2014 Review Extravaganza, Part 3--July through September

I can't believe that this is the FIFTH time I've participated in Emmy Mom's Year in Review Extravaganza--a time to reflect on all that's happened at the Sanatorium in the past year.

Here we go with Part 3--July-September

July
Sam spent most of the summer on a work trip to India, so Heidi decided to come home while he was gone. What a fun summer!

Evie started sounding out words, Micah and Lily participated in MCC's workshop, and I took photos of Tucker's new little family.

July brought the "big reveal" of the project I had spent weeks and weeks developing--a website dedicated to improving gifted education in Mesa Public Schools. Education that brings out the best in all kids is my biggest dream. Here I am, five months later, and I'm still working with the school district, still presenting ideas, and still hoping that change is just around the corner.

Brad and I took a cruise to celebrate our 25th anniversary, and I took very, very few pictures. But we did go. And I got to do yoga on the deck in the middle of the Caribbean. I'll never forget that.

August

After a week in California with the entire Denton clan, we were shocked back into school earlier than ever before--August 6. Something seems just wrong about that.

I continued my love myself project--I've always loved great shoes.

I continued the back-to-school shopping tradition with each of my kids. Micah, Hyrum, Lily, Evie.

I mourned with the world over the sudden loss of a dear friend. And ground was broken on our cabin up north.

Remember the trip I took with my mom? Dad's turn was in August, and we spent a memorable five days in DC, visiting museums, almost missing planes, eating yummy food, and riding horses through battlefields. Seeing the world through my dad's eyes was an experience I will never forget and one of my favorite memories ever.

September
We drove to Utah for Annie's baby blessing. What a beautiful day it was. This may be one of my favorite photos from the year.

Ben and I took a short vacay in Utah, and we completed his missionary shopping.

Norbert flooded central AZ--biggest storm in over 100 years. My wet basement attested to it.

Hyrum's visit to the dentist touched my mother heart.

And Heidi and I almost blew up the house canning chicken.

Lily started to cheer and sing at her high school.

And building progressed up north.

I concluded the month with another post on my yearly focus on refining myself--I didn't feel like I'd gotten anywhere in nine months.

Why does it seem like summer was so long ago?