All My Bugs

I figured we would see a lot of nature living so close to a "natural area". It has been interesting... sometimes a little bit unnerving. Despite the scorpion in the bathtub, six inch centipede (that L crushed with her trike wheel - she's such a brave conqueror of beasts), huge black widows and a bird that flew into our window and died, it has been a pleasure to get to know our new, desert neighbors.

We sometimes hear coyotes howl at night. That's pretty darn cool. We've seen a lot of road runners... running on the road (it's true, they really do that). We also have cute little bunnies running around and R found a little horny toad the other day at the football field - Q tried to bring it home in the car, accidentally let it go in the car, then we searched for the horny toad in the car. Luckily, we found the horny toad and he now lives in our backyard.

I think my favorites are actually the stink bugs. We see several a day,and they are so cute when they're being defensive. As soon as they sense you're close, they stick their little back ends in the air and "threaten" you.

Our people neighbors aren't too bad either.

Where Can I Find Peace?

Right here... that's where, camping and hiking in New Mexico. A couple of weekends ago, we went with some friends from church to camp just northeast of Santa Fe. It was so relaxing and really helped me feel recharged. I haven't been camping much over the past few years, so it felt nice to get back out there.

Despite the very chilly temperatures at night, the weather was beautiful and the scenery was awe-inspiring. I am still feeling a Rocky Mountain High (I don't know if I was technically in the Rocky Mountains, but I just like to reference John Denver from time to time).

TOUCHDOWN... And the Crowd Goes Wild!

Q started playing flag football recently. He loves it. I'm a little nervous about this newborn adoration. This is because of flag football's raucous cousin, tackle football. I have always said that my children can play any sport they want, except for tackle football and hockey - too "dangerous". I'm wondering if I might eat my words one of these days.

Last Saturday, Q's team played two games in one morning. The first game didn't go so well for his team. The second game went a little better for his team, and was an AMAZING game for me. Q made his first touchdown. It wasn't just any old touchdown, it was... AMAZING. I still get all choked up when I think about it. Q got the ball from the QB, weaved in and out of opposing players with finesse and proceeded to haul rear through several yards and into the end zone. It was one of my proudest moments as a mother.

I've been trying to figure out why I was so moved by Q's AMAZING touchdown. There's just something about watching your child run as fast as he can, straight into the arms of glory. I think I might know how Michael Phelps's mother felt at the Olympics :)