Another Cold Day

Feeding the chickens and visiting the lasagna beds with compost  had added dimensions of adventure in -11* weather.

I must buy gloves. 

This is the oddest winter. A couple of weeks ago we had the warmest day EVER recorded in December in Anchorage, then we had the biggest snowfall in a 24 hour period in Anchorage, followed by a record-breaking cold day in Anchorage.  All of this after our really WARM record-breaking summer. 

My winter garden...the moose enjoy the lasagna bed

Michael and I drove to Anchorage this a.m. to meet with Bill Welch, the Superintendent of the Alaska Ministry Network (Assembly of God). Michael is contemplating a doctorate and had a few questions about the Assembly of God doctoral programs. He is considering two programs at two other universities, as we thought the Assembly of God Theological Seminary was closed to us.  He's considering various D. Ed or PhD programs. He does NOT want to take any more Hebrew classes.

While in town we met Karen and sold her 12 doz eggs. Meeting in parking lots all over Anchorage to sell eggs - that's us. ::snort::

Nora was ready to be released from the hospital. We were happy to be able to pick her up and drive her home to her family. It was nice to have a bit of time for a leisurely talk. I do think surgery to make it happen may be a bit extreme.

Michael and I  took time for a bite together,  picked up a few groceries and meds for dad, came home and cooked dinner, and then Krista and Nolan headed to Young Adults at the church. The rest of us played a few rounds of Farkle.

Regardless of stories you may hear - Dad does not win every game. ::snort:: 

Sundays are for Worship and Rest

Leon, our worship pastor, kicked off the year by sharing some of my very favorite verses. The focus was "one thing." It was a home run. 

The boys met us at the Grill for lunch. Arielle had asked us to text when we were at home so she, Benny and Kimber could come visit. 

We did. When it's -14* outside Grannie Annie's (Mike's grandma) rocker in front of the wood stove is my favorite place to be. Benny wanted my rocker. I have Great Grandpa Sim's rocker. He was a small man; therefore,  chair is small. It's old, very old. I don't let people sit in it...it holds a pillow in my nook....but it's PERFECT for toddlers. I don't know why I hadn't realized this before.  

Benny & Baachan

 
We sat in our antique rockers, in front of the stove and rocked. Benny loved it. Benny said those magical words again, "Baachan, my loves you." 

As a side note - I dressed today to match my warmest pair of wool/fleece socks! I must go get more of these socks. They were clearanced at Sportsman Warehouse.

Sweet smile

We desperately wanted to watch the Seahawk game. We couldn't find it anywhere...but Michael found some highlight vids that the guys were happy to watch.  GG's feet are to the left - I can't get everyone in, but soon that tree will be gone and GG will be back in his corner. LOL

GG foot, Nolan, Jamin, Josiah, Michael

At some point these guys moved to the multi-purpose room in the basement, formerly CoRielle's kitchen/living room. 

Nolan, Krista, Stacia, Michael

Arielle cut Alex's hair. 

Alex & Arielle

Benny and I played Rock the Boat.

GG was watching news clips on YouTube and finally had enough. I pulled out the play-dough for he, Benny and I....and Arielle and Stacia joined us too. There is something therapeutic about play-dough. Don't you think? 

Benny, my chair LOL, Arielle, Stacia, G Dog

Cory got off work, his family went to meet him. Dad headed to bed.  I candled 12 dozen eggs. The kids played Nolan's new Christmas Game - Forbidden Island.

Alex, Nolan, Krista, Stacia

It appears the next plan is ice cream and something on Netflix. I'm avoiding the ice cream thing by blogging. 

Saturday....

Alex went to work.

I sequestered myself in the study for an hour. 

Everyone else spent a relaxing morning, until.....

The Saturday morning quiet came to an abrupt end! The door slammed open and I KNEW...."Baachan, I'm HERE!!!"

Arielle and Benny came to visit. He played with Dash, Stacia's rabbit. 

Papa handed him a piece of wood on one of his trips to the woodbox...Benny was THRILLED.  "I'm Papa's big helper."

