I can’t believe that we are leaving Arizona on Sunday, March 1st. We’ve been here a little over 3-months. It’s been life-changing and wonderful. I got to wear my flip flops almost every day. Take daily walks (except when it rained those 3 times). This was the first-time ever that I didn't gain weigh over winter. And I got to spend time with my parents.
Rich and I have made a few big life decisions in the last year about our future (for ourselves and time with our Kids and Grandkiddos). Life as we know it is changing. One of the choices we made was to spend the winter of 2014/15 in Ahwatukee, AZ. We rented a little condo within a mile of Adam and Carrie and the Grandkiddos.
Adam & Carrie are very busy parents raising three loving, active children. All the kids are in different activities (both school and extra curricular). Our intention was to just show up as much as possible and step into their world. To be honest, we have no idea how Adam and Carrie do it 24/7 (other than they are such devoted and child-centered parents). It’s been a pleasure getting to watch them in action.
Over the past 3 months, we’ve made some Oma & Opa observations about Adam & Carrie and each of the Grandkiddos that we’d like to share for future generations (and for kicks, giggles and posterity).
Adam:
Driven
Ambitious
Absorbed
Tired
Passionate
Patient
Flexible
Servant heart
Loves his wife
Proud of his kids
Articulate and Smart
Sacrificial, Spiritual
Tender-hearted
Highlight Reel Favorite Moment:
Was watching Adam Coaching.
He coaches both AJ and Tyler’s Flag Football Team, the Titians.
He’s the loudest voice on the field and sidelines in EVERY game. Constantly Cheering and Encouraging, and applauding his players. He jumps up and down like a Kangaroo on big plays. Has an after-game speech each week that rivals Knute Rockne.
Carrie:
Highly Organized
Very Patient
Firm but Gentle
Decisive,
Compartmentalized
Easy to be around
Courteous
Hospitable
Other-Centered
Authentic
Caring
Devoted to her family
Great Step-Mom, (or Bonus Mom)
Inclusive
Highlight Reel Favorite Moment
Carrie has this way of being 100% available and present for the kids or others one-on-one. If she’s with someone (let’s say one of the kids) she will ask questions and tie a shoe, open a juice box, give a smile or a directive while showing she cares, she’s listening, and drops everything to focus on the need in the moment.
Tyler:
Smart
Smart-Aleck
Passionate
Exceptional Big Brother
Busy
Curious (at an adult level)
Unfiltered
Hopeless Romantic
Determined
Open-minded
Goofy
Involved
Highlight Reel Favorite Moment: Watching Tyler in Action as a big brother. He anticipates their need and helps. Most teenagers are pretty self-absorbed and too cool to be around their siblings. He get’s down on their level. He genuinely has fun with them and loves them. I wish I would have had a big brother like Tyler.
AJ:
Focused
Absorbed
Reserved
Playful
Cooperative
Smart
Articulate
Competitive
Sensitive
Sports-Fanatic
Likes to be Challenged
Worships Big Brother
Self-Contained
100% Boy
Highlight Reel Favorite Moment: Watching AJ play hockey. He loves the sport. He knows the sport. And he faithfully executes the practice drills (skating backwards, puck handling, pulling a kid behind him who is holding his stick to strengthen his legs). Pushing himself beyond his limits. Most impressive is how when he falls down, he gets right back up and presses on. He looks so adorable in his hockey uniform.
Aliya:
Primadonna
Fun-loving
Loves to laugh
Moody
Easily Amused
Curious
Attached to Mom (like a baby Kangaroo)
Attached to dad (when mom’s not around)
Attached to Big Brother Tyler
A Girlie-Girl
Loves to Dance
Great little memory
Good little Conversationalist
Cute as a Button
Highlight Reel Favorite Moment: Each week Aliya came to dance class with her tutu on and ballet slippers. Listening and watching her ballet teacher, she passe’s and plie’s. She focuses to do everything just like the teacher throughout class. She works so hard to balance and move gracefully. It's all play and darling to watch. She just started tap class. I think she gets a kick out of hearing her feet make a sound. She loves to be watched and when the class is over, she comes joyfully running to her parents arms to be applauded and kissed. We had matching tutu's and went to get ice cream in them (much to Tyler's total embarrassment). ;-)
I will miss the sunrises and sunsets, butterflies and mountains, and magical AZ moments.
But most of all, I will miss my sweet family
