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...

My turn...

It's been a long while since I took the time to do my own nails.
It was fun and Maddison approved of the results ~ which is sayin' something!
Brent will smile too : )

We needed this last week...

Thank goodness for opportunities to kick back, listen to some tunes and get some sun.

It's good for the soul : )

Turning 45 was easy...

...especially when you can indulge in this chocolate heaven to end the celebration in grand fashion!


Thanks for making my birthday cake Sis! 

When a boy has his heart set on only one thing...

For about a whole month prior to Cooper's birthday there was a note on the fridge that said,
"The ONLY thing I want for my birthday is the cool bow at Bass Pro!"

So being the overly freaky parent that I am,
Brent took him to get fitted for the rig and I tagged along with my heart a bit shaky.

We met Stan.
If you ever find yourself a bit freaky about arming your baby with a weapon capable of bringing down a big deer, you must meet Stan. 

Cooper was measured and his strength tested and then he listened and learned.
He took everything very serious.  So serious, in fact, I wondered where his smile had gone!
Stan was so professional and treated Cooper like a fine young man that was ready for this step.
(I, on the other hand, still had a shaky heart)  

 

 

Once the bow was fit to Cooper like a glove, Stan took him into the shooting range where he could practice.

Again, Cooper watched and followed everything Stan said.

 

 

 

Then Coop went to work on his own.

 

 

Finally when we walked away and Cooper had the bow and all the other equipment in his hands, I saw what I was looking for... 

...the smile of my boy.
I'm telling ya...any mother's baby turning nine will break her heart to pieces.


Happy Birthday my mighty little man!

Back in November of 2010...

 ...we broke ground for the construction of a new temple.

The Gilbert Arizona Temple.
Just 7 minutes from our front door.

We took Cooper's baptism invite picture here.

I felt the significance of the foundation of the temple and Cooper starting his life as a baptized member of the church.

   

Coming along a year later December 2011...

And again in March 2012...

 Our Stake Presidency introduced a theme when the ground breaking occurred...

"Building a temple.  Building a people."

It reminds me of words from a favorite primary song...

"I wonder when He comes again,

Will I be ready there

 To look upon his loving face

And join with him in prayer?

Each day I'll try to do his will

And let my light so shine

That others seeing me may seek

For greater light divine.

Then when that blessed day is here,

He'll love me and he'll say

'You've served me well, my little child;

Come into my arms to stay.' "

 

How sipping a soda helped me share my testimony...

Before I went to work the other day, Brent treated me to an icy cold fountain soda.  It was lovely so I took it to work with me.

Sitting at the table in the work room, I was sipping my icy cold refreshment when one of the darling ladies looked at me with surprised worry and asked, "are you drinking soda?"

With the straw still between my lips I answered, "do you not want me to drink soda?"

She continued in a hushed voice, "i didn't think you could drink soda."

And at that I smiled, parted my hair and revealed my horns : )

Really though, it led to a great and somewhat lengthy discussion. Finally I said, "If you really desire answers to your questions I'm ready whenever you are."

I took a sip of my soda, scratched my horns and went off to my little first grade kiddos feeling grateful for my own answered questions.