pictures

We got a new camera.  I am really excited about it, we want to take not just pictures of the kids, but good pictures.  I wasn't happy with the point-n-shoot we had, and we'll keep it for pinches, but the new camera is a DSLR, Canon T1i. Here are just a few snaps we've taken since we've had it.

Expressions seem so much more natural

Here is wheat flour falling out of the grinder.

Audrey mischief, and creativity

Kennedy, lighting is so fun!

Outdoor pictures are more true colors

When asked if she likes the new camera, Kennedy said,

"AAAAAAAAAAAA!"

Music

Emma has a wonderful knack for music.  She has great rhythm and I can tell she is like me, she understands it without having to be explained, so teaching her the fundamentals is frustrating because she feels it's repetitive.

I'm so proud of her with her willingness to try.  I don't know how long it will last, but I'll enjoy it for now.

"Call 911!"

   We had a crazy week last week.  On Wednesday night Tim and I were watching a silly show on ABC called "crash course" where people have to crash cars on a course to win $50k.  Silly idea, but people will do anything for money.  While we were watching, we heard an explosion outside.  A little history of explosions in our neighborhood... without going into detail, we had heard that same sound before when our neighbors house caught fire due to spontaneous combustion of fertilizer in their trash can next to their propane tank of their barbecue grill. Tim looked out our window to see flames 50 feet in the air.  He ran out of the house telling me "Call 911".  

   So, that makes us jumpy, of course you should be when you hear explosions.  So back to crash course,  we heard this huge bang, he and I looked at each other and ran out to the patio.  At that moment I saw a huge flame explode from the electrical transformer just on the other side of our street on Val Vista.  There were cars backed up on the street and the power was out all on the East side of the street.  Tim and I both ran out front, he saw a truck rolled over, called to me "Call 911!"  I called and was surprised they asked me my address.  Seriously? I was on our home phone.  I was annoyed and told them, "there is a truck upside down and it just caught fire, I don't know if anyone is hurt, Just get here!"  Here are some pictures of the blaze from our front lawn.  A drunk driver apparently plowed into a power pole, breaking the lines, causing the electrical to arc and therefore the transformer to explode (what I saw).  The lines were all down over the truck burning so the firefighters were not able to put water on it because it wasn't safe.  They had to let it burn.  When cars burn, they make big explosions with black smoke.  This was about 9:30 pm, and the neighborhood was gathered on our lawn to watch the show.

   Then on Thursday night Tim went out to take the trash to the can on the street.  I was in the kitchen when he came in and called "Call 911, there's a woman passed out on our yard!"  I was freakin' out!  I called and while I talked to the operator I glanced outside to see a woman laying in the yard trying to sit up.  Tim mouthed to me "tell them to step on it!"  I gave them all the info and while I was doing that she managed to get up, run to her car and drive off like a bullet!!  I grabbed the keys for Tim and he called 911 from the cell phone to follow her.  Freaky!! He thought she was dead, then when he touched her shoulder she sort of came too, he thinks she was totally tripped out on drugs.  He ended up intercepting the police officer and they drove through the neighborhood until they found her car.  He ID'd her and came home.  Freaky!! Needless to say, we didn't go to sleep for a few hours after that.  Tim has an amazing knack for knowing just what to do in situations like that.  I am glad he's not a street cop.  I really hope he can get hired on with ICE so he can have that occasionally, but mostly work in an office.  That way we are both happy.  

Friday I told Tim if he tells me to call 911 tonight we are moving.  No call.  We're safe.  For now...

moving on... an update

I am so blessed with supportive family and dear friends who love me.  I know the Lord is watching out for me and my family.  Thank you all for your love and support.

Tim is doing great in school, only 3 classes left at Rio Salado online then on to Grand Canyon University Online to finish his degree.  All the while he'll continue to test with Federal law enforcement and if he's not hired on, he may just go for his masters degree.  We have been fortunate to be able to pay for schooling ourselves to this point, but now we're kicking it into high gear and calling in backup from Sallie Mae.

I am working at a great office in Mesa for 3 days a week, but need to work a couple more to keep up, so I'm trying to find somewhere for Thursdays and Fridays.  I've got a positive attitude about this change, and it was needed.  For about 6 months I have cried at work because I knew it was changing.  I didn't want it to change, and I even tried to change with it to make it "easier" but it came down to I have to be happy for my family when I come home and I wasn't coming home happy from that office.  I knew the change needed to happen, but I was hoping it would be on my terms.  I am grateful now that it is done.  I will really miss my patients and friends and co-workers, but there are more friends to be made as I take those friendships with me.

Emma is loving 1st grade.  Her teacher is Mrs. Natalie Cummard, and Emma adores her.  She is on the ball.  She loves teaching, and well, that makes for a great teacher.  Emma is excelling so well in school, and loves reading, math and science.

Audrey is full of life.  She never ceases to amaze me.  I am so blessed to be her mother and hope I am up for the challenges she will give me.  She is smart. Too smart for her own good. I've got my work cut out for me.

Kennedy is so sweet.  She loves to give kisses more than my other girls.  I ask for a "loves" and she'll come and kiss my cheeks until I pull her off of me.  She wears flip flops like a pro and whenever you come into a room she lights up like she hasn't seen you in forever (it makes me want to take the trash out, just so I can come back in to see her!)

