Introducing the Bishop and his family

This one should be entitled, A Renewed Friendship.

Steve, Janis, Jordan, Janelle, Connor and Kathleen bring back alot of memories from the past. Of course, Steve is a venerated leader of the international church ministry that includes the churches we call home. The entire family calls Phx home as they serve here in the local church and Steve probably logs more air miles than a Fortune 500 CEO.

There was a time when Steve and Janis was sent from the MD church to plant new churches with their very young children in tow and Kathleen was the church secretary when the offices were dispursed through various houses!

This family has been a real bedrock of support and familiarity for us during this season. in addition to renewing friendships, we've enjoyed getting to know the adult kids as they seek to find their place in this world.. As of this weekend, I believe that all of the family members have officially joined 'adult-dom' with Connor's graduation from high school. Jordan is probably the most impressive man under 25 we know and Janelle is a lovely woman of God. Good luck to the gentlemen who must pass Steve's graces.

Mickey: "ummm .. crazy, fun, and awesome. so nice their couches; i love falling asleep."

Twinkle: "Janelle is so cute and modest and i love the clothes she wears. I'm always excited to visit the Shanks."

Chip: "I apologize for all of the late nights we've had with them."

Minnie: "I love going over to their house; it's so much fun."

the Dad: "what a gift to this area, this church and this family!"

the Mom: "I love Janis' mop. they are our substitute family in Phx. Easter, Thanksgiving, it wouldn't be the same without them. i love being with Janis.. talking talking talking.. she is a wise woman whom i respect.. i wanna be like her when i grow up.."

a "desert picnic" - celebrating a birthday.. the sunsets never get old in the desert

One of the many late nights at the Shanks. :)

Janelle and Maddy.


The guys playing golf. Mickey must've had a bad round...he's not smiling.

Effects of Too Much School

The kids finished their finals just this week. With the all of the intellectual stimulation they enjoyed during the '07-'08 school year, they felt that they just couldn't stop their mental exercises cold-turkey.. sooooo....

Introducing the MacK's

Our next introduction is our dear friends, the MacK's. They were the first Arizonans we met here. Actually, we met them in MD, as Brian was attending PC.

We'd like to tell the world that we spent hours and hours with them back east during their one year stay, that we built wonderful memories of visits to D.C., the monuments, the museums, bike rides in Old Towne etc..but, that would be just wishful thinking. And it would bring up way too many regrets. So let's stay in the very happy present and not so distant past.

The MacK's were the family who made sure we had friends that first month or two...always greeting us with hugs and smiles....inviting us out to lunch after church....being quick to introduce us to their friends, encourage conversations and hosting lots of activities--all of which we were invited to.

I know what you are thinking. It's because we are so loveable, right? Nope.....not quite. I have seen them take care of other "newbies" in a similar fashion (tho i'd like to think there is a little somthing special in our friendship...hehehe). Btw, a little trivia about them. They have the noble distinction of actually serving in the mission field for several years.. Yup.. just like the faithful heroes of old. they spent several years reaching out to the mainland chinese.. CHINA! maybe that's why they were so nice?!?!?!

So here they are: Brian and Laura (Dad and Mom), Kiley (15), Brynn (14), Drew (11), and Noah (9)...and some things we think about when we think about the MacK's.....

"Noah is cute.. nice.. and expressive"... "she loves her sisters very much..."

"Drew is incredibly thoughtful...and always has something nice to say if i'm feeling down.."

"Brynn is sooooo sweet and kind.. and 'other-focused' ... and beautiful."

"Kiley is sooooo hilarious, and pretty .... and taller than the dad..."

"Laura is quick to laugh and smile...and with her family it is easy to do both. She is quick to listen--which given my family is a necessary quality in a good friend. Yes. Laura is a good friend. Someone who made our transition here so easy. Can't imagine being here with out her! I wish all of you could meet her and spend an afternoon with her...I am sure you'd love her as much as we do!"

"Brian is a real visionary.. he couples a passionate about the mission with a commitment to the local church - hey.. this could be on a ministry brochure...!" definitely one of the MOST relatable pastors I know.." a true friend..

Smile, girlies!

Hanging out...love you, Kiley! :)

Oooh, that night was so much fun! We went to the Youth Banquet...all dressed up, obviously!

Planning strategy for our highly-skilled, very intense football game.

