"If we don't suffer enough we won't remember it."

I had a great Christmas Eve and Christmas. It was really one of our best, more relaxing than usual. I so enjoyed just being with my husband and kids. We had my big family party on Friday so Saturday was less busy.  We got together for dinner with some of my siblings and their families, played games and went to the cemetery.  The cemetery was the prettiest I've ever seen it on Christmas Eve with all the candles lit around the graves.  After visiting my dad's grave we went home.  We sat on the couch with our three kids and watched the new nativity video our church made and read about the Savior's birth in The Book of Mormon.  I really loved feeling the spirit instead of just feeling rushed to get everything done.  My husband and I watched/listened to the Catholic Church broadcast from New York while we assembled a few things after the kids went to bed.  Sunday we opened presents and attended Sacrament meeting at 11:00 a.m.  When my 10 year old son realized my mom wasn't at chruch (she was sick with a cold) he said, "She's missing the best sacrament meeting ever."  He was right, it really was one of the best.  Later in the afternoon we had dinner with and visited my in-laws in Salt Lake. 

I really enjoyed Christmas, but on Monday I was going crazy from missing my long Saturday run and eating so much yummy food.  I should have gone when I first got up at 8 a.m., but started cleaning up instead.  My husband was gone playing basketball with his brothers and the kids kept asking me to do things for them .  At 10 a.m. I finally said, "I just have to go running.  I'm going crazy and running is the only thing that will fix it."  Just as I was about to walk out the door my sister called saying everyone was going to Jump-on-it.  Change of plans.  I took the kids there instead.  Finally at 1:30 p.m. I headed out for a run.  My husband was about to go with me when he got a phone call.  I really needed to run so I left to go 1 mile while he was on the phone.  My first mile was 6:35 pace! When I got back he was off the phone and I went 4 more with him on his bike.  Avg 6:55 pace.  I felt much better afterwards.  My  husband says I'm addicted to running and I usually say I'm not, but this day I decided maybe I am. 

10 miles avg 7:10 pace.  I ran to Melody's house and did 8 miles with her. 

10  miles with my husband on his bike avg 7:11 pace.  We went up Provo Canyon and almost made it to Bridal Veil Falls.  This is the latest in the year I've ever been able to run up the canyon. 

4 miles avg 7:19 pace.

15 miles with Melanie, Kim and Jane avg 7:05 pace.  We met at the Legacy Center in Lehi, ran 4 miles to the river, 3 1/2 miles along the trail and back.  It was over 30 degrees, but the wind made it feel much colder.  We sat in the hot tub at the Legacy Center when we were done. 

I was tired later in the afternoon and took a 2 1/2 hour nap in my daughters bed because it's more quiet up there than my room on the main level.  When I woke up it was dark outside and I was confused thinking it was night until I realized I was in her bed and remembered what I was doing.