Thirty-Five Years

Michael has great confidence in the resurrection of my green thumb. This winter has been HARD on our inside plants. I put them by the windows so they could get what little light we have....and they got too cold. I moved them to a rocker and they got too hot and dry.....but he bought me orchids. I've never had orchids. Thy DID grow in our yard in the Philippines. Mom loved them; orchids were her favorite plant. The directions say I need to put 3 ice cubes every week at the base of each plant.....we shall see about this. Thy ARE beautiful and a wonderful touch of my childhood. 

Happy Valentine's day to all and a Happy 35th Anniversary to us. I should say something very profound - but I'm not feeling particularly profound....Doing life with Michael these past 35 years has been an adventure I wouldn't trade for the world. Fifteen moves, 2 years living full-time in an RV, 2 countries (as a family), 4 (or 5?) deployments, civilian ministry, military ministry, one cancer scare, 5 surgeries,  9 children, 5 grand-children, ...oh the places we've gone and the things we have seen.

There have been highs and lows, expected and unexpected twists and turns, great joy and great sorrow. There were quite a few who cautioned against our marriage.  We were simply "too different" to survive. We learned a secret, early on, which I credit with our marriage's survival thriving. Through it all has been the choice to love.  To love God at the center of all relationships, and to specifically love this other - my gift from God. Michael has loved me well and that has shown me how to love well - imperfectly, but we have years to grow. LOL

I broke my lens our first day out of Beale AFB in the RV.  I put my camera in a top cupboard thinking it would have a safe ride. It was tossed and jostled all day. The lens was wobbly, wouldn't focus, and was simply kaput. That was four years ago. Michael began to look for a replacement. The telephoto lens is great for moose photos, but awkward inside. He discovered, "for a bit more," he could get a camera like mine with lots of lenses and extras on Craig's List.  Now you know why we found ourselves sitting in the Fred Myers parking lot, with a laptop (to get a shutter count on the camera), waiting for a little black Nissan.  It turns out this camera was given to this gal by her ex. It has EVERYTHING -  but she no longer wants it. In fact, she used it very little. It's got the 18-55 lens I wanted, 2 telephoto lenses (one a macro), 4 converters (fish eye being one), 4 or 5 wallets of filters, an external flash and reflector set up, a cool bag, 3 tri-pods, a rubber cover to protect the camera, several photography books....and she just didn't want it anymore. The 18-55 lens doesn't auto focus - everything else is in good working order.

We bought it anyway. This is another ANNIVERSARY present.  It's perfect for the kids. I will take the bag.  The lenses  all interchange....THEY will have their OWN camera to use and MINE will be back on my desk, where it longs to wait for me. Their camera is lighter than mine (though it's the same model). I thought of switching - but I LIKE MY RED CAMERA BODY.  The 18-55 lens takes good shots...it just doesn't auto focus. Stacia likes playing with all the manual settings anyway. We'll keep our eyes open for a couple of smaller lenses.

For VALENTINES DAY Michael got me this lovely arrangement and a warm fuzzy blanket.

We had an early dinner and dessert at home with the kids. They all seemed to like this (even with the almond milk topping). ::wink::  BTW this was a totally cholesterol free dessert.

"I take thee, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I pledge myself to you."

Happy Birthday to my brother, Will. Happy 5th Anniversary to BreZaak and 38th to John and Mary K. Shoot - we meant to call them when we got home. We got busy with the kids and forgot. Oops...

Channeling Electricity

Long time friends and blog readers know  I have difficulties with science experiments...the kids love to remember the exploding eggs and I will never forget strange things found floating in the back of our closet on our pack out from Great Falls, MT.

Alex, Michael, Stacia

Michael is retired now. HE does the science experiments with the kids and I watch in amazement AS THEY WORK. I think it's a combination of a great hands-on science program and the teacher - but they are doing great with it. I make sure the "book learnin" is done, the tests taken, the work documented....he makes sure the experiments do what they are supposed to do. ::snort::  We are using the Advanced Physical Science course from Exploration Education. I love that the text is online and interactive, and the kit comes with EVERYTHING we need to build all the things we are building.

Today, they built a circuit and channeled electricity to light up bulbs. 

The text is online

 THEY WORKED! 

They also began building miniature houses. I asked if they are going to have electricity....no one knows at this point.

The Charm of Benny

Reminds me of the time Jamin did the same sitting at a new church in Great Falls, MT. He pulled out a big one, looked it over, shrugged his shoulders, and ATE IT.  The usher laughed out loud. This is one pastor's family who knew how to make lasting impressions at new churches! ::snort::

Thrilled with his exploits! 

Uncle Nolan is skeptical 

The Big 1.7. and a quick recap of the day

 

Alexander turned 17 years old today! My "littles" are growing up. Alex is an incredible help to Michael on projects of all kinds around here. I think he has sonar abilities which let him know when he's needed. He has some goals this year centering around productivity and health. I'm sure he's going to reach them. Alex has a delightful sense of humor, but a person has to really get to know him before he's comfortable enough to show it. 

Stacia made Alex's cookie dough ice cream cake by herself. We are glad to have survived cake week around here....well there IS still our anniversary on the 14th and Jamin's birthday on the 20th...but those aren't all stacked on top of each other. 

Alex received new arrows, a target and a wrist/arm guard. 

Stacia bought him this t-shirt.

All his wood-hauling and projects have resulted in his new Christmas gloves already being worn out. 

Ah, a boot/glove warmer. 

Michael and Stacia delivered a cake to BreZaak's - and stayed to visit a bit. They ran to the store and came home with more produce and birthday goodies.

