Beauty of the Superstitions

Since the photos below do not provide a "big picture" view of the area we hiked, I thought I'd include this one. What doesn't stand out in this photo is just how numerous and beautiful the wildflowers are right now. But it is beautiful even without the flowers. I sized this for widescreen monitors, so if you enjoy placing photos as wallpaper (desktop background) on your computer and like this shot, you are welcome to it. Simply double-click on the photo to get a larger version of it, then save it to your computer.

Adventure on the Hieroglyphics Trail

The arrival of family from L.A. for Easter along with the incredible spring weather inspired us to finally take our first significant hike here in AZ. Hiking trails abound out here, and we'd heard numerous ones cited by friends & colleagues, but the Hieroglyphics Trail located in the nearby Superstition Mountains got the nod. Our big crew of ten - 4 adults, 1 teenager, and 5 girls aged 8 and younger - hit the trail around 3:30pm not quite knowing how our little trekkers would fare. The heat took a toll on them early on, but they soon got their second wind and did a great job! Plenty of loose rocks and a slight but steady incline did not deter them (or us!) as we plodded along through scrub, cacti, and an amazing abundance of blooming wildflowers. Ancient petroglyphs (someone misnamed the trail "Hieroglyphics", which refers to a more complex written language used by ancient Egyptians) from the Hohokam depicting antelope, snakes, and people awaited us, but our time to view them was cut short thanks to the presence of a very large rattlesnake that was maneuvering through the boulders & brush right where our crew of girls were. Very top-heavy with Brooke in a backpack on my back while standing on the side of sloping boulder with few good footholds, I was close to the snake, but not in a great position to help out(!). After more than a little screaming, we managed to get everyone past the snake and back down the trail a bit for a snack and an incredibly beautiful hike back down the trail. Someone later informed us that the Superstitions have the highest concentration of rattlesnakes in the world. If that doesn't deter you too much (and it shouldn't - most snakes only strike when threatened), we'd highly recommend the hike. It certainly inspired me to start hitting the trails more often to explore the beauty of Arizona.

Relaxed!

The key to making our quick trip to HI work was the support from friends & family who very generously agreed to watch our girls. It had been 6 years since we'd last had a night away from our kids. They did great without us, which really freed us up to relax, once our work was done. Thanks Bernards, Grays, and Mom & Dad for a much overdue opportunity to unwind!

Morning at Diamond Head

Janelle & I were blessed with an incredible opportunity to teach about culture and worldview to a group in Hawai'i last week. We had a terrific time teaching, and were blessed with a little bit of free time to enjoy the beauty of Oahu. High surf curtailed our boogey boarding plans, but we had a fabulous time snorkeling, including 5 minutes to drift, within arm's reach, of a huge sea turtle. The above photo was taken at the top of Diamond Head, the well-known crater overlooking Waikiki and the rest of the southern coastline, during a quick but rewarding hike.

Snake Cake

This was certainly the tamest, and tastiest, snake at Elise's birthday party today! Janelle came through with yet another winner of a cake, complete with chocolate chunk eyes and a tongue made out of Red Vines.

Strength in Numbers

Meet E.T., a friendly African bull python about 6 feet long. His name comes from part of the pattern in his skin that looks an awful lot like that most famous of aliens. He was another of the wonderful guests at Elise's birthday party today. The girls still scream when they discover a fly trapped in the car, but not even 2-year-old Brooke hesitated to handle friendly E.T.!

Happy Belated Birthday, Elise!

With our kitchen out of commission when we'd planned on having Elise's 8th birthday (early February), Elise's birthday was postponed till today. The kitchen is still out of commission, but we went ahead with the party anyway, and boy, was it a hit. Last fall, the girls had won a gift basket that included a birthday package with Rich Ihle, "The Reptile Guy". He arrived on the scene this afternoon with about 9 of his reptilian friends. Pictured here is 16' Theresa, a 7-year-old reticulated python (they've been known to grow to almost 40 feet!). This gal was HUGE. As the birthday girl, Elise had the privilege of getting to handle all the snakes & lizards, and she embraced the opportunity with amazing gusto!

