Halloween 2010

We were bugs for Halloween this year while Brett was the bug killer. That is scary, right!? Thanks for letting me borrow your dress Kristen!

Picture Update

This is no-theme sorta boring post... What to do with random pictures kind of post...

We went on a nature walk and collected leaves and flowers. The girls loved collecting stuff off the ground
The girls watching TV before bed. Don't they look so darling together?

These pictures are from the day that the girls got out the box of 12 month old clothes that hadn't been packed away yet. Claire took off her pants and diaper and added on from there,while Liv stripped down to panties and tried on every shirt and dress she could manage to squeeze on.

This is a picture of my new hair cut and color... I am still contemplating cutting the front a little shorter because it looks a little too disconnected for my taste, but all in all it is fun to have a new cut.

My first 5K

Warning: I ramble. this is a lot of reading. This is why I don't write much on my blog. I can't sum things up. I like to keep going and going...

I did it. I ran my first 5K EVER. I had decided some time like 5 or 6 months ago that I wanted to put the scriptures to the test. It promises that if you keep the word of wisdom you will "run and not be weary". Or something like that. I should really look that up.... but I'm lazy. Anyway I told my sister-in-law Britta I was thinking about giving running a 5K try and she said "lets do it together!" The fact that Britta committed me to this made a world of a difference. She was my supporter through it all ;) Thanks Britta. You are awesome.

Now let me tell you about the journey. I am NOT a runner. I have always done plenty of exercising. I have tried running in the past but have never gotten far. I really really do not like running. I would go about 3 minutes and feel out of breathe and exhausted. I just felt like I could NOT do it. I figured some people were runners and some were not. I left it at that until I pondered that scripture. Run and not be weary.... really, could that be possible? I thought if the Lord promises it then it must be true. I have never been able to run and not feel like I was about to die. In the beginning I had not even run 1 mile with out stopping to walk.

So I started. It was ROUGH. I sweat more then I have ever sweat. I worked harder and more consistently then I ever have. It was lots and lots and lots of hard hard work. Like I said- I don't like running so it made it difficult to stick with it. I did though- I ran 3-4 times a week usually pushing myself harder then I thought possible.

I ran into lots of obstacles. We went on a trip to Oregon and I had a really hard time running while I was away. When I got back home I thought I should give up because I pretty much had to start from the beginning again since I didn't run while I was away. Britta said no and I re-committed to my torture ;)
I got shin splints. If you've ever had them you know how bad they can get. I prayed and asked for help. I was so close to finishing I didn't want to stop after so much work. I kept running and miraculously my shin splints never got any worse.
A few nights before my race I got a really bad pain in my arm. I thought I had a blood clot or something. The next day I had bad chest pains. We looked over the internet and it seemed I fit the signs of a heart attack! I was freaked out! I was thinking that if I ran I could possibly die!

The morning of my race I had sharp chest pains around my heart. I was crying and so confused if I should run or not. I called Scott (Bretts brother who is almost a Doctor) he told me he thought I was safe to run and it was probably anxiety. I still felt scared so Brett gave me a blessing. I was told that if half way through my race if I had chest pains I should stop and walk the rest of the way. In the blessing I was told that I would KNOW if I needed to stop running or not. Most of the time when I run I have chest pains- so I thought for sure I would be confused if I should walk or keep going.

I went to the race. Britta ran along side me. We talked. It was relaxed. We never stopped running. At the half way point I felt good. My chest didn't hurt at ALL. I knew I could keep running. We ran for 38 minutes. It went by pretty fast. Britta being next to me made me comfortable and reminded me that I could do it and it. Talking helped me realize that I had enough oxygen and I wasn't dying. I am so proud I over came something I never thought I could. I ran and I was not faint! I could have even kept going for another mile if I had to. I felt great at the end of the race!
The Book of Mormon is true. The Lord keeps his promises. He will bless you if you ask. He blessed me with strength, courage, and peace. With out the Lord I honestly don't think I could have done it. I was SO blessed through out my journey.





Here is the last part of the run. Britta is on the left and I am on the right.

This Weekend

This weekend
-I ran my first 5K (more on that later)
-Olivia got pink eye
-Claire drew all over the couches with a red permanent marker. We luckily got to it right away and for the most part got it all out. It was SO scary though! And when I say ALL over I mean she drew a LOT
-I thought I was going to die of a heart attack half the week end after showing all the signs of a heart attack. I had pains in my arm and chest pains and had no idea why. After much investigation we think it is just anxiety. I'm still going to the Dr to get it checked out though.

I'd say the last few days were just FULL of extra stress. It is just life though. We are off to Wal-Mart to get a prescription for the pink eye and ingredients for freezer dinners that I am putting together for Activity Days on Tuesday. Oh and Claire is standing here next to me diaper-less with poop hanging from her hands and bum. aaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! Gotta go.