I am so grateful for Tim. He is hands down and AWESOME Dad!  He handles them all day so well, and appreciates the time he has with them as well.  He has a great attitude.  I'm so lucky!!

ironic

I am still so grateful, because of all the things in the last post, but I find it ironic that when I start to feel a little settled and some peace, the tables turn, or in this case get temporarily pulled out from under me completley. I was leaving work on Friday and as I wish the doctor happy birthday for the weekend, he says, "hey can I talk to you a minute..." and he fires me. I should have taken back my birthday wish.

It is still settling in, and I am so sad because I have so many dear friends and patients at that office at Gilbert Center Dentistry, and co-workers I've worked with since the day I started practicing dental hygiene 5 years ago. I am sad that was all taken away from me, but I am so thankful for Tim and my family that support me when I want to crawl into a hole for a few days. I see now yet another black tunnel I need to go through. I know there is light on the other side, and I will be okay, it's just doing it again so soon that makes it so difficult. I packed up all my stuff, my pictures on the wall, my diplomas, my pictures on the computer, and left my key to the office. I will feel better next week, but for right now, I just feel like cacka . I hope the reason he fired me will be resolved, though I feel a lot like a scape goat when really the economy is to blame for him not making his piles of money, not me letting patients go without wrangling them into doing treatment. My goal has always and will always be to take care of the patient, and they will take care of me. I have a new blog about my professional growth too, check it out at kellieharperRDH.blogspot.com

Because

I just have to say I'm thankful.

"When upon lifes billows you are tempest tossed,

when you are discouraged thinking all is lost.

Count your many blessings name then one by one,

and it will surprise you what the Lord has done."

We all have been and are still going through some really tough times. (That's the sugar-coated phrase.) I feel so blessed. My kiddos have been really healthy for the most part aside from regular sniffles and fevers. Tim has been plugging along through school. I have been so blessed with having steady work to keep us floating, and we have been able to get this far with both of our educations without having to rely on financial aid, until now. I am so thankful for what I know in my heart. My head tends to be crazy and forget what's most important, but I know there is a plan for me and my family. I can't see it, but I know it is a great one.

I am especially thankful for the blessing of having a positive attitude. I get it from my ancestors near and far and I am so thankful for it. It's a refiners fire to have to make life decisions that you didn't want to make, but when you are at the crossroads and you have to choose you find out what you are made of. The hardest part for me is I tend to look at what I used to have thinking it is what I wanted rather than looking further along my path and hoping for brighter and better opportunities. I know it is because I'm a creature of habit. I have a lot of anxiety about change. Too much anxiety. I have really remembered how to "let go and let God" which is a phrase taught to me by my mother, the queen of life lessons of which I am also thankful for.

The lessons I've learned about myself lately are (and I really already knew these, but they've been hit home recently) that

• I'm really stronger than I think.
• I don't need do it all today, or tomorrow; if it is really important, it will get done soon enough (that is a tough one).

That is pretty much it. If I can remember those two valuables, then I'm on the right track and hopefully I won't have to go through a "learning lessons" challenge again any time soon. But if I do, I know I will not only handle it, but be better for it. Here are my greatest blessings in all their honesty and and personality!

"nana nana boo boo!"

"cheeser!"

"does this make me look taller?"

"Milk and cookies makes EVERYTHING better!!"

"And who couldn't use a chocolate kiss?!"

Mix Family Reunion

I am so grateful for my wonderful family. The traditions of family is perpetuated despite the obvious challenges of food, number of children and space to accomodate, approx 70 people all because we believe. I believe family is the thread that weaves yesterday with tomorrow and we are the piece that connects it together. I am so grateful I was able to go up to Salt Lake to participate in this wonderful event. I missed Tim and the girls terribly, but I am also thankful I was able to help with so many other kiddos that were there. My grandma Mary Mix was in wonderful spirits and at 90 years young was the star of the show. I was able to see cousins I haven't seen for over 6 years as well as their spouses and children and it had been no time at all. There are lots of pictures, I'll post more when I can.

Grandma Mary, Kellie, Chris

The Croshaw's beautiful home and yard

Grandma Mary

My dad, Jeff

Wicked Awesome!

I beleive... that everyones soul/spirit has a language that speaks clear language to the mind. You know, when you experience it (in any sense) everything is clear. I believe that my soul language is musical. When I found out (about 2 months ago) that Wicked was coming to Gammage at ASU I told myself, I gotta get tickets. I called up my friend Tara to see if she would go with me, and we searched for tickets. The only available tickets were for the 4th of July weekend. I searched for the best tickets and click click click purchased them. Only... I got them for 4th of July matinee rather than July 2nd when she could go. Oops. So, I was with two tickets and nobody to go with me. I called my mom who was out of town and asked if she would come even though I knew she was planning a family party at her house. She was tickled that I called and so excited to go. We went and had lunch and feasted on the wonderful story and music of the show. I admit, I cried. A lot. Not because it was sad, but I finally had given ear to my soul that loves art and music and theatre and it was screaming so loud I cried and I loved it. I am done with my lack of music and art and hope that when it comes back to town I can take my girls. I believe it is a way for me to connect with my girls just like I know I am connected to my mother with that voice. She is where I learned it from, now it is my responsibilty to teach it to my girls (tough job, but somebody's got to do it ;-) and the show must go on!