Fourth of July

 Isn't it funny how we make all these plans for our lives and most of them fall apart? We can stomp our feet and cry all we want when life doesn't go as we expect it to but then I think we'd truly be missing the best parts.

I was super excited to celebrate the Fourth (it's been a while). My favorite 4th of July was spent in a small town in the suburbs of Chicago with my Mission Year buddies. We had a BBQ and sat on blankets to watch the fireworks.

Well, what did we wake up to that holiday morning? Clouds and rain...in Phoenix! Completely unheard of. Although I really didn't expect to be stuck indoors for this holiday (fail #1), it did mean cooler temperatures which we were all fine with (surprise #1). 

My mum and I went to breakfast and browsed some second hand stores which I really enjoyed. Although our order of toasted croissants took 1/2 hour to arrive (fail #2), we found some awesome stuff for my classroom for a great price (surprise #2). Then I came home and tried to make Fourth of July strawberries (credit to Pinterest for the idea). I was stoked with how they turned out but not so stoked when the decorations completely melted as we traveled in the car (fail #3)! Note to self: ALWAYS freeze things with decorations the night before when you live in the desert.  I quickly went into a huff as my four year old consoled me with "it's okay mum, you tried. It doesn't matter." Uh, yeah Abbey, but I'm choosing to be really immature about this right now.

We next went to a BBQ at our friend's house which was great. Abbey played with their neighbor friend and was entertained/occupied the whole time (surprise #3).  As we arrived home later that afternoon Will and I decided that we really should have made plans for fireworks that night (fail #4). Last minute, we finally decided to make a break for it and go across the road from our apartment complex to the baseball stadium where they had a massive set up for the holiday. We managed to meet my mum there and made it in by 8pm (surprise #3). 

After heading over to the kids rides we discovered they all had water and I hadn't thought to bring Abbey's bathing suit (fail #5). She didn't care and was happy enough to go on the two bouncy castles/slides that were water free (surprise #5). The fireworks were beautiful, we didn't get stuck in crowds and overall we had a beautiful holiday (surprise #6,7 and 8).

Farmer's Market

It was so great to escape the heat of Phoenix (currently 108 degrees outside at 10:32pm!) and head through the hills to San Diego last week. One of my favourite times of the vacation was a walk through Hillside Farmers Market on our last day with my mum, Will and Abbey. Even though my darling child was talking my ear off the whole time, I loved tasting all the various foods, admiring the beautiful flowers and just generally enjoying the atmosphere. 

We stayed in a rented house with my mum and my sister's family. The cousins got to run around and drive each other crazy. We got to drink wine together, read and take beach trips. Absolutely love California...how could you not?

One day I ran into my old youth pastor and his wife on Carlsbad beach. Such a great surprise! He was one of the first people to encourage me to take active steps toward knowing God and baptized me just after my 16th birthday.

It's always nice to take a step back while you're away from home and reflect on where you've come from. It's been an adjustment to be so far from New Zealand for sure and I am continuously learning to live life in the present. 

I am only working about six hours a week tutoring until I start teaching Kindergarten (Year One in NZ) at the beginning of August so I have way too much time for reflection....and Pinterest. I'm slightly addicted to Education pins and DIY projects.

Welcome!!!

I've been wanting to start a blog for a long while now for lots of different reasons. Mainly because I wanted people to know some of the 'real things' about my life...not just what you see on Facebook pictures or posts. I also really wanted to share about our experiences in Phoenix with those interested because I've found keeping everyone informed really difficult. Read if you want and don't if you can't be bothered. I will try my utmost to respond to any comments though!

Hmmm, what to share and what not to share?  I think that's enough for today!