So in the past 20 days a ton has happened. The non stop days are partially why I haven't written and also the amount of time I knew it would take to actually do the events justice. So here I go:
May 10th- Flat Out 5k
Chad really wanted to run in one of the qualified waves at the Boulder Boulder, to do this you needed to have ran another race in under certain amount of time. Chad chose to do the 5k which he needed to run in under 27 minutes to qualify. I decided to do it with him just to practice since it had been since last years Boulder Boulder that I even had done a race. Bright and early we went up to Broomfield to drop Payton off at Chad's moms before the race at the Flat Iron Mall. I felt pretty good going into the race though it was chilly and windy. In the end I learned some important lessons: one, don't start out running fast, there are people who will run 2x as fast as you, two, the wind will push you hard, if you are running as fast as you could walk-just do it, and third, I can run more that 4 miles at one time. The day in total was a success, I learned some important things for my next race and Chad qualified for the Boulder Boulder wave he wanted.
May 11th- Mothers Day
Church was same ol' same ol', though I was glad to see chocolate instead of flowers for the occasion. I taught the lesson, which went well. Chad and my dad made dinner for my mom and I-- which was very good meat, potatoes and salad. And even though the day before Chad had said he did nothing for me for Mothers Day so he was going to let me take a nap as a gift, I woke up from my nap to a lovely card, my favorite candy bar in multiples and some wonderful kisses from my two favorite people. It was a great mothers day.
May 13th- Preparedness Enrichment Activity
I truly feel like you will be blessed by doing the things you know you should. After a long day of clinic, I was really debating going to the preparedness enrichment activity--especially because not having our own home, enough resources to buy a lot for food storage, and that they were making 72 hour kits which we already have it didn't really seem to apply to me in this 'season' of my life. At the end of the night I was so glad I went. I learned about water storage (the do's and dont's) and wheat. I didn't grow up with my mom making bread or using wheat so the lesson a sister in our ward gave on wheat was great. I learned how to sprout wheat, how easily you can substitute it into recipes and how good it is for you. I am so excited about all I learned I even ordered some wheat to start as our first 'food storage' item. Knowledge is power :)
May 15-17th- Scrapbook Weekend at Grandma's
This weekend was just what I needed. My last day of clinic/school for the actual school year was my morning clinic on the 15th ( I only have 2 patients to finish up after graduation). The weekend started at 7ish on Thursday night for me. We, being Grandma Hammond, Leslie, Kellie, Christine, Karissa, Andrea, Jodi, Cortney, and Lindsay, all spent the night at grandma's, took turns preparing a meal and scrapbooked all hours of the day and night. There were tables set up in the basement, where we all enjoyed setting up our area and sharing our common hobby of scrapbooking. We watched 9 movies in the 3 days, more or less listened to them, made a 2 in the morning Walmart run for supplies and loved every moment of girl talk over food. I kept Chad updated with my progress for the weekend sending him text messages with my pages. It was so great having others there for comments, ideas, supplies, techniques and especially for the company. It was a fantastic experience and I am already looking forward to doing again next year.
Chad was able to have some fun too. He went out with the boys, Grandpa, Bruce and Scott, to the Lipizzaner Stallions show at the BEC on Saturday night. It was a relaxing, much needed weekend that couldn't have come at a better time- Yeah for school being over!!
May 19th- CRDTS Exam
The final step in getting my license. I wasn't too anxious going into the exam- my patient was perfect and very reliable. It was nice because my grandparents, Grandma Mae and Grandpa Bert, came into town the night before so I wasn't obsessed thinking about the exam either. The exam went great, my patient was accepted first submission and I completed the treatment well within the time allotment. I couldn't have asked for a better outcome. I also found out today online that I passed it!! I am done with tests and have my license once the state gets through with all the paperwork. Things have just gone so smoothly and it has been wonderful all with all the encouragement and support. Thanks.
Payton cuddled up with Great Grandpa.
May 22- Banquet
We picked up Mark from the airport today. It was an eventful trip to say the least. In the short term lot we were waiting for a spot and some crazy lady comes backing up from no where comes less that an inch from our from bumper and then decided she deserves the spot more because she is picking up her 85 year old mother. I got out of the car and told her politely but firm that is was our spot as we had been waiting for it since we followed the previous driver to the car, we were picking up a handicapped father and we also had a two year old in the car. I think she was flabbergasted that someone would stand up to her and she pulled forward. Talk about adrenaline rush. It felt great though- standing up for myself. That night the school hosted a banquet at the Brown Palace for the graduates and guests. It was great because my whole family came, even Danyelle came down from Greeley for it and graduation, my grand parents were in town and Laura drove down too. It was nice to be there with everyone and being at the Brown palace it really was a once in a life time event. My school proved to be cooler than I thought because they gave us iPod Shuffles as graduation gifts. Sweet!
May 23- Pomp and Circumstance
My morning started early for the commencement ceremony for the entire CU AMC. The convocation ceremony started at 10:30 and other that the very windy, coat-on coat-off weather it was great. We went to lunch at P.F. Changs with the family at it was a great day. Thank goodness for naps though, it was a long morning.
May 24th- Encore
Another early morning, as we headed up to Broomfield for Rachel's graduation. It was a nice ceremony, lots of wind but just right for the temperature.
There was a family celebration after at the house and Payton was jumping on the tramp. 
We got a video of her using her sign language, she was saying 'more'.
It was a busy morning and we drove back down to the Ranch to go to a party for my graduation at my friend and classmates house, Renee. Renee has two little girls and two dogs and Payton always has a blast when we go over. It was another enjoyable day...boy was I glad tomorrow was Sunday.
May 26th- Boulder Boulder
Sunday was relaxing and Grandma and Grandpa left to drive back to MT. As another early morning we headed up for the Boulder Boulder. The race went great though the weather was rainy and chilly. Chad finished the 10k in 56 minutes and I finished in 71 minutes. We were both very pleased with how we did. John and Laura also ran with us- it was great doing it together for the second year in a row, I am going to enjoy this tradition.
We got back to the house, relaxed in the hot tub, showered and went to the Aldridge's for a Memorial Day BBQ to celebrate Grandma and Jodi's birthdays. Andrea and Justin drove up and Payton just loved their boys, I think they liked her too!! The afternoon was great and as usual the family brings together some good eatin'.
Today was so nice running errands and not having a schedule or long drive in the car. The past 2 weeks have been great but busy and I am glad they are done. Hopefully I will get to relax a little this summer...haha.
Tomorrow Chad and I are going to Amanda's graduation from the Air force Academy, should be good.
