To Pennsylvania for some German Potato Salad

All is well here in Arizona. The weather today is a too warm fall morning of 80 degrees. However, there is cold front on the way and I am looking forward to it.
We just seeded our lawn with winter grass so we are anticipating a lush soft blanket of rye to lay in shortly. If the weather helps us out. I was sad the the gorgeous purple mums I bought only 2 weeks ago finally withered and died in their pots this week.- The heat just kills them too quickly here. Mums are a link to the fall season for me, so I was disappointed.

I recently returned from a short jaunt to Pennsylvania for a Columbus Day getaway. Mike stayed home with the kids while I joined my brothers Noah and Hunter, and my parents to welcome Lincoln home from his mission. It was fun to see him and introduce him to Crew, who traveled with me.

Murphys Law was in effect prior to my flight. An online error (I dont think it was a user error) caused some problems for my flight and I ended up paying for another one way ticket home. After I had already purchased my roundtrip flight. ARGGG!
Then, the day before I was leaving, Mike gets word that a new surgeon wants him to come work the next day, a Friday. Mike hasnt worked a Friday in over a year. Because he never has, he didnt schedule the day off to watch the kids while I left!! So, after a freakout and some choice words, I managed to get the older boys to school and arrange a sitter for everybody (thanks to the good graces of my friend and neighbor). Zach and Tanner were going to head off to Tucson for the weekend, so Grandma and Grandpa Banzhaf drove 6 hours round trip to come and take them, instead of mtg Mike halfway in South Phoenix. It was the most stressed I have been in a long time.- Asher has maybe been babysat 1 time his whole life for under 2 hours. He was at a sitters from 8 am-8:30pm. I was flipping out inside worrying about how he was feeling. Then to hear that Mikes case was extended for more hours, I lost it.
So, not only did Mike end up working, but he worked until 8:30 that night. In his field, this almost NEVER happens. But, the one day I was getting on an airplane it did.

The good news is, Crew was a great traveler. He entertained our fellow passengers, sat quietly and played and slept right on cue. He was an angel to travel with.

Pennsylvania was warmer than expected and absolutely delightful. It refueled me. I needed to just see the green and hear the sounds of the Canadian geese honking in the sky. I felt like I had started to forget my life there.It was good to reconnect.We did some sightseeing and just hanging out together. It was perfect.

To be honest, it was hard to get on a plane and return to Arizona. But, I had for a minute a sense of closure that I never fully had before. A realization that my life there was a grand adventure but not my only adventure. That while in fact I had loved my life there, it wasnt without its negatives also. Nowhere in the world is perfect. Each place has its own pros and cons. I will always cherish my time in Pa, but I need to live in the now and move on. I do hope to someday convince my husband to move back to the east coast for a time, but I will be grateful for the moments Im having here. In a few years, I may feel the same way about Arizona.

Im actually starting to feel like we have a place in the community, in ward, and in our home. Day by Day, project by project, Im learning to love my home and recognize my smallest blessings. My kids will reflect the attitude I have about where we live, and I need to give them a non judgemental base to start building on. Its not fair to poison them with my negativity. My husband needs my gratitude and assurance that I am happy with the blessings he works hard to provide. Im learning to be patient with myself and with others. I will make friends...but they need to get to know me, and I them. The Lord is with me, wherever I go. He will help me to find peace in any location. It seems so logical to KNOW these things, but LIVING them is more difficult at times.

Anyway- Here are some pictures from Pa. My parents threw an October fest party with German sausages, German hot potato salad, apple spiced red cabbage, and all the trimmings. They had over 70 people. It was amazing. What was my favorite part? (besides the pot. salad!?!)- My moms cold apple drink she served. It is just apple juice and ginger ale mixed(dont forget to serve it COLD with pebble ice too!). Oh my goodness...it was so good.

Beautiful Fall night sky from my parents porch.
Crew sitting on my lap in New Hope, PA
New Hope, Pa is a MUST see place. So quaint. Tons of shopping. Close to Philly. Loved it!


Washington Crossing. This is the area where George Washington crossed the Delaware River on Christmas Eve 1776. Changing the course of the revolutionary war.
Just taking a walk with Noah, Hunter and Crew around the neighborhood.

My Mothers Festive Home...Love being there.

Some were eating here on the patio. More in other places around the house and yard.

I didnt have my camera until the end of the party so I am not doing the food spread justice. And I didnt take any pictures of all the seating and lights that were all over the yard. Or the darling pumpkin centerpieces on each of the tables. Sorry...I get talking instead of photographing.


