Stacia's Big Win

Stacia submitted her first completed college writing assignment this week. The topic was the "Infallibility and Authority of the Word."  The prof was QUICK and before she knew it, she had a grade back on the paper. 

She made a 22.5 out of 24 points or a 96%! Woot! Woot!! I've noted both Allie and Stacia (and Michael) take it as a near personal affront when points are taking off due to grammatical errors. I understand. They endure Michael's ruthless editing and it's always a surprise when something has been missed. LOL  Both girls are also happy with their grades but want to know how to improve. Stacia wrote back and asked if the prof could share what she had done wrong. I love this Prof. He's so honest. 

He admits what we have been telling the girls, "We're trying to give you something to aspire to..." In other words, in your freshman year, they want you to see room for improvement. But check out his final comment!!! Not bad for a high school senior! 

With the paper turned in she has two requirements left to complete her first college class. She needs to fulfill a service-learning requirement (SLR) and take the final test. 

Stacia has been sweating the SLR. Her anxiety of being in front of crowds is one issue we've discussed with her call to missions. Tonight, she presented a talk to the youth group on her topic.

She used the white board to give her hands something to do....and from the feedback we are hearing it went well. It's been recorded and will be sent to the Professor.  My organizational sensibilities are offended by the lack of order on the whiteboard....but all the main points are on there and I hear the kids were great about engaging in the discussion time.  As one of her siblings noted, "You've overcome a huge personal fear and now the world is at your feet!" ....and she did it in front of her peers, which is hard! 

She will take the final exam on Friday and be done with her first college course. 

She's starting to complete high school courses. She won't have it all done before her trip to Hawaii, but it will all be done by mid-March. She'll spend the remaining months of her senior year on college courses. 

Go, Stacia! 

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. 

And That's a Wrap

Allie has finished her second week of college. No, I don't plan weekly updates at all. HOWEVER, maybe this once....

The new work schedule works well with her added classes. She enjoys being able to volunteer with youth as well as attend life group. She is still working 27 hours a week.  She has 4 days "off" each week for school, life and family. 

I don't know that we blogged about Allie's college changes. It turned out the program the University of Northern Colorado ACCEPTED her into (ASLEI) is only available if you ENTER with 30 liberal arts credits. Through no fault of Allie's, the college's admissions department had put her into an upper program and listed her as a residential student. She began calling this to their attention in April.  To further complicate matters the UNC doesn't offer liberal arts credits online. This is beyond odd as we have discovered those are the FIRST credits most universities offer online.  Allie had to switch gears in June and figure out how she wanted to get 2 years of liberal arts credits and more college level ASL before applying once again to their ASLEI program. Options were presented, discussed and discarded...local college, residential in Colorado, online....we offered up the three online programs often used by military members....Wayland Baptist, University of Maryland and Liberty University...because we knew they are accredited and accepted in the educational community. We also knew all 3 online programs have been around for decades and have their programs and best practices in place.  In June she made SURE she was switched at UNC from residential to online student, and planned to take only ASL with them, and re-apply as a transfer student after she has the 30 liberal arts credits. I was part of these zoom meetings and KNOW Allie told them repeatedly about this issue starting in April when we realized the mistake had been made.  We did not know about the requirement for 30 liberal arts credits until July, because they had ACCEPTED her into the program.

Allie explored her options. She chose Liberty University. Liberty was amazing....their process is streamlined. They knew exactly what she needed to do. They had the financial aid and entire application process finished within 3 days. 

Allie planned to take an ASL class at UNC as she'd already tested into the class. She is taking 12 liberal arts credits from Liberty University. 

Fast forward to THIS WEEK when Allie received another notice from her advisor at UNC that she was listed as a residential student, and SHE needed to take care of this before she was charged residential rates? WHAT???? I saw the paperwork, I was on the zoom with this individual and two others when Allie told them all she had withdrawn from residential, was going online at Liberty and would take one ASL class from UNC.  She did all they told her to do, THEY SAID IT WAS TAKEN CARE OF....but here we were in August STILL dealing with the issue we began bringing to their attention in April.  She called registration and was told the very lady sending the email needed to fill out a specific form to switch Allie. There was nothing Allie needed to do. She called the advisor back and let her know she needed to turn in her form before Allie could be switched. 

Meanwhile there were some concerns with the online ASL class Allie had started. This combined with continued inefficiency and drama at UNC led Allie to drop the ASL class at UNC. They finally apologized for the crazy mix ups and said they welcome her applying again in a couple of years. 

