Foul Ball

An afternoon of baseball, ice cream, and a foul ball caught by Owen.  What a fun time in Phoenix!  

The excitement of catching that ball is something that Owen will never forget.  Especially since his dad told him that foul balls couldn't reach us under the roof we were under.   We were all a little surprised!

And, at the end of the day....we were so tired.

Sept 25th 2014

I took some pictures throughout my day.   Just to remember this day.   A day in September when it was hot.  SO HOT.    Over 100 today.   Hot and beautiful.   God has brought us to the desert and it is so beautiful here.   I love it.

Grammy and Gramps have been here for the past couple of weeks.   We have had the best time.   Everyone was sad to see them go this morning.   As they packed up their pickup, our hearts were heavy.   We hugged them a little longer than usual before they drove away and the only consolation was that we will see them in 6 weeks when we travel to South Dakota.  I have lots of pictures to share soon of their visit!

The boys zoomed off to school on their scooters and the littles and I packed up the Traverse with our overdue books and headed to the library.  Eli and Grace love the library.  The puzzles, puppet theater, and train are some of their favorites.   But their absolute most favorite thing is the play area outside.   Here they are enjoying themselves outside before it got to hot.

We headed home just in time to eat a quick lunch and get Eli ready for Preschool.   Muffins, cucumbers, and yogurt for lunch before Eli ran in the laundry room to put on his shoes and yellow backpack.  He loves school and never takes to much time when it's time to get ready.

At 3:00 it's time to head back to the school to pick up the boys.   We gained a few extra this afternoon for a playdate.  Noah and TJ came over to play.

Swimming in the pool and having sword fights were on the agenda.  And after our guests went home we sat down for a dinner of chicken and salad with the last bit of granola bars for desert.   I kept starring out the window and my heart pulled us out into the heat to enjoy the evening.   I just couldn't resist.   It was so beautiful out.   Yep, we had homework and dishes but, some things are more important.  We rode went to the grassy area to throw the football but ended up having foot races.   And, you know what?  Owen is as fast as Gabriel now.   I could tell how proud he was everytime he beat his brother.   And not once did Gabe whine or complain.  They just kept on racing until it was to dark to race anymore.  We were forced inside.

Sesame street and Wiggles were in order for the little kids.  Homework for the big kids.   

As Gabe pulled out his folder I noticed he put a piece of paper in it.   A piece of paper that made me so proud.   I smiled and my heart got a little bigger.   I looked at that binder and thought about my kids.  I thought about how they drive you crazy and at the same time do something totally amazing that makes you love them even more.   You see, I hate the cover of Gabe's binder.  I hate video games.  I hate the game that they play called Plants vs. Zombies which he put on the cover of his binder.   And, now when I look at his binder and see what he choose to put on it besides Planets vs. Zombies my heart feels with love.   How is it that kids can do this to you?

Lastly, I had to post this picture.   A picture of the toy that has become the kids favorite in the last couple of days and the pine cones that Bryan brought to me from his elk hunt.  They both sit on my table reminding me of all the things that made this day so perfect.

A hot day in September!

Compassionate Sister

I read something today that spoke to my heart.   That said the words that I have been feeling for weeks but haven't been able to say.  A woman named Iyanla Vanzant wrote them in her book "One Day My Soul Just Opened Up.

I wanted to write them here so that I never forget.   I don't ever want to forget the time that I stood by my sister through one of the scariest times in her life.   I didn't always do and say the right things.  In fact, I probably didn't most of the time.    Yet, I stood beside her each second.  I was a phone call away waiting patiently for her to need me.  I stood beside her in the hospital waiting for Amaya to get out of surgery.   I listened and I demanded that she ask more questions.   I prayed.   I prayed with tears that soaked my pillows and my clothes.  When I couldn't pray, I called my friends to pray.   Our lives are forever changed and we are so very blessed.

