July 2012

This month turned into a whirlwind as we participated in play dates (mostly swimming), a weekend retreat in Pine Top, and preparations for Jodie to return to LaPaz, Mexico on the 28th.  Matt's parents (Julie & Dave Rich) were available and excited to travel to Phoenix and spend a week with Micah & Lilly.  God gave Jodie a travel-buddy (her very own sister - Tonya Porter), great airline flights & costs, fundraisers, curriculum organization, and health for the trip.

Our weekend retreat was our 'summer get-away' with our Mystery Of History small group.  The Skotnick family has a cabin in Pine Top and this was our 2nd year to spend a weekend there.  The dad's did an amazing job at having Family Devotion times, and pulling in some History from our state.
Jodie's 2nd trip to LaPaz, with Tonya, was incredible! For one week she was able to: *attend the Sunday service at El Faro (and see first-hand some of the fruits of June's labor); *Be the pre-school teacher for 5 amazing children Monday-Friday, while their parents (TEAM Missionaries) shared experiences, got encouragement, and relaxed a little. We arrived home on August 4, 2012 (just in time for Micah's birthday.)

June 2012

This was a 'roller-coaster' month, with extreme highs and lows.  The month started by putting Sydney, a foundational member of our family, into her forever sleep.  It was heart-wrenching (still is).  LOW.  (See previous blog entry.)
The next week Micah and Lilly attended VBS at North Bible Church.  It was Lilly's first time as a VBS participant. HIGH.
June 10-17 we were in Bethel, Maine - enjoying time with Nana &  Papa Joe, our friends - the Scholz-Lagues, and some cool weather.  HIGH

While at home preparing for our first family mission trip, the kids started their summer swimming lessons with Mrs. Stacey (NORMAL), and ...we noticed live lice on Micah's head, Lilly's head, and my head.  We scurried to get it under control on ourselves and in our home before flying to Mexico.  LOW.  (See new hair-do photos!)

The last week of June we spent in LaPaz, Mexico with 2 other 'Strong Families' families and missionaries Martin & Susie Gonzales.  We visited the surrounding neighborhoods and put on a VBS for their church, El Faro.  HIGH

Click here to see Mexico pictures (1,750 narrowed down to 77).

Click here to see our June favorite photos.

Sydney Summer

This summer is dedicated to our beloved and faithful companion Sydney.  She was almost 17 years old.

July 28, 1995 to June 1, 2012



None of us have been together as a family without her in our household.  She is greatly missed!!!  Here are a few of our favorite photos over the years ... puppy, prime, and senior.



May 2012

May wrapped up a lot of activities and we began looking forward to a lighter and different schedule.  This month almost needs to be bulleted, so here we go...
*Micah got braces!
*Baseball - went to the championship game (Micah called it the "World Series")
*Gymnastics - Lilly wrapped up a semester and completed her 'tumblers' class
*Piano - Micah's recital with Mrs. Cline was Thursday May 31st
*Barton House - visited in May and taking off until September
*Mystery of History - wrapped up our year; will have a summer weekend retreat at the Skotnick's cabin
*Boys Weekend - Matt & Micah camping with other Fathers/Sons in our Strong Families Sunday School class
*Girls Weekend - Jodie & Lilly invited Janice & Kelli over for a "girls evening" - Lilly came up with the list of activities and foods
*Hosted a yard sale for our Lapaz, Mexico Mission Trip
*Made our homeless outreach ministry official (CARE CANS)
*Celebrated our school year with the Eastside Explorers (homeschool co-op) camping in Cottonwood, AZ

Click here for May favorite photos.

April 2012

Matt & I began the month celebrating our 12th wedding anniversary 4/8/12.  We took a 'cooking class' on Saturday evening.  We made meatloaf, green beans, mashed potatoes, and mac & cheese, with bananas foster for dessert.  It was a fun evening!

On Easter Sunday we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ, our savior and the best role model of servanthood we could follow.  The kids had their first experience of 'washing mom & dad's feet' as we talked about Jesus' Passover Meal with His disciples.  While Matt & I washed their feet we took the time to pray over them.

