Just say NO

When I was almost three, my mom took me to the doctor and asked him if I was retarded. TRUE STORY!!! What was the reason? Because I could not, or would not talk. I would only say one word, NO.


My parents had a tape of Kaci when she was two, singing every primary song ever written, reciting all of the nursery rhymes, saying the ABC's, etc. Soon I was added to the tape. "Kori, say hot dog". "No". "Kori, say C C (Kaci)". "NO". It was all I said. A two letter, one syllable word- NO. It was the first word I learned and the only word I said until I was three.




Now, it is a word I CANNOT say. I have completely forgotten how to say it.


Kori, will you work on your one day off this week? I say, SURE.


Kori, will you film Grant's game? I say, WHY NOT


Kori, do you want to donate to the foundation? I say, OKAY.


Kori, can you make dinner for some family in need? I say, OF COURSE.


Kori, can you write the Primary program again? I say, PIECE OF CAKE.


Kori, will you organize 700 hours of medical volunteers for the senior game? I say, I HAVE NOTHING ELSE TO DO.


Kori, will you train for the marathon with me in 2010? I say, SOUNDS FUN.


Kori, are you ready to begin your capstone project? I say, YEP- BRING IT ON.




I am overloaded, stressed out, and falling apart physically. I am not asking for compassion or sympathy... I have brought this on myself. Today, I was considering reverting back to my childhood. I wouldn't care if people thought I was retarded... I was only going to use the word NO again. But, I would then miss spending time with all of my favorite people. I have determined that I don't really love all of the things I do. I just really love the people I do those things with (or for)... and that is why I always say yes. So my solution for this is, from now on I am going to invite those people I love on ice cream dates instead of taking on too many crazy tasks.


Just a heads up... If you ask me to do something for or with you and you suddenly get an invitation to go get ice cream with me instead... it is safe to say, I JUST SAID NO to your request!!!

run, WARRIOR RUN

A couple of weeks ago, Santa Clara held their annual Swiss Days celebration. On the Saturday of Swiss Days, they hold a 5k run. A couple of the boys on Grant's football team wanted to participate in the run. However, on that day the boys had a football game up in Cedar City against the Redmen. It was going to be a tough game. Coach Tim told the boys that wanted to participate in the run that the team really needed them fresh and strong for the game. Anyway, it was put to a vote. The team voted that the boys should not participate in the 5k run. The boys were disappointed, but Coach Tim promised to make it up to them.

This last week, the boys had fall break. This meant no game on Saturday. Coach Tim kept his promise to the boys and planned the first ever WARRIOR RUN. He went ALL OUT. Instead of a normal practice Tuesday night, the boys came dressed in running gear. We met at the practice field where the boys were given RACE NUMBERS. Coach Tim explained the rules of the run: 1. NOBODY STOPS (they could run, walk, crawl, whatever... but no stopping) and 2. EVERYBODY FINISHES. The course was explained and parents were scattered along the course to provide water, direct traffic, take pictures, and CHEER! The boys were then shuttled to the starting line 2.25 miles from the practice field. One dad ran with the boys and another brought up the rear on his mountain bike.

The race was on...

This was such an awesome event for the boys. They ran tough. They took the challenge seriously and succeeded. Back at the practice field there were flags lining the track to the end, where a finishing lane was created with cones and a big FINISH banner was hung. As the boys crossed the finish line, they were given a MEDAL, gatorade, and a popsicle. Three of the boys finished the race in 16 minutes. But the best part of the race, was when the last finisher was coming in. He was struggling a little, but still pressing forward. The entire team ran to meet him on the track and ran with him until he finished, CHEERING him on the entire way. It was such a great experience for these young boys.
We are so grateful for their coach, who loves football, but loves these boys just as much. He devotes so much of his personal time and talents with these kids. The football skills they are learning at this age are amazing... but the life lessons they are learning are almost more impressive.

Couldn't have done it without YOU!

Abbreviated Version:
Ran the St. George Marathon. Great experience. Had the greatest training partner, Dayna. Have the most supportive and wonderful family (Parents, Husband, Kids, Sister, Brother-in-law, Neice and Nephew) in the world! Couldn't have done it without them!
Journal Version:
I don't really know where to begin... maybe 12 years ago when Russ and I were told that we would not be having children of our own... that we would be adopting. It was this time in my life I decided it might be fun to train for a marathon. I, luckily, was just a couple of weeks into my training when I discovered that doctors can be wrong. I was pregnant with Garrett. My marathon training was put on hold.
When Garrett was 9 months old, I began training for a marathon again. I trained very faithfully for 9 months. The St. George Marathon was less than a month away when I became very nauseated and unable to get over it. To our surprise, we were pregnant once again. I asked my doctor if I could still run the marathon. I had been running that distance for some time. To which he replied, "This is no longer about you".
I decided to hang up my MARATHON running shoes forever.

