Day 168 - Calm

Calm /kahm/ n. 1. An absence or cessation of motion; stillness. 2. Serenity; tranquillity; peace.

Day 167 - Last Thing I Bought

So many awesome things are happening in life right now! Life is gooood :)  With the good, though, comes the crazy! All within a couple of weeks, we have school starting for all four kids (exciting!), my new job (love!), cheer season is starting for my older two girls, and I'm the coach!! It really feels like life is falling into place, but is scattered all at the same time. It's, well..a crazy, wonderful life! So, with all of this wonderfulness going on, it was time to go back into the 20th century and do as my mom does. Write things down in a planner (with pencil and paper, oh my) and also on a calendar hanging in plain view. I'm not a big fan of the calendar thing, so I decided to make this instead. With the help of Pinterest, I found this pretty super sweet idea. Find a multi-picture frame and  fill the picture openings with scrapbook paper..and viola! I had the base for my weekly calendar. I just write out my schedule for the week with dry-erase markers and put it where it can't be missed :)

I love it. Evidently, not enough to update it for this next week. There's always tomorrow for that..I better pencil it into my planner.

Day 166 - Cup

Red solo cup, I fill you up
Let's have a party, let's have a party
I love you red solo cup, I lift you up,
Proceed to party, proceed to party

Now I've seen you in blue and I've seen you in yellow
But only you red will do for this fellow..

-Mr. Toby Keith <3

Day 165 - On The Road

I knew it was hot as the devil here! The ground is opening right up. This explains a lot... ;)

Day 164 - Sunshine

"Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine." - Anthony J. D'Angelo

Day 163 - Heart

A couple of weeks ago, we were on vacation in the mountains and I came across this rock. We had just finished a day of swimming and fishing in the river and were walking back to the car when I saw it. It just seemed to be laying there, waiting to be seen. This rock was a perfect symbol of how we were all feeling that day. It was definitely one of the silliest, most carefree days we've had as a family. Our biggest worry that day was whether we were going to get poured on by the thunderstorm looming above (we did and it made for funny memories of huddling under whatever we could find!). To me, this rock is a reminder of that day (the whole week, really) and what's truly important in life. We all go through times when life feels overwhelming, so it's important to have these memories to think back on and get back in touch with the true reality. <3

Day 162 - A Stranger

This is a stranger I would definitely not like to meet in a dark alley ;)  It was nice enough to let me peek into it's home! While I'm not fond of spiders in the slightest, they are amazing creatures. That's some fancy webwork!

Day 161 - Mirror

This mirror on my in-law's bedroom wall is part of a collection of awards and other notable items from my father-in-law's long, very successful career in the Air Force. Aside from being a great father to his three sons, the BEST Grandad ever, and wonderful husband, he also worked hard and devoted a big chunk of his life to the military and our country. He retired as an Air Force colonel in 2005. I feel very proud and lucky to be his daughter-in-law <3

Oh, and that's my crazy monkey girl, Avery, in the reflection :)  No beds were harmed in the making of this photo.

Day 160 - Upside Down

The house was turned upside down today as we prepped for our summer to end..purging everything we don't need! I figured the park was prettier turned upside down than the house, though ;)

Day 159 - 9 O'Clock

Tonight was a big night for the hubs and I. We pigged out on ice cream while watching Storage Wars. We just live life to the fullest at all times... But really, it's a big deal because we got to eat something nummy and baaaaad before our week of working out and eating only super health-nut type foods begins again :)

Today,  as a family, we did a good job getting ready for the school year to start this week. We got everything we needed to be organized and ready for our loaded schedules. We also put a new reward/punishment system in place for the kids. We spent a lot of time talking about the importance of our family working as a team and meeting their own individual goals every day. Yay for the little achievements in life!

Day 158 - Eyes

"Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground." - Theodore Roosevelt

My favorite eyeballs in the world <3

Day 157 - Animal

My sweet Scully. Otherwise known as, Bad Dog. Of course, that's only said in the sweetest voice so he has no idea what we're calling him ;)  He was my birthday present a few years ago and is one of the sweetest, most tolerant dogs I've ever met, but he can also drive me nutsos!  

