AZ or Bust

I was happy that my family was able to fit (tightly) into my mom's car so that we could drive from Utah down to Arizona to spend some time enjoying the place I still think of as my home away from home. We are lucky that Stephen's grandparents live so close to my parents and we were able to visit. Plus, many of my friends still live in the area and I was able to visit with them and their kiddos! It's so easy sometimes to go back in time to 20 plus years ago and remember the "good old days." My kids are beginning to have close relationships with my friend's kiddos and enjoy their own wonderful memories.

On August 17, we prepared for CJ's AZ reception. I was put in charge of painting the large back-drop that my friend's dad had built for her own wedding reception nearly 11 years ago. The irony: August 17th was my 10th wedding anniversary. So ten years ago, I was the one in the white dress greeting people in line. Ten years later, with three kiddos in tow and a husband in another state back at work, I was painting the backdrop in my paint clothes to prepare the way for my brother's new beginning. It seems so crazy--a perfect circle of life. But, don't worry, we did get to put on our party clothes eventually and we had a great time at the reception. Plus, Stephen and I eventually did get to celebrate our anniversary together! More on that later.

Thanks Mom and Dad for hosting us throughout our summer vacation. We had a great time. Can't wait for 2013!