Gender Reveal and More

 I don't think we could have fit one more bit of fun into this day, playing with grands, hiking, company and a gender reveal!!

 I got up early and went to BreZaak's. Bre had an important appointment today....the one where they tell you the gender of your baby if you so desire. The other's slept and got their morning going....and I played with kids. 

Arielle and the boys joined us at home and we all headed over to Refelection Lake. We knew this would be an easy walk.  

A word about Dad - he had a rough June and July. He wouldn't leave the house, wasn't making calls, slept 20 hours a day, wasn't attending church, had lost 17 lbs in 6 weeks, blood pressure was out of control, his heart is enlarged, and he was simply failing. We took him out this afternoon - in the back of my mind was the fact it may be his last family outing. He was a good sport - but clearly tired anot not  100% happy to be out.  

Danny was happy to sleep with GG at the trailhead. 

Benny and the Aunties

Of course, we took some time for reflection. Unfortunately, we did not present a ring to Maria

We climbed to the top of the observation tower.  I asked Benny what he thought about the height. He shared some words of wisdom, "Sometimes I'm afraid, and then I just do it and I'm not afraid anymore." 

Kent, Maria, Benny, Michael, Allie, Stacia

After a quick dinner we met the rest of the family over at BreZaak's. Is the 5th Baby D going to be a girl or boy? The tension mounts...bets are made.... Team PINK...another little girl!  SHE will be the tie-breaker in their family...3 girls and 2 boys. 

Michael - surrounded by grand kids...chasing, tickling, picking them up...and I can't help remembering Dad like this with his grands...

Jamin's hybrid car gave up the ghost. He is in the process of buying a home and didn't want to take out a loan for another car - so he found this BMW used. 

Krista, still photo-bombing her brothers! ::snort:: 

Kent and Maria Arrive

 Look who is here! Maria was a dear friend from our last assignment.  We called her a bonus daughter. At that time, she was active duty and part of the chapel. She went to visit Arielle at college and met Krista. After a bit of time, she ended up in VA where she and Krista were roommates for a few years. She is currently on staff at Liberty and enrolled in one of their doctorate programs. This is her 3rd visit to Alaska. She brought Kent this time.  We picked them up at the airport on the 8th - just as the big rain of 2022 began. 

WE knew Kent had a ring in his possession and was looking for the perfect time to surprise Maria. We set about visiting some of our favorite spots - both to show them off to visitors and to provide a place for Kent to present the ring. Maria kept guessing something was up - and so we waited. LOL This is the subtext of the upcoming posts.  When Allie got off work, when we gathered as a family, "Has he given it to her yet?" ::grin:: 

Saturday, we went to the Garden Faire, met up with Krista and ate at Reuben Haus. 

Sunday, we went to church and then on a quick "hike" at Crevasse Moraine. The mosquitos were TERRIBLE. Stacia's back is covered with them - but they don't show well in this photo. 

It was on this walk that Allie, Stacia and I all saw a black bear. Kent never fully believed us...but we saw scat and a bit up the road...the stump had a snout and beady eyes, and his head turned.  That put a bit of pep in our steps.

To be continued....

I Remember - I See You

 

See the fingers? 

"Bachan! Bachan!!!"

"Bachan is going potty. I'll be out in a minute." 

And, thus, it begins. 

"Can you read the dinosaur book for me?" 

"Bachan?" 

"Bachan!" 

I giggled as the parade of books grew....and the tiny, little fingers wiggled under the door. 

I remember the days of escaping to the bathroom for just a minute of peace, a reset with Jesus. 

I remember the little fingers, the knocking on the door....the feeling there was never quite enough time or energy in the day. 

I remember exhaustion, desperation, fear. 

I remember. 

And. . . 

I see you. 

I see you tired. 

I see you questioning - "Am I doing this right?" "Why does xyz make this look easy?" "Am I really enough?" 

I see the glib answers us Titus 2 types give you. 

