I have succumbed!

I have succumbed to the world of the crackberry!!

I figured if I was going to carry my laptop around with me 24/7, I might as well make it a little smaller and more convenient. As so it is...I don't know if I will ever be able to go back. It is truly an addiction, your emails, contacts and schedule all at your fingertips ALL the time! Do not say I did not warn you. Once you try it, you will never go back. There are no more nights of "Oh, I did not check my email!" You are trapped. It is a double edged sword. You make the choice.

On a postitive note... you can also check blogs ANYTIME!!

Run, Run as Fast as You Can!!

Well, OK I may not run very fast now...but just you wait. After coordinating the marathon and working with the AWESOME race director, I decided to become a RUNNER! Now, I have never been one to really exercise at all. I have never considered myself a walker, let alone a runner. I have not really done much of anything in about a year. I was so sick during the first five months of pregnancy, I basically just vegged out!!

So last Tuesday I said to myself "Self, lets become a runner!" You can imagine what my self said back! It went something like, "what the hell do you think you are doing?"

My better half won the argument-I put in about 12 miles walk/running last week.

I bought a lovely little jogging stroller for my other half-Bent! I pushed her up and down the hills of my neighborhood all weekend! BAD IDEA!! I could not even move by Monday morning for the race!! I showed up barely able to lift my legs out of the car! It was a down pour and SO COLD! What was I thinking? I regretfully handed my check over and pinned on my bib.

I knew I was in BIG trouble when the countdown began at the start line, the masses of other runners all got into a crouch position, and clicked on the stopwatch of their high tech runner's watches. I looked around with a furrowed brow, "I thought I signed up for a friendly neighborhood 5K-not the Olympic trials-well whatever, here we go!"

Unfortunately for me, I was running with cement blocks wrapped around my ankles. I was so sore and so stiff, I could barely move. I swear if I wouldn't have had the timing chip securely fastened to my shoe lace, I would have just climbed into the car and gone home!

I did it! I completed my first race on the road to many, many more. I have a goal to complete 10 races before summer's end. My goal right now is to run the half marathon next year, if not the full!

What makes a photographer?

In my opinion there are some key characteristics that make an EXCELLENT child photographer:
1. Patience-if any of you have ever had professional pictures done, you know that as soon as the photographer starts clicking, your child has some once in a lifetime total meltdown. It is a modern day phenomenon.
2. Flexibility-the ability to adapt to the children/family to capture the best possible pictures.
3. Sense of Humor-enough said
4. Talent-some photographers just have it!
5. The right equipment-I don't have the first clue about cameras, but I know when there are five different lens changes and light adjustments, they know what they are doing!
AND SO I INTRODUCE TO YOU THE MOST LOVELY, CHARMING AND AMAZING CHILD PHOTOGRAPHER----DRUM ROLL PLEASE----VERONICA REEVE PHOTOGRAPHY!!

She took Bentley's pictures when she was a newborn and I loved them so I went back for more. I did not get very great pictures of Bentley the day of her blessing or the day of my brother's wedding(she was a flower girl) so I had no choice but to call the trusty photog!!
So you may look at these pictures and think...WOW, she just held still and let her shoot? NO, she screamed the majority of the time. The only time she would calm down is if she could watch cartoons. What? Cartoons? I know...children turn into different people during a photography session. She has never watched cartoons in her life. Veronica got out the trusty Baby Einstein and what you don't see in these pictures is the portable DVD player directly in front of her face!! This is what I call talent!
Anyhow, I could go on and on, but my point being...if you have children, a senior, or a family...look no further, she is here. She has taken pictures of every child I know. This is the seventh time my family has used her services. Her pictures are priceless!!
Take a look here!
I have also added a link to her site on my sidebar!!