Allie will continue her ASL studies locally and when she reapplies for the ASLEI program she will be able to test for placement again. No loss, she'll test even higher, I'm sure.  They will have 2 years to work out the kinks of their hybrid program. One kink was that the link to register as an online student funneled you to a residential program. LOL  It all escalated from there.  

How has the first two weeks gone for Allie as a Liberty student? She made 100% on her first assignment - a screen writing class.  She has made 98 - 100% on all assignments and quizzes. She's loving the class material. She is thriving in the discussion boards required for the classes.  She is home more often and continuing to work 27 hours.... it's all coming together. 

AND - she was awarded a $1500 scholarship from the National ASL society to be used towards college. I think this means her second semester is covered....and saving has begun for the summer semester. 

Run, baby girl, run! 

This One Knows Her Japanese

This is a red-letter day for our girls! ANOTHER Mommy Story - you know those stories where I shamelessly brag on our kids? 

I've mentioned before Stacia now meets with her Japanese tutor twice a week. Our goal is for her to go as far as she possibly can before she graduates next May. Her heart is drawn to Japan. We have no idea how God may use this interest. It may be she lives in America and intercedes or supports the Japanese church. It may be she lives in America and is somehow involved in the expat Japanese community. It may be she will be a missionary to Japan and bake as a side hobby. It may be her idea of a Christian cafe will provide doors to relationships with citizens in Japan.  It may be she will own a Christian bakery and cafe in America and Japanese will be her hobby.  Only God knows which strands he will weave into the tapestry of her future; or how He could weave ALL of them into the tapestry. He knows. We are encouraging and equipping her to pursue her passions. Those seem to be business, Japan, baking and cooking. 

Today was Japanese class. She knew there would be a test on the material she has been studying. Kim surprised her by finding a COLLEGE test on the material. Stacia got 97 out of 99 questions correct!  She's about to have the distinction of having gone the furthest of all our kids in their Japanese language study. Though I hear Arielle has taken up her studies again. 

And still there are TP shenanigans. ::snort:: 

A Milestone Reached

 WooHOO!!!! 

Allie's grades for the first half of the year are submitted  We're about to turn in the 3rd quarter work samples.  Her transcript is looking strong.  Her FAFSA application is complete. She has written, edited and submitted a college application essay.  And TODAY? 

TODAY she uploaded the essay, added references, checked over the application again....added my credit card info to pay the fees....

and JUST.LIKE.THAT. Allie has applied to her first college! We are so proud of her. There may have been a bit of cheering.  

We aren't sharing which University she has applied to until we hear back. She does not have the 4 math credits (higher than Alg 1) which they require.  She, Michael and I decided it was important to her for her transcript to accurately reflect what she has done. Therefore, we rejected the suggestions of how to kinda/sorta, get 3 more math credits crammed into one year.  She was honest, admitted the weakness in her transcript and pointed out the steps she has taken to rectify the issue...taken Pre-Alg and Alg 1 in 1 1/2 years.  She asked to be accepted and to take remedial math to catch up. 

We couldn't be prouder of God's work in this gal! 

Yes, we have a plan B. She has about 4 more colleges she is considering and if this continues to be an issue, she will enroll in math classes at the local college and apply next year to her first choice as a transfer student. There is CERTAINLY more than one way to skin this cat. 

I had found this program and shared it with Allie. Allie's ASL tutor/mentor shared a list of colleges with good BA in ASL and Interpreting programs. The top program recommended from the community of interpreters is the college Allie and I had been researching. We encouraged Allie to apply to her number one choice now and see what God may do. 

This was a goal Allie hesitantly mentioned in the first months she joined us. We committed to helping her reach her goal...and it brings us GREAT JOY to see her actually APPLYING TO COLLEGES!

God is faithful. God is faithful when he works as we expected. God is faithful when "life" throws us a curveball and he works in ways we certainly didn't expect. We can trust him with the hard good in our lives.

Join us in rejoicing with Allie over this milestone reached. And then there's toilet paper...

Ah, the prodigal TP has returned....

WSA CGO of the Quarter

 Every quarter across the Air Force each base gives out awards for the best performance in a multitude of categories.  Each group's winner will compete at the wing (base) level.  

Today, Krista was notified she has been selected as the Wing Staff Agency's (WSA)  Company Grade Officer (CGO) of the Quarter. Her package will now compete against all the other CGO winners across the base. 

Krista has presented 61 suicide prevention trainings and another 40 that she oversaw. She has done 38 sexual assault prevention response trainings.  She has lots of counseling hours, written a zillion religious exemptions, led a service, planned and executed many resiliency events for the med group, coordinated and helped lead funeral training for both the Air Force and the Space Force, planned and executed a parenting retreat and I know there are many details I have forgotten. 

