Oh, Is It Really Almost MARCH Already!?! {mobile monday}

So YES, I'm a slacker!!! I can't believe it's nearly March and I haven't shared anything of this year yet.  We've had A LOT going on... and I've more pictures to share, but for now - mobile phone pics will have to do as I haven't much time to spare lately.  I'll squeeze some more sharing in over the next couple of weeks... just know we are LOVING our beautiful sunny and warm Arizona winter, and enjoying every moment we get to share here.
Later,
Jess xo

* Sahuarita NJROTC whooped some butt at Moon Valley HS in Phoenix at the Valley of the Sun meet in January - took first in state, and secured their invitation to regional competition at Camp Pendleton in February!
* It's been very, very warm here and we've enjoyed soaking up the sunshine - including making 'snow angels' in the sand on New Year's Day.
* Buggy and BFF Hannah have been faithful in their stake dance attendance, haha!  Their favorites have been the 50's Night here in Sahuarita and the Valentine's Sweetheart dance in Rincon.
* Jess had a nice break from working and mom-duties painting for dear friend Cindy & Ken's upcoming wedding mural wall of canvases... it was fun, and therapeutic, I'd forgot how much I enjoyed painting.
* Freckle Face finally got in to the Tucson Orthopedic Institute for evaluation and has begun physical therapy in Green Valley (thankfully - because it's much closer to home than traveling to mid-town Tucson twice a week).
* Sahuarita NJROTC drill teams ranked second at their competition last weekend, which Buggy says was just a 'dress rehearsal' for this week's California trip.  Everyone is excited and nervous - counting down the days!!!
* Oh, and mom found a new favorite Saturday morning recipe to spoil the kids and their friends with: Homemade Nutella Poptarts... simply delicious!

That's It For 2015!

Compilation of our Best Moments {mobile monday}

I've been unbelievably busy so it's been awhile since I've been able to share our happenings with you.  As many of you know, we are smack dab in the middle of a big move.  I have a lot to share from the last two months, but no time to sit down and sort through it all.  I'll attempt a 'catch up' this week before my computer is packed away - if possible.  (Don't hold your breath, haha!)

So here it is - another mobile phone post - a compilation of our fondest moments of the last few weeks.  Image #1 - Ah-MAZ-ing Arizona sunrise... This is one of many incredible views we've been blessed with this winter as we drop Freckle Face off for early morning Seminary at the Stake Center.

Image #2 - I can't tell you how many times I've been stuck in my desk because she lays right behind me, trapping me.  I've also lost track of the number of times I've rolled over an ear or foot.

Image #3 - This is a typical comment I find on Monkey Boy's school fliers.  He cracks me up.  Keeping it real.

Image #4 -  This Tracker parked outside the local Walmart makes the top five on my list of sah-WEET paint jobs.  Hispanics certainly know how to liven up the ride.  I mean, dogs in sombreros and serapes... that's pretty awesome.

Images 5-7 - Buggy's final orchestra performance was incredible.  I'm so proud of her willingness to develop and share her talents with everyone.  The Beehives went to the winter concert together to show their appreciation for the girls in their group that were performing.

Image #8 - Buggy hosted an epic Ugly Sweater Party with some of her friends from school and church.  They made up plates to take around to the neighborhood ...(I spent two days making 2400+ cookies while I was stuck indoors with the house being painted).

Image #9 - Monkey Boy and I at his Court of Honor - he received his Tenderfoot and First Class.  We were pretty tired that night from all the moving prep... and weren't prepared for no glamour shots, lol.

Images 10-13 - Christmas morning selfies.

 

Images 14-16 - Daisy... what can I say.  She's gonna do what she wants.  She jumped up on the bed and interrupted Freckle Face and I as we were watching YouTube videos of sassy dogs.  She also took over the GB Packer bed I made for poor Copper.  She's kind of a meana sometimes.

Image #17 - Christmas morning.  Hmmm.... can you tell which two woke the other up?  They were excited.  She just wanted to sleep in.

Image #18 - I'm not sure why we took this one, except I know we were waiting for the other two to get out to the car for church.  I think it's because we were coordinating outfits.  My closet has officially been open for business.  I'm not sure I have much left that's still 'mine' now that we've got two teenage girls that fit into my sizes.

Images 19-21 - Freckle Face set out on a solo trip to surprise best friend Lauren in Montana after Christmas.  She successfully navigated three international airports on her own, which is incredible for a 14 year old.  I am grateful for all those that helped make this trip possible for her.

Images 22-24 - Grandma Brunette graciously had Bug and Monkey Boy's friends over to make fortune cookies and watch movies on New Year's Day.  The kids had a great time and even though mom and g'ma ended up doing all the work, they still talk about how cool that was.  And delicious... they were melt-in-your mouth delectable.

Alright, that's a quick recap for now.  I promise I'll get back to blogging and photographing once we are settled into our new place in Oklahoma.  Love you all!  Stay warm this winter :)

xo - Jess

Our Family Newsletter... Wishing You a Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year!

