This Week...

 As is my practice I pause this Friday to consider the week we've just lived. What are the highlights which we haven't recorded?

Tuesday was a first for Allie, a well-child doctor visit. We had seen Nicole, our NP, post-surgery.  She suggested we schedule a non-acute visit for Allie before she turns 18. It was a fun visit and Allie checks out for her 17 yo well child visit.  LOL  

Wednesday the oven-repairman came again. We have waited WEEKS for this part which was to fix everything. The part number on our current oven and the new part are the SAME but this part was made for a different stove. The oven is still not fixed. It's a down draft. The problem is Whirlpool made it, but because it has a Kenmore face plate, they won't stand behind it or even discuss repair options... Sears conveniently closed their appliance repair line when covid hit.  We won't be buying Kenmore again. We began looking for another stove/oven. We found a Kitchen Aide stove...we need a specific size as it's inset into our counter, and it needs to be a down draft. The Kitchen Aide looks exactly like the one we have...another one made by Whirlpool but with a different face plate.  We aren't feeling the love. This thing is only 3 years old. The only options are this model made by Whirlpool (tagged various names) and a Jen Aire. OR we can skip the down draft, but we'd have to hang an exhaust hood from the ceiling, which would mean changing lights and it would give the kitchen a totally different feel. Not sure what to do. We have been dealing with this since October. We have talked about a kitchen update, new counters and sink, save the cupboards and drawers. Maybe it's time to do it...

The girls both created college board accounts and registered for the next SAT.  Tis the season for practice tests, personality questionnaires, DISC assessments and career interviews.  We have been receiving college info since last summer for Stacia, and now Allie is getting inquiries as well. Both are enjoying the process of exploring future possibilities.  Allie is seriously considering a Bachelor of Arts in American Sign Language & Interpreting. She is an excellent writer, and we see writing, as well as ministering to at risk children and animal training in her future. At this point she thinks the interpreting will be the funding source and the other things will be background activity. Stacia has talked of owning a cafe as a platform for ministry for years. She is in her 4th year of Japanese and meets twice a week with Kim Sensei. She is pulled equally to both Japan and a cafe - who knows? She is researching her options...culinary school? College? Just buying a food truck and starting? Funding college with a food truck. She is also a great writer. We are currently reading a novel as she writes it... LOL 

Bible study is always timely - but this week it was good to have time set aside to talk with each girl...and for part of the study to focus in on God's purpose for our lives. I couldn't help but think back to my senior year in Manila. There were so many decisions and back then the church was big at warning us to find the PERFECT vs. permissive will of God. That's a lot of stress for an 18 yo.  It was good to share lessons learned and listen to their thoughts as they process upcoming choices. 

I made our reservations for dip netting 2022. They are so booked we only will stay four nights this year, but we really didn't WANT to stay five nights anyway. 

We've been eating well...lots of colorful produce...ORANGE cauliflower, PURPLE brussel sprouts, and potatoes that are RED and PURPLE inside. Spring colors? 

We've been under a winter advisory. We do not typically get weather days off in Alaska. However, 2022 is coming in like a LION. We had the big windstorm - complete with missing power for a couple of days, followed by a good-sized snow/ice storm....and now kids have been out of school as it's warming up and we have ICE and rain and snow and more ice.... it's a mess. This morning it was like driving through a giant slushy resting on an ice rink. I drove in it yesterday and today.  That's a huge change from our first year when Michael had to drive me everywhere. LOL The van handles ice much better than the jeep did.  Stacia and I had a good laugh this morning. Typically, Alaskan drivers don't let the weather bother them out here on the hwy we take into town. Today, at 7:30 a.m., they were creeping along at 35 mph.

Some have asked how much snow we have...it's melting.... but we still have quite a bit of snow on the ground. I am nowhere NEAR being able to get into the garden or discovering shoots of green in the yard.  I need to make myself walk out through the snow and grab a photo of the clotheslines nearly resting atop the snow. LOL 

That's about it for the week. We have been having many thoughts and discussions on how we impact a community...The chapel was an integral part of the community we lived in, hosting resiliency events, family fun days, events for deployed spouses, tire changes for deployed spouses etc.  We knew our community; knew it's needs and were integrally involved in meeting those needs. It was natural to meet those who did not share our faith at work, while out serving with the chapel etc. We don't work outside our home now. There aren't a lot of natural outreaches for us to join. Maybe in the civilian world this is more individual driven than faith community driven. We have been researching local options to impact our community...beyond what we are already doing. We are fine with this being organic, but if opportunities aren't as readily available through say "the chapel," we need to figure out how to find the opportunities to serve as individuals. 

