27 July 2025

It was a lovely week, with not too many commitments.  Just the way I like it!  On Monday Phil was working and everyone was back in school...oh happy day.  It was just Felicity and I at home which made for a pretty productive work day, especially since she pretty much hides in her room all day only coming out for the occasional snack.  Helen had her first after-school band rehearsal as the marching season kicks off.  Helen and Arlo enjoyed going to youth activities at church on Tuesday.  The older group was playing volleyball and Helen and Arlo stuck around after to keep playing, they had a great time.

Jude has loved school so far this year and comes home everyday regaling us with tales of his adventures and talking intently about his friends and his favorite things to do on the playground.  

We've enjoyed spending time with Felicity while she's been home.  She played Kingdom Hearts with Jude, palled around with Arlo, and hopped into bed in the evening with Mom and Dad for a movie.  She's still preparing to take her state cosmetology exams and also getting ready for her mission.  I think she feels a little displaced while in this "waiting" stage of life.  She did enjoy spending time with friends and attending a bridal shower on Saturday.

Helen has been mostly enjoying school and I think has forgiven me (ok, maybe not yet) for making her take a full schedule of six classes her senior year.  I talked her into taking choir, which she's never done before, and she was pleasantly surprised when the choir director, after having her do a voice check, said he'd like to move her out of the intermediate girl's choir and into the advanced choir.  She's finding her Pima pre-calculus class challenging and is grateful her ASU writing 102 class hasn't started yet.  She is enjoying being able to drive herself to seminary and school in the morning, as are we.  I can't believe we'll be starting college applications soon!

On Thursday we were grateful for an opportunity to visit with Phil's cousin Shelly who is visiting from Northern Arizona.  We went to dinner in Tucson with Shelly and Aunt Dorothy and had a lovey time.  Jude even volunteered to snap a picture of us in the driveway.

Phil worked overtime on Friday and Helen and Arlo went to visit their dad for the weekend.  Helen was actually going to the Los Angeles area with her dad's ex-wife to attend a concert.  I heard it was a great time.  

Phil also ended up working overtime on Saturday, so I was grateful Felicity was home to watch Jude as I had signed up for the second race in a series of three in the pecan orchard.  To be honest, I had been on the fence about running at all and had seriously considered just going and picking up my number and tee shirt and coming home and climbing back into bed!  I had not been practicing and it has been awhile since I ran faithfully.  I persevered and ran the 5K fueled by nothing but Diet Coke and whatever random less-than-healthy thing I made for dinner the night before.  I improved my time over last year, but was lightly slower than my time in April.  Alas!   I really need to buckle down and concentrate on exercising every day, meeting my protein goals, and being more careful about what I eat.  I've definitely gained a little weight back since hitting goal in March and I don't want it to become a trend!  My next and last race of the year is on November 8th and its a 10K and I will need to go into that with a little more preparation.  

I re-started a fall-themed quilt that I had dabbled with earlier in the year.  I was making a block or two a week and had made some little crows and acorns and this week in the evening made pumpkins, leaves of various fall colors and some 12" scarecrow blocks.  I couldn't help myself and had to use the embroidery machine to put little faces on them...aren't they adorable?

Our Sunday was nice.  We enjoyed church, visiting with friends, and some rest and relaxation.  The kids don't have school tomorrow so Jude is disappointed he doesn't get to go in the morning.  Helen got back late from her quick trip to California and so she and Arlo stayed in Tucson one more night.  I have a busy work week ahead and we're starting to see school events pop up on the calendar, so I know my quiet afternoons are numbered.  It was a good week.

20 July 2025

Welcome to the 2025-26 school year!  Monday was the first day of school for both Arlo, who is now in 8th grade at Corona Foothills Middle School, and Jude, who started pre-school at Copper Ridge Elementary School.  They were both up early and enjoyed some first-day cinnamon rolls for breakfast.  Jude especially was VERY excited.  Although, I will say that he was also a little put off by my moving him purposefully through his morning.  He's used to getting up when he wants and grazing and poking around in the morning, so he was a little unsettled by having to get up, eat, get dressed, brush his teeth, etc. all in succession.  

Phil was also having a "first" on Monday.  He recently bid to a new truck at a new station on a new shift and it was his first day as captain on engine 154.  I sent him to work with a batch of cinnamon rolls...you know, so he could make a good first impression!

Felicity spent the day on Monday with friends/cousins at Pina Blanca Lake.  She had a great time, but did come home sunburned!  Phil's first day was eventful, if you ask him he'll tell you fought ten car fires and a house fire on Monday.  And he did...but it was all on the same property.  The neat part is he had a nephew doing a ride-along that day who got some good pictures and video of them fighting the fire in the Helmet Peak area.  

