Big Catch Up - Shew it's been busy.

 Life has been really busy. We have been catching Melia up on much "delayed medical attention."  We have also been busy with life, school and church.   The easiest way to catch up since May 7th is do a giant "catch up"....

May 7th - Bella and Annie surprised us in the middle of lifegroup! Check out this lovely flower bouquet from Bella! Bella is growing into a very thoughtful young lady. 

May 8th - Melia had a dental appointment. The purpose of this is to take care of a tongue tie. They referred us to oral surgery in Anchorage as well as to Orthodontics out here. Thankfully, there are no pictures of this appointment. 

We also had CoRielle's children over for a few hours, got out the summer toys and had a fire...Post and photos to follow. 

May 9th - Melia and I met with her sister Akemi and her foster mom at a mall in Anchorage. We had a really good time shopping for dresses for Akemi's graduation. Both Melia and Akemi got beautiful, sparkly dresses.  I was introduced to Korean hot dogs. I'm a fan.

May 10th - Mother's Day - Post and photos to follow. 

May 11th - Melia and I visited her youngest sister, Amika. We also saw the dietician and Melia's primary care physician at the Valley Native Primary Care Center. We continue to be impressed with the clinic and the care she is receiving.  

May 13th - I met in Eagle River with Kimber to discuss new ways to be involved in women's ministry. While I met with Kimber, Melia was able to meet up with Ayana, her oldest 1/2 sister. Ayana is 21 and was home for Mother's Day. The girls had a nice visit and then I took them to lunch at Lime Leaf.  I didn't take photos. 

While we were occupied Michael had a spinal MRI, one step closer to understanding his constant pain. 

Bre and children came by for a make up campfire and s'mores. Post and photos to follow. 

Melia ended the evening at a Sibling Game Night at Nolan and Alex's. 

May 14th  -  I took Melia to the nail salon for a 2-hour appointment. She had acrylic nails installed. ::snort:: She wanted the nails by Akemi's graduation and hopes they'll last through our Idaho trip.  Kathy at Dream Nails did a great job. 

Melia had an orthodontic evaluation. They confirmed she needs braces. They seconded the referral to the Oral Surgeon in Anchorage. 

Life group is growing and we needed 2 tables tonight, 16 of us. This is fun. We started late in the year and its sad the year is ending just as we're digging in. We plan to offer a summer schedule - fire and s'mores so we can still maintain connection. 

May 15th -  The highlight of our day was having CoRielle's kids over. Tea party!!!!

May 16th  - Melia and Stacia attended the Alaska Bible College commencement. It's hard to believe Stacia has finished her junior year of college. 

In the afternoon the family gathered -Post and photos to follow. 

May 17th - Impact Alaska - This is an event that is gathering momentum. It's one Sunday when the church goes out in the community. This year 17 churches and 2 organizations from Fairbanks to Homer participated. ACF changed oil, paid down gas, did yardwork, delivered doughnuts, cleaned and painted parks, cleaned up schools and a senior center.  Mike and Melia joined a group delivering doughnuts to first responders and businesses in the valley.  I was ill.  No photos. However, Larissa shared a photo and a story.  Noah and Larissa joined a group in Eagle River to drop off doughnuts. At the ended they had a final prayer huddle. The lady next to NOah asked if he wanted to hold her hand for the prayer. He took that as a signal it was his turn to say the prayer. He said, "Thank you Jesus for Noah and mama and dada and thank you for the snacks that are sooooooo nummy!" 

May 18th - The MRI discovered the source of Michael's back pain. He not only has arthritis of the L4 L5 vertebrae, but he also has two cysts on either side of his spine at that point. This impinges on the spinal nerves resulting in near constant pain. Somewhere from 2 - 8 depending on if he is simply sitting or if he's trying to walk or twisting. SO...until the VA and cardiologist give all the approvals for surgery, he is sitting a LOT and trying not to twist, lift, stand or walk too far. Given the size and placement of the cysts the doc wants to do surgery rather than trying to rupture them. He thinks there is less chance of complications. 

May 19th  - Melia and I drove into Anchorage for Akemi's 8th grade graduation. It was a fun day. Alena, Melia's 15 yo sister,  was there with the Guardian Ad Litum, April, Ingrid, Tim and Chelsea....it was fun. Alena had to go back to school after the graduation. April and I took Akemi and Melia to lunch and then I took the girls out to take photos. Post and photos to follow - maybe if I get time to edit faces. 

Stacia, Melia and I went to "The Sheep Detective," in the evening. We enjoyed the movie. 