I asked for a photo....

We are proud of Krista! This is quite an accomplishment for a new chaplain. She's been busy the last 7 months. 

A fun side note - Krista is well known and loved in the Med group. She spends quite a bit of time in her unit and at the hospital. One day a volunteer at produce co-op asked me if my daughter was an active-duty chaplain.  She had noted the same last name before Krista got married. It was fun to see Krista through the eyes of one of med group. 

Happy Birthday, Jesus! - Part 2

Birthdays mean cake creations. Stacia did not disappoint for Jesus' birthday. Many things "flexed" this year, but this tradition carried through as planned. Well, sort of. 

Stacia baked a couple of yummy 8-inch chocolate cakes. She has a recipe that's moist and beats any boxed cake I've tasted. Millie must agree, as she ATE THE JESUS CAKE.  Stacia determinedly made another cake, cooled and froze it. She added a crumb coat and then began the decorating. 

This fondant stable is darling. 

She went simple and cute!

Livie put the sparkling candles on the cake when it was time. 

It was beautiful. 

We gathered around and sang Happy Birthday to Jesus - Gospel Service style... it was a sweet moment. 

Our Christmas Eve Story

This is our Christmas Eve story. The one where plans go awry, and we remember anew how much we depend on God and which things ultimately matter most.  The one where Allie experiences her first and second doctor visit, her first antibiotic, her first strep, covid, mono, flu tests, her first ER visit, her first blood draw, first IV, first CAT scan and first surgery. Sometimes one plans and prepares for events which refuse to stay planned and instead they go on a medical adventure. 

 Allie does not have a family doctor. We are in the process of setting her up with one. She retells episodes before she moved in with us, and we have observed an episode 2 months ago, which we were not comfortable chalking up to "normal female things."   When I say cramps....one needs to picture white as a sheet, dizzy, excruciating pain. This isn't normal for a young woman. Allie wanted to get to the bottom of feeling bad, we shared it may not be possible for the docs to figure it out unless they saw her in one of the episodes. Nonetheless, we were committed to trying.  Her appointment as a new patient is scheduled in the new year. 

Meanwhile Allie had a sore throat. We'd treated it at home with all the remedies.  She developed a fever on Monday. I called our medical clinic, as Allie had a sore throat and was told they are not seeing sick patients - we should go to the Urgent Care. What? Yep, doctors not seeing sick people due to covid fear.   It was evening by now and we were comfortable treating the fever and going in on Tuesday.  Allie still had a fever on Tuesday and so we went to urgent care.

 Would you believe the doc was a personal friend? His family was part of our produce co-op in San Angelo, TX. They loaned the kids their trailer when we moved up here until we could move into the house. He has retired from the Air Force and was our urgent care doctor. What a small world. Allie was in good hands. We were dealing with the sore throat. I told him we were getting her set up with a primary doc in January and we did have a health issue we'd like to investigate at that point.  Allie was tested for covid, strep, flu and mono. It was determined Allie has Strep. We discussed her family medical history and came home with Allie's first ever antibiotics (and I stopped off for some top-of-the-line pro-biotics, too).  Her throat felt better. She handled the meds fine. 

Something unexpected happened. Allie had one of her episodes late Wednesday night.  She told me they always pass - usually within 20 - 30 minutes.  I gave her a heating pad, and we waited. At lunch she was still in pain.  Michael was out, we had an appointment to check this out in January, but it was acting up NOW.  It seemed maybe God was answering prayers to get to the bottom of Allie's medical concern. I called Michael and told him I wanted to take Allie to urgent care as her episode wasn't resolving.  Michael knows I don't rush to doctors and if I was saying she needed to be seen, he agreed. He came home and stayed with Grandpa. He observed Allie and told us he thought it may be her appendix. I suspected the same or an ovarian cyst. 

We saw a new doc, as one often does at Urgent Care.  We had to work through the typical assumptions before they began to really listen to what we were saying, Allie wasn't talking much at this point. He examined her and asked when her last food had been eaten. He then told me she shouldn't eat or drink and he wanted to transfer her for "expert evaluation." I knew at that point what he was thinking. I called Michael and told him we were heading to the hospital. He said he'd call Allie's parents, we sent a text to Pastor and her older brother. She and I read the doc's findings on the way to the ER and confirmed he thought it was most likely appendicitis and not an ovarian cyst, but those were his two thoughts. 

