Our Crew: Sharpening the Saw

February 15-21, 2015

Sunday 02.15
We attended the Pima Ward in the East Tucson Stake. The demographics of the ward were very old. They had a newly called Bishop as of 3 weeks ago and he looked to be at least 83. During Sunday School Kurt leaned over and asked, "Does it look like they are stuck in 1985?" Age Demographics was all I could reply. Its always amazing how much more I can feel the spirit when I don't have a bunch of monkeys climbing all over me during sacrament meeting. Maybe someday, hopefully before they are grown and leave the house, I will learn to balance both. But currently,I do miss those monkeys.

After church we changed our clothes, figured out how to put the top down on the convertible {thank you YouTube} and headed over to Mr. Lemon to explore some beautiful desert creations. It was indeed beautiful! Somehow that was exhausting and we had to return to the resort to take a nap. YES. I took a nap. Whoah. After restful slumber I finished the blog for the week and then Kurt and I watched "The Other Side of Heaven."

Monday 02.16
Kurt first official day of meetings. And no I did not want to join the ladies for their shopping trip {never have, never will - its not me.} I filled the day with things that I wanted to do! Ran 6 miles in the beautiful Arizona desert, explored Mission San Xaiver, enjoyed the art of Ted DeGrazia at his "Gallery in the Sun" and then got a hair cut and pedicure.

Picture from my run.

The entrance of our resort.

Pictures from the Mission San Xaiver. It was originially built in the 1690. Very impressive.

Ted DeGrazias Galley in the Sun

His works on enamel were my favorite.

Happy feet after a pedicure. Color makes me happy

I finished just in time to get ready for the Valley pre-dinner cocktail hour {awesome.} I dread those things. But I found a few down-to-earth wives and enjoyed visiting with them. And somehow we were blessed {AGAIN} to sit at Lenny's table for dinner. So privileged.

Tuesday 02.17
After Valley lunch Kurt was officially done. They kept saying it was more of a reward/celebration than a meeting. Sounds fabulous to me. We then headed north for the Mesa temple. We went to Grandma Karen and Kay's trailer to meet up with them first. It was great to spend the evening with them and catch up. We had dinner after the session and then headed back to Tucson.

That night when we called home to say good-night and check in we found out that Ruth and Austin had collided at latch-key and Ruth had hit her head on the ground. Since that time she had thrown up twice. They had taken her two a nurse friend {pupils were equal and reactive.} They continued to monitor her throughout the night and she was coherent to her surroundings. These are the moments that kill you to not be home. Grateful to Kerri and Kaitlin for holding down the fort so well while we were away {plus Chenai and Amber earlier in the trip.}

Wednesday 02.18
Time to fly home! Ready at this point. We were rested, recharged and refreshed. It was a perfect get-away.

Flying over the grand canyon - cool -

We heard that Kaitlin had gotten sick during the night and was throwing up. She called her mom to help. Ruth plus Austin stayed home from school. Austin slept the entire day, you know he's not feeling well if that happens! We called Grandma Cindy to come help for a few hours until we got home. Vacation definitely over. As soon as we got home the little girls and I loaded up to take Emma to dance in Star {Claire was still recovering from pneumonia.} After a subway dinner we went to the STAR library. The girls L O V E D it. The toys, puzzles, books and library friend {guinea pig} Olive. We stayed there till in closed which wasn't long until Emma got done with class. Lucy has been asking - daily - to go to the penny pig library. :)

Kurt and Spence went to hunter's safety while Austin continued to sleep.

Thursday 02.19
Preschool field trip to Greif's music store. This was my most favorite field trip we've ever taken in preschool. They taught us all about vibration and showed/played a large variety of instruments. It was very educational and cool. I think I was more excited about it than the preschoolers. haha

Learning that music happens through vibration

Austin stayed home again. It was nice to let Jane nap during our field trip {not have extra hands that wanted to touch everything.}

After school Austin and Spencer turned in their winter reading program charts.

While Emma was at art we were at clogging in Fruitland. The weather was unbelievably perfect and we played at the park across the street. That's a beautiful blessing!

Friday 02.20
Good Morning! This girl loves her bananas

A little time at home before heading to the school to sort / count / deliver {to girls} Girl Scout Cookies.
Yes. It is that time.

I drove the boys back to Vale for hunter's safety. Then the girls and I went back to the school for Soup & Craft night at the school. It was good to help and be apart of something for the school. I love the school community/family we have established there. The girls and I had lots of fun together. Kurt attended Juan's baptism in Nyssa while the boys were at hunter's safety - nothing like dividing and conquering. He really enjoys being able to serve with the Spanish meetings.

We LOVE Marcus!

Saturday 02.21
Grateful for some time at home. Austin, Lucy, and Ruth went with Kurt for 4H steer weigh in. Before which Austin bought yet again steer. Uncle Jeff has been scouting out The.PERFECT.Steer for him to take to fair. He {meaning Jeff} is pretty into it. Austin came home with a hat and nice pocket knife. He was excited.

Later that afternoon he loaded up his backpack with all his knives, bow and BB gun and went outside to survive. Hunter's Safety is having an impact on him.

We sorted Girl Scouts cookies and Emma and I made a few deliveries and got ice cream treats for a February mommy date before coming home.

Mommy-Date Treats

I may have placed these on Jane. Ruth and I were laughing soooooo hard. So naughty!

Random moment when Lucy passes out.

Romans Kitchen is open for business! Do they teach knife safety in Hunter's Safety

We fed the kids, then Kurt and I headed over to Parma for a RTO relay team planning dinner at the Webers. It was a fun night. The wives are excited and the husbands appropriately terrified.