The Little things

Blogging has been extremely difficult for me lately.  This year has been filled with emotional roller-coasters.  Not to mention the "delicate emotional state" I am currently in (read: pregnancy).  There have been challenges, disappointments, and just down right awful days.  On the upside, we have had some really beautiful, wonderful days as well.  Since there have been quite a few challenges in my life lately... I have found it difficult to be "up" about life and the things I was going through.  I feel that because I am LDS and have the gospel, I really have no excuse for not being happy and inspiring to those around me - but.... I have come to find that I need to do some reflecting on myself and that sometimes we just have challenges we have to work through before we can experience the greatest happiness.

  I keep thinking about what I titled this blog "Our Everyday Adventures" and I remember why I started this blog.  Yes, I am being bold when I say this but: ANYONE who knows my children know that there are certain personalities in my family that cause each day to be an "adventure".   This evening, I was talking with my mom on the phone and she said that it is always interesting talking to me.  ok.... not the exact wording, but, mostly to the point.  Basically, what she was getting at is that there is always something going on over here.  Problem is.... most times it is drama related or stressful and honestly not "laundry" I really want to hang out here in the blogging world.  Generally, I am a pretty outgoing person and I really try to have a life with low drama levels.  However.... Heavenly Father felt it was wise/or funny..... not sure which one yet...... to stick my personality in YW!!!  Normally, I would say - awesome opportunity, wonderful chance to feel young again!  Woohoo!  In the years since I have matured since my time in YW, the level of respect and responsibility in our youth has diminished.  I am honestly BEYOND shocked!  Maybe it is just an east coast thing, but the ways in which our youth talk to us at times are just horrific.  Cell phone use is a constant, allowing for simple yet IMPORTANT communication and "etiquette" - for lack of a better word - has been lost.  I know that respect cannot be an entirely foreign thing in most of the houses in the LDS community.  Mostly because I grew up in that generation - ok.... so maybe just AFTER that generation.  =)   Afterall, my oldest child will only be 6 this summer.   My challenge is knowing where my boundaries are.  Do I correct a youth who is speaking disrespectfully or not conducting herself properly?  Or, do I pray like there is no tomorrow that their parents will do something about it?  If I deem it necessary to correct someone, how do I do it?  In the society in which we live, it is a constant struggle to know what would be deemed appropriate in a world where our youth do as they please.  These spirits have been sent now because they were MORE valiant than us!!  Why is it that they seem to be showing less and less respect?  Are they slipping off the straight and narrow?

Anyway..... those are just some of the puzzling questions I have been mulling around in my computer network (brain).  If anyone has suggestions, please leave a comment for me!  It is challenges like these that make serving the youth difficult.  It is teaching me very quickly that when my children don't listen to me now and it bothers me.... it isn't going to end!!!  There are girls 10 years older than them who still don't respect and listen to what is being taught/spoken!  Now, not all of the YW are a challenge.   Some are easier to serve and more easily understood.  Some are almost never a problem. It is the few that ruin it for the whole at times. Isn't that so true of life as well!?  It's amazing to see the parallels in life.

There is a lot of "military activity" going on in our ward - and will continue to over the next few months.  Many families both military and non-military will be relocating in different parts of the U.S/World.  Our family may become one of them.  We will relocate as far as commands are concerned, but how far of a distance has yet to be determined.  I know I have been saying this for YEARS, but, I really hope (and pray) that we are located somewhere NEW.  More importantly than that though, I want to go somewhere that will help my husband to continue to advance to make more money for our ever-growing family AND somewhere where my children will receive the best education that they can in the most positive atmosphere possible.  We are still waiting on hearing what our options are, if they are almost the same as what has been recently released, I am afraid that we don't have many options.  Moving would also mean leaving days/weeks after I deliver this little baby girl.  For those of you wondering what life as a military wife is like - especially during a deployment - there is a WONDERFULLY touching book out (from deseret book) called "Band of Sisters" by Annette Lyon.  It is beautifully written and definitely reflects/communicates the worries and coping strategies of many military wives.  Some of what is shared in the book are ways in which I cope at times.... others are ways I have observed other women cope during deployment.  I encourage you all to read it - with tissues nearby of course.  The life of a military family is no piece of cake.

