to keep running and training for future events. In response to that R, who has been running 6-10 miles a day, says,"I already have one religion that takes up all my time; I don't need another one." I laughed out loud when I heard that, because it's really true! The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is a full-time commitment that requires not just your time, but your heart and soul as well. I could say the same about running, or at least about training for a race.
When I'm not running I'm thinking about running, for any number of reasons:

• my feet hurt because I ran that morning
• my knees hurt because I ran that morning
• I want to eat but can't because I have to go for a run soon
• I want to eat something delicious and bad for me but can't because I know I'll have to run it off later
• I want to stay up late and (insert activity here) read, watch a movie, spend time with J but can't because I have to wake up early the next day to run
• doing laundry, picking up a kid or toys or books and feel sore because I ran that day
• driving up a hill during errands and suddenly wondering,"Is this an 8% grade? I wish I had my Garmin so I could know if this hill is like the hill on my last leg!" and imagining myself driving along with my arm stuck out of the window so the Garmin could pick up a satellite signal
• feeling my pants a little looser throughout the day and, happily, knowing it's from running
• being sleepy and needing a nap in the middle of the day, wondering why I'm so sleepy, and thinking,"Oh yeah, it's because I woke up at an insanely early hour this morning to go running with the other nut jobs who do the same thing."

You get the picture. It has me wondering what I'll do when the Wasatch Back is over. I plan to run the Freedom 10K on the 4th of July with a bunch of friends, but after that, I don't know. Should I do a half-marathon and then a marathon, or should I switch to something a little less high-impact on my bones and joints, like swimming? Should I start tri-athaloning? What do you think?

Pinkwater

Who took my Pinkwater Challenge? And who thinks I'm even weirder than they had previously thought? I'm almost done with "The Snarkout Boys and the Avocado of Death" again. I had forgotten how great and strange that book is. I think my favorite is still "The Education of Robert Nifkin." I'm not sure why stories about portly oddball boys with eccentric friends appeal to me. Maybe it's because I've always felt slightly oddball-ish myself and my boys seem to be going that way too. I like that the main characters in Pinkwater books are comfy in their weirdness. They have nutty parents and nutty friends and don't do things in a conventional way.
Anyway, if you didn't like your first Pinkwater book, try another. I realize they're not for everyone, but if you give Daniel Pinkwater a chance, he just may become your favorite author.

Anyone? Anyone?

Anyone want to run my middle leg of the Wasatch Back with me? It's 9.6 miles in the middle of the night. We are allowed a pacer to run with us for the night leg, and I sure could use the company to keep me going. Anyone? Anyone want to fly out from Massachusetts or Ohio? Anyone want to drive up in the middle of the night from Lindon? Orem? Saratoga Springs? You all know who you are, and you know you want to. I only need one. Any takers? Anyone?

Must Read

If you have not already read Daniel Pinkwater, you must start right now. Turn off your computer and go to your local library. Pick up "Alan Mendelsohn, the Boy from Mars" or "The Snarkout Boys and the Avacado of Death." Try "The Education of Robert Nifkin" If you want a quicker read, reach for "The Hoboken Chicken Emergency" or "Spacebuger." I guarentee you'll be singing "lovely ravioli, lovely ravioli" for the next few days. We have adopted as our family book "The Big Orange Splot." It changed our lives -- or at least gave words to what we have felt for a long time. Daniel Pinkwater is great. If you don't think so by the time you are done reading his books, well, we are going to have to seriously reconsider our friendship. That is all.

I Like My Birthdays Everyone

S came down birthday morning to this from dad and mom:

This from Uncle E:

(not fully unwrapped yet, it's "Bad Bear Detectives" by Daniel Pinkwater (more on him later))

This from G&G K:

And this made by mom in the tradition of Grandma-Great Squire:

(Sorry, I can't figure out how to turn it!)

It was also Keep a Poem in Your Pocket day, in honor of National Poetry Month. S chose to write one of his own. Here it is in its entirety:

"My Birthday is Today, Hooray!"

My birthday is today,
Just before May.
And I really like to say that my birthday is today.

I am seven years old,
And a little more bold.
I have four pieces of gold,
And I'll never be cold,
'cause my present is summer PJs.
I know more to teach my brothers some ways,
To be more careful with girls and not to laze.

My birthday is today, Hooray!


