Our 1st Hike + Friday Favorites + You Are Incredible!

The kids requested that I wake them up early yesterday so that they could get a chance to play together before school.  They are always mad if they have to leave for the 2-3 hours of school before they get in play time ha, so I got them up a bit earlier and they played hard.

Skye got in some morning play time too.

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I snuck away during Skye’s morning nap again to hit up a strength class.  The instructor of this class was somebody that I used to go to at BYU 11 years ago when I was at college.  So that was fun and she was just as difficult as I remembered.  We did some pelvic floor work during the class which I really appreciated.  I’m thinking these classes are going to help out the little bit of back pain I am experiencing from breastfeeding/carrying a baby around all day.

I definitely think my body is in a state of confusion.  It doesn’t know why I am doing so much strength work and not running every single day.  Next week I’ll probably be back to 6 days a week but I’ll keep up the strength training.  I’m just going to keep tricking/confusing my body right into a PR marathon.

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Stephanie gave me the idea in the comments yesterday to try out potato croutons for my salad.  I roasted the sweet potatoes with olive oil and TJ’s Everything but the Bagel seasoning and they are my new favorite croutons.

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Our summer plans… A National Parks pass!

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We set out on our first hike of the season together.

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You will probably see many pictures similar to this one below over the next few months.

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We packed a lot of really gourmet snacks.

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And set out to explore our beautiful state.

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We hiked for a few miles and I’m pretty sure Brooke and Knox ran for about half of the time we were out.

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No better time to get in some good talking than on a hike.

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We made this activity our ‘family night’ for the week.  We always do a lesson with our family night and I used some things from here (Nature—Evidence of Heavenly Father’s Love) to talk to them about how Andrew and I believe that nature is one of God’s many tools to show us that he loves and cares for us. <— I feel this every. single. time I am out in nature.

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Utah people, you must go up to Tibble Fork Reservoir as much as possible this summer.

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Fierce.

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Time for a few Friday Favorites!

*We don’t really buy avocados anymore because we are in love with buying this guac from Costco, it is the best.  It is so tasty and it makes it so easy to just add to whatever we are eating and price-wise we get way more avocado goodness this way.   The brand is Wholly Guacamole and it comes in a pack with three of these:

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*This article that Sarah shared with me, all of you mama’s need to read this.  It’s beautiful and so true.

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*We’ve started listening to story podcasts in the car with the kids every now and then and they LOVE IT.  I want to hear any kid podcast recommendations that you might have please!

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*Our new pack for Skye.  We bought this one and used it yesterday and LOVED it.  Skye was very happy in it which is a good thing because we are going to put a lot of hikes in with this pack.

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*The other day in the comments, Bradley shared with me to check out SMASHRUN and I am now fully addicted to it.  I have a strong love for stats/graphs/numbers when it comes to running, SMASHRUN tells you everything you need to know.  It has all of my stats since 2013 on there too and tells me how many miles I ran each year and pretty much anything I’ve ever wanted to know about my running.  If you like to know your running stats, join this thing right now. I loved studying my last half-marathon!  Quite the dip in speed at mile ten;)

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*Knox told us that Skye doesn’t need toys because all she needs are her feet to keep her entertained… He has a good point.

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*I am continuing to work on my form.  I loved this video about Shalane Flanagan’s form and how these different things could help us to run faster. I am going to start working on keeping my eyes up like Shalane:

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Your accomplishments are incredible.  I love reading them so if you want to be be featured just send them in to [email protected] !

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Maddie!!!  “I just wanted to share that I got a 4 minute PR today in the Boise Women’s Half Marathon.  My time was 1:35, I got 6th place overall and 1st place in my age group.  It was so much fun and recommend to anyone looking for a fun race in Boise, ID.”  GO MADDIE!!

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Sam!!!  “I ran my first race in over a year, which was a 5K in a small little town in Minnesota.  I had to take 10 months off from any form of exercise during my pregnancy, it was all worth it in the end, as I gave birth to our first baby boy, Mikko!  The race I ran last Saturday wasn’t for a PR or time, it was to prove to myself that I can come back after so many months off (I’ve ran 2 marathons + many half marathons in the past, running keeps me sane).  It feels so good to be back running.  I even placed 2nd in my age group during this race!  I look forward to many more races this summer and fall.”

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Lindsey!!! “Growing up playing competitive soccer, running had always been seen as a punishment to me.  Now, it’s my “me” time, relaxes me, and I can’t go without it!  Your blog has always been my go to spot for motivation and encouragement and inspired me to set a goal of running a half marathon.  Well, as usual, life happened and delayed that target but 2 kids later I crushed it!  I ran my first half at the Magnolia Silo District Marathon in Waco, TX with the one and only CHIP GAINES! My goal was to finish in 2:30 and I came in at 2:21!!!  I smiled during the hard times and cried when I saw my 3 yr old son yelling “Go Mommy Go” on top of my husbands shoulders at mile 12.5.  Magnolia Bakery sugar cookies were the perfect treat at the finish to celebrate an amazing accomplishment!”

