Spring Break - A trip to Tucson

The counselor and I are a house divided.

Don’t worry, it’s not what you think.

It’s just I am an ASU graduate and he’s, well, he’s a UofA graduate.

Still, we seem to get along pretty well.

Alright, you know I total adore the man I married, He’s a gem, a one in a million, so once a year we go down to Tucson and visit his college.  He goes on and on about college life, reminiscing about old roommates, apartments with no A/C and life as a young adult before he knew me; all the partying and soul-searching hoping someday it would lead him to a degree in psychology and a career as a counselor. 

 

I love Tucson; the town that turned my husband from boy to man, with a cactus sitting in everyone’s front yard, old streets of neighborhoods that look like the were born in Mexico and the Catalina mountains knocking on the front door.  It’s all so breathtaking in the spring when every flower is in bloom.

On Sunday, UofA hosted the Tucson Festival of Books.  I was able to attend this event last year too, but in an off-beat non-committal type of way.  What do I mean by that?  You all know I’m starving to be an author, I can taste it, breath it, but I’m still too much in mother mode to go for it just yet.  Instead, I stand close to those who are so gracious to share their success and heartaches, advice and counsel and I buy their books.

When attending such an event as the Tucson Festival of Books with 5 children, it’s not really about what I want to do, but being there is good enough.  The energy is like Disneyland for authors and readers alike where lectures are like thrilling rollercoaster rides and books are the coveted souvenirs.  With over 400 authors and so many special interests, I had to hold back a bit.  I was a bit disappointed to not hear author R.L. Stine, writer of the Goosebumps Series talk about his experience writing and what it takes to captivate children. Yeah, that would have been neat, but I did get to eat handfuls of kettle corn while the counselor and I watched the children play.

The campus has Old Main, its first and oldest academic building built in 1887.  Derek’s family has many special memories here at Old Main and I can imagine, my own children will someday too, so we turn it into a photo session.  

Double spinning sessions.

The next day we were able to visit White Dove of the Desert, a church and mission built in the late 1600’s.  Payson recently studied this in school, so he was especially excited, pointing out interested facts that surprised the counselor and I.  

It is a spiritual place full of history and worship.  The courtyard has beautiful fountains and it was almost chilly in the shade.  The desert smells so good this time of year.  

When Eden and I were leaving, she pointed to the top of an arch just as a little white dove appeared and cooed at her.  This dove seemed to be looking right at her and Eden stared back at him.  The air was so sweet and crisp, with the slightest of breeze.  

This experience was like a little kiss from heaven.  I know my daughter is a princess and so does God.

Poor Reef, the second night he was accidentally dragged just for a second across the carpet by his older brother.  He burst out in tears and cries.  He spent the rest of the trip upset about the rug burn on his back.  I spent time coloring with him, a nice distraction from his hurting back.  

I was able to hit Goodwill the next day before the drive back home.

No furniture finds, but I picked up some great clothes for me and the kiddos.