June's Celebration

We cut it close, but today we gathered for June's celebrations.  Everyone, but Nolan and Larissa made it.  It is always fun when so many can make it. We had a Mexican potluck....and several had the same idea, "Let's cook at Mom and Dad's."  It was great fun. There were a LOT of Gherkins in the kitchen...

Maria made Puerto Rican Rice, Krista was working on a Southwest hot salad, Josiah is about to start tacos and Jared is making Fajitas....I made Enchiladas before church and they were in the oven. 

We remembered Dad and Mom G's anniversary. We celebrated the six fathers in our midst: G Dog, Michael, Luke, Izaak, Cory, and Cy.  We also celebrated Bre, Maria and Krista's birthdays.

 It was Maria's birthday today....she won the privilege of wearing the pig hat. Stacia had made an ice cream cake and had continued her practicing on the Spring Fling Cake....it was sugar free and tasted good. It's growing on me. LOL 

If Luke hadn't already won my heart, he surely would have when he walked in and immediately went to sit with Grandpa. Grandpa enjoyed sharing the paper. 

Oh yea, before there was cake we DID eat dinner. It turned into a beautiful day and so we ate outside. 

Lot's of cousin fun going on this afternoon. 

Gideon and Benny

Annie's Pony

Maria and Danny

They got Uncle Jared on the trampoline again! 

Enjoying the shade.

Arielle, Cory, Grandpa, Carrie, Cyu, Danny and Maria

Bella asked me to show her the things she'd planted. THIS is the reason it is good to do something even if I can't do EVERYTHING I want to do. It's been making me CRAZY to see the state of the garden but with my physical ailments and Michael's projects....it's all I've been able to do....

THIS is an excellent reason to feel good about doing something - even if I can't do it all.  She was extremely excited to see the radishes growing. She was pretty impressed with the carrots too. 

Michael asked everyone to help him move his project to the garden.  He's been writing stories for Story Worth.  He decided to write about an incident he'd told me - and no one else in 38 years. I KNEW the kids would get a kick out of the story. Michael is pretty private. This story was out of character for the Michael the kids have known. He read the story to us today...and it was a hoot. 

Shortly after this folks began to go home. Everyone needs to get ready for the new week. It will be a BIG week in our family....Nate and Heather will get her on the 1st, we'll have a wedding on the 3rd and we have much to do BEFORE we reach Saturday. 

Ready...Set... Go!!!!!

When a Moose Comes to Play

 We have a new bull in the yard. This one is quite a bit smaller and younger. Those velvet antlers are bothering him. He was on a wild search to find  either something to scratch on, or to play on. 

WHUT???? Nothing to see here! 

This is NOT the way to play Volleyball. 

Hmmm....now what could I do on the swing set?

He couldn't figure out how to scratch his antlers on the swings, so he was off to the trampoline, a favorite among moose. 

Saturday

This is Maria.

Maria was one of the first to greet us our first week at the chapel of our last assignment. She became one of my gals, and over time she became "our" bonus daughter. She came up and helped us unpack when we moved into our home in Alaska.   Eventually she met Krista and they both ended up at Liberty in VA and shared a house.  Maria graduated with her Masters of Divinity in May. She will be a Professor's Assistant in the upcoming school year as she begins work on her Doctorate. 

We have been blessed to watch Maria overcome obstacles and chase her dreams. If she'd only move up....but ANYWAY, TODAY, Maria drove into our driveway with Krista! She's up for the wedding and we couldn't have been happier to see her again. 

We had a good time catching up and I didn't remember to take a single picture. 

This afternoon the girls went with KrUke and Maria up to Hatcher's Pass to scout out wedding photo locations. A wedding in a week. Shew.  Here's a photo from the trip....

Summer in Alaska @ Summit Mtn. 

Jared had a meeting in Anchorage and came home in time for a simple dinner with Mike, Alex, Grandpa and I.  

Michael has been working on his project. He is hoping to be ready to move it when there are guys here tomorrow to help with the move. 

Jared jumped on the mower and did a few rounds. We always appreciate anyone who wants to do such. 

Grandpa has been calling folks and saying, "I guess Nate and Heather are coming by. Are they in OR yet?" I have put the date on his calendar. We have told him how many more days, but he can barely wait for them to arrive. Here he talks to Nadia to see if they are there yet. LOL 

Everyone Wants to Play at Papa and Baachan's

 Simply EVERYONE wants to play at our place! 