Day 156 - Plate

Took the kids to the movies today with friends :)  We saw The Smurfs. Gotta love the summer movie program..$2 a ticket! We bought a giant bag of popcorn and split it between the kids. Of course, they each need their own container or the world will end, so they each get a box, or "plate", for their popcorn and all is well in kid-land!  

Day 155 - My Addiction

My camera addiction. Since I received my camera in January, I've been constantly taking pictures. Even when I'm not, I'm always seeing things I'd love to take pictures of. It's a complete obsession. I can't wait to further my skill. I'll be starting classes soon to complete a certificate in photography and go from there! I'm so happy to have finally found something I enjoy :)  I've always felt that I had no particular interest or skill that stood out, other than my family. I think being a young mommy can do that sometimes :P  One important thing to remember as a mom and wife is that you must keep your eyes and heart open to things that might interest you as an individual person. You may just find yourself falling in love with something you never thought you would.

Shhh...don't tell anyone, but I may have a new photography website in the works ;D  Obsess on, friends!

Day 154 - Sign

As I left the store this evening, I couldn't help but notice how unbelievable the sun and clouds were (nothing in that photo is photoshopped/edited). The hubs and I met at the store in separate cars and he drove the kids home because, naturally, Daddy's more fun :P  I jumped in the other car and had no intention of going straight home..hehe. I couldn't get a good shot of the sky in the parking lot without tall trees and buildings in my way, so I started driving until I was able to snag a shot. I turned down a street and found an empty field. I parked (il)legally, hopped out, and started snapping away.

I finished and headed back to the car, but couldn't help but notice the sun hitting the church across the street. The cross and sign were both illuminated and were glowing in the light. Sounds kind of lame, but I saw this as a sign in itself. The first spot with a clear shot of this amazing, heavenly sky was in front of a church. Coincidence? Probably. But, I'm going to go with taking the rays of sun beaming across the sky and onto the cross as a sign that I should follow up on my interest in going to church regularly and getting the kids involved. Will it be this church? Not sure, but I feel like that's one part of my life that's lacking depth. I'm at the point where I find myself desiring more exploration down the road of spirituality..faith..God.

Day 153 - Finger

"A babe is nothing but a bundle of possibilities." - Henry Ward Beecher

Day 152 - Building

Our A-frame cabin that we stayed in for vacation was absolutely adorable. We didn't want to leave when it came time to go home after our four-night stay. I had never really thought of family vacation as a bonding, team-building experience, but it certainly was! We laughed and played the entire time. It really became a time of remembering why we all love each other and why we're totally the best family ever ;)  It was the simplest things that brought us the most joy. Swimming in a river and laughing about how mommy (me!) was still fully clothed, the hubs and I getting way too excited about catching crawfish with raw bacon and a string, and the odd timing of thunderstorms pouring down on us everywhere we went. Taking time away from the norm is so refreshing. New experiences and making cherished memories together as a family is an incredible feeling that I wouldn't trade for anything. This life we have worked hard to build together is something to be celebrated! <3  

Day 151 - Open

"There is always one moment in childhood when the door opens and lets the future in." - Graham Greene

Day 150 - Texture

This tree caught my eye while we were fossil hunting with the kids at the Paleo Site near Payson, AZ. The lichen on this tree was so interesting. It was growing all over the tree in scattered patches. The texture of it and the way it grows is so unique. I love how my attention to detail and interest in my surroundings has heightened since becoming interested in photography! I don't think I would have thought twice about this really cool tree, otherwise. :)

Day 149 - Letter

My day, summed up with "W's" :)

Wonderful, Wacky, Wet, Whimsical, Whiny, Wiggly, Wild, Worthwhile, Wandering, Watchful, Watery, Wooded, Wormy...Worn-out!