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Kate!!!  From part of the email that she sent me… this woman is incredible:

“I’m also a teacher and a runner.  Last year, I ran 50 miles around the high school track to raise money for scholarships.  Runner’s World did an online article about it, which I shared with you here, and then you shared it on your blog.  This year, I decided to run all night too and reach my goal of 100 miles the next morning.  It was an incredible, powerful experience for me as both a runner and a teacher.  GoFundMe Studios came all the way from California to our small town in Virginia to make a 10 minute documentary about the run and its larger purpose.”

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Jenny’s daughter J wrote this:  “I’m J and I’m 6 years old.  My school had a race and I ran it with my mom.  It was a 1 mile at my school.  To practice, I ran with my mom.  The race was at my school.  It was a hot day so a lot of teachers had squirt bottles and squirted us.  At the start of the race, I stretched, then the race started.  Some people cut across the course (they got confused where the course was) but we just kept going.  My aunt and cousins came to cheer for me.  I saw them at the end of the race.  I finished in 9 minutes 40 seconds.”  From Jenny—>  At the beginning of practicing for her race none of her friends were running it.  But they would see her running with me around our neighborhood, and she would go to school and talk it up a lot so they all ended up running it too!  I’m super proud of her for this, last year, when she ran it she finished in over 13 minutes, so this year she PRed by 4 minutes!!

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Chelsea!!!  “I’ve been battling a hamstring injury for about 10-ish months.  I was supposed to run a full in April- the Nashville Rock’n Roll, but had to drop to the half due to my injury interfering with training.  At one point, I thought I was going to have to completely withdraw from the race.  My ultimate goal was just getting to the start line HEALTHY and able to run.  I took time off, strength trained, pool ran, yoga- all the things I should’ve been doing from the beginning.  I slowly began building mileage again about two months before the race.  This was my 14th or 15th half, so the distance wasn’t anything new to me.  I felt 100% healthy the week of the race, so I knew I was going to get to run!  I originally wanted to shoot for a PR, but after taking time off and not training for speed, I knew just being able to run was going to be incredible.  The morning of the race, I felt pretty good.  I decided to try and PR, but if I felt ANY hamstring pain, I would back off and just enjoy running.  I managed to PR by a little over a minute! I was ecstatic.  (I’m the one in the pink shorts).  My girlfriends crushed their races, too!  I have since signed up for my first full.  I WILL get to the start healthy:)”

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Ever run a women’s only race?

-I have run two… the Nike one in San Francisco and one 1/2 marathon in St. George.  They were both a blast… I want to find another one to do.

What are you most excited for this weekend?

Any great recommendations for kid’s podcasts?

Have good hiking where you live?

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49 comments

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Awesome post about God’s love and how we can see it in nature.
All the best!

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Thank you Kaytlin! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

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SO fun!! I love hiking and bought a state park parking pass last fall when I moved out here so that I can do it more often. Also, that idea for croutons is genius! I need to try it for sure!!

I’ve been hanging out with my two little nieces (the youngest one was born Sunday!!) this week, so I’ve been getting a lot of time with my brother’s family, and I’ve also gotten to spend a lot of time with my sis, so I’m looking forward to more of that until I go back home on Sunday. :) Happy Friday, Janae!

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Enjoy all of the hiking this summer Natalie and I am SO happy that you were with your little nieces. AHHH they had their baby! Keep enjoying girl. Thanks Natalie!

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Holy moly, I cried like a baby watching the gofundme video!

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I’m so glad you were able to watch it. Kate is my hero. Have a wonderful weekend Allison!

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Beautiful hike! I wish we had more pretty places to hike around me!

Things I’m most excited for this weekend:
1. Enjoying my last full weekend before going back to work! I start my new job on Monday (I took about 3 weeks off in between jobs) and I’m gonna miss having time off!!
2. Mother’s Day! I’m co-teaching a mother’s day yoga class along with some of the other teachers in training and I can’t wait! My mom is going to come and then we’re gonna get dinner afterwards!

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Come hike with us:) Sounds like a great weekend and I am SO excited for your new job. Keep me updated with how it goes. I love that your mom is coming to your class… have a blast Arthi!

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The entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is in my backyard (well, county, but I can see my beautiful mountains from my neighborhood). We have over 800 miles of trails and it’s my favorite place! I’ll be hiking this weekend! Come visit and I’ll be your tour guide :)

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That would be amazing to visit there and I will definitely let you know if we do so that you can be our tour guide. Over 800 miles of trails… you must love all of the adventures that you get to do! Have a wonderful weekend Tracy!

