Three Months Today

The girls went out for what is most likely their last cross-country adventure of this winter. We may still get an Easter snowstorm...but the temps are in the 20's/30's and things are starting to melt during the day and freeze again at night. It makes for some amazing icicles,  but icier than ideal trails.  I can't tell you how much Stacia has enjoyed having a ready skiing partner in the house.

Several have asked how Stacia is doing with a younger sister in the house. Stacia is actually the first one who thought we should open our home to Melia (other than the ones who called to make the need known).  Stacia has taken to her role of big sister like a duck to water. ::snort:: Melia seems to love having a big sister in the house. 

After spending time with them recently, Bre, our eldest Gherkin, reminded Stacia of the daily prayers she prayed for a little sister. I remember explaining to Stacia we can ask God for anything, but He gets to decide how He will answer and it's not always yes. Sometimes it's no or wait.  While Stacia prayed, I got pregnant one more time, and we thought God was answering her prayer...but I miscarried twins. 

And so, the years continued on.... as we've done the math, we realize little girl Stacia was praying for her little sister every day during the time when newborn Melia was born and growing into a toddler. 

Who knows how this all works? We don't.its above our pay grade. I'm glad God sorts out all our prayers. As Stacia said, "How strange to think God may have been answering a prayer I forgot I prayed." God remembers. 

In any event these two had a near immediate bond and they both are enjoying their new role as they grow into them. 

Melia has been in our home three months today.

(Disclaimer: both girls have complete winter gear, snow pants, jackets, gloves, hats etc. They say they get too hot to wear it all when they are skiing. Their gloves are in their pockets at this point.)

That Week in March

 We try to live life open handed - loving those God brings into our lives and knowing He sometimes moves people out as well as into our lives. We try to live fully present and available to God. Some would express it as, "God has our yes." 

Living this way means some weeks are messy and a bit more dramatic than expected or appreciated. There were some lows in the past week, some anxiety, and some highs. The best thing for me to do was to "go silent" online and go loud in the "prayer closet" and take care of the things which needed attention. 

Monday found Melia and us picking up her sister's things and moving them to a new location. There have been a variety of discussions. Everyone is well and life is settling into new routines. 

In the process our names, as well as Melia's, were shared with several authorities. We are totally honest and above board with all. Through all the discussions we WERE able to get Melia empaneled with the Native Health Clinic in the valley. This means we were able to start trauma therapy, and it is our understanding we can get much of her health care through them rather than dealing with the fact that she was removed from Medicaid, and we can't add her to our private insurance.  This was an unexpected answer to prayer in the midst of "a week."  

We are still "halfway" expecting more calls...but who knows? Maybe not. We returned calls as asked - the ball is not in our court at this point. If you're a praying person, we welcome continued prayers for wisdom as we seek to be good guardians/parents to Melia. 

In addition to unexpected drama, we also had haircuts, life group, Hail Mary release in the theater,  a meeting with other coaches for an upcoming women's event, game nights and a PROM. 

It was a full week. 

Prom Number One

Melia is attending two proms this year, and tonight was the first one: The Matsu Valley Homeschool Prom. Before the moment pictured below, there was a flurry of activity. 

We began planning two months ago. We began shopping 1 1/2 months ago. LOL Melia invited her high school sister to join her. We were told the prom was for high school students - and then later that it was for 14 - 20-year-olds. We worked on a variety of scenarios to have both sisters spend the night and have dinner... and in the end coming off the crazy week and new schedules we decided it would be best to focus on the dance and skip the sleepover.  The girls planned to come out after school for the dance.

Arielle stopped over to transform Melia's long hair into a 20's themed bob. I was amazed at the process. It took about 100 bobby pins and half a can of hair spray. ::wink::  She began by making a bunch of braids and securing them in coils on the back of Melia's head. Then she curled and twisted and covered it all up with S Curls and such....

They are already planning a medieval style

Tada! A Bob!

Bre and the kids dropped by. Bella and Annie stayed to keep us company as Rebekah dropped by to do Melia's make up. The girls were a bit starry eyed. Gideon, Jojo and Bre ran to the store and came back with carnations that matched Melia's dress. 

Melia, Bella, Gideon, Trudy, Arielle and Bre in back

Meanwhile our Anchorage contingent was rushing out to the valley and there was another flurry of preparations for 15 yo sister.  I was glad we had the foresight to warn those we had planned to meet at 4 that the timing was going to be too tight for pictures at the bridge. 

We all left for dinner around 7:30 p.m.  The girls headed over to the dance around 9 p.m.  They had a couple of hours to enjoy the fun.  A surprise of the evening is that they allowed 13 yo sister to stay as well. 

We had hoped to stop for ice cream after the dance, but everything shuts down before 11:00 p.m. around here. 

It was a fun evening. Melia was surprised how inappropriately some dressed and acted...I told her our rules stand. LOL She's curious to see if it's a different group and how the groups compare at the IDEA prom in May. 