Truly, it was a great day with our family! One of the best days with the kids that I can remember. This Mama Fishy spent the day swimming (fully clothed, with flip flops still on) in a river with my four fishies. Feeling very blessed tonight :)

Day 148 - My Favorite Color(s)

Our day was spent in Payson, which is just down the road from where we're staying in Strawberry. There was a Vietnam War Memorial there in the park where we had a picnic in a thunderstorm, took the kids fishing for the first time, and just had a relaxing day together. Some very memorable things happened, also. I'm sure we won't be forgetting our trip to Green Valley Park anytime soon ;)  Avery (4), received her first bee sting on her foot, Cara and Avery caught their first fishies, and we accidentally hooked a duck :(  Carter was trying to fish and was waiting for a nibble on his bait. Well, his nibble came, but not from a fish. It was the poor ducky. She couldn't resist the bait and found herself with a hook in her tongue. The hubs pulled her in by the fishing line and scooped her up. I held her while he removed the hook. Poor, poor duck. After our duck-tongue surgery, we let her go and she swam off with the others. Eventful day, but all in all, everyone had a good time!

Day 147 - Big

Today we arrived in the little town of Strawberry, AZ in the White Mountains! We're here for five days and have a lot of fishing, playing, and relaxing planned. One of our biggest priorities up here is to enjoy being outside as much as possible. Although Strawberry is only about an hour and a half from the Phoenix area, it's a huge temperature difference. We left home (Chandler) today and it was over 110 degrees. Too hot for any Earthling, in my opinion. Yuck. Here's to a much cooler week for us!

Day 146 - Lunch

Today was all about leftovers. Leftover tri-tip, brats, chips, and bean dip. Mmmmm. I couldn't move after eating this and felt like sleeping for the rest of the day. Not the best choice, but someone had to eat it, right? Can't possibly waste.

Day 145 - Garden

Today was a wonderful day spent with family in Tombstone and tearing down dirt trails through old ghost towns. I was in photo heaven! Tombstone is full of so many eclectic people, houses, and shops. One of the sites to see while there is the world's largest rose bush, which was planted in 1886. Although this Bed & Breakfast next to the old Tombstone Courthouse has a pretty rose garden with a cool sign, it has nothing to do with the largest rose bush :D  I just liked it!

Day 144 - Chair

There's no need for our little Avery to stand while shooting her airsoft gun. Sitting while shooting is just so much cooler. ;)

Day 143 - On The Floor

We had a breakfast playdate today with our friends! Here, with my kids, are the Davis kids! Unfortunately, we didn't think to take a picture before the girls' friends Kayla and Brenna left! These kids have all grown up together. Cara and Dylan (second and third from left) have been good friends since they were 3, about four years ago, and are now going into second grade at the same school :)  Such fun when we all get together!  

Day 142 - Fun

We had a wonderful 4th of July today!! We had a backyard barbeque with my in-laws and we played, danced, ate (a lot!), and watched Daddy set off fireworks in the backyard. So fun and relaxing!

Day 141 - Best Part Of My Day

"Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things." - Robert Brault

The girls disappeared for a while today, then came back with a foil hat and a foil flower for me :)  I probably need to add foil to the grocery list, but hey, I now have an awesome hat! It's the little things in life that keep us happy and silly. Don't forget to take time out of the busy, stressful day and cherish those small moments! :)

Day 140 - Busy

The hubs and I have started a new 7 day super healthy eating diet. It's from the Dr. Oz show and is called a "crash" diet, but I don't like that term. It's not a crash diet at all. There are no restrictions on how much you can eat, it's just pretty much a vegan diet. Mostly everything we eat comes from the ground. Nothing processed. Only foods that our bodies were meant to be fueled by. It feels great to eat this way! Luckily I enjoy cooking because I have been so busy in the kitchen preparing green smoothies (like the not-so-green one above) and plant-based meals. Having fun and feeling great, though. Only downside is I haven't lost much weight so far, but the hubs has lost a bunch. How is that fair??

Day 139 - Self Portrait

“Every job is a self-portrait of the person who did it. Autograph your work with excellence."

Day 138 - A Friend

Today was very much a stay at home day, so I didn't see any friends or anyone other than our little family. But, I did come in contact with one of my longtime friends..Rockstar :)  Most days are made possible by energy drinks. The next week will be energy drink-free, though! So, farewell, my friend.

Day 137 - Soft

I've always thought the texture and overall feel of eggplant is so interesting. They look like they would be hard, like a squash or cucumber. They remind me of the way a sting ray or dolphin feel under your fingers at a petting pool :)