Happy 9th Anniversary

It's amazing to think it's been nine years .... where we started and where we are now ... still on our journey ... and still loving every minute of it. We had a chance to celebrate nine years with a date night (woo hoo!) - we went to see a movie and had dinner and dessert over at the Westgate area, which is one of our favorite places to go hang out (when we get a chance to!). It was a special time to celebrate each other and I believe truly in my heart we have many more years ahead of loving, laughing, learning, growing, and celebrating together. In this day and age of craziness, I feel so blessed and honored to have married Chris .... he is my one true love, my solid rock, my best friend - he makes me laugh, makes me feel loved, sometimes he drives me a little bit crazy but through it all honors, values, and supports me as a woman, a wife, a mother and I am extremely lucky to have him as my husband. I love you Christopher! XOXO

Memorial Day

3-2-1 ... Take-off!
Crash Landing
Hmm ... what do I do now?
Making Some Adjustments

Flight of the Gliders

In a quick stop at the store to pick-up a few last minute items for the Memorial Day BBQ we had at Chris' mom & dad's today, we browsed down the aisle of "extras" ... you know the aisle that has the flip-flops (which I got some really cute ones for Mother's Day there!) and summer necessities (goggles, snorkling gear, etc.) and the giant gliders. So along with our rolls, we also left with a giant glider for Hayden. He was pumped at how huge it was compared to the little wooden ones he and Noah have been playing with recently. Once out of the bag, you can imagine it went for a few test flights before he really figured out how best to guide it for gliding in the right direction, without crashing (which inevitably, it did!).

Following the flights of the glider, it was time for swimming ... our little boys truly amaze me at how adept and comfortable they are in the water. Hayden really has become such a good little swimmer, has total confidence and ability to tread water and swim on his own without assistance. He'll be ready for the swim team soon! Our brave little monkey is also without fear, as his favorite new thing to do is jump into the water and "swim" out to you. A few times today I heard him tell me to go away or move farther back in the pool, giving him more room to jump, and then he does just that - jumps right toward you, or at you, at the moment you're not quite ready for him. After a few near heart-stopping moments, we got into a good jump and catch rhythm - though it doesn't take away the fact that it doesn't he is going to be the reason my hair turns gray.

Of course Memorial Day isn't complete without food .... and enjoy food we did. We were joined by cousins: Tim & Lindsey and Chris & Jana and though there are no pictures to show it (thanks to a dead camera battery), we loved hanging out all together and spending time with each other, remembering the day for what it is: a time to remember and hold dear the memories of those who serve, or have served, in our military. Family gatherings and BBQs are what I grew up with, and I am so thankful that I can give my kids a little taste of what that is like. Though I wish, of course, the rest of our families lived closer so the BBQs could happen more often, it was comforting to have a little bit of it today.

Monkey on a Noodle Two Little Fish

Hot Stuff!

Memorial Day Flag Cake (YUM!)

Moving Up, Moving On

This week marked some endings, celebrations, and some new beginnings for our family. On Monday, Hayden celebrated with his friends from preschool with a promotion celebration, starting with chapel followed by receiving a "diploma" from his teachers. Grammy, Noah, and I went to celebrate with him (Daddy was at a meeting for his "new" job). It's amazing to think how fast time has gone by and come August, he will be starting Kindergarten and will be coming with me to my school. I don't know who's more excited about that - him or me. Hayden's last official day of preschool was on Wednesday and Noah and Chris went with him to help with the "water play activities" that were scheduled. I am not sure though that Chris was able to really help considering Noah was playing in the water right along with Hayden and his friends. Thursday marked the end of my school year and the end of my job-sharing journey in 4th grade. I have had such a wonderful opportunity these past two years to work part time, together with my friend Jennifer, to better balance teaching and motherhood. It's time I wouldn't trade for anything and though I do have sad feelings about it ending, I believe and trust the changes that lay ahead of me are for the best. Next school year I will be back in the classroom full time and back in 2nd grade teaching with a new team of teachers who are, and will be, wonderful to work with. I truly am excited!
As for Chris, he has come full circle and will be flight instructing again back at the school where his pilot training and flying career all began. This week marked the beginning for him with meetings, initial trainings, and his first student in four years. We are all experiencing a bit of change these days, but we're blessed to have them because they help remind us life is moving on and moving forward. Doors open, doors close, and by the grace of God, sometimes they even open for us again if we're lucky, giving us a chance at new beginnings and opportunities. What a week it's been .... we're moving up, we're moving on and I'll take it!

Old Friends, Good Friends

Heather, Mel, Dulce, Ellen, Barb

Tonight I had a chance to have dinner out with some great friends I've had since I started teaching. These ladies and I all worked together when I first began teaching 2nd grade back in January of 2003, all on the same teaching team and Heather was our school counselor. We met for dinner at Vogue Bistro and had a wonderful reunion filled with eating, drinking, talking, laughing and just being together. In 2005, all of us, with the exception of Heather, moved schools to follow our principal at the time. Though our paths have taken us in different directions, and Barb's path took her out of state once she retired two years ago, it's wonderful to have such a bond with these women to be able to take time out and be together.

