It's already May

Time goes by so fast!

It's already the end of May, the heat started here in Arizona, then receded a bit. It's been raining here for 2 days, and from the looks of it, it's not over - I cannot see the Four Peaks from my window here in the office - the clouds are low, dark, and they are headed this way.

School will be out next week. Seems like this past year went by so fast. Natalie had wanted to play a few different sports this year at school, but since it's such a small school, sometimes putting together teams can be difficult. There was no middle school volley ball this year, and basketball practices were the same days as her club ball practices - and that's something she just will not miss.

So the only sport she participated in at school this year was softball. This years team was better than last years, a few new players can make a big difference. One of the new girls stepped up to catch and that made a positive impact. The team placed first in the regular season, and 2nd in the Playoffs. I didn't realize it at the time, but they were playing for the Arizona State Charter School Title. It was a tough game, played in the heat of the day. The girls did a great job, but in the end, the other team won.

Her club team is doing well. It's been fun to watch her relax and do her job on the mound knowing that her defense is able to do their jobs and make the outs when the ball gets put into play.

The big excitement is that the team will be going to Utah in July for the World Series. We've heard about this for years and are so excited to finally be going.

Bob is doing great, especially since the new facility was finally finished and they moved in in March. Being in a new facility in an area with a lot more traffic has made a positive impact on business. While it's not at the levels that we've seen in the past, it's definitely been an improvement over the last 18 months. Now to keep that momentum going, that's the work ahead.

And I've been working hard too, picking up more work, new clients and more responsibilities with current clients. The most exciting project I have right now is a book project that I'm writing as the story teller tells it. The "story teller" is a disabled woman who has been able to get past the physical barriers and live a pretty full life. She wants to tell her story in hopes of inspiring others to do what she's done - to live life to the fullest despite the obstacles. Listening to her has really helped to put my life into perspective - and makes me even more grateful for the life I've been so lucky to have.

On a sad note, a friend of Natalie's lost her mother to cancer about a week ago. She was such a neat person, and despite the fact that she had been so sick for the past year, her attitude was always so positive. She was truly an inspiration. The situation hits home for me, knowing what the kids are going through. Losing a parent when you are young will change your life forever.

We never know what tomorrow holds, how life can be changed within a few minutes time. Now that it's been 30 years since my father died, I can look back and know that things happen for a reason, even if it seems unfair at the time. I know that if my father had lived, I would not be living the life I am living right now. To begin to think about it makes my head spin.

But enough of that.

One more exciting thing that's going to happen this summer - my niece and nephew will be coming out at the end of July to spend a week with us. It will be so great to see them, and to share with them this amazing place in which we live. Jill just turned 16, and William is now 17 1/2!! I've got lots of stuff planned for us to do while they are here, but if they decide they'd rather just hang around, that'll be fun too.

Better get now, I'll probably post again towards then end of summer!