thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving

This year our family has been truly blessed! Last year at this time, my husband had just accepted a new job, we were in packing mode and I wasn't sure what life would be like in Arizona. Thankfully, the job worked out and I've seen so much growth in my husband's career. He is happy. My children have adjusted and have made some amazing new friends. They are happy. We are where we are meant to be and for that I am thankful. 

Halloween 2018

Happy Halloween from Little House of Harrison! This year the kiddos went as Iron Man and Sky from the Paw Patrol/Princess Elsa. This was our first Halloween in our new neighborhood. It was a fun night, and packed with kids and families. I bought the biggest bag of candy I could find and we passed it all out! We had perfect weather for trick-or-treating and got to know more of our neighbors.  Now, I gotta figure out what to do with all of the candy we collected!!! 

Mr. Lucas Goes to First Grade

Today this guy started 1st grade. Technically, its his first day...everyone else's second day.  We are starting a day late due to a family wedding in California. However, the first day was just a half day and his teacher insisted that missing the first day wasn't a big deal.

The weeks leading up to school starting, Lucas was excited. He was ready to go. He had his backpack, shoes, lunchbox and uniform all picked out. However the night before school started he suddenly decided that he didn't want to go...it was a combination of nerves, exhaustion from driving from California to Arizona and missing his Dadi and Dada. Although we got him to bed on time, he didn't fall asleep for at least 40 minutes.

Thankfully, the morning went well. Once he saw his friends from Kindergarten and his new teacher everything was ok.

I'm looking forward to seeing what this year holds for Lucas. First grade is an exciting time...learning to read, and do math...but also meeting new friends and becoming more comfortable in his new home environment.

I'm also looking forward to having some more one-on-one time with my girl. I have two more years until she starts school...that's going to be hard for me...so I need to soak up as much Mama Alara time as I can.

Please pray. 

PS. Happy Seventh Anniversary to me!

summer recap and wrap up

I know it's still July, however for our family the vacation part of summer is over. Summer breaks in Arizona are shorter, usually between 6-8 weeks, with a longer breaks for fall, Christmas and Spring. I like this schedule, because it allows for us to have time off of school during the nicer months of the year. This also means Lucas goes back to school in a week and a half, and that this is our last week of summer break.

Looking back at the beginning of summer, I asked the kiddos for a list of activities they wanted to do. We were able to accomplish everything on Lucas' list, and most everything on Alara's. She is still working on writing her own name. Her A's look more like awkward H's, but hey...maybe this fall?

Lucas:
1. Learn to read - yes!
2. Playdates with friends - yes, yes, yes!!
3. One on one time with Mama and Daddy - yup..
4. Learn tennis - he did tennis camp for one week..
5. Go to the beach - twice!

Alara:
1. Play - everyday!
2. Learn to ride a bike - yes!
3. Learn to write my name - still working on it...
4. Eat ice cream -by the bucketfuls
5. Go to the beach  - twice!!


Next week before school starts, we have one more tripped planned for California. My husband's cousin is getting married. Pictures will be posted once we return.

Last Day of Kindergarten & Summer Plans

Summer vacation starts today, and Mr. Lucas couldn't be happier! Our summer breaks in Arizona are short, so we plan on making the most of it before Lucas goes back to school. We do have a couple of California trips planned to visit family and a wedding later in the summer, and we are hosting family and friends on different weekends throughout the summer. However, other than that, our summer plans are simple...to relax, and keep cool by the pool.  

Look at this guy, this is the face of someone who rocked kindergarten and is ready for first grade. 

Bonus: I've been collecting some quotes from Lucas..mostly from on our drive home from school. I can't help but smile when I read these..I apologize for the randomness of this post. 

Lucas: Mama, for my next birthday its going to be Bible themed. 

Lucas: I'm 1/2 spider man, 1/2 aquaman, and 1/2 Captain America 

Lucas: My head is round, why don't people have triangle shaped heads? 

Lucas: (Alara hit Lucas with a pool noddle) Ow Alara, that hit my heart!! 

Lucas: (Walking into Bas Pro Shop) Oh my goodness, if I had all of these toys I'd be so inspired! 

I asked the kiddos what their goals for the summer are...or what they would like to do and or learn this summer. I feel that by asking the kids this question it helps me plan our summer activities. 

