Tlaquepaque- Downtown Sadona

I fell in love with this little flower, and I wish I knew the name!

These were taken at Tlaquepaque in downtown Sadona where we ate lunch this afternoon for my Aunt's birthday:) It was beautiful. I felt like I was in a foreign country!

Fun Filled Memories!

You wouldn't believe what I saw when I woke up the next morning! It doesn't seem real.

All the girls ready for a hike :)

Sisters <3

After 2 days of traveling to get to the resort in Sadona, Arizona, I soon realized why my mom said that all the travel would be worth it. On our first night here (Friday) we enjoyed a nice dinner at one of the restaurants at the resort. Then, since we were so tired from traveling and a 3 hour time difference, we went of to bed. Only to wake up to find the beautiful red rock surrounding us. We went on a hike first thing. Later, after eating lunch at the spa, me and my mom went to a gourd class. We decorated, created and learned all about the history of the gourd. I made a dream catcher out of my small gourd. It was really fun. Later, we relaxed at the pool, went to dinner and hit the sack. Today- holds another day full of fun filled memories to make!We head to the Grand Canyon on Tuesday!

Suspence...

Oh I just love how cute and quaint the atmosphere in Centerville is! You know what I Love even more?- The fact that here the trees are starting to change colors! Fall is so wonderful:)

Hello there, Grammy! For lunch we went to a cute little 'Blueberry Cafe"!

This picture was taken on the way to Cincinnati, where the airport is. I have found that is is really very hard to take a picture from inside a moving car, but I just couldn't help myself, but try anyways :)

We head to Arizona tomorrow-3 hour plain ride- and the suspense is killing me! I don't think I can wait any longer to get there and see everything! It's going to be great!

Hello Grammy!

Before the sun came up, we were off to the airport. We said our goodbyes and before we knew it we were wandering the airport, among rushed people, frequently looking at their watches. As I looked out the window I saw the sun welcoming the new day.

As the plain ascended into the air, the world seemed smaller and smaller as we rose above the clouds, leaving the tiny structures that we call 'home'. Although the flight wasn't bad and we landed with as little difficulty as possible, it felt good to know that we were back on solid ground.

My aunt picked us up to take us to my grandma (Grammy). When we pulled into Dayton my aunt welcomed us, "Welcome to the city of construction and no rain." She giggled. Finally, we had arrived to Heartcrest lane. "Mommy, I'm home!" My mom was so glad to see her mom for the first time in a long time... And so was I!

You'll Just Have to Wait!!

These are a few more pictures that I took this week, and I have several more that I will gladly post in a week and a half, but now I am just too darn busy... why not now you ask? busy with what?
The truth is that I am just to darn bust packing for the Grand Canyon to edit a few more pictures, but I decided to lighten my load by posting these, so when I get back so I will have time to edit pictures of my Excursion!! Yes, yes I am so ecstatic! Our flight leaves tomorrow for Ohio.
Ohio? Yes, Ohio, to pick up my grandma... did I mention that it is a girls trip?
yup!- me, my mom, my grandma and my 3 Aunts!
So after Colorado we head to Phoenix, Arizona... and then
Well, Silly, you'll just have to wait for my next blog post!

TTFN!-Maddy :)

Explorations of the Week

Chacos: my friend that goes everywhere I go, and sees all the things I see... My Camera strap: (purple, bottom right corner) helps me explore :)

My sweet kitty... lovely eyes, skittish, on the prowl (recently got injured by a mean stray cat)

Here is a sneak at some different perspectives and angles I have been working on over the past week. Being home schooled has opened a window of opportunity to practice and explore with my camera. The time allowed has given me more encouragement to edit pictures. I look forward to more explorations throughout the year!

Downtown, Maconga

My brother made a surprise visit all the way from Colorado to come see us. So, the two of us went on a downtown tour to take some pictures. :)

Slow down

The world tells us lies. Lies that we have to have a packed schedule in order to have a full life. We live by seasons, and holidays instead of living day by day. By Spring break we look back and realize how fast the year has gone by, and we start getting excited for summer. Once the end of summer roles around we are ready to get back into a school schedule again. Why is it that we are all looking forward to the next best thing while we are still enjoying an exciting part of our lives? We're gonna miss it. We're gonna forget to smell the flowers, run out of time take a picture and waste our time waiting rather than making memories now. So, let's enjoy it, let's enjoy every bump in the road, each wrinkle in our bed sheets, every color of the sky, every minute, every moment, everyday. Enjoy it, remember it, embrace it. Live in the now, be the best you, now. Why wait. Slow down, before today becomes our yesterday.

Color

I want to live my life to the fullest, I want to live like there's no tomorrow. I want to breath every breath with passion, and take every step with soul. I want to make the most of every moment, give my all in everything I do. I want to forgive, forget and move forward, live with no turning back, take the road less traveled by, create something new, dance like no one is watching. Taste, feel, fly, explore, enhance, discover. I want to fulfill the task the Lord has set before me, but I want to do it with passion, soul and color.

I am me, and you are you

I feel that as teenagers, we spend the majority of our time creating ourselves, our identity, our image and how we want others to view us. There is the jock, the actor, the artist, the rebel, the smart one, the 'good christian', the vegetarian, the bully, the popular kid, the musician... some of us may try several or all to develop our image. And you know what I have found out over the years of trying new things?? You can't put a label on who you are. There isn't a formula to being you. I, for instance am not any 'one' of those things. There is no one word that can sum up who you are. We are all different, so why waste out time trying to label and identify who/what you are... I am me, and you are you.
Let's made a deal not to label ourselves... let's let our identity be found Christ.

Olive Forge Herb Garden- Haddock, Ga

Hello There, Mr.Caterpillar!

This plant smelled like lemons! I forget the name...

Me, Emily, and Sydnie! I had so much fun! Love you guys :)

Field Trip... OK! We went to an herb garden in Haddock, Ga. It was really neat. We learned a lot about herbs and their uses. I am so amazed at how many plants the Lord has given to us to heal and help our health. Like for instance... bug replant(works like the stuff we buy), anti-itch(lavender...bought some and works like a charm!). God has given us all the resources we need, and there is much more we probably haven't discovered yet! He really had us in mind when He created the earth. It's because of things like this (which we are surrounded by) that there is no reason not to Believe in Jesus Christ.

Loving Life!

Finally, the weather is in the beginning stages of cooling off. It is still hot, but it's a little cooler... you have to start somewhere... Yesterday we had a ton of fun with some friends out at the Cabin. (can you believe I forgot my camera??! Me either!) Today I am hanging out with a friend. I have a packed week this week... packed with fun that is. Everyday, something fun, new and out of the ordinary! I love life :)
I look forward to the youth slip'n slide on Monday, a field trip on Tuesday, my last art class on Wednesday... along with church afterward, Tennis on Thursday, and Piano lessons on Friday... I'll have to let you know how that goes, so far... I am not a prodigy child ;)
I also have some pictures to edit for a friend... I'm working on it Mary Helen...I promise I'll get them done for you. :)
Have a great week!!