As the month went on we had many opportunities to continue serving others through our regular activities and some extra ones.
Pictured:  1.  Neighborhood Ministries (Monday meals) - our Home Fellowship group goes 2x/year  2.  The 'Be Kind Project' started by our friend, Marcia Meyer.  We filled pouches for Teacher Appreciation Day that were going all over the world.  3.  Micah, Lilly and I had a special "Appreciation Day" given in our honor at the Barton House.  Ellen and the residents thanked us for our monthly Bible Study lessons and loving on them for the past 3 and 1/2 years.

Click here for all of our April Shutterfly pictures.

March 2012

Time for a vacation - spring break is here!  The kids and I tagged along with Matt on a business trip to the Clearwater Honeywell Plant.  We spent a week with Nana, Papa Joe, and the Kauffman family.  We went to the beach 3 days, ate at Post Corner Pizza, visited Aunt Vivian & her doggies (Skyler Jo and Savannah Belle), and watched NCAA March Madness basketball.  Micah's baseball season began this month, and he is playing on the Colorado Rockies team.  This month was his Eastside Explorers' piano recital - he played 'Tarantella'.
Feel free to view our favorite photos of the month:  click here.

Click here to see all of our FL pictures.

February 2012

The month of LOVE provided plentiful opportunities for quality times together for all of us.  Matt & I had our 'date nights' with the kids AND we had a weekend get-away together in Flagstaff.  Lilly began a new semester of gymnastics classes.  Micah participated in the Science Fair and got an expander device in the roof of his mouth from the Orthodontist.
Feel free to view our favorite photos of the month:  click here.

January 2012

We started off our new year with several hiking excursions on the Arizona trails.  Our church, Scottsdale Bible Church began it's 50th Anniversary celebration this month. Micah began his orthodontic adventure and got spacers (rubber bands between some teeth).
Feel free to view some favorite photos of our month:  click here.

Merry Christmas 2011

We will be staying home this Christmas. Matt's family (parents from Chicago, IL and brother's family from Denver, CO) will be visiting us on New Years' Eve weekend. We're looking forward to a Christmas at home and also the time with family. We are all healthy and happy to have had this year as a family continuing to grow in our relationships with each other and with our Savior, Jesus Christ, whose birthday we are celebrating!

2011 Highlights - Matt

• PF Chang’s ½ marathon with Dr. John Trent
• GUR (Great Urban Race) event in Phoenix with friend, Jim Taggart, – they placed well enough to be invited to the National (but didn’t go)
• 10-day Mission Trip to Tanzania, Africa to meet our sponsor child and both villages we support
• Tour De New River Bike Event raising money for the Tanzania schools
• Turned 40 years old
• Coaching Micah's basketball team
• Graduated from the Timothy Men 2 year Leadership Program on Dec. 3, 2011 
• Matt continues to work at Honeywell in the Space Division

2011 Highlights - Jodie

 

• Wife, mom, teacher
• Tuesday morning Bible Study classes (spring: Galatians ; fall: 1 & 2 Timothy & Titus)
• 5-day mission trip to Guatemala, Central America (with Micah)
• Homeschooling (Micah - 2nd grade)
• Teaching monthly Bible lessons, with the kids, at the Barton House (Alzheimer's home)
• Eastside Explorers Yearbook Coordinator
• Director for the 4/5 year old dancers in the Winter Wonder Christmas program (Lilly was in the group)
• Best year ever with the garden!

2011 Highlights - Micah

• "Robot" themed 8th birthday party
• Piano lessons (reached 1 year anniversary in Sept.) - had 2 recitals this year
• Art classes using acrylic paints on canvas
• Basketball (fall/winter)
• Baseball (spring)
• 2nd grader
• 5-day mission trip to Guatemala, Central America (1st one!)
• Participated in the Winter Wonder Christmas program as a singer and front-stage actor
• Favorites:  playing with 'the guys'; Hexbugs; GoGos; riding his bike

Piano Teacher:  Amy Cline

Art Teacher:  Amy Whitehouse