Hunter has been doing a lot of growing up lately (or so it seems).  He is trying to say more words (although none of them are completely clear) and shows that his understanding of what we are trying to communicate is becoming greater.  He loves to try on shoes.  Any shoes sitting by the door downstairs (or anywhere he can get to) are put on his feet at least once during the day.  He will walk around in them (no matter if they are his sisters or his dad's size 13's!) and smile.  He really enjoys his sandals that I got for him while I was visiting my sister in Oregon.  Since the weather has been so warm here lately, he wears them the most.  Today during sacrament meeting, he took his sandals off and was wandering around in the pew (sp?) barefoot and loving it!  At one point during the meeting, he turned around and proceeded to play peek a boo with someone sitting in the overflow (we are the back row kind of family).  He was enjoying himself so much that he started to laugh when he saw the person looking at him as he peeked up from behind the back of the pew.  For those of you who haven't heard my son's laugh, it is one of pure joy.  His laugh carries and definitely commands the attention of anyone within earshot.  Being that he his almost 2, he gets fussy and this particular game had him quite amused.  So much so that he had stopped fussing, so.... I tried to shush him so he would be a little more quiet and allowed him to continue his "game" for as long as he was interested.  He got to the point where instead of poking his whole body from out behind the back of the pew, he would only lift his head enough for his eyes to see over the top and watch the man playing the game with him.  I could almost see a foreshadowing of a really amazing game of hide-and-seek or paintball in the years to come! One of the best things about my little man is that he still cuddles.  He doesn't ALWAYS do it like he did as a baby, but, he still enjoys laying his head down on your shoulder when he is tired and giving hugs and kisses.  Mostly, I guess, he likes me.  Knowing that tickles me pink.  Minus the drawbacks of ALMOST being terrible 2, I almost have the best of both worlds (a two year old who loves me and WANTS to be cuddled and a newborn who loves me and NEEDS to be cuddled)! 

My girls have been mostly wonderful lately as well.  I really can't stand the knock-down-drag-out fights they tend to have (not sure I phrased that saying right) but once I scream loud enough for them to knock it off =)  things seem to get a little better.  When they are in better moods, it is great to see them get a long and to watch them help their brother or play with him in the playroom.  Those "good" moments may be far and few between some days, but when they happen, I can't help but be proud and amazed by the children that I have been entrusted to raise.  Life doesn't get much more humbling than that: knowing that the Lord trusted YOU enough to raise the children He has given to you (especially since we are working on our 4th child!!).  That is a LOT of responsibility.  Yes, there are days I think of giving them back and saying - FORGET IT! THIS JOB IS TOO HARD!  or - I can barely take care of the ones I have and I am having ANOTHER ONE?!   Raising three daughters is going to be no easy feat.  I know what my parents had to go through to just get rid of me.... they had two more to get rid of AFTER me and I can only imagine the headaches they have gone through.  Here's to hoping I can make it through it - and that they live long enough to experience their own "headaches".  

As I wrap up this "novel" of a post, I am going to try harder to share our "everyday adventures"  as often as possible on this blog and fulfill the reason I started this in the first place.  Stay tuned for some fun adventures!  My life is never boring!

Life

As I tried to figure out what in the world I would name this post, I decided the only thing I can name it is: life.  Why?   Pretty much because that is all me and my family have been caught up in lately.  This week was a week full of doctor appointments, (a check up for my little man, check up for me and baby, and school physical for destruco girl) shots, blood draws, and even a urine sample!  Doing all of that has helped us figure out a few things.... that little man's chin injury (he fell off the back of a children's rocking chair and busted his chin on the kitchen floor) is healing well - and may possible not make much of a scar, that the baby I am carrying is STILL a girl and doing well, and destructo girl is healthy, ready for school, and her ruptured ear drum from about a month ago is looking like it's healing.  She will still need a follow-up appointment with the doc, but I think she trusts him more now which will hopefully equal a nice pleasant appointment for next month.  Shots went as well as could be expected.  Little man was running a bit of a fever for the following couple of days, but has broken that since.  Destructo cried a bit, but I think we talked her into being a brave girl.  Not to mention that she doesn't need any more  S.H.O.T.S. until she's 10!!!  Yipee! 

