Temporary Home

A lot has been weighing on my mind the past few weeks with so many life changes: moving to a new place, adjusting to a new ward, thinking about relocating my grandparents, Paul's grandfather being diagnosed with end stage cancer and watching my daughters grow up.  We don't have control over so many things.  At church on Sunday we had a great lesson about service, and how important it is not to pass up the small opportunities we have in life to make a great difference in someone's life.  I have passed up so many of those opportunities, while at the grocery store, in the car, or passing someone while dropping my kids off at school.

I believe we can find happiness as we serve other people and service can be in a smile, encouraging word, compliment, funny joke, or a few dollars.  I have re-dedicated myself to looking for chances to makes someone's day better or relieving them from hardship, no matter how small.  This is our temporary home, we should make the best of it....for each other.

Lana celebrated her 13th birthday last month .  She brought 3 friends to see a movie at IPIC Theatre, which had soft leather reclining chairs and a waiter that brought you popcorn and treats straight to your seat.  The girls were so spoiled.  We then enjoyed dinner at The Cheesecake Factory, where we got to laugh at a few teenage girls that don't eat out often.  Some needed the definition of "Mignon", and misunderstood Calamari/tentacles for testicles.  Our waitress loved us.

  

 We decided to take a family trip to the Wildlife Zoo in Goodyear, AZ.  We probably went at the wrong time of day, because it was sweltering hot at 12pm and the zoo didn't have much shade.  We wish we could say it was as nice as Lincoln Park zoo, but it wasn't, probably because it was privately owned.  This animal and Lana look strangely similar.

Soon after this photo of Lana and Skyler were taken, I was pooped on by some creature, probably a bird.  My kind sister-in-law cleaned it off my neck, while my husband and brother ran away from me as quickly as possible.

 

On the train ride around the zoo.

 Before their water log ride.

 

 

 Skinny and Mini.  Skyler loved riding on her shoulders.

Kylie has been actively involved in Drama and Singing lessons for the past 2 years.  She's continued this here in Arizona and is lucky enough to have Drama class offered in her new school.  Kylie co-wrote a play, based on story lines they learned from  Dr. Seuss.  Her principal chose her play to be performed at the local theatre.  Here a few pictures of her with the family before her performance.

 A rare picture of Paul and I together. I am usually behind the camera.

 

Curious to know what her play was about...(make sure to turn up your volume)

 Kylie, Gabs and Joanna on stage after their performance.

 Kylie with her flowers from Auntie June, Uncle Larry and Cody.

 

We had an awesome Easter weekend with my family.  Ric and his family spent the night on Saturday.  I took this picture to document that my nephew Skyler actually eats real food.  Most people will find him eating cheese puffs and fruit snacks on a regular basis :)

 Lana needs to stop growing!  At what age are they too old for an Easter basket?

 My grandparents still live in Las Vegas and we wanted to make sure they could still share Easter with us.  Thank heavens for Skype.  We were able to have grandpa at the Easter table with us...I was laughing hysterically at this.

How many times can we say, "We love Arizona!"?  Our family took a great morning hike through the Spur Cross Conservation.  They have a high density of Cactus in this area and we were able to find some natural ponds, that will soon dry up when the temperature rises.

 We finished off our hike with some burgers (they were Organic which makes them more healthy, right?) at Earl's Diner.  My girls make me laugh with the funny pictures they like to take.

Lana as a Hotdog....

 Kylie as a sexy pin-up....should I worry?