Fashion Friday Kick-Off

This may sound a little funny, but this is something I have always wanted to do and today is the day. I have always, always been a clothes horse. I love clothes, shoes, accessories, handbags, and fashion. I would go as far as saying I am a little obsessed with it. I pick up at least five magazines a week at the grocery store for "outfit ideas" from the celebs. I then visit the local Target or Ross to mimic the look.
On a few occasions I have had people ask me to shop with them for outfit ideas. Over the years I have accumulated a few clothes that I wear over and over and just mix it up a bit. I am not claiming to be an expert, by any means. I have no formal education, just obsession.
I decided I would try this Fashion Friday thing out and see where it goes. Let me know what you think.
Every Friday I will post a fashion tip. It could be an outfit I saw in a magazine and how I mimic that outfit with VERY affordable options or a spin off of "what not to wear."
Today, I will start with the very basic EVERY woman needs...a good bra!! I managed the local Victoria's Secret store for a few years and learned a lot about a woman's undergarments!
Trust me on this one...a good bra can go a LONG way!
Make your way to the local VS or do a little measurement at home and then go visit your favorite lingerie store.
DO IT AT HOME MEASUREMENT: using a measuring tape (the sewing type, not a stiff carpentar one) take the measurement around your rib cage directly below your bust. This is your band size.
Then take the measurement (loosely) around the fullest part of your bust. Then take this number and subtract your band size. EX: your band measures 34 and the fullest part of your bust measures 38, therefore you are a 4 =34C
To determine your cup
The difference between the two measurements coincides with your cup size
1-AA
2-A
3-B
4-C
5-D
6-DD
Your band should feel tight, but not uncomfortable. You should not have "back fat" bulging over. Your cup should cover your bust and be flush with your skin, otherwise you will get what we affectionatly call the "Double Boob."
You should be able to fit two fingers between your skin and the strap directly above your cup. Your band should fit symmetrically in the front and back. Meaning you should be able to draw a perfectly straight line all the way around your band. If your bra rides in the back, your straps are too tight. If you are "sagging" with your straps loosened, your cup is too big or your bra is too old! Rotate your bra every other day. It works just like a rubber band, if you don't give it a day to recover it will just keep stretching out thus ceasing to give you the correct support. Ideally, you should rotate your bras out every six months!
If you wear a lot of white or light colored shirts, wear a NUDE BRA! I promise ladies, white is not always the best bet. Even if you wear "white" under your bra, you still want nude. Your bra will be practically invisible under white. This goes for panties as well.

There you are, the first of the Fashion Friday posts. I would love your feedback!

One, Two Buckle my Shoe!

Yesterday as I was rushing around the house trying to get out the door to work, I dumped Bentley's "shoe bin" out in the middle of her bedroom to find that PERFECT pair of shoes for her outfit. I hastily left the house and came home last night to a huge mess. Well, the first thing that came to mind seeing the heap of shoes scattered to and fro...you guessed it, POST!

I then laid Bent on the floor and placed all her shoes neatly, side by side in her crib...

Now, I realize she is only three months old, but really what is a girl to do? She has to have a pair of shoes for every outfit. Laying them out made me realize I have an addiction. I told myself I would wait until the fall until I purchase another pair...that is after I get her some yellow flip flops. There is not a single yellow pair in the bunch!

I have got to have another girl just so some of her stuff gets some good use!!

Everything you have ever wanted to know about me...and MORE!

A) Four places I visit over and over:
1. The office/Bentley's sitter
2. Union Grill-daily, I might add. This does wonders for my post-baby figure!!
3. Target. I love this gem. Three dollar shorts and shirts for Bentley...really, how could I pass?
4. Mom's house
B) Four people who email me the most:
1. Melanie Bassett-the perfect little side notes on a boring day! Thanks, Mel!
2. Delta Airlines-I really need a vacation and they know it!
3. "Your Baby This Week" -This little devil is a double edged sword. I love them, but they also tell me what Bentley should be doing at this stage and I stress about her progress. Get over it!
4. Clients-I do have to work sometime!
C) Four of my favorite foods:
1. Union Grill-basically everything, but especially their pasta salad, chips and salsa and BREAD PUDDING!
2. Hamburgers on the grill!!
3. My homemade "funeral potatoes" and ham. I will make them for the next GNO!!
4. Wendy's #6 combo meal. (I have got to start running more)
D) Four place I'd rather be right now:
1. NYC
2. On a cruise with my family and friends in the Caribbean
3. On a shopping spree in San Francisco with endless amounts of mula!
4. Summer BBQ with my WHOLE family, playing yard games, eating burgers and laughing!
E) Four movies I'd watch over and over:
1. Ever After
2. The American President-I love the dialogue
3. The Saint
4. Entrapment
F) Four people I'm tagging:
1. If you have read Libby's blog you are tagged.
2. Maima
3. Mel
4. Lisa N.

Sit back and Relax

This last month has been one of the busiest so far and since my blog is a documentation of my life for my future reference, this is going to be a marathon post. If you are interested kick back and relax and read on!

First and most importantly, we had the wonderful opportunity to bless Bentley. It was the most amazing day. Brade and I decided since she is our first and maybe our only we would have a HUGE celebration, and huge it was. It was just as we wanted. Most people that know me know that I don't do anything on a small scale, blessing day included. We invited over seventy five people and made sure Bentley had a day she will remember...yeah right. At least she will have pictures. Here are a few of the highlights.