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That fitness friend you have since 11 years ago–has she changed at all in terms of her confidence in teaching? :)

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She has always done really well! Have a great day Linda!

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I love National Parks! I suggest staying in Kanab and going to a few parks. You are close to Zion, North Rim Grand Canyon and Bryce. I think the kids would also love Coral Pink Sand Dunes it’s a state park.

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THANK YOU MICHELLE… we will definitely have to check those places out. Thank you! So you inspired us to try to go next weekend… THANK YOU!

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Hi Janae! If you stay in Kanab (and have time) you MUST visit Best Friends Animal Society. Google it!!! It is a sanctuary for any and every creature on earth. The kids will love seeing the horses, goats, sheep, cats, dogs, bunnies…we actually stayed on the grounds and volunteered, but I am sure they offer tours that won’t take up so much time. The grounds show off the beauty of Utah and the love and care that the people there show the animals is just heart melting.

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I have actually heard of this place before… thank you for letting me know it is in Kanab. Our kids would LOVE this. Thank you so much Caroline!

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They totally would. If you don’t have the time this visit, put it on your list! You can stay on the grounds in their cabins overlooking the horse pen. It’s magical. And although they call them cabins, they are fully furnished, full kitchen…nicer than some hotels I’ve stayed at.

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They have a cute little town called Jacobs lake by Grand Canyon stop and buy some shirts cause they are a pretty good deal. Have fun! Houston’s has the best pie in Kanab. Big Al’s Junction has delicious car hop food. We love the Tyson Grilled cheese with a. Chicken breast. Let me know if you need more ideas

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Thanks again for inspiring us to get down to the area and see so many amazing things… we had a fabulous time and I’m really grateful you gave us the idea! I NEED to get to Houston’s next time!

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My kids love listening to The Radio Adventures of Eleanor Amplified, and I actually find it pretty enjoyable as well!

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Thank you so much Sue for the recommendation. We will check it out today.. I can’t wait!

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Utah looks gorgeous!! I’ve only been to Moab and Zion so I always assume it’s all desert-ish. (Even though I totally know that’s not true haha!)

I love having Rocky Mountain NP just a little bit away and the city I live in has bunches of trails and mountain parks that I’ve had fun hiking in after work when it’s nice out. It’s so fun and a great destressor to just be removed from the world and in nature for a little bit.

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Oh Moab is AMAZING!!! I am so glad you have so many trails and mountain parks near you. It is seriously the best to get away for a bit. Have a wonderful weekend Susan!

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Oooh I would love to do a women’s only race…I will have to add that to my list of goals!
I LOVE the running accomplishments. It’s so fun to read about this little running community you have started through your blog. Is it weird that I usually try to read all the comments and learn more about other people here? I hope not! :)
We have a big family celebration for my grandma (she’s retiring from being a professor at the University of Minnesota) and my grandpa (80th birthday!) so that’s what I’m looking forward to this weekend! Not thrilled about the drive but it’s worth it to see family!

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The comments are most people’s favorite part… it’s so fun to hear from everyone and see their thoughts! HAVE so much fun this weekend celebrating your grandparents, they sound amazing!

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Sweet potato croutons are BRILLIANT!! We love Wholly Guacamole too! Must have avocado!
Janae, I totally agree with you that nature is evidence of God’s love for us. Makes me smile and cry at the same time.
These beautiful pics make we want to go hiking right now.
Hope y’all have a great weekend!

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Let me know if you try the sweet potato croutons! I hope you get to be outside this weekend and experience all of the feelings (I totally get you:)! Thanks Elizabeth!

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We love hiking but don’t go enough!
I haven’t ever listened to kid podcasts (I’ll check that one out for sure) but I love the 3 in 30 podcast for moms! It’s just long enough for me to listen to while I get some chores done and I love all the tips she gives.

The only all Women’s race I’ve run was the pink series race. It was a really fun race but I stopped running it because it has a new owner and I feel like it’s kind of expensive for a 5k now.

So many running accomplishments today! Kate! 50 miles on the track!? Holy smokes!

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Thank you for YOUR accomplishment from J:) She is amazing! Have a beautiful day Jenny!

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I LOVE these posts! ….and podcasts for kids! WHY have I not thought about that sooner?!? Have a great weekend!

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That’s what I thought… we should have starting listening to these sooner. Thanks Bridgette and I hope you have a great weekend too!

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Happy Mother’s Day, Janae! We’re off to Hawaii on Sunday. Les will work for 2 weeks on Oahu and then we’re spending a week on Kauai to celebrate our 27th anniversary. Les is doing the Pedal to the Meadow race series (3 races in 2 days) and we’re hoping to get in some kayaking and SUPing!

