A Day in the Life at Our House

I don't if we're just a weird family, okay that's not entirely true. I know we are kind of a weird family, I'm okay with that. But I wonder if other families have moments like we do.

Just a little while ago, the kids and I were sitting around the table having lunch together while Bry had his music (compliments of Uncle Seth from a few years ago), playing in his room. Next thing I know all 3 of my kiddos were up having a "Dance Party". Bry put his hat on sideways and grabbed a spoon as a microphone. I got my camera and started recording. DJ wanted to be right in front of the camera (big surprise) and they all danced their little hearts out. In fact, they're still dancing as I'm typing write now. What a bunch of nuts! I do love those moments though. These kids keep life so fun and so unpredictable. Never a dull moment under this roof.

Peace Like a River

Hey, sorry about my last post. I really wasn't as down as I sounded. I also mentioned that I was grumpy on Sunday on my Facebook. A few people e-mailed me to check on me. Sorry that I didn't respond to most e-mails or writings on my wall. I wasn't ignoring you guys, I just was still in a little funk but I'm doing so much better now.

I started this thing I call my "Peace Page". It's a section in my journal and everytime I have a peace about moving to AZ and selling our house, I write down my thoughts. Sometimes it's a one-liner and sometimes more. My goal is so that when I "crash" in my thoughts and my faith (or lack of), I have a reference point to reel me back in to where I should be. This helps me to focus on what is true, praiseworthy & lovely. This helps me to take my thoughts captive.

This week I've written many things that have helped me get off that slippery slope of doubt, self pity and ultimately, yes, I'm going to say it, sin. Here is just a quick example of notes I've written in my Peace Page:

Good has and will continue to come out of this time of waiting.

I trust God. He is for us.

Yes, we want to move but I will choose to be content, grateful & joyous today. I only have today. Tomorrow will take care of itself.

"God will make this happen for He who calls you is faithful." 1 Thes 5:24

After we have struggled awhile, He will perfect, establish and settle us
(see 1 Peter 5:10)

We are teaching our children through this expirience. May we be good examples!

God doesn't need a good housing market to sell our house. Think of Gideon. God had to strip away every reason that they might take the glory for themselves. When the scenario seemed virtually impossible, then He did His thing & there was no doubt Who should get the glory. He wants (and deserves) the glory in selling this house.
(Judges 7:2)

This is all part of our journey & process. God is building our faith, strengthening our trust & stripping our things that don't belong in our hearts. This process is FOR us. It is a "yes" in Christ.

God is on His throne.

Is there anything in your life right now that you're battling through mentally? Could you use a "Peace Page" too? If so, I encourage you to write down everything true and good about the situation and reference it regularly. In times of victory, write. In times of defeat, read. The power of truth amazes me. We truly can be transformed through the renewing of our minds.

Peace out. (LOL)

What does it mean?

What does it mean when someone hasn't posted in over 10 days?
In my case it means a few things...

I'm crashing after an "Arizona high".
I'm busy trying to catch up on everything after being in Arizona for 2 weeks.
I'm trying to get my office and school life organized.
I have nothing new to write about because still nothing is happening with our house and to be quite honest, it's very discouraging.
I have a total of 3 doctor and dentist appointments this week, which completely eat up the majority of the days those appointments fall on.
I can't take pictures of the kids because my camera is back in the shop since they didn't completely fix it the first time, when they had it for 4 weeks.

Pretty uplifting post today, hu?
What is my deal lately??
I need to snap out of this pity party mode.
Anyone want to buy a house?

9 on the 9th

I almost missed my 9 on the 9th! I would have really let Mrs. N down!

9 general things I believe are true about parenting (not that I've mastered them, but I do believe them):

1. If we learn each of our childrens' love languages and speak them regularly, they will sense our love and security, even when they're being disciplined.
2. If we listen to our children now, they will talk to us when they're teens.
3. It is so important to build a solid family identity so our children know what they're a part of and have a sense of joy in being a member of it.
4. We are called to train our children not entertain them.
5. If I invest in my marriage and my time with my spouse, I'm indirectly investing in my children and their well being.
6. If my kids can listen on the third time, there's no reason why I can't train them to listen on the first.
7. Respect for age is a dying value which ultimately hurts those of us who are getting older, which last time I check was all of us.
8. Self-centered children often grow into self-centered adults but others-focused children can most likely grow into others-focused adults. We are building the foundation for the rest of their lives now.
9. Praying for our children is one of the greatest investments of time we can make on their behalf.

