More Snow

Snow, snow snow. Not a complaint - just a fact. 

Sun is never overhead - skirts around the horizon 

I LOVE the light shining on our mountain

I've got video clips of snow falling - very peaceful. I'll eventually get it into a youtube clip and share. I think it will be my "go to" calming nature clip. LOL

February's Family Birthday Celebration

We had to put off February's Birthday Celebrations - it landed today, on the 11th. This also happens to be Alex's 16th birthday. I'm not sure where the time is going.

The day began with MOOSE.  I'm curious to see what their cycles of visiting will be. They were here in the fall, rare December/January, and we are seeing some most days in February.

She's not nekkid! She has a pretty red collar. We assume the Fish and Wildlife Dept chose her to monitor her grazing patterns. She likes our yard and the general neighborhood near as I can tell. 

Love her snowy nose! 

We tore ourselves away from the moose and headed in for church.

Everyone began to show up for the evening's fun. 

Benny @ 3 months

 Bella LOVES Benny! She's in a new phase of saying "Ah, CUTE!" when she sees puppies, babies, stuffed animals...

Uncle Jamin and Benny

 Everyone gathered for February's birthday dinner. Alex had to wear the hat as the dinner fell on his birthday! It's only right. 

You can see Bella and Gideon in this one. 

The Birthday Gang

Jamin (20th), Cy (9th), Alex (11th), Nolan (8th)

 Note - all are turning 57 this year. ::snort:: 

We think of EAFB Gospel service with each birthday and anniversary! 

The day concluded with peaceful night skies. 

Mom's 1st Birthday in Heaven

The 10th came and went without a lot of hubbub. It was Mom's first birthday in heaven. It's the first time  Josiah (whose birthday is the 9th)  did not heard from her on  his birthday reminding him they really share a birthday. It seems we were "on the wrong side of the dateline," when he was born.

I was determined NOT to be in the funk I was in on my birthday on the 10th.  I took a meal to an older woman in our church who had had surgery on Mom's birthday.  It was good to focus on the needs of another on Mom's day. It was good to remember how so many said she loved them well during her life. I try to be the type of person who thinks of, and loves others, even on the hard days. It was fun to get to know Ms. Bonnie a bit better outside of church. I am convinced we are all blessed by inter-generational relationships and am thrilled at the opportunities for this in our civilian church.  It turns out  God has put me on Bonnie's heart and she has been praying for me since I left to be with Mom in December.

I'm well. Most days are good. Some days are melancholy. I still have quite a few secret tears, but they aren't quite so unpredictable these days.  It seems I will not make it through "Bless the Lord oh My Soul" - sung at her funeral -  or "Endless Hallelujah" without tears for many moons. ::grin:: The tears are predictable, the truths are foundational and soul strengthening.

It's been a blessing to communicate more with Dad. He had been content before to allow Mom to communicate and share knowledge that way while she was here.

We do not grieve as those without hope, and for that I am so very thankful.

Via Google images

TGIF!

Happy Birthday to Josiah! We love the man Josiah is - he blesses us all.

FRIDAY! We love Fridays, but this Friday we looked forward to this Friday for a special reason. Today, we met Kristine, a long time online friend and fellow chaplain's wife. She and her family are here for JBER (Elmendorf). She has chickens! Unfortunately, I didn't take a single photo. You'll have to take my word this meeting took place. I came away thinking I could do this chicken thing. 

But - before chickens - we had Michael's therapy. Stacia wanted to see the chickens, so she came with us to therapy. We didn't think she'd enjoy watching the electrifying therapy - she and I sat out in the waiting area. School on the road. 

We stopped by Beach Lake on our way home from seeing chickens. Josiah has been ice fishing here and we wanted to see for ourselves. It was a nice stop.

Thick Ice 

 Back at home the kids enjoyed sledding....

It's the MOOSE TIME of the year! We haven't seen this many moose since last fall. 

Nolan and I threw together some chocolate, peanut popcorn for our movie time. I do enjoy my walk out cooler. So thankful Michael insisted a deck be built off the dining room before we purchased the house.  

Yes, the rockers ARE on their sides. They get to rocking and moving to much if they are upright. I would put them in the garage for the winter - but the garage currently holds the things of three households and is full.

Hmmmm.....just realized I haven't done #WYFF in 2018.....

Random Post of Awesomeness!

Benny at 2 months and 3 weeks! 

Those eyes, that smile, those cheeks....we're smitten! 

Just to make you smile. 

Nolan's Birthday

It's birthday month in our home. The male Gherkins chose Jan and Feb to be born. The Females chose summer. This month we will have four birthdays and two anniversaries to celebrate! 

Tonight, the five of us, enjoyed a quiet dinner and Nolan's gifts.  We will have a big birthday celebration on an upcoming Sunday night. 

We went ahead and gave Alex his sled too....

 There's a funny story about these candles.....I INTENDED to buy and save candles for Michael's birthday in November. I'd have enough candles for all the birthdays this year. I'm notorious for not having the candles. We got ready to light Nolan's cake and realized, at the last moment Michael insisted it would be cheaper and less of a fire hazard (yes he DID say that) to buy the numbers 5 and 7 for him than 60 candles. So.....we are all turning 57 or 75 this year until I remember to buy candles.

Nolan is nearing the end of  his senior year. He is considering his options. At this point he is leaning heaviest towards a degree in business - that seems to match his skill and spiritual gift set. He isn't sure if he'll attend a campus out here, in Anchorage, Fairbanks or possibly do the first year online through UA - Fairbanks. 

Homestead Club

This month's Homestead Club at IDEA is destined to be our favorite. The club is turning out to be more info for parents, than fun for children. I was concerned about this, but we were told not to worry about it. This month, Denise, our speaker presented a workshop on "Sustaining a family on a 1/4 acre." It was full of great info for parents....AND fun for kids. 

Kelly brought a goat, talked about her and milked her for us. She blew up gloves and let us get a feel for the technique. 

Denise introduced us to one of her chickens as well. These gals get the daily scraps from a local school as well as their other food.  Next month Mr. Steve Brown from the Cooperative Exchange Service of UA - Fairbanks will be our presenter. I look forward to hearing more about the best practices for carrying for chickens....it seems they are in my future.  I've read a zillion books this month about care and coops and such....time to put some of it to practice. 

I wish all of our workshops could be a bit of hands on AND informational....Talia and I are doing the last one on making bread and butter. It will be almost totally hands on.  Even though I feel it's not been "fun" for the younger ones - I do know there has been a ton of really good info given out.