I grew up not far from Yosemite which has the most beautiful hiking – that’s where Les proposed. We’ve also hiked the Grand Canyon, the Napali Coast on Kauai, and Koko Crater on Oahu.

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27th ANNIVERSARY–> Congrats to you and Les! That is wonderful Kathy and it sounds like the perfect way to celebrate. I had to look up SUPing and it looks so fun! I want to hike all of those places. Thanks Kathy and have a beautiful day!

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Ok, I bawled like a baby during Kate’s go fund me video. It was beautiful. Now to pull myself together ?

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Isn’t she incredible? So glad you were able to watch it… amazing. Have a beautiful weekend Kendra!

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I did the Nike Womens Half in San Francisco.

Yesterday was the other half’s b-day . We are celebrating more today because I have the day off and so excited to enjoy the gorgeous weather.

Tomorrow planning a long run with a girl friend so looking forward to getting in some quality girl time!

Have a great weekend!

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Enjoy the time together celebrating OUTSIDE… sounds perfect. Rock your long run tomorrow and I want to hear about it! Thanks Kristine!

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I am excited for the Mother’s Day weekend! I did say weekend, since I see my mom on Sunday, Chris lets Saturday unfold any way I would like it down to # of hours of sleep, restaurant choice or home-cooking (decided 2 minutes before if I want and decision changed 3 times) a run any time, any where, for any amount of time.

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Well, that sounds PERFECT Erica… you deserve the best. Please let me know everything you end up doing! E.N.J.O.Y!

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How beautiful it is where you live!! I live in east Tn near the Smokey mountains but with traffic because of how commercialized it’s become, it’s takes an hour and half to get to mts so we don’t get there very often and my youngest is 3 and we are taking him out of the pack this year so we need some easy 1 mile hikes. Is your National park nearby?
If you hear some good children’s podcast, please share in here. I didn’t even know there were those. I’m thinking my kids would like them.

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Thank you Mary! That is a bummer that it takes so long to get to the Smokey mountains. It took us about 20 minutes to get to where we were yesterday. We are really lucky and live by so many cool places. Have a wonderful weekend Mary and I will for sure share our favorites!

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My kids love the NPR podcast for kids, Wow in Theo world. It’s funny and very entertaining while they learn about some cool stuff. Also, we’re totally addicted to audiobooks for kids on long trips. Magic Tree House got us started when my oldest son was 5. Happy travels!!

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Wow in THe world – autocorrect..

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Ahhhhh this weekend!!! I am running a 5K tomorrow morning, and then in the middle of the day I am “shadowing” the store manager at a running store where I am likely working this summer (unpaid teacher’s summer means I need to work, so I may as well work in a running store, right?). Also, I am preparing my playlist to sub a 6 AM spin class on Monday morning at the brand new location for the gym where I teach. I’m pretty excited, because this new location is a few miles from my apartment (instead of a 30-35 min drive), and if I can start creating buzz about me and my awesome classes, not only will I have to rise to be the best, buzz-worthy instructor I can be but maybe I can get the GFM at that club–who is hesitant to add any more spin classes that are Les Mills RPM to her schedule for whatever reason (she seems to have a beef with Les Mills)–to add more classes to the schedule…and to have me teach them! ALSO, I am reading. FOR FUN. One of the first things I did after turning in my semester grades was create the beginnings of my “summer reading” book stack by the side of my bed. I am so excited to just curl up with a book tomorrow afternoon and all day Sunday!

Your sweet potato ‘croutons’ look yummy. ALSO, I love that Brooke has bright pink sneakers. I will wear my bright pink tank top to barre this afternoon in an effort to celebrate her awesome shoes!!!

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That’s so cool that you do a family lesson. Maybe that’s why running outdoors and watching the sunrise speak straight to my soul. It’s a way God shows His love for us!

That guacamole is so GOOD! I may have trouble putting it down and not eating it all in one sitting with a bunch of chips lol! Also, those croutons sound awesome so I’ll have to give it a try!

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Podcast for kids… “Wow in the World” by NPR. They learn all kinds of cool things about the earth. My kids (10&8) grew up on Wild Kratts on PBS and the podcast kind of reminds me of that. Kids are allowed to call into the show and tell them about a their own Wow in the World.

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That video of Shalene is awesome! I am the worst about looking down to make sure I don’t run into anything or fall over anything. I’m going to try my hardest to look up from now on. Cross your fingers for me ?

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Hi there! I love reading your posts and seeing your adorable little kiddos! I just checked out Smashrun and it looks so awesome! I just can’t figure out how to make my account private. Any tips?

I hope you enjoy your Mother’s Day with your beautiful family!

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HEY!!! Great question… go to Settings (at the top) and then Account and then click on Privacy Settings and they have it all there! You can make it completely private:) Have an amazizng day and thank you!

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