My Child Is Hilarious...

Just a little snippet out of our everyday lives...a small sampling of the nuttiness that is Dylan:

Time flies, no?

Life. So busy, so full, so fun. I've had many, many potential blog posts running through my head for weeks, but just not the time or inclination to sit down and write any of them! Spring is finally deciding to stick around and that has brought plenty of yard work. Woo-hoo! Ahem. Not really, but what can you do? Things are progressing in the yard and I am less embarrassed of its appearance. I may even post a picture of it at this rate! We just bought an amazing lacy-leafed weeping Japanese maple for the front yard and I can't wait to get it planted. The rest of the front will be centered around it.

Things are growing in my vegetable garden! Things I planted from seed! It's way more exciting than I think it should be. But there is just something so satisfying about it. Granted, several things that I transplanted from indoors didn't make it, but I have learned my lesson and won't bother with as many seeds next year. Store-bought works for me. Plus, I am waaaay too impatient for all that! My pepper plants that I started in March are still about 1/2 an inch tall. At that rate, I may have peppers by December. Oh, well.

Life. Life is good. Pictures proving such will follow soon.

Happy Birthday to Dylan!

Splashing at the pool in Virginia last summer

Dylan's take on fashion

Being a Jedi

Showing us his "tough-guy' face while sporting his new shield

My little man officially turned 3 yesterday! He is so awesome and SO much fun. I just could not adore him any more than I already do.

Fun facts about Dylan:
His favorite things to play right now are Star Wars and Narnia (aka Armia)
Favorite movies: Star Wars (Ep. 1) and Narnia
Loves to build "robots" with his "Legos" (really a Thomas the Tank Engine Duplo set...)
Is a great "helper" to mommy and will readily "help" me cook or sort laundry
Adores his big brother Gabe more than can be expressed and wants to do everything he does
Loves to build bases and forts to protect them from the bad guys
He is alternately amazingly sweet and amazingly mischievous - will maul me with hugs and kisses one minute and then try to tackle and punch me the next!

I'm Not Complaining, Honest!

With the previous post in mind, I thought about all my past complaints regarding the weather and told myself I wouldn't complain again. So, this is just a relaying of information, because I thought you would find it interesting that today, on May 1st, I woke up to a dusting of SNOW in my yard. Yep, SNOW. I guess that's why the recommended planting date is May 15th. Sheesh.

Tornadoes in Virginia

http://www.hamptonroads.tv/index.cfm?locvid=139644&tid=r700

My husband says I am too emotional. He reminded me of this again tonight when I told him that I cried my eyes out watching news coverage of the tornado destruction in Suffolk, VA. And really, since no one died, it might seem over-emotional to some people.

But I love it there and that place was wrecked! By tornadoes, in a place where tornadoes are not supposed to hit. Our very dear friend Setsuko's neighborhood, Hillpoint Farms, was one of those badly damaged. Her home was left unmarked, but she said over six houses in the neighborhood are now gone, leaving only their foundations. There was picture after picture on the news of neighborhoods in ruin and it was so frustrating not being able to tell where they were or if I knew anyone there. But there was one picture that looked familiar and soon the name clicked and I realized that I was looking at the wreckage of an antique shop that was a few miles from my old house, in a little place called Driver. I loved that place. I took my mom antiquing there once while she was visiting. There were a few other little shops along the same road. It was so quaint and charming. You would have been driving down a long country road to get there and then after a few fields and homes these shops appeared - it felt as if you stepped back in time. Very small-town. Follow the above link to video footage - click on the one that says "Picking Up the Pieces"

And now...here is where I tear up again. I don't know what to say and I just wish I could help. There is a Suffolk chapter of the Red Cross where we can donate money; I wish I was there to do more. I am just so grateful that more damage was not done and that most people escaped unhurt. My heart goes out to those whose homes were lost - they are in my thoughts and prayers.

Simple Sundays

Looking for rolly-pollies. They were out there for hours. It was very sweet.

Spring at the Park

Enjoying the sparse sunshine last week. And capturing the ensuing smiles.

**There are pictures of Gabe, but Blogger did not feel inclined to post them! Rude. I'll try again later.

Proof That Prayer Works:

I did it, I did it, I did it!!!
I finished the half-marathon and made it through 13.1 miles!

My friends Nancy, Adriann and me at the finish line.

It all seems like a dream - did it really happen? What an amazing experience. We ran straight through the first 7 miles, and then maybe walked for 2-3 minutes over the next 3 miles, but from 10 miles on we ran the rest. Even though we wanted to cry (and did) and even though our bodies said "Stop!" we kept going. There were signs of encouragement posted throughout Liberty park, but my favorite was "It's only pain" and it made me think of one of my favorite expressions, passed on from our friend, a former Marine, "Pain is just weakness leaving the body." Thinking that got me going again - combined with what my brothers say is me being full of "piss and vinegar", but I like to call determination. That last mile was a killer, but once the finish line was in sight and all the spectators cheering became audible, it was a such a rush and adrenaline and euphoria took over.

Crossing the finish line was amazing and empowering, and I didn't even pass out! It felt great, I felt so strong. But the most humbling and actually beautiful experience of the whole thing came when three of the marathoners, the front-runners (who started at the same time) passed us at the end of the park, running in perfect rhythm. They had doubled our distance in less time. It was awe-inspiring. And did I mention, humbling? Another aspect of the race that I loved was the many, many people who came out to support the runners. Granted, a lot of them knew people in the race, but a lot of them didn't. The people in the neighborhoods just came out to cheer us on with shouts and whistles and bells. Signs that read "Great job!" and "Go! Your name, Go!" It helped us so much! Just like in life, a little encouragement went a long way! The best was the several groups of little kids waiting in a line to slap your hand. You can bet I hit them all! I figured it was the closest I was ever going to get to celebrity or sports fame, so I better enjoy it. And it was awesome. Every moment of that run was. Especially the end, where I got to hug my husband and kids and friends. And then sit down. ;o)

Pictures, because I know you all miss seeing the boys

Yes, I am a slacker. I know.