Crown King

The "Mall" in Crown King
Happy Anniversary Saloon!
The Saloon Eatery

Arizona's "Oldest" Saloon

A few weeks ago, a co-worker of mine shared that she and her family drove up to the town of Crown King for a day visit. Today, we decided to take advantage of the same opportunity and also drive up to Crown King, which is located in the Bradshaw Mountains between Phoenix and Prescott. We brought Grammy along with us for the driving adventure, and literally, it was an adventure! About 45 minutes north on I-17, we exited the freeway at Bumble Bee and enjoyed the very short, smooth drive before the road went from asphalt to dirt and rocks - in other words, it turned into a "Primitive Road" as the sign post indicated. It was primitive alright and let's just say it's a good thing none of us had to use the restroom because with all the jarring, swerving, bumps and rattling our Durango was doing, it easily could have become a port-a-potty on wheels. For 26 bone-rattling miles, we travelled to Crown King through the towns of Bumble Bee and Cleator, which we observed both to have a general store and saloon, though Bumble Bee did also have a school that looked as if it was someone's house. Guess there's not much to do in these parts except shop and drink! The ride was actually kind of fun - the boys went back and forth between loving the bumps and disliking the bumps and with Grammy in the back between them, I think they felt as if they were on a roller coaster of sorts because now and then you'd hear a squeal of delight (though it could've been fear) as we'd hit a particularly big bump in the road. After about two hours into our road trip, we came upon Crown King, which also consists of a general store and saloon though as you see above there is a "mall" and church too. They must get out more up here with two places to shop, a place to worship, and then they go for their drinks. It actually was a cute little place, and I am serious when I say little as the town has only one way in and one way out. We shopped at the Prospector Mall and the proprietor gave us a schedule of events - the funniest one I thought is held in July: "The World's Shortest Parade" - guess when you have just one road in town, your parade route doesn't have far to go! Getting hungry, our one and only lunch option was to eat at the Saloon Eatery (the main restaurant in town, "The Mill," was closed) where we were greeted by our waiter, who also happened to be our cook. When Chris asked him if he expected any other customers, he told us we were probably the only customers he'd have for the day. It definitely was a fun adventure and if we had gone for one of the events, it probably would have been more worth the drive, but the scenery was beautiful and it was a perfect opportunity to visit a piece of Arizona's history. After eating, we decided to pack back into the dust mobile and head for home. The drive back down the mountain went much faster and Noah even managed to fall asleep for his nap amidst all the bumps. I wish I would have taken a picture of the car, as it was covered in layer upon layer of dust - more than I've ever seen it before. Guess I can check off Crown King on my list of places to visit in Arizona, though I'd actually consider going back but think it's probably only fair if I give the car a chance to recover first.

Preschool Parent Program

Mommy's StarHow did I get so lucky?

Two Generations - Best of Friends!
Yummy Snacks!

Today Noah and I joined Hayden for the Preschool Parent Program. We met in the classroom for a gift presentation and snacks and then went to the Chapel for the singing program. He was so cute when I got to his room, ran over and grabbed me as if it had been hours since he saw me last and eagerly gave me the surprise he made for me. I unwrapped a colorful, bead bracelet and he quickly pointed out the star bead - I then told him it's there because he is my star. With a smile of pure joy, we read the certificate he made for both Chris and I and then set out for some snacks before chapel time. Here are some of the special moments we had together this morning.

My Special Bracelet

Daddy (in green) and Mommy (in purple) - note how our noses and mouths color coordinate with our turtleneck shirts? Is this my kid or what?Our Parent Certificate

Daddy's Picture Frame

Happy Mother's Day

Homemade eggs benedict for breakfast - check. Being wished a Happy Mother's Day from two of the cutest little boys ever - check. Taking time to reflect and be grateful for my own mother and for the chance I've been given to be a mother myself - absolutely! The day was simple, quiet, uneventful yet perfect (the only thing I missed was giving a hug to my mom - soon though I will be able to and I just can't wait!). It started with a delicious breakfast of homemade eggs benedict (my request to which my dear husband accepted, though I think next time I will give him a break and order them at a restaurant), pancakes, bacon, strawberries .... my mother-in-law and I swapped orchids (she brought one for me, we gave one to her - great minds think alike I guess!) .... and, we continued our day quietly. While Chris and Hayden went off to hit golf balls, Noah napped and after reading for a bit and enjoying the stillness, I drifted off for a nap myself. I had a lot of time to think and reflect and realize that mother's day is about so much more than buying and receiving cards and gifts for our moms and as moms. It is about taking a moment to be grateful for all the mothers in our life, for the love and wisdom and grace and beauty they possess and have passed on to us. It is also about having those mothers tell of their pride for us in the job we're doing of raising our own children. Today I was able to take a moment to feel thankful for all the "moms" in my life, but especially the two whom without I wouldn't be a mommy myself - my mom and my mother-in-law. Of course, I am eternally grateful for the blessing of my boys - Hayden and Noah - whom without I'd not know the true measure of motherhood and all the love that goes with it.