Anna Rose Turned Eight

Anna turned eight on the 18th. We celebrated as a family and later she had a slumber party. Derek, Becky and I also took her to play put-put golf after school.

Anna is such a funny girl. I often forget she is only eight - she is old beyond her years. A frequent topic of conversation is how much of a handful she will be when she becomes a teenager. I am excited to watch as she continues to grow into a funny, caring and smart woman!

This is Proof. Proof of the drama that is already here and expected to increase!

Hole in One! But I still won!

An Extreme Day

Brooke and I ran the Extreme 5k in Lebanon, TN this past week. It was, in fact, very extreme and a lot of fun. It  included three soapy slip-and-slides, several fear-of-height-facing challenges, mud sloshing and a 35lb sack of sand.

It took us a little more than an hour to finish the 3 miles, but that was due to traffic jams at challenges.  Of the 16 obstacles we did all but one (it was a rope with no knots that needed to be climbed) and at the one we chose to skip, we had to do 20 burpees!

See the Elis Play at the Park

Eli (12) and Anna Rose (7)

"They will have cute kids," -Jenna Colburn.

The Steffys are such a fun and active family. Eli and Anna Rose are so great to be around.

Brother and sisters

Bring on the Spring!

I was in Arizona for Easter. It was a very springy and fun day with family.

Orlean, Lori, Mom, Jenna, Missy and Stephanie

Meanwhile, back in Tennessee.....

It was a little cold and rainy so the egg hunt was held inside, but all the Family got together to share a big Easter meal.

Look What I Found in the Bathroom

So I was getting a little restless in TN although there have been a few wins on the job hunting front and I am now working from home as a New Business and Governance Development Consultant for the Phakamani US Fund. I also had a promising interview with Abt Associates.

Anyways, since my mom and Nana were coming to AZ to paint my mom's new house and because Jenna was opening Define Yourself, LLC on the 1st and seeing as how much I miss Tana and Harlee and like seeing my siblings, I decided at the last minute to fly out. The plan was to arrive an hour or so before my mom and Nana got in from MN and surprise Nana at the gate. Well, due to complications caused solely by US Airways, I missed my connecting flight and so was not able to arrive until after everyone was set to be at dinner. I called Trey and he prepared to come fetch me on the sly. A few moments before my flight was to land he excused himself to go to the bathroom but then snuck out the door and came to the airport (they were at a restaurant only 10 minutes away)!  Just when they were beginning to seriously worry (Jenna even wondered out-loud if he had taken his gun into the bathroom), we returned and I was able to surprise most of them.

At Easter Uncle Gary and Orlean, Nana, Lynda Carey, Lori and Brian and their four kids, Brent and Stephanie and their three kids along with the Colburns and Jim were all together. I got to spend a little time with Camila, Jackie, Josie and Cortney too and the weather was amazing. I was almost fooled by it: Arizona in the Spring is wonderful, but it only lasts for a few weeks. It was a great trip. Her are some snap shots:

Potty Training Success

 

Harley jackets for the new Harley Motorcycle Trey now drives

Mom's new house

The kitchen

A hawk left this gopher head on the post in front of the Colburn's homestead

Jenna on her first day of Define Yourself, LLC

Define Yourself

Jenna opened her own gym this past week and my heart overflows with pride. Check out her website: tumbleandcheer.com

Mom doing a cartwheel

For the longest time Jen and Trey have talked about having a piece of land with animals and opening a gym - in the time since Christmas 2012 they have accomplished both. I am so proud of them for building such a great life for them and my super cute nieces.  Spend time with Tana and Harlee and it obvious they are free and happy little girls.

When I was preparing to return from South Africa Jenna sent me an email that warmed my heart. So much so that I kept it in my inbox to this day and read it every couple of weeks. In it she talked about how she was proud of me. 

I look forward to you teaching my kids to have passion for something and for that passion to turn to movement. A movement that one cannot stop and that can move mountains. 

I feel the same way about her - she has done something huge by starting her own business that will allow her to provide the kind of lifestyle her and Trey want for themselves and their kids. I have no doubt that Define Yourself will be successful and am so happy they have built a life to be proud of out in San Tan Valley!