I love my sister more today then I ever have.   I love her.  I respect her.  I am in awe of her.   The strength and wisdom that she posesses. Her ability to remain positive and concentrate on what is needed at the time.   I feel like I am the luckiest person alive because I was able to stand with her and be so close to her as she navigated this thing called a brain tumor.   I am so blessed by it all.

Here are Iyalana's words and I only hope that someday I can look back and say that I did these things for my sister.  That I was a compassionate person in every sense of this word.

A compassionate person is one who understands what you are going through and, rather than joining with you in your suffering and fear, sees for you the lesson, the blessing, and the victory in the end.  A compassionate person does not join in the victim mentality of blaming others; instead they will stand strong with you, supporting you through the acceptance of the situation.  The compassionate person knows with you, for you, and when necessary in spite of you, that all things work together for your good.  It takes vision to be compassionate.

Many of us believe that compassion is to see what someone needs, and to give it to them in order to make them and yourself feel better.   It is hard to watch someone suffer.   It's even harder when you are not suffering.  When you see it, you feel bad for the other person and jump in to save them.  Well, maybe they don't need saving.  Maybe what they need is support in making a decision, or information that will help them reframe their situation so that they are empowered to handle it for themselves.

Compassionate people do not help, they support because they know that to support you means they will also help you heal and grow.  They want what is best for you, not because they think they know what is best, but because your best is their best.  You see, a compassionate person is in it with you for the long haul, with no expectations other than they are able to do what needs to be done.

Megan, I love you.  I am beyond blessed to have you for a sister and each day I only want one thing.  To be your compassionate sister.  The one who is always there.  The one who stands by you no matter what and loves you stronger everyday.  That walks this journey with you and reminds you how loved and blessed you are.  And I know without a doubt that you feel the same about me.

A rainy day

The sky darkens and the sound of thunder rumbles through the air.   I love the rain in the desert.   It's warm and falls in buckets.   Nothing is better than standing in a warm rain watching a small river form in your front yard.

On this Saturday it rained all day.    Blessing us with a wet, warm, beautiful day.

In between rain storms we grab our bikes and take a few loops around the cul de sac.   Gaining speed each time and slashing in all the puddles.

When it starts pouring again, Eli and I hang out in the garage while Owen gets a shower.

When we finally decide to come inside we find a warm fire and hot tub.

We sat in the hot tub and laughed as the rain poured on our heads.   It finally chased us inside and we sat and watched Gabriel.  The lone survivor in the rainy hot tub.

It was an unexpected day that turned out perfect.  Perfect because we together.

Botanical Gardens

The beauty of the desert is magical.  I am always amazed by it.  Everything blooms here at the most unexpected times.  I will walk by the same cactus day after day and then one day it will be in full bloom.  Amazing. 

 The Botanical Gardens is a place where we can go and learn about the desert.   We can learn the names of all those beautiful cactus and when they bloom.  So on an afternoon when Bryan and Von were elk hunting, Grammy, the kids,and I went to explore the desert.

 It was hot that day in September yet we made the most of it and had the best time.

This picture cracks me up.    I made my kids sit in an ant pile and tried to get their picture.   They kept telling me that something was biting them and I just keep trying to get them to smile.   Oh well, a few ant bites didn't kill them.

After all the hot Arizona sunshine we went inside for some icecream.

Grace has a special way of enjoying her icecream.

It was the perfect end to a hot day in the desert!

Hunting

Hunting is such a huge part of our life.   Bryan and the three boys have something in their genes that longs for the outdoors.   I don't understand it all but, I love so many things about it.   Most importantly, I love the meat!  I love that my boys are outside and spending time close to God's creation.   I also love that they are spending time with each other, learning from each other.    Bryan and Gramps are passing knowledge onto our boys that will shape them and make them into strong, capable young men.  

This year Bryan drew an elk tag in Arizona and Grammy and Gramps came all the way from Wyoming to help Bryan with the hunt. 

We were so excited when he brought him home.

 

And, while Bryan and Gramps were up hunting we got to hang out with Grammy.

We got to play games and go out to lunch. 

We had such a good time when Grammy and Gramps came and we can't wait until they come back.