Sometimes in life I get the feeling that I am going through a taffy pull.  I get stretched to the max with responsibilities and running around, then I get some breathing room.   I am hoping this week is that "breathing room".   I just tend to run faster than I am able - and that is a HUGE understatement.  I honestly find myself constantly trying to be SuperMom.   Yeah, I know.... she doesn't exist.  She truly is just a figment of EVERYONE'S imagination!!!  Yet, there is still part of me that says... but if I could just get everything organized the way that I want it, life would run smoothly.  This pregnancy has left with me with little to no energy or desire to "nest" as of yet.  I am really hoping it kicks in soon so I can get to work on a lot of my "to do's".    Some of the current health concerns with this pregnancy are best treated by "rest and lying down".  I have a yucky vericose vein in a really difficult spot to support, along with a fibroid inutero which both scream "don't be on your feet or participate in strenuous/high impact activites".  Hmmm.... last time I checked motherhood is full of just those kinds of activities!  Then other aspects (such as the keeping my weight gain low) screams exercise.  Thus, I am stuck in the middle being pulled in each direction until I pick something to do for the day.  

I recently purchased some discounted photo books for the kids (yes, I did need to put forth a little effort in order to put them together and have them ready to create) since I haven't been scrapbooking in ages.  That way there is some documentation of at least their first year of life!  Ok.... ok, it is to help make up for my laziness the past few YEARS.  The kids really like checking out pictures of themselves as they have grown up.  I am looking forward to seeing their reactions as they look through the pages of a book all about them.  It'll feel a little bit like Christmas day for me - I love watching their faces as they look at something that they really like.

Ultrasound Verdict

Our family woke super early in the morning to go to a super early ultrasound to hopefully find out the gender of our baby.  My first OB appointment (and thus my first ultrasound) was done at 15 weeks.  During that Ultrasound, we discovered that the baby's legs liked being shut tight.  Today... at my 20 week ultrasound, we found that that still is true of this baby.  After a trip to the bathroom and jumping up and down.... we finally got a LITTLE peek.  Our tech's best guess??  GIRL.  As if we didn't already have enough of those in our family!!  After horrific traffic on the way home to get #1 to school, I spent most of the rest of the day going through the girl and boy clothes that I have.  There are several other women in the ward having boys... so I figured I could loan some things out to them since I have TONS of super cute BOY clothes and slim pickins in the girl department due to loaning out most of them.  Now on to figure out if this addition will be our last until our children are grown and get married.  Not to mention... we are still searching for a girl name!!  

Strawberry Pickin!

Around these here parts, May is the month for Strawberries.  Since we have an awesome person currently helping us out with playgroup ideas, we took advantage of the day set aside to do some strawberry pickin of our own.  We showed up a little early so we could finish before little man needed his nap.  We came away with 5 or 6 lbs of strawberries!  Destructo girl mostly walked the rows and looked for friends - although to give her credit.... she was a really great bucket holder for me, little man stuck close by our side and didn't start picking berries on his own until the very end.  As you might assume from those sentences, yes..... I did most of the picking.  Unfortunately I didn't pick up enough sure-gel at the store and needed to make another trip so I could finish making jam.  By the time all was in order in the kitchen, little man had fallen and busted his chin open and needed my attention - so the last of the canning was left for the next day.  Argh... because I had to wait an extra day.....a good portion of what was left of the berries was too overripe to use.  Ugh!  I am not sure how often I will find myself canning much of anything until my little munchkins are in school.  This is about the best pictures you are going to get with this bunch.  LOL.

Easter Sunday

We had a really wonderful Easter Sunday.  Both the hubby and I spoke in church that day - I am proud to say that I learned a lot from the talk that I prepared.  I think I probably took up a little too much time and J had to cut his talk a little short.  I covered the Last Supper up until Christ's crucifixion and J took over from there.  The children did really well while we gave our talks and I am so proud of them for being good examples that day.  I hope that through what we taught them about Easter and what they heard that day (both from us and their teachers) helps them understand what happened during that historical week.  I have a testimony of our Savior.  He lives and He knows us.  He is always there to lift us up when life throws us curveballs and He LOVES us - so much so that He gave His life for us.  I am blessed to be a member of Christ's church today and to have the opportunity (sometimes it is a challenge) to be an example of Him each day. 

Easter Egg Hunt

So.... yes our church put on an Easter Egg Hunt, but we chose to try one out in town this year.  We took the kids to a field at a nearby high school and waiting around for about an hour to "start the hunt".  We got some treats from the vendors there and even got a picture with the Easter Bunny!!  The girls got quite a few eggs and little man even got a few too (Thanks Dad!)

And the Hunt is on!  These kids did a literal clean sweep right down the field!

