Aunt James visits!

A couple weeks ago, we received a long over due visit from Aunt James herself!

It was a quick weekend visit but we will take any time we can with her! We spent Friday night dining at Black Chile and being spoiled by Kevin with a reserved table, a bottle of champagne and a very generous discount on our very expensive bill! We even received a surprise visit from the fabulous Ferrari's, which only made our night that much more exciting!

Saturday was simply wonderful. An outside lunch at the infamous Pita Jungle? Yes, please.






And then some shopping at Scottsdale Quarter with just us girls? A bigger yes, please! Avery was such a good girl while we shopped away and by the time she woke up, we had quite the surprise waiting for her...an fountain park! She may have been the youngest baby at the park but she was surely the cutest ;)







We made it home just in time to whip up a delicious dinner for Dad and Ann! They too, were thrilled to see James (who isn't people??).

And staying true to form, we had nothing but a lazy day Sunday filled with take-out mexican food, football and of course...naps in the cloud!

I still don't understand why she couldn't stay :( Something about a boy.

Jamie, thank you so much for flying out and spending the weekend with the Morrison's! We can't wait to see you again soon!

Sewing Lesson #1

Anyone remember that silly little post about the sewing machine mix-up?

Well, if you do, it's time to let you know that the Hello Kitty Confusion is behind us and my sewing days have begun...finally!

I decided to go with one of Jackie's "other suggestions" and so far, love the Brother machine I purchased.

A few weeks ago, Debbie was sweet enough to spend the majority of her Saturday morning teaching me the basics of sewing. I was hooked immediately! (no pun intended)

My first instruction was to show me where the sewing machine plugs in, so imagine my surprise to have completed a reusable grocery bag 5 hours later! Not only was Debbie an amazing teacher but fortunately, patient. Oh, and the good news? I managed to get my first sewing injury within the first lesson...a good ol' needle in the finger nail.

I anxiously await sewing lesson #2 to improve a this skill quickly! I don't expect to be able to make Avery's Halloween costume this year but she could always use a nice hankerchief? ;)

Maybe next year though! Stay tuned.

The Glass Castle.

The day before I went into labor with Avery, I spent a couple hours walking around Barnes n' Noble looking for my next great read. (Not sure why I seemed to think I was about to have a lot of time on my hands??)

I love spending time in a book store. There is something about it that makes it hard for me to leave. I guess it's the same reason I can't appreciate a Kindle. I want to feel the turn of each page; feel invested in the story.

Finally, I found a book that spoke to me. The Glass Castle. And seven months later, I have finally finished it.

It took me 6 months and 3 weeks to read the first 50 pages and 1 week to read the other 230. In other words, the moment I made the effort to read the book consistently, I couldn't put it down.

I must have checked 5 times to really believe this book was non-fiction. The story was fascinating as it followed the childhood of four siblings raised by dysfunctional, passionate parents, with personal demons too prominent to hide.

More than anything though, it was sad.

And although the author went on to live a successful and abundant life, her past is so dark that you are still left with an ache for these children.

It's true that "bad beginnings" are sometimes the exact thing that shape your future. They paint a line in the sand for your expectations. The reason you can confidently proclaim, my life will be different.

And to overcome adversity is far more impressive than repeating history. And it takes a brave soul to believe you can. The difference between pity parties and determination.

The author's determination, if only derived from her harsh reality, was inspiring.

Making stripes look good.

7 Months!

And the photo shoots just keep getting more challenging.

Even with Denise's help, this was the quickest "Monthly Marker Photo Shoot" yet! I guess it didn't help that it took place during bottle time. Hmm, note to self.

Nonetheless, she is growing fast and becoming more angelic each day.

Saturday morning.

There has been a lot going on lately. Really, there has.

But not so much that I can't check into my lonely blog.

Avery and I just finished a 40 minute walk/run around the neighborhood and the weather was so nice. After a surprise rainfall yesterday, hope has been renewed in many Phoenicians. Especially this one.

And perfect timing since it's now Labor Day weekend.

Work has been busy, Avery's been growing fast and between those two responsibilities alone, I find myself exhausted by the end of the day. But the kind of exhaustion that breathes a breath of satisfaction.

Life is good.

...