So, I thought I would do something crazy and maybe post a new blog! It has been awhile, but I have my reasons. Firstly, it has probably snowed at least half a dozen times since the beginning of March and I don't know if I have mentioned this, but that makes me cold and cranky! The other pressing frustration has been that I did something to my Achilles tendon, probably by running too much, and that has really hampered getting me ready for the half marathon - which is in about 10 days, so you know: AAACK! Nothing like be unprepared to run 13 miles. Sheesh.

There have been lots of great things going on, though, that I really should have posted about. Well, gosh - there was Easter. A fun, fun day filled with lots of good things to eat and two very happy little boys. It has been so very nice to be home and be around family for the holidays. We were able to go to an Easter egg hunt, put on by Aaron's extended family every year, for the first time. The boys loved that - and made out like bandits. We had a delicious breakfast at Pa's house, a wonderful visit with Grandma and Grandpa Terashima and then dinner at Aaron's sister Miyo's house.

On the rare days that we have had nice weather, we have worked on the yard and gotten our vegetable garden ready for planting. My brother, David, has helped me draw up some beautiful plans for our front yard, which will include two Japanese maples and a flowering cherry and a little Japanese lantern. I am going to try and work in my original theme of a drought-tolerant garden with the Japanese aesthetic. Wish me luck!

And oh, did I mention that it is April?! Something I would have been jumping up and down about normally, had it not snowed so much! There is hope on the horizon, though. Even though all week has been 40 degrees and rainy, this weekend is supposed to be brilliant and I just can't wait. We may even hit mid-sixties! Yay!

Happy Spring to everyone, I hope you all have been enjoying it (more than I have)!

Simple Sundays

On Thursday, before it turned back into winter, the day began with gray skies and a touch of wind and rain. But as the morning progressed, the sun came out and the sky filled with white, fluffy clouds and then it began to sprinkle again. There is something so refreshing about a bit of rain while the sun is shining. Something inherently springy and joyful and life-giving. My little thrill of the week. :o)

What I Woke Up To...

Seriously? Seriously?! I mean, I know I live in Utah now and it is still only March, but for the love...

March isn't just a tease, March is MEAN!

Simple Sundays

Tulips, daffodils and crocus! Just seeing them peeking up above the ground is soul-stirring.

My New Hair...

Well, it's the same hair, but it sure looks different!

What Have I Gotten Myself Into?

So, for some reason or another, I signed up for a half-marathon. I knew it would be tough, having already run an 8-k a couple of years ago and wanting to die before I was finished, but my friend is running, too, and I am in better shape now, so I guess I deluded myself into thinking it would be fun. I have been "training" for a few weeks now, but decided I should look up an official training schedule just to make sure I was on track. At this point, according to the schedule, I should be running approximately 3-4 miles a few times a week with a big, long run on the weekends. I wasn't exactly sure how far I had been running, since I had mostly been focusing on increasing the length of time I could run, so this morning I decided to try 4 miles. Keep in mind, a half-marathon is 13.1 miles, okay. 45 minutes later I FINALLY get to 4 miles. Yikes! For those of you familiar with SLC, let me tell you about the course: it goes from the U of U, along Foothill to 21st South and then down to 7th East, and over to Gateway. **GULP** What have I done? This is going to kick my keister. But I am determined to do it, so I figure if I blog about it, and everyone knows I am doing this, it will help motivate me even more. I hope, I hope!

It's March!

Oh, thank the Good Lord, it's March! And even though it snowed a little yesterday, I don't mind - 'cause I know the end is in sight! My hubby and I have spent the week browsing seed and plant catalogs and making plans for our yard. I can't wait until we can actually plant. Of course, I am sure I will be less enthused when my back is aching and the weeds are popping up all over, but for now I am thrilled at the prospect.

We are going to plant a good-sized vegetable garden with all kinds of tasty stuff - I am even going to try growing corn! I am going to have an herb garden with rosemary, thyme, cilantro, mint, parsley and anything else I can think of. There will be lots of hardy and drought-tolerant plants put in the front yard and tall pampas grass in the back for the boys to hide behind and run between. Oh, and I can't forget the lavender! I am going to plant lots and lots of lavender. I can already smell it!

We Love You, Peter!

And we miss you already. Good luck on your deployment and be safe, please!


This is my brother, Peter. He just left on Tuesday to start his second deployment in Afghanistan. He is an amazing person, always setting a good example for me and encouraging me. He reads more than anyone I know and is constantly trying to learn more. He has an open mind and tries to do the right thing; if only more people had those two qualities! Peter knows how to make people laugh and is always himself - he never puts on a front and is truly genuine. Something I wish I could say for myself. He is a great big brother and friend and I am so thankful for him. Our whole family is.

Happy Valentine's Day! Or Discovering the Joy of Frosting...

Hope you all had a wonderful Love Day! We sure did!

Oh, February, You Tease!

Three days of beautiful blue skies and mid-forties temperatures gave way to:


And now I'm cold again. Ah, it's good to be back!

Simple Sundays

Just watching my boys play computer games - well, Dylan tried to, anyway...


*Sigh* They are so cute.