Little man and Daddy trying to get some of the passed over eggs

Look at the LOOT!

Spring Break

After my trip to Oregon, #1 had her spring break from school.  We had some really beautiful days that week so we went to the beach with some friends one day.  It's so nice living pretty close to the beach, I think we will have to take many more visits there this Spring/Summer!! 

Where these two ended up by the time we needed to head home. 

Little Leah sporting her Swim-apparel

Ready for the waves!

As soon as we got there.... this is where she was - without a life vest, oh yes.... she marched right back and put on the vest after I called her.

My silly little girl

He finally figured it out - dig dig!!

A Vacation and a Visit

Please ignore the fact that it has been several months since I have last posted and drool over the sweet little girls I got to visit (and the pretty grown up girl too of course)! 

Last picture as a family of 4 - Baby Kaitlyn was born later that day.

My husband was the best and let me take a trip to see my dear little sister and her family in Oregon the end of March thru the very beginning of April.  I had such a great time seeing that side of the country and dipping my feet into the Pacific Ocean (both a first for me)!   I had never been further west than Utah/Idaho until this trip.  Besides the flights to Oregon being pretty bumpy and in trying not to toss my cookies during the flight (I was still experiencing morning sickness) I arrived in one piece and was VERY grateful to be on the ground again.   I saw my sweet sister who would be induced the day I flew back home if she didn't have the baby before then, and she was SUPER tiny (cutest pregnant girl EVER).  I really enjoyed my time with my nieces - they wore me out by taking me to see some of the sights and by asking me to read them books.  Whew! 

Multnomah Falls - standing in the rain!

Trip to the Coast - it was overcast that day

Proof that I have been in the Pacific Ocean

At Tillamook - the Cheese Factory!!!  We ate lunch there and Cambri was loving the place up! especially that "squeaky cheese"

Tulip Festival, only part of the field had bloomed - it was rainy that day 

Portland Temple - I got to do a session while I was there - and it's within walking distance from my sister's place (JEALOUS)

The sisters - both pregnant, only one having a baby that day

The group that came to meet me at the airport when I got home.  I missed them so much!

Happy Birthday Honey!

My man turns 3-0 today!!  While I think that is truly ancient (for him) it is a subtle reminder that I am not too far behind.  I wanted to throw a special birthday bash or something of significance for today but I couldn't come up with any ideas (and he said he didn't want anything).  Just one of the differences of how we were raised.  Birthdays were never a really huge deal once you hit teenager age in his house, whereas my house - it was a true celebration!  We looked forward to choosing the "birthday dinner" and having cake and ice cream surrounded by family (and sometimes friends too).   My entire family sings to the birthday person (and still calls to sing to this day) and you are showered with love for the whole day.  Who wouldn't love that, right?!  That's what I thought!!  However, my guy had a day off work yesterday and so I asked him how he would like to celebrate (albeit early) and he chose to go see a movie.  He doesn't do that often, so that was his treat.  Do you think I feel completely AWFUL for not doting on him for the entire day today?  YOU BET I DO!!  It is awful having to find a compromise between the two ways of our upbringing.  At least I can do things the way I like them for the kids.

Happy Birthday Honey!  I am so blessed to have you in my life. You truly are my little bit of comic relief in life.  Thanks for always trying to get me to laugh to make me feel better.  One of my favorite things to do is to watch you play with our children.  They love you so much! 

Craft On

Lately, the ladies around here have been getting their craft on!  The occasion recently has been the upcoming departure of a really great family I think the ENTIRE ward has come to love as family.  I know we have.  In this area, what do we do when we will miss someone dearly!?  We craft our pants off!!  (not literally.... don't worry)  We have done so many projects lately I am happy to say that I have actually HAD something to put up in my house for the holidays we have already had this year.  I haven't been able to do all the crafts that the ladies have been doing, but I am trying to stay busy.  I have taken on a few "projects" of my own.  In this case, projects mean furniture related.  I will post some pictures of the finished product (only have one finished for now).   So much has been going on lately around here and with family.   My husband lost a dear friend of his to the War in Afghanistan in February, we recently got on the waiting list for a bigger place in a different housing complex - due to the fact that I am expecting our fourth child, there are A LOT of birthday's in our family this month, not to mention YW is hopping with activities, being sick for about half of my 1st trimester (I am now in my 2nd), and in lieu of an eventual move - trying to get rid of things we no longer use/need and touch up so there is less to do come moving time.   Oh yeah, and they will be closing my husband's base in the next 6 months, I am going to visit my sister in about a week FOR a week to help her get ready for her new little girl (if she doesn't make her debut before I get there), and then coming home to hopefully find out what gender I will be having come September.  All the while with a family member that could have a serious condition - and keeping her in our prayers.  For it only being the 3rd month of the year, I really think there must be HUGE things in store for us this year.  Am I looking forward to taking a trip solo?  YOU BETCHA!!  I could really use the R&R =)

Anyway... here are a few of the things that we ladies have been up to lately - all credit is given to my friends (and the places they got the ideas from!).

