Archangel Adventure

 It was COLD today, but Stacia and Melia have been planning a cross-country ski outing all week. Melia now has all the snow gear, and they agreed to be wise.  They drove to Archangel and started their adventure. 

Drama queen! LOL 

Melia said she was warm to hot....score for the winter gear! Melia fell much less today, tackled some hills and is getting more confident! 

February Family Gathering

We did not have family gatherings November - January choosing to let the Holidays be the "gathering." This had pros and cons. It made for an easier schedule for some of us and created conflicts for others. We were looking forward to getting back to normal in February. Michael and I messed that up. We agreed to facilitate a parenting workshop on the Saturday.  This pushed gathering back a week...and wreaked havoc with others' schedules. We have learned. We will NOT schedule anything on the 3rd Saturday from here on out. Between traveling, moves, illnesses, rid- alongs with the police department...we ended up with our smallest family gathering yet - only 12 of us. It was STILL good to gather. 

February was a hard month for many of us. We miss Josiah and it was his birthday as well as the anniversary of the trial. It was good to meet and celebrate Josi, Nolan, Liv, Alex, and Jamin's birthdays - as well as BreZaak and our anniversaries.

Benny, Papa, Arielle, GG, Cory, Ellie, Danny, Nolan, Charles
Stacia, Melia

CoRielle brought a fun game to introduce to us...Let's Hit Each Other with Fake Swords. I didn't play but what I observed was a round of cards to determine who would duel and then duels. 

Arielle & Stacia

Benny & Uncle Nolan

Nolan, Melia, Benny, Arielle & Cory

Arielle & Danny

Nolan was the only celebrant who was present. 

Gluten Free cupcakes 

Melia's family immigrated from Japan to Hawaii. Her grandmother used to make a Hawaiian Guava cake that was most asked for at Potlucks. Melia wanted to make a guava cake for us. We hunted up the guava nectar and she baked away. I know the photo isn't great, but the cake was DELICIOUS. I could only have a sliver as its quite full of sugar...but I plan to make an 8x8 sugar free cake the next time they serve this. We sent a plate home to Bre and her sick family and they loved it too. 

Guava cake - kid approved

Ye' old Arm-Wrestling competition

Ellie liked the cake so much she LICKED the tray

It was a fun day. We dearly missed those who weren't able to be with us this month, but we are also very thankful for those who are here.  GG asked Michael to do some repairs on his walker brakes. 

Fun Outing

This is a day Melia has been counting down to for quite some time. There was a movie she was sure she wanted to watch; she'd watched the earlier ones. We had told her we weren't interested as we don't like scary. Life has been scary enough. LOL  She couldn't attend without an 18-year-old so we sort of thought it would die out...but never underestimate the power of the sisterhood. ::snort:: 

Melia and her sisters talked the mom from their new home to take them. It was a fun night for the girls. 

The three of us drove into town and made a quick Costco run. 

Next on our agenda was treating Melia to dinner at her favorite spot - Caines. 

She and I spent some quality time at Burlington's. 

The spontaneous squeals when the girls saw Melia brought smiles to our faces. 

Melia went into her theater. 

We opted to find another that was playing....I Can Only Imagine 2. I hadn't heard of the movie. It was good. It was a tear inducing in places.

Melia enjoyed herself but told us she wouldn't be going to future movies in this franchise. It was worse than she expected. 

She needed to unwind when we got home as she and Stacia donned a different kind of masks.

Michael laughingly checked out her closet and under her bed for her before she went to sleep. We circled and prayed she'd sleep well....and she did. 

 

A Momentous Evening

Michael and I were the only ones aware the evening was momentous... and that was fine. We led a small group in our home for the first time since Oct 19, 2023.

Photo from our church center profile

As we began to feel it was time for us to get back on our feet and back into the game, we discussed the things we enjoyed doing most. We did NOT want to fill our schedule as much as it was in 2023.  We loved meeting weekly in a small group. We offered to lead a group in our town. The small group coordinator felt the timing wasn't right. It was fall of 2024 and had been a year since Josiah's murder. She felt we needed to join a group and be supported and cared for, that our season of rest and being poured into wasn't over. We told her we couldn't find a group in the valley. She knew of a group in Palmer and though the group was closed they accepted us. 

