Birthday Boy

Our son turned 12 last Friday.  One more year and we'll have a teenager in the house!  Yikes!  He's a great kid.......loves The Beatles and playing his sax in school orchestra, always seems to have a tune playing in his head, performs exceptionally in school and truly enjoys learning.....his current craze is Latin and the Roman Empire...he just purchased a computer game about Rome with his birthday money, he also is nuts over Mine Craft...an online computer game which causes him to design everything on grid paper first...at times his room is seriously covered in grid paper.   Yes, he's messy, unorganized and forgetful.......I constantly remind myself his brain is not fully developed yet and it's really not his fault!!!!   Happy Bday!!! 

 On the eve of his birthday we went out to dinner, had cake and ice-cream then watched a movie...Soul Surfer.  This is a FANTASTIC family movie and it's a true story.   Solid messages of faith, family and determination.  I could relate to her in so many ways.....particularly when she took off her bandages that revealed her scar.   Go rent it!!

Wiser

I turned another year wiser this month!  Yipeeee!!  My mom's birthday is the day after mine so to celebrate, just the girls went out to brunch.  Yum!   I'm pretty much a shorts and t-shirt kinda gal, but it is fun to ditch the gym clothes and dine at a quaint place sometimes.  Thank you, Freegan Sister, for introducing me to T. Cooks!!  Just love it!!  The history, the ambiance, the service, the food, the beautiful grounds!!  The place is incredibly calming....full of peaceful energy.  Give it a try!!  Thanks for all the well wishes on my birthday.  I feel so loved!! 

Locker

 On Saturday, Luke had an orchestra boot camp at school so I had an opportunity to check out his locker.  It wasn't too messy (only 2 weeks worth) but we spent a little time organizing it to make class transitions a little easier.  He LOVES his new school and his favorite class is Latin.  The Latin teacher has a fantastic reputation among the students.  Actually all his teachers are incredible in their own special way.   We had an opportunity to interact with them last week at curriculum night.  I'm grateful that each one seems so passionate about the subject they are teaching.  A true blessing for those students.

Peas in a Pod

A few weeks ago, this is how I found my three early one morning.  My kids don't sleep in late like many kids do.  I suppose they get it from their parents who are up at the crack of dawn most mornings.  It is my favorite time of day.....quiet, calm, fresh with endless possibilities.  I'm most definitely a morning person.

Back to School

The kids started back to school this past Monday.  We're at a new charter school and the kids are excited about their new school family and familiar faces.   It's going to be a great year!! 

Wild Berries

On the last day of July, we drove north to the rim down a bumpy dirt road to find our patch of delicious wild berries.   It's such a treat to pick these and enjoy their sweetness.  It's hard for me to stop picking for a lunch break.....it's kind of like walking on the beach looking for seashells....I keep walking hoping for that extra special treasure.....I keep picking hoping for that motherload of berries that no one else has spotted this summer.  It's relaxing and so peaceful.

 The lookout tower near our berry picking spot.  A lady lives here from April til about Oct/Nov keeping a close eye on the forest.  She's been doing it for 20+ years.  This summer she's picked 10 gallons of berries.

 This is her map of fires this year.....human and lightning caused.

 View from her tower.  Incredible.

 Hummingbird haven at the tower.

 Lois found a friend.  His name is Hoss and keeps the tower lady company.

 Beautiful berries and yummy berry dessert! 

In a box, with a fox?

I love the simple, creative fun 3 kids can have with two empty boxes! 



Fun on Tempe Town Lake

A few weeks ago we rented some water craft on Tempe Town Lake.  We had a blast!  We were there around sunset and a storm was rolling in from the east.  It was beautiful!  We will definitely do it again.  Would like to try the stand up paddle boards.  Check them out. http://boats4rent.com/