Tiny Dancer

Naomi and I go to a little parent- child "creative dance" class once a week on Thursdays. It's really more like a play class were little girls get to wear tu-tus and leotards. They dance and hop and roll and run and play around to music. It's not a very structed type of class. I guess you can't really have that with this age group (2-3 yr olds). But it's fun and she likes it it a lot. Jocie gets to join us as well after she gets tired of watching, she likes it too. I also take them to a little music class on Wednesdays and that's a really good class too. These classes are part of a program called "Global Art Ways" it's kindda like Boys and girls or YMCA, so they are very affordable, $15 for 8 weeks. Love it!

Last sunday when Aaron was sick we decided to stay home instead of going to visit our family after church like we usually do. It was really nice outside, so we layed out a blanket in our backyard and just laid there. Naomi picked some flowers, that I think are actually weeds that have been growing out there, and brought some to her sister. These are some cute pictures I took before she found out the flowers were there and decided to slabber all over them. Enjoy!

Cellulitis

Never heard of this weird skin infection before. My poor husband came home from work on Friday not feeling well. At first we thougth he had food poisoning or the flu. He started with a really high fever. He got really cold, when it was 90 degrees outside, and started shaking uncontrollably. He changed into some sweat pants and a hoody, got in bed and covered himself up all the way and still he couldn't stop shivering. Then came the vomiting, after which he thought he felt a little better and was able to get some sleep. I woke up in the middle of the night scared because the bed was shaking! It was him again. He spent almost all night in the bathtub filled with hot water, because he was so cold. In the morning I checked his temperature and it read 106! I think my thermometer is broken or something because that is just ridiculous! So we called the Doctor and told him his symptoms and he had us go into the ER at LDS Hospital where we spent about 4 hrs waiting for lab results and getting him rehydrated through and IV only to have them diagnose an "FUO" or Fever of Unknown Origin. So we came home the same way he had left. The fever continued all day and night. This time during the night he was sweating so much that he had to get up several times to change his clothes that were soaking wet. He also had developed a red, blotchy spot on his leg that was very sensitive to the touch. So the next morning (Sunday) we headed out to the hospital again. They checked his leg and almost instantly diagnosed him with "cellulitis" which has got nothing to do with cellulite. It's just an infection of the skin. But just in case, they did all sorts of tests on him. Had an ultrasound on his leg to check for blood clogs and a X-Ray of his chest to check for pneumonia, which came back positive, for some reason. It was only a mild stage of pneumonia. So they put him on antibiotics and had him come back the next morning and then the next. He has been home all week because he needs to keep his leg elevated above his heart to help his circulation fight the infection better. He is now feeling a lot better and the poor thing had to miss out on this fishing trip him and his brothers make every year during memorial's day weekend. He was very bummed about that. But we are happy he is doing better. The Doctor said it could take at least a week for the infection to clear, but sometimes a lot longer so we'll see.

Unpleasant Experience

I went walking with my dog on Wednesday and then again on Thursday and today. On Wednesday I had an ugly experiece happen. We passed a car dealership where some men where washing the cars. I often get people who comment on my dog: "That's a beautiful dog", "That's a big dog!", "You've got your hands full!" and I just smile and keep on walking. A couple of those men did just that... and then one of them, of course hispanic, just could not help his macho-self and started saying all this nasty stuff to me, the "Adios mamacita, blah, blah, blah" type of stuff. I HATE THAT!!! See, men like this grow up looking at his dad and grapa doing it, so they think it's ok to do it because everyone ( not everyone, but a LOT of men) in our countries of origin (Mexico, South America) does it everyday and get away with it. And then they get here and want to keep doing it. I'm sure most women just keep on walking without even looking at them, but not me! It boils my blood!!! (me hierbe la sangre) like my dad says. I stoped, looked at him and very angry asked : "Did you say something!?" His whole countenance changed and his face almost fell off of embarrasement "No I was just talking about your dog" he said like a little girl. "Good, you better be!" I said. Arrrrrrrrggggggghhhh! I HATE THAT MAN and all who do this type of stuff! I just don't understand what it is they get out of it, and the guts! I told my husband when he came home from work and he said I should have told him "Oh, so you're a dog humper!" Ha-ha! I should have said that! That would have been funny.

With that said. Here's some tips I found on the web to stay safe when if we're out running in the streets:

It is your responsibility to be prepared to defend yourself if you are caught in a situation that you may be the target of an act of violence. There are many personal protection products sold today that will allow you to protect yourself and loved ones, such as a Tasers, Pepper Spray, and Stun Guns.There are also some things that can be done for your protection that will not cost you anything other than using your best judgment and intuition when making decisions.Here are some tips that will help you to remain safe and secure.