Our first encounter at the ER was with a triage nurse who was more concerned at Allie's unvaccinated state than her current pain. I tried to redirect her twice and she just kept on with questions about vaccines and saying it is important for Allie to get vaccinated. I finally got firm. "I've told you this is her first experience with a doctor appointment, when do you think she would have had vaccines? We aren't here to talk about vaccines, we have been referred to have your doctor look at her appendix." 

In preparation for our doctor visit in January Allie has been watching a you tube doctor.  She has picked up the fact that good medical personnel will look you in the eyes and listen to what you say. Rob, Matt and the nurses at the Urgent Care had done this. Nurse X did not. She never looked at either of us and certainly was reluctant to listen. 

We moved on to a waiting room.  The doc, active-duty doc who does rotations at the local ERs, came in and met Allie. He explained he was ordering labs and a CAT scan. He told her it may be nothing serious but needed to be thoroughly checked out. He looked us both in the eyes. He listened when we shared what she has experienced, and he read the referral and exam findings from the past week at urgent care.

The nurse came bustling in and began to set up an IV. I stopped her and explained this was Allie's first medical experience. I told her until recently she'd never visited a doctor, and this was all new. I asked her to please explain everything she was going to do. She was WONDERFUL. She asked Allie questions to determine what I shared was true. From that point on they all took the time to explain everything they were going to do - from blood draws to IVs and CAT scans to surgery. 

Michael arranged someone to stay with Grandpa and arrived to wait with us. Allie was given a gown.  Remember, Allie is a young woman who is having pain...she was a bit worried about losing her clothes. I agreed she could simply remove her shirt and put on her gown. She felt better leaving her jeans and boots on. So, she did. We discussed she would probably need to pull her jeans down or remove them for the CAT scan. I told her I thought they would be able to see everything they needed without an exam, but I couldn't guarantee this. I told her we wouldn't consent to an exam without a really good reason. 

The team arrived to do the CAT scan. We waited some more.  The doc came back in and told us we, "Get a gold star for diagnosis." Chronic appendicitis, a grumpy appendix, can flare up and settle down. At some point it usually becomes acute. Allie's situation had become acute. They like to remove the appendix before one reaches this stage - the concern is rupture. He told us he wasn't sure when they would operate but they'd want her in the hospital, being observed and having her pain controlled until surgery. I asked if one of us could stay with her. He said they were pretty strict, and we should ask the surgeon, but he didn't think they would let us stay. 

We talked the situation over while we waited for the surgeon. The surgeon bustled in quickly. She had been warming her car when she got a message there was a minor with a swollen, angry appendix in the ER. She listened to Allie (and looked her and us in the eyes), we asked if at least one of us could stay with her and remain during her hospital stay. Allie advocated for herself,  we are so proud of her. The surgeon said we could BOTH stay with her all the way until she went back for surgery. She said we could wait outside in the surgical waiting room, and they would call us back into recovery. We could stay with her through recovery and if all went well, we could take her home if we would do care every 3 hours for 36 hours. SOUNDED GREAT TO ALL OF US! She didn't want to wait for morning, the team was on the way in, and they wanted to take this out before it could rupture. 

Within an hour of appendicitis being confirmed Allie was having surgery.  Michael went off to find the one lone vending machine at the hospital...it was 9 p.m. and I was ready for my missed breakfast and lunch.  We got a kick out of this sign on the way into the single stall bathroom. 

Be sure to social distance in the restroom

In about an hour the surgeon was back. Everything went well.  She gave us pictures...the appendix was enlarged, angry, pus was starting to collect...she was very pleased they were able to remove it all and said it would have ruptured if we hadn't gotten her in when we did.  She explained the photos and told us everything else looks great.  Once again Michael's adage about pain being a messenger and indicator that something is not right, proves to be true. 

Everyone I have met tends to be uncomfortable worrying what they will say while under the influence of anesthesia. Allie worried, not about swearing but about what she may share of her life. She was worried enough we talked it over with the anesthesia doc to confirm nothing Allie said would shock her. When we went back to recovery Allie was laying still. They said she hadn't talked. I took her hand, she squeezed and then I noticed...Allie was SIGNING UP A STORM. I told them she was communicating - check out her hands. They asked if they needed a Deaf Interpreter. "Oh NO! She wasn't deaf when she went into surgery! What did you DO to her? Someone slipped!" ::snort:: 

"No, she's saying, I love you.  Thank you. I'm a unicorn. Wait... that is... I'm fine."

Michael and I have learned a few signs. Allie was moved to a new room and continued to sign.  We discovered Michael can do finger spelling. Allie smiled each time we got something right. It was a great game.  She hadn't consciously made the decision to sign, it's just a part of her and her hands were working way better than her throat. Eventually, we were told we couldn't take her home until her eyes were open, and she was talking.  

