Home is where your friends are.

Over the past few months, Brent's casual job searching has turned a little more aggressive.  He found a job in North Carolina that he was excited about and flew out to interview.  To make a long story short, weeks of agonizing over the move turned irrelevent when the company couldn't match the salary we wanted. 
There was some dissapointment in not being able to move a place like North Carolina; a place that can grow anything.  A place where were we could afford land.  Land that I depserately want in order to give our family space, learning opportunities, animals to care for etc.  That is a view for another post. 

Coming so close to leaving made me realize how hard a move will be for our family.  We are so very happy here.  I have come to love not hate the cacti everywhere.  I have grown accustomed to living in the pool for four months in order to survive the heat.  I have planted roots in a place that feels like home; with people who feel like family.

One morning during this waiting period, I dropped my kids off at school.  I watched as Sydney jumped out of the van, cute as ever, excited to be at school.  Waiting on the other side of the fence were four girls, jumping with excitement to see Sydney.  I knew these girls.  Many had been to our house for playdates,  others I had gotten to know by listening to Sydney.  These were her best friends.  She ran to them, they all embraced like they hadn't seen each other in weeks.  The five of them huddled close together talking and giggling as they walked to the playground.

After watching Sydney, I looked to find where Aiden had gone.  He too ran to a group of boys where, with a little less giggling, an almost identical scene played out.  I knew the same scene has also played out with Taylor and Emma. Tears filled my eyes as I drove off.  I thanked my Heavenly Father for the blessing of good friends.  As a mother, I have prayed that wonderful children like these friends would come into the lives of my children.  I felt the spirit testify to me that these kids were an answer to those prayers.

My thoughts turned to my own friends.  We don't usually giggle in a huddle of dimpled faces like Sydney's friends.  But, my friends are solid.  They are supportive.  They let me cry and then make me laugh so hard I forget my troubles.  They give good advice.  They listen when I need to vent.  They plan fun things.  They make me happy.  As with my children's friends, these adult friends of mine have been an answer to my prayers in many ways

The job hunt continues and, with any luck, we will move to a place with new opportunities for Brent.  But, no matter where we go, leaving here will be a hard, hard thing.  We may not miss the cactus or the 104 degree weather.  But, man, oh man, will we miss the people!

You'll thank me someday

This is what you do when you have an ear infection and are sensitive to noise but your mean mom still makes you practice piano.

Volleyball

This spring, both the girls signed up for volleyball. They were on two different teams with two practices each week. I don't know what I was thinking.  We were already so busy, but it was a short season and I thought they would enjoy it.

I don't know a lot about volleyball, but it seemed to me that so much of it is linked to confidence.  As the girls became a little more comfortable and aggressive, they sure got fun to watch.  I came to really enjoy my hours of driving and sitting in bleachers each Saturday to attend the games.  In fact, I also enjoyed going to practices and playing games with the girls.  I think I could have been a volleyball player.

But, I digress.  This was a great experience for the girls.  They both want to do it again.  So fun.

This is Emma serving.  When she slowed down and thought about it, she got it over the net every time.  She had a hard time shaking off mistakes, though.  In volleyball, it's really easy to point fingers when something goes wrong.

 This is what Emma does when we have to sit and watch Sydney's match.

 Here is Sydney serving.  Look at her tiny team.  Some of them could walk right under the net.  Sydney was pretty fearless and it was fun to watch her dive for the ball and make a save.

Emma's team was age 10-12.  Her coaches were moms who volunteered.  They were so patient and kind with all the drama that comes with this age.  By the end of the season, the team was pretty decent and even won a few games and a match or two.

Always have to do a funny photo.

Sydney was lucky enough to be on her cousin Mia's team.  In my humble opinion, they were the two stars.  They were both pretty dependable if the ball came their way (or if it came to a less reliable girl, they were happy to step in too.)  So grateful for close cousins!

Candy Crush

To told the kids about Brent being stuck in Alabama because of an ice storm. I mentioned that he had been sitting at the airport for hours. My four year old quickly popped up and said, "he's okay, mom, he gets to play a lot of Candy Crush."