Earlier this year I had run a couple of relay races with my friend Dayna. Meet Dayna-

After we ran the Ragnar, Dayna asked me if I would train with her for the St. George Marathon. I replied that I would love to do the long runs with her, but I was not going to actually RUN in the marathon... I just can't have any more kids!!! And so the adventure began.
We did our best to coordinate our schedules. You see, we both work a ton of hours, we are both in grad school, we both have kids that come first, we both have callings that demand extra time. This meant our long runs were going to be Friday mornings at 4 a.m., getting up at 3:30 a.m. to prepare Camelbaks, Gatorade, and drive to our meeting point. I could not have had a better training partner. I don't know too many people that could be as happy and fun as Dayna at 4 in the morning, running. She always saved her good stories for our long runs. I loved those cold, dark mornings, running in our headlamps, trying not to get killed by hunters racing up the highway in search of deer.
Well, by the end of August we were running 20 miles and I was feeling great. I decided if I could run 20 miles, what's 26.2! I took a chance, signed up, and I told Russ to stay far away from me for a couple of weeks.
My sister, Kami, is the race director for the St. George marathon. This was the third year she has done all of the planning on her own. It is a HUGE production. There were 7,500 runners that were allowed into the race this year. She stresses for several weeks prior to the race, and doesn't sleep for the last three days before race day. Each year there are a couple of things she stresses about most. This year it was the buses and shirts. They were afraid that they would not have enough runners load the early buses, which would allow the buses to drop off a first load of runners and have time to pick up a second load. I decided to round up as many people as I could to load the early buses. This meant getting to the park at 4 and being dropped off in 38 degree temperatures for 2 hours before the race even began. Kami was going to be at the starting line and would have a truck, so my friends and I took up our big sleeping bags, blankets, big coats, heavy sweat pants, etc. I got some funny looks from other runners who were only is shorts and a long sleeved shirt. I had one man ask me how I planned on getting my sleeping bag down the course. I told him I was just going to strap it to my back and run, hoping the weight of it would push me down the hills.
We got on the bus and made the 26.2 mile drive up to Central where the race would begin. It was FREEZING when we got off of the bus. We were greeted by Kami and her husband Brent who were waiting for us with gloves and camera. They took our picture and sent us over to the bon fires.We gathered around a pile of wood that had not yet been lit, pulled out our sleeping bags/blankets and awaited the firemen who would light our fire. And waited and waited and waited. While we were waiting, a group of people came up and asked if they could share our fire that was still not lit. They crowded around and I realized that I knew a couple of them from when we lived in Las Vegas, George Davis and Jenn Richards. Crazy small world. Anyway, as we were gathered around the wood pile, the DJ announces, "We'd like to give a special shout out to Kori Hyde who is running the marathon for the first time!" It was so fun. The Vegas crew asked why I got a shout out. "Because I am awesome!!!! and because I am the sister of the race director". THANKS KAMI! That was one of my favorite moments of the race. Our fire was finally lit, we put our goods in Kami's truck, went to the bathroom, and the race began.
Dayna and I ran together the majority of the race, about 17 miles. I hit a wall on the last little up hill. I regained a little energy and began to push forward once again. I had needed to use the bathroom for about seven miles but just continued to run. Once I hit the downhill though, and began bouncing, I was in trouble. So, at mile marker 21 I stopped for a potty break. I felt like my legs were getting a little crampy and decided to eat a very small piece of a banana. BAD IDEA! My ears and throat began to itch and I was instantly sick to my stomach. I walked for a few minutes until I was sure I wasn't having a severe allergic reaction, and then began to run again. My momentum was gone! I never did regain it. I struggled the last three miles of the course. However, I finished!!! I finished with a time of 4:11:03. I was thrilled.

I was met at the finish line by my parents, Kami, Brent, Gavin and Savanna. They gave me flowers, took several pictures, helped me to the finishers area, got me water, bread, a popsicle, and escorted me to the ice massage area (mmmm, felt so good after that run). It was SO great to have my family there. Russ and the kids were at Garrett's football game which was at the same time I would be finishing. Russ had my mom call him as soon as I finished and I was able to talk to him on the phone. I am so lucky to have such a supportive family.
My dad drove me home after the race. When we pulled into the driveway, I noticed my lawn was cover with hearts. It was a "heart attack". My family had spent the night before cutting out hearts, writing messages on them, and gluing them to sticks. Then while I was running, they put them all over my front lawn. It was SOOOO CUTE! There were 50 colored hearts in all. Thanks for the CUTE idea mom. Another one of my favorite race memories.

