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::
We made plans to meet Jared for lunch in Chugiak. Unbeknownst to us a garbage truck caught fire and it took well over an hour to make it 1 1/2 miles. We were hangry when we made it through.
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."
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