to be a teen

While we were on our trip, my little sister turned 15. It blew me away, and it still does. I cannot believe how much time has past since she was a baby and am amazed at the wonderful person she is becoming. And right now, I can't help but wish to be in her shoes. She is able to mature yet childish, responsible yet free, and she is still innocent enough to believe in hope, and love, and dreams beyond any imaginable extent; it's all okay, and it's all more than possible.

On the morn of February 13th we both woke up fairly early, and finally rested, to Starbuck's that my father had picked up for us on his morning drive through Scottsdale.

Flavor my senses, sweetens my disposition, stirs my imagination, and nourishes my dreams... is that coffee they speak of?

I had an egg, cheese, and spinach sandwich on a ww english muffin alongside green tea.

And then we began our day on the Lost Dog Wash trail, this time with the entire family.

My dad and brother actually began to jog up the ridge... while the girls and I walked behind them :). There's so much beauty to take in, why rush it? 

There were spectacular views of the Valley of the Sun, also known as the greater Phoenix area, on our way up. But before we knew it, it was time to go back down for Deanna's birthday present. Don't ask what it was, rather what it was that we did :) and you shall find out soon enough!

"Maybe we should develop a Crayola bomb as our next secret weapon.  A happiness weapon.  A beauty bomb.  And every time a crisis developed, we would launch one.  It would explode high in the air - explode softly - and send thousands, millions, of little parachutes into the air.  Floating down to earth - boxes of Crayolas.  And we wouldn't go cheap, either - not little boxes of eight.  Boxes of sixty-four, with the sharpener built right in.  With silver and gold and copper, magenta and peach and lime, amber and umber and all the rest.  And people would smile and get a little funny look on their faces and cover the world with imagination."   -Robert Fulghum