If any of you in the Phoenix area are ever looking for a unique and memorable birthday party, we highly recommend Rich of Reptile Adventures. He was absolutely terrific with the kids, and the program was excellent from beginning to end!

Happy 8th birthday, Elise! We love you!

Merry Christmas!

2009 has been eventful and notable for so many reasons. How wonderful to end it with a celebration of Christ's birth, and all that it means for the world.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."
(John 3:16 ESV).

The Case of the Missing Sipping Cup

After 20 minutes or so of scouring the house the other day in search of Brooke's last working spill-proof sippy cup, I finally gave up my search. The case was not yet closed, however, so Janelle offered a 1 penny reward for the finder of the cup. I ran downstairs to grab something and discovered that my lovable little daughters had been transformed into the Super Sleuths. Sporting goggles, they were on the case and ready to compete for the prize of the penny! The case was closed minutes later when Chief Sleuth (aka "Mommy") discovered the missing sippy under a sofa. Case closed.

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey

We were blessed with an early Christmas present last week when my dad flew out from Virginia for a brief visit. My mom didn't make it, but, knowing the girls' love for books, sent a special new book out for them, which my dad had the task of reading to them: The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey. Toomey's nickname is Mr. Gloomy, and he believes Christmas and miracles are nothing but "pish-posh" until he encounters the widow McDowell and her son, Thomas. It is extremely well written - captivating, even - with stunning artwork to compliment the story. It was an immediate hit with our entire family, and I'm sure it will get pulled out every year for more readings. Not surprisingly, it has a 5-star rating at Amazon. Check it out!

"All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth..."

In one week, Chloe lost 3 of her front teeth (2 upper, 1 lower) and is sporting a terrific toothless grin now. An aide at school had the privilege of pulling out the 2 upper teeth, in successive days, prompting threats from us that we weren't going to send her back to school for fear she'd come home totally toothless! She is quite excited about not having these teeth, and we think she looks pretty cute without them. And if she had her choice, she'd much rather have a Wii for Christmas than her 2 front teeth.

Our Little Tiger

We've always referred to Chloe as "our little tiger", so when Walgreens offered a free 11"x14" print a couple weeks ago, I thought it would be perfect to get her a framed photo from my recent visit with tigers in Thailand. She now has this hanging above her bed. She went on to spend her birthday money buying a giant stuffed tiger pillow, so her room has a definite tiger theme going now!

Happy 6th birthday, Chloe!

Although her party is not till this weekend, we had the joy, as a family, to celebrate Chloe's 6th birthday a few days ago. She opted for Janelle's homemade cinnamon rolls for her birthday breakfast (pictured here). Afterwards we all piled into the car and headed for Home Depot's monthly kids' craft. The highlight was seeing rain & lightning and big puddles on the roads (not a frequent sight here), but we all had fun building little bean bag toss games -- a great way to get out of the house and have some fun on a rainy day! We continued the fun with a trip to one of our favorite spots, Joe's Real BBQ, which provides a free mail on your birthday. Later in the afternoon, I (Brad) got to enjoy a special date with her at yet another favorite restaurant, the Farmhouse Grill, that offers a $10 credit on your birthday. Chloe couldn't have been more delighted as she chowed on her hot fudge sunday and mini corn dogs (OK, I admit I helped her out a bit!), then took a walk with me around the farm. With typical Chloe enthusiasm, she chimed, "This is the best birthday EVER!" Of course, knowing Chloe, she'll say this every year, but we won't mind that one bit. ;-)

Because my life is stranger than fiction...

My friend Sally once said, “If you are going to laugh about it later, let’s just all laugh about it now.” And so, in the spirit of her advice I am recording the events of my day, so that we all may laugh about it now, together.