May 20th - Melia and I drove to the ANC in Anchorage for an Oral Surgeon consult. He irritated me when he repeated chided her for not having this taken care of years ago. Grrr.... he kept asking, "Why didn't you take care of this earlier?" Until I pointed out, she is a minor and her father didn't take her in. She is on meds and we'll go back in a week to see if he decides it's time to take care of the problem. 

May 21st - The girls and I began clearing out the storage/library room to make a summer room for Allie. We bought a bed frame and some drawers....moved boxes and organized. We couldn't move the treadmill and Michael couldn't help. 

At Lifegroup Chandler showed us how to make s'more in foil. Yummm....and then he single-handedly moved the stubborn treadmill. Allie's summer room is ready. 

I discovered someone had totally dismantled the decorations at Josiah's gravesite. I determined to remedy the situation. Other graves were still decorated. 

May 22nd - Allie is home! What a long trip - but she did fly first class on the longest leg of the journey. No, not true. The layover was the longest leg. ::snort:: 

Charles helped me attempt to put the volleyball net up. "Hmmm....Bachan we need Papa's duct tape!" 

May 23rd - Melia and I took Arielle and the kids out for a BIRTHDAY BREAKFAST. It's Arielle's birthday.  

This was Ellie's first or second time in a restaurant. She watched everyone tell the waitress their order and then interupted....."Um...I nummies please."  ::snort:: 

After breakfast Melia and I took the boys shopping for gifts. It was a great little trip. 

I stopped by and had tea with Josiah and made sure his site is fully decorated. 

When I got back home Nolan was at the house and a night of games and laughter commenced. Post to follow. 

May 24th - Sunday morning tea followed by church, a really long "fast" food lunch with Jared and Noah. Allie, Melia and Stacia met up with Alena and went on a hike. Post and photos to follow. 

May 25th -  I made a last minute stop at the store and came out with a ballon to add to the picture. I was happy to see so many people out taking care of graves. Family BBQ. Post and photos to follow. 

May 26th - Allie spent an "at home" day. She took care of all the things one needs to do when moving locations. Melia and I ran some errands and bought some starts for a garden. In the process we ran into Bre and kids at a coffee drive through....we quickly took pictures of each other...because we're like that. LOL 

I made Chandler's corn on the grill - as well as salmon and veggies. That was good corn. I must do that again soon - but at $1.50 an ear of corn. Shew. 

Stacia invited friends over for a movie night. 

And now I'm caught up...... "sort of." 

That Ear Thing

 Saturday afternoon I had a bout of vertigo that landed me on my bum. Monday, I had a little dizzy spell.  Tuesday I was driving down the road and felt a "tickle" in my ear. I reached up and rubbed my ear and my fingers were wet with blood when I pulled them away. 

No pain, no congestion, no head injury, no qtips in my ear or other foreign material, no hard nose blowing - just blood. Melia and I got home and Michael checked it out. 

He couldn't tell what was going on. I had no pain. I was going to let it ride. However, family felt blood for no reason to be very odd. My doctor agreed and I was in their office bright and early Wednesday.

I affirmed all the above in answer to their questions. They said my ear drum is intact but there was still lots of fresh blood and so I needed to be seen by ENT. They said to prepare for a CT scan as I presented with some of the symptoms of ear cancer. 

Ear cancer? 

Have you ever heard of such a thing? 

I spent the afternoon being highly offended I do mammograms and Cologuard religiously to prevent the big C and my EAR could have cancer??????

Today I saw the specialist. The only new symptom is I hear crackling nonstop in my left ear. She looked and said it is no longer fresh blood, that a blood clot is forming, I'm not to touch my ear or hit my head or jump on the trampoline, the crackling will remain as long as the clot remains. She said this could take 6 - 8 weeks. She did not mention ear cancer and said she saw no reason for a CT Scan. This was a relief. 

She wants to see me again in July.

Getting older is ODD. One wakes up and their shoulder hurts, or they can't stand because of back pain, or their ear is bleeding. I don't know....nothing happened. 

Spring is Officially Here

 Summer is here...OK Spring is officially here. The garden won't be planted until June 1st...but the temps are in the 50's (52*), the snow is all melted (green grass to come), Reuben Haus is opening this weekend (IYKYK), it was light at 10:30 last night and at 6:30 this morning, there's no snow in the forecast. It's spring. 

We celebrated by buying Melia a new bike and ordering a bunch of photos for a photo collage she wants to create in her room. I found baby Melia photos online, grabbed photos we've taken since she's been here, and we are getting close to enough photos.  I tried to convince her she should ride home (from Wasilla). 

I had an unfortunate health thing on the way home and that cancelled our aquacise plans...but we switched gears quickly when Melia asked for s'mores. The first campfire of the season. 

