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Well, it’s that time again! Time to learn more about Arizona in the 7th Hay Arizona Adventure. I left it a surprise until the last possible moment. We headed out the day before St. Patrick’s Day during Tot’s Spring Break. The start is always the same: Get the coffee, pray (not in that order particularly), and then drop off Coopy. Chilled a bit, we all were a bit sad to say goodbye, but he’d be in good hands in his Sedona suite.

Off to…….Verde Canyon Railroad!

It’s a 3.5 hour round trip train ride through the Verde Canyon. We’d have a first class couch and table and a spectacular view.

Tot bought a little eagle (Stu) to join us.

We boarded the Sycamore car at 12:45 for a 1PM departure.

Champagne to greet us!

Cheers!

Row 13? Well, maybe it will bring us good luck! (although we don’t believe in luck…good cheer!)

The friends around us were all Trump supporters. There were tables of different families, and they were like-minded. We had boldness talking about God and our faith. Tatum even chatted with Jennifer, our gracious hostess, for a while.

Ok, back to cozying up:

After departure, we went out quite a few times to capture the view. Just wow!

Tatum didn’t want me to fall out.

The river runs through it.

And the rocks take on a personality of their own.

We couldn’t believe how close we were to the cliffs. At one point, turtle rock! (see him at the top?)

Tunnel…we are nearing one!

TUNNEL! Scream!

And back out.

We had so much time on board. It allowed us to soak it in and sometimes just sit and think.

Or cuddle and encourage.

Like I said, Tatum conversed with many passengers and our hostess. We enjoyed our fellow passengers talking politics and Jesus. My kind of talk!

We arrived back around 4:30 and headed to…..SEDONA! My favorite destination in Arizona.

Poco Diablo once again. I love that we can be right on the golf course and the prices are doable.

We just wanted to get a good dinner, chat, and head to bed for a full St. Patrick’s Day the next day.

Look at these views outside Chipotle. Never gets old.

Thank you, family, for making this first day grand. Thank you Verde RR for making memories for us!

Mommy, Daddy, come see my room!
This was the first stage:

Not yet! First, look at the art room.. if you want to draw, you have now access.

Ok, good to know. Back to Tot’s room.

Enter.

Can I come in too?

Ok, first stop…

If you have to read or go potty, you have access now. What about if you just need a time out?

Maybe you want to play?

or sit down?

Prayer time is another station. I’m going to start there.

She sent us out so she could now update with specific prayers. You see, she has been trying to develop self-control, and she knows this requires some “think before you speak or act” time. She has created some inspiration.

Now, come on in again.

Now for the tour of inspiration and developing self-control. Her relationship with Christ continues to grow.

What does that say?

theme: Help me be kind. Time outs require this prayer and reflection.

Father, thank your for this girl. Thank you for her heart and her desire to please you. She knows her life comes from you and her heart comes from you. She must nurture time with you to develop better habits, responses, and thoughts. Her “daily bread” are her prayers to you, Dear Father.

I am super grateful for my life. Not because of things or even people, but because He has entrusted me with an amazing family and He requires me to steward it well. Therefore, I must look upon each aspect of my life as part of His story. Good, bad and the ugly. Even the soapy.

Ok, back to the day. Sunday. Gratitude dinner #2 with Mama, Daddy, Tot and me. We were to bring a list of 10 things we are grateful for and then share at dinner. It was also PIE day (March 14th…3-14) so I had a special surprise planned for the crew!

Come on in! Our foyer is so welcoming.

Mama showed at 5pm and honey skewered the scallops. My master griller was making filet and scallops. SRSLY delish.

I had our table all ready for our extravaganza.

What a joy to share with family in our special room.

We then posed for pics. I cannot wait to share.

Now, Mama and Tot…they are so stinking cute! Tot gave her a little note.

Tot gave us a Scaredy Squirrel show

Now we are ready to partake!

Daddy shared first. Just wow.

My mom went next, and her’s was filled with such heartfelt kindness.

She truly puts the graciousness in gratitude. She edified all of us, and for her I’m eternally thankful.

Then Tot went. She had cards for all of us and then some drawings. She put PEOPLE in her list of 10. Mama, Daddy, Me, Mrs. Phillips…and HER LIFE from Christ. Melt.

