STEM Night

The girls absolutely love their school.  This year they are part of a STEM University within their school and its been really fun hearing them talk about their projects.  We just recently took part in the STEM night where we saw all of the stuff they have been working on...on display.

Lily was particularly excited about her project.  Her class has been studying the Civil War and were tasked with building a plantation.  Studying the Civil War has been hard on Lily because, lets face it, that was a hard part of history.  She has come home more than once in tears about how people were treated.  

Her project was so great though, and she was absolutely ecstatic to present it. 

 I am looking forward to watching her grow in her creativity through the STEM offerings. 

Mel and Micky

So Bob and I got invited to a Murder Mystery Masquerade Party and we had an absolute BLAST!  

Meet Mel Mauve and Micky Mustard

Mel is a Skydiving Instructor who aspires to be a reality TV star.

Micky is  an Astronaut who loves all things space.

The entire group came ready to play and we all had an incredible time.  There was a murder and we did find the culprit.  Don't worry, WE ARE INNOCENT!

 

Bridgit, that vision in red, celebrated her own birthday by planning this amazing soiree.  It was perfect and both Bob and I found ourselves really grateful for the group of people we run in.

The Bloodhurst Masquerade Ball was one for the year.

Mesa Half Marathon 2022

Well, its been a hot minute since I last signed up for and ran an official race.  COVID kind of changed the entire landscape of racing, and it is just now getting back up and running.  Last year my dear friend Rachel ran her very first half marathon, and officially "drank the cool-aid."  When I had a race entry for her to run the Mesa Half Marathon, she said yes real quick.  So I was officially back into run training mode.

I won't lie, I have been pretty wishy washy about running distance since our Grand Canyon Run.  Running distance requires consistent running.  As I get older, running is only made possible by running....often.  Given that running stability is kind of in opposition to yogi openness, you can see my dilemma.  Its been harder than I want finding the balance between the two.  Running inevitably took a bit of a back seat so officially training again was hard at first.  But I found it, and all of a sudden, like it always does, the miles get easier, and running gets REALLY fun again.

Rachel and I ran a few training runs together and I introduced her to my hills.  I am so excited to watch her grow as a runner. 

The Mesa Marathon is one of the best, hands down.  The expo is wonderful and right down in the heart of the Mesa Riverview.  We met Rachel there to pick up our packets before the race.  The weather was perfect.

Race morning was beautiful.  We connected with a bunch of other runners from the Las Sendas Club and found our way to the start line.  

The race was spectacular and Rachel and I settled into a great pace.  She is a strong runner and I cannot tell you how wonderful it was to be out amongst runners again.  Racing truly is the BEST!

The last 3 miles were amazing and we pulled into the finish line running strong.  Both of our husbands ad girls were at the finish line for us which made it all the more sweet!

Rachel and I finished in 2:17 giving her an 8 minute PR over her first half!  So darn proud!

So many awesome friends finished the race and it was wonderful to be out there.  There is just nothing like a race finish complete with beer and pizza!

I hung my newest medal on my wall and then proceeded to sign Bob and I up for the Lost Dutchman race the following weekend.  Yes........this is fun......and yes......we love it!

OM

As I have immersed myself in yoga I have found a literal abyss of knowledge.  There is so much depth in the practice of yoga.  

There are also plenty of celebrity yogis out there and this woman above is no exception.  This beauty is Kino MacGregor and she is an Ashtanga yogi with an absolute heart for the practice.  I took part in a 3 day workshop series with her and it was truly awakening, challenging, and so much fun.

On the first day we did a 20 minute meditation.  We found a place to sit and she had us purposely not move for 20 minutes.  Have you ever done that?  Its amazing, and hard.  When you sit still, things itch, your feet fall asleep....so many sensations.....all managed by breath.  

The next two days  were filled with yoga drills and a fully led Ashtanga Primary Series.  

So many wonderful yoga friends. These ladies are just a couple of the beautiful humans I know in this yoga world.

Yoga has truly given me something that I am going to spend my lifetime exploring.  Its not just physical though, but an awareness of the self that has at times been more than I was ready to learn.  

The body opens on its own time.

Looking forward to discovering it and meeting many more yogi mentors along the way.

 

Delayed Gratification! Our Hybrid.

It was an exciting month for us because we started it in a BRAND NEW CAR!  

