Fun LOTOJA training

In September of 2008, as I was riding LOTOJA, a 200 mile bike race from Logan to Jackson, I was feeling miserable.  I'd ridden over 100 miles and still had 100 to go.  I thought,  "Why am I doing this?  I'm exhausted and in pain.  I don't need to put myself through this.  I can enjoy riding as much as I want without training for LOTOJA."  I didn't think I'd ever ride the race again.  I was wrong.  Dan has wanted to do it for years and this is his year.  He convinced me to ride it with him, to be his riding partner.

Yesterday we did a ride together.  I was reminded that Cache Valley is cyclist heaven.

We headed north on 1600 east

and enjoyed the views riding into Hyde Park.

The sunshine was nice after a stormy morning.

We rode up Smithfield Canyon.

Here, with the canyon behind us, we looked to the valley where we headed next.

This bird posed for us on the West Valley highway.

The valley was beautiful as we headed towards Mendon.

I love taking in the views and riding with my man.

We rode 47 miles and had a great time.  I'm not sure how I'm going to feel as I ride LOTOJA in September but I know I'm going to love riding and training with Dan all summer.

A taste of Heaven

I have to admit,  I was feeling stressed.  All the wedding plans had taken a toll.  Even though the open house was over I still had worries about  money, jobs, children's jobs, children's schooling, feeling inadequate and on and on.  And then I went to the temple.  Tom and Megan were sealed for time and eternity. 

President Bachman performed the sealing.  He talked about all the blessings and promises with covenants.  It gave me pause.  All my worries, the knots in my stomach, were insignificant.  Sealing, family, eternity, exaltation-that is all that matters. What a joyous day.  I truly had a taste of heaven.

Tom and Megan are so happy and so in love.

 Mark and Jenn were there.  They were sealed 7/7/07

                          Mindy and Jake were there.  They were sealed 9/1/07.  

Cash is 8 months old.

                     Jim and Sarah were there.  They were sealed 7/17/07.  

Grace is one month old.

I'm going to enjoy my time with these three, Karen, John and Dan, the only ones left at home with me.

I am blessed with 2 wonderful parents and I love them.

 I love Dan's parents. ( The man on the left is Megan's grand pa.  He's wonderful too)

So, when all is said and done, yes, I have worries and stress, but, yes, I have it all- a blessed eternal family.  I tasted Heaven and I'm going to remember the flavor and keep it with me.