The Collings Family

I don't know if anything in this world stresses me out more than family pictures. I tried my darndest but still didn't get a shot with the "pearly whites" and eyes on me. Gotta love the eyes:)

"Hey Luke, what do you think about having a low key night tonight? We could snuggle up to the fire, read books and drink hot coco" "Mom, you had me at hot coco"

1) I knew there was a reason Isaac held a special place in my heart:) 2) That stuffed animal in Cate's hand still exists.

This is the last time I am asking Tucker to babysit ;)

Luke once told me that he would never , ever, ever get on a stage and perform. Well, he changed his mind. Behold, his debut: Yes, he looked that happy throughout the entire production. Ask him how it went? He said it was one of the funnest things he's done all year. Goes to show - you can't judge a book by its cover;) I am also proud to say that he recited a scripture from memory today in the primary program with confidence - GO LUKE!

WE LOVE FALL! Field trip 1 & 2 with Mrs. Cloud. Maris Farms on our day off was a blast. We spent 5 hours here and could have kept going. This barn was completely filled with corn. I found corn in the sheets for one week after this adventure.

I read an article titled: "Top 3 Tips For Saving Money At The Grocery Store" #1. Don't shop when you are hungry #2. Don't shop when you are in a hurry #3. Don't shop with children I broke all three of those rules today. If I followed them, I'd never shop.

This morning we enjoyed a free google phone conversation with Dave in Eindhoven. How lucky are we to live in this day and age? While talking to Dave, who is thousands of miles away, I pulled up a detailed image of his hotel on google earth-I could see his exact floor! My ancestors are from the Netherlands. Maybe next time I will tag along and find them!

3rd child and 3rd attempt at soccer :) regardless if this "takes" or not, it is a blast to watch - 6 very confused 4 year olds running around a field trying to discern what in the heck their parents are shouting from the sidelines. I never really played sports (does track count?) so anything he does looks good to me!

Liza has been begging for a year to go to Tucker's Mrs. Cloud and today her wish came true. She knew right where to go and what to do. She even brought in 2 toilet paper rolls to give to the gerbils. After she told me 5 times to leave, I closed the door and drove away. I couldn't help but smile and shed a tear of gratitude for that wonderful Mrs. Cloud. She has been a HUGE part of all 4 of my children's lives. I am so excited to see what this year will bring for both Eliza and Tucker.

We just got back from the most amazing summer vacation. I've always wanted to take a "renewal" with my children and finally did so. I had little access to a computer so the next several posts are going to be catch up! We spent the first two weeks in swimming and ice skating lessons at the Cottonwood Heights Rec center near my parent's home. Wow...that is one facility that I sure took for granted when I lived at home. Why is there nothing like this in my section of Puget Sound? Eden ate up every second of her group skating lessons. She spent every day that we were available at the rink and was even able to take a couple of private lessons. I am amazed at how fast she picked it up and am even more amazed at how much she loves it. We are not sure what direction we are taking with this now, but were able to get her into some group lessons near our home (not NEAR as wonderful at the CHS though...)

187 miles, 24 feet, no sleep, blazing sun, incredible scenery, endearing friends, thoughful tears, loud cheers... For 30 hours we were saturated with shattering our own limits and cheering as others did the same. Can't wait for next year!

After 6 years of begging, I finally gave in and signed Eden up for ice skating lessons. I tried to pacify her with gymnastics and even dance (we called it "ice skating on the ground") but she was not satisfied. She started last week and is in heaven. She is like a fish in water - I literally have to pry her off the ice after her 1/2 hour lesson and 75 minute free skate. I don't know where this is going, but one thing is for sure she is one happy camper.

Sorry to leave you hanging. I did it, I ran the whole 26.2 miles with my sister by my side. I can't explain how exhilarating it was to cross that finish line. I think that is why it has taken me two weeks to post - words can't describe the experience. It was hard...much harder than we both expected. We had both taken some time off to nurse injuries and felt the toll at mile 16. (me at mile 16, wish you could see a close up of my face!) Well, I felt the toll, my awesome sister plugged along quietly by side with a smile on her face. We both faced some major obstacles that day. I got this beast on my foot at mile 10: ...and my sister had another very uncomfortable issue start at mile 7. Regardless, we finished and that is what counts. Some notes for the future: #1. Wear sunglasses #2. Find a way to stop "the system" before the race begins #3. Put glide in between all of your toes (along with ever other crack and crevice) #4. Run with a pacer #5. Eat hummus at mile 13...

A little bug named "strep" visited our house this week. I've never seen Liza so sick. She woke up at 9:00 PM and was literally up the entire night. I finally got her to lay down with me at 4:30 AM. She's been a zombie for the last two days. This explains why Dave was so sick on Sunday. Please Mr. Strep, don't invade my system. The marathon is THIS Saturday. Marathons and strep just don't mix well. I've washed my hands raw and taken about as much vitamin C as my little system can handle. Speaking of marathons...three doctors and 100 hours of icing later, it looks like my leg/ankle just might hold out for me. I really need to get across that finish line. I put it on my bucket list when I was 19 and it is high time I cross it off!