Finally, the next day, my parents had us all over for dinner to celebrate the Marathon being over for Kami and I. I was given a St. George Marathon poster and shirt that my family had all signed. How cool is that?!
I have crossed something off of my bucket list. It was tough. It was fun. And I know I could not have done any of it without such a wonderful family and a great running partner supporting me the entire way. I need to give a HUGE shout out to Dayna who finished in 4:00:27. Amazing!

My little WARRIORS

Football season is upon us once again. Garrett and Grant are both playing. We had a CRAZY beginning with all of the politics associated with Snow Canyon. There always has to be some kind of drama on this side of town. We try our best to stay low and out of the middle of things. So far we have been able to do so. Things have settled down and all seems to be well. We are pleased with the teams that the boys are on and they are both getting good playing time this year. That is all we ask for!

Garrett is #9 on the Snow Canyon 6th grade team.

Garrett' Game Schedule

Sept 12th Snow Canyon vs. Desert Hills @ DHHS 4:30

Sept 19th Snow Canyon vs. Hurricane @ SCHS 4:30

Sept 26th Snow Canyon vs. Cedar (black) @CVHS 10:30

Oct 3rd Snow Canyon vs. Pine View @ SCHS 10:30

Oct 10th Snow Canyon vs. Cedar (gold) @ DHHS 10:30

Oct 17th NO GAMES/ UEA WEEKEND

Oct 24th Snow Canyon vs. Virgin Valley @ VVHS 12:00

Oct 31st BYE

Nov 7th Snow Canyon vs. Pine View @ SCHS 4:30

Grant's Game Schedule

Sept 12th Snow Canyon vs. Desert Hills @ DHHS 12:00

Sept 19th Snow Canyon vs. Pine Valley @SCHS 10:30

Sept 26th Snow Canyon vs. Cedar @CVHS 1:30

Oct 3rd Snow Canyon vs. Desert Hills @ SCHS 3:00

Oct 10th Snow Canyon vs. Hurricane @ HMS 12:00

Oct 17th NO GAMES/ UEA WEEKEND

Oct 24th BYE

Oct 31st Snow Canyon vs. Dixie @ PVHS 3:00

Nov 7th Snow Canyon vs. Virgin Valley @VVHS 1:30

Just glad I am NOT A MAN!

"Just be glad you are not a MAN!" This is a FAVORITE saying of Russ'. I hear this saying at least five times a week. If Russ forgets to charge his electric razor (that he only has to use twice per week because he doesn't grow facial hair) and has to use a real razor and accidentally knicks his chin, I hear "Hon, just be glad you're not a man". When he has to "adjust himself" (SORRY MOM) because something isn't lying right, he states pitifully "just be glad you're not a man". When Russ has to do a MAN chore around the house, like change the air filter, he sighs "just be glad you're not a man".

So, I have decided to make a list of the reasons I am GLAD I AM NOT A MAN!!!

1. One week out of the month I am glad I am not a man. When I have to alter my wardrobe to dark pants and have my six year old daughter check to see if I have anything on the back of my pants... because after experiencing this blissful womaness quality EVERY MONTH for 22 YEARS, I still cannot manage it properly!!!! During that week, it feels as though I am being ripped in two. My back hurts. I am doubled over with cramps. I eat everything in sight. I gain ten pounds in water retention. I have uncontrollable mood swings. I cry at the drop of a hat. And my husband tells me I am ornery and that I should "just be thankful I am not a man"!

2. Whenever I shave, I am glad I am not a man. What is more pleasant than shaving ankle to hip, over pointed kneecaps, with a razor that your boys used to peel bark off of a tree branch and then replaced in the shower! There is NO greater experience than shaving armpits. And can I even begin to mention the excitement of bikini waxing. Speaking of waxing- eyebrow and lip waxes are to die for. To think- I would miss these experiences if I were a man. Oh, I am grateful I am not a man.

3. Every morning at 6:55 am, I am glad that I am not a man. Why, this time? Because, this is the time Russ rolls out of bed. I have already been up for 1 hour and 25 minutes... washing my hair, drying my hair, straightening my hair, and applying my make-up to my dark eyed, wrinkled face. Russ drags himself out of bed, jumps in the shower, puts a little gel in his hair, combs his hair USING ONLY HIS FINGERS, brushes his teeth, gets dressed, and is out of the door in 15 minutes flat. These are the mornings that I am glad I am not a man!