We got out the trampoline and started to unload the summer things from the trailer. 

The chickens found the way out of the fence...and are enjoying the garden rather than the yard. 

I held the ladder and Melia climbed it to attach the netting around the trampoline. 

I jumped first until it was pointed out to me that a person with an ear situation probably shouldn't jump. 

Show off! 

Finally, the s'more of which she dreamed. 

Michael wins for roasting the "perfect" marshmallow - but the season is early. 

It finally feels like summer is really coming. It hasn't snowed since April 21st.  The snow has receeded to reveal piles of moose poop.  It's spring.  It's 9:44 and as bright as it was at noon. Melia is working on a paint by number kit and Michael is reading. Stacia should be home from classes shortly. She sent this pre-finals vibes shot.  If finals are in the discussion the summer is really truly on its way here....

Random April TIdbits 2026

 I am working hard to capture April's memories. I still have some specific posts to work on but here is the big wrap up I try to do each month. Glimpses of Gherkins near and far - 3 countries, 2 states and numerous households in this post. Enjoy. 

Imagine our surprise when Luke sent photos from the PHILIPPINES! He had a friend visit, and they decided to jaunt over for a week. 

Luke in tricycle built on motorcycle

Bre and Kids

There is certainly no danger of any of us thinking WE are living in the tropics. LOL Break-up, spring for the rest of the world, means lots of melting ice and snow. It's the busiest season of the year for Carrie. It tends to pool at the bottom of her driveway and overflow....Her Dad has promised a forever fix when he gets up here this summer.  This time of year, I begin to entertain the snowbird lifestyle....just a bit. I think I'd miss the rhythm of the seasons. 

Score for Bachan! Bella's new clothes fit perfectly, and she loves the stitch backpack. 

Trudy has a big girl bed in the girls' room - April 6th. 

Krista continues to recover from knee surgery 

Spring flowers are seen on April 10th - this year the moose didn't eat them. 

Jared and Noah took a trip to Seward. Noah took some good photos! 

LOVE his personality! 

There is a group called Atlas that sends doctors into assisted living and nursing homes. We have been using them, but have been less than pleased. In under a year Dad has had 4 providers. They are great providers, but they don't stay long. Also, I never knew when the appointments were taking place, Dad doesn't remember what they say, and I found him on a new med I didn't know about. When Atlas lost their last provider and Dad's care renewal was needed to be evaluated, we found a local doc. We have settled into a routine of me making his appointments just before or after a meal and combining it with a meal out. 

We appreciate the work Victims For Justice does for our community. Josiah had a ribbon at the remembrance ceremony. We didn't drive in this time. We just weren't up to facing another remembrance ceremony this month. 

Krista @ American Day - I think - in Okinawa.

This is Melia's mugshot  passport photo. I include it to show we have dreams to travel!!!! and this is her morning resting face. This is the face that greets me every morning when she has to begin school at 11:00 a.m. ::snort:: I sure miss the days when you could smile in official photos! 

Krista relaxing on a beach in Okinawa! She was working on a paint kit we gave her. 

A boy and his cat. 

Benny has started a much-needed business - clearing yards of animal poop. As the snow melts...

Ellie, taking care of business. 

Allie - living her best life. Actually, she's been HARD at work this month on a feature film project, which is like a giant month-long final exam. 

Ashton & Allie

I've become my mom....I have a computer that does random things requiring trips to the local Geek Repair shop. I know to save a bit locker key now.  Having to take my laptop in to get help in making it work has made me feel older than anything else that has happened to date. ::snort:: 

Bella had a friend party - here are a couple of glimpses. 

Well - Amazon has gotten quicker and their customer service is much easier to reach.  I contacted them about the way the tea arrives...I told them I still had tea, but that the bags split or get pokes in shipping and there's at least two kinds of tea in the bottom of the box. They refunded me the entire order AND told me not to send the tea back.  I was impressed. I asked for them to refund one bag, as there IS drinkable tea here.  

Another fun photo from Luke's underwater adventures in Okinawa. 

This one may deserve a separate post - but there aren't a lot of words to share. Carrie got this tribute tattoo. It's perfect. 

Annie celebrates spring! 

Cory is starting a new adventure that will culminate in a Master of Divinity! 

Hmmm....I don't have photos from Jamin but I have seen videos and viewed his videos. He's enjoying the beaches, exploring paddle boarding in FL and working hard. 

We're planning a summer trip to visit dear friends!!!! Tickets are booked and a BnB reserved.  

AND ALLIES TICKET HOME FOR SUMMER IS BOOKED!!!!!

Still, some snow...but oh, so pretty.