Poor guy spent Father's Day on the couch...sick as a dog...er, I mean sick with a dog:) and he says he wants to get rid of her...

Dave and I have been shouting, jumping, screaming, singing, hoping and dreaming about him finding a job closer to home for the last 5 years. Yesterday our dream came true: Welcome home Dave. We'll try to keep the noise level down :)

one of my closest friends lost her sister, soul mate & dearest friend last week. I've held off on posting about the subject because I am not sure what or how to express my feelings (writing about silly things is so much easier!) However, I don't want to ever forget the emotions and experiences my friends have shared over the past 12 days (or 2 months) My friend Becky had been trying to get out to NYC to visit her sister for the last 6 months or so. On a whim, she and our other friend Suzanne flew out at the end of April. The first day she was there her sister starting feeling sick. When it didn't get better, they sent her off to the hospital to get it checked out. Becky got a call from her in the middle of the night saying, "come quick, I have cancer." Thus it began. There are many details from then until now, but it in the end, 32 days later, it took her life. 2 years her senior, she was Becky's closest friend. Every story Becky ever shared about her life...

I just read my last post and had to laugh. So much has happened since then and while I am sad that my darn foot won't run for me, there are so many others things in this world more important. I am just grateful to be healthy and surrounded by people that I love deeply and that love me back.

This year marks my second attempt training for a marathon. Last year I was 16 weeks into training, on my 17 mile training run when my IT band flared up. I was out from May 14 until sometime in October. This last season I have been (in my husband's words) "over the top" careful. I started training in January and have religiously stuck to my schedule. I rolled with this beast after every run: ...and took a 10 minute ice bath after every run over 10 miles. A couple of weeks ago I started feeling loss of strength in my ankles. Come to find out, I have PTT : posterior tibial tendonitis . Chistopher McDougall is up in the night - we were NOT born to run! No matter what you do - barefoot running, extensive stretching, swimming, biking, weights, perfect scheduled training, icing , rolling with a stinking PVC pipe you can still get injured. No matter what they say, running is just not good for the body! so why then is it SO addicting:)

Found my kids playing in the mud today - what else is there to do in the rain? I guess they weren't just playing - Liza was trying to catch a frog. As you can she, she succeeded :( - killed the poor thing and dumped it in the sink while I was doing dishes! Now we are headed to the tub :(-) didn't have it in me to pick it up and washed it down the drain - do I dare start the disposal?

This is the time where I usually post an update on the past week. I don't have a lot to say but will write something to avoid a phone call in the morning claiming that I never update! So, here it goes ~ this week was REALLY sunny. The rain came back today, which is a good for two reasons: 1) my new garden needs water 2) I need a reason to stay indoors and clean my house. Dave still hasn't applied or had an official interview for a new job that was offered to him in January. Our guts say this IS the week. ME, I am running my little heart out trying not to get hurt before June 25 th . My shins are starting to get a little sore---more ice! Eden ~ last week was 80's week at school - our interpretation with what we had on hand: Luke is a memorizing machine. He can play a piece 5 times and it is in his head! His piano teacher is moving to Utah and so I started teaching him. It is temporary (maybe?)...It is hard to pay people money for what you can do yourself. I justify it knowin...

Life is so precious, And each day is a gift. So enjoy every minute, As it were your last to live. Cherish your loved ones, Hug them tight, Share with them your heart, And your time. Nothing is forever, And life goes so fast, Each minute that passes, Is one you can’t get back. When troubles arrive, And knock you off your feet, Stand up and smile, And remember life is too sweet. Every morning when you wake, Decide right from the start, That “Today will be a good day” And let it all in with an open heart. Written by: Laura Strickland ©

"California here I come, right back where I started from" Yes, I was born there and after spending a week in the sunshine wonder why we ever left? We just had one of the best weeks- it was so good in fact that I am currently suffering from "trip hangover." Pre-trip shopping. Liza waiting in line for mom at Old Navy. Dave and Tuck took an earlier flight. L, E & E taking their bags to security. I had a stroller but E refused to ride in it - had to be just like big brother and sister. I am soooo excited! literally minutes after we arrived. the kids changed clothes (except EJ, who needs a swimming suit?) and hit the beach. This was our back yard for one week! celebrated my birthday with my entire family...take it from me, leaving town for your birthday is the best! Day 1 in Disneyland. This is the Jedi training center. We worked hard to get Tuck a spot and succeeded on the 2nd attempt. (pics of him in action to follow) AUTOPIA Our day in San Diego. Just outsid...