I can do this!

I haven't posted for a very long time.  The holiday season is crazy in this house and with 7 kids we keep busy.  I need to do better, though.

In the new year, you think about the past year and look forward to the year to come.  Last year was so incredibly hard, but we were also incredibly blessed.  Although it was heartbreaking to lose Eirion, I'm so thankful for the time we got to have with her.  I truly feel like that was Heavenly Father's gift to us.  This sweet little spirit who wasn't expected to live past a few days was with us for 5 1/2 months.  We got to have her in our home and she got to bond and be loved by us and all her siblings.  Although I don't fully understand why she had to go I know that I will see her again and have the chance to raise her.  

Looking ahead to this year I have a big benchmark to achieve(I don't like the word goal).  In November my friend Dixie decided to run a half-marathon in March of 2012.  She asked me if I would do it too.  I told her that I would train with her but I wouldn't do the half-marathon.  I have never liked running, but I needed to get back into exercising and I figured running with Dixie would be fun.

Well, we started and I discovered that the first mile was the hardest and after about a mile and a half it gets a little easier.  So many times during that first mile I would think, I hate this, but I kept going.  And it has become easier and I am getting to the point where I actually enjoy it.  I am getting better and getting faster.  We ran 8 miles last Saturday.  My daughter, Dani, has also decided to run it.  Best of all, through the cajoling and encouragement of my husband, family and friends,  I have decided to do the half-marathon.  I'm not running to win, I'm running just to finish.  I just want to see if I can do it.  It's something exciting to look forward to.  Plus, I feel good.

I'm running in honor and memory of Eirion.  I hope she'll be my own personal cheerleader and help spur me on to finish.  She blessed our lives so much.  This is my way of honoring her and the memories we have.