We have struck up a relationship with a gentleman who called Michael today to discuss faith. He's Bahai. I look forward to more conversations. We just need more encounters like this...more chances to go into our world. 

38 Years - No Way Home

 

It's Valentine's Day and that means Michael and I are celebrating thirty-eight years of marriage. Thirty-eight years of doing life side by side, while together and while apart.  We've certainly not done every right, but we have known where to run and how to apologize when we mess up. Of course, this is also Valentine's Day. We had great plans for a few surprises, but we didn't quite pull them off. We'll tuck the plans away for either later in the month or next year. LOL  

The girls had given the boys a "sibling date" for their birthdays. The girls were taking them to the movie of their choice and out to dinner. They went to see "No Way Home" - Spiderman.  I'm woefully uninformed of the intricacies of the movie, but they seemed to enjoy it.  I told them they were welcome to go out for dinner, but I had a couple of pizzas downstairs already. We tend to avoid going out on our anniversary because it tends to be very crowded and noisy. We can get crowds and noise at home. 

Alex, Nolan, Allie, Stacia - 📷via Stacia

A funny thing happened when the "kids" went on their sibling date. Grandpa took a nap. The house was QUIET...and Michael and I had the rare experience of being alone at home. ::snort:: 

Perfect Valentines/Anniversary....time alone, time with kids, easy dinner and a touch of sweet.  Nolan is back to working six days a week. We were happy his day off landed on a day when he could celebrate with the rest of the world. LOL

As a side note:  Dad asked me today (2-16) if I thought his "problems" could be from eating those 3 little kisses. I told him it was probably all the cake and ice cream he chose to eat during birthday week, and Saturday and Sunday when kids were here....topped with the 3 little kisses. LOL  

February Birthday Celebration

 There's a whole lotta cake at our house today! 

It turns out Livie doesn't like Cookies and Cream over Moosetrack ice cream.  Ah well, one can never make too much ice cream cake.  I could swear someone in February requested Cookies and Cream last year. Stacia's cakes were a hit too. We have a bit of the 6-inch cake left - and tomorrow IS Valentine's Day. 

Josiah and Liv (Carrie was working), Bre and kids, CoRielle and Jamin joined us to celebrate February's birthdays.  

Our Birthday Gang - minus Nolan (23) and plus Annie and Gideon

Cy (33), Alex (20), Livie - center (9), Jamin (31)

It was good to sit and visit together. Yes, there was much running around the circle and indoor snowball fighting.... I was sad I didn't get better pictures of the kids, but really this blur of a boy sums it all up quite nicely. 

After everyone but Jamin had headed home we sat around and talked a bit more. Jamin is our real estate pro - he is currently tied for number one spot of pending sales in Keller William (for this quarter maybe?). That is HUGE considering he is one man, and her team has 20 - 30 agents under her. I can't quite fathom how many hours he is putting in finding homes for folks. Anyway, I mentioned maybe we should look for a home with a better set up for the kids during winter gatherings. Jamin told us to sit tight. He's right - summer will come and this is a great place for summer/fall gatherings...just a bit tough that the adults seating area surrounds the kid's racetrack. LOL 

Birthday Week

Here are a few glimpses into this week at home. We are all feeling wonderful this week. We realized we are probably a bit more conscientious than most about staying home until all lingering cold symptoms are gone...and maybe we will evaluate this in the future.  Poor Stacia has missed 4 weeks of youth group due a lingering cough. This week both women's Bible study and youth group were cancelled due to ongoing members' health issues.  The girls sent out a group chat and invited other youth group members to connect on zoom. This was a great solution, we are proud of them. 

We felt quite well enough to go INSIDE for Bible studies this week. The restaurant agreed we should come inside rather than eat in the parking lot as we did last week. ::snort::   For the next 6 weeks (at least) the girls, Bible Babes and our local women's study will all be working through the same material. Bible Babes and the girls and I began working through it this week. 

Thursday with Allie

Friday with Stacia

I have a perpetual box collecting items for donation as we declutter. The girls filled two bags during our self-imposed-stay-at-home period. It felt good to get the boxes and bags delivered to Bishop's Attic.

Millie can always be counted on to entertain.

I have made two ice cream cakes this week. Stacia had baked cakes and today she decorated a cake for the brothers and one for Livie....

Michael and Dad went to their monthly men's breakfast. I took care of outside chores and then.....

The house was magically quiet, and I had no responsibilities to tend to. I set in Michael's recliner,  watched the snow fall outside, while my favorite blend of oil* diffused...the windows, the tree, the aroma...it was magical. I finished Wuthering Heights. 

Some have asked about our indoor snowball fights...This little kit was a gift Mom purchased for me at a thrift store year's ago. It was simply a cute snowman decoration until Benny turned it into a great winter diversion. 

