My Sunshines

These kiddies of mine...they make me smile. They are like my little rays of sunshine making it impossible to frown.

Reflection

Today has been a reflection day. I often have these days where I think about my trials and everything that has happened in my life to bring me to this point. It was also kind of an emotional day; which mostly happened just because of my reflections. Cody left for training today in Tucson, just for two weeks, so not that long. In the eternal scheme of things, two weeks is nothing. When I woke up this morning I had deja vu; well actually I felt like that all day. I kept thinking about what it felt like when he left for the academy almost year ago. I know two weeks does not even compare to three months but I still couldn't help but think about it. I'm so glad that he is finally doing what he loves and he has my full support but it gets hard saying goodbye to him. So I'm thinking about all of this along with the fact that I'm living somewhere new, far away from family, and we are all still adjusting and there absolutely nothing to do in this town besides go to the dollar store and wondering what I can do to keep me sane until he gets back. Then this afternoon we decide to watch Legacy with the kids...church history and pioneers have a soft spot in my heart so I cry every time I watch this movie anyway, but today I was already keeping my feelings in check, trying to be the strong wife and mom, and trying to figure out why I was feeling such a wreck inside anyway. As I sat there with my husband on my right, my baby on my lap and my two other children to my left, I realized (for the umpteenth time) that my family is my whole life. I am so thankful for the knowledge of eternal families. I realized that my husband may be leaving for two weeks but I know he's coming back. I will see him soon. I get to talk to him every night. I could say goodbye and know that I'll see him again; instead of saying goodbye wondering if I'll ever see him again. After everything that has happened in the last year, my emotions/realizations/thoughts/reflections just came to a point and I thought how blessed I am. I have realized time and time again that if we are doing what we are supposed to nothing happens by coincidence. We will be taken care of. Everything that has happened to our family has been for a reason. Some reasons I understand now and some I don't. But as I sat there with my family, I thought to myself I can do whatever I am suppposed to do and have the strength to do it because I am blessed. I am being watched over and my family is being watched over whether we are together or apart. So even if all I have is the dollar store to venture out too with the kiddies, so be it. Even if I am running low on patience and smiles, I'll keep going because my kids are worth it.


Plus, two weeks really isn't that long, right? :)

Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

On Cody's day off he took us down to the monument where he works so we could see everything. It is so beautiful this time of year because all the cactus are flowering and everything is green. We've been told that greeness only happens about 2-3 months out of the year so I don't think it will last very long. We had a great day driving around the park and finding awesome pictures.

Here is Cody and the kids in front of an Organ Pipe Cactus by the visitors center.


The kids walking the nature trail and trying to find lizards!


The kids and I in front of a cholla cactus. Sometimes they are called teddy bear cactus because they get really full and look fuzzy and soft from a distance.


There is a 20 mile loop in the park and there is a view point for these two arches right on top of each other. We were excited to see arches!


Little tiny cactus flowering...how can something so prickly have such pretty flowers on it?

Our New Chapter in Arizona

Hooray!!! We finally made it to Arizona!!! Quick update for those that don't know: Cody accepted a job at Organ Pipe National Monument in southern Arizona as a Law Enforcement Park Ranger. He applied for the job back in July when he graduated school and we've waited...and waited...and waited...oh and waited some more...until finally his background check was completed and cleared, medical testing was completed and cleared and he got the "go ahead, get down here now!" We waited almost 7 months for this and that was definitely a test of our patience, sanity, and most important our trust in the Lord. His timing is always perfect.

So we moved down here on Feb. 18, which was an adventure all to itself; driving 750 miles in two days with a moving truck with every single thing we own inside, two vehicles, 3 children, and our two way radios. I'm actually very impressed with the kids and how well they did. Jake got to drive in the big moving truck with Cody and wouldn't let his big sister have a turn. The girls rode with me following behind and as Anna put it, "we got to listen girl songs the whole way!".

We moved to a little town called Ajo, which is about 40 miles north of the Mexico border. Organ Pipe sits right on the Mexico border and the park boundary about 15 miles south of where we live, so the commute isn't too bad for Cody. When I say "little" town, I really mean LITTLE. Let me just say this...its got one grocery store (which I'm so thankful for because the next closest one is 98 miles away), gas station and school. And thats about it. Oh! It does have two parks; yay! We had never even seen the house we are renting until we pulled up in front of it and phew! relief! Big enough, nice enough and it is fenced all the way around...(don't want those javelina's getting in right?!?!) It worked out great. The kids love it down here. Cody loves his new job and I just love that everyone else is happy! Annalyn is doing great in her new 1st grade class at school. Jacob is making friends in Sunbeams at church, which we see at the park most mornings. Lizzie is just happy to have carpet to crawl on instead of concrete (love you Haley and Dan!)

So here we are! As we get more pictures I'll post more and since we are not close to family anymore I'll try very very very hard (see moms, 3 very's!) to keep this blog updated with pictures. Thanks so much to our families and friends for all your support and encouragement; I know we couldn't have gotten through those last few weeks without you! We love you!


This is the front of our house:


This is the backyard; the tree on the right is an orange tree and the one next to it is a grapefruit tree!


Big cactus in our front yard; cactus' are the way to landscape down here!


Jacob and I in the backyard, fruit trees to the left, our house is in the background.


Annalyn and Jacob in front of MORE cactus' in our backyard and the only reason they were so close to them to begin with is for the picture.


one downside about this house...it does not have bathtubs! Not very easy when you have little kids. So we tried this and she at least got clean!

Lizzie's First Birthday!

Yesterday Lizzie turned one year old!! I can't believe she is one already! She was so happy all day playing with her new toys and books. Her older brother and sister couldn't help but help with the unwrapping of presents. She is our little sweetheart and we love her so much!!!