Be Still My Heart

Oh the delightfulness of these cuties! My heart. What dolls.  Look at the two newest family members - Gherkins. 

Trudy (BreZaak's) is 2 1/2 months old

Noah and Mama at Docs

Trudy and Mama

Yeah, I know, but WE'RE counting it as Noah's first smile! 

Noah (JaRissa's) at 2 weeks old

Hello Sunshine! 

Sisters!

Trudy and Bella

 Jared went back to work Monday. Noah and Larissa are going solo - and they are spectacular. 

All photos were supplied by mamas other than me. 

A LONG, Productive Day

 I did not break ANY eggs this a.m. Unfortunately, I had to collect eggs at 0730 and the hens had only laid 4 eggs. 

This morning's workout is brought to you by all YouTube Kids. The boys are loving the Hulk Chase. 

 

We moved into their room to play "hot lava." Hot lava involves balls and keep the 2 year olds off the top bunk. LOL 

The boys humored me by making more artwork for my empty gallery. I told them all the Christmas cards were down and I needed MORE drawings. It's fun to watch their imaginations at work. 

Michael hauled in towers of boxes. 

I ran to Carr's to pick up Dad's meds. 

I ran to the library to pick up a book for Stacia (and I found more for myself). 

Michael took Dad to get a paper notarized and to mail said paper to his lawyer. 

I packed up some books of Allie's we needed to return to our charter school. Michael drove them over. 

He stopped and bought another snow shovel...ugh!!! Those things are NOT cheap. The snow doesn't seem to be letting up...so...what you gonna do? 

While Michael was gone I finished packing away CHRISTMAS. Yes, CHRISTMAS. The problem with celebrating on Jan 6th is that the schedule is in full swing and there is no down time to pack things away..... This year it was even more complicated as I lost time due to the concussion.  Last night we took down the tree. Michael helped me string the lights around the windows. 

Last year we had a fall tree, Christmas tree, Valentine's tree, Iditarod tree and Easter tree...in other words it didn't come down until April.  This year we tried moving the tree from the corner to one of the center walls. I NEEDED my living room space back. I didn't love the tree in the middle of the room. I realized the thing I loved about the tree was the lights through the winter...so we kept the lights. LOL 

We couldn't find the tubs to pack away ornaments, but everything else is packed into boxes and things are back in their right places. I'll deal with the ornaments tomorrow. 

Stacia and I made dinner - cauliflower nuggets, ribs, homemade biscuits, and salad. Yum.  She's off to work on her Bible study and I'm about to join Michael and GG in the living room to relax at the end of a long, but productive day. 

Ugh - what a mess

 If a picture is worth 1000 words....This picture should scream volumes! 

Going about my morning chores - jumping back into life... 

...and then! BAM!  I slipped on the ice/snow...and went down. My head landed softer this time...and I just have a minor headache....

I had collected 12 eggs. 

I broke 10 of them. 

You'll be happy to know I made it to the compost box without further incident. 

Since I can't possibly write a post that is focus' only on the boos.....here are some of the Yay's of being back in Alaska. 

1. family

2. tea

3. candles

White Sandy Beaches to White Snowy Mountains

Michael and I transported between white sands and white snow...78 degrees to 6 degrees. 

Bellows Beach 

It snowed while we were gone....

A Moosey Welcoming Committee

It's a very Alaskan thing to plan for a winter getaway to somewhere with sun! and warmth. We participated in this practice for the first time this year. We flew home today from a glorious week in Hawaii. I will spend time in the upcoming week blogging our Hawaiin adventures. 

One thing fellow Alaskans had not warned us about, is the disorientation and SHOCK when one comes back to Alaska from Hawaii, Arizona, or Florida mid-winter.  We found ourselves asking, "Now, WHY did we all migrate to Alaska? What IS it we love about Alaska?"

Josiah was at home watching GG when we arrived. He had shoveled the driveway!  He's done the mid-winter thing every year. Sensing our disorientation, he suggested we take a nap (that red-eye flight is a killer). I had been up for 29 hours at this point and Michael was closing in on 24 hours. 

After our nap we ran out for some dinner supplies and to deliver gifts to BreZaak and CoRielle. The bracing WIND and blowing snow in town made me turn to Michael and ask what we were both thinking, "What do we love about Alaska? Can you remember?"

He promptly replied, "Summer!" ::snort:: 

As we visited with Bre and kids and CoRielle and kids it came back to me....we love Alaska because of all these faces in one place. 

I asked Arielle, "Do you ever wonder why we didn't all migrate to Hawaii instead of Alaska?" ::snort:: 

In all seriousness there were pieces of our family we needed to meet in Alaska, like that little cutie in the middle. And we DO love Alaska. God placed exactly where he wanted us - regardless of the long winters.  We are here because God, and Alaska, called us here. End of story. 

We have decided to save up for an annual getaway. Afterall, "When in Rome, do as the Romans." 

I managed to get our food co-op order submitted while enjoying my first cup of tea in over a week.!

Dad decided to go to bed immediately after dinner. The girls, Michael and I watched episode 7 of Season 3 of The Chosen.  The girls went to bed. It's good to be home. 

BTW if I did it right with the scheduled post over the past week you never guessed we were out of town. Did we manage it? Security and all that....

Better Late Than Never

 My birthday this year spread over weeks.

Annie and I celebrated together at our monthly family celebration.

I was very busy on the actual day this year. I spent the morning with the CoRielle's boys and I spent the afternoon at food co-op. 

 Finally, we found a moment for those who live in the house to celebrate. We went out to noisy goose, one of my favorite restaurants and had ice cream and gifts.

I was showered with gift cards, certificate for a pedicure, lovely tea pot necklace, coffee card, Michael's gift card and more. It was worth the wait. 

*All photos by Allie. 

Making Memories with Aunty Coco

 While we were sitting on Waikiki beach, the girls sent these photos to us. WHAT? LOL  ICE FISHING with toddlers is quite an under-taking.  Looking closely, I noted Aunty Co-co in the back!!!

Arielle, Benny, Danny, Aunty Co-co, Cory 

Krista's job just now involves lots of time away from home and Alaska. She routinely flies to Hawaii, Guam and I've even heard tales of a trip to Japan in the works....and she has a unit she is responsible for in Australia as well.  I've watched her very intentionally investing in family relationships and friendships whenever possible. 

She borrowed Josiah's ice-fishing gear and invited CoRielle to join her to make some family memories with Aunty. What a great idea! 

Honestly, as Arielle said, "...ice fishing with two toddlers isn't for the faint of heart." BUT they made it work and had a grand adventure.  And in the end THIS face says it all! 

Cars and trucks on the ICE...a tent on the ICE...drilling a hole in the ICE... Danny was not sure at all about this idea. This boy is going to LOVE the warm days in Hawaii that I see in his future. 

Such a good daddy! What a blessing he is. 

In the end, even Danny was happy for the adventure! Way to go guys! 

*All photos from Krista and Arielle

Noah's Accomplishment

Photo via JaRissa

 WooHoo! Guess who has regained all of his birth weight?!?! Way to go!

Such a sweet little gentleman, it's already impossible to imagine the family before his arrival.