I want you to know when I say, "Cherish this season," it's not from a place of judgment...it's from a place of remembering.  I remember and I now know how very fast this exhausting, never-ending season goes. 

I remember and I want you to know YOU ARE ENOUGH. Love your babies, do your best, it's not easy or natural to 90% of us, the days ARE long..but HERE IT COMES..."Before you know it, they'll be off to college." 

And then...you'll remember as I do...and chuckle when your sweet grands sneak not only fingers but whole libraries under the door. 

You'll giggle and you'll remember. 

4th of July - 2022

Jamin

 July 4th - before the RAIN of 2022 began! May and June were beautiful. I believe June was the hottest on record for our area.  Things were looking BROWN - they are bright green now (Aug 13th). LOL 

We planned a laid-back 4th of July - and that IS what we had.   BreZaak were home with covid. We knew CyRi was out at her parent's lake house (I think). JaRissa may have been with them? In any event we knew Jamin was coming over. 

Since we didn't have a big crowd to prepare for the girls took Jamin up on his offer to go paddle boarding in the morning. I stayed home to get a few things ready...thinking there would be LOTS of summer left for paddle boarding...the great rain of 2022 began July 8th and I've not made it out to play in the lake....next summer?  Thanks to Allie for grabbing these shots to share! 

I can tell it's the 4th due to Jamin's attire. LOL 

At some point CoRielle said they'd drop by after the boys' naps. I told them we had enough burgers for them to stay to eat if they'd like. She must have been a bit perplexed at my response. She brought brownies, I think. 

Jamin got lots of play time in with the boys....working on the favorite uncle title. Before today, Cory was the only one doing flips on the trampoline...by the end of the day he was joined by Jamin and Benny. 

Danny is getting brave

Jamin had a bit of a shadow. They moved on to ladder ball. 

Cory and the boys began a game of tag. 

We were thrilled when JaRissa stopped by. 

Surprise visits by kids, brauts, and watermelon - Mike's in his happy place! 

Look LIV! CyRi stopped by as well....our laid back (albeit a bit lonely) 4th had become an impromptu celebration. Or at least that is what it felt like to US. It turns out there was a group chat for planning the fourth I didn't receive....Arielle said she began to wonder why I hadn't commented. ROFLOL  We love the kids dropping by whenever, we had figured it was our turn to share...give them space....and they wondered why we weren't commenting. 

The Aunties and Livie

Liv and Danny

It was a great day!

 Jamin is in the process of buying a home in Wasilla. He'll be a bit closer to us - maybe. It's about an hour from where he currently lives. He is purchasing a 4 plex in Eagle River and has been living in one of the units. That one will be rented out and he is moving to a darling 3-bedroom house.  We drove out to check it out after everyone had gone home. 

It's in a great area and his improvements will increase the neighbor's property value...all in all a win.  He has a great big yard...a tad overgrown at this point. LOL  We'll have to visit again now that he's there and take a few tame photos. 

A Garden Date

 Bre told me Bella wanted to come spend time with me in the garden. I heartily endorse grands in the garden. I need HELP and if they begin to think it is fun...shoot I look forward to working myself out of a job. I can sit in the gazebo with lemonade and THEY can do the weeding and such. ROFLOL 

Bella came prepared. She wore a gardening shirt, brought her water bottle and her own gloves! I provided the hat and the trowel.  My goal for the afternoon was to get the zinnia's planted into tires, extra garden space etc. Stacia joined us. 

She picked radishes as her daddy loves them! 

She watered the melons. 

We sent her home with a bag full of garden treats. 

On the way back to her house, we stopped for other treats too. Bachan treats. LOL 

This was such a fun day I may have to hire myself out for afternoons in the garden with random kids when the grands no longer want to do this. 

Magical Visits

Cory has impressive trampoline skills. 

Nobody rides this horse like Danny!

 Go, Benny!

Precious times with Benny. 

Summers are wonderful! Afternoon summer visits with grandblessings are MAGICAL!