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!

First Formal, NJROTC Navy Ball

Back To School For These Guys

**  Freckle Face - 10th Grade  ** 

**  Buggy - 9th Grade  ** 

**  Monkey Boy - 7th Grade  **  

Ok so technically this was NOT the first day of school... more like the third week of school, but hey! This momma has had A LOT going on and sometimes we just have to make due.  This was the girls' first uniform inspection of the school year though... and don't they look sharp!  So proud of all three of these kiddos, they continue to amaze me daily.  It's going to be a great year :)

- Jess

Our Last Week of Summer

Our last week of summer was jam-packed with back-to-school shopping, get-togethers, and all sorts of fun!  Here's some of our highlights:

* Freshman orientation for Bug (pictured above with her friend Tianna).  She was nervous but so excited to be able to see her friends she hadn't seen all summer and to see what her schedule was going to be like.

* Unfortunately for the girls, the schedules still had not been made and no one was able to see what classes they had for a few more days... they were still in the process of hiring counselors, so they had to be patient for a few days longer.

* I was asked to come in for a job interview at SMS with Project Inspire... hoping that goes well although I do have an offer for a job in the downtown Tucson area if this doesn't work out.  I really want to stay around Sahuarita and work the same hours that the kids will be in school, so this would be the ideal job for me.

* 7th Grade open house for Monkey Boy... he was none too thrilled, but we made an appearance just long enough to say hello to a few friends and pick up his schedule for the coming school year.

* Freckle Face was scheduled for her ortho surgery (anchor implants) but luckily for her, that ended up not happening since her roots are still not ready for them to be in place.

* NJROTC early morning orientation all week for Bug... MSGT even invited Freckle Face to come join in the fun for one of the days.  They had a lot of fun together... and it was not nearly as bad as Buggy thought it was going to be.  She didn't even throw up on the first day!

* Monkey Boy and BFF Christopher went canoeing and camping with the scouts at Patogonia Lake, they had a lot of fun - got dirty and REALLY sunburned!!!

* Enjoyed a few good monsoon storms - LOVE this time of year here in southern Arizona.

* Ran into Ronald McDonald as we were out doing some last minute school supply shopping... he was happy to give us a smile and a wave while we were waiting in front of him at a traffic light.  Buggy was all too embarrassed to turn around and take a picture, but she was glad she mustered the courage.

* She also took the opportunity to sneak in some selfies while her big sister was sound asleep on the way home.  Girl's asking for trouble!!!

* The kids all had a blast at the end of summer youth lake trip on Saturday too.  They spent the whole day diving, swimming and canoeing on Patagonia Lake with the young men and young women and leaders from the ward.

xo - Jess

Buggy's End of Year Celebrations

What can I say about this little go-getter of mine? Well, for one, she's not so little anymore! This is a quick compilation of her end of middle school celebrations. She had an amazing orchestra concert and spent her finaal first chair performance as a middle schooler. She said farewell to her beloved teacher Miss Blass. She had a blast with her friends and leaders in National Jr. Honor Society and Student Council preparing for the school-wide play day, Wowapalooza. Then she was presented with the Principal's Honor Roll for three years of all "A" grades and the President's Education Award for Outstanding Academic Excellence. Well done Bug, we are so proud of your determination, big heart and amazing achievements.

XO - Jess

NJROTC Banquet + Awards Cermony

After being away for three months, Freckle Face was eager to get back to NJROTC... And Commander and MSGT were also eager to have her return. It was a pleasant surprise for everyone all around. At the end of year banquet she was presented with the Daughters of American Colonists  achievement medal. We are so proud of her and all of her hard work and dedication this first year of high school. She has done very well and we are excited to see what the coming years bring.

XO - Jess

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

Breast Cancer Awareness Month - SMS Spirit Day

Navy Annual Military Inspection - SHS NJROTC Presentation + Parade

Friday Night Lights and MORE! {mobile monday}

Our weeks have somewhat bled together but it's been a fun and lively type of busy... here's some highlights from the last two weeks via my mobile phone:

* Monkey Boy was recognized as Student of the Week, he also worked with his friend Ernie on a school project

* Freckle Face did her duty with NJROTC at the last couple of SHS football games while the rest of enjoyed the excitement from the bleachers

* Bug had her hand in a little of everything this month and worked hard on some projects for NJHS and cheerleading

* We 'endured' a couple of big hurricanes that came up from Baja/Mexican coast which caused a whole lot of flooding and storm damage throughout southern AZ - however, we fared well and are grateful for the rain

* Coming up this week we have some super rad events to shout about: the Aquabats in concert, the town's 20 year celebration, Fiesta Sahuarita and our last official week as a military family.

Sunrises, Student of the Month, Jeeping & Football Season {mobile monday}

Here's a recap of the last week - in mobile phone shots....
* Buggy was awarded Student of the Week AND Student of the Month for outstanding character recognition
* Football season has officially kicked-off... not with such a great start for our Packers, but we are still hopeful for some awesome games in the future this fall
* I got some new frames, everyone seems to like the different style, but I'm still debating... they're a little nerdy
* Monkey Boy and his best friend enjoyed some playful rivalry via Madden on Xbox
* We enjoyed several incredible sunrises and sunsets this past week and some great family adventures in the Jeep - wearing the kids right out!