THE BLESSING. My youngest brother, Christopher, blessed her. He did such an AMAZING job. He is so tender and so thoughtful and he poured his heart into his blessing. It was very emotional and very sweet. Bentley was a dream, no fussing, no crying.

THE DRESS. We all know when you have a little girl, the dress is a big deal. I hunted and hunted for the PERFECT dress. Another well known characteristic about me, I love to be different and unique. I found the dress to match just what I wanted. Something that was beautiful, unique and memorable and she looked absolutely beautiful.

THE PARTY. I did not want to exclude any of the people that have been so good to us and so supportive of our little girl. Brade and I have the most AMAZING family, both immediate and extended. Bentley is SO LOVED! This poor girl is overwhelmed with love. We invited our whole family and many, many friends that have been influential in our lives. I think we only had a few people that sent their regrets! Thank you everyone!

We are so excited to welcome Keesha Koger Roberts to our family. Last Friday, my youngest brother, Christopher married his high school sweetheart in the Bountiful Temple! Keesha is one of those girls everyone family wants as a sister in law. We love her so much. She is the most thoughtful, fun, motherly, unselfish person! She makes Chris so happy and he the same to her. They are the most darling couple and their wedding was so nice. I am so happy for them! Welcome, KEEPIC!

Bentley was a flower girl!!

These last couple of weeks have been unbelievably busy planning and preparing for the Ogden Marathon. This year was the biggest year ever! We had over 5,500 racers and at least as many spectators. It makes me emotional just thinking about it. Over 600 people gave so much of their time volunteering to make this event a success. The last month for me have been mass pandemonium, but so worth it after yesterday. Last Monday, we did a live shot with Big Bhuda from FOX 13 news to promote the Marathon festivities. Other the 4:00 wake up call, it turned out to be a lot of fun!

The marathon was ELECTRIC! The energy and the excitement is so inspiring. It starts with 4:00 bus loading! It is so thrilling to enter into downtown Ogden early in the morning, pre sunrise. The streets are quiet and dark and the only thing you see for several city blocks are motor coaches waiting to be filled with anxious runners! WOW, Ogden is amazing. With the help of over twenty volunteers, we load FOUR THOUSAND runners in under thirty minutes. It works like a well oiled machine! Then...we wait. We all descend upon the finish line. The stage is set, the medals perfectly staged, water bottled chilled, and lines of volunteers waiting to remove timing chips. The gun goes off and the excitement builds. Only fifteen minutes later, the finish line chute is hopping with over six hundred 5K finishers! The finish line does not slow down for the next SIX HOURS! It is so exciting.

There was one moment when the finish line went completely silent, at least for me! I had an experience yesterday I will never forget as long as I live. Many of you may have read about Bart Kendrick, (<--click here)a mentally challenged Ogden native that participated in the marathon being pushed by a close friend, Manuel Cypers. It was Bart's dream to participate and Manuel made it happen by pushing him thirteen miles in a wheelchair. Bart decided he wanted to cross the finish line on his own two feet, with the help of a walker. Ten feet before the finish, Manuel stopped running and lifted Bart out of the wheelchair. Bart stood up and grasped his walker, buried his head in his chest and began to sob. He then turned to me and asked me to help him finish. The crowd cheered louder than they have ever cheered, but to me, the world was silent. I walked slowly across the line with Bart, tears streaming down my face. Bart had done it!! I had the AMAZING opportunity to be there. It was the most inspiring and heart warming few moments. Bart tired a few feet after the line and then whispered to me. "I DID IT, take off my helmet!!" WOW.

All the hard work for that moment...well worth it!!

I'll be back!

I was just noticing it has been nearly one month since my last post! Wow, where does time go? I have so many things I want to post about. This last month has been so busy for us. Stay tuned for Bentley's blessing, my youngest brother's wedding, live shot with Big Buddah, but this post is a shout out to all of you that have some extra time this weekend. May 16-17 marks the annual Spring Run-Off Ogden Marathon. This is such a huge and exciting event for Ogden and the surrounding area. We have over 5,550 runners this year! There are four different countries represented and forty states! This is THE event of the year. None of this would be possible without the help of hundreds of volunteers and thousands of volunteer hours. This is where YOU come in! We need your help. If you have a few hours this weekend and would like to get involved, Get Out And Live! There are so many opportunities and a chance to meet so many new friends. If you don't' have a sitter, volunteer to load buses at FOUR in the morning on Saturday (I will meet you there). You want to bring your kids with you, volunteer at the start line of the Kids K and run with them. You want to be inspired, place medals over the heads of all those runners that cross the finish line!!
Whatever your interest, get out and help! Log on to GOALFOUNDATION.com for more info or drop me an email Lindsey@ogden.travel!