One of our days in Arizona we enjoyed a cruise... on water! It's true! There are lakes in the middle of the Arizona desert and it turns out there are some not far from where we were staying in Mesa. Who knew?! Well, actually, Joe (brother-in-law) knew and at his suggestion we decided to go on a 90 minute cruise.
Now, if you've never traveled with someone in a wheelchair, you maybe haven't realized all the complications that can entail. We made sure ahead of time that this cruise was handicap accessible. There were many steps on the way down to the boat but there was a special route involving a hill, a long bumpy dock and a bit of faith to get Tina on the boat. Picture a boat tied to a dock. There is that gap between dock and boat that is kind of scary to walk across and I felt a bit nervous to push Tina's wheelchair over that opening. She, however, didn't show any fear at all. Being handicapped requires a good deal of courage I've learned.
Although everything is harder from a wheelchair, sometimes there are perks. That day it was nice that the captain let Tina and me board early. We got to sit right up front to enjoy the view!
The rest of the family had to wait in line.
Can you see them up there?
They eventually joined us and we all got good seats close together.
Sue and Joe (Mike's sister and her husband) were nearby.
For those readers who know them,
don't you wonder why they don't age?
It's weird, really.
Sam was looking handsome.
As it turned out, this was a lovely way to spend a February afternoon.
The weather was perfect and the
views were stunning.
Our captain was quite informative.
He pointed out this rare saguaro cactus that had crested.
That is to say its arms had turned inward and were grown together.
I was intrigued by this one that seemed to be growing straight out of the rock.
I never really thought of cactus as a lakeside kind of plant.
There were so many different colors and shapes in the rock formations.
Doesn't that look peaceful?
What a lovely afternoon...
Recently Mike & I spent an evening with the little girls at their house while their parents were out. We didn't do anything out of the ordinary. We read books and played a bit. Elise requested an episode of Thomas the Train. As it started she said over and over "Thomas the Train" then "I will watch it!" Yep. She is into sentences big time now. She is so tiny, it seems odd to hear her be so verbal. She has a LOT of thoughts, though.
We went through the bedtime rituals, kind of an extended version I think. Let's just say Cordelia is a pretty effective negotiator. She sat so sweetly as I brushed out her curls and braided her hair for bed. I think that was when we were supposed to help her settle down for sleep. We might not have done that so well. I blame Mike. He's the fun one.
I remember another emotion that comes with a kid moving out. Panic! I briefly panicked, wondering what we've forgotten to teach him. I was wondering if he'd want one of my muffin pans. Then, I remembered that I had never taught him how to make muffins! Oh no! What if he wants to have a muffin party? What if he wakes up one morning and has a serious muffin craving? Oh no! Poor Sam! His mother has let him down!
Last night we got to see the place Sam and his roommate have rented. It is empty still. I really love the potential of an empty living space. It must be because of all the moving I've done; I start thinking of how I can make it homey. But wait! That isn't my job anymore!
Sam has kind of eased us into this in some ways. He's been working nights and sleeping days and spending a lot more time out of the house for months now. Even this is move is more gentle than it could have been. He's moving only about 15 minutes away from us. He can still be here for Sunday night suppers. We'll still see him at church. 