Unfortunately the home owner lost their home and the fire jumped to multiple vehicles on the property, but luckily it was contained before it spread to the surrounding dessert.

Helen didn't start school with the boys on Monday and so she had one more week (minus one day) of summer.  She went to a friend's house and painted jeans for her senior year.  I guess they wear them to assemblies and she knew they would have a back-to-school assembly on Monday.  Her pants turned out super cute!

I guess I've entered the stage in adulthood where I bird watch...sorta?  I don't know.  I've always had humming bird feeders because they're my favorite, but I've found myself taking pictures of all sorts of birds around the ranch, many I can watch from my office window.  In mid June we found that a mama quail had laid six eggs in one of the plants on our front porch.  We've been careful not to disturb her in anticipation of them hatching.  I heard her mate calling and pacing in the driveway all morning on Tuesday and figured it was finally the big day.  Sure enough, when I went out to peek she had four little chicks in the planter.  She pushed them out by late afternoon and then encouraged them to jump off the porch.  I watched as they each got brave enough to take the plunge and then watched mama, daddy, and four babies wobble off into the dessert.

Phil was home on Wednesday and in the evening went out teaching with the missionaries.  We enjoyed time together as a family when he got home.  The boys enjoyed their first several days of school.  Jude's teachers have said that he's been very well behaved and a good friend.  He brought home his first art project too, a "kissing hand".  

Phil worked an overtime shift on Thursday and so I had to take Jude to the dentist where he was scheduled to get a couple of fillings.  I was super nervous for him, but tried not to let on because I didn't want him to feel scared.  I shouldn't have worried because he handled it like a champ.  Not a single complaint.  The dentist did a great job and he didn't feel a thing.  Since he was holding so still and being so cooperative they decided to use a crown instead of a filling.  He was very proud of his "Ironman teeth"...I, however, am embarrassed he got cavities in the first place.  

Phil worked another overtime shift on Friday and Helen had her first day of senior year.  She sent me some fun pictures of her and her friends at their first pep assembly of the school year.  She is excited for her last year!

Phil worked his regular shift on Saturday and I was happy to have everyone else home.  The kids helped me with some chores, I wrote my Sunday School lesson, and in the afternoon I got to work on a couple of quilts.  I finished my fourth Christmas quilt, and it was a stinking pain!  Nothing lined up right, nothing wanted to lay flat and it was a simple pattern so it was frustrating.  Then after the kids went to bed I was able to finish a simple missionary panel quilt for Felicity to take with her to Indiana.  Unlike the other one, this one came together beautifully and with no stretching or problems, a dream!

Phil came home in the morning and we all went to church together.  Jude was being quite the pill and was fighting with Arlo and quite frankly anyone who did anything he didn't like.  He told me he was "angry".  Dad had to take him out of Sacrament meeting for a little bit of an attitude adjustment.  He was still grumpy when he came back in, but sat compliantly on my lap anyway.  There was a missionary farewell talk and Felicity was asked to sing "Because" between speakers.  It was beautiful, she did such a lovely job and it really invited the Sprit.  I love to see my kids do the things they love.  When she was done Jude looked up at me and said "Mama, I'm not angry anymore."  I love that the power of sacred music has the ability to do that.

I taught the adult Sunday School class second hour and most of my lesson was from Doctrine and Covenants Section 76 and I paired that with the October 2023 General Conference Talk "Think Celestial" by President Russell M. Nelson.  I think it went pretty well.  I even made vinyl stickers and magnets to hand out to my class (which was huge by the way, there were SO MANY people in Sunday school).  In the afternoon Phil and Arlo went to do their ministering assignment and then we took Helen back to church for Seminary kick-off.  She'll be starting seminary on Monday and we're excited that she'll get to be in Brother Smith's class, I think its going to be a great learning experience for her this year.  Everyone, except Felicity, is back at work and school tomorrow; Felicity will be studying for her state exam which is scheduled for the week after next.  It'll be nice finding our new groove for the school year.

13 July 2025

Last week of summer vacation...that went fast, huh?  Helen spent her last full week of summer break at band camp.  She's going to be a senior in the trombone line, can you believe that?  I can't.  She came home tired and sweaty each afternoon, but she persevered and will be ready for her last marching season.

Monday morning Phil met Helen at school and helped her with her senior check in where she made some adjustments to her schedule, picked up her parking permit, and we paid SO MANY various fees. I swear next to December July is by far the next most expensive month.  I think she's ready for her last year of high school.  The boys occupied their time with some indoor activities including fort building...over the AC vent in the family room.

