Pioneer Day celebrations and 5K

Saturday I ran my last 5K run of the summer. We got my brother and sister-in-law all excited to run a 5K when we told them that we were running the Freedom Festival run on July 4th. They came into town from Kentucky on July 3rd and just weren't able to do it. So they had signed up for the Pioneer day 5K run (a couple of months ago) and asked if anyone wanted to do it with them and I was the only taker! And I am so glad I did. It was great to be able to spend more time with Erik and Stephanie since we don't get to see them that much. I did my best time 44 minutes (I did 58 minutes at the Running with Angels in May and 57 min at Freedom Festival) which was a big improvement. I couldn't have done it though without Steph encouraging me. If you really want to know my feelings about running, I really don't like it :-) Run fer fun, what kind of fun is that! My asthma flares up and I have a hard time sometimes but I will tell you why I do the 5K runs.  I really enjoy the satisfaction of a job well done and I love the comaraderie of all the people running (or walking) beside me.  I love the feeling of accomplishment after I do something that is hard for me to do.  That is what I like. And I like staying in shape and doing something healthy!  Maybe someday, when I get serious about running, I will try a 10K and then a half-marathon and maybe even someday a marathon. We shall see. For now, I will stick with my 5Ks.  There seem to plenty of them around to pick from.  This last one was great because it wasn't too big...in fact when I made the finish line, they announced my name and where I was from. That was kind of fun. It was a Pioneer Day 5K put on by Trapnell Orthodontics and we ran it over by Timpview High school in Provo.
Today, we are celebrating Pioneer day even though it was yesterday...July 24th.  The day the Pioneers came into Utah in 1847.  I had sharing time yesterday in Primary and I had fun talking to the kids about Pioneer day and some stories of people in the handcart companies that came later and we sang some pioneer songs.  Heritage is important and it is important to pass it down to our children.  We are celebrating later today with my extended family with a BBQ and in the evening we will do fireworks. July is one big party and I love it! School is right around the corner and I am counting down. I love being with my kids, but the summer is sure longggggg. This week we have done some school shopping and bought some clothes and school supplies and I have been getting exciting about all our upcoming activities.  My 20-year high school reunion is this week which I CANNOT believe I have been graduated that long. I am looking forward to seeing people that I haven't seen for awhile. Sometimes it is hard to reach out and be outgoing, but I really am going to try at the reunion.  August brings swim lessons, ward campout, Kael's scouting campout, Aidan's baptism and start of cub scouts, and in four more weeks Kalli will start jr. high. Hard to believe.  Well, I must end this post and get ready for the evenings' festivities. I have caught a summer cold and it is making me really tired and wanting to just sleep. But I can't complain; I have really been healthy for a long time and shouldn't complain about a little old cold. The pioneer stories I have read recently have really encouraged me to have a better attitude of gratitude.  I have heard some really good things about the movie 17 miracles and really want to go see it soon. My mom was telling me about it the other day and I really want to go see it now. Happy Pioneer Day!!!