All-American Moms


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Really Important Milestone

the Dad here...

just had to post that Chip broke a milestone in his golfing career. he shot a 49 from the (mens') white tees at the local course.. (68/129 rating). he was on pace for a 45, but then doubled holes 8 and 9 to squeek under.

how did Mickey do you ask? 58. they are practicing for their first tournaments out here in the desert. with the youth golf talent in the southwest, we expect them to play hard yet play for fun.

Looking back...waaayyy back....

While we are spending alot of time here at phoenamenal days introducing you to our recent past, I can't help but post this picture...... from the distant past.

To think the Dad has known these friends since he was 16 years old. That is a long time ago!!

Enjoy!

Introducing the Trav and Nora and Baby Shank

okay.. today marks the beginning of our introductions of 'west' meets 'east.'

well, to be fair, this is a partly new introduction. Nora hails from the 'east' so we knew her when she was 15.. actually, Dad knew OF her before she was potty trained, but she was lost in the mix of the hundreds of kids in children's ministry.

Nora is a 'dietician, nutritionist' or something like that and is adept at telling you everything that is bad about what you are eating.. not after, not before, but during... :-)

and the biggest news about her is that she is expecting and carrying her first baby. due date: mid to late June. www.noraeshank.blogspot.com is her blog.

Twinkle: 'she's nice but funny... blunt..."

Chip: " ummmm..she's known us since we were little... she's easy to hang out with.. friendly.. kindly.. all those things.."

Mickey: "ummm.. oh yeah...sharing.. caring.. daring..."

Minnie: " ummm, i don't know...uh.. i don't want to talk...she's great....she is BEAUTIFUL..."

the Mom: "she tells great stories.. i like to listen to her talk.. she's smart.."

the Dad: "patient with a new husband..."

Travis is an Senior Business Analyst with a really large insurance company... and if all goes as planned, he should be receiving his MBA this August..

Twinkle: "Travis is a hard worker, but he can't put together a crib.'

Chip: "talented golfer"

Minnie: "nice hair"

Mickey: " not sharing, not caring, not daring.. just kidding.. ahhh.. athletic, tall, handsome, and that's it.."

the Mom: "Travis married into a great family.. "

the Dad: "patient with a new wife"

I'm Singing About Rain!!!

It's raining here...beautiful. Absolutely stunning. I went outside for about five seconds and just enjoyed it. Boy, do I love rain.

It's simply gorgeous outside.The rain is running off of the gutters and chairs and pool rafts and trash cans and I can't get over how wonderful rain is.

Mmmm.

I spent a part of the afternoon on the couch, reading a book underneath a soft red blanket. How cozy. Plus, it was a good book! :)

Twinkle

4 Weeks and counting...

We can't believe our first year out here is almost over....

Yup. 4 weeks from today the mom and 4 kiddos will be boarding a plane headed east.

East!

Where the grass is green, the air is moist, and people mow their grass not vacuum it.

We are all very excited!

See many of you real soon!

~the mom

A Fun New Series

Gotta say that one of the best parts of having our string of visitors this past spring (and a smattering of visitors in the fall) was introducing our friends from 'back east' to our friends 'out west'.

It is strange to think many of you have never met each other. Strange to have 2 lives like that. We liked it when our 'worlds collided' and hope to make that happen more often.

So we've decided to do a series here at Phoenamenal Days. Our hope is to introduce a few friends each week until we return back home. THEN when we are back east we will introduce you to some of our friends there.

Make sense?
Good.

Stay tuned!

~The Mom

Some people mow their yard...

We vacuum ours...




hehehehe....

~the Mom

Time for some Pics

to the mom

"Happy Mother's Day" to the Mom from her kids:

Here is a poem for my mom (it's a diamond poem)

mom,

happy, kind

caring, cleaning, teaching,

dogs, me, sports, dad

loving, sharing, hugging

funny, really funny

parent

Well, have to go!


Happy Mother's Day, Mom !

Love, Minnie

-----------------------------------------

Mumsie-dear,

I love you so much. Thank you for being the best mom in the world.

I am so glad you are my mom.
You continue to surprise me in all that you know.
Thank you for loving me from when I was born and
still loving me when I sin against you.

Happy Mother's Day and I love you!

Love, Twinkle

---------------------------------------

happy mothers day.I love you.love, mickey.

--------------------------------------

i love you so much, thanks for years of schooling, i love you
Chip

Busy Bee

One day, Mickey decided to spend a few hours washing dishes.