General Safety Tips:
• If you feel or see a problem, do whatever you can to avoid a confrontation, change your route, cross the street, and if this fails prepare to defend yourself.
• Do not look like an easy target, look strong and confident-most fights are won before they start as most aggressors will back down if you maintain eye contact and are not intimidated by them.• Do not hitchhike, always use the bus or take a taxi if you do not have transportation.
• Do not wear revealing clothing or gaudy jewelry when you are walking on the streets alone.
• Always carry a personal protection product with you at all times.

Walking/Jogging Safety:
• Be alert and aware of you surroundings, do not go places that seem to be dangerous.
• Do not assume that the area your in is safe because it has been safe in the past. Predators can be anywhere so be prepared.
• Become familiar with that area that you walk or jog in, and make mental notes of safe houses or safe places that can be used if the need arises.
• Do not use a “walkman or ipod” when jogging or walking in isolated areas at any time. This will reduce your awareness of the area.
• Change you routes and routines on a regular basis to avoid any would be predators from being able to track your movements or actions.
• Always carry a personal protection product on your person.

And here's what Oprah has to say:
http://www.oprah.com/tows/pastshows/200409/tows_past_20040928_f.jhtml

Race for the Cure- 5K

I think I've already mentioned before that I started training to run a 5K a couple of months ago. Finally the race was on this past Saturday( May 10th) and I was ready! My best time a couple of days before the race was 26 min 12 sec. So I was really excited to see how I could do the day of, but then found out that there would be no time keeping for the race. Which was OK, considering the cause. I would just time it on my own. But, I could not find my watch before heading out to the race. I looked everywhere and who knows where it is 'til now. The wristband it's broken, so I can't wear it and I'm always loosing it. It's a really good watch (with that exception) It's a Nike watch my husband gave me like 3 or 4 yrs ago, and the battery's still running!! How could I just dispose of it with a running battery!? Anyway, I wasn't able to time myself!!! SAD!!! But I feel I did really good.

It was very confusing at the beginning. The crowd was huge, so it was a little bit overwhelming. First I was trapped amongst the walkers and then realized the runners where to the right of the street. Once I was on board it was very tricky and distracting to work your way through the crowd. That plus the fact that I didn't have a watch made it hard to concentrate on really running. Then I had and idea. I would find someone to try to stick to all the way to the finish line, and maybe if they were keeping track of their own time I could ask them their time at the end and that would give me an idea of my own time. So I started looking for someone who looked like a serious runner, but kept passing them up. Then this tall, skinny, blond chic passed me up and I went after her! She was a good runner, maybe too good for me. There were times were she got too far and felt like just dropping her. But then I'd gain sight of her again, which wasn't very hard, I could see her head sticking above the crowd's, she was like 6 feet tall! So I'd speed up. I was about 20 yards behind her most of the time and I finally caught up to her when we came to a little bit of down hill. Anyway, we cross the finish line, and start slowing down until almost a complete stop. I tap her on the shoulder (it took her a couple of seconds to see me, since I was so far down out of her sight) and told her she did good and that I was behind her the whole time and was wondering if she was timing herself so that I could have and idea of my own time. She tells me "Oh, I never time my runs" ....Anyway, it was challenging to follow her and I felt really good after all.

When I picked up my shirt the day before, they also gave me a tag to wear if I wanted to dedicate my run to someone. The tags said: "In Memory of..." or "In celebration of..." One of the sisters that I visit teach has been battling breast cancer for 3 or 4 yrs and is actually going in for surgery this Tuesday. I thought of her when choosing my 5K, but hadn't really told anyone. I called her the night before and told her I'd be running for her and she was really happy about it. Being at the race and seeing everyone else's tag was very humbling. I saw a little boy whose tag read "For my Mom..." and another of a man whose said "For the love of my life..." It made me count my blessings and be grateful for them. It was a good experience to be there. I'd do it again even if there was no time keeping and I didn't have a watch.

The girls and Tank and a Day at the Zoo.

The girls and Tank

Jocie loves Tank. She will squeal, giggle, and kick every time he sees him. She loves to chase him around the house, there's something about that tail! Tank is really good with the girls, very patient and gentle.

Naomi wants to be like mommy. She "goes running" with Tank in our backyard. She of course loves him too even though she likes to boss him around all the time: "Come on boy!", "Knock it off!", "Shushhhh!", "Go outside!" She's got all kinds of commands for him.

Day at the Zoo. This was both Jocie's and Naomi's second trip to the Zoo (last year we went just a few weeks after Jocie was born.) It was a beautiful, perfect weather. Naomi loved seeing all of the animals, but sometimes felt a little scared of them too; She'd run to me and say "I'm scared" and kept saying "Aw! So cute!" When she saw a baby animal. She ran around for 2-1/2 hrs straight! and cried because she did not want to leave. Josie was so tired, from the moment we arrived, but hardly complained. She was able to take a little nap in the back-pack and recharged. You wouldn't think that she'd even be aware of the animals, but to my surprise she was very interested, even talking to them. She's such a good baby!

Naomi and her cousins, Rodrigo and Alex. They sure had fun!