Snow Day

Little Momma had a snow day last week and since I wasn't feeling well and we obviously had nothing better to do.... I put makeup on them.  Not your run of the mill fake stuff you buy down the toy aisle.... MOMMY MAKE-UP.  This is how they looked after: 

Valentine's Day

I wanted to be sure that I documented this act of kindness, BEFORE I vent in the next post.  My husband had told me he got me something for Valentine's Day this year.  He wouldn't tell me what, and said I had to wait until the actual day (oh and I couldn't get on the bank account - (I am the accountant)).   Hmmm..... and honestly?  I did NOT peek!  Monday came and I got these delivered in a box (with no flower food like advertised I might add..... although... NOT the hubby's fault).

Which later bloomed to be this.  Beautiful, I know.  Stargazers and Iris'.   Truly beautiful flowers, just a little too potent for my unfortunate "pregnancy" nose.  One of the biggest downfalls for me EVERY pregnancy is the heightened sense of smell that I experience. Truly, not a very good thing most days. The iris' were beginning to die and the stargazers were still blooming.  I had to throw them out (I wanted to suffer through but I kept getting sick).  THANK YOU FOR THE FLOWERS!!!  (and chocolate)

Got Punxsutawney??

Being the Pennsylvanian that I am, I have to show my Groundhog Day pride today since our dear groundhog, Phil, did not see his shadow this morning!!!   I am sure you are all wondering what his prediction was because it most definitely wasn't on Yahoo news today!   #1 told me this morning that her teacher told them all to keep their fingers crossed that Phil wouldn't see his shadow today - TaDa!  It worked!!!  Here's to hoping tomorrow will indeed be different (except for the beautiful weather we had today)! 

Exercise Entry #5

Ok, so there has been a little sporadic amidst the exercising of late.  Some mornings (and days) it was raining which squashed my morning run.  Others it was raining in the evening or I needed to fulfill my role as "Mom".  Some, I was just plain exhausted.  I have continued running in the morning as often as I can.  This week I have gone every morning but this morning due to rain - it was in the 60's already just after 7 am, but I just couldn't get past the wind and rain. =(   Another excuse has crawled in as well..... I'm PREGNANT!!  Yes, that can put a damper on a quest for losing weight like I have.  However, it can also be pretty driving as well.  Since I had already started running before I found out I was pregnant, I should be able to continue.  I will most likely not add more distance to the run, but just continue to help my body be accustomed to the distance.  I still use my bike at home too.   Getting a schedule for that is a little more of a challenge.   The hubby has a dental surgery appt tomorrow so his day of work will start much earlier - squashing my chance at a run.  I guess tomorrow morning will find me on my bike.  Now if I could only read a book while on the bike, or blog, or check out sales while on the bike, I would be a very fit soul indeed!  

The nausea has set in as well.  This morning my stomach wasn't up for much - I think a yogurt was all it could take without WANTING to chuck it.  So far, I have been able to keep it all down.... and it seems it is only in the morning as well.  Maybe if we could just get it to cooperate with my striving for a healthy diet.  Love the healthy stuff, chuck the not-so-healthy?!   Eh, I can wish can't I?? 

Funny things

So my middle child says the other day on our way to the MCX to checkout some redbox movies:

Destructo: "Are we going to the letter store? I want to go to the letter store!" 
Me: "I'm not sure what you are talking about.  What is the letter store? "
Destructo: (as she points) "Right..... there."  (clearly pointing to the MCX)
Me: laugh and say "Oh, THAT'S the letter store, yes we are going there."