She was so right. She cared for us - rather than rushing us into service. It was so needed and such a tangible manifestation of compassion. 

We loved our Tuesday night group, and they were a strong support to us through the trial and sentencing of Josiah's murderer. We even met the couple who now live in the home we had lived in in 2002.  We continued with this group in 2024 and 2025.

We loved being back in community so much that in Oct 2025 we joined a second small group when our first group need to take an extended break. Through the fall and up to Christmas we attended both - our Tuesday and Thursday communities.  

We both began to feel it really was time for us to volunteer to lead again. We contacted the Small Group Director at church, went through the process of applying and interviewing and made plans to start a 2nd group in Palmer in March. Our Tuesday night group had to disband in January, and we weren't yet prepared to lead in January. We talked with our leaders, and they agreed we should talk to the Small Group Coordinator as we are looking to start a campus out here and there will be a need for community in the valley.  

Fast forward to this week.  March is approaching. We've been praying...God has our yes, but we aren't sure how people will find us to begin attending. Our Thursday night group needed hosting this week. We stepped in and marveled that here we are...leading a life group in our home for the first time in 2 1/2 years...restoration. 

We will begin leading Sojourners - a small group for sojourners in our valley next Thursday night...March 4th - but tonight was a big step back into serving the family of God again. 

Michael has been able to do pulpit fill quite a bit the past few months and this has also been a blessing. We are back to doing the things we know we are uniquely called to do - wiser, slower, carrying a new depth...but we are so humbled to see God's guidance through the dark valley of the past few years. 

Nerf Battles of Feb 2026

Arielle has had the flu this week. She and Bre had a plan to get the kids to the homeschool Nerf Battles and Bre would do something special with Joisah and Danny. At least, I gather that was the plan.  I had hoped to spend a few hours helping out again today, but our Thursday had some unexpected opportunities.  I was happy to pick up Benny and Danny in the morning as I wouldn't be able to spend the afternoon keeping them quiet for Arielle.  Bre and her kids decided to stay away from germ. 

Melia wanted to come and got up early to come with me. We picked up the boys and arrived at the Burrough Gym before anyone else. We waited in the WARM car (negative temps lately). Eventually, the doors opened and tables were set up, bullets were spread in a pile in the center of the gym, teams were chosen and the kids had fun. This was the K-4th grade group so Danny couldn't play. I suggested we stay so Melia could participate with the 5th - 12th grade group but it didn't interest her. 

Benny in Orange

Melia and Danny

I got permission from Arielle to take the boys to lunch before I brought them home ready for quiet hour. We tried one place in town, but their machines were down and as I looked around, I knew our local McDonald's is much cleaner. The boys were asking to go see "the uncles" by this time so we headed over to McDonald's. Nolan wasn't in sight, but they enjoyed seeing Alex. 

Danny, Benny & Melia

Cheese! 

We dropped the boys off at their home and came home where Melia worked on school and I cleaned house and made soup. 

An Accomplishment, A Funny and A Busy Afternoon

 

LOOK AT THAT!!!! Physical Science is a course Melia was taking at Chugiak. We enrolled her in Acellus Academy. We couldn't enroll her for 1/2 a course, so she did the ENTIRE course and finished it! Look at that grade - an A!!!!! She is on track to finish the remaining 3 courses she had started at Chugiak by the end of March.  Our plan is to then take the 2nd half of the courses she took her freshman year.  She is getting it done and we couldn't be more impressed with her! 

Word about Mountain Meadows, Dad's home, is getting out and they have had many new residents move in. Dad called and could barely suppress his humor. One of the new gentlemen evidently wanders. As he was getting his pills at bedtime one of the employees mentioned he should close his door. She said she doesn't think the mister would take anything but he has been wandering. Dad laughed out loud. The gentlemen had come in while Dad was laying down, looked around and left with Dad's walker. He told the employee he just let him leave and figured he'd get his walker in the morning as he was already in bed. They went and retrieved it for him.  I told Dad sometimes as we age our minds get a bit confused. ::snort:: 

I got a message mid-day that Arielle was in bad shape, and I'll spare you TMI.  Benny (8) was valiantly doing all he could to help. I headed over after nap time. We did dishes, played Castle Keep, read Narnia and I fed them dinner. I stayed until Cory came home. 