I texted the girls and asked if they were up for an adventure when the men got home. They were. We visited the library and one of our favorite coffee haunts for drinks and sandwiches. Then, it was time to conquer Stacia's shopping reluctance and buy her a couple of pairs of jeans. Allie found some cool boots. 

This guy made our day...just chilling in the neighborhood. 

We spent the remainder of the week watching shows, movies, making dinner....and it will soon be time to begin another week.  This was birthday week. A week we look forward too, but sort of dread. Having outside events cancelled did help. We had four birthdays this week. In the upcoming week we'll have 3 anniversaries and another birthday to celebrate. Februarys are a mad rush in our family. 

*Arctic Heat - a combination of Lavendar, Birch, Peppermint, Rosemary and Ginger oils picked up at our local Kroger chain.  

Alex turns 20!

 Ah, the party pig hat! It can only mean one thing. Another birthday! It's hard to believe Alex turned 20 years old today. 

Alex has been busy working at McDonald's and connecting with gamers. He has recently cut back his hours at McDonald's to focus on studying for an employment test and application process for the next job he would like to hold.  I'll share more when the time is right.  This year he's paid cash for a truck, faithfully paid his rent and saved lots of money.  He's got goals and he's steadily working towards them. 

Yes, we sound pathetic when it's just the four of us to sing Happy Birthday....

Happy 20th Alex! We love you. 

Alex asked for Orange Chicken for his birthday dinner. He thought an ice cream bowl sounded great for his birthday dessert. A word about ice cream...this family LOVES their ice cream. In fact, Alaska is the number one state in ice cream consumption. It's like we were supposed to live here. For YEARS we've had ice cream instead of dinner every Sunday night - just once a week.   Our family continued to grow (12 of us) and ice cream cartons continued to shrink.  We hit on the idea of having our ice cream in a mug, most often with splashes of milk - which creates the blizzard/shake effect.  One year we made ice cream cakes for birthday and the rest is history.....

This year we were on schedule to celebrate Nolan's birthday on the 8th when we discovered he would be working. We needed a cake that NIGHT and it takes a day or two in the freezer for the cakes to set. What to do? Arielle was here and suggested "ice cream bowls." What a great idea - like rice bowls but ice cream.....that's thinking outside of the box. And then I realized ice cream bowls are...um...bowls of ice cream and the way the majority of Americans consume their ice cream. ::snort:: BUT our family thinks they're a wonderful new dessert option. 

We rounded Alex' night out by watching Tim Hawkins. We'd not watched any Tim Hawkins in about a year. Alex chose, "That's the Worst." We laughed until we cried. It was fun to discover Grandpa enjoys Tim Hawkins. If only he'd put out more DVD's. 

Nolan is 23

 Nolan has turned 23 years old.  He will be working on Sunday and will miss the bigger birthday celebration, but we couldn't let the occasion pass without a bit of fun! 

Everyone took a break to play some mario kids. 

Alex, Corey, Danny, Arielle, Benny, Nolan, Stacia, Allie

Nolan requested enchiladas for dinner. We were happy to make this happen.  The girls and I pulled together dinner. CoRielle joined us for dinner and dessert as they knew Nolan wouldn't be able to join us on Sunday. 

Nolan opted for ice cream and toppings over any other dessert. Quick, easy and tasty. 

We are proud of Nolan. He has just finished his first year at Western Governor's. He earned 39 credits. WGU recommended he aim for 24 credits, the VA insisted on 36 to be considered full-time and get his full VA college benefit, and he earned 39. We all worried it would be too much, but he's knocking it out of the park. He's been working 40 - 60 hours a week all year, as well. 

I put a bit of ice cream on the top of Danny's sippy cup. He was skeptical. UNTIL, he tasted it and then he pushed his cup back at me as fast as he could. 

Another fun papa game...

📷via Arielle

📷via Arielle - fuzzy - but such great expressions!

Indoor Snowball Fight

We have missed a couple of respite appointments due to winter crud. It was nice to have Arielle and the boys show up today. Danny has perfected walking and running since he was last at the house. A favorite game with all the younger grands is having an indoor snowball fight with my bucket of snowballs. It was pretty funny that Danny headed right for the bucket.  

Of course, Michael is always willing to oblige the boys with a bit of fun. 

Danny is excited to join the fun. 

Michael and I eventually left for lunch. We had been gifted a visit to The Salt Cave. It was incredibly relaxing. We hit a few grocery stores looking for ingredients for Nolan's birthday dinner. We celebrated early as he had to work on his birthday and will also miss the family celebration on Sunday due to work.