Goodnight?

We thought we had seen everything out here in AZ. Scorpions, coyotes, monsoons, 117 degrees, crazy drivers (ok, you see a few of them in NJ too)...but this week we experienced a wholly new phenomenon: a wall of dust!

For a moment we thought Harold Camping was right! We experienced this from inside our place, when the evening turned to night in a matter of seconds. We heard this howling wind, and saw the trees bending. But the most shock occurred when we opened the door to look outside, and dust came in immediately. It settled down as quickly as it came but the full impact of what had happened didn't hit until we read the paper in the morning...THIS WALL WAS NEARLY A MILE HIGH! Take a look at this.





Now mind you we are fine, but the back of our patio and right up to the garage door and everywhere you see a blanket of dust was left behind. We washed the back down this evening and will do the front and cars on the weekend. Oh the joys of living in the desert.

Location:Phoenix,United States

And then there was Noah

Our life as grandparents took a hard turn to the right as our first grandson Noah entered the world two weeks ago. This is number two as far as grandchildren go, and number two for 2011 as well... But this time a little boy. Guess Stephanie is the tie breaker!

We have spent the week here with Jamie, Jeremy and Noah ...Rio, Riley, and Beagle as well - what fun! He's an adventure in diaper changing, and his body seems so small. We were placing bets on whether he grew even a half a pound since his last dr visit a week ago (gosh, I probably grew 5lbs since then!). He actually grew 13 oz (Jeremy hit it dead on). Truthfully he IS as cute as a button - not that I'm bias.

The congratulating goes to his parents who have a real gem ... Ours is to pray and support. We only hope we get to hang out with him plenty as he grows up to be all that God has planned him to be.

Location: Columbus, MS, United States

Man Getaway

A rare opportunity (which I hope goes well enough to repeat) has come to pass...I am getting away for a long weekend with some guys to recharge and renew our spirits in Taos, NM. A short flight for me from Phoenix to Albuquerque...my buds are coming from NJ...then a rental car drive to the mountains.

This is a place where many come to ski in winter, but there is plenty to do in warmer weather as well. We have planned a rafting trip and some mountain biking and a day of hiking or lounging around. We have rented a place with enough amenities to make this possible, including a hot tub for aching muscles.

Mostly we are planning for spiritual renewal and challenge. This is a big matter of prayer, as the men have each asked their wives what one big thing they want God to speak to their husbands about while away. Wives often know exactly what their husbands need to hear and we'll all be praying God speaks loudly enough to get it.

Location:Taos, NM

Happy Moms day

Announcement #3 is out now, and that makes three new mothers in one year. We are just starting to get our frequent flier accounts warmed up! Congrats to each of you. (cj - I'm glad we don't have 4 yet for obvious reasons ;).



I think this was a very special day for your mom too...not all happy since she lost her own mother since last year...but she definitely appreciates the way you each made the day special with your being such mature and godly young ladies...thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am so proud of you.



We told the family on Skype but you asked to see pics...our family added another car to the fleet today...we decided to cut down on the miles on the van...and the gas...and buy a more fuel efficient car ...this one, a silver Toyota corolla. Btw, the a/c actually works well enough for mom to handle the summer. I guess this makes a good way to say happy mothers day to the g-mom too!

Us too...six months

We had to refrain from belly shots for fear of embarrassment, but Ciotta west is celebrating too! We reached the six month mark in Arizona February 2nd.


To say this has been an eventful time would be an understatement. Here is just a sample of what we've experienced...
12 family and friend visits
7 churches visited (1 finally selected)
6 roundtrip flights to NJ and other states
5 medical procedures
4 home moves (2 Joe, 2 us)
3 emergency room visits
2 hospitalizations
1 scorpion sting

And this is not to mention a root canal, getting locked out of house, job disruptions, buying a new car, the birth of a granddaughter, the death of a beloved mother, getting the flu, witnessing countless auto accidents, and who can remember what else.

Sometimes we wonder what life would have been like if we had stayed in NJ, then we look at the headline in this paper and remember.

This is all to say, God is faithful, and we can laugh, and praise him through it all. Thank God for this move and his persistent love.

Location:E Cheyenne Dr,Phoenix,United States

Joe's New Home

Here are some shots taken at Joe's new house. As you know we are delighted with it. The staff is wonderful, and Joe gets really good care (so do the other five residents, all kids). Joe is the oldest, and there are two other boys that are teens about Joe's size, so he fits right in.

The pics show a little of the atmosphere there, which is very homey, and the size which is small but very nice. It works well for what it is intended to do.

This is a regular house in a regular neighborhood...on a cul de sac at the end of a short block. There is another group home across the street, but you would never know that either of them have anything other than families inside.


Here is the outside looking from the street. Notice the small palm tree and the stone front yard...very typical in the area. Also notice there is a lattice overhang above the patio to give some shade from the sun.


Same shot but this one includes one happy mom .


The front room has been repurposed to be an office where the nurses do their paperwork


Joe's bedroom is a decent size room and very nice (he shares it with one of the other two teen boys). There is a bathroom off of this room where the guys get their showers. You can see a little of Joe's roommate sitting in his chair...the two guys are very compatible...we like it when they are hanging together


Joe and mom in the living room where we can sit with him...Joe is frequently found in this spot when we arrive to visit. But instead of sitting we will frequently take Joe out, either to our house, or to Starbucks or something. Today we walked to the park, which is just down the road.


Same room, this shot shows the other side with one of the nurses talking w mom...the room like the others is small but very comfortable.

I didn't include shots of the other bedrooms or the kitchen which is also a good size and can be used for baking or other activities, since it is shared by all residents.

In short, we are so excited that Joe has found a really good place to live...God has blesses us immensely!

Location:Mesa, AZ

Grandparenthood bliss

Oh the bliss of grandparenthood! Vickie and I are in the throws of an exciting adventure...a new phase of life has officially started.

Actually it started months ago with the announcements of expectant mothers...first Danielle and later Jamie. This week the reality hit as we entered into danielle and adam's home and were welcomed with open arms...and met Charlotte Mae in-person for the first time.

I call this "bliss" for a lot of reasons. Of course everyone knows the best part of grandparenthood is the fact that you can leave after your part of spoiling the children is done (hey, we paid our dues x5). But the real bliss is that I am actually love-ing it already. Just the opportunity to hold this little darling in my arms, and actually think that in a small way i can call her my own g-child is totally awesome.

She really IS adorable. And her parents really do appreciate our being here. And I really am enjoying every minute.

Location:Chesapeake VA