I was at the end of the buffet line. As you can see there were 3 types of meat.

Frankferters,Weisswurst, and one other that I cant remember.

Empty trays and delicious memories were all that was left in the end. YUM!

Monkey Business

Some cute pictures of Crew playing. Such a lovie. He had just bumped his eye on the floor hence the red mark over the eye.













And some picture of my projects. I finally got a BURST of color in my all brown front room. My lamps arent all painted yet and Im still looking for the right shades, but you get the idea.The pictures have a few smudges from my camera on it. Sorry. My portrait walll is next on my list of to do's.









You can also see how my millons of niches are getting filled with books etc..this is a neverending project. I am constantly looking for items to make them look more grown up instead of college dorm. Its starting to shape up. I've got some vinyl signs in the works that will be added.

10 Years and Counting!

The 27th marked TEN years of Marriage for us!
I cant believe it sometimes. I still remember our wedding like it was yesterday.
I thought I would jot down a few things I love about my husband.

Mike is very patient with me. He has shown me love when I definately didnt deserve it. If you know anything about my pregancies and how I turn into Medusa then you will agree. Mike is VERY patient.

Mike loves his family. He will do what it takes to make sure we are taken care of, even if it means alot of personal sacrifice.

Mike is kind to everyone. He is good to strangers and helps even when he doesnt have to. He says hello and interacts with complete strangers. He offers to carry things, load and unload trucks (even with a bad back) or help those who cant help themselves. I love that about him.

“If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals.”
― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Mike is a hard worker. He doesnt have to go into an office these days. He works when the surgeons work which is very random. However, when he is home, he can be found holding a baby, playing a game with a child, climbing in our trees, weeding, cleaning the pool, sweeping up the piles of dirt the kids bring home from the playground. Scrubbing a toilet, fixing a hole, building a project, uploading his cases, etc. He is always working lately. Maybe it has to do with buying this house. Constant projects to complete. He never complains and just gets to work.I love that about him.

Mike makes great pancakes. I dont know if its because I dont like pancakes, or because I dont read the instructions correctly, but I make awful pancakes. Mikes are perfect and the kids will only eat his creations. Not mine.

Mike is always trying to be better. I admire this quality so much. He is always trying to get better. Working on his weaknesses, Reminding me that we should always be doing more to be more like Christ. He wants to be a better person day by day.

Mike is Mike...even with quirks,insecurities,strengths,opinions, habits, and love of Metallica, I married HIM. I have NEVER regretted binding myself to him. I love claiming him as my husband. He is such an amazing man. Im glag he chose me and I chose him. I cant imagine life without him.

“Of all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these, 'It might have been.”
― John Greenleaf Whittier

I love what I recently read in the Ensign magazine. Im paraphrasing but, it said that the temple is a place you get married. Having a celestial marriage is something you create after you are married. Im glad I get to build that with you Mike. Its been peaks and valleys and that is how God planned life. Working in unison to get through trials gives us a connection we might not have any other way. We also have long spans of peace and happiness and I am grateful for that too.
I love you babe. Thank you for 10 Amazing years, 4 children, and Happiness that I dont deserve but cherish. The journey continues...

We've been crazy

Things have been crazy around here. I have been sick for almost 3 weeks. Crew and Asher have also been ill.
At 6 months (and 20 lbs), Crew is getting 6 teeth. 4 have broken through and 2 more are just barely showing white through the gums. As follows with teething, he has been unable to sleep and fusses all night long from the pain. Add a cold to that pain and no one sleeps. Mike and I have been taking turns trying to run the night shift. And just when you think your off duty for the night, Asher will come crawl in bed with you complaining of his cold and cough all night long next to you. *Sigh*** I miss sleep, my old friend.
I was released from scouts and given the new assignment of Laurel advisor. Girls 16-18. Its been fun and VERY busy. I have meetings 2 Sundays a month. Every Wednesday night is spent at an activity and Im also in charge of a new thing that is ward specific. Its called "The Oath and the Covenant". Its a series of firesides that we plan and present over the school year following a similar formula to the mission prep program.-Our ward feels that they are not preparing the girls 18-21 like they do the boys to get to the temple. Its a very time consuming and mentally involved job. I plan the cirriculum and present at a monthly fireside with dinner and two to three speakers. Its been successful thus far. Im excited for our November lesson which revolves around "Symbolism: The Lords language." I've been reading about it on and off for 2 months. (Its one of those lessons my mom and dad would totally rock at teaching)

Arizona is still HOT. No autumn breezes, no falling leaves, no jackets or sweaters. Just sun. I realize that while others are dealing with severe flooding and unusual early cold fronts, they are thinking I should be grateful. While Im glad we arent dealing with tragedy, I wish it were cooler. I need fall. Its my favorite time of year. Our pool is getting colder as the evenings are getting into the mid 80's at night. We will lament the loss of the pool fun for the winter. Here are a few shots of the "FALL SWIMMING". Our cousin Taj came to stay for the weekend and we enjoyed playing with him in the pool day and night.
You can see my poor jasmine vine against the wall. It has totally died. We will need to get something different planted there soon.