Blurred Days, turned to months {mobile monday}

WOW!!! I can't believe it's been a month since my last post, and even the last few have been far between.  We've taken the usual "BUSY" to a whole new level with SO MUCH going on here at the Brunette house, it's getting hard to keep track of what day - or even what week - it is.   So here it is... another quick post until I can catch my breath, a {mobile monday} post with snapshots from my iphone.  Happy Monday folks - hope you're all staying warm and enjoying the season wherever you may be.
xoxo - Jess

* After four long months in the job hunt, Military Man accepted a job offer and will be leaving us in just a few days.  The kids and I will follow just as soon as our house here in sunny AZ sells and the semester is over at school.

* The kids weren't too happy about the news.  We HAD planned to make this our permanent home, but plans change and we're no stranger to sudden and abrupt moves.  We promised the kids that for sure this next place will be their last home with us (before college).

* We made a spur of the moment trip out to have a look around the place we plan to call home for awhile.  It's a nice place and we're looking forward to the move... it's just all the in between stuff that needs to be taken care of that's going to be stressful.  There's a "Festival of Lights" in the center of town at the park that Military Man and I were able to go through on the night we were in town, it definitely made it feel like Christmas.  (Wow!  I can't believe it's already December!?!)

* We set out getting things around our home here in order, including home repairs and painting.  Daisy was not too happy about the fact that it took me four days to paint the master bedroom and put it back to something she recognized.  Look at that sad face she gave me when I sat down to take a quick break.

*  We just reunited with some dear friends (the Buchi family) that recently moved to Tucson from Montana.  It will be hard to say goodbye knowing they just got here and we now leave after seven years since our last duty station together.

*  Thanksgiving was wonderful - yummy food galore! and I even made rolls... which rarely happens.  The kids love them though, so I guess it was worth it.  We were so happy to have the Buchis join us for dinner at Grandma Brunettes house along with Beau and Danika and their adorable boys who drove down from Utah for the weekend.  We each got to steal some sweet baby snuggles too!

Our Big Halloween Bash

October Wrap Up {mobile monday}

End of the month wrap up for on-the-go pics from my sweet phone:
* Pep Rally and Spirit Week
* Fun Family Home Evenings
* EYO Scout Camp-out in the Santa Ritas
* Ward Trunk-or-Treat
* Freckle Face's new braces
* Busy photography schedule
* YW's Evening in Excellence, both girls completed values in Personal Progress
* All three kids made the Principal's Honor Roll for 3.5+ GPA
* Monkey Boy's Student of the Week for outstanding character
* Halloween - whoot, whoot!!
* Football and basketball games
* White Elephant Parade - 50th Anniversary
* More parties and gathering of family and friends - we are blessed!

I could've have made it through this crazy and wild ride of a month without some very wonderful and helpful family and friends - both near and far.  I am a lucky girl to have such an amazing support system!  XO - Jess

I {heart} Coloring Easter Eggs

Over the Easter weekend, we celebrated Freckle Face's 14th birthday with a family and friends outing to the Pima County Fair (more on that to come).  We also played board games, video games, ate junk food and colored eggs together.

xo- Jess

Sand From The Beach

I wish I could be on a sandy beach somewhere far away; but this will have to do for now.  We are still alive and well... just trying to find where 'normal' went while we were on Spring Break last week.  I'll be back to posting all about it, just as soon as I catch some normalcy. 

- Jess

Gettin Crafty With Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is about the one time a year I get a little crafty.  This year for Monkey Boy's class valentines I let him have a go at Pinterest ideas and he really liked this one from designwashrinserepeat.com. 

Easy enough!  

And of course, we can't be out done by Grandma Brunette.  She sent each of the kids a giant card with crisp dollar bills folded into origami hearts. 

Greetings!

Best wishes dear friends, for a blessed 2014!!
Love,
  Jess & Military Man
  Freckle Face, 13
  Buggy, 12
  Monkey Boy, 10
  Copper, 4
  Daisy, 2
  Spot & Peanut

Christmas Morning

I love that they're not too old to still be excited about opening gifts on Christmas morning.

Merry Christmas!
XOXO - Jess

Christmas Eve Exchange

The kids were excited about being able to exchange their gifts with each other the night before Christmas.  After opening their gifts they collectively concluded it would be best to go to bed early as that would make Christmas morning come sooner.

XOXO - Jess

Risk Tournament

They take their RISK seriously.  The family enjoyed some epic battles and challenges over Christmas break.
- Jess

Winter Parade // Sahuarita Town Hall

Freckle Face was invited to represent her youth group from church at the first annual Sahuarita Winter Parade last weekend.  Did you notice her in the blue cap holding the "Faith in Every Footstep" sign?  It has been a long time since we've been to or participated it a parade, and we haven't had such an event since moving here... it was a nice way to spend a Saturday morning.  I'm sure Santa was cookin in that suit here in the 80*F AZ heat!

Happy Thursday!!! - Jess

Winter Music Concerts

Buggy and Monkey Boy both performed in their schools' Winter Music Concerts this week.  Buggy played the violin in the SMS advanced orchestra and sang in the choir.  Monkey Boy played the flute in his first public performance in the SIS 5th grade band.

So proud of my babies!

- Jess