Phil worked on Tuesday and Felicity registered for her state cosmetology exam and worked on pre-mission requirements including watching a lot of safety videos.  We ordered some things for her online, including a new pair of shoes.  She's going to need winter gear, but I think I'm just going to send her with money to buy a winter coat, rain coat, snow boots, etc. when she gets to Indiana.  I think initially she was a little disappointed to not be called to a foreign mission, but from what I can tell big city Indianapolis might as well be a foreign country for a small-town Arizona native...I hear it gets cold in Indy!

I finished my next Christmas quilt this week.  I have one more in the que and then I'll be happy to make something else...although I still have left over Christmas fabric for maybe another project or two down the line.  I'm hoping to finish my fourth Christmas quilt in the next couple of weeks so I can drop them off to be quilted.

Phil worked teaching live fire at fire academy on Wednesday and it was a hot day to be in full turnouts putting out gas-fed practice house fires for funsies.  He came home hot, sweaty, and tired.  I was, however, excited to hear that he had all day off on Thursday.  The big kids went with Nana to see the new Jurassic Park movie in the afternoon and Phil and I took Jude to meet his preschool teacher and participate in a pre-school year orientation.  He was shy and reticent at first and then he saw Kinsey was there, a familiar face from church and one of his sister's friends, and he warmed right up.  He explored the classroom, played on the tricycles on the playground, and told his teacher about himself.  He's looking forward to starting full-day preschool on Monday where he'll be attending four days a week from 7:30AM - 2:00PM.

When we were done with preschool orientation we drove into Green Valley and enjoyed dinner at Manuel's.  Yum!

Phil worked an overtime shift on Friday and so I was solo for taking Jude to a follow up dentist appointment.  At his last visit they were concerned with the start of a couple of cavities and wanted to follow up in six months.  He did great for x-rays, but unfortunately the cavities progressed and we have to schedule two fillings.  Ugh!  I always feel like the worse mother when it comes time to take the kids to the dentist.  Three out of four have had to have cavities filled, although luckily no one has had any in adult teeth.  I will say, however, our dentist's office has a new dentist and he's a lot less judgey than the last dentist, she was a like a gold metal winning guilt tripper!  No need for him to lecture me anyway, I already feel bad enough.  When we were done with the dentist we ran some errands including doing our neighbor's grocery shopping, one of Jude's favorite weekly activities.  

In the afternoon Jude went with Nana to the movies.  They saw Elio and I heard Jude was very good and sat through the the whole movie.    We may have finally turned the "I can be taken to the movie theater" corner and we can actually take Jude with us when the family wants to go to the movies without fear of someone having to sit in  the hallway with him because he can't sit still and be quiet.

Helen and the Copper Thunder Marching Band hand their end-of-band camp showcase on Friday night and it went well...they're going to have a great season.

We got Felicity's missionary pictures back from her photoshoot last week and they are gorgeous.  Chantell Nicole Photography did such a great job, we love them!

Phil stayed at work on Saturday where they were providing representation at the funeral for a past fire department chaplain.  Phil took a small crew to the funeral with the ladder truck and they raised the flag on the ladder.  He said the family was very moved and he was grateful to be able to provide a service to the family of someone that so diligently served the spiritual needs of the firemen for many years.  He called mid day to say that they asked him to stay until 8PM and then later in the evening he called to say he was going to work the full 24 hours.  He has put in A LOT of hours on this next paycheck...I think he might just make his "high three" goal.

We enjoyed our church meetings on Sunday.  Phil was able to get home in time to go with us.  We had a relaxing afternoon and Jude did a favorite activity, he had Dad make phone calls for him.  He is his father's son.  I'm so sorry if you've received a call from Phil and instead were dupped into a thirty minute long call with Jude.  I'm even more sorry if he hit the Facetime feature and carried you all over the house showing you the back of things and half of things (while mostly having to look up his nose) and rambling about who knows what.  I know he talked to at least Grandma Sue and Aunt Salina on Sunday.  He also worked on his first homework assignment, an "All About Me" sheet.  We added one of his latest watercolors, pictures of him and his family, and he decorated it with farm and firefighter stickers.

In the evening Phil and Arlo went back to church for a special broadcast commemorating the 150th anniversary of the restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood.  They enjoyed themselves and when the got home we did some night-before-the-first-day-of-school prep including making lunches and packing back packs and then Dad gave everyone a Father's Blessing in preparation for the start of a new school year.

