Natalie | Caiti and Hamid Visit!

While I was in AZ, Natalie flew in from Idaho to play "Mom" for the week. The kids LOVED it and weren't at all sad I was gone. They sure do love their Aunty! Caiti and Hamid came in the same day and Natalie was there for an extra two days so I got to have time with her too!

Caiti and Hamid were in town for ten days and we LOVED it. We did Akaka Falls, Hapuna Beach, Honoli'i, Cub Scout Day Camp, Narnia, ate lots of yummy food, and played lots of games with endless laughter. We had met Hamid a couple times before but hadn't really gotten to know him very well. Having them both here for so long was such a great opportunity. We love Hamid so much and are so excited for him to join our family! The boys definitely love him and keep asking when Hamid is coming back (and then later add Caiti too)!

Mavi took a bunch of selfies on my phone and this one is my favorite. What a nut! 

Mavi is on Hamid's shoulders and it was raining so he wore his jacket. I loved that it looked like a giant! 

Prosciutto wrapped dates filled with chevre. SO YUMMY. 

Toilet Paper Roll -- Written by Sean

There's something that I LOVE about my youngest, Maverick. Now before I say that, I should mention that I absolutely believe there to be a correct way to load a toilet paper roll, and that is in the manner that dispenses the squares at the front of the roll so you don't have to peel it from up against the back wall. For whatever reason however, Maverick doesn't do well with that arrangement. Every time he tries to rip the rolls from that orientation, it doesn't rip all the way and pulls a bunch of extra tp. So he likes it the other way. 

Naturally, whenever he loads a new roll he puts it in "backward" so he can use it better. At first this bothered me, and when I first started noticing the backward rolls in the boys' bathroom I would dutifully set the world straight again by reversing the roll. But I started noticing that the next time I went back into the bathroom it would be backward again. I would flip it and without fail it would go right back. 

When this insidious chaos made its way into our bathroom, I started asking around to the kids to find out who in the world was disrupting the natural order of things, only to have Maverick explain to me how the other way doesn't work for him.  He said it with a smile on his face like "well, of course, I flip it around every time Dad, the other way doesn't work." And that was enough to resolve the issue for me. 

I still put the rolls incorrectly when I load them, but now when they're flipped backward, I no longer feel frustrated by the obvious abandonment of what's right. Instead, I think of my sweet young boy flipping my previous placement with his adorable little hands and it seriously brings a smile to my face. The backward rolls are a little reminder of this wonderful little human in my life and it brings me more joy than a correctly placed roll ever could. It's one of those small things in life that I'll forever reflect upon fondly. What a wonderful joy it is to father such amazing little people. They have the ability to soften the most stubborn of my ways and I'm so grateful for the genuine and regular smiles that overcome me as I use the loo. :-)

Business Trip to Navajo and Hopi Nations

I had an opportunity in March to go to Arizona on a business trip. I got to visit both Hopi and Navajo Nations and it was such an incredible experience.

The trip started out with the Waites. I love that they live in the greater Phoenix area so that I am able to see them when I travel for work!

I only got to hang out with them for a few hours before I headed up to Flagstaff. The work this week consisted of a lot of meetings, meeting a lot of people, taking copious notes and soaking in as much adventure as I could squeeze in.

Hopi Taco on Blue Fry Bread

This is the only irrigated farmland in all of Hopi Nation.  This is in Lower Moencopi Village. 

I have worked for Building Communities for four years. I have worked with our Navajo team for the majority of those four years but hadn't met them face to face. I finally got that opportunity on this trip! On one of the days we only had meetings in the morning, so the four of us went out to the Confluence, where the Colorado and the Little Colorado rivers join. It is a part of the Grand Canyon that isn't often seen by tourists. It was a spiritual and awe-inspiring experience and I am so grateful that we were able to see this.  The drive in was arduous but it all paid off when we got to our destination. It was a beauty like I've never seen or experienced before.

While we were there, Tom, the President of Native Builders and my Navajo brother, gave me a Navajo name which means "The Exploding Mountain Woman" or "Woman from the Exploding Mountain." It was such an honor and a privilege. 

Me with Thomas Tso, Brian Cole, Brian Kensley

We watched the sunset over the canyon and Tom decided to check the tires before we headed out. Lo and behold, there was a flat tire. So we spent time fixing it then headed out on the slow and even more arduous journey out. It was a great team building experience, however, and I'm not sure I'd change it if I could! It was so great to have so much time with Tom and Brian and hear so many stories of the Navajo culture and people.

The road on the left is a road on Hopi Land. The road on the right is Navajo land. 

While driving across the Nation, Brian had to take a call so pulled into this small little town. Right off the road was a small LDS church building. So while Brian took his call, I walked in and had a chat with a couple people that were inside. I learned a lot about the church in the area, how the wards were run, and got to see things like the Articles of Faith in Navajo. At the end, the brother and his wife that were there gifted me with a Navajo Book of Mormon. I know I can't read it, but I still consider it a great blessing!

Had a meeting outside of Winslow, AZ and got to stay in La Posada Historic Hotel. And, of course, had to stand on the corner!

Scoping out a potential development site

At the end of my trip a big storm was heading to Flagstaff. I had an early flight the next morning and wasn't convinved I'd get out of Flag on time. I caught a ride with a colleague that was driving down the hill anyway, and got a surprise extra night with Claire! She is such a good sport about me popping up last minute and letting me crash at her house...and then driving me to the airport! What are best friends for ;)

I am so grateful for my job. I'm grateful for the opportunity I had to visit Navajo and Hopi Nations and meet with my colleagues. I love learning and I loved being exposed to new cultures and ideas. And I love that God has provided me with an opportunity to provide for my family while experiencing these amazing things!