Lucas: 

1. Learn to Read

2. Playdates with friends

3. One on one time with Mama and Daddy

4. Learn tennis 

5. Go to the beach

Alara: 

1. Play

2. Learn to ride a bike

3. Learn to write my name 

4. Eat ice cream

5. Go to the beach

All of these things sound reasonable to me. Especially the one about eating ice cream... 

weekend in Sedona

Over the long weekend our family drove to Sedona. For us, Sedona is about two hours away so it is perfect for a quick getaway without the long travel days. Dadi and Dada, along with Chachu Kevin joined us for this trip and unfortunately they drove from California...so their travel days were long. 

Arizona's high country is absolutely breathtaking. Living in the Phoenix area, I sometimes forget just how beautiful Arizona is. For this trip we did the Verde Canyon Railroad in Clarkdale, a quick drive by of the Chapel of the Holy Cross (it was too crowed) and Crescent Moon Park in Sedona. 

I'd highly recommend riding the Verde Canyon Railroad. The train ride is about four hours round trip, so bring snacks. Passengers are able to riding inside, or enjoy views from the open-air cars outside. 

Here are some pictures from the train.

Day two of our weekend adventure found us wandering the trails of Crescent Moon Park in Sedona. This will be the second time going to this park. About two years ago, we stopped here on the way home from our Grand Canyon trip with the kiddos. Alara had just turned one and Lucas was three.

The kiddos loved exploring this park. The water was cold, but that didn't stop the them from dipping their toes and skipping rocks. Even Daddy got in on the water action by throwing big rocks in the deeper parts of the creek and gleefully watching the muddy water splash around.

I'd highly recommend this park for casual hiking and for picnics. 

It felt amazing to getaway, but even more amazing to come home. I'm looking forward to returning to Sedona...maybe this summer? A big thank-you to Dadi and Dada for this family trip and for the wonderful memories. 

missing home and settling in

We have been in our new home for three weeks now. I've started splashing paint samples around, measuring for furniture and shopping for flooring. I'm learning my way around town, and I've become comfortable with Lucas' school commute.  I do still use my phone's gps, and I've made a few wrong turns here and there..but I'm learning and it is getting easier.

I do miss my home. Not necessarily the physical dwelling, or neighborhood but the home community of family and friends.

Attending a new church was hard, I miss our home church. 

I bought a bag of California style veggies just because it said California on the bag.

I took the kiddos to the Riparian Preserve for some fresh air and exercise. It was refreshing to get out and away from the house. We didn't know what to expect and were pleasantly surprise. Next time we will take Denny and Daddy. The kiddos enjoyed playing at the park, exploring the observatory and running down the dirt trails.

Alara thought she was back at the Safari Park.

It felt nice to get outside and do something normal and the drive back helped familiarize me with the area. 

I think this will work, but it will take time.

we moved

Here is a quick little post on what's been going on lately and why I haven't been posting.

Back in September my husband was approached by the Western Adventist Foundation to interview for a job opening that they had. The Foundation is located in Scottsdale Arizona, which would require our family to move. After praying and discussing the idea of moving, my husband reached out and a date was set for the interview.

His interview was set for November 27th.

That weekend, my husband and I drove out to Scottsdale. We drove around, looked at potential neighborhoods and checked out the local Adventist school. The weather was beautiful, perfect for exploring a new city.

On the day of the interview, my husband and I were invited to join the Foundation for worship. I met his potential (future) boss and others who worked for the Foundation. After worship I left to visit and tour the local Adventist school nearby.

My tour of the school went well. And I left feeling confident that my son would do well academically and socially at the school.

I joined my husband and a few others from the Foundation for lunch. Lunch was at an Aquarium, which honestly I thought was odd being that we were in the middle of the desert. But apparently, the aquarium in Scottsdale is one of the biggest ones this side of the county.

We left Scottsdale after lunch, and on the long drive home discussed how the interview went. My husband and I agreed that if the Foundation offered him the job that he should take it. And less than an hour late, the Foundation called and offered my husband the job and he accepted.

I cried.

The weeks that followed were busy for our family. We had to pack up our home, find a new home, say good-bye to friends and family....oh and prepare for Christmas.

It was hard saying good-bye to our church friends, to Lucas' kindergarten teachers and our own families. It was stressful, and on top of everything I got sick.

On moving day it took every ounce of inner strength that I had not to curl up and cry. I didn't want to go. I wanted to stay in my home, and community that I had worked so hard to build.

I am happy for this opportunity and I am excited to see what this new chapter brings for our family. My husband had worked hard and I'm happy that he moving up in his chosen career.

And now back to unpacking.