the reeds get settled in arizona

so, usually when i start to feel annoying by posting so many words or even pictures onto instagram, i end up coming back to the old reed life blog.
i feel like that today, but i also have some things to consider regarding this little share space.

we really live in Arizona now.
we left behind the ocean and the tropics for the desert.
we ditched the tiny temporary apartment.
we found a lovely spanish, santa barbara style home that i LOVE.
so far so good, but i mean, it's the FIRST hot week of the season, so….

we've decided to continue homeschool for the time being, but my mentality is changing.
instead of feeling like it's sorta my only choice ( like its the lesser of a few evils), this year i am feeling like i have a million options and the best one for us is learning at home.
just typing that feels sorta crazy.
but it is true.
this year, instead of feeling terrified i feel pretty excited.
this year, i've made some good connections with some rad, humble, "non-bossy" homeschool moms that are just willing to share and have good honest conversations ( like texting in between business) about things to make teaching three grades without going insane possible.
it's helping me have courage.
it's helping me take my place as the boss of my kids learning.
i like it.
(i mean i'd love to go get a pedicure right now, but this is good too.)

and yet again, i am reminded that my hopes about my own certain needs may be a little off.
i'm reminded that i CAN survive without alone time as often as i'd like.
deep breath.
with out a quiet house.
deep breath.
God will provide what i truly need in the midst of this.
i can lean on him, right?
right.

so, all of that said, here are some photos of fun things that we've been doing around here.
and, you know, the old snapshots that i've always done of the crazy reed life…

Jake says goodbye to surfer hair

the kids are all getting used to their new chores and jobs in our new house

reedo takes us for a spin in his fresh car

(he's not nervous at all)

i've been trying to be more fun and willing to do science related activities.

we tried making dry ice filled bubbles.

it was very cool.

we live in the desert, but our house has a crazy amount of potted plants that need water constantly.

ella and ty help me get to them all regularly.

i wish you could hear ty talk about his plants.

he tells them his memory verses. 

 he told me he feels like they have their own way of talking to him

like, if they've had enough water, then it starts to pour out the bottom of the basket 

and if their leaves turn brown he has to snip them off with his pocket knife to let the plant send it's energy to the new buds.

he says they are like his treasures.

and i just stare at hime with those little emoji heart eyes...

today, we did this rainbow milk experiment.

i followed the directions from this.

my favorite part was making all different hues and tints in the swirling milk….

not sure if this is really science but i don't really care.

maybe it's more in the art department.

which is fine with me.

so, that's what we've been up to.

thanks for keeping up with this little on again off again sharing spot of mine.