Bronco Fans!

It was an awesome game!!! We were on the edge of our seats the whole game cheering, laughing and screaming! The Broncos won 33-30 against Virginia Tech. (Thanks Wendy and Jerry for letting us take over your house to watch the game.)

26.2 MILES

I finished!!! I was proud that I ran 24 miles straight without stopping except to chug down some much needed gatorade from time to time. As the end got closer and closer my whole body just ached but I still had enough energy to keep going. However around mile 24 I thought maybe I wouldn't finish. I was so close yet felt SOOO far away! I "hit my wall" as they say, at about mile 24 and my legs no longer wanted to move let alone continue running. I tried desperately to pick them up and take a step forward but it's as if they each weighed 500 pounds! I just stood there and it took all I could to muster up the strength from somewhere deep. I kept telling myself, "move!" It hurt just to walk so I stood there for awhile and I wanted so bad to just lay down and die! I even asked a lady as I passed by her house if she by chance had a coffin laying around that I could just lie down in. Apparently she thought I was joking because she laughed at me. Umm...no really, I am being serious. 

Finally, I did start running again and as soon as I did I heard my name being yelled from a vehicle close by. It was a good friend of mine from high school, Cara Johns Reid. She had a yellow rose for me! It was just what I needed at that moment to finish the race. My goal was to finish under 5 hours, but I didn't make it. I finished in 5 hours 5 minutes. So close...if it wasn't for that meltdown! Gosh! :)

Someone asked me during the race how many marathons have I ran??...Umm, ONE. I told them this was my first and last one. They then proceeded to tell me I would do more in the future because they are, "like sooo" addicting! We will see about that, right now my body is telling me never to use my legs again. In fact, I think I might just go and get myself a wheelchair for the next few... I don't know, years! ;)

 Emily and I. She did amazing! She finished in 4 hours 52 minutes. Good job Emily! My husband and kids got me balloons and I thought it was so  cute the ones they choose for me. Madi picked out a dinosaur balloon and Avery of course got me a Cinderella balloon. My parents and brother Adam surprised me at the end as well to cheer me on and watch me as I crossed the finish line. That meant so much to me and got me all choked up. Gosh! Thanks a lot. hehe. I love my family!

Some Happenings...

Yesterday, I got to drive down to Utah with my parents to wish my Grandma Newman a Happy 76th Birthday!  She is a beautiful woman and has accomplished so much in her 76 years of life. She has had 7 kids; she has 30 grandkids, and 35 great-grandchildren!  My Grandma has been very sick and hasn't been doing too well these days and I know that this was my last time visiting her. We found out a few weeks ago she has cancer in her stomach and upper shoulder area. The doctors don't give her much longer and it was hard to see her in that state of mind and condition yesterday. I know this is the last time I will get to see her. She can't really hold her head up anymore and is so weak that she can barely lift her arms.  She will be greatly missed when she passes but I hope she can be relieved of her suffering soon and return back home. She will be able to see and play with Ethan and that makes me more envious than I should probably admit but I am glad she will be able to be with him since I can't. My Grandma and Grandpa Newman and Grandma's sister, Jane.

August 31st was our 8th wedding anniversary, and our best friend Dan surprised us with a suite at the Black Swan Hotel. (Thanks Dan!) For those that haven't ever had a themed room should definitely reserve a room at one. It was so fun! We stayed in the Pirate room and pretended we were pirates all night. "ARRGH!"  OK... not really. So, yeah. Not a lot to say about this. ;)

In two days I am running the Pocatello MARATHON!!! 

26.2 miles. 

Ouch.

It's all MENTAL... 

I can do it. No sweat, right? Or something like that??

The Circle of... School.

It's official!!! 

My husband is now a Certified Physician Assistant! He took his board exam last Thursday and he has been biting his fingernails for a week waiting for his results. So this morning at 7am after Ryan was up most of the night wondering, worrying and praying... it's finally over. It's completed. He's done. We're finished. The end of... school. I thought we would never see the day.  :) We found out he passed just hours ago and he is now officially Ryan D. Hodges PA-C.  Of course you can just call him Ryan though. :)

Congratulations to all those in his class too! 

We are especially so proud of Ryan, Dan, Tessa, Jordan, Brian and Casey and what they have all accomplished.

It's Official!!!

Madisen has started. She is beginning. Kindergarten. This morning after receiving the news that Ryan passed his board exam, Madisen went to her first day of Kindergarten and met her teacher and some other kids in her class.  She is now commencing a long road where she will learn so much!  Maybe one day she will graduate from college too!

"Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it."

~Albert Einstein.