Thankful

The blessing of a new baby
Sharing a beer w/ friends
Cool morning runs (89)
Snuggling w/ the hubby
Pools to cool off in
Air conditioning

p.s we are patiently awaiting you Gianna!

Thankful

Yep, it's Thursday!

Air conditioning
Unexpected dinner invitations
Hikes with friends
Roses in bloom
Pools to cool off in

Busy

Life is good!

Kickin' it at the North Rim lodge after a 2.0 mile hike from the campground -- so worth it!

We've been so busy the last few months so I thought I would just post a few of the pics of what's been goin' on with the Stucks -

Kaya promoted to 9th grade, we went to CA for Corynn's shower, bbq with the family and finished up the nursery last month.  Then in June, I traveled to see Tyler graduate, attend another shower for Corynn and go toTristin's baseball banquet!   

Kaya gets her promotion papers!

  

 We had a breakfast buffet at the shower!

 

Otto, me, Jason and Corynn at Jamie and De's house for bbq after the shower!

 

 Daddy gifts for Jason!

 

Otto and Jason put together Gianna's crib and some finishing touches on the room!

  

We had dinner with Jamie and DeWayne at the Cannery in Newport Beach!

  

Auntie Cheryl and Tyler (so cute)

 

 We watched Tree and Scot play softball, then headed to O'Connell's for some shuffleboard and celebratory suds!

I headed home, only to leave on Thursday for our annual camping trip with friends from church.  So, after a short day at work on Thursday, we headed off to the North Rim!

Not sure what the question mark means on this sign!

 We hiked the Widforss trail, it was a 10 mile round trip on the rim of the canyon.  Otto and I only went 5 miles, the altitude was a bit much for Otto's asthma that day and my allergies kicked in full force! (again)

 We still enjoyed a wonderful time with fellowship, fun, lots of food and fantastic views of the glorious canyon!

On the Widforss Trail

As we headed home, we lost a tread on the rear tire of the trailer which proceeded to rip out the wheel well, taking with it electric, water piping, linoleum and wood!   Thankfully, no one was injured in the demolition of our trailer!  LOL

Back at home, we hauled the trailer to the shop where it sits waiting for parts.  Nothing like losing your trailer for the summer when you really want to get out of the valley during the 100+ temp months.  Should get the trailer back in August (yikes!)

And then Monday comes and the rest, well you know.  Otto's DC will be switching to Target management in September and so he will be let go after that.  Thank God (again) that Supervalu will try and place him in another facility which may mean a relocation, but still employed.  So, time will tell what is in store for us.  We are trying to keep our eyes on what is truly important and be grateful for all God has blessed us with.  Even through all the trials, we are thankful!

So, life goes on for the Stucks in Arizona, and LIFE IS GOOD!

Don't Give Up

Life sometimes throws you a curve ball - kinda looks like a normal pitch on delivery, then bam, it floats in and you watch it land in the catcher's mitt, you are frozen.  Ask any ball player, curve balls are the nemesis of many a batter.  So, how do you prepare for the curve ball?  Practice, patience and perseverance.  Never give up thinking that you can hit it!

This scripture landed in my InBox today, it seems that lately, each day's message is talking directly to me!  Check it out....

So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up. ~ Galatians 6:9

How many times do you feel like giving up?  You swing, strike, you watch, strike.... It isn't always easy to stay in the game.  This past week life threw us a curve ball, still frozen in the box we anticipate the next pitch.  You bet we're gonna hang in there and swing away.  

We refuse to be discouraged and givie up, we are keeping our eye on the ball and looking at the next opportunity and being grateful; we have so much to be thankful for.  The upcoming birth of the sweet baby Stuck, our youngest son and his wife becoming parents.  The return of the Hanson family to the U.S. and a much closer plane ride! 

  So many things that we look at as doors closing or opportunities missed some times turn out to be the 'meat pitch', one that you can blast over the fence for that home run!   You just have to face the pitcher with an attitude of bring it, curve or fast ball, and take that swing.  Never giving up!