30 days...

Day One...

35 minute walk
then
20 jumping jacks
20 lunges
10 push ups
each x 3
and
no soda

In 30 days I will be leaving on a Pioneer Trek.  I do not want to be the weak link.

Wish me luck on my 30 day walk to physical and spiritual strength.

Have I Done Any Good?

Pause my playlist music and enjoy!

I bought a little yellow bird awhile back.

It was love at first sight.

I incorporated him into my Easter decor but didn't want to put him away when the eggs and bunnies were taken down.

So I came up with this entry display.

I'm still working on something to put in the glass jars but

I gathered up some books from around the house and tied them with twine.

Honestly is was more about color than content : )

With Mother's Day around the bend I thought it would honor two beautiful mothers...

who we love deeply and miss everyday.

Tradition...

MLB Opening Day is something we don't miss around here.

I would love this job.  Maybe when Cooper leaves on his mission.  Will I be too old??

America's favorite passtime : )

The flyover...goosebumps every time.

Our Diamondbacks!

(what's with the guy and his head in my shot!)

Kennedy throws a strike on the first pitch.  This will be a great day!

Grandpa Brown joined us for the annual event.

As always...if you need us anytime soon,

look at the ball fields!

It's that time of year...

Baseball season = my boys being boys!

Did I forget to mention???

How could I!!!

Cooper's lean, mean, lightening machine won

FIRST PLACE

at the recent Pinewood Derby!

We've made a lot of cars in our day.  I guess after six cars that are mediocre, you deserve one that keeps a kid pumping his fist, jumping up and down and smiling from ear to ear.

Best part is that Brent turns this activity over to the boys.  With a bit of advice and guidance and a little help when they ask, the boys make it happen.

It was a joy to watch Davis really take such a big brother role and help Cooper turn his block of wood into "The Fitz" and come up winners : )

A friendly visit...

It was wonderful to have Carrie come and visit.  Of course she brought along her family, minus their oldest son who is a brand new missionary in Washington D.C.  I have pictures of him holding Maddison as a newborn.  We go back a long way...all the way to 1967 when Carrie and I were both in the womb of our respective mothers who were next door neighbors and wonderful friends. We emerged only about 4 weeks apart from one another and have remained best of friends.

To keep the love flowing, our daughters were born only about 6 weeks apart.

They have remained wonderful friends despite the miles.

We enjoyed a girls lunch, family dinners, lots of laughs, an over the top chocolate birthday cake (just for Carrie who loves her some chocolate) and a visit to the Mesa temple to see the Easter pageant.

It was a wonderful visit.  Lasting friendships are a priceless gift.  We should celebrate those relationships often!

Speaking of celebrating relationships...

I love this girl more than words can express.

(let's ignore the fact that I don't know how to spell pageant. although I just did spell it correctly, I didn't when I was editing my pictures.  oh well)

A walk to remember...

I spent a day with my adorable boy.
At nine years old he may cringe at the words "adorable boy" but secretly I know every child loves affirmation. 

I was able to chaperone a recent 3rd grade field trip to the Riparian Preserve.  We walked from the school all the way to the park.  In the cool of the morning it was a pleasant walk, although not a short distance, and I smiled as Cooper and his friends laughed and threw rocks and tried real hard to be cool.

They dug up some artifacts and listened to some interesting stories about our Arizona history.

They learned about the reproductive system of the flower world.

And as the day grew warmer, they enjoyed the stream and facts about the Riparian preserving the precious water of our desert.

The walk home wasn't filled with nearly as much laughter.
They were hot and wanted my one bottle of water.
I showed my preserving skills as I rationed one 16 oz. (not entirely full) bottle of water between 5 hot, tired and thirsty boys. 

My days of joining my children for elementary field trips are getting fewer and fewer.
I say that with a heartfelt sigh...
Sigh of relief as I realize my 45 year old body doesn't bounce back like it used to.
(I'm not going to mention here about what shape I'm in)
But mostly a sigh of many happy memories...
Dinosaur museums, rock museums, art museums, plays, parks, zoo trips, Stuffington Bear factory, science centers and the such.


Sometimes being the mom is hard on the heart.
Sigh...