Pretty Rock Valley

There is a place here in the desert that is Grammy's favorite place.    A place called Pretty Rock Valley (named by Eli).    A beautiful, special place where we can be together as a family surrounded by mountains, cactus, and each other.

If you look at the right hand corner in this picture you will see a white van.    Our camp is just right of this van but unseen from atop this hill.   God's beauty is so evident here.

Priorities first.   We set up our camp and had a quick snack before we started exploring the desert.   

I snuck out into the cactus while everyone was having a snack to capture a few shots.   I like this one because you can see my shadow.

Then, Grammy, Eli, Grace and I headed out to the desert while the rest of the crew set up the target for shooting their bow. We headed toward Squaw Peak.   Up, Up, Up, Up.   The top was breathtaking and WE MADE IT!

Behind us we could see Squaw Peak and that view didn't disappoint me either.

Time to head back down to camp.  

After the sun went down we started a fire with hot dogs, smores, and lots of stories.   We tried to remember moments from when the kids were babies.  They loved remembering things about each other.   It was a very special evening!!

Field day

Kindergarten Field was so exciting.   Lots of fun events and even Grace had a great time.   

This is my favorite picture.  Eli was so sweet to take Grace by the hand to each event and make sure she had water and was OK.   Cutest moments ever!

A Saturday

This time of year is the best in Arizona.   The weather is perfect everyday.  Sun shining, 75 degrees, no wind.   You can't just spend your Saturdays resting.   Not with a picture perfect day in front of you.  

It's safe to say we didn't spend the day resting.

While the boys were golfing, Grace and I decided to work on some crafts.    She was so excited to make some butterfly magnets that she didn't even miss her brothers.

After golf we headed out to Eli's Tball game.   Go Green Lizards.

Eli loves T ball.   He especially loves Coach Dave and being part of a team.   

What a wonderful, beautiful Saturday!!

couch

Sometimes it's the little things that are so important.   The little things like getting a new couch that make each day special in it's own way.

After having our blue couch for many years I finally decided that we needed a new couch.   I'm not sure what changed my mind but all the sudden I just knew we were ready.

So, we spent the weekend going from store to store....sitting on couches.   It was a process.   Even more of a process as Eli, Grace, and Owen helped us.    It took us a couple of days but, I finally decided on one.

Owen was the most excited.   The couch we finally picked was his favorite from the beginning and he was really excited to bring it home.

Step 2 in the process of getting a new couch involved getting rid of the old.   The old couch had to be drug out to the garage and the carpets had to be cleaned.    The kids had a great time running around our living room while I hauled the carpet cleaner around for a few days.

Finally, time for the new couch.    We were all excited.   Bryan even came home early.   Here is Grace taking the first nap on it.

I love our new couch.   It took a few days to get used to the size but now I look at it everyday and am so very thankful!   It brings me joy.   It's big and cozy and our whole family fits on it.    It says so much about our family and who we are now.    I just love our new couch.

My Birthday

Today was my birthday.   It was a beautiful day.  Everything today was a blessing.   

It started with a sweet 6 year old wrapping his arms around my waist as I got out of bed and telling me happy birthday.   Then, my husband surprised me with a sweet gift and the kids sang to me.    What a great way to start the day. 

It was wacky Wednesday at Grace's preschool so we put together the craziest outfit ever!  We had so much fun picking out mismatched clothes.  

After all the school drop offs I headed to Eli's classroom for parent centers.  Did you know that I share my birthday withDr Suess?   How lucky is that?   Eli and I got to spend the morning making crafts and spending all morning together.  

We had the best time with Mason Leddy and his mom.   Eli and his best friend are the cutest two little kindergarteners that I have ever seen.  

Then it was off to lunch.  Having lunch with kindergartens is an experience of a lifetime.   It is a precious time for sure!  

I had a few minutes before I had to get Grace at preschool and I pulled up to my house and to my surprise I saw my friend Teresa's car in my driveway.  She jumped out of the car and told me "Happy Birthday".   "I came over to sit on your new couch".  I love friendship like that.  We sat on my couch and reclined back in our chairs and talked about anything that came to mind.  We laughed and we had an opinion on everything.   I love my friend Teresa!

It came to an end very soon as I went to pick up Grace from preschool.  She came home hungry and ready to paint.  This girl will paint anything.  She loves her crafts!

My evening was spent at Sunset Park watching Eli play tball and Grace running around at the park.  It was a beautiful evening.   A blessing because Bryan took the boys to their practice and I got to just enjoy the time outside.  

It was a blessed day for sure.  Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined a 41st  birthday like today.   It was one of my favorite days. 

Today

Running, running, running.    I don't think that life with 4 children is even explainable to most people. It's just constant....constant motion.   From the time I hear those first footsteps running down the stairs until all their heads hit the pillows, the motion, chaos, and noise never stops.    You just can't imagine it unless you are the mother and father of those 4 children and everyday you give them everything you have a little more.

There are times I just close my eyes and find peace in the moment that I so desperately need because in reality there is never peaceful moment.  There is always something or someone that needs my attention.     Some days I just have to look a little harder than usual to see all the things that need to be seen.  To see the peaceful moments in the midst of everything. 

So, today I took my camera and went around the house taking pictures of things that made me smile.  Pictures of things that bring joy to me.   Here they are in no particular order. 

A 3 year old eating cereal for her snack. 3 year old style. 

A 6 year old making me laugh with his party trick. 

Grace the dog!

The piano that is always being played.  Mostly the Star Wars theme. 

My pool.  Nothing else left to be said on that one!

My new couch.  

My reading nook.  With my reading book. 

Oh my life is so beautiful.   Not a moment of the chaos is regretted when I am thankful for everything.   

And my most thankful moment of the day.  This picture.  This picture of my beautiful niece who eyes are shining like diamonds.  Whose smile is bigger then I've seen in a while.  This brings me happiness to my soul. 

And the beauty of it all is that God has given us another day tomorrow.  Another day to look a little harder and see what brings us joy.