📷by Jared

It started  Thursday night with this gentleman stopping by to check out the volleyball/badminton net. He was sure to tromp through the trees in front and munch a few branches...

 Friday morning Allie and I happened on a new mama....the twins are soooo cute! We stayed in the car and went on by....Mama looks scruffy. 

Friday night this gal came to visit. These photos were taken at 11 p.m. No flash or filter...this is what our daylight is like these days.  She was not deterred by the trampoline in her path. 

This one had a bit of an attitude. No one is allowed to stick their tonque out at Baachan, Moosey. 

She was offended by the chair - actually, I think she was determined to scratch her head. 

She tried scratching on the laundry line, but only succeeded in knocking things around. 

Oh, oh. At this point I began to encourage her NOT to go to the garden. That t-post marks the electric fence. 

She changed course and checked out the Grandma Tree....and ate quite a few of the wild roses. Oh well. 

See how they do that? She puts her mouth on one end of the branch and then strips all the leaves in one swing. 

She seemed determined to get into the garden. She turned and went between the garden and the woodpile and off to the neighbors. Shew. 

It's that time of year.  It's too bad it coincides with the best walking time of the year too. It does keep one alert. 

Babies, Models and Stolen Cake

I got bogged down in this day. I hit the end of the day and thought, "Nothing happened to blog today." 

Then I uploaded photos....and rethought the day. Stacia and I left the house early and discussed 10 chapters in 1 Corinthians. The topic ranged from personal holiness, women's roles, church discipline, and the intersection of personal freedom with our responsibility to love others well. Good stuff.  The view has certainly changed on the top of the mountain in the past few weeks. We can no longer see the river well, or the Butte. 

Of course we took a selfie.

About this time I began to feel sick. I'm still dealing with Bursitis and shoot...another UTI. TMI? I called the doc's office.  They wanted to see me - which I thought a bit odd - but since they'd called in meds for the shoulder I wasn't totally surprised they didn't want to call in another prescription so soon.  I made an appt for 3:30. 

I ran Allie to work. We happened upon a mama and twin babies on our way out of the neighborhood....yes, they are back and I'll share the photos in the next post....

I arrived home to find Stacia  playing in the kitchen. I helped in the research department. She baked 6 cakes.  The ice cream cake for June's birthdays is in the freezer.  Unfortunately, she tried to get Mr & Mrs on it - looking ahead to CyRi's wedding and it didn't work. BUT we have TIME to figure it out.  KrUke's wedding cake is freezing...ready to decorate next week. 

She is still trying to get the Spring Fling Cake figured out for a customer's birthday. I researched and we think we've got it figured out. The big problem is the recipe is from Denver and it needs much more leavening here in Alaska. In the midst of research we discovered the cake sold for $50 - with regular flour, sugar etc. We feel better about requesting $50 for this cake - the Swerve alone is costing $22 and we've had to make this cake numerous times trying various ingredients....and haven't charged for the trials or the fruit we will use. . . um Millie chomped on one of the cakes - we had an extra. We are going to assemble the Spring Fling Cake for June's family celebration and then we'll begin making the real one for the customer if she likes the piece we send her home. If not, I'm about to call it on this project! 

Michael and Alex were having their own study while all the kitchen craziness was going on. 

Nolan worked a full day. Jared worked a full day from the RV.  Grandpa read the paper. 

I ran to my appointment and discovered the doc I LOVE is quitting to stay home with her sweet kids and 2 darling foster kids. It's a good choice for her. It's a sad choice for ME. She gave me refills so I am set for these UTI's as I settle in with a new doc. There is a new female provider at the practice and I'll probably stay with her. 

As I drove into the driveway I was excited to see a familiar car. Arielle and the boys had stopped by to garden, but I was out.  They stayed and visited - it was a great catch up. 

Such a happy boy! 

Brothers! 

Look at this! Cory (Daddy) is a famous apparel model. LOL This wasn't on his bucket list - but I think he did rather well. 

📷 via Cory's Facebook 

Jared left for dinner at BreZaak's. I picked up Allie. CoRielle went home. Brenda came for pizza and a campfire.  Blasted wind changed our campfire plans. 

Allie and I ran to the pharmacy and picked up my meds. Jared got home. We visited. 

It was a good day. More accomplished than I originally thought. 