The morning began as all mornings do - at 5:30am. Grace, followed by Chloe, Brooke, and Elise made their way into our room to say hello. Knowing that I had a busy morning, I decided to take a walk a little earlier than usual. By 6:20 the four girls, my groggy husband, and I were out the door for our morning walk. We were greeted by a beautiful Arizona sunrise, complete with sunshine streaking through puffy clouds. Returning from our walk, I hopped in the shower, then went downstairs to make breakfast.

The American Red Cross recommends a breakfast high in protein and carbs, and low in fat, the morning that you donate blood. Exchanging my usual bowl of cereal for two eggs with cheese and cilantro, with a side of southwest hash browns, I was ready to go. I hurried back upstairs to dry my hair, quickly apply my makeup, and brush my teeth before leaving to donate blood.

As the events of our lives are all like legos, linking one to one another, so were the events of my morning. Earlier in the morning I had applied diaper rash cream to 2-year-old Brooke, threw it on the bathroom counter, and washed my hands. Now, with my hair dry and makeup hastily applied, I grabbed my toothbrush to brush my teeth. I glanced at my watch, calculating that I would have just enough time to do the girls' hair before rushing out the door. I remember thinking as I brushed that the toothpaste didn’t taste as minty as the kind I usually used. Nor was it as foamy. So what would any logical person do? "Stop and check the toothpaste tube," you are thinking. Ah, but the key word there was logical, not what would a harried mother of four do… Any frantic mother trying to get out the door would do what I did - grab the tube and add more, which I did. I brushed some more, spit, and rinsed. Only then did I notice the tube of Desatin lying on the counter.

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” I exclaimed. “Brad, I’m late for my appointment. Can I use your toothbrush? I just brushed with Desatin!” My husband, trying rather unsuccessfully to contain his laughter, graciously let me borrow his toothbrush.

I rushed out the door, and made it just in time to my appointment at the blood drive. As the woman was asking me questions, I reflected on the fact that I felt nervous, and we hadn’t even gotten to the vein poking part yet. She slid the thermometer under my tongue and said matter of factly, “You’ve got a fever.” “No I don’t,” I replied with complete confidence. After all, I didn’t feel hot. “How do you feel?” she asked me. My stomach felt a bit queasy by this point, but I didn’t know if this was because I had eaten four times my usual amount of breakfast, brushed my teeth with Desatin, or was simply nervous about giving blood. So I did what any rational person would do and told her nothing. Unfortunately, I was not able to give blood. I was really disappointed, and came home to share that with my family.

When I mentioned to my husband that my stomach felt a bit queasy and I was running a fever, he went straight to the bathroom to examine the tube still laying on the counter. The next thing I know, he is on the phone with the Poison Control Center, explaining to the very helpful lady at the other end about my experimentation with Desatin. She calmly assured him that the fever had nothing to do with my hasty choice of toothpaste that morning, and suggested I try brushing again with another brand, such as Crest or Colgate.

Both my parents and my husband tried to convince me to spend the day resting, but that seemed silly because I felt fine. At one point I was heading to the store to pick up some final ingredients for dinner, and Brad questioned me. “Are you sure you feel up to going? How do you feel?” I replied that I felt the same as I did every day, which made me wonder how many days I have, in fact, had a fever!

I share all this to warn you. If you are a parent, never, ever leave a tube of Desatin on your bathroom counter. Especially a white Desatin tube with a picture of a minty looking leaf on it, but which is actually a picture of aloe. As the well-trained lady at the Poison Control Center aptly suggested, “Stick to Crest or Colgate.” And finally, I share this because I’ve laughed harder today than I have in a long time, and I hope that my story will make you laugh, too. After all, as Sally said “If you’re going to laugh about it later, let’s just all laugh about it now.” Laugh on, my friends!