We did scripture study and then I made sure Jude had a turn in the tub, brushed his teeth, and I read him two stories before singing a song and helping him say his prayers.  He was anxious about going to sleep in his own bed, but I reassured him and even promised a treat if he stayed in his own bed the whole night.  He wanted dad to lay down with him so I conceded and I went to decompress with a soak in the tub while Phil took over the bedtime struggle.  Less than 10 minutes later I'm in the tub scrolling on Instagram when I hear giggling and the popcorn popper going...sigh.  I don't know what time he actually fell asleep, but Phil didn't come to bed until well after 10:30.  Jude is a menace and has Dad wrapped around his little popcorn-loving, stay-up-all-night finger.  Wish us all luck tomorrow!

06 July 2025

We are in the winding up days of summer; its a short break for us and we'll be back to school mid July.  Phil, yet again, had a busy work schedule this week.  He taught fire academy during the day on Monday and then when he got home in the late afternoon packed up some camping gear for him and Jude and headed to the White Mountains where some of his extended family were camping.  They were able to stay Monday and Tuesday night before having to come home on Wednesday afternoon.  Jude enjoyed being with cousins and especially playing in the creek.  I stayed home since I had to work, but it was nice to once again have a few days alone.  

Helen and Arlo continued to visit their dad in Tucson this week, or I should say visit their dad's ex-wife and her family, I don't even know if they saw their dad.  They did however have fun going out to eat, spending time at the Great Wolf Lodge, and going to Medieval Times among other things.  We were happy to get them home again on Saturday evening.

On Tuesday morning the young women went to Skate Country, a favorite of the kids in our household, so Helen took time out from visiting to go to that activity.  She had a great time with her friends and young women's leaders.

Jude and Dad came home from camping Wednesday evening and Phil was back to work for some overtime on Thursday morning.  I had a half day of work since I finished up my hours early.  I dropped Jude off with Nana and then drove into town for a hair appointment.  Jude had a great time with Nana, he especially enjoyed visiting Nana's work and feeding the cockatiel.  I enjoyed some pampering at the salon!

Felicity finished her cosmetology hours on Thursday and in the afternoon graduated from her program.  We are proud of her and her accomplishment.  She will now have to take a couple of state exams to get her license and be able to practice cosmetology in Arizona.

She packed up all her stuff and drove home Thursday evening.  When she got home we went out and did a little shopping.  We have quite a few things we'll need to buy before she leaves on her mission in September and Jude needed a back pack and lunch box for preschool.  We had a great time and stopped at Raising Cane's for dinner before coming home.  I love my bookends!

Phil worked his regular shift on Friday.  It was a quiet day even though it was Independence Day.  He did, however, have a call to rescue a driver from their vehicle after they crashed through a building...it happens pretty frequently in Green Valley!

Jude and Felicity and I went out and did a little more shopping Friday morning and we did our neighbor's grocery shopping.  Jude even helped bag the groceries!  He loves to take Norma her mail and groceries on Friday and insists on being the one to knock on the door.  

We didn't do much to celebrate the 4th...maybe next year Phil will be home and we can take the kids to see fireworks.  We were content to stay in and watch "Independence Day" on the TV this year.  Even though we didn't go, here's a cute picture of Phil's aunt and cousins with his uncle who was the Grand Marshall of the Benson 4th of July parade this year.

Phil worked overtime on Saturday (day three in a row) and Felicity and Jude and I got up early to meet the very talented Chantell Nicole Photography to take missionary photos of Felicity at the Tucson Temple.  I think they're going to turn out stunning!  After pictures we grabbed some breakfast sandwiches and Diet Coke and headed home for a day of chores and maybe even a little quilting!

I got my replacement hemstitch attachment in the mail for my antique machine, but am still struggling to get a result I'm happy with, so I will just have to keep practicing.  I gave up after awhile and pulled out my work-in-progress Christmas quilt, I'm a little more than half done I would say.  Felicity picked up Helen and Arlo and we enjoyed an evening in.

Phil worked his regular shift on Sunday (day four) and the kids and I went to church in the morning.  We enjoyed our meetings and I taught Sunday School second hour. Jude enjoyed Primary, as usual, he was really proud to show us his "I am a Child of God crown" (his teachers really go above and beyond).  

We stopped at the fire station to swap Dad the truck for the car only to find that the car wouldn't start.  We had to wait for Dad to jump the car before we could head back home.  

Felicity worked on some of her mission pre-requisites like watching a couple of training videos and adding her medical information to the missionary portal.  She will start "home MTC" on September 8th and then report to the Provo Missionary Training Center on September 17th and then leave for the mission home on October 1.  She will be speaking in Sacrament Meeting, her "farewell talk", on Sunday, August 24th at 9AM at the building in Corona.  

Helen had to head to bed early Sunday night in preparation for band camp next week!  We're looking forward to having Phil home on Monday, although he has another busy week scheduled ahead.  We are making great progress toward our retirement goals, but man its a lot of hours of him away from home!  It'll be worth it in the end, I'm sure.