Jamin Takes CA by Storm

Jamin is Alaska's Realtor. I've written before about how he has been named a leading producer in Alaska in Keller Williams.... but THIS week...he's in California. 

Jamin was on a panel at the national Keller Williams conference speaking on using You Tube in real estate. He's certainly got that figured out. 

 

It was a full-packed room of 700.  He's received feedback from folks stopping him in the hallways. Best yet, he doesn't have any inclination to stay in California.  
 

AND today is Jamin's birthday! Happy Birthday.  We'll celebrate with you when you get home. 

Nature Break

Michael had an appointment in Anchorage and told me I didn't need to attend this doc appointment. I was happy to stay home. I planned on sitting inside, reading, napping....but at about 1:30 p.m. Stacia was done with school, GG was napping, and Alex was willing to come upstairs and listen for Grandpa. 

Stacia and I went out to explore the bike path along the river. It would be a PERFECT cross country ski route - EXCEPT the snowplows have plowed the highway - of COURSE - but we hadn't realized it would make a wall of snow between the path and the road. We drove along it for a time looking for a place to pull off and park and access the path. We didn't find such a spot. Eventually we drove down to a river park/campground.  It's closed for the season and the deserted paths through the campground are great for cross country skiing. It is obviously well used. 

 I didn't have all the skiing gear - but I enjoyed an OUTSIDE walk, which combined with my treadmill walk to make a very nice day of movement! It was AMAZING what being out in nature for that hour did for our perspective. We must do more of this...it's probably more important in the days when we just want to cocoon inside. 

Thanks for the fun break, Stacia! I enjoyed spending the time with you too. Next time, I'll bring snowshoes or Krista's skis.

SO GRATEFUL for the Girls!

 Michael preached today. That means we needed two vehicles today...and then we noted all the snow that came down overnight. Michael took time to shovel the ramp and a path for Dad to the van before he left. I got Dad ready, and he and I left to pick up a young man we love to give rides to. The girls opted to wait and come in later. 

Which is how WE got home and were SICK to see the snow had come off the roof while we were at church....and blocked the ramp and the front walk way again. AND THEN....we noticed...these two angels in the middle of the snow piles. 

I was so relieved and GRATEFUL to see them clearing the path. Dad and I just sat in the warm car and let them go to it....Michael got home a bit after us and he got out and helped. That's a LOT of snow that slid off the roof. 

Millie is the only one still thrilled with the snow. 

See all that snow????? We have even more about to come down in the main parking area...we are just waiting for it...and we aren't parking there just now. The last time it all slid off was Jan 1st or 2nd. 

Spring will arrive sometime....

February's Celebration

My Saturday began with a lot of kitchen prep work and then I ran out to meet with my Gather Table Group.  Gather Table is 6 women that gather for 2 hours once a month and discuss 4 quest(ions and more). It's our attempt to cut through Sunday morning small talk and develop some new authentic relationships. ANYWAY  - it was wonderful. 

When I came home Stacia and Allie had cleaned the house...and Stacia had made the Chicken Divan sauce. This afternoon/evening was our monthly family celebration. We had a LOT of birthdays and anniversaries this month. Jared missed his birthday last month as Noah was being born....we added him to this month...and threw in Noah as it was his .... Josiah, Livie, Nolan, Alex, and Jamin also had birthdays. BreZaak and us celebrated anniversaries.  Unfortunately, Jamin is in CA, Krista is in Guam, and Izaak, Nolan and Allie were working...we were missing 6+...but we had 22. LOL 

Livie, Jared and Noah, Alex, Josiah and Etta

📷by Larissa

Stacia made a smashmallow cake for Liv. 

Together we made a cookie dough ice cream cake for the others. 

I've gotten ahead of myself. Cy, Carrie, Liv and Etta arrived first.  Shortly after their arrive Cory, Arielle and the boys arrived. Benny wanted to know if I still had his skis here. Yes, I did!  Stacia suited up and went outside with them. 

Danny has never been a lover of the cold, but he seems to be more accepting this year. 

📷by Arielle

WAIT! Little Buddy is making off with the ski poles! I wish you could see his face in the next photo - soon. 

📷by Arielle

📷by Arielle

Look at this little guy's face! Benny was EXCITED that the skis worked better this year. One more year of growth and they're perfect. We need to have him over more to ski around the yard. 

📷by Arielle

In no time at all Jared and Larrisa arrived with the star of today. This is Noah's first family celebration, and it was the first time for some to meet Noah.  Grandpa meets his newest great grandchild. 

Dad and Noah 📷by Larissa

Biggest smile Dad has had in a long time

Aunt Stacia and Noah 

Benny had met Noah when he helped Arielle deliver a meal but today - the little boys got to meet Noah. They were suitably impressed. 

📷by Larissa

Lots of playing going on....

📷by Carrie

While I scurried around with meal prep...and who knows WHAT else...Michael had some long, leisurely time to cuddle with Noah. 

Bre and her children arrived. Annie was fascinated with Noah. It was sweet to watch her little face. 

Jojo had to touch and rub his leg. 

I realized I don't have a photo of Trudy. Believe it or not she slept in her car seat through most of the day. LOL After Michael went down to the basement to work on a sermon, and everyone else went home I got snuggle time with Noah....and it was precious.  GG got more time with Noah too. Larissa snapped this 4 generation shot. Jared, Me, Noah and Dad. 

📷by Larissa

Such sweet moments. I'm glad JaRissa could stay a bit. 

📷by Larissa

We are all so excited for Larissa and Jared. There just aren't words. 

📷by Carrie

Annie kept coming back for new looks throughout the day. 

📷by Carrie

It's getting crowded when we meet inside. Spring/Summer/Fall are coming. 

📷by Carrie

Annie wanted to show me her darling dress. 

The steam breathing dragon is always a hit with the grands. 

We scheduled a couple of moose come by to entertain the children. 

Danny & Uncle Jared

📷by Larissa

Liv, Egga, Benny, Gideon, Bella 📷by Carrie

Larissa and Bre 📷by Carrie

We began looking around and counting. Eleven children. When we moved to Alaska our table was "full" with our children and Bella. Bre and Arielle were pregnant. Now, five years later the table is REALLY full with 11 kids and 11 adults...and 6 - 8 were missing. Times are changing. 

Thanks so much to Arielle, Carrie and Larissa for taking photos and sending them to me. It's fun to have different perspectives...though somehow we got not even one photo of Carrie or Trudy...next month. 

Squishmallow Cake

Stacia has been busy again. This cute cake is for tomorrow's  family celebration.

We will celebrate anniversaries, adult boys birthdays and Livie's 10th birthday.

Homeschool Transition

With the kids all moving into college, I'm moving OUT of homeschooling and Michael is moving into the roll of editor. At the end of a long week, he has his work cut out for him going over papers with Stacia and Allie. 

Stacia is submitting her first college paper. 

Allie is working on a composition for Comp 101 - and not LOVING all the boxes the prof forces one into....but doing a good job on it nonetheless. 

For both girls the assignments seem to be all about learning the format at this point. Fun writing continues for both girls but not yet in this setting. LOL 

Sad (me) and Mad (Michael)

 

SHOOT! We have owls, but they've NEVER given us trouble with the chickens. Today, one of them got in and killed and devoured one of our Barred Plymouth hens.  We still aren't 100% sure HOW the owl maneuvered in - but it did. Stacia found it still feasting....

This hen was a bit more adventurous than the others.  She either didn't note the danger or didn't run to the safety provided as the others did. Maybe she was the slowest. 

We're currently studying spiritual warfare and I can't help but think this is an example that will preach.