Relaxation

Chris has been taking a few days off and it has been so wonderful to have him around! He took off both Thursday and Friday and then Monday is a holiday for him since it is President's day! On Thursday he spent the day sleeping in just a little, paying taxes, catching up on naps and just relaxing a bit. Then on Friday, after we took Clara to ballet, Chris and I picked up some sandwiches at this swanky little grocery and headed off on this amazing hike up Finger Rock (hence the self portrait of us!). We spent the whole rest of the day just hiking and being together. The first part of the hike was just magical. I kept calling it the secret garden because it was just so cooland different. Then suddenly the secret garden part ended and a VERY grueling climb began! We climbed pretty sraight up vertical for just over an hour. It was SO hard and SO awesome. My butt was on fire, my thighs were screaming in pain, but with each step the view was just so awesome. It even rained on our hike...which is amazing in and of itself because it has not rained for 120 out of 122 days here in the desert! It was a fabulous day with good food and great company and wonderful scenery and even brutal exercise! Hard to beat a day like that! Then we came home and cooked out with our good friends...the ones who are separating. That day is coming closer and closer and with it is coming many changes. My best friend has gone back to work part time and is unavailable the first part of each day. She has had to make child care arrangements and leap back into the corporate world....and it's been hard to watch her struggle with all this is bringing. They have not told their girls yet and my heart breaks for them as I think of how they will face this new information. Her husband will be moving out very close to their youngest daughters 5th birthday....what a memory to deal with on your special day. I have been praying for this couple daily but I don't know if they are going to make it. I think it less and less likely each day.

There is not too much happening here. Max is as distracted as ever. We started a star system where chores or jobs are written on wooden stars and attached to magnets. Each child has a dry erase magnetic board where their stars are located. As they complete each task they are to move their star from the TO DO side to the DONE side. There is a reward for completing each segment of stars. So far, the system is working pretty well. Max is at least able to get a visual cue to help him complete his BASIC tasks like getting his teeth brushed each morning and combing his hair, etc. It's helped....some. Ben is great. On task as always...a bit devious as always. And as for Miss Clara....we are in a pretty good place with her. She is quite sweet and cooperative....still strong willed, but seeming to bend a little these days. I'm sure it won't last, but I'm enjoying it while it lasts! Overall, life is quite good in the desert!