Exercise Entry #4

Things have been going well in the exercise department.  There have been a few days where we have had rain and so I didn't run (I am not THAT crazy).  Today I was able to get a morning run in but I won't be able to get the evening run in due to youth activity tonight.  I have been running and doing my exercise bike.  I need to start incorporating some workout videos, but for now, I think I am at least sticking to some activity.  As a side note, why can't things labeled FREE actually be FREE??  What is wrong with being charitable and rewarding customers/visitors?  Awful awful awful, let me tell you.  I just can't stand everyone's catch 22 way of giving.  Arghh. 

FHE

Most Mondays we sit down and do the "routine".  Welcome, opening prayer, song, lesson (which is generally an article from the Friend), scripture, closing prayer.  Pretty much cut and dry.  Since we have been shown the great blessing of the Mormon Messages, we have put a few of those in the mix as well.  It has been a really wonderful experience and gives us some inspiration and most definitely a spiritual experience to start each new week.  I wish they would come out with some new ones though!  It is wonderful to see the children paying attention and the husband occasionally teary eyed over the message that is shared (he was that way tonight).   Next time you get the chance, check it out if you haven't.  It will definitely improve your day or help it start right.

Exercise Entry #3

I jumped back on track today after a relatively calm weekend to recover.  It was a busy weekend to say the least.  I ran a total of 3 miles today.  One and a half in the morning and one and a half in the evening.  I am consistent with my time which is great.  I keep telling myself by the time it starts warming up, I will be able to finish it quicker.  Then I can add a little more distance to it.   I hope that this helps me to come to love running.  We'll see.  I will miss my morning run tomorrow because my hubby needs to be up early - but I still intend on doing my evening run.  Woohoo!  Here is to good health in 2011!

Exercise Entry #2

Wednesday was a successful day for me. I stuck with my calorie goal and did really well with my exercising.  I ran 1.5 miles in the morning without stopping and then rode my bike for about 3 miles to walk the dog.  After dinner, I ran another 1.5 miles without stopping.  That would be a total of 3 miles for the day!  Due to  miscommunication I was unable to run Thursday morning (hubby needed to be to work early) and because of youth activity that night, I wasn't able to run.  I planned on biking but decided to let it be a "day off" due to my sore quad muscles.  I feel more rested today and hope to jump on the spin bike and do a workout video or two.  My husband won't be around much this weekend - scout camp-out - so I will have to do a lot of things in my home instead. Here's to a new day and another chance to reach my goal!

Exercise Journal : Entry #1

I have decided to keep track of my exercise routine and keep a goal for myself.  That way I end up being more accountable and hopefully see those extra pounds go away.   A few years back when I thought I was looking good - my motivation was my husband.  I just really wanted to look good for him when he returned from his deployment.  The reaction I got???  "You're too skinny"   Well, I don't care which way you look at that folks, I was shot down!  Since then, getting the motivation to lose has been harder than ever.  It kind of trips you out when you want something that bad, but know that your significant other isn't going to like it. Now, I am not harping on my hubby when I mention that..... I am merely putting it down in writing as to my aversion to losing weight.  I am determined to get back on track.  I have decided to keep track of my exercising (as a way of seeing my improvement) and to very lightly touch on my food intake (i.e.  ate really healthy today..... vs......chowed down on some junk food). 

So far.... for today, this is what I have.  In my quest to wake up before mom's should be awake.... I found out really fast that I just couldn't sustain that wake up time every morning.  I got myself a spin bike and have now gotten motivation to run outside (gasp!).  My plan for today was to wake up, bike and do the 30 day shred video.  Yeah.... none of that happened today.  Instead, I waited all day (doing mom stuff of course) and decided to go for a 1.5 mile run this evening.  My goal?  To do it WITHOUT stopping.   Just in case you all don't already know this.  The word "RUN" is pretty much a curse word to me.  I would rather do ANYTHING than run, but I am desperate.  I want to see that scale drop.  I have come to the conclusion that I need to up my intensity in order to reach that goal.   From my third step out of my front door to where I finished almost 1.5 miles later, I did NOT stop and walk ONCE.  I allowed myself a couple hundred feet of cool down space and stretched well indoors.  I felt WONDERFUL!  Yes, I admit there was some "eye of the tiger" on my mp3 at one point encouraging me to not give up.  My decision was to stick with a pace I could stick to (however slow it may have been) and if I needed to make it a little slower at times, I could - just as long as I didn't stop.  I didn't time myself and I don't plan to until my body gets accustomed to running the 1.5 miles.   Once that becomes easy, I will take it up a notch and start timing myself.  Let's hope this sticks (and my fat doesn't)!