Lost & Found

I was introduced to running in 1991 by my dear friend, Christy Nielsen Hardman. She came to get me each morning the summer before our senior year of high school to go running along the canal road. I hated it. Christy was clearly enjoying the experience... but for me, the combination of total physical exertion and early morning did not equate to a fun time. Imagine my surprise when by the end of the summer... I was hooked. I had finally pushed past the wall that labeled running as "torture" and found it to be a completly exhilarating experience. Christy and I ran a half marathon around 2000 and I trained for and ran the Saint George Marathon in 2005 with my Aunt Jeanie. Ironically, training for the marathon was so grueling, that I lost the joy of running and found myself completing my daily runs simply so I could accomplish the greater goal of completing the marathon and not because I loved it.

I am sorry to say it took 2 full years of removing running almost entirely from my exercise regime before I found the desire to run again. Now, I am loving it again. Nothing beats running in the crisp mountain air of winter or during a sunrise in the spring and summer time. I love summer runs in the evening when it cools off. I have favorite running routes in every neighborhood I have ever lived in. Yesterday I ran in the middle of the day up a hill toward the mountains. It was so beautiful and I felt so happy that I had finally found my love of running again.

Karaoke

I love karaoke. Luckily, I married a man who loves it and now have four kids who love it as well. Sunday afternoon, we let the kids sing. Step aside Sound of Music Von Trapp's... introducing,
The Brandow Family Singers!

The Snow Fort

Heavy snow in our family is always an excuse to create something. This go round it is a snow fort. Work on the fort began Friday. We made siginficant progress Saturday during Samantha's party with help from cousins and uncles and the building is still rolling forward. My husband came home from exchanging the kids this evening and added, and I quote... "A deck, patio and bathroom." to the fort. He came in for a drink and is now headed back out to continue creating (It is 9:15 PM). Who said snow only children have fun in the snow?!

Samantha Turn's 9

Samantha turned 9 January 30th. We were fortunate to have her in our home for her birthday and the weekend following it. As birthday's are special times, we decided to extend our celebration throughout the week. We began by having a party with our little family at home. We made pizza's on tortillas for dinner. Then each child gave Sammy a present and Lance and I surprised her with a new bicycle... purple, of course!

Following gift opening, we went back into the kitchen for icecream sundaes (Sammy doesn't like birthday cake) and some movin' and groovin' to the music of Hannah Montana. Check out my kids moves! (Not sure why one video is sideways... oh well!)

Samantha's birthday continued on Friday evening when she and I had a special night out with Mony, Ma'mah, Monka and cousin McKenna. We went to see the Hannah Montana concert in 3-D at Provo Towne Center and then took a trip to the University Mall and Build-A-Bear where Sammy created "Cuddles."


On Saturday, both sides of the family were invited to a birthday party for Sammy at our home. We made cupcakes, played games and celebrated the life of a very darling girl. I think Sammy felt very loved. Thank you to everyone who came.

My Sammy

Most mom's get to experience the automatic bond that comes with carrying, bearing and nurturing a child from birth. As a step-mom, my experience is different... but I still hope for the same bond in my relationship with the children I refer to as "mine." I love my kids so much; They are dear and precious.

I had a "happy heart" moment last Wednesday when I came home from work. All of the kids greeted me with kisses and hugs at the door, but Sammy also handed me a piece of paper. "I made something for you, Jody! Open it! Open it!" I took the paper. It was folded in fourths and on one quarter was a picture of Samantha and I. I opened up the paper and found a colorful masterpiece. Sammy told me that she colored the inside green because it is my favorite color. In the center of the paper it said, "I love you Jody." I was so happy. This is one of those mushy moments when I wanted to sit down and have a good cry. Instead, I gave my little girl a big hug and hung her work of art on my fridge. I love you, Sammy!