Oh....and Arielle and Kimber were here too! ::snort:: 

I booked my airplane tickets to CA for the Travis Women of the Chapel retreat. Krista bought that bright light - a happy light. LOL 

Nolan picked up Alex and the two of them went bowling  with a couple of guys from church.

Wayne, the original owner of our home stopped by. He and Michael enjoy visiting. 

I got out some old candlesticks and put the advent away. It's time....or so I've been told. 

When the boys got home we had our family gift exchange. I'll get to those photos "soon." 

Legacy, Time...thoughts from Arielle

Arielle said I could share this photo and her thoughts from her private Facebook account. 

Legacy, time. Precious memories fleeting moments. I'm obsessing

over this picture. That elephant lamp in the back is from Liberia and sat in my 2G's house. I loved staring at it while listening to Gma.

That antique coffee table is from grandma/grandpa G's river house and I loved how it sat in their river room and all the stories it held.

My sweet boy making new wonderful memories with his Papa. Learning and enjoying life and growing. Life is so sweet and precious. I cherish these days and am so thankful they're happening. Thankful for the safety and joy of this moment. And praying for all the military families having to say "see you later" to loved ones this week. Y'all are in our prayers and we thank you for all you do.🙏

Christmas Shopping & More

I didn't take a single picture until this evening.

 Dad opted to stay home. Nolan worked. Krista, Stacia and Alex drove in to JBER (Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson). Krista will begin drilling soon as a reserve chaplain with a unit based at JBER and needed to pick up a new uniform she was having readied. 

This left just Michael and I. I spent time studying this a.m. and we went CHRISTMAS SHOPPING around 11:30. This is a great time for Christmas shopping.  Our immediate family gift exchange is Sunday afternoon. By 3:30 we were done with shopping and ready for lunch. 

Michael is actually GOOD at wrapping gifts! I am not. 

Michael suggested Red Robin - always a win. We ran into Ed and Jennifer. Yay. Couple time + friend time + SHOPPING = rest, renewal, connection. 

I absolutely love our chaotic home and pace, but I do miss "alone" time with Michael...even if we fill it watching young friends or Christmas shopping. LOL the last two days have been rejuvenating. I think we may need to schedule dates this year. One year we went on weekly dates, we alternated single dates with double dates. It was a great year.

Michael dropped me at BreZaak's for my weekly play-date with Bella and Gideon. 

Bella and Gideon 

We were having a tea party when the DOOR OPENED! I picked my heart up off the floor and discovered Stacia had come to help. I locked the door after her. Bella made my day. Evidently, she was eager for evening to come...."Grandma is my friend." She greeted me with a request for a tea party. I'm always game!

Tea with the grands!

I love the lazy week between Christmas and resuming a  normal routine. 

We Played All Day!

Michael and I spent this 2nd day of 2020 enjoying a taste of what it will be like to have older grandkids.  We had a blast! Nora is having surgery in Anchorage. John drove her in. We played with the kids all day....

We vegged out with screens. We had breakfast. ONE of us went outside - it was 0* and that seems a tad bit excessive to ME. LOL 

We played Frozen 2....it was a delight. 

Noelani was SURE we would be great at TWISTER. Seriously, this is a very flexible gal....we explained our bodies quit making these moves a couple of decades ago...but it's always fun to play Twister...Even if you can't move like this. 

Big, friendly doggies!

I'm sorry Nora is in pain this evening, I am happy we are part of a church family that pulls together during these times.

I got up this morning and spent some time with Jesus, jumped on the elliptical for 45 minutes and then we headed to John and Nora's. We played all day - the perfect way to begin the year.

Cozy Start to 2020

 The snow is back. LOL We received at least 10 inches of new snow on our deck. Anchorage officially reports 9.5 inches, a New Years Day record snowfall.

 I spent much of this day cozily sequestered in our study, aka our library, after a bracing trek to the box for Dad's paper.

I will be speaking at a PWOC (military women's ministry) retreat in CA the end of this month. It was good to get words and scattered thoughts corralled on paper.

Everyone else read, cleaned, watched YouTube and Netflix...none of us HAD to be anywhere.😊

I joined GG, Michael and Krista for the final quarter of the Rose Bowl...just in time to see the Ducks win by one.