Treasured Memories...

Several times over the last week I have sat down to sort through the pictures, memories, thoughts, conversations...to try and put some sort of words to our sweet time in Arizona.
But it has been impossible to accomplish without several tears and LOTS of reminiscing!

Our time in Tucson was amazing.
On paper...three weeks felt like a LONG time to be away from home.
In reality, it FLEW by!

The kids had a blast with their "new best friends" aka...cousins!


Being so far away from family...the kids soaked up every minute they were able to spend with their cousins.

They played, and played, and played...and PLAYED!
It didn't matter what they did, where they were, how HOT it was outside...all of that was secondary to being together!

This trip was also the grand introduction of our two newest additions!!!
Our family has doubled in size since our last time in Arizona!

Sweet little Hailey won everyone over in a heartbeat.
She was always found snuggled up in someone's arms!

And Jackson...


Mr Personality had everyone laughing the entire trip!

I was able to see family members that I have not seen since moving to North Carolina.
The days were not long enough to fit in all the conversations, stories, tears, laughter, hugs and card games...that needed catching up on!


One of the most special memories I will treasure forever was watching my children bond with my grandmother. They were both so little when we moved away and their memory of her was hazy at best. But as she sat watching Amy color and gave her pointers and encouragement (my grandmother is a very talented artist!)...or play a rousing game of WAR with Tyler (my grandmother is very competitive about EVERY game she plays!)...I knew that she would be well remembered by both of them.

We are so blessed to have so much family in Tucson.
While there...we usually were driving here and there trying to make the most out of the trip and see everyone we can.
Most nights were booked with family dinners...

or lunches...

Yes, we generally fill one whole section of a restaurant.
Yes, we are very loud and sometimes messy.
Yes, it takes a long time to get our food.
But yes, we have a really good time!!! :-)

We wrapped up our time in Tucson with a sweet time of prayer.
Separately, each of our parents spent time praying over our family...for our marriage, our parenting, our ministry, our future, etc.
It is such a blessing to have godly, Christ-centered parents that truly love and honor the Lord.
Jason and I were enveloped with their love while we were there and truly encouraged by their support in coming back to Charlotte.

We are not sure when we will see them again face to face...
but our memories of our time in Tucson will be treasured forever!!