Monsoon Season

Storm rolling over the valley

Sun bursting through the clouds

Arizona sunset

Teddy

Some awesome daisy flowers we found at Safeway...I had to have them!

We are experiencing monsoon season in Arizona right now. It is pretty cool. Luckily, we live far enough out of the valley that most of the storms miss us, but they sure are beautiful. The clouds slowly build during the day from white puffy to dark clouds that cover the whole sky. The storms down here move slowly, and they are energized with lightning and thunder. It is amazing to go outside and have your senses enlightened by the impressive nature of the storm's wrath. All those incredible pictures of lightning over Phoenix are real, and the thunder is just as impressive. One thing I didn't realize came with the monsoon season was the wind. But, the wind down here can get going, giving Idaho a run for its money. The storm today produced winds up to 65 mph, and some places had micro bursts up to 80 mph. Hold on to your hats folks!

Eye-Witness

This morning as Ted was leaving the house for work, I happened to noticed an unfamiliar car parked at one of our neighbor's houses. At first, I didn't think anything of it. Then, as I watched Ted drive away, I had a strong impression to watch this other car. So, I did, and three men got out of this old, white, cop car. One had on a red shirt, the other gray, and I think the third one had on either a white or dark blue shirt. They were young looking, about mid-twenties, and dark-skinned.
They opened the trunk, and back doors of the car, which made me a little suspicious. As I continued to watch, they entered the house, then came out with stuff in their hands. Now, I was too far away to see what they were carrying, but I could tell they were electronics. I figured our neighbor was probably selling someone something, and they were carrying it away, but as I turned to leave, the last guy ran out of the house with what looked like a gray, flat, box (DVD player), in his hands. The running tipped me off. Before, they had all been calm, walking slowly, but this guy ran. As they all got in the car, I grabbed my camera and started filming. They pulled away from the house, not going on the driveway, but through the desert. Another red flag started waving in my head.
"Did my neighbors just get robbed?" I wondered aloud.
So, I decided to call Ted and get a second opinion. He said not to call the cops, that everything was probably okay, and it wasn't like we could do anything. But, I insisted he do something. Thankfully, Ted is understanding, and turned around his car, and drove over to the house.
I watched from the front window as Ted pulled up to the house, then quickly flipped a U-turn and drove right over to another one of our neighbor's house, who is a cop. My fear had been confirmed.
After Ted got back to the house, he said the front door was open, and that is how he knew I had been right.
Hence, in this mess, I am a little frightened. The cops said the guys would probably come back in a couple weeks and try to break in again, because now they know what is in the house. So, not only did I witness my neighbor getting robbed, but now our neighborhood is probably going to get robbed again!
We do not have a security system, and we thought we lived in a fairly safe place...I mean, a cop lives right down the street from us. Now, I am on the search for a good security system. If anyone has any opinions on what security system they would recommend, that would be awesome!!! I really want to get one installed before I leave for Idaho in a couple weeks. Thanks! :)

Life...Happens

Wow! So, it has been a really long time since I have actually posted anything. Sad...well, I don't think very many people read this thing anyway. It used to seem like blogs were the BIG thing a couple years ago, but it feels like they have fizzled out...maybe that is just me...oh well. Anyway, a lot has happened in a month. I went to girl's camp for 5 days, yes, 5 days. Here in Arizona, we go longer than we did in Idaho, but we get to stay in cabins, and get one shower for the week...trust me, girls can stink! And we did. But, it was sooo much fun! I love girl's camp. It is a true bonding time for the girls and the leaders. Now, I feel like I am much closer to all of the sweet girls in my ward. I love them. Ted came up the last day, so we got to drive home together. That was fun, and I fell asleep...don't get much sleep at girl's camp. While we were up at camp in Pine, AZ, I saw elk, deer, rabbits, squirrels, and tons of wildlife. It was cool. Pine reminds me of Northern Idaho, with tons of pine trees...no wonder why it is called Pine. But, as I was up at camp, it felt like I was back in Idaho, so when we drove home to the desert, it felt a little strange. Don't worry, I adjusted quickly. But, girl's camp was awesome! I met a lot of amazing people, and got some new friends. Gotta love it!
Ted and I went to the Eclipse movie the night I got home from girl's camp...don't tell him I told you, but I think he was more excited than me to go to the movie. But, I actually liked the movie. The first two were slow, and lifeless. This one at least had a little more action. Kristen Stewart is the only downer...and she's a pretty big one. Sad. I wish they would've casted someone with at least some spunk in them so the character could come to life. She has been a huge let-down. Guess I will have to stick with the books, and thank heavens for those.
Oh, I started reading some books by Suzanne Collins that my friend Sarah suggested for me. They are called, Hunger Games and Catching Fire. They are great! Once you start reading, you can't stop. So, Suzanne Collins is a new favorite of mine. I also have another new favorite author, her name is Denise Hunter. She is amazing! I have read most of her books, which are christian fiction. I like them because they are clean, and have such great story lines about forgiveness and love. Very healing to the soul.
I don't know if I have posted about this yet or not, but Ted got called to be an early-morning seminary teacher, so he is going to be teaching the juniors in high school this year. I am sooo excited for him. He is learning a ton. It keeps him busy. When he is not at work, he is studying for seminary, or going to in-service. I don't know where Ted gets all his energy to do so many different things. Running three stores successfully, studying to be a seminary teaching, keeping the wifey happy, and taking care of things at home is more than a full-time job for him. He keeps on stunning me with his many abilities and talents. I got very lucky to marry a man with such ambition and drive for life. He literally can run circles around me, and I am no lazy duck. Sure love him.
Well, life for Ted and me in Arizona is wonderful! It is hot, hot, hot. Crazy how HOT it can get. I am thankful for air conditioning. I don't know what we would do without it...probably move back to Idaho...no, just kidding...we LOVE it here. But, I will be coming to Idaho in August. I am planning on going back to help with grain harvest. My family needs a good grain cart driver, and I volunteered since I enjoyed it so much last year. Hope all goes well with harvest, and it is a profitable year.
Hope all is well for everyone! :) Keep on a smiling, even when life gets tough. Attitude is one thing you have control over when everything else around you seems to fall apart.