Stu is a Scab

Stu decided to help our family earn some extra money-to do this he became a scab.

By definition a scab is: a worker that takes a striking worker's place on the job.

In Pennsylvania at Temple University Hospital their nurses went on strike. Just because nurses go on strike does not mean that people do not get sick. This hospital hired out nurses at a higher rate to come in and take care of their patients. Stu was one of them. He went to Pennsylvania for a week, working 14+ days and making $60 an hour. Although he said the work was getting easier as each day passed, he realized just how advance the hospital he works for here in Salt Lake is. The hospital in PA was "in the ice age" according to Stu. His week trip marked the 1st time we had ever been away from each other since we met. But the week flew by and knowing that his sacrifice for our family made the departure so much easier.
Thankfully Stu said he would do this again if another strike came up. He feels bad that he is 'crossing the line' but when the money is good.....

Its contagious

My big, little brother Coleman is now into running and yesterday was his 1st half marathon. Leah, Cannon and I went down to Thanksgiving Point to see him cross the finish line.
What a beautiful day it was to have a race. Coleman was hoping to come in at 1 hour 45 min. And believe it or not, he made his time. He came in at 1 hour 46 min. Lucky. I still have not broken 2 hours yet for my half marathon. It was soo good to see him cross the finish line and I am so glad we were there to support him.

Coleman's support group (Leah, Me, Cannon)
Our finisher-Coleman

The group (Cole, Cannon, Leah and me)

Racing again

I was not expecting to race this year, but since my body had other plans-I was able to race again. My first race was with my racing buddy Liz. She is trying to get into the St. George Marathon and needs to complete 2 races in St. George to qualify for the marathon. For her 2nd and last race (to qualify) asked me to join her for this 10K with her brother. Although I had not been training for any race I was more than happy to join her.

We headed down to St. George, picked up our packets and went to my G & G house for some dinner and sleep. The next day we picked up Matt and set out to Hurriance for our race. The weather was perfect and for the most part I felt good. My official time was 56:59. Not bad for my first race of the year and my fastest 10K to date.

Liz and Sarah after they picked up their packets
Race day. Don't we look like angels?? (all in white)

Matt, Liz and Sarah at the starting line

New Addition...for now

We have become a safe haven for lost dogs. About a month ago we took in a loose poodle that didn't seem to have a home. We posted signs in our condo complex and a few days later the owners came to claim the poodle. I was sad because it was right after I lost the twins and I felt like this was just something else that was taken from me. So for Valentines Day Stu said I could get another dog (a small dog) if I wanted one. I did want one..but didn't. After some further thought I decided that we were good with just Blue..until last Tuesday when Stu noticed a small chihuahua running around like a lost puppy. Stu did not bring this dog home, but the owner of the poodle that we found a few months ago did. This poodle's owner found the chihuahua and could not keep it so she was going door to door to try and find the dog's owner. I told her if she could not find the owner to bring the dog back to us. Well 20 minutes later-she did just that. Now we have this dog that we named "Touille" from the movie "Ratatouille" and as the days go on I grow more attached. I hope if this dog has(d) an owner they would come for him, but so far we are going on a week with no bites. I never ever would have pegged us for chihuahua people, but he seems to fit in quite nice with the family. So...we might have a new addition to our family-I am officially surrounded by boys!

Stu and Touille