Sedona

Today we headed out on about a two hour road trip to Sedona to do some hiking.
We didn't know what to expect, but it was so incredibly beautiful.
The view from the parking garage in downtown Sedona.
There was some snow falling out in the distance but it was about 60 in town.
I'm trying to show how dorky downtown Sedona really was.
There were just nerdy shops that I found boring.
Then we headed outside of town to a chapel built into the mountains.
Jackson taking in the sights and sounds.
Isn't that just breathtaking?
I am blown away by how beautiful it was today. The sun came out and it was a gorgeous day.
Inside the Chapel. Amazing.
This house was amazing and was built below the Chapel.
A broader view from the Chapel.
Jackson posing during our hike.
A view of the Chapel from our hike. Isn't that just amazing? It was so cool.
The view from our hike. We hiked for quite some time and we were loving it.
All in all, Sedona was worth the drive for the hiking and the scenic views, but the shopping was weaker than weak.

Sir Alex

How cute is this little guy?!? :)

Arizona

Ah, vacation. I love it. We're staying at a resort outside of Phoenix and the photo above is of our front door. How cute it that?!
The grounds here are just gorgeous.
We went out to explore the 400 acre campus.
The flowers they have around here are just incredible.
We went for Mexican food last night and were able to sit outside and listen to the live music. It was awesome.
There are fire pits around "campus" so last night we made s'mores.
We love s'mores!
This morning we went to White Tank Mountain Regional Park to go hiking.
Jackson was so excited.
We hiked up to a "waterfall" that had no water!
Jackson looking for the water. ;)
This is awesome!
We found a little pool at the bottom.
He's looking again.
Me.
The views were gorgeous.
It felt great to be back in nature.
Isn't Jackson to most beautiful man?!
A little squirrel taking it all in on his rock top.
He was catching some rays.
This was a HUGE cactus. They're seriously everywhere around here.
Jackson making fun of me. I'll make fun of him by posting a silly photo of him. Hmph!
Jackson doing "yoga."
We kept trying to hop up on these benches. Jackson was way better at that than me so he was just showing off. I'll keep trying.

Now we're off to Tempe to see Arizona State's campus and get some dinner. The adjustment to the 3 hour time difference hasn't been easy and we're a little off! :)

Kind words of encouragement

This morning I was feel a bit defeated. I've been stressed out about some silly stuff that was really weighing me down. I put up on Facebook that I needed some good news. I got the following message from my friend Amber:

"I've raised $855 for Autism Awareness to help my nephew with Aspergers. I scored a 80's style watch that counts seconds and has a calculator on it for his birthday (because he can tell you how old he is in seconds and counts to a million daily). I am getting ready to train for a half or full marathon (you should totally do it with me...seriously, it is in 6 months, we have time). Taxes are due in 5 days, meaning you will be slightly free in 5 days. And finally, you are beautiful, funny, smart and important."

It instantly made my heart smile because she managed in one post to: place my issues in perspective with a reference to Autism Awareness, make me smile thinking of how we place limits on people and how those people defy them (counting to a million each day is pretty awe inspiring for an accountant like me), challenge me to push myself and set a lofty, but attainable goal of running a HALF marathon, remind me that, like it does every year, tax season ends (Praise the Lord!), and encourage me by reminding me that I am valuable.

I encourage all of us (myself especially) to look for chances to build people up because that's what God tells us to do. Let's stop finding faults in everything and be an encourager. Amber was mine today. Who are you going to encourage?

Alex hunts

My sister actually sent me photos of my nephew! Woo hoo! He got to do some Easter egg hunting. Side note: I hope his mother did not steal his eggs like she used to steal mine. HA!
I would venture to say that she likely ate some of his candy.
"I got one!"
"Found another one!"