Now me. I’m just …I’m just. I love living this way. What a lens to live with. It’s so easy to focus on the “what is not right.” But, we have a choice. Daily.

I added the Bible as the BEST book. I also added that my relationship with Christ soared after Tot was born. Another serendipity with her being born. AND, I added Doug’s job in there as well since I have seen him used mightily since he got promoted (I count it as one). After this time of sharing, it was time for 3-14! PIE! I made an apple crustless pie. Four kinds of apples, a few oats, cinnamon, nutmeg, and …..No need for crust when you have plenty of butter! heehee

I love our family. I love our gratitude attitude. May we live this way with HIM at the center.

Decade day at school. Yes, it’s spirit week, and today, she gets to dress up in one of the decades (50’s, 60’s, 70’s, or 80’s). Well, perfect! I had just bought a tie dye shirt for her for school, and we also had some other 70’s garb.

Cooper noticed she needed more peace, so we added…

Now, she’s a true Hipster.

Oh, dear…the girl is growing up.

Now, let’s keep the peace and keep the love flowing!

See these flowers?

They were literally dead on Sunday. I watered them down and Monday morning, they were resurrected. It was a direct message to me that Jesus is renewing us daily. He is bringing new life! What a reminder.

Especially this Monday. It’s the second Monday of the month, and this means we have our IDEA dinner tonight. We share as many ideas (of any kind) that we can think of which we’ve recorded in our gratitude journals. I figured we’d have dinner in the dining room!

First, a fun game. Guess in 10. We don’t follow the rules to the T, but we do guess eventually.

Then, it was time for our salmon dinner. My favorite!

It’s a real treat being in our home. Ok, so we each shared our gratitudes first, as usual, then it was time to share ideas.

Daddy always has amazing house ideas. This time did not disappoint. I hope he remembers them! I love how his mind thinks so creatively.

I had some fun ideas for our family like service project ideas.

Kind of messy, but I get the idea. I added Tot’s ideas to mine so I could transfer them to my planner. She wants healthy lasagna and she wants a soccer game over Spring Break. Brilliant!
Oh, and I wanted to add that we’d have a piano recital for each of us at the end of each month since Doug is taking lessons now. No joke! I am in!

We love doing this, and we love always thinking of ways to serve.

Now, later on in the evening, there was a new idea of Coopy. The fan. The ceiling fan in the living was launched for the first time, and he went berserk.

What is that mommy?

Oh, Coopy.

What a fun day of new life, new ideas, and new discoveries.

May the adventures continue with my Hay family!

We missed celebrating birthdays and Christmas. The lockdown and the craziness of society limited all of our abilities to do anything social for a whole year. Now, I see the wisdom in some of this, but I don’t necessarily think it was all necessary.

Anyhoo, my mom and I finally got to go out to eat to celebrate and just be together. We really enjoy Fleming’s, and since both of us are on bland diets, it was a perfect choice. And…we got to get all cute. (which hasn’t happened in a while for me at least…my mom is always cute).

She bought a new cashmere sweater for our outing. Baby pink. My favorite. Thanks mom.

After removing our masks (when we walked in), we sat down and just relished being.

I love you mom. Thank you for taking me out!

We enjoyed talking about mom and daughter. I love that I get to be this for Tatum and give back. It’s the biggest fruit on my mom’s tree as well since she taught me how to be a great mom. I also appreciate her more than ever.

She thinks I’m pretty cute.

hmmmmm

We had steak, shrimp, salad, and potatoes. Perfect.

I love you immensely. May you continue to thrive in health and joy.

Six Dr. Seuss books will be discontinued because of racist and insensitive imagery. This is the headline last week. HUH??? Dr. Seuss…racist?? Do they even know what that word means?

Well, although I don’t agree, and many many of us don’t, we are going to still celebrate his birthday. In fact, Mrs. Phillips, her 2nd grade teacher, is going to have a party today. YAHOO

So, Tot wore crazy socks today as part of the celebration.

Cooper is fascinated.

She also brought in this fun book too.

Not really sure what is wrong with these wonderful books but…. Aye aye aye.

I will keep them in my library. Thank you PVCP for being sane.