Look at that man run!

On September 19th, my dear hubby ran his first marathon! It was the Logan Top of Utah marathon, and We went up the night before so he'd be ready to go in the morning! Most of the local hotels were booked so we stayed in the Anniversary Inn! (are you allowed to stay there when it's not your anniversary?) Anyway, we got to stay in "Pirate's Paradise" and it was pretty cool! They even bring you yummy breakfast in the morning! Too bad the mister was off torturing himself so I had to enjoy a breakfast for one!;) Anyway, enjoy the following pics of Timmy at the finish line (he's not such a fan of that picture) and our Pirates Paradise!



I was so proud of my marathon running husband!
It was interesting to be at the finish line and see how some people get very emotional, and some people barf! Kind of inspiring..kind of gross! When he finished, Tim said it was the hardest thing he'd ever done and he wasn't sure he'd do it again, but now he's already planning his next one!

Be yourself!

I just liked this! Sometimes it's hard not to compare ourselves to others and think that we need to be like them, or that we would be better if we were like them. I am always comparing myself to others and I thought this was a refreshing take on being ourselves!

Being Ourselves
-- by Patricia Holland

“Our Father in Heaven needs us as we are, as we are growing to become. He has intentionally made us different from one another so that even with our imperfections we can fulfill his purposes. My greatest misery comes when I feel I have to fit what others are doing, or what I think others expect of me. I am most happy when I am comfortable being me and trying to do what my Father in Heaven and I expect me to be.

For many years I tried to measure the oft times quiet, reflective, thoughtful Pat Holland against the robust, bubbly, talkative, and energetic Jeff Holland and others with like qualities. I have learned through several fatiguing failures that you can’t have joy in being bubbly if you are not a bubbly person. It is a contradiction in terms. I have given up seeing myself as a flawed person because my energy level is lower than Jeff’s, and I don’t talk as much as he does, nor as fast. Giving this up has freed me to embrace and rejoice in my own manner and personality in the measure of my creation. Ironically, that has allowed me to admire and enjoy Jeff’s ebullience even more.

Somewhere, somehow the Lord “blipped the message onto my screen” that my personality was created to fit precisely the mission and talents he gave me. For example, the quieter, calmer talent of playing the piano reveals much about the real Pat Holland. I would never have learned to play the piano if I hadn’t enjoyed the long hours of solitude required for its development. This same principle applies to my love of writing, reading, meditation, and especially teaching and talking with my children. Miraculously, I have found that I have untold abundant sources of energy to be myself. But the moment I indulge in imitation of my neighbor, I feel fractured and fatigued and find myself forever swimming upstream. When we frustrate God’s plan for us, we deprive this world and God’s kingdom of our unique contributions and a serious schism settles in our soul. God never gave us any task beyond our ability to accomplish it. We just have to be willing to do it our own way. We will always have enough resources for being who we are and what we can become.”

(Portraits of Eve: God’s Promises of Personal Identity, Patricia T. Holland, LDS Women’s treasury: Insights and Inspiration for Today’s Woman {Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1997}, 97-98.)

Kona!

So I've had this post saved to drafts for quite awhile and I've just been too lazy to write anything to accompany it. Still too lazy..not writing much! haha but enjoy the pics! Basically we went to Kona back in May and had a blast! We finally discovered you can buy a cute little collapsible cooler and have cold sandwiches and beverages on the beach! We are such experienced beach goers now.



Let's see, to sum up these pics we went to the place of refuge, kayaking to Captain Cook monument, snorkeling, visited a volcano, a zoo in a rainforest and ate lots and lots of chocolate covered macadamia nuts and other delicious treats!
p.s. I know I put the same picture twice but I'm not about to change it!

Happy late birthday to Tim!

So I'm a horrible wife and didn't get a happy birthday blog to my hubby on time. In my defense, we were in Hawaii and I tried to write one on Tim's phone but it wasn't working out too well. Anywho, May 26th was my dearest husband Timothy Russell's birthday. We spent the day kayaking and snorkeling around Hawaii so I don't think he can complain too much :)

Now for the sappy part, I am so lucky to have such a wonderful husband. He happens to be ridiculously good looking as you can tell by the following pics. He is also surprisingly hardworking despite his ADD tendencies. Not to mention he is such a positive person and always is there to point out the bright side of situations for me. And, let us not forget he's pretty darn hilarious and can always manage to make me smile :). We've been through a whole heap together and I'm really blessed to have him by my side through it all.. Happy late birthday babe, I love you!

a new niece and an update on the little bug...

Wednesday April 29th, my sister Amanda gave birth to a beautiful baby girl Sophie Grace Volcansek. I was able to be there right after she was born (she came so fast I missed the birth!) and she's so cute!
Now, fast forward to the next day when husband of said sister takes oldest daughter Emma to the Dr. only to discover that she had Type 1 Diabetes! :( she was admitted to the hospital just down the hall from her mother and new baby sister.
My sister now has a 4 year old with Diabetes, an almost two-year old and a new baby. She and Jonny are both amazing and faithful and I know that they will survive this trial but it's going to be a big adjustment! Here are some pictures of the cute little bug Emma
It was very hard to see her at the hospital hooked to an iv and getting poked all the time! The poor thing would jump anytime someone would come into her room for fear of them poking her!
Here is Emma with her new baby sister and swollen eyes from crying :(


Now she is home which is much better and Amanda and Jonny regulate her blood sugar levels by giving her shots everyday. She has been such a brave little girl and even though it hurts my heart to see her go through this I am proud of her! I'm also proud of Jonny and Amanda for trusting in the Lord during this trial - what good examples they are! I sure do love my sister and niece and I'm glad things are improving! I appreciate everyone who prayed for them and please keep sending those prayers!

Happy Birthday to my BFF!

Today is my friend Courtney's birthday! Court and I met in the second grade when she moved into my neighborhood and we were in the same class! Since then we've been through a lot together.. awkward stages, first kisses, fun times... all of it! Here are some photos to take you through our journey together.. Happy Birthday Court! I love ya!

Please Help!!

So I've been thinking greatly lately (greatly lately?- ha!) on a subject and I've decided I need some help. Tim and I have been married a year now, and I think it's time we were considered one, don't you? I just need help forming our names together i.e. TomKat, Brangelina... should we be Timara? Larim? Or, perhaps we use Tim's full name Timothy so..Larimothy? I'm just totally lost on the subject and could really use your wise input. Please, feel free to make up your own!