Daddys girl

Claire used to love me and pretty much only me. She is finally old enough to realize that her Dad rules and her mom needs some lessons in patience. My girls LOVE their daddy ;)

Happenings

Here are some of the photos taken on Bretts IPhone. They are of events in which we didn't bring our camera to- or just captured since the phone was sitting there ;) Oh I do love his Iphone. If you've never had the chance to play with one- don't... it makes you realize how bad a regular phone is ;) September 2010- Brett and I got to go on an OVER NIGHTER! My mom stayed with the girls so Brett and I could re-connect as a couple. It was sooo wonderful to be away for an extended amount of time. This was our 5 year anniversary get-away. We went to Lagoon, a movie, and out to eat. Thank you SO much mom. I didn't worry at all about the girls knowing they were with the BEST.
oh and I might add- the pic is quite nice. Shows my HUGE teeth and Bretts little teeth. hahaha

July 2010 we went to a local carnival. Liv loved the little kitty rides and rode them all by herself and enjoyed every minute of them!

September 2010- Liv and Brett went to a daddy/daughter camp out. They had fun, but it was frrrrreeeezing.

October 2010- we went to a BYU football game. BYU is really bad this year, but every time Brett attends a game they win! He is lucky! This was Claires 1st football game. Both the girls did great- with $20 worth of over priced food of course!

Lost

I lost my ring about a month ago. Sad. It was special. We designed it ourselves. I will admit it wasn't the best made ring I ever saw (it was hand made by the jeweler) but I still loved it. It was unique and different then any body elses ring. There is not another ring quite like mine.
The ring was a little too big and after wearing it for about 6 years now it must have fallen off and went in a trash or down a drain. Who knows. I have never taken it off except to get it cleaned. I now wear a fake $30 ring that is also still too big! I have ridiculously small fingers. It is starting to frustrate me.

Keeping Warm

As I remember back to last winter there is only 1 thing that I remember clearly. That is COLD feet! I bought my very first pair of boots 2 years ago to try and keep snow out of my shoes. Well- sadly they were not well insulated and not water proof. I ended up with freezing feet.
This year I made it some what of a goal to get WARM boots to keep snow OUT and hopefully keep my toes warm. This has proved to be VERY difficult! Most boots are made for fashion, not warmth. Then there are boots made for warmth, not fashion. So to find ones that were both was difficult. I ended up compromising. I got 2 pairs for less then $50 (also, most boots were VERY VERY pricey!) I think what I have should hopefully keep my feet a little warmer. The ones are leather (water-proof) and insulated and they have heels so I can wear them with dresses. The others were not exactly the cutest, but they were only $10- so I had to get them! They are very cozy and warm. I will have to try and water proof them though.
The girls have always had boots every year. Little legs get buried in snow FAST so you really have to have good boots on little people.
End of the story- now that I am a Utah resident of 8 years I think maybe I am on track to keeping my feet warm and snow free. About time huh? Can you believe I have lived here 8 years? That just blows my mind!

New Hair Cut

We cut off about an inch and a half. (maybe 2 in the back) What is the point in growing little strings anyway!? ;) I have my doubts that with my need to cut that Livs hair will ever be long! She told me after I cut it "I love it Mom! I always want my hair short!" (The curly picture is what it did naturally after we cut it- so cute!)

Latest Projects

I am finally getting around to making pillows for the living room couches. I did piping for the first time on them. (piping is the white edging) I also made Liv a skirt. I saw the fabric in the store, loved it and decided I needed to make something with it. I like how it turned out. I've also made 2 little Halloween skirts for the girls. I will wait to show pictures until Halloween! Those are the latest sewing projects. I love to sew! It is so fun to have a complete project to show at the end!

Fortune Cookies

Tonight we went out to a Chinese restaraunt. Claire was being her usual difficult self. There was the high pitched screaming, whining, crying, trying to stand on the table, etc, etc. We were trying our best to hurry eat and get out. So finally our waitress brought the check and some fortune cookies. We handed them out- and here was what Claire's said:
You constantly struggle for self improvement- and it shows
hahahaha, we had a good laugh over that. Seriously. Poor Claire- she is just at a hard age for just about EVERY thing! I just love the part that say "and it shows".

Twirl Dress

Gramma 'K' made Liv a beautiful dress. She is so talented! Olivia loves dresses, and she especially loves that Gramma 'K' made her one. As she ate her oatmeal this morning she said "Can I wear a bib? Gramma would be SOO mad if I got my dress dirty!"

Highlights

Olivias 4th Bday from Sarisker on Vimeo.