I got our Permanent Fund Dividend Applications filed and canned 35 pints of turkey broth from yesterday's turkey.  I added 5 pints of veggie soup (used some veggie broth I had on hand to fill the jars) to the canner to fill it up. It feels good to have homemade broth back in the pantry.  I'm nearly out of jars. I would like to get some more chicken on the shelves. I'm also thinking of canning my BBQ sauce.  First, I need to have Michael find more jars on his buy/sell lists. I may end up buying another Presto canner....on days like today it would be nice to be able to have 2 going at the same time, rather than waiting for the one to cool down.

On the garden front - zucchini grew well here. Cucumbers did not. I am wondering if I could make dill pickles with zucchini? I found a bread and butter recipe made with zucchini. Anyone ever done this before? We wanted to make homemade pickles last year and didn't get a single cucumber to maturity.  We also had great plans for Salsa but didn't take into account that peppers, tomatoes and onions wouldn't grow in our plot.

Holy Blog Catch Up Batman

WHUT'S Up?????

I committed to keep the blog current. I didn't blog each day last week.  I have to blog when I have the time. I had pity. There are three posts "saved" and I'll post them when there isn't such a lot to slog through your news feeds.

If I committed to blogging daily - why haven't I?

A new Bible Study started this week and my time in the Word is taking significantly longer than it did when we were going through Jonah.  I usually blog after my quiet time, before breakfast.

The kids and I have started a new Health Initiative. It takes time.  I am now working out, rather than blogging or reading facebook etc.  I'm not sure anyone has noticed I've not been reading feeds for the past few weeks.  I've lost 5 lbs in the past 3 weeks. I think I'll hit 10 lbs by Easter.

And so.....I'm catching time to blog, where it falls.

Sorry for the glut on the "market."

February Birthday Celebrations

Mom would have been 78 today. I'm not the only one who was thinking of her. Michael mentioned it fairly early in the day. Dad and I had a sweet, somewhat sad talk. 

Mom and Dad were in the Philippines when Josiah was born. His birthday is Feb 9th - IN THE STATES; but in the Philippines he was born on the 10th - Mom's birthday. She never let us forget they REALLY shared a birthday.  I'm behind in blogging Nolan and Josiah's birthdays....but today we planned for all to come over and celebrate our February birthdays. Four of our five boys have birthdays in February. Nolan turned 20, Josiah turned 30, Alex will be 17 and Jamin will be 28. Michael added all the years together and came up with 95...so we have 85 + 10 candles on the cheese cake.  There was also a mint ice cream cake and a small dinette cake.  Alex' birthday is tomorrow and I need to get his cake in the freezer tonight. The cheesecake is going home with Josiah and Jamin.

Nolan, Alex, Josiah and Jamin 

The day began shortly after mid-night when I began to prepare today's turkey. I had it in the roaster by 1:30 a.m. - so it would be ready by 2 p.m. I  stayed up for the first hour of high heat and turned it down....then tried to get a few more hours of sleep in the recliner.

By 5:15 a.m. I was up and making salad, peeling potatoes, cooking potatoes, making bread.....and then we headed to church. We had nursery today.  There were 3 lovable kids, a quiet day.

During nursery I read confirmation that BreZaak and the kids' wouldn't make it. They are fighting a bug. Larissa is feeling under the weather and didn't want to risk infecting the babies. Jared is still in Juneau.  Cory is pushing hard with school. We ended up being a small group of 10 - but we had lots of fun anyway. It was good to relax together. Krista called today, too! They've moved into their new place and are busy trying to unpack. 

Josiah vies for favorite uncle status by letting
 Benny play with his phone

Benny was gently rubbing Stacia's hair.  We  watched him process, and then reach out for Jamin's head. I captured the moment. 

Jamin, Benny, Arielle and Stacia

He's perplexed! ::snort:: 

 After cake came gifts....they all got a gift card to Sportsman's Warehouse. Jamin got a GIANT flashlight. I mean HORRIFICALLY BRIGHT. It may come in handy in some of the neighborhoods he's been in with his real estate business.

Alex also got some fishing tools. He'll get more gifts from us 4 tomorrow. 

Nolan got a mug and we signed over the Jeep Liberty to him. 

Josiah got fishing lures. 

Cory broke away from school for a visit....most are playing Snow Board kids. 

CoRielle have gone home (downstairs) and Benny is getting a bath. Nolan is on his way to bed (he works at 0500), I've got turkey broth simmering....

I should stay up and push through to the end of 1 John 2....but I'm tired.  1 John is an amazing book. I AM  finding it challenging to feel like I've studied it as well as I'd like.

Josiah is 30 - more Celebrations

Josiah turns thirty today. He planned to spend the day on the ice.  This is a  proper place to reflect on one's twenties.  Josiah has been tempered - those traits we saw in him in the 20's are shining pure gold. He has goals and takes positive steps to reach them. He's kind. He's giving. He's compassionate. God has seen him through some windy paths...and he's running straight on this side.

Nolan has to work today. We'll have everyone over tomorrow to celebrate. Michael and Alex have men's breakfast and Stacia is visiting Bre and the kidlets. 

After breakfast, Michael and Alex joined Josiah at the local lake. It was a good time. No one should spend their entire birthday alone. Good call, Michael.  I have not one picture (is this a blogging family or WHAT). They caught 15 fish and took them to BreZaak.

This evening we decided to remedy a few elements in Nolan's birthday celebration. We got home from Eagle River late enough that he opted for bed rather than cake. 0430 comes early.  We pulled out the cake Michael and Stacia had made....and no Gherkin birthday is complete without the pig hat.

Putting this photo first so it shows in the preview 

Bennett and Arielle joined us.

 As is often the case, we didn't have the right number of candles on hand....Michael is great at improvising.

Ye' old Party Animal Hat - Pig Hat