(Disclaimer: We are aware this is not the IDEA prom. We saw the notice of it at IDEA and thought it was. Melia will also go to the IDEA Prom in May and then we can compare the two.)

This Girl is on Fire!

Here it is - a terribly braggy parental post. Melia worked hard and has finished all the credits she had begun her 10th grade year. She did this in TWO and a HALF MONTHS - and she did it online, full year courses, in a state approved, online program for teens who need such a service.  She earned 2 A's and 2 B's....which is much better than her previous GPA.  Michal has been talked into $40 for each A. One of those B's was 88% but he hasn't budged as to a sliding scale. ::wink::*

Our contact teacher called Monday. I had left a message Thursday that Melia was about to finish, and I needed new courses added.  She called Monday. She said she pulled up Melia's account and thought something had happened because the screen was blank. Then she noted all the courses were under the completed tab. I guess she didn't think I knew what I was talking about.  She kept saying, "She finished all her course work in March." 

You may remember we had been told they would grant full credit for these courses if Melia could finish them by June 30th.  I said she could. Melia proved me right. She said the whole office is following our progress. She is the first student to finish this year's coursework; she completed all assignments and is moving on to the Freshman work she missed. 

They agreed with me that we need to find a more challenging courseload for Melia's Junior year, one that may take her the entire 9 months to finish. I am not sure she's ready for Sonlight which has a lot more reading than she's been exposed to. Online is working well for Melia so we are looking at a couple of "beefier" online programs.  Meanwhile, we'll make up her 9th grade classes and spend the summer working on the "holes" the MAPS testing revealed. 

(* Not to worry about Melia's finances. In addition to her A money, she earns $20 weekly taking care of children during our small group and we are taking care of her needs....and quite a few wants as well. )

March Family Gathering

This Saturday we hosted our monthly Family Gathering. Our celebrants for March are Cory, GG, Kaelyn (from afar), and Ellie. We missed celebrating Josi and Livie in Feb (they were traveling) so we had them join the singing crew.  We had a Taco bar, Ice Cream Cake and Earthquake cake. 

Ellie and Josi are both 2 now! AND LIV is a teenager. 

It is joyful chaos during these winter gatherings. I begin to wonder if maybe we'll be able to be outside the next time we are together....There is still a lot of snow out there. Michael is predicting the traditional Easter Snowstorm. 

GG turned 85 on the 15th. 

Melia, Jojo, Gideon, Benny, Annie, Bella & Livie

Michael and Melia carried out my vision to cover the tables in newsprint. I misplaced the tablecloths in the great organizational remake of Dec. The newsprint was a hit! I'll probably continue to do it. What it lacked in prettiness it made up for in creativity. Maybe I'll make some word hunts next month. LOL 

Yeah, we probably won't be playing outside next month....Pregnant moose keeps visiting. 

Trudy and Melia

Cousins - Charles & Noah

Josi

Ellie

Noah 

What a blessing it is to watch these "little ones" grow. I mean it's fun to watch Cory and Dad grow...but such changes we get to observe in the little ones. Each personality unique, all loved madly by Papa and Bachan. 

The day took a dramatic turn with a couple of unexpected phone calls and texts, but not everything is fit to be shared online. 

Note: Nolan, Stacia, Arielle, Michael and I were also present. Just missed the cameras. ::snort:: 

Friday Fun

 School is over for the week, and Melia is moving on to her afternoon activities. CoRielle brought the kids by for a couple of hours. Benny had fun watching the making of Rice Krispy Treats. Melia joined Stacia for a student government sponsored game night at the college. These got  a bit too hot and ended up crunchy like the brownie brittle you can buy. They were totally consumed so it didn't hurt anything.  

We received another fun package from Luke and Krista this week. We will save it for the kids to pick out what they want but she told us to pull out the makeup stuff for Melia and this little game is perfect for when the kids are over. 

There is a little chick safe in the shell...until you begin putting swords into the shell. At some poit the egg explodes and the chick pops out. 

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Bre is the master of throwing a theme party! She invited a houseful of friends to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with her and the children. 

Bre asked the kids questions about the day and about Saint Patrick and she also had a game for them to do in teams. The food, of course, was all green. There were green light bulbs, banners and leprechaun prints throughout the house. It was darling. 

Melia enjoyed playing with the children and I enjoyed visiting with the moms. It was a fun outing. 

Larissa brought some corn beef, cabbage and carrots. I was glad she and Noah came out for the day. 

Larissa & Trudy 

Cousins

Me and Bre

Girl group

Loved catching up with Stacy 

Larissa & Noah

Melia & Trudy

Arielle & children

Arielle & Ellie

Pile on auntie

Noah asked me to come into the playhouse with him....

  

I had plans to go out and shop for two gatherings I am hosting and a few things dad needed. In the end, I fell asleep for "just a bit." Melia finished most her school and succumbed to the temptation of a nap as well. 

We keep having far too many leftovers in the fridge. We had yet another yoyo dinner tonight. Stacia is at classes until after 9 p.m.