Last Night's Sunset

I shot a few pics last night at sunset. Just in case you're wondering, these pictures are 100% untouched and not digitally enhanced at all.

I was standing at my parents' front door when I shot this.
This is a typical sunset at their place.


I went across the street to shoot a little more...




This is our neighbor's barbed wire fence

Little Horse = Big Fun

We visited one of my good childhood friends this week and all of her 12 animals. One of her horses is a miniature, only 25 inches tall! The kids LOVED her, even timid Elle.

We joked about taking the kids to Ajo's petting zoo, A.K.A Marla's house. The funny thing is, Marla has the adorable miniature horse and then she has two HUGE Great Danes who tower over Chloe, the horse. I'm going to try to get a picture of them together at some point because it's comical the way the sizes are flip flopped.

The kids are having a great time but they each are starting to miss Daddy. I know he is probably going crazy to see them too.

Cowgirl DJ:


The kids helping Marla groom Chloe, the miniature:


Marla and Chloe:


Sassy, one of the beautiful normal-sized horses:


Marla walking Chloe:


Bry getting ready to comb Chloe (he looks like he's contemplating combing his sister's hair with it):


Elle taking it all in:


Bryant feeding Chloe:


Marla and her baby:


Elle keeping her distance:


Happy kids:


DJ feeling tall for once:


James, Marla & the gang:


Bry and DJ love that they're taller than Chloe:


Marla & Elle:


Bry enjoying the sunset


Heading back to Mom's for dinner...

Sweet Home Arizona

I woke up to rain this morning. Rain in the desert, there's nothing like it. There is a sweet smell in the air, similar to that of maple syrup, that is released in the Sonoran Desert when it rains. It comes from the creosote plant and it is medicinal to my homesick heart.

Rain in Ajo reminds me of when we long for a fresh vision or a word from God and after we wait upon Him, we finally get it. It's always so much better than we'd hoped for. That's how rain is in the desert. It is a precious thing. Not a drop of it is taken for granted in a place so arid as this. We wait for it and celebrate it when it arrives. It wouldn't be the desert if we experienced rain frequently and we wouldn't appreciate in such a profound way if it were a common thing. Perhaps that's why God gives us dry seasons in our walk? So we'll long for Him and savor His presence even more.

...just some thoughts for today.

I'm having a great time being home. My mom is keeping me very busy but I'm loving it. I've been working my tail off around her restaurant and around the house. She had surgery on her foot last week but she still is a firecracker on this little manual scooter her doc gave her. What a funny gal she is! I love her drive and zeal for living each day to it's fullest. It's inspiring.

I haven't had much personal time but I have managed to go swim laps the pool I used to work at. (Now some of Caleb's old 5th grade students who are Seniors are working there. Crazy how time flies!) Today I got over to a new antique store and spotted a gorgeous vintage dresser I'd love to purchase if he still has it once we move here. I'll be saving my tip money!

The kids are having such a great time, running around and experiencing the wonderful freedoms of life on "The 5 Acres". (my parents live in a section of town referred to as that because the property lines were divided into 5 acre lots). My parent's restaurant is seriously too cute. The food is fabulous and the art on the walls makes me blush because it's all photography work I've done here in Ajo. I'm so proud of what my family has done in less than a year with a rundown building and slim pickings for a staff. It is nothing short of miraculous.

Below are a few pics of the girls today. They are from this morning at my parents' between the rains. Bry is not slowing down for many photo ops these days. I'll try to corner him in the next couple of days to catch some good ones of him.

...hoping for more rain tomorrow. I hear the thunder in the distance as I type right now. Can I just say, there's NOTHING like lightning and thunder in the desert. Let's just say the lightning looks as if it's shooting directly from the hand of God. But, that's another post, another day. In the meantime, enjoy the pics...

DJ with Stacy's dog Bert:


Elle playing in the water without a care in the world:


Elle with a dirty face and sidewalk chalk. Does it get any better for a kid?


DJ looking awfully suspicious:


Elle swinging on the porch:


Suspicious too: