11th Day of Christmas - Full of Blessings

 Michael needed to stay off his foot today, this led to lots of driving for me.  It was a day full of blessing. 

I never made it OUTSIDE to walk today, but I DID get 4 miles on the treadmill before the day took off. This treadmill is a blessing. I think of the gal who blessed us with our exercise equipment each time I use it. 

I try. I do. OBVIOUSLY, there are some tricks I need to learn about the whole caregiving gig. I'm pretty sure I got as wet as Dad. We both got a good laugh out of the situation. Laughter is good. 

There was lots of laundry, lots of paperwork, lots of trips to town to deliver non-driving youth here and there...and in the midst of it....Michael blessed me. As I ran out the door on one of the three trips he told me to grab a chai, sit in a parking lot, and read. He was keeping Dad company today.  Sweet. 

That is how I found myself at the gym, though not IN the gym. There is a great mountain view from the gym. I sat in my warm car, sipping my chai, reading my book and savoring the QUIET mountain view. Baby steps - I was in the general vicinity of the gym. ::snort:: 

Dad got a kick out of Millie coming in to wake him up this "morning."  She does seem to watch out for him...when she isn't pestering him. LOL 

Dad spent much of the day reading his new super large print Bible. He had me get out another of his Bibles and he spent a contented day reading back and forth. One is NIV and one is ESV. 

Stacia told me to go ahead and finish working on bills (I was done with ours, needed to finish Dad's) and she would make dinner. Such a blessing. 

The final blessing of the day was a Zoom Bible study with the Gather Ministry Gals. Good discussion, sweet to be "together." 

Walking Tally 41 miles/100 miles.... 100 miles by my birthday! 

10th Day of Christmas

 Whew! Life by planner! It IS working. First we learned what is essential in this season. Now, we are learning the amount of push  needed (balanced with rest) to work into our normal routine with the extra work of caregiving.  As an example, I used to grab dad and run to the store....now if I want to run to the store with him it takes an extra 20 min to get out the door and another 15- 20 min to get back in the door. 

Today was PRODUCTIVE. I did not get EVERYTHING done which was on the "to do" list...but I got the essentials done and made progress on everything. 

I have not gone to the gym with any consistency or been able to walk outside since we brought Dad home. Many of you know I walked 5 - 7 miles a day all spring, summer and early fall. I just can't leave the house for that amount of time....when I go out, Michael or the boys need to be here and on alert (not in the garage, working in the yard etc).  Timing has been hard...for life and for walks. The sun doesn't come up until close to 10 a.m. I don't want to walk in the dark. By that time Dad IS up.....this will be much easier in the summer when the sun ALWAYS shines and I can go walking early.   OK - that's ALL backstory...so you know why THIS made me so very happy. 

Great to be OUT. 

For the first time since Oct 8th - I went for a walk. It was COLD. I need to find gloves with the finger pocket thingies, and I need to find something to cover my nose and mouth. My hat was frozen when we got home.  I also need to buy a pair of snow pants that fit me. It was 8 or 10 * outside. 

BUT I committed in the morning, when motivation and attitude are high, to go for an OUTSIDE walk with Stacia. We knew it had to be between 10 - 4 p.m. She suggested we go and I replied it was COLD and I needed to pay bills first. 

Ever felt like the Holy Spirit slapped you upside the head? 

I got up, suited up, and  kept my word to my daughter. I CAN pay the bills when it is dark outside. 

Millie is happy to be out! 

We walked 1.5 miles. That  added to the 3.5 I did early a.m. on the treadmill and I totaled 5 miles! What a treat. I am TRYING to get 100 miles in before my birthday on the 24th.  Stacia and I had begun to think I would need to aim for our Valentine Anniversary instead, ...but maybe I will get it done. LOL 

I have never been so happy to see this sight.....warmth! 

Stacia got a full day of school done. 

In addition to a winter walk, I jumped back into Bible Babes, made numerous calls about Dad's care, picked up Alex from work and made several appointments for the upcoming week. I also cared for Dad, did a bit of cleaning and made dinner. 

Michael did some studying, relaxing, had a Birthday lunch with Krista and continued to try to recuperate from the procedure to his foot on Dec 31st. 

Alex and Nolan worked a full day. Nolan worked an overly full day. 

Krista kept busy! 

Dad's new SUPER LARGE PRINT Bible arrived in the mail. He plans to switch from Dilbert to it tomorrow. 

Walking tally: mile 37/100.

9th Day of Christmas

Church....

and then...the girls went to friends. The boys were working. Dad, Mike and I went out to lunch. 

We texted Arielle to see if we could stop by for a quick visit. They were game. Look at how Danny is growing....He much prefers his back to Tummy Time....

Benny cracked us up. Michael sat on the corner of the coffee table in their living room. The same coffee table Michael remembers playing under as a 3 year old. Benny, now 3, looked at Michael and in all seriousness said, "Papa, don't sit on Mama's table, you will BREAK it." LOL 

I've always loved these magna-tiles and wanted them for my kids...but they were never in the budget. This year we bought sets for both families. It was fun to play with Benny's set today. 

After the excitement of church, lunch out and playing with Great Grandkids, Dad came home and took a long Sunday nap. 

Michael and I read and chillaxed. 

8th Day of Christmas

 It has gotten COLD. The frigid temps arrived with the New Year. Lest you think I'm exaggerating...it was 5* at our house today...I'm sure it was colder up in the mountains. THAT, however, did not stop Cory, Jamin and Krista from going to Hatcher's Pass' Gold Mint Trail to try cross country skiing.   We are still looking to outfit all of us with cross country skis. 

Krista and Cory

While the skied we rested. Stacia made another Christmas gift. I worked on start of the year paperwork type stuff. Michael and Dad read.  Our day wasn't as exciting, but I can guarantee it was WARMER. 

2020 Annual Gherkins Gingerbread Competition

On the 6th Day of Christmas, many of the Gherkins met to celebrate God's faithfulness in 2020 and to celebrate the start of 2021.  A part of this celebration is the annual Gherkin Gingerbread Competition. Highlights of this year's competition are the new participants. Cory was able to participate from start to finish as he is still on paternity leave. This is Danny's first holiday season. Carrie, Olivia, and Luke joined the fun this year! Reno, Luke's English Mastiff, created excitement of his own. 

The winner of this competition hosts Mr. Gingerbread all year.  Both teams started with the SAME budget and the SAME Gingerbread kit. Both teams followed all rules and used the same amount of Gingerbread. 

Check out the photos and vote for your favorite team. You may do that by leaving a comment below, or on the Courageous Joy Facebook page. Only one vote per person will count. Voting will run until 9 p.m. AKST on Saturday, January 9th. 

Team A  - Alaska Christmas Express

This year’s offering features the majesty of the Alaska Railroad system as it cuts a path through the towering forests of The Last Frontier. We created a range of mountains with the sun casting alpenglow rays across their snowcapped peaks and with a waterfall cascading down the mountain slopes that create a river with roiling waters. At the fringe of the scene stands the train station and the entrance to the tunnel cutting a path through the mountain’s side. 

Note the tunnel in the corner and the alpenglow. 

Note the details on the tracks...

Danny, this year's youngest participant! 

Team B - The Four Seasons of Alaska

Join us for a year in Alaska! From the cold, dark winters full of fun in the snow (to include ice fishing, sledding, skiing, and snowmen!), through the muddy break up we fondly call spring, into the glorious summer and fall months full of hunting, fishing, hiking and basking in the midnight sun. Alaska is truly a unique state full of wild, breathtaking beauty and one we are blessed to call our home through every season. 

Note each season's platform is representative of the season; a snowman, a flower, a dip net, a leaf....

In case you can't read the "bill boards" I'll post them below: 

Past Competitions: 

2013 Competition - Men won with their Town square complete with a clock tower.

2014 Competition - Women won with their sweet Chapel; Men's Night Before Christmas disqualified them according to judge Michael. ::snort:: 

2015 Competition - Women won with Mad Hatter's Tea Party over the Men's rendition of Santa's Village.

2016  Competition - Women won with their  "Portrait of  2016." 

2017 Competition - Men won with "An Alaskan Getaway," over the women's offering of "Snowman's Lodge." 

2018 Competition - Men won with "An Iditarod Checkpoint." I must admit even some of our men voted for the women's "Family Oasis," and we were rather surprised the men won. 

2019 Competition - Women won with "Dipnetting - An Alaskan Theme." 

6th Day of Christmas - Goodbye 2020

2020 ...yes, it's had hard aspects...pandemics, killer bees, aliens and all. Honestly, it has not been our hardest year. We have had wonderful joys in the midst of 2020...tonight, we gathered to say goodbye to 2020 and welcome 2021. 

Before we gathered, Krista drove Michael to Anchorage for a procedure on his foot. He is now supposed to stay off it a few days....you'll see many more sitting photos than typical of this night. 

We began with dinner. 

Followed by fierce competition....yes, the annual Gingerbread Competition. 

Girls Team!

Krista, Arielle, Olivia & Carrie (dating Cy)
and Stacia

Bella, Annie, Bre and Larissa were missed. We hope they can join us next year. 

The Boys Team 

Cy, Alex, Luke (dating Krista) Jamin & Cory 

Izaak, Gideon, and Jared were missed. Check out the plans below! Blueprints for gingerbread competition....

The work began - everyone got involved...

Even Danny played a part...

G G needed to offer his advice

Papa had the best job. 

Reno is not the typical lap dog! 

Checking out the fireworks...

But first - the family gift exchange. We draw names and exchange gifts on NYE. This frees everyone to do their own thing, or visit with in-laws on Christmas. Benny is suitably impressed with the gifts showered on him. 

The dino cup was a hit

Jamin not only got Alex a Tundra comic book, he had it signed by the author when he interviewed him for an upcoming podcast. 

Krista is told her squatty potty stool is on it's way. ::snort:: 

After gifts there was another hour of gingerbread building and then it was time for bonfire and fireworks.  Before photos - we were safe. There are adults by children - even if they are cropped out of the photos! NOTHING was catching fire in the middle of all this snow. We were also legal. Alaska allows this on New Year's Eve. 

Benny enjoyed the fireworks this year

Josiah was busy manning fireworks

Michael bundled Dad out and they came to the deck. Josiah loaded them down with Roman candles. Michael is reaching down to dad in his wheelchair. Yikes - I still think that awfully close to the top of the stairs. LOL 

Baachan's shadow

We ended our display around 11:30 p.m. so the Eagle River crew could get on the highway before midnight.  It took a bit of time to round everything up before CoRielle left for home. Where could Benny be? 

Resting with Papa. All the kids did so well tonight.