1958-2009

“In a world filled with hate, we must still dare to hope. In a world filled with anger, we must still dare to comfort. In a world filled with despair, we must still dare to dream. And in a world filled with distrust, we must still dare to believe.”

-Michael Jackson 1958-2009
The World's Greatest Entertainer, King of Pop, & Humanitarian

Happy Birthday Ju!!!

Today is Julie's B-day and I just wanted to let her know that we are thinking about her and wish that we could be there to celebrate with her. Ju, with being pregnant and jet setting to New York and losing your hero MJ, I know that this has been a busy and hard time for you...your swollen ankles are evidence of that:) I hope that you treat yourself right this B-day...you deserve it! We love and miss you so much and hope that you have a fabulous day!

It's A GIRL!!!

It is pretty hard to believe, but a Rasmussen sister is having a GIRL!!! Jen found out yesterday and is over the moon! We are so thrilled for her and her family! She is certainly going to have her hands full with 4 little kids under the age of 6, but having a girl is going to make the transition a little bit easier:) Now I am thinking it may be possible for me to have a girl someday:) Congratulations Jen, Matt, Wade, Seth, and Trent! We can't wait for her to arrive this December!

Ragnar Relay

Over a week ago now, we went up to UT to run in the "Wasatch Back Ragar Relay." It started in Logan and ended in Park City. The total distance was 188 miles split among 12 teams members (composed of me, Ben, Jen, Matt, and friends from Jen's ward) with each person running 3 separate legs. The race is non-stop starting Friday morning and ending Saturday night! We were in two different cars of 6 and at each starting point we would drop off a runner, cheer them on, and then head to the next exchange point for the next runner to start. It was pretty exhausting, but a lot of fun! It ended up taking us about 33 hours and we came in like 469th place of 750 teams...not too bad:)

I ran a total of 13.1 miles (partly in the rain, over hills, dirt, down a steep highway, through a little town, etc.) which is quite an accomplishment for someone who has NEVER been a runner! As a child/teen asthma was always my excuse and I think fear has been my excuse as an adult. While I was pregnant with Dane I felt so fat and just wanted to run and and sweat off all of the baby weight! So, as soon as I had my little guy and waited until I was all healed up I started running, which was pretty hard at first to say the least. However, having signed up for this race kept me motivated and committed to achieving this goal, which I am happy to say I did and really enjoyed!

I want to keep running, but it is hard for me to do unless I feel like "I have to" because I a race to run or something. So, Ben and I are thinking about doing the Moab 1/2 Marathon this October, but we will see how training in this miserable heat goes:)

Thanks to the Bryners for watching our sweet little Dane and to my dad and Paula for watching Logan. We really appreciate your support and are so lucky to have you:) We love you!

4 Months

I cannot believe that it has already been 4 months since I gave birth to this little guy! Having 2 certainly does make time fly! When I wake up in the morning (to the sound of Dane's little cry...music to my ears;)) it takes me a second to figure out what day it is, where I am, and what I am doing. As soon as I think I've gotten my bearings the day is already over in a wink...it is crazy and why wasn't school ever like that!?! Anyway, it is a crazy life, but it's our life...ha, ha that is just a little joke for you Jon & Kate Plus 8 fans which I LOVE to watch because it makes my life seem much less hectic.Moving on, Dane is doing very well and he had a great check-up today except that it ended with him receiving 4 immunizations...poor little guy:( Here are his stats:

* Weight: 13.88 lbs. (28%)
* Length: 25 in. (63%)
* Head: 16 in. (24%)

He is a little guy, but no concerns according to the doctor. He is still sleeping really well (8 hours + at night) and a lot of his nursing issues have subsided except for the fact that he will ONLY drink breast milk! He hates formula (at least the 3 different kinds that we have tried) and will spit it out immediately and scream! He also does NOT like rice cereal unless it is watered down almost completely with breast milk! He is a finicky little eater just like his mom:) We are, however, mixing a little bit of formula in a pumped bottle to try to get him used to the taste and progressively adjusting the proportion until the bottle is all formula. I am not weaning yet, but I would like to have the peace of mind in knowing that there is a back up plan if my supply starts to struggle or when it is just more convenient to mix up a bottle.We did get a little bad news at his appointment today, it seems he has foreskin adhesions, which are basically all my fault for not taking care of it better. We have to make an appointment with a urologist to get it fixed. It is a quick and simple outpatient procedure, but it still makes me feel like the WORST mom in the world! I thought that I was taking care of it correctly, but apparently not! We have just taken care of Dane the same way that we took care of Logan at his age, but it is amazing how different they are! Not that that is a bad thing...it is just interesting and we are learning as we go. Anyway, I will keep you posted on his little procedure:(

Dane can almost roll over, adores his brother, adores his elephant (thanks Jenny and Nat), loves to just hangout and bat at his toys, and he is as smiley as ever!!! He is such a little doll:) Happy 4 months Dane!

4 Years

This past Thursday (May 21st) was Ben and I's 4 year wedding anniversary! I can't believe that it has only been 4 years because I feel like I have known Ben my entire life! I also can't believe that we have had 2 little boys in under 2 years!!! It is crazy how much has happened and changed since the first day I met Ben in Las Vegas. He is my best friend, comfort, and support. My life has been so blessed since the day I met him and I could not imagine life without him or my sweet little boys. I am looking forward to many more anniversaries with Ben and am so thankful that we can be together as a family for eternity. I love you Ben and Happy Anniversary!

Anyway, sorry about all of the mushy stuff, to celebrate our anniversary we went to eat at this delicious Tuscan grill called Brio. It was a bit pricey, but perfect for a special occasion and VERY tasty:) It felt so weird to be out with no kids, but it was so nice to just talk (in peace and quiet) and enjoy being together, which is important and something we need to do more often.
This is right before we left on our "big date":)

Clark and Lindsay were recruited to watch the boys. We were a little nervous, seeing how this was the first time we have left Dane with a sitter, and I would like to say that all went well, but I guess Dane cried straight for over an hour!!! I was so mad that they didn't call us to come home because I cannot think of better birth control than going through a crying session like that! I am so sorry Clark and Lindsay and please still want to have children:) Sometimes 3 month olds just do that, but really it is unusual for him. He must have been over tired or just so used to the way that we do things. Anyway, I am glad it happened with family and not with one of the little young women from the ward:)

Anyway, thanks again Clark and Lindsay and we owe you one or two or three:)

The Biggest Loser Bootcamp

I LOVE the show "The Biggest Loser" and was thrilled to find out that Sione (from the show) was holding bootcamps in my area! He is an AZ native, LDS (my husband loves to find out all of the people on tv who are mormon...I know, he's a dork), and is now pursuing a career as a trainer. I couldn't let this opportunity pass me by, so I got my big booty up at 3:50 am to get there in time to meet Sione and get a killer workout! Please try to ignore how hideous I look in the pic and my weight loss is still a work in progress, but Sione looks great and he is so nice! For those of you that didn't watch the show, here is how he used to look:Anyway, it was really fun even though I can hardly walk today:)