No, I don't mean rinsing them hurriedly, then throwing them into the dishwasher. I mean real dishwashing. Sponges and soap and suds and water going everywhere and dishes sliding.

He was so cute, standing up there on a stool and working his little heart out. So, the Mom and I and Minnie couldn't resist spying on him and taking (ahem) a few pictures.

For the girls

This is for the female readers of this blog.

Of course, guys could enjoy this stuff too, but I doubt it. This is pretty girly. Like pink and frills and hair straighteners and makeup.

So, what is this post about? Well, (drum roll) PERFUME. Still in the dark without lights on anywhere?

Let me explain:

A couple of weeks ago, the Mom and I went on a date. We spent an hour or so looking at hair magazines and sipping utterly delish Starbucks drinks. Then, we went to the mall to buy me some new perfume (my old one made the Mom sneeze). We walked into the beauty department and, wouldn't you know, there was a big Scent-sational Night of Beauty.

AH!!!

How much fun is that?!?!

So, an hour later, the Mom and I walked out of the mall...with all this stuff! And, by the way, all of it was free except for the little bottle of red perfume. What a deal!!!



See ya tomorrow!

Twinkle

Snack Utopia

While the Cz's were here we stumbled across a delicious, incredibly rich snack that is perfect in every way.  It makes my mouth water everytime I look at these pictures.

I am sure this snack alone is why my shorts are a bit tight around the waist and my blood sugar levels elevate and plummet like a roller coaster.

Not being one to keep this sort of thing to myself, I thought i'd share this delicious snack with you.... but i can't be held responsible for what this does to you... or your waistline.

Don't you worry, tho, i'll post a healthy recipe next week to make up for this one.

But first back to this very special, low calorie...er um, nevermind.. just read on and eat.....

First, make your own peanut butter using your vitamix. 

what you say, you don't have a vitamix?? I am so sorry...regular peanut butter just isn't the same, but you can substitute it if you'd like or skip this snack all together and wear your clothes with ease.


It is easy to make peanut butter in your vitamix. Just dump a small can of honey roasted peanuts into you blender and whizzzz away. Don't try this with any old blender tho or with regular peanuts. Honey roasted matters and so does the vita mix.

I can't be held responsible if you don't use those two things...




SO after you make the peanut butter......

.......unwrap a little dove chocolate bite.... dip..... and welcome to snack utopia...



I can not be held responsible for what this snack will do to you... How many times have i written in this post that i can not be held responsible for an action you take... why do i feel compelled to assure myself that it is not my fault?? why why why?

I don't know..I think i may need to eat one of these chocolate wonders to dig deeper into my soul and figure things out.

~The Mom

More pics, less talking

So. A picture is worth 1,000 words right...well i am short on time and long on pictures. so this post will be short and sweet with the narrative and long on pictures.


here they are in no particular order (sorry Cz's...we should have posted every night you were here!)


we took lots of fun pictures:



ate really great icee things at Bahama Bucks--a south west thing. This was perfect after our hike up the mountain
The adults went to a Diamondbacks Charity event on the field at Chase Field. We ate a delicious dinner while the Phoenix Symphony played in the back ground, and enjoyed fabulous entertainment later. How fun was that!!


Introduced the Cz's to all our friends here....



we did hair. well I curled the girls hair and our friend Becky put it up oh so pretty....






R got to meet a friend from her online writing class...one of our friends too!

we got manicures for the girls and pedicures for the moms --me, J and Oma

Please don't comment on the toes that look like little tangerines...the other feet are so beautiful, just ignore the ugly orange ones....thank you.


we went to a fancy fundraiser for Frontiers--a ministry organization that specifically targets muslims of unreached people groups....





we got TP'ed




we watched movies, and sang songs and laughed and ate and stayed up late way too much and sat pool side and talked and talked and talked. What a wonderful visit.





Don't forget our wonderful (and slightly embarassing) sunser pictures at the E's house..."OH, Hi Ryan..."


And we capped off all of these wonderful memories with a culinary---gulp--experience.

And what an experience.


We went to


The Golden Corrall.

Now first, I have a problem with this restaurant simply on principle...Golden Corrall?? come eat at our metal trough??? are you kidding me?? who is in charge of marketing there anyway???

SO we went

We ate.

we survived.


Yes. We did it. But prob never again:) But girls, it was a memory!!