Susanna's First Run

Susanna's first week of life started with a trail run and ended with a "run" in the hospital.  On Sunday, Scott and I hiked/ran part of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail.  On Monday, we went in for induction.  36 hours 10 minutes later Susanna was born on Wednesday, 5 December 2012.

We ended the week with a "run" in the hospital.  Well, it was really a multiple lap walk of the 4th floor.  Scott  and I alternated on pushing Susanna in her bed.  She fell asleep quickly, and we look forward to real "runs" in the jogging stroller in the spring.

The hospital was also filled with beautiful words that made us smile.

41 Week Hike/Run

Yesterday Scott asked me if I wanted to hike instead of do stair repeats at the university.  I agreed.  When we moved out here, I decided I wanted to hike on the day I gave birth.  When he suggested it, I thought, "wow, does this mean she's on her way today?"

No, it didn't.

Some time in the coming hours, she'll be here.  As I write this, we're at home and one way or another, we'll head to the hospital today to help welcome our beloved little girl. In the mean time, here's a look at what we saw yesterday.

Oh, and yes, I did run on the way back!  We started off at Rainbow Gardens and took the Bonneville Shoreline Trail.  It was magnificent!  When we started, I saw a trail runner which gave me hope that the trail would be something I could run more regularly in the future.  We also saw a mountain biker and tons of mtb tracks.

I ran on the way back, and would have run further, but...Scott was not dressed for a trail run and I knew he'd be worried if I took off very far and "fast."  Fast is relative, though I felt I could have picked up more speed and will one day!  Also, the trail was quite the narrow single track, with a drop off, and I wasn't 100% sure of my balance though it felt pretty strong and steady.

Photo 3 we believe is of a sagebrush mealy bug egg sac.  

Also, thank you to all for your prayers and thoughts with the birth of our little lady!  We'll keep you posted and know that all is well!

Our Word Art is Back!

Some time ago Scott and I created Our Word Art, a blog dedicated "to the beauty of words as art."  Yet, dedication to the beauty of words as art in a blog format was not so steady.  Life had it's turns and twists, and we had our moments of reality.

Our Word Art is back!  It's a place where words are art and art is words, and pictures pop up to inspire.  It's a joyful place in which we believe and we find comfort.  Perhaps you will, too, and maybe you will join us on our journey of beautiful words as art.

It's not so stuffy (who needs that?) and it is bound to evolve as we do!

Thank you for sharing this journey of beauty-words-art with us!

Race Across America 2014

A good friend is part of a four woman team that will complete the Race Across America in 2014.  She shared with me this video about it that was featured on WPXI in Pittsburgh last night. Her team is raising money for Pulmonary Hypertension which is something I was not familiar with before her joining the team.

This is the same "good friend" who taught Scott the joy of riding hills in Pittsburgh.  That lead to him fully enjoying that aspect on the bike, and being very pleased with himself each time he passes others on hills!

Best of Luck, Anne-Marie and team Phenomenal Hope!  You have our support!

Morning Mountains

I opened the door and saw the sky above the mountains.  I grabbed the camera, put on shoes and a sweatshirt, and shot until the light changed.  All were shot from the front step or the driveway.

Yes, I love my home and all of the beauty that surrounds and is within it.

Thank You Ogden!

Before we moved to Ogden, I heard a lot about it.  I researched a lot.  I was scared.  In my heart, I knew things would be okay and it was where we needed to be, but I had a fair amount of hesitation.  It didn't all disappear immediately once we moved either.

I loved the drive west.  I thoroughly enjoyed the shared times in the UHaul with Scott.  I embraced our adventures, and still laugh at them.

Yesterday it was warm.  We thought our little girl might make an early morning Thanksgiving appearance, but um, no.  We went to one of our favorite spots and walked.  We talked.  We soaked in the beauty.  We shared hopes and dreams.  We cleaned up the areas along the Ogden River.

We recently chatted with a friend about ideal places to live, what was important, etc.  Our friend's list mirrored Ogden perfectly!  Whoever knew we would be living in a place now where another dreams of living.

Thank You Ogden for being you!  Thank you for your welcoming people that make us go, "wow! people are  really, really, really nice here."  Thank you for being close to mountains, water, culture, and yet just close enough to a "big city" where we can enjoy.  Thank you for holding opportunities we cherish and ones of which we're not yet aware!

Here's to you, Ogden!

Life's Little Bits

A smattering of things from inside our warm and happy home...

• This blog post hit home today.  It's so great to have someone else who "gets it" at the same or similar time.  
• Our good friend Anne-Marie had her third DNF of the season at Ironman Arizona, but like a true champ she found a silver lining.  She hiked to the top of Camelback Mountain the next day, as she was not marathon-exhausted.  
• Susanna is said to be 7 lbs and healthy.  We love this little girl and will welcome her with open hearts and arms when she is ready.  
• We have few plans for this week, other than to enjoy and keep on keeping on.  Scott may do a ride on Saturday morning with the local bike shop, but we'll see.  
• Our home is filled with yummy goodies ready to make life easy when SHE arrives, and I'm resting as often as the body dictates- well, mostly.

Happy Early Thanksgiving!