Tailgate Struts

My van's tailgate struts went out this week. So after it came slamming down on my leg (I was using my leg to keep it up while I loaded the trunk) I decided I would try to fix it myself. I figured that I would just plead for sympathy from one of my neighbors if I wasn't successful and a husband could come over and help me complete the job. I went to the auto store, purchased the struts and installed them myself in 5 minutes. I was so impressed with myself. The bad news came when I went to shut the trunk after completing the job. I had pushed up too high on the trunk and it scraped against my handle of the garage door. So now I have a couple of tiny metal spots showing through on my van. That kind of hampered my excitement about doing something myself. Darn it.

"No, That's Ok"

That's Nathan's new favorite line when I ask him to do something like take a bath, eat lunch, set the table, clean his room, or anything else he doesn't want to do.

I bet you can guess my response next time he wants to invite a friend over or eat a cookie or other treat.


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Agua Caliente Park

Our favorite park in Tucson is Agua Caliente Park. When we first moved here, people would tell us that it reminded them of Hawaii. Although I wouldn't quite go that far in comparison, it is a nice little reprieve from the normal Arizona desert landscape.

Mario was about to sell a bag of charcoal at a yard sale a couple weeks ago. I quickly stopped him so we could have a bbq at the park for Family Home Evening before he left. Erin always wants to bbq there during the summer, but it is way too hot. So a spring bbq was perfect. When we got home, there was a surprise from Sister Park-a warm cherry pie. It was a farewell gift to Mario.

Off to Omaha

Mario left this morning for Omaha. I am trying to think of all the positives but it's hard to think of many. In fact, I can only think of two. I can now have tacos as many times a week as I want and I don't have to share the garage with his vehicle. But obviously I'd give up both of those to keep him here. I am grateful that they allowed him to stay an extra month in Tucson. I am grateful for his new (old) car that he loves and hopefully will be a lot safer and more enjoyable to drive than his Ranger. He new the moment he saw this car that he wanted it. It is a 2004 Acura MDX with only 50K miles and driven by an older couple. So it is in really good condition and drives like a dream. I am hoping I can drive it a lot if he buys a truck in Omaha.

Perfect Teeth

Guess who got her braces off today? They look beautiful but she's not loving the retainers.


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Meanest Parents Ever

Early last summer, when she was 11, Erin gave me this list of all the things that she wishes she could do, but Mario and I won't let her. There are several things on there that she has since done, but there are some that Mario and I won't budge on like sleepovers, walking to school alone, and getting online when we aren't home. I'm sure she is glad she didn't quit piano since now she loves it. Plus she got a bird and I added texting to her phone. Other things she exaggerated like watching PG-13 movies, we allow that as long as they are on Clearplay.

Early last summer, when she was 11, Erin gave me this list of all the things that she wishes she could do, but Mario and I won't let her. There are several things on there that she has since done, but there are some that Mario and I won't budge on like sleepovers, walking to school alone, and getting online when we aren't home. I'm sure she is glad she didn't quit piano since now she loves it. Plus she got a bird and I added texting to her phone. Other things she exaggerated like watching PG-13 movies, we allow that as long as they are on Clearplay.

City of Rocks and White Sands

We always make a mad dash to see whatever we need to right before we PCS. We had been invited on a couple camping trips to City of Rocks in New Mexico but were never able to go. So we decided to take a couple days and see the state park and also the White Sands National Park. The kids loved climbing all over the rocks and then sledding down the white sand dunes. Nathan was the bravest of all the kids because he was the first to go down the dunes standing up on the sled. He even chose the largest dune he could find to go down. So we are going to try to get him into snowboarding (if they have that in Nebraska). My kids enjoyed the White Sands much more than the Grand Canyon. They were ready to leave after 5 minutes at the Canyon and they spent 2 half days at the White Sands. It was beautiful.

De-sanding