Have a great week folks!
xo - Jess

First Uniform Inspection {mobile monday}

Ahh! This girl makes me proud.

Back To School Fun {mobile monday}

I'm sharing these back-to-school shots from my phone.  Back-to-school shopping and lunch at none other than Guerro Canelo's in Tucson.  And then there was Freshman Orientation and Open House at the high school.  High school?!!  Yes, that's correct.  We officially have a student in high school... just four short years to cram all this fun into... makes me a little sad. 

- Jess

Pass It On. {favorite friday}

[New York City, May 2011]

We did it!  

We survived the first week back to school, and very much looking forward to the weekend.  

Have a great one folks!

xo - Jess 

The First Day of School

The younger two were bouncing off the walls the twenty-four or so hours leading up to this moment - the moment they walked out the door to catch the bus to their first day back at school.  It's Monkey Boy's first day of middle school and Freckle Face's first day as a high school student.

Freckle Face is most looking forward to NJROTC and art class, Buggy was excited for JNHS and Monkey Boy couldn't wait to see his friends he hadn't seen all summer.

The Last Month of 8th Grade

Freckle Face has officially finished middle school and will be a Freshman in HIGH SCHOOL next school year.  She enjoyed the end-of-year celebrations with her friends and is looking forward to YW Camp at NAU, swimming at the pool, hanging out with friends, and just "relaxing" this summer.  Well done Fuzzy!  We are proud of you!!! XO

The Last Month of 5th Grade

Monkey Boy also had his end of year events between field days, concerts and promotion ceremonies... he's also been busy.  He did not tell us he was the "section leader" until we discovered it at the SIS 5th Grade Band performance the evening of.  At his promotion ceremony he was recognized for his achievements in math, reading, music, outstanding citizenship/good character, principal's list for all A's all year, and participation in the Wright-Flight program.  Over the last three weeks he's been on two weekend camp-outs with his dad and he is looking forward to no more school work for the summer.

The Last Month of 7th Grade

Buggy's last month of 7th grade was full of concerts and booster club activities.  She made the principal's list for all four quarters straight A's and is hoping to be a part of the National Junior Honors Society next year.  I video recorded her choir and advanced orchestra performances.  She was especially excited about the Beatles tribute and her solo on "All The Lonely People".   She has also been babysitting A LOT on the weekends and making money she's happy to save in her new checking/savings account at the credit union.  Next week she leaves for her first Young Women's Camp - an entire week at Northern Arizona University's Centennial Forest - camping, hiking, swimming, exploring caves and accomplishing obstacle courses.

Snap Happy {mobile monday}

Today is Freckle Face's last day of school!  No more middle school for her, next year she starts high school!! - which also means no more uniforms.  She's been a little 'snap happy' ever since she got her iphone (she was taking pictures of us this morning as we sorted through lunch party groceries and yearbook signing markers and all those last minute items needed for the last-day-of-school-fun).  Over the weekend she attended her first formal school dance... with a little nudging from her momma and some very persuasive friends - she said that she had a lot of fun and was glad we talked her into going.

This week is it!! Jam-packed with last minute photo editing, church activities, holiday weekend preparation, graduation ceremonies, end-of-school-year celebrations, field days, field trips, year book signings, friends and pool time, and pure craziness as this momma keeps it all organized and on the right track.  (wish me luck, it's at times difficult to manage).

xoxo - Jess

Last Week's List {mobile monday}

Yes, yes!  Still crazy busy here at the Brunette house... but alas!! there's an end in sight - one more week before summer break begins.  May is the busiest month for school and these kids of mine are about ready for the two month long break... and SO AM I!!!  Here's a few noteworthy happenings from last week:

* Spirit Week at school for Monkey Boy - he let me snap a pic of him and best buddy Christopher on "twin day"

* Military Appreciation Month, with so much going on behind the scenes, it's nice to have some recognition. And I'm proud to have my nearest and dearest friends along side me in the "silent ranks" as military spouses.  I love and appreciate all their sacrifices, and they will forever be in my prayers.

* Mother's Day was more like a weekend full of pampering - which I took full advantage of.  Treats, gifts, yummy food which I did not have to cook or clean up after, and some much needed uninterrupted peace and rest.  I also got a new polka-dot swimsuit and a GB Packer's tee - which I cannot wait to get them in the mail!

* Buggy and her cute friend posed for this pic before their Spring Concert - orchestra, band and choir.  Buggy even sang a solo part of a Beatles song (more on that to come - with video this time YAY!)

* Freckle Face scoured the internet for days trying to find just the right phone case for her new iphone - a birthday gift she hasn't put down since it's arrival.  She wanted something with Divergent... these were the top four picks she had narrowed it down to.

* I read all three books in the Veronica Roth "Divergent" series (also gifts Freckle Face received for her birthday last month).  The girls are just about finished with books Insurgent and Allegiant, and Military Man took us to the movies to watch the film for family night.  Everyone enjoyed it, but of course it wasn't as good as the book.

Have a great week everybody!!
XO - Jess