I run for me

In elementary school I loved field days for the races...I liked getting the blue ribbons. I was fast but for only a short distance. In the 6th grade I started to get horrible side aches and I was no longer getting the blue ribbons. My PE teacher pulled me aside and he taught me how to breath correctly. I continue to keep side aches away thanks to him. ( I wish I remembered his name)

In middle school and high school I played competive sports and only ran when I had to. My senior year of high school though I started to like running for exercise, but I think the most I ran was 4 miles and it wasn't very fast. 

A couple years later I had a roommate who ran cross country, I remember going for a "run" with her and I about died. I decided maybe I wasn't a runner. I picked up biking/spinning/run/walk and pretty much used that as my exercise until I had kids. One thing I have always enjoyed though was being out side. I just love it. I love blue skies and full sun.

In 2007 I was a new Mom to a very fussy baby and when I say fussy I mean FUSSY! Chris and I always say she just hated being a baby. The only thing that would get her to settle down was a walk outside. She loved being outside. One day I decided if I was going to do this everyday I needed to jogging stroller. I found a nice used one on craigslist and together she and I would go for a run. That running turned into therapy for us both and I was hooked! 

It was nice that I lived in an area with so many runners. When I wasn't pushing a baby I had friends I could join. I remember finishing my first 5k and was so proud of myself. Crossing that finish line was the start of me loving races.

St. George was my 4th marathon but my first when was I wasn't recovering from a baby. St George had always been on my bucket list since I started running. I had signed up with a group of 4 other people and I think I was secretly hoping we wouldn't get in. I had just ran the PHX marathon and wasn't sure I really wanted to train in the hot AZ summer. My previous marathons weren't the best experiences. My first (Utah Valley)I was pretty clueless as to what I was doing. My baby was 8 months old. It rained almost the whole time and I was freezing. And when they say, "all down hill" it really never is. This AZ girl was not use to running hills. It was also a huge let down to not have anyone at the finish line. I had just finished this huge accomplishment yet I didn't really have anyone to share it with. My time was 4:35 and I was just excited that I finished. My 2nd (PHX marathon) went better then the first and it did make a huge difference to have family there at the end. This is where I set my PR at 4:13. I was happy with my time but it then gave me the ich to finish under 4hrs. My 3rd marathon I loved the training. I had 4 other friends running it and we trained together the whole time. It was so fun. But I think I put too high of expectations on myself. I think I just figured I would do better then the last two without even trying. I was also hurt going into race day. My IT band was just not right. I crashed and burned at the half way mark, Its a miracle I even finished that race. I was super disappointed in myself! Looking back my baby had just turned one and having all 5 babies via c-section really did a number on my body. Im not making excuses I could have done way more to prepare for this race. My time was 4:29 When that race was over I knew I had to do another and give it everything I had.
Training for St George was rough. It was hot and miserable. I started some runs at 4:30am and it would still be in the high 80's/90's. All my friends who signed up had to pull out for one reason or another. I had to dig deep for that race but I did give it everything I had. My 2 sisters were running it and had they pulled out I would have too. Come race day I was ready. I had guilt issues with leaving my family so I could "run", so I just wanted it over with. Running out of town races messes with my head. I always wonder if it's worth it. I'm still not sure haha. My sister, Mandy told me she wanted to stay together and not listen to music she told me to trust her and we would get under four hours. I was nervous to take her advice but i decided to put my earphones away and Just have a conversation with my sister. We talked for 3 hrs straight. The time flew by, hills came and went. When we got to 20 miles I knew I could make it under 4 hrs. I put my ear phones in and headed for the finish line. The only part of that race that hurt were the last 2 miles and I believe it's because I had trained so hard. I was eating right, cross training, getting good sleep. It was amazing knowing that because of my hard work it was paying off. I finished that race at 3:53. I was so happy and it was very emotional. Chris was following the race on his phone and called me the second he saw I crossed the line. Hearing his voice be so happy for me really made the race that much better. My parents were at the finish line along with my two brother-in-laws. Chris was holding down the fort at home. It's  a memory I won't ever forget. Of course now that I reached my goal of under 4 hrs now I want more. If I improve my time by 13 min I could qualify for Boston.
Running for me is therapy. It keeps me going. It gets me outside.

Elise's Blessing

Elise was blessed on May 4, 2014 

It was a beautiful blessing given to her by her father

A friend of mine surprised me and took notes of the blessing and i an so grateful she did.

That day I was so overcome with emotion I kind of don't remember much of it. I am so glad I'll have those notes to look back on. I have already put them in Elise's journal.

My very talented Mother hand crocheted her dress, bonnet and booties! It was perfect in everyday. I love all things vintage and it felt very vintage to me. something she can pass down to her kids. I love it!

photos by Annie Rigby

Elise baby pictures

Elise is a little fire cracker who will all love like crazy!