Another fun thing we did was spend the weekend with Grandpa and Grandma Banzhaf.
We loved their visit. They are just in Tucson but 3 hours in a car still feels like an eternity away sometimes. Thanks for coming! Sorry this picture has nutty lighting issues.


Im in the middle of tons of craft projects. I have 4 large furniture pieces to update and paint. Plus I'm trying to hang a portrait wall that sounds easier than it is. The neverending birthday parties from friends at school has started and babies are due for immunizations that I dont feel necessary at this age. Mikes work it picking up, people decide to get that last surgery at the end of the year when they have met their deductable. Its starting to get crazy for him jumping from hospital to hospital.
All in all, we are just going about life one day at a time. Mike just bought me a ticket to go to PA for a few days to get some "autumn time". Im thrilled! PLUS my brother Lincoln gets home from his mission the day before, so he will get to see my little Crew for the first time. It should be fun!

Everywhere I go, the People want to know...

"Hey Zach, how come your eyes get all scrunchy when you smile?"


I have NO idea where he gets it?

Lunch Lady's Liver

My boys love to read. For some strange reason they love strange, erie, or creepy books (could have to do with parents whos favorite holiday is Halloween?!?). These books we found at the library were such a fun little read and the kids loved them. There are a few of them. They are not dark,just fun and light. Thought I would share if you have a kid who loves to read. ENJOY!

Financial Advisors

So I have been having heart failure this month over money. Between my astronomical Engery Bills (AC in AZ heat!!! and my house lingers in the 82-84 degree range) and the endless unbudgeted repairs that just dont stop, I feel like I am bleeding money.
Our Double Ovens went out this week. My temp sensors in both and control panel went out. This is a easy 500 dollar repair. Then to add insult to injury our van started making a weird sound .We thought it was the brakes. Come to find out its more than that and will be around 400 dollars to fix. When will it end?

I know things can always be worse and I am grateful that we are solid in a great job and have food on the table however; I wonder how people live the way they do with all these unplanned issues. Does everyone have a credit card they live on? Is that just a MUST HAVE these days?

Mike and I have worked hard to not have credit card debt. We have done a great job of it and pay our cards in full every month. As a result we dont have debt but we are always paying out in full. How do you pay for un-budgeted expenses and still save? How do you go through life without a credit card that has a balance?
I'm worried we will spend all our savings and not replenish them with all the necessities. Lets be real here. Im not eating out every week, buying designer clothes, or decorating from high end retailers. I drive a modest car (I'll say..a MINI VAN sheesh!), buy ground beef instead of steaks and scrimp and cut coupons for deals every week. When 20% of your weekly budget is to buy diapers and baby cereal you know your stretching every dollar. I literally havent set foot inside a mall in over a year. MACYS,The Buckle, Loft, Express, The Gap. Nope, Nada. Im at Target, Kohls, Marshalls and the Outlets. And Im ok with that. Still, I feel like I sacrifice all my wants for my needs and still have nothing to spend on un budgeted needs when emergencys occur.-

We have one income. Its a good one. Im blessed to stay at home while my boys are little (although Im ready to get them to the next stage so I can get back to school).
Im just always curious how others my age are affording Caribbean cruises, girls trip overnighters, weekends in Vegas, designer jeans at 150 per pair, personal trainers, handbags that cost more than my monthly food budget, decorations and furniture from trendy stores....Im just wondering, how do you do it?

Is there a secret no interest credit card somewhere? Is there a money tree I havent heard of that I can plant? Is going into debt worth the stuff you can buy?

I need some financial guru's to give me advice.

Maybe Im just sad because I realized that my 10 year anniversary is in 4 weeks and I just spent the money on my van and oven. Now we get to say "happy anniversary" like we always have, talking about the BIG thing we will do for each other the next year that never happens.
I realize its life. I just dont always want to be waiting to do something for US and then realize we are too old and tired to do anything. LIFE and LEISURE feel so separated somehow. They feel like they are not intertwined without major sacrifice.
What have you done to be able to afford both Life and Leisure? Any tips?