While it was too cold to play outside today (negative temps), their garage is outfitted for kids. We spent a good 20 minutes burning off energy in the garage. 

Benny

Jumping and Dancing

Ellie on the balance board

Wrestling!

Michael took Melia to a sibling game night at Nolan's and called to ask what I'd like him to order at a favorite restaurant of ours. We met in town, enjoyed a quiet dinner and visit....and that salmon is STILL in the fridge. 

Navigating Guardianship

Melia is doing so well with school!!!! She is on schedule to finish her 10th grade classes by the end of March. We plan to add in the 9th grade classes she missed at that point and get caught up! 

The big event today centered around my interactions with the Department of Public Assistance. It was our understanding when Melia's father signed over guardianship of her that her Denali KidCare was in effect until March 31st and that a renewal form would be filled out to continue KidCare until she was 18.  We all assumed it was a given. ::snort:: 

I confidently began to schedule care: dentist, oral surgery to correct a tongue tie, looking to braces, new patient with a doctor out here and I finally tracked down a counselor/therapy clinic that will take KidCare.  We felt good about the care plan we had initiated. All the offices took our paperwork for authorizing care.  Then in the middle of the week, one by one, each place called back to say Melia was "ineligible for care" with KidCare (Medicaid). WHAT? She's supposed to be covered through March.  I emailed the notarized guardian paperwork to the Department of Public Assistance (DPA) so they could talk to me about what was going on. I was told to give it 2 - 5 days to process and then call back. That DPA line is NOT for the faint of heart!!!!! I could give them suggestions on hold music...

I called back again today; they had the paperwork and were happy to talk with me.  Bottom line - she's been removed from the program.  They said I need to begin a new application for her, and it is to be based on "the total income of the household where she RESIDES."   She resides with us. There are no plans for her to reside with her father. Our income is above the income level to qualify for KidCare. Please understand we HAVE explored simply adding her to Tricare and paying the copays ourselves. We cannot add her to DEERS with a voluntary guardianship arrangement.  I asked the kind man at DPA, "Who can help me get her insured as both private insurance and public assistance are telling me she falls through the cracks of who they insure?" He suggested I contact our family lawyer. 

 I called the family lawyer. The receptionist asked some questions and said yes, they can help us. I knew it was unlikely I'd get answers over the phone. We have a consult with him on Friday - $257.  It's o.k. Melia has some questions she wants answered and we have some questions we need answered too...always good to have a lawyer on board. I suspect we are going to need to legally codify the agreement between us and her father. 

Melia decided to make banana bread. We have been perfecting a whole wheat, sugar free recipe. I think she has it this time. Melia is my personal baker. LOL 

Melia talked to her sisters. Michael and I watched a podcast we need to view for our life group - spicey marriage questions that quite honestly were NOTHING like the spice I've fielded on PWOC panels on the same topics. ::snort:: 

The three of us then discussed the need to postpone medical care until the lawyer wades in as well as her and our views of what the future looks like (You know Lord willing and if the creek don't rise). We are committed to love her, provide a safe home for her, parent her, nurture her, catch her up in school, and keep contact with her family of origin. Our commitment to her well-being doesn't stop when she is 18. We are here to be whatever she wants us to be throughout her life.  We have committed to her. We can take this a step at a time as it unfolds.  We are not going to think this is all too much trouble and kick her out. We WILL figure out the insurance. If she really needs care before we have things in place for private insurance or before she's back on KidCare we WILL pay it out of pocket. The appointments I had made were up in the thousands of dollars - so if we CAN get insurance on board before proceeding that is the best financial option.  She knows we are only looking out for HER best. It seems like this should be so simple...minor needs safe haven, we provide it, society supports that endeavor, everyone wins. 

 By the time we had thoroughly discussed these things the three of us no longer wanted a salmon dinner.