A Food Question

The summer heat is on it's way and before I know it we will be enjoying (maybe enduring is a better word) the hot Arizona heat. I remember last summer getting our electric bill and Drew & I were just shocked and realized we had to change some things. We turned the thermostat up 2 more degrees, I only ran the dishwasher right when we went to bed at night, and I only used the washer/dryer early in the morning or really late at night. We also "tried" ( I use it loosely because I could've tried harder) to cut back on using the oven, stove, crock pot...anything that would heat up my kitchen/home. This summer I am determined to cut back on it even more.
I am prepared to make burgers, hot dogs, grilled chicken, steak, etc...out on the grill and a friend yesterday suggested putting my crockpot in the garage or on the back patio if I use it. But I don't want to get too bored with grilling or eating the same things every week. The 120 degree weather is hard to bear and I won't necessarily want to be outside grilling in that heat anyways. I am looking for new "cool" summer food ideas.

So my question is, what do you cook or prepare in the summer to keep your homes cool?

Preschool Graduation

Last Wed. (5/18) evening Autumn's school held a preschool graduation. It was really sweet to see all the 3, 4, & 5 year olds from the two afternoon classes up on the stage singing songs they had learned through the year and then have them walk across the stage and receive their "diploma." I am so glad that even the kids who aren't graduating and will be back next year (like Autumn) got to participate and be apart of the ceremony. It was so much fun. I can't believe this time next year I will be talking about Autumn going to Kindergarten. Yikes! I really love this preschool program and all that Autumn has learned from her wonderful teacher and speech therapist.

While at the school, I had the video camera and videoed the performance while Drew watched Weston and Bailey. When Autumn was about to walk across the stage I asked Drew to take a picture with my camera because I only really cared for one picture during the whole thing, Autumn going across the stage. And this is what I got.

Drew's only saving grace is that we get to do this again next year, and I will be taking the pictures. :) He can have the video camera.

So when we got home we took more to make up for it.

I am hoping that this time next year I can qualify Weston for this program. It would be awesome to have Autumn do 2 years at this preschool and then have Weston do it also. That's just how much I love the structure and curriculum of this program.

4 Years Ago

I can remember this day vividly 4 years ago. I woke up at 4:30 a.m. with insane contractions. I timed them out on our couch for 2 hours, and then called my brother because they were a min. apart (they were living in TN and 2 hours ahead of us so I knew someone was awake to talk to me) and he told me to call his wife. I talk to my sister in law for 5 min, which I am crying the whole time because I am realizing this is the day. She tells me to get to the hospital. So I call my dad who wakes up my mom and she says she will be over soon. I wake up Drew and tell him to get ready, then I shower. We are at the hospital at 9 a.m. I am admitted because I dialated from a 3 to a 4 in the first 30 min I was there. My dad came, then my 2 sisters. I got the epidural, they broke my water, they got everyone out of the room, I pushed for 15 min. and at 4:15 my little girl was born. The first thing I said, "That felt so weird." In reference to feeling Autumn depart my body and enter this world a breathing, screaming person. It was amazing. It was perfect. The dr. and my mom all agreed it was a textbook birth, couldn't have gone any better and congratulated me. I felt so incredibly lucky to have such a wonderful experience with my first!

Now if only she could be as easy as the pregnancy and labor was with her. :)

Here are some quick shots I got of her today before heading to preschool to celebrate with her friends and teachers. I love that this little girl who doesn't sit long for much, will always sit and let me do her hair.

Their birthday is the one day they don't have to be in uniform at preschool, I love it. Happy Birthday Autumn!

5 Years

5 years ago today I married Drew. I look back over the last 5 years and it seems to have gone by so fast. I can’t believe all we have done and all that’s happened to us over these 5 short years.

Our anniversary is always a day of reflection for me. I remember the nerves, the anxiety, the peace, the overwhelming-ness, and the happiness. The flood of emotions I felt that day were unreal, but I was completely comforted in knowing that I was marrying the right person. He was perfect for me, and still is.

5 years later we have 3 beautiful kids, a lovely home, and many wonderful memories. It’s exciting to think about all the future memories we will make and have.

These are a few of my favorite pics from that awesome day.

 Snowflake Temple

My nephew

For Time and All Eternity.