Memorial Day 2013

 By Memorial Day we were all pretty stressed out from Camden's final throes working on his dissertation and preparing to defend it.  It was wonderful to have the morning with him, and we made the most of it.

 I decided to work my bad haircut that day.  I felt so wild and free.  Even sported it at the ward potluck brunch.

  We steered clear of the traditional hamburger hotdog cookout dinner this year, probably because Camden wasn't around to man the grill.  But we fared pretty good anyway.

Sweetness

 On this day in late May we made the best sugar cookies the world has ever seen.  And I modeled the worst hair cut I've had in a real long time.

 And on this day I read this sweet book with my sweet boy, cuddling extra close.

'Twas for the Birds

 I ran my second 5K in mid-May.  I woke up that day with the beginnings of a cold, and discovered to my horror that I couldn't breathe through my nose and I felt like my lungs were full of bricks.  But I gutted up, determined to kick the race's tail end.  Then, despite my prolific pre-race research stating the contrary, the course turned out to be nothing but steep, steep, life-sucking hills.  I learned this when I showed up for the race.  Camden and the boys came and cheered me on, cutting through the course to meet me at different critical points.  They had even made "Go Mama!" signs for me.  Precious.  Unfortunately, ALL the pictures taken of me are too heinous to post.  I guess they reflected the goings-on perfectly.  That said, I somehow managed to beat my last 5K, finishing in 40:49.  Not bad, considering.

On second thought, while these pictures are quite the opposite of attractive or in any way flattering, they are proof that I did something impossible.  And that makes me kind of amazing.  So here you go.

My friend and running buddy, Rheanna.  This was her first 5K, which I convinced her to train for and participate in.  Though you'd never know it from comparing our faces in these pics.  And yes, we are last.

Oh so perky.

"Lord, if you'd just take me now, you wouldn't have to listen to me complain anymore!"

Saying my goodbyes to my kids.  (The little guy in the picture is Rheanna's.)

 Getting close!

 I made it!  Rheanna beat me, I wished to die the whole time, and I was straight-up last (of the runners), but I did it!

 Hardcore, man.

My cheer squad.  Love them so.