Shopping and A Race Well Run

Plans shifted today which created an unexpected window of time where I was able to leave home with the girls. We have a bachelorette party coming up soon and we wanted to pick out some things before the party. I wasn't quite sure WHEN we'd get out to shop. We have a mission to "dress the bride"...It was fun for the three of us to run from thrift store to thrift store - and I promised not to share the BEST photo....but here's a fun one to remember the day. 

This DID remind me that we have a wedding in a WEEK. Yikes. I need to get busy making a picnic blanket and setting up a "spot" at this picnic for the bride and groom. 

We are having all the Gherkins over Sunday for our June celebration....so we ran to the grocery store. It was good the girls were with me because I simply crashed. I'm not sure what I would have purchased if left to myself. At one point they called me to ask where I was and I couldn't even communicate where I was - told them I'd just come to them. LOL 

Gather Women (our ladies group) are reading the New Testament together this year. This morning I read 1 Cor 15. Verse 58 jumped at me...."Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing your toil is not in vain in the Lord."

Steadfast.....immovable....abundant....worthwhile....

These are words I want to describe myself and the things which occupy my time. I've been thinking of a dear couple a lot this week...Barney and Judie. When we began our life group for months Barney and Judie were the only ones who attended. This provided lots of time for the four of us to talk....as our home filled and more joined Life Group it was apparent we all valued what Barney had to say. Barney reminded us of Dad G the minute we met him...he even gave himself to prison ministry and was a well-respected prison chaplain. He was a wise, wise man in so many ways. But more than even his wisdom, he was 100%, sold out to God. He was our church's treasurer, went into prisons several times a week, led Sunday School and studies from time to time....He LIVED this verse.... at 81....through cancer, through health challenges...He lived it.

I remember well the last time I saw Barney. He was sitting in front of us during church on the field. His suspender was twisted and Dad reached up and fixed it for him, he turned around and they shared a smile.  Barney always had a twinkle in his eyes and a smile on his lips. We joked, we smiled, we parted. "See you next Sunday."  

On the next Sunday morning he had gone into a diabetic coma. 

The Saturday following he went to spend eternity with Jesus whom he had loved so well. 

📷from church's Facebook Page

1 Cor 9:24 instructs us to "Run in a way that you may win the prize." Barney truly did run his race well. We've lost two dear men of God in a short amount of time in our small church...it makes me smile to imagine their reunion in heaven and the discussions Carl and Barney are having now. I'm glad Brenda shared that thought.  While we rejoice, we grieve...and it leaves a hole in our body...which motivates me even more to step up to the plate, or to continue my race in a way that will matter for Jesus' kingdom. 

Tonight, we gathered in  full church to honor a race well run. We'll miss Barney, but he RAN his race. Am I running mine with the same passion? 

Tools, Moose, Doughnuts, & Grandblessings

Michael proved once again how waiting and frugality  pay off. He has been looking for a wood lathe since his birthday in November. Today, he and Alex drove to Willow to pick up this new toy/tool.

This picture is provided to ensure you can  make out the message on his Father's Day t-shirt.

Nolan spent the day in his room working on College. He is one unit away from completing another three-credit class. 

Alex worked 8 hours and then accompanied Michael on the lathe hunting trip.

Grandpa keeps us up to date on the current news as reported by the ADN. 

The girls are committed to increasing their speed and distance in running. They report Millie is improving her running stride as well. Somehow I've lost the photo from the run. 

Where there is a baby - there is sure to be a Mama. 

Arielle and the boys came by this afternoon. I took the opportunity to run to the oral surgeon. I would not recommend this as an ideal use of respite time. LOL  It seems the time has finally arrived to deal with my wisdom teeth (or tooth as the case may be). Though he offered no encouragement about the ease of the procedure, it needs to be taken care of and  I have scheduled the surgery for September. 

Being welcomed home by Danny and Benny helped to push thoughts of upcoming oral surgery to the back of my mind. 

I love, love, LOVE Benny's sense of style! 

Stacia has made it her personal mission to keep the youth supplied with eats. She made these this afternoon.

After a quick stir fry dinner, the girls and I headed to church for Youth and Ladies Bible study.

We ended the evening back at home watching the newest episode of Loki with Alex and Nolan.

Jared has been in Anchorage this month helping with the new  mayor's transition team. He moved out to our RV today and will be at our house until Krista's wedding.

As for my shoulder, I've quit taking muscle relaxants and am decreasing the Ibuprofen. The pain has gone from a 5/6 to about a 3/4.