Grace's First Day of School

Back-to-school season continued this morning as Grace headed back to Ladybug Learning Club for her second (and last) year of preschool. We were very excited last year when Grace landed in the classroom taught by a friend of ours. Grace loved her, so we were even more excited this year when we discovered that Grace was headed back to the same classroom & teacher for the pre-K curriculum! Adding to the fun this year is that the twin girls of our friends down the street are in Grace's class. So... Grace is poised & ready for a great year, and Janelle will get to enjoy a little more 1-on-1 time with Brooke.

The Eye of the Tiger

Well, I can now say that I've looked a tiger in the eye. Not something I ever imagined doing, but the opportunity was there.... What surprised me the most was that (1) their heads aren't nearly as big as I'd imagined, despite their huge size, and (2) that their paws were about the size of my head!

So how did all this come about? I'm currently in SE Asia at a conference, and today we had the afternoon free to go on an excursion. There were lots of tempting activities to choose from - ATVs, zip lines, white water rafting, etc - but since Chloe is "my little tiger", I was instructed to come home with a photo of a big tiger standing on its hind legs. Seemed a bit far-fetched, but I almost got that shot! These photos are from a place called Tiger Kingdom, which breeds tigers for zoos. Since they are reared around humans, they are fairly safe until just after they turn 1 year old (at which point they start getting aggressive & unpredictable), when the get turned over to zoos. I'd heard of other places where you could go see tigers, but had heard that they are sedated. Not here. While the guy I was laying on seemed to be sleeping, moments later he is up trotting around and soon decided it was play time! They truly are beautiful and amazing creatures, and I'm thankful that I took advantage of this rare opportunity to get "up close & personal" with them. I hope you enjoy the photos.

The Dancing Disasters

I arrived home from a Sunday-evening meeting to discover our house had been transformed to party central. The girls had busted out a new load of dress-up clothes that someone had just passed on to us. The music was loud and the fun was on! I think Grace was wearing about 17 different outfits AT THE SAME TIME and thought that was perhaps the most fun any 4 year-old throughout history could possibly have had. I just had to bust out the camera for some photos and videos.

First Day of School

It's July. It's 114 degrees outside. And the girls are back in school. We're still adjusting to the somewhat crazy school schedule here, but despite the fact that the world around us seems to say, "It's the middle of summer, not the first week of September", the girls are very excited to be back in school -- Elise in 2nd grade, Chloe in 1st. And they're excited to have the same great teacher, Mrs. Runyon, in a combined 1st-2nd grade classroom (more craziness!). This photo was from their first day back (last Thursday); they are now into their second week and loving it. We're looking forward to another great year at Edu-Prize!

Bustin' Out the Poodle Skirts

With their first year of Girl Scouts now completed (thanks to Janelle's wonderful leadership of Troop 2147!), Elise & Chloe got to attend the annual Daddy-Daughter Sock Hop dance last weekend. Our neighbors down the street loaned us a couple of their poodle skirts and I dug out some jeans and a white t-shirt, and off we went. Fortunately the girls are oblivious to the fact that I've got two left feet on the dance floor, so we managed to have a VERY FUN night of dinner & dancing. We even came home with one of the door prizes - a $15 gift card to our choice of two restaurants, Joe's Real BBQ or Joe's Farmhouse Grill (both are favorites that we've written about previously). Maybe we'll run across another sock hop sometime that I can go to with Janelle!

Kyle and Neighborhood Ministries

Janelle's mom is still visiting with us, and we had the chance to connect with our nephew, Kyle, yesterday in downtown Phoenix. Kyle has helped out a little bit the past couple of years with a dynamic ministry in downtown Phoenix called Neighborhood Ministries and chose to head back this spring to do an internship for a few months. Right now they're gearing up for kids' camp, which will reach out to 500 kids in the area! We're proud of Kyle and how he's investing his life. If you're in the area, be sure to check out Neighborhood Ministries, too. They're doing some great stuff.