Arizona Science Center

We decided to take the day to play. It's been about 6 years since we have been to the science museum and our neighbor was gracious enough to give us free tickets. Since the kids are older, they seemed to have more fun. They took the time to do each activity and seemed to learn alot by seeing and doing. They kept telling us all day, "Thank you, thank you for taking us there." I have to admit...I picked up on some things as well, so it's not just for kids.Brynna was able to see how small she was when she was born at 25 weeks.

While watching a disection of an eye, Nathan covers his ears...but just can't stand to take his own eyes off of the masacre.

Mom found her home within Phoenix. Quite the change from a city of 35,000.

Nathan was caught eyeing the nude woman.

Jason proved he would be a better handicap than me by beating me in the wheelchair race. Dang, what a workout!
Brynna and her skinny little arms, took out her competition. She made him cry. You go girl!

But the best had to be when I found my stud.

(The stud sensor proved it.)

Home

I went to Nebraska to pick up my mom and bring her home to Arizona. Meanwhile, I stayed with my brother, Barry, his wife, Jen, and their kids, Myah, Sydney, and Brendan. Even though I missed having Jason and the kids there, it was nice to be able to go and simply be daughter, granddaughter, sister, and aunt.

Mom had her retirement party at work which we were all able to attend. She made such wonderful friends there that became family. After Johnny died, they were a huge support system and helped in ways I couldn't being so far away. I am grateful to them for all of their love and encouragement.

I have the best nieces and nephew! Myah is into catching bugs, playing jokes on me, being a typical big sister, music, and can do interesting voices.
Sydney is just insane. Her mouth is moving from sun up to sun down. She is pretty dramatic, and is a social gem. She belches better than any adult I know.
Brendan is also very social, loves to eat, and loves to sing the "Annie" song. He would melt my heart anytime he would call me "Aunt Jenny."
Like his sisters, he also is learning lines from
movies, obviously from his dad. I heard several times, "Hey lady, you call him Dr. Jones!"

I had such a great time hanging out with my brother all week. His wife, Jen, had strong ambitions to be a doctor and works hard doing Internal Medicine. Barry graduated with a degree in construction management and is one of the smartest people I know. He never had to try, it always made me sick. I do have to commend both him and Jen for making a decision for one to stay home. My brother put his employment on hold to do so.

I once told my mom, "You have to feel so proud, to know both of your kids are unemployed." She responded, "you both have degrees, you have great spouses, and by seeing the happiness of my grandkids, I couldn't be more proud."

Barry is so patient, even-tempered, fun loving, hilarious, and just an overall wonderful husband, dad, and brother.

We laugh at things that no one else finds humor in. My passion is music, and he is my supplier. He kicks my butt in tennis, but wll show mercy just to make me feel better. We stay up entirely way too late creating famous people on the Wii. If he wasn't my brother, I might actually consider hanging out with him as a friend.

One thing I realized...I go to Nebraska, and I am home. I go to California, and I am home. Arizona will always be home. Home isn't a place, but rather a feeling of love, acceptance, warmth and memories. I am grateful that I can call so many places home.

"Children of the Corn"

Not such a guitar hero

Classic Sydney: mouth always open

4th of July Withdrawl (With a Fechter Twist)

I wasn't missing home, until Independence Day came. I was suffering with major withdrawls not being with my family, friends, the BBQ party, doing sparklers with the kids, someone getting injured each year, and putting on our own fabulous fireworks extravaganza. We usually are in Nebraska for our summer getaway. This year, times have changed. Mom sold the home I have only ever known (sniff, sniff) to be able to come live here in Arizona (YEAHHHHH). I don't think I will miss home as much as I do this time of year. After living in California and Arizona, there is still nothing quite like it, nor will anything be able to ever replace it. So be careful, Bro, we will be invading YOU now.

On the 4th, we went to the Surprise Stadium to watch fireworks and let the kids play in the water and have a good time. We accompanied the Fecther's, which should have given us an incling of how the night would end. Many of you probably don't know, but bad luck tends to follow the Fechter family, and frankly they are slightly crazy (the proof is above).

The storm clouds were in the distance. A welcomed sight after a long, hot day in the sun. The wind starts blowing...cools us off a bit, feels real good. And then....the dust rolls in. At 8 o'clock they announce that we are in a "holding pattern" for fireworks. Every fifteen minutes, they up the time and we wait...and wait...and wait..and lighting is getting closer. Finally at 9:15 we decide to pack it up and go to Sonic for some treats (since the concession line at the stadium was at least an hour long). We get home around ten, and hear the loud bangs from afar. Are you kidding me?? We watch the awesome show we paid for out of an upstairs window. Thanks, Fechters.
Kidding aside, it was great to be with such good friends. They helped me have a good time regardless and helped me through my withdrawl by keeping me smiling. They are worth the bad luck.

We feel so blessed to live in the United States. We love this country with all of our hearts. We are grateful to those who serve, have served, or will serve in the military for their bravery and love of this great nation.

Kelli, thanks for the hook up with the shirt. You would not believe all the comments!

These boys are doing the armpit fart shake. NICE.

A Win, Win Situation

For about a year, Brynna has been begging to get her hair cut. She also changes her mind on what her favorite color is about every month, so I wanted to make sure that she was sure of herself.

On July 4th, I took her over to Rachel's sister, Crystal. She was so excited to FINALLY get it cut. Crystal did a fabulous job!

Not only were we happy, but by Brynna waiting to get her hair cut, she in turn will make someone else extremely happy. We are donating to Locks of Love.

http://www.locksoflove.org/

http://www.ch/arityguide.org/volunteer/fifteen/locks-of-love.htm

We got the ruler out before the cut. She needed at least 10 inches to be able to donate, and we measured 13. It gave Brynna and I a sense of awe that something we take for granted everyday (and often hate doing) will be the biggest blessing to someone else. Brynna was so pleased that at the young age of 11, she is able to serve someone by building their confidence to smile again.