Land That I Love

A week ago we were in the great state of TEXAS. Walking and driving around Dallas made Mark and I both want to move... we're not set yet though. We need to make a trip to Chicago to give it its fair shake. All I know is, we were both a little sad that Mark got such a good job offer here in Arizona and not somewhere else. Like Dallas! (or Chicago)

What made Dallas so fun?

Cousins

Cowboys

famous grassy knolls

a beautiful wedding with a glamorous bride

the Texas State Fair

The airport was like a wonderland to Parker until we got to Grandma & Grandpa's house

It has stairs!

and an age appropriate computer! Finally.

Well rested

This was us before vacation:

And this is us now. Back and ready for work!

If you're an adoring aunt, uncle, cousin, whatever... you might get a kick out of my sister's post. My baby is featured and he's really cute.

I called it

I've been back (at my dream job) for about a month and I gotta say that was fast! Do you remember this post written shortly after I was laid off? I was talking about long term consequences, but what do you know, 6 months later the effects are staring us in the face.

I have attended 4 different community meetings hosted by four different agencies, in the last 2 weeks, on the rise of child abuse in the valley. The Chandler Police Department held the first because they have seen exponential amounts (compared to previous years) of infant deaths due to abuse since the start of this year. And then, Phoenix PD held a meeting because the child abuse they are seeing has intensified in severity. And then Childhelp, a national organization, called a meeting, and then the Arizona Department of Economic Security, all bringing the same concerns to the table. All of these organizations are putting together a campaign to bring awareness to the valley about resources available to parents who are overwhelmed. We're streamlining our efforts to let parents know that no one can parent alone successfully. You need more than yourself.

So aside from my intense desire to walk into the Arizona legislature and say, "I told you so!" I feel privileged to be apart of this campaign. I was invited because of my work in prevention. It really is interesting to me that all these organizations that usually focus on rehabilitation, are looking to me (and my colleagues) to teach them about what prevention looks like. Its sad that its such a foreign concept. But I have to say I have been very impressed by especially the police officers (we've had representatives from every precinct at these meetings) who don't know what to do, but know that they don't want to see what they're seeing anymore. I admire their commitment to our community.

Mischief

I didn't know he had it in him.

So does anyone have a Halloween costume they'd like to let a lovable one year old borrow?? He wears 2T or 3T and his Mom isn't excited by the thought of paying for one. I figure I know too many people with kids to buy a new costume.

Parker's Past Times

I downloaded the pictures from my camera and noticed a theme.

Lest you think Parker's a vedge sitting in front of the computer here are pictures of him completing his chores:

watering the yard (do you like his painted on shorts),

walking the dog,

walking the dog through puddles,

and lint rolling the rug.