4. I am always glad I am not a man when I go to the grocery store with my children. I take my daughter to the store and she has one hair out of place and I get "the stare". My son sneezes in the grocery store and people look at me like I can't control my children. However, a man goes to the grocery store with his children and they are some kind of HERO. The daughter has half of her hair in a rat's nest and the other half has been left in- what was- a pony tail from the day before. She is wearing a hot pink shirt covered with stains, red pants (two sizes too small) and orange sandals that go with her Halloween costume- and her father is praised for bringing her out in public. His two sons are engaged in an all out WWF wrestling match in the middle of the aisle, teeth and blood flying, while the father fills the cart with chips and Fruity Pebbles- and nobody questions the father. No, no... they are searching for the mother, wondering where she is and why she is not controlling her children. Yes, everytime I go to the store I am glad I am not a man.

5. I am glad I am not a man every time I stop moving! You see, Russ can come home from work, sit down at the table, and read a magazine cover to cover. The kids do not bother him. They don't try and talk to him. He just enjoys his 4o minutes of "unwind" time. However, the second I stop moving, I have three kids climbing all over me. They are all talking to me at once, getting louder and louder as they try to speak over the volume of their sibling. Two kids are trying to sit on my lap. Papers are being pushed under my nose that I need to look at RIGHT THAT SECOND! Demands for food are being thrown at me left and right. Yes, anytime I stop moving I am glad I am not a man!

On the other hand-

When my children get hurt and I am the one they seek... I am glad I am not a man.

When a kiss from me makes any ouchie feel better... I am glad I am not a man.

When I can be a hero for getting a stain out of a favorite shirt... I am glad I am not a man.

When I can get out of a speeding ticket by batting my eyelashes... I am glad I am not a man.

When being a woman means NO Scout over-nighters... I am glad I am not a man.

When Russ is cleaning all of my hair out of the shower drain... I am glad I am not a man.

I TRULY AM GLAD I AM NOT A MAN!

Why are YOU glad you are NOT A MAN?!!!

It's HYDE TIME I blog again...

Once again a month has slipped quickly by. Unfortunately, I am on HYDE TIME. What is HYDE TIME? It is when your family tells you to arrive somewhere 30 minutes before everyone else... so that you will all arrive at the same time. HYDE TIME is when you have to set all of the clocks in your house ahead 15 minutes so you are not late to school/work everyday. HYDE TIME is when you are up until 3:oo in the morning trying to bust out a school assignment that you have known about for a month, but that you waited until the day it was due to begin it. HYDE TIME is when your kids have been in school for over month and you are just getting around to blogging about it!!!

The kids started school last month (August 13th). This is a huge year in our family as far as school is concerned. Garrett began attending Tonaquint Intermediate School as a 6th grader. At the intermediate school he has 5 teachers and rotates between classes. He was so nervous on his first day. We had gone to the school's open house two days before school started and he met most of his teachers and walked to each of his classrooms. I think that helped him feel a little more prepared for the first day. All went well, and he is now a PRO! He loves all of his classes (Science, Math, PE, Art, and Language Arts). He likes his teachers and has made some new friends. He favorite teacher is Mrs. Jarvie (Language Arts) and feels he excels in PE and Math.

Grant is in 4th grade at Sunset Elementary School. He is in Mrs. Drummond's class with his cousin, Gavin. Mrs. Drummond is a very creative teacher and has based her curriculum around Rick Riordan's book series, Percy Jackson and the Olympians. I had read that five book series to the kids last year and we loved them. So we were very excited to get Mrs. Drummond as a teacher. Their assignments/projects are "Quests", as in the books. The kids hardly realize they are doing work. She is amazing.

Gracie started 1st grade in Mrs. Tate's class. She now goes to school ALL day. She loves eating lunch at school. I guess that is some right of passage. I help in she and Grant's classrooms on Fridays. The first day I went in to her class, Gracie started telling me everything I was supposed to do that day. I said to Mrs. Tate, "She obviously is going to dish out the assignments today". Mrs. Tate replied, "She tells me what to do everyday". OOPS! Sorry to Mrs. Tate. Luckily, she is a great reader, and a smart little girl... so she gets away with being a little bossy!

Two BOYS and a BIGGER BOY

What happens when you send your sons to Yellowstone alone with your husband and a camera?...

Oh my! Where is your MOTHER?!!!

Russ felt he was cheated out of his last trip to Yellowstone. You, of course, remember the post because you have been looking at it for the past month. So, over Labor Day weekend Russ and the boys returned to Yellowstone to fish Slough Creek. I did not go with them this time because I was already signed up to run in the Red Rock Relay. Anyway, it was a quick trip for them. They fished Slough on Saturday, went site seeing on Sunday, fished the Provo on Monday morning, and were home before 4pm.

Here are some of the better photos...