Christmas 2014 - Ground Hogs Day 2015

Christmas 2014 - Ground Hogs Day 2015!  Where did the time go?  SLOW DOWN - we are having way too much fun!

Here we are midway between Phoenix and Flagstaff in a small valley nestled between 2 mountain chains called Camp Verde, AZ serving at a ranch for disabled adults - Rainbow Acres.  What a highlight for our holidays and while on our “off time” we have been helping our daughter’s family get ready for a move from Flagstaff to Tucson.  Vince has been extended a lead pastorate position at a Nazarene Church and Sarah will be taking a position with a veterinary clinic.  Not only that but our 3rd grand daughter was born Dec. 28th so it has been busy, busy, busy to say the least.  We have been able to still fit in a few sightseeing excursions and a few days of sickness - blah!  I hope we are getting that out of the way for 2015 early and do not have to buy another box of Kleenex nor cold medicine for a long time.  You would think that both Wayne and I would have lost at least 10 lbs. this project just blowing our noses!

Palmer Center of Rainbow Acres

Celebrating Christmas with the Carotenuto's

The weekend after Christmas we kept Evangeline so Mama & Daddy could bank some sleep, rest and possibly fit in a “date night”!!!!  NOT - Abigail decided to come fast and furious in a record time of 2 1/2 hrs - this just may be life defining - no grass will grow under that girl’s feet!  She is so cute in her own special way - dark hair, blue eyes and a smirk to boot!

Abigail Grace born 12/28/14

We have had the privilege of hosting Miss E several times since we arrived in New Mexico last September.  She calls our dwelling “the Bus” and we have had so many fun memorable experiences.  From taking a bath in the shower, eating pop corn with G’Pa to many walks to see farm animals from New Mexico to Arizona!  Even tho we have had snow there has not been one visit that did not include a trip to the park - the child is obsessed with a swing!  The child has literally grown up before our eyes in 6 months and we will miss her like crazy the minute we drive off.

 Popcorn with my g'pa

G'pa remembers how to play with play dough!

Our first sightseeing trip was up to the small ghost/mining town of Jerome.  Dodging puddles and snow mounds was fun but after perusing the menu of the Haunted Hamburger we decided that for that price we could eat many hamburgers in the valley and enjoy just as much!  The town is so old that it amazes every time we go back that the whole thing has not dropped off the side of the mountain.  Definitely interesting mining history along with indian remnants scattered around.  Eclectic and artsy is a good way to describe it.

Always feeling like you are falling off the side of the mountain in Jerome!

If you love this you are way too old for your own good!

3 1/2" snow on New Year's Day - 14" in Flagstaff

The Verde Canyon Railway was next.  No matter the season, this train ride is a MUST.  Definitely worth the price and you will want to go first class for the food and entertainment.  Was not real thrilled with the trip through the tunnel but in order to get from point A to point B you have to!  Eagles in flight and eagles aboard - the local aviary rescue had one aboard our ride and we were able to go to one of the outside cars to view the demonstration.  They do this the first Saturday of every month, so it is the best time to book your trip. A 4 hr. roundtrip excursion was just what we needed for much R & R.  The scenery just after a snow was incredible.

Verde Canyon Railway - 4 hrs. of gorgeous scenery any time of year

A hitch hiker on our train ride

And of course Sedona is just as gorgeous as ever.  Yesterday we hiked to Chicken Point via The Little Horse Trail (about 5 miles round trip)……you can’t beat the view.  It is beyond my comprehension how people get their jeeps up there and I really don’t want to know!  Bicyclists everywhere and I even asked one fella - “does your mother know you are doing this”?  He laughed - if I were his mother I would have cried!  Again, beautiful creation by our God.  He still continues to amaze me.

Red Rocks of Sedona - always beautiful

The January 2015 project:  Rainbow Acres, Camp Verde, AZ.  These are God’s special people - the ones who live here as well as the ones who work and volunteer.  Wayne & I were the only couple here during January so we were able to work together for all but one week.  We pulled up carpet located in 4 houses underneath the serving bar and replaced with ceramic tile; refinished the wood countertops in the medical treatment area for 6 houses; repainted 3 rooms in the volunteer building and replaced several electrical outlets; various repairs at the barn area; and this past week Wayne was in the wood working shop cleaning, assessing/repairing equipment and overall revamp.  I was in the craft room enjoying the company of 4 other volunteers and many ranchers that were working on various projects.  I learned a new craft - button art and shell art.  FUN - it really was not classified as work in my opinion but just being available to the ranchers for help and making projects to be sold at future events.  It amazes me how the professional volunteers have been able to bring out talents that these ranchers never knew they had.  From music, art, life skills, crafts to computers and literary creations.  Their world is greatly expanded here at Rainbow.

Painting one of three volunteer rooms

Removal of carpet & replaced with ceramic tile in 4 houses

Stocking one of the new houses

Making crafts to be sold

We have 2 days of helping the Carotenuto’s get packed and then we are off to our next project just west of Phoenix - Standing Stones, Wickenburg, AZ.  A retreat center for “hurting pastors” - this will be a new experience.  After that on to Trinity, TX just outside of Houston and then to NC once again.  Some of you are aware that there was an attempt for a break-in at our house in NC so we are eager to get back there just to do some minor repairs and try to push the sale of the house.  It is not easy being on the road constantly worrying about a dwelling you have left.  Although our son has taken excellent care of the premises our desire is to be rid of it!  God’s timing is best…….tick, tick, tick!