Its fun to have a baby in the house again. 

She sleeps like  a champ at night but kind of fussy during the day

I think she is just like my other kids who just want to move around and explore and frustrated she can't yet. Love these pictures of her. You can kind of see her personality in them. We are finding out she is hard one to crack. She doesn't just give her smiles freely, you have to work for them. Not in a grouchy way, but in a stubborn way. 

 Can't leave miss Lucy out! Talk about a fire cracker! So excited to see these sisters grow up together.

Photos by Annie Rigby

Birth Story

I feel like if I don't ever write this down I will soon forget the emotions and the memories of this special day. I don't want to forget so here it goes…

You would think with 4 previous deliveries  I would be ready for a 5th. You would think. I feel like I was anything but ready. Sure I made my list and checked it twice, but I wasn't ready. I was a ball full of nerves. I knew too much! I have experienced too much. I wasn't ready. This pregnancy went by so fast. I had so many other things to keep me busy that I really didn't spend a lot of time even thinking about the pregnancy. Plus, I had a good pregnancy- absolutely nothing to complain about. Except the dreaded weight gain, but I can't lie that was fun putting on. Food is yummy! And I know it will come off. I work hard at it but that's fun for me. Anyway, back to baby… Even though I wasn't ready time was here. I made all the preparations. The house was cleaned, help was lined up. I showed Chris where all the important stuff was in the house in case I died (that was a fun conversation). Ready or not it was here. The calendar showed March 5th and it was go time…

I was considered "higher" risk because I have had 4 previous c-sections (not by choice). My first Dr told me I would be lucky to get to 4  but my current Dr told me otherwise. I could have 5 but he wasn't sure if I could have more then that. He would let me know on the operating table. Although I was feeling like this was our last baby we hadn't mentally prepared for it to be out "LAST" baby. With us both coming from very large families I think we both in our hearts wanted lots of kids (not that 5 isn't a lot).

We got to the hospital at 5:30am and everything moved so fast. I still wasn't ready. Time went way too fast and soon they told me it was time. My Dr is very punctual and never runs late. The time was 7:30am

I find it slightly unfair Chris gets to see all the good stuff about a c-section. They don't let him come in until I'm all prepped. He doesn't see me naked on the cold table in the cold room. He doesn't see them put the epidural in or the catheter. The screen in up by the time he comes in. Its all business now. It only takes a few minutes at this point... 

This time is different though. My uterus was so thin it would be dangerous to have more children they tell us. They tied my tubes. I had signed a consent form saying I did want it if medically necessary. And we knew it was. We had two very experienced Dr's tell us so (both of which share our same faith).

We knew it was best.

Still… In a split second we closed one chapter of our lives. I wasn't ready for those emotions. I was sad but held it in. I put on a brave face because I knew what was coming next…

A beautiful healthy baby girl that was going to make our family complete. 

And then just like that she was here (7:46am)

She was so tiny yet so beautiful and she made the sad feelings go away. I felt so grateful for her.  She was here safely and she completed this family of 7

Elise Christine Rigby 

3.5.14 6lbs 11.3 oz 19.5 in

As soon and she was here Chris and the nurse took her to my awaiting triage room (again he misses all the fun stuff). They sewed me up and moved me to another bed. Luckily I'm on all kinds of drugs at this point. But I wanted to kiss every one and tell them thank you! I was so happy! I was ready to be this girls Mom. Finally I was ready!

With each child you forget about the not so fun part about giving birth-the recovery! I have only experienced c-sections, but its NOT fun! And apparently 5 in 7 hers can do a number on your body-trust me!

This last week has been a doozy. Recovery has been awful to be honest. I have shed LOTS of tears. You forget the pains and the emotions your body goes through. Man the pains are not fun! Not being able to sit up or go to the bathroom on your own stinks! Sneezing or coughing makes you feel like you just undid everything the Dr did. Women are truly amazing and strong. Each day i give myself a pep talk about how tomorrow will be better, and it is. Tomorrow is always better then yesterday. Each day I can walk a little better and move with a little less pain. 

I get to snuggle a little peanut and watch my older children laugh and run around. They make it worth it. So so worth it! 

I feel so blessed. I was blessed with a body that is strong and functional and that can get through the hard stuff. 

I feel blessed that Heavily Father would trust us to raise these beautiful children. We are far from perfect. We make mistakes everyday, but we are trying! Every. Single. Day we try.

I feel blessed to be on this amazing journey with Chris. He is amazing and supportive and the most loving person I know. I am so grateful for him. 

Looking back on the last 10 yrs of married life I am exactly where I want to be. Sure not everything has gone as planned, we have had our fair share of struggles, but right here where 

I am is where I want to be. 

