[7/3/12] Because this is the day that I'm really missing Arizona.

We left Arizona two years ago today.

My, how those two years have flown by.

While I love living in Georgia, there are some things I really miss about living in Arizona (in no particular order, except for #1 and #7, which are definitely at the top of my list):

1.  Our friends. Since we've not lived near family for many years, our friends become like family. We had and still have so many awesome friends in Arizona, who have touched and changed our lives for the better.

2.  Our pool.

As I was looking through my bajillion pictures, I realized I don't take enough pictures. I know that doesn't make sense, but, for example, I have very few pictures of our pool and us in our pool, even though we used to spend a lot of time in our pool.  The other day the girls and I were reminiscing about our pool, and we wish we would've spent more time in our own very own backyard pool. We do have a pool in our subdivision here in Georgia, but it's just not the same. We loved our pool!  Our renter, who is also a friend, posted pictures last week on her facebook of her nieces and nephews swimming in our pool. It made me sad.

3.  Camping and riding quads. 

Kam, Kailen and I after a 30ish mile quad ride. Notice how Kam is not very dirty. Kailen and I ate her dust pretty much the entire ride.

In Arizona we could drive 2 hours and be in the mountains and in the forest. It was really nice to be able to go from 110+ degree heat to mid 70s cool. We went camping a lot and have many wonderful memories of camping and riding our quads. We have really missed this. In Arizona there were a lot of places we could ride our quads, but we've had a really hard time finding anywhere to ride them in Georgia. In fact, we haven't ridden them since we moved here. We also don't have as many opportunities to go camping here because it's too hot and humid in the summer, and it's harder to get away for any number of days when it's not so hot and humid. We're not just overnight campers - we need a few days. :o)

We could also drive 2 hours in the winter and play in the snow!

Our annual Young Men/Young Women trip to Flagstaff to play in the snow

4.  Sedona.

When Angela came to meet us (May 2010) we took her to Sedona. Kam was working so she didn't get to go with us. :o(

Once again, I've taken a gazillion pictures of Sedona, but can't find them. One of the amazing things about Sedona is that you'll be driving through the desert and then, all of a sudden, there is Sedona. For more pictures of this beautiful place, go here.

Sedona has some fun and unique shops, and one of our favorites was The World of Jerky, where you can buy pretty much any type of jerky. Our favorite was the peppered elk. Yummy!

5. And the West Fork Trail of Oak Creek Canyon (just a little bit north of Sedona).

October 2007, right before Zach left on his mission. Not Hailey's best side. :o)

This place is one of my most favorite places to visit. It is an artist's dream destination, as well as a beautiful place to spend some time. I always wanted to make a solo trip to West Fork, but never made it. Some day. One thing I've learned through all our moves is that life gets busy and we say," We'll go _____ next year. Or we'll do _____ next year." Then we move. It still seems to be a hard lesson to learn, and I'm trying to do better at not putting off things I want to do or places I want to go. It's definitely a goal in progress.

For more photos of the West Fork Trail go here. 

6. Mesa Temple.

Every Christmas the Temple is decorated with thousands of lights. It is absolutely beautiful!  There is also an Easter pageant held on the Temple grounds right before Easter every year, which was one of our favorite things to attend.

7.  Living within driving distance of my family.

This one has been really hard. Even though my family lived 15 hours away (by car), it was still much easier to go visit them than having to buy several plane tickets. (I've decided that it would be really nice if one of our kids would eventually go to work for an airline. Just sayin'...)

8. The dry heat.

Yes, I know this sounds a bit crazy, but the 110+ degree heat in Arizona was a bit easier to deal with than the high humidity here in Georgia. And so much easier on the hair style. :o)

9.  Rio Mirage. 

Rio Mirage has the yummiest Mexican food, and Mexican food is my all-time favorite food. We've tried several Mexican restaurants here in Georgia, but none can hold a candle to Rio Mirage. So far. I keep hoping though.

10. Paradise Bakery.

Love Paradise Bakery. My favorite is their chicken salad sandwich. And their ginger molasses cookies. I still have some left in my freezer from my trip to Arizona back in October. I must say, though, that Angela's ginger molasses cookies are just as good, and I have her recipe. :o)

The past 2 years in Georgia have been pretty awesome. We've made many new friends who have become like family, I love living closer to John's family, I love the change of seasons we get to experience every year, I love all the green and trees that surrounds us, I love the Southern people, I'm excited to have a second chance to see all the things in the East that I didn't get to see the first time around, and I'm so thankful for all the experiences we've had since moving here - the good and the not so good. It all reminds me that Heavenly Father always has a plan for me, and that His plan is always pretty awesome!