Here are some video from Liv's B-day. Ignore the fact that it goes on for like 2 minutes AFTER the video is finished... Sorry ;)

Torture

I am training for a 5K. I do not think I have ever put myself through so much torture in my life. I hate running with a passion. I want to do it just so I can see for myself that it can and will get easier. I am excited for the race- and I am excited for it to be over! Maybe by the end I will enjoy running!? Every one tells me the first 5K is the hardest.
So- any advice you have when it comes to running would be helpful. I know little, and I could use any help! Thanks! Oh- and if you are interested in running the race with me let me know! So far my sister-in-law Britta, and my sister Emma are coming! We would love to have a whole pack of runners!! It is Oct.19.

Bananas and Orange Juice

It is a tradition in the Knerr family to eat bananas and orange juice. I think my girls love it as much as I do!

Recipe:
*Cut bananas in slices
*Put sliced bananas in a bowl or a cup
*Pour Orange Juice on top
*Eat with a spoon (it is like eating cereal, only it's not)
*Enjoy.

I have thought a lot about these days and the world we live in. Some times I have wondered if having too many children in a world like this is worth it. It is so scary to think of what the world/Satan can do with a precious soul. As scary as it is though- I can not imagine NOT having children. It brings more happiness, more learning, more living and more faith in good. The thought of having no baby brings tears to my eyes and hurts my heart more then I think I could possibly explain. I have been INCREDIBLY blessed to be able to have babies pretty much when ever I choose (so far). I do not take this blessing for granted. I think I am more thankful for this then most of my blessings.
What hurts the most is knowing that there are people out there who want, but can't have. I only have empathy for the hurt they must be going through. I have SOO many friends who have not been able to have children on their own. I am so thankful for adoption and some times random miracle children that just come. The latest story that has touched me I read HERE. Get out a tissue. It is touching.

Turning 4

Olivia turned 4 on Aug.15 this year! She had quite the birthday. On Saturday we had a butterfly party for her. Sadly only 4 of the 14 girls came. ;( And it just so happens 2 were twins, and the other 2 sisters. Good thing Livie could care less ;) All she cared is that she had some friends come! We made a butterfly cake- learned how HERE. We had a pinata, played in bubbles, and opened gifts. It was a fun little party. Livie got a bike for her birthday! It is her first bike and she is so excited to ride!

On Olivia's actual birthday we headed up to the canyon and invited family to have a BBQ with us. We had a good time making hamburgers and tinfoil dinners and enjoying eachothers company. We had Brett's parents, his brother Scott and his family, and my sister Emma and her family.

Here are some 4 year old questions I asked Olivia:
What are you most excited about?
"My 4 year old party!"

Tell me about Daddy.
"I like to play with him. He goes at work and basketball a lot."

Tell me about mommy.
"I like to play with her. I like to go to the museum with her."
(who knows where she came up with that answer!)

Tell me about Claire.
I like to play with Claire in the water and splash!"

Who are your friends?
McKenna, Anna, Neleah, Morgan, Jillian, don't I have a lot of friends?! Oh, and Gramma K is my BEST friend, right?"
(seriously Gramma- she really said that!)

What is your favorite food?
"Hot dogs."

Favorite treat?
"tootsie rolls"

What is your favorite thing to do?
"pick flowers and jump rope!"

What is your favorite thing to wear?
"my yellow shirt with the strawberry on it"
(this is now Claire's shirt, but oh-well!)

What is your favorite season?
"I like the snow to make balls!"

Do you want more brother and sisters?
"yeah"

What do you think we should name them?
"maybe Connor? But I don't know... or maybe Stawberry Shortcake!"

Favorite game?
"Sorry"
(the board game)

Do you like boys?
"A couple"

Who are you going to marry?
"not a girl, a BOY! ... maybe Ryan?"
(Ryan is in her primary class)

railroad

I don't think I ever posted this pic of the girls. It is too cute not to share!

Over-Sized Muffin

We indulged at Costco and bought some ginormous muffins. Today Liv thought it sounded yummy- so she took a whole muffin off the counter and started to eat. She left the bag out so Claire could get one too. So- now both the girls were running around with huge muffins. Instead of getting irritated that 1- Olivia did not ask first, and 2- now there are muffin crumbs all over the floor and anywhere they decided to run off to- I decided I'd take some pictures ;) I love my new blue walls as a back-ground!
Yes- I will post pictures of the house soon enough. I was trying to get up a video I made of the house, but apparently it is too big of a file.

Claire's First Piglet

Yesterday I called Liv into the bathroom to get her hair done. She came, told me how she wanted her hair styled (I always let her choose). Then she asked me "Mom- can Claire have a pig?" We call anything in a pony-tail a pig. I thought about it, and decided Claire may just have enough hair to shove into a tiny little pig. Claire did not like me tugging on her little bit of hair and kept slapping at my hands and screaming. We got it in though! And it was right on the very top of her head so she couldn't feel it to pull it out! Great!