 So thankful Grandma Rigby could come and watch kids while I was in the hospital. The kids loved having her here. It was so helpful!
 I am also so thankful for  my Mom who has been helping all along. She has done loads of laundry for us and helped clean and organize my house. Not to mention watching my kids when i needed her. Thank you MOM!

 Two of my sisters surprised me and flew in just after I had the baby. I had no idea they were coming!

It was the best surprise ever! They came and spoiled me and my kids. Anything we needed they did. 

They were just there for me and I am so grateful! They left their own families behind to be there for me and my family. It will be something I will never forget. 

 My girls

Gilbert Temple Open House

What an amazing experience this was. It actually gets me all kinds of emotional actually, and here is why…How neat is it as a family to watch a temple go up 3 miles from your house?! We drive by it almost daily. My kids have witnessed a big empty field turn into a beautiful Temple. And to be able to go the Temple open house when it was complete was just icing on the cake. 

They loved the Temple and so did I! 

Its beautiful and special and brings everything into perspective as a mother and wife.

It was also neat to go through with my parents. I hope the kids always remember how special it truly was. The pictures aren't great but they are memories we will cherish forever.

This family of 7 is very grateful for this Temple to be so close to us.

We look forward to going to the Dedication this weekend.

Families are Forever 

Growing

Wow! I can't believe it has almost been a year since I last blogged. I had to find a picture for Everett's teacher the other day and It made me sit dawn and go through my blog. I use to be so good at documenting our growing family with this blog. I am going to try my hardest at keeping up with it. It might be hard (seeing as all 4 kids have already interrupted me 5 times each-they only care when i actually sit down).

Our family of 6 will soon be our family of 7. Baby number 5 will be here in less then 6 weeks. I am so excited but still have so much to do. And the thought of yet another c-section keeps me up at night. I hate c-sections. I have no idea why anyone would choose to have one over regular child birth. Its just awful!! Sure its nice that the baby comes in less the 30 minutes but the recovery is SO not worth that 30 minutes. I am ill just thinking about it! Looking past all that though makes me really excited to add another little spirit into this house. The kids are super excited! Now if we could all just agree on a name... :)

London turned 7 in October and is in the 1st grade. She loves school and is really doing well. She is reading chapter books now and LOVES math. In fact she laughs at me that i still count on my fingers while she can mostly do her math in her head. London anxiety about life continues to get better everyday. She is a happy soul who just likes to have fun.

Everett turned 5 in Sept and is in his last year of preschool. He is very ready for kindergarten. I have a feeling I'll be a weeping mess that day. Everett is our talker. He will talk to anyone and he won't stop! Everyone who meets Everett falls in love with him within minutes. He also gives the best loves!! He started baseball this year and it might the the cutest thing you have ever seen. His personality is fit for baseball that's for sure!

Weston turned 4 in October and we love him to pieces. He and Everett are best friends but polar opposites. Weston is quiet and can play for hrs on his own. He loves to build and  LOVES Lego's! he tells me he loves me 100 times a day and it never gets old. He loves to cuddle and is sweet to his little sister who is not so sweet to him. Weston loves preschool and also started t-ball this year. Its pretty darn cute!

Lucy turned 2 in November and is full of life. She really is so fun! She rules the house and she knows it. Somehow she can get all 3 of her siblings crying at the same time and thinks it pretty funny (they don't). She loves babies and I have a feeling she is going to think the new baby is hers. She is talking like crazy- loves riding her scooter and jumping on the tramp like a boss! She refuses to sit in grocery carts any more and has moved to a big girl bed. If i go into labor early it will be due to the fact that I am chasing Lucy through a parking lot of fast moving cars!

Chris- Is working hard doing construction. He is currently working on hotel remodels and church remodels. When he isn't at work he is home playing with the kids. We sure get excited when he walks through the door! Chris is also working with the youth at church (boys 16-18yrs old) and loves it. he loves taking them on white rafting trips!

As for me...my brain is always spinning and I can't seem to catch up. I love working on projects but need to keep it to a minimum. I love cooking but admit lately i have been slacking in that area (i blame it on being big and pregnant). But really nothing makes me more happy then cooking a meal for my family and sitting around the table. Its pure craziness- sometimes there is fighting, crying and yelling but in the end its always worth it! Nothing make me more happy then being a Mom! I love it! Its hard but I love it! I can't wait to add more craziness to this house with another baby!

Baby is coming March 5th!

Blogging again?

I can't believe how long its been since i have blogged. I think I am going to try to post from time to time even if I am the only one who looks at it

Family pictures were taking in Nov '12 for our Christmas card.

I love looking back at family pictures because of the memories it brings up.

Lucy was sick with 105 temp

Weston was sleep deprived and NOT happy

Everett was bribed with whatever he wanted

Chris was forced but was a good sport

I was stressed to the max

was it worth it? YES always worth it.

I love looking back at family photos.

It amazes me that we have gone from single to married to 1 kid to now 4.

I sure love my family.