The end of an Era-zona

I am not proud to admit that when we accepted a job in Phoenix almost five years ago I was NOT thrilled about moving to Arizona.  It had never been on the list of places we wanted to live, we knew very few people here, and it was really, REALLY hot.  I worried about the people, the schools, the lack of seasons, finding friends and all those unknowns.  During the months before we moved I had to continually remind myself of something that I had been taught during the April General Conference by President Monson, "The future is as bright as your faith." 

Fisher and I spent three days looking at houses with no knowledge of the area and made an offer on the one that we felt good about.  Little did we know that our faith and prayers landed us in the middle of wonderful neighbors and a great LDS ward.  We arrived on a Saturday, we did not ask for help to unload but as soon as the truck pulled into the driveway five members of the Rose Valley Ward appeared and unloaded our small U-haul in 30 minutes (during the middle of a BYU game).  On Monday morning, my neighbor Micole showed up on my doorstep and offered to watch Curly and Lou so I could unpack.  I did not know then the impact she would have on my life as she has become a dear friend.  During the first weeks and months we met more great neighbors - The Sheppards, Quinns, Wests, and Sos. As time has passed and we have made many friends.   We often say, "What would we do without _________ in our life?"   Then Tim and Shar moved here in 2012 and it sweetened Arizona even more. We often reflect on the fortuitous circumstances that brought us to live in a place where we could be surrounded by such good people.  We know we have become better people through all of their examples.

When we came here, we thought we would stay a few years to get the training Fisher desired, and then move back north closer to family, but as time has gone by we have grown to love Arizona more and more to the point that we thought we could stay here forever.   However, over that past six months we started to feel a tug to move closer to our families. 

We are leaving Arizona.  We have been blessed to find a good career opportunity in Idaho and realize that the time has come to go.  Our emotions have run a wide gamut as we think about leaving the dear friends and familiarity we have here and at the same time we are excited to live closer to our families in Idaho, Utah, and Washington.  We are once again, moving forward on a new adventure knowing that "the future is as bright as your faith." 

Lots of Love - An update

We have been overwhelmed (in a wonderful way) by all the kind words of support and love through phone calls, texts, emails, messages, cards and other acts of kindness.  Thank you!  We feel so loved!

Dad's and Ron's surgeries reportedly went well and both are settled in and working on recovery.  Ron is on the floor and has had his first meal - Yay for food! So far, dad's new kidney seems to be working.  He is hoping they will move him off the Surgical ICU tomorrow and let him start eating and drinking.

Oops. I missed a few!

I finally figured out an easy way to transfer photos off of our phones and when I did, I found a treasure trove of pictures from the past 6 month.  Rather than go back through and figure out where they belong - they are all here - out of order - but posted for all posterity :)

June - Neighborhood Giant slip n' slide.  Spud loved it!

Super Sibling (and a good workout for mom)

Curly dolled up for a family outing

Spud and I roasting at a swim meet

LOTR fans - I wasn't ever there, but my cousin Tom's wedding

 cake was awesome!

We made super hero masks one day

Father's day

Lyssie and Berry

Camping = dirt

Trip to Idaho/ Utah - Petting zoo at the Scipio rest stop

Lou's bug bitten eye

July - Fisher went backpacking with his dad and brothers

Naked kitchen helper

October - Dad Lake on Fisher's Idaho fishing trip

Praying for Grandpa

Who needs a bunkbed?

Fisher's Halloween work theme was ninjas - he went as Fruit Ninja

November - Fall leaves with Grandpa Lake

Oma teaching us how to make German "Stolen"

Matching Christmas PJs

Crazy Christmas socks

Tomorrow is transplant day

My parents just went home after a quick weekend trip.   This visit was different than others because all of us know that an event for which we have been hoping and praying for for months will take place tomorrow.  

My dad started feeling ill this summer and quickly declined to the point that his medical doctor sense knew something was seriously wrong.  The diagnosis was end stage renal failure and within a week he had to begin dialysis to continue living.  After more research as to why this happened to a generally healthy 63 year old, it was discovered that his cancer treatment surgeries of 30 years ago had altered the way his body handled certain foods and he had been slowly poisoning himself with dark leafy green vegetables.  

This week my uncle and dad's younger brother is giving one of his kidneys to my dad.   There is no way to express the gratitude we feel for my uncle.  I also am amazed by the miracle of modern health care.   We are praying that all goes well and for a quick recovery for both uncle Ron and my dad.

On Saturday we were all able to visit with extended family in east valley attend the Gilbert Temple Open House.  Being in that beautiful building that represents eternal families I couldn't help but feel so grateful for the good family that I have and all the blessings that have come to me from being raised by good parents.

Christmas 2013

This year our Christmas was calm, unhurried and happy. 
 It was perfect. 

Last year, Christmas was stressful and crazy and really not as enjoyable as it should be because I was stressed and unprepared for it (I had good reason for not being prepared but still...)  Instead of enjoying December doing fun Christmas activities with my family, I was worrying and working to get ready.  After that experience I vowed to be prepared well in advance so I could enjoy the season.  Last January I marked deadlines on my calendar for the major things I wanted to complete before Christmas so that we could enjoy activities with our children.  It worked!  We attended parties, we baked Christmas treats, we enjoyed visits with family, we were able to serve others, we sang carols, looked at Christmas lights, watched movies and just enjoyed being together.

Santa and Mrs. Clause

This is the first Christmas that we have not traveled to see family or had family come to see us for Christmas, but we were lucky to have a few fun visitors before Christmas.  My brother Nathan came for a few days and we enjoyed hiking, playing at the park, and a few outings with him.  Then, Aunt Pika and Uncle Pato came for a few days.  They went with us to see "Frozen" which the girls loved!  We also enjoyed playing with Pika's amazing dress up collection, cooking and baking together and walks in the beautiful weather.

Mesa Temple Lights

Hiking at Thunderbird

Seth, Spud and Nathan at the Park

Raclette Dinner with Pika and Pato

All she wants for Christmas...

Sleeping under the Christmas Tree

On Christmas Eve we prepared our traditional German dinner.  At the girls request we put on a very low-key Nativity and sang Christmas songs before going to bed.  Christmas morning was just as we hoped it would be.  We carefully chose the gifts for the children and kept it very simple  They truly enjoyed what they received.  We spent the day playing games together, napping, and just relaxing before having dinner with the Lovells.

The Nativity play

Spud loves to open gifts

Lou's bike

Curly's Doll

The weekend following Christmas we had a fire roast and Fisher and the girls slept out froze.

 

That wraps up our wonderful December.  Here is to another great year!