As per his request, we showed up in his class with donuts at 2:15. The appearance of donuts caused much mayhem with his classmates. O helped pass out the Krispie Kremes, and H was a hit, shrieking with laughter at the kids in the class.

On the way home we hit the toy store for new bike helmets for S and O, training wheels for O to use on S's old bike, and bells for their new vehicles.

We arrived home and, after homework, tried out the new bikes. Let's just say that it may take a while for S to get used to the bigger bike. J arrived home around 5:15 and we headed down to the Olive Garden in Provo for S's birthday dinner. After hearing that the wait was 30-35 minutes and remembering that it's Women's Conference at BYU, we decided to drive to the American Fork Olive Garden and not partake of the chatty (and sometimes catty) dinner conversation that would surround us because of all those women! It took about 30 minute to get to the restaurant in AF, but we walked in and were seated at a nice table right away. Dinner was yummy and fun. The boys were phenomenal! Sometimes their table manners leave much to be desired, but they were really great last night. The staff sang their celebration song to S, who kept his face in my sleeve the whole time. Then he enjoyed a piece of the White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake all by himself, while the rest of the fam had Zeppolis (Italian Donuts) and the Chocolate Torte. Yum Yum!

Home and bed. We were partied out!

Now a word about my little/big S...

What a fantastic kid! When he was born 7 years ago, we had no idea how simply pushing that boy out of my body would change EVERYTHING! The pregnancy was great. The delivery was perfect. His little head was perfectly round. Even the doctor, who had delivered hundreds of babies, commented on what a good looking kid he was. The second night in the hospital, S started screaming and, it seemed, didn't stop for 6 months. Colic. Between the screaming and the non-sleeping, S managed to pork up quite a bit. He was so roly-poly and cute. We'd laugh because he was like a little ball with Michelin legs. All of his pants were too long because we'd have to buy them a few sizes bigger just so the waist would fit. And so he grew and grew...

Today he is my big 1st Grader. Reading Harry Potter books, playing songs on the piano and violin, writing stories and poems, being the ring leader of the monkey show in the Judd Circus. He is so helpful and capable. He loves corny jokes, so if you know any, send them this way. He loves to read and read and read. He loves language and to sing and hum. He's always kept us on our toes and will continue to do so, I am sure. We love this amazing kid. He truly amazes us everyday. Some days we are amazed by how much he learns and remembers. Other days we are amazed at the size of the boogers he manages to pull out of his nose and wipe on the wall. Still other days we are amazed at his tenacity or his sense of humor or his ear for music. He is incredible! We're so glad for 7 years with this boy!

Food Thoughts, Part I

Doesn't that just make your mouth water? You know you want some. Hot, sticky, moist rice, a pair of chopsticks, and kim chee.

I've been thinking about food lately. I think about it a lot. Sometimes I love it, sometimes I hate it. This is Part I of an infinite-part series on food.

Today, I think food is ok. Last night I made a big Korean meal for a family in my neighborhood. I really like Korean food. Despite the fact that I fried about half the items on the menu, I feel like it is really healthy. Just a little meat, lots of vegetables, a good, hearty, spicy soup, no butter, yummy rice -- you can't go wrong. There is an objectional smell associated with kim chee, but when you ferment cabbage with with green onions, garlic, and red pepper, what do you expect? Korean food is my comfort food. I could eat rice and kim chee, maybe some jang jo rim thrown in for variety for every meal. I think I'm turning into my dad.

Sometimes food is my enemy. I am running a race in June. I run 4 days a week. When trying to be fleet of foot and aerodynamic, some foods are not friends.

Brownies,

cookies,

Skittles,

S'mores,

Twix

mmmm. There's that moment. You know the one I'm talking about. You're contemplating the treat. Looking at its sweet beautiful form. You think,"I'm going to have to run you off tomorrow. Will it be worth it? No, I won't do it. I'll have an apple instead. No, I went for a run yesterday, I think I can handle you. You are so desirable and yet I hate you too. What's that all about? Should I do it? Yes! No! Here I go..." And really, it usually turns out to be so worth it. After all, life is to be enjoyed, right? Anyway, I've been told and have found from my own experience, that your appetite changes after you consistenly exercise for a while. It's really true. My body craves healthier things now, but once in a while...

I think I'll just go make dinner.

Living Vicariously through the Monkeys

Do they even have a chance?