If you know us, you know that we have been a one car family for many years.  You also know that we have been patiently awaiting and saving our pennies for a TESLA Cybertruck.  It has been such a labor of love to wait and save and hope.  Alas with COVID and all the related shipping drama, the Cybertruck is now massively delayed and honestly, we just didn't want to wait any longer wo we started looking for an electric hybrid vehicle that would give us the benefit of an electric AND a hybrid motor.  Last November we started the looking process and narrowed our sights on this beauty, the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Electric Hybrid Minivan. Yep, its a mouthful.

The buying process has been way less than awesome.  Long gone are the days when you can walk onto a lot, make a deal, and drive home with a new car.  Now, the lots are empty and dealerships are selling vehicles in transit, with no firm date of delivery.  There are no deals to be had, and you are lucky to find one you can reserve!  Yep, not the best time to buy a vehicle, but we are determined to move to an electric option AND enjoy space and road tripping luxury before our babies fly the nest.  They are growing up and we want to do some things!

After a horrible experience with a dealership in Scottsdale, we found another model on its way from a closer dealer.  We put our 5k down and hunkered down for a 3 week wait......again.  We got the call that it was here and we headed down to sign the papers.

This vehicle is pure technological and comfort luxury.  Its AMAZING, and the buying process was so smooth.  GRATEFUL.

The girls have their own Captain chair complete with full entertainment center with wifi, netflix, charging port, and remote.  They also have their own air (truly a luxury out in AZ).

I have leather seats, a digital assistant that answers my phone and tells me all the things, and a driving experience to rival most.  Its amazing, luxurious, and SO SO exciting for us.

Bob ran a special electric line and easily hooked up our charger.  Since owning it we have not filled up on gas once.  Really exciting for us.

We are truly so excited for the many adventures we will have in this new vehicle.  The space for carrying all of us, camping gear, and equipment has opened up the world of adventures to us....and our dog.  Grateful for our ability to wait, save, and splurge.  Its so worth it!

Nora's Choice

A little over a year ago our dear friend Ashley passed away leaving an entire army of people who loved her and her family to carry on.  I still consider it and absolute honor to have been befriended by this woman and asked to be one of the ones to continue to carry the torch.  Being a part of the Hill family is honestly one of our greatest joys.  

Ashley's daughter Nora made the public declaration of faith in the action of baptism and we were all there to celebrate with her.  I quite literally flew into town from Texas, grabbed an UBER, and made it into the church as she was being baptized.  Unsure whether I would make it at all, it was so wonderful to see her face as I raced up to hug her just out of the water!  Bob and the girls had attended church with them and saw the whole thing.  She truly was surrounded by amazing and wonderful people. Ashley's Army.

There is something so special, unique, and joyful about watching your kids witness others make the choice to follow Jesus.  Sweet Lily was in tears, her heart was simply fit to burst.

Though sorrow may last for a night, Joy comes in the morning, Great, Great, GREAT is thy faithfulness!

Nora, The Lord bless you and keep you.  May He make His face shine upon you. May He be gracious to you. May He give you peace.

I'm so glad you are a part of the family of God! 

Getting Knoxed!

When I planned my Texas trip I had no idea that Lily was going to have her first ever synchro swim meet that required full costume.  So, as we have now learned, when the synchro team competes they have to look identical from suit, to hair and makeup.  Hair is required to be Knoxed.  Don't know what that is?  Neither did we.  I will disclose a little synchro secret.  Its Gelatin. Knox unflavored gelatin is basically the water proof superglue to hold all of the hairs in place.  Bob and Lily were left on their own to figure out how to make all of that work.  

I won't lie, I felt bad about leaving, but only for a minute.  Bob is so capable, and he used the resources of coaches and Sally Beauty Supply to find all of the things and make it happen.  I was seriously so proud when he sent me the picture of her smiling.  Whew!

Lily's meet was amazing and she loved every second.  As an 11 year old, she has been put on the 13-15 team.  Yes, she's just that good and she loves this sport.  

Even in Texas I got all of the videos and pictures and was honestly brimming with pride.  Not only because of her performance, but because she and Dad solved all the problems without me there.  That is a win.  It is.  As a mother I want to be around for things, but I also want my kiddo to know that she has so many people that love her even without me around!

Lily's team took 1st place in their division, and the concensus when I got home was, "Mom, I love this!"

Looking forward to the next one this weekend when I get to try my own hand at the knoxing!