desert botanical gardens

All you have to do is listen to the words coming out of my mouth these days to prove that I am, in fact, an insane person. 

I casually say things like, "Want to come sit on the porch with me tonight? It's only 88 degrees out."

"Let's go on a hike now that we're down to 103 in the afternoons."

"It's finally cool enough to take Claire to the playground first thing in the morning without the playground equipment burning her skin!"

"Doesn't it feel so nice this morning? Only 90 degrees, and it's not even 8:00am yet!"

We took advantage of these "comparatively cool temperatures" to sneak in a quick trip to the Desert Botanical Gardens over the weekend. Lately, if we go somewhere as a family, all the stars have to perfectly align. Naptimes, school schedules, church meeting schedules, and group projects have to be timed perfectly. We almost didn't make it there this weekend, but I'm sure glad we did, because the gardens were so gorgeous. These might just be my new favorite pictures.

splash pad!

I have never worshipped the weekends as much as I do now that they're the only time I get to spend quality time with my husband. We try to cram as much into our weekends as possible, and even though Sam had project after project this Labor Day, we managed to still be together and have fun. It was a busy weekend! We went to a BBQ with his grad school buddies, we had some new friends over for dinner, I got to snuggle the cutest little brand new baby, and we even squeezed in a trip to the splash pad yesterday.

You never know what you're going to get in Tempe, but I was really pleasantly surprised by Tempe Beach Park. To one side you have the picturesque riverside walkways, and to the other side you have the high rises with the hip restaurants and around-the-clock shops and bars. I'm already dreaming of a date night with Sam to get take-out from one of those restaurants, and then eat it in the park while we watch the bridges light up at sundown.

This was Claire's first time at a splash pad. When we first got there, she decided she was NOT A FAN and cried in our laps for about ten minutes straight. Too many people! Too many noises! Too much water! Then, she suddenly decided she loved splash pads after all, and toddled off without a backward glance. So, overall I think we can say it's a win?

 ^^Is it time to put this hat in the too-small drawer, or is it time to put this hat in the too-small drawer? ;)

 ^^My favorite miniature human and her favorite miniature fountain.

I've been having this problem lately where I get too stuck dreaming about the weekend. It makes me forget to enjoy the work week, and leaves me feeling unfulfilled and anxious for Friday to get here. This week, I'm making a conscious effort to be present in the moment - to appreciate the time I have with my baby girl and to realize that while life is always better with my husband, my happiness is not contingent upon his presence. It's time to draw on my network of friends and family for support and adventures. Anyone else feeling this way lately? #gradschoolspouses

^^My best girl.

Here's to a productive and happy week!

How do you enjoy the everyday 

and not spend too much time daydreaming about the future?