find joy in the journey

chipotle fiesta

So you may or may not know this about my husband, but he can be a little obsessive.

Case in point. Last summer Chipotle was offering a rewards program . . . something like every 10th meal for free, etc. along with some even bigger rewards.  Scott is an economist so he is all about maximizing value vs. effort and when he saw the BIG reward and what it took to get there, he did his mental calculations and determined that he was IN.  And this is where the obsessive part of his personality comes in because when he sets his mind to something he follows through 100%.  

Basically, he had to eat lunch at Chipotle 14 times a month for 3 solid months. You can bet he did it.  And the big reward was a catered Chipotle party for 20 people.  Thanks to his hard work, it became the perfect excuse to gather friends for a party!

So it was a win-win because he got Chipotle for lunch, we got free food, and I had a reason to throw a party.

And all the fun decorations & planning that go with it.  I just love this stuff and it has been a while since I had a reason to plan a party.

Hello?  Mini cactuses . . . so cute!  I found these little guys at Lowe's for $1 a piece!  I was super excited to see that they even had color flowers on top - score!  Until I looked closer and realized that the flowers are fake and attached with hot-glue!  Seriously.  But for a buck . . . hey, it works.

I potted all of the cactuses with a succulent and then our guests got to take one home at the end of the evening.

I found a big serape blanket, cut it into 3 long strips, and hemmed the edges to make these table runners.  I love the color!  And little candles placed in random votive & mason jars provided ambience.  Although, my friend later informed me that this was a huge missed opportunity to incorporate the Virgin Mary candles from Wal-Mart!  Doh!

Add a few mini donkey pinatas, bowls of chips, and you've got some table decor that is super easy, colorful, and fun!

Our guests arrived and so did the food!  Holy food!  All of this - plus the fixings of 4 different salsa's, cheese, sour cream, lettuce, guacamole, tortillas, - plus the chafing dishes, for FREE!

I made some Brazilian Lemonade to go with the meal and it was a huge hit.  We had a great time sitting around the table, visiting, laughing, and catching up on recent events & changes in life.  Our ward had recently been split and we were now divided among 3 different congregations.  So having this opportunity to get together and hash out some of the changes and give updates on new callings, etc. was awesome.

Part 2 of the evening included . . . . a pinata!  Because, why not?  Adults can have fun with a pinata too.

The thing was ENORMOUS! I sent Scott to a pinata store across town that I had heard about and he came home with this giant thing.  Not only did it have a big interior chamber for candy & prizes, but on either side it had compartments for big bouncy balls - 14 in all!

The kids spent the entire evening having their own party on our balcony.  As you can imagine, they were SUPER stoked when Scott gave them the opportunity to CONTROL the pinata!

It was a beautiful evening - a tad on the chilly side, but not too bad. And our patio lights were sparkling!  Nights like these make appreciate and fall in love with our yard even more!

After everyone got a whack at it while blindfolded with the pinata stick, we went for round 2 with a baseball bat and no blindfold. Once the pinata exploded there were bouncy balls, twix, hot tamales, and packs of gum scattered all over the patio.  Everyone dove in to get their share, but nothing like a 6 year old birthday party. :)

Part 3, dessert!  I found this amazing dessert on Pinterest -- one of those that you think, "ya, right that will work".  So I tested it out first, and sure it enough it worked and it was delicious! Churro Ice Cream bowls!

I prepped the bowls ahead of time and stuck them in the freezer so that during the party we just had to do the deep-frying and everyone coated their own bowls in cinnamon sugar.  They were deeee-licious!  The perfect dessert to accompany a Chipotle fiesta.

It was a great party and I'm so glad we created this excuse to get together.  We really don't do it often enough.  I've come to firmly believe that we need these kind of connections & gatherings in our lives to help keep us sane!

at home

I've made it no secret that feeling at home in the desert has been tough for me.  It was a tough transition to come here and there are so many things that are so different.  And many of the things that make ME feel at home aren't available here. 

But,

This week I felt that change for me.  I know, I know, it only took me 5 YEARS! I found myself on several occasions looking around my surroundings and feeling genuinely happy to be here.  As I drove around my neighborhood streets, to & from school, I would think to myself - I love this view.  I love this routine. I love this neighborhood.

Now, I still don't have a love for Vegas (most parts of it make me feel icky) . . . but Henderson feels like home.

That feeling, that full heart, was HUGE for me.  I never wanted to be unhappy/unsettled . . . it just took a while for the comforts & familiarity & relationships & connection to come together and mesh into H O M E.

And that made me happy. :)

It sure helps that the weather is beautiful these days!  We got to dog-sit for our friends last week which included several walks.

On Friday, Anna set up a party on our balcony.  There were blankets, decorations, music, a disco ball, candy . . . the kids hung out there all afternoon and well into the evening.

And we were barefoot outside.  Something about walking around the yard barefoot just makes me so happy!

Last week the school held their fun run.  I went as a parent volunteer to mark off laps.  I have sure loved this elementary school and will be sad when Anna "graduates" and moves to middle school next year.  We moved here when she was in kindergarten and it's a been a good place for her.  I have felt at home walking through it's halls, volunteering in classrooms, and attending performances.

On Thursday night we got a knock at the door and a cute girl was standing there to ask Conner to Sadie Hawkins.  I loved seeing him so surprised and SO HAPPY.

We hosted a gathering with friends on Friday night that was SO GOOD.  With a pinata, how could you go wrong?

Feeling at home and happy for it.

Now, if the weather could just STAY this wonderful for a while I'd be SUPER thankful!  Please don't warm up too fast! :)

valley of fire with friends

It's February, which means it is pretty much spring in the desert!  The weather has been beautiful the last few days - mid-60's. Yesterday we met our friends at Valley of Fire for a day of hiking, scaling rocks, and exploring and the day was just beautiful!  I love that Jenn & her kids are just 2 hours away and we can plan little adventures like this from time to time. It makes life in the desert all the more sweet. 

Thanks to the kids for coordinating your clothing - it was almost like family pictures!

These views are just simply amazing. 

Inside the Cabins, Payton was cracking me up as he took on the personality of Real Estate Agent . . . pointing out all the wonderful features of this stone dwelling in the desert.

We went on a short hike - Mouse's Tank - but much of the hiking occurred off the trail as the kids explored every rock, hole, and crevice they could fit their bodies into.  I just love this kind of outdoor activity. And my kids love it too.  Conner took it upon himself to climb to the TOP of every rock he could find.  Including the ones with "stay off" signs (i.e. Elephant Rock).  But he enjoyed himself which I love to see!  He even said that he would love to do this kind of activity/exercise every week.  Done!  I've been trying to nurture this exploring/adventurous spirit in my kids ever since they were little so it warms me heart and makes me smile to see it paying off!

I love being outside because life just seems simpler.  And we can create our own entertainment.  For example . . . we made a game of tossing small rocks into the small holes on the side of this big rock.  I told them, it will be just like the water bottle flipping game!

Calvin, Anna, Conner, Josie, Caleb, Payton, and Belle striking a pose in front.  I've known all of these kids since they were babies!

As I watched the kids climb to the top of this rock I was extremely aware of what a blessing it is to have strong, healthy bodies to get out and explore. For that I am so grateful!  And I will never get over the beautiful contrast between the blue skies and red rock.  Love it!

And my beautiful, amazing, powerhouse of a friend who is doing amazing things and thriving in the desert.  She teaches me so much.  She is a great sounding board but most of all I just like to listen. :)

I saw this quote on instagram today and I'm giving it a high-five right now.  

I'm thankful for the happy spirits in my life because they just make life better.