Allie's throat hurt from strep and from being intubated. She was content to sign. I hated to force her, but leaned close to her ear and told her, "Allie, I need you to use your words now so we can go home." She opened her eyes and began whispering. It counted and we were able to bring her home. 

GG's chair lift is a God-send

Stacia was worried she wouldn't wake up if Allie needed help. We were worried Millie would try to climb into bed with Allie. She's sensitive to the girls' emotions. Stacia and Millie moved to the living room, and I moved into Stacia's bed. This made it easy to give her meds every 3 hours. Allie said it was like a girl's sleepover. LOL 

Before surgery Allie was sure she'd be up to attend this evenings Christmas Eve service. I told her we'd see how she felt when the time came. We missed the service, but Allie is handling recovery well.  She's been up in a recliner, which feels better on her shoulder and back. 

This Christmas the fun girls' trip to Anchorage didn't happen, the youth coming over to make gingerbread didn't happen, stocking stuffers aren't all purchased and wrapped, a traditional Christmas dinner morphed to Tacos...and yet we are incredibly thankful! Thankful for grown kids who arranged a Taco dinner and said being together was more important than traditions. Thankful for the awareness to listen to that still small voice and take Allie back in (Michael tends to be quick to doctor's, I'm slower - we balance each other out). Michael is proud of having the right diagnosis before any of the rest of us. ::snort:: We are thankful things were handled at home so Michael could be with us at the hospital. We are humbled and grateful when we realize how God has protected Allie through her past episodes to surgery. We are incredibly grateful for all the prayer, care and love shown to Allie and our family over the past couple of days. 

Even when our plans don't turn out as expected, God remains faithful and true. The important things fall into place...God with us. What a great time of the year to be reminded how very much we humans need God to be with us.  

Absolutely Allie

 Hey - we tried to alliterate and find something similar to the Simply Stacia title. 

We could not be prouder of Allie.  Last spring, we produced work to earn her an extra 1/2 credit to accompany the 1/2 credit she had in American Sign Language (ASL). She brushed up on her ASL this summer and I researched curriculum and programs which would earn her another high school credit in American Sign Language.  As an aside, it is quite interesting to have the Japanese and the ASL threading through our home...1/2 the time I'm not sure WHAT is being talked about. ::snort:: 

I found a program written and overseen by the Director of Family Partnership, a charter school in Anchorage. Allie would be able to take a proven, teacher-graded, online American Sign Language class. They have three levels of study - for 3 high school credits.  I explained our situation to the teachers, Allie had a previous homeschool co-op class, she had worked through various websites this summer and is a senior. She had 1 ASL credit and we'd like her to earn a 2nd in the upcoming school year.  I asked if we could try Allie in Level 2. They were leery of our coursework having prepped her for the coursework. 

We settled on starting Allie in the 2nd half of Level 1. If she proved she could do the work, they would move her into Level 2 in a "couple of months." I knew Allie could do the work. I also knew that if she did 1/2 of Level 1 and 1/2 of Level 2 she would still earn one high school credit. 

Within 2 weeks Allie had finished Level 1 and moved on to Level 2. As we near the end of the FIRST semester Allie has finished Level 2 and moved on to Level 3.  Both our IDEA contact teacher and Dr. Parker agreed Allie should be awarded 2 credits for her coursework this year.   We updated her Individual Learning Plan (ILP) to reflect her actual progress. She will graduate with 3 foreign language credits! This feat earned us a call back from our contact teacher. We had been told Allie wouldn't be able to qualify for the Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS). I told our teacher our focus was going to be strengthening Allie's transcript so it would reflect well for college entrance, and we'd apply for other scholarship streams. This we set about doing. She has earned 2 math, 2 science, 1 creative writing and 2 1/2 foreign language credits since we were told she'd not be able to qualify for the APS. She is currently taking psychology and Brit Lit - also courses approved by the APS. It seems Allie is a "hair" away from being able to qualify for the APS now.  She needs math.  She has worked hard on math the past 10 months. She finished the math she was doing, did Pre-Algebra, and is currently chugging through Algebra 1.  Her contact teacher wonders if Allie can "kick up the pace" and earn 2 more math credits in the upcoming semester.  That's a pretty thick "hair" away. LOL  BUT it won't hurt to try.  Regardless, we couldn't be prouder of Allie's determination and drive. 

Here is a quick glimpse into Allie's ASL coursework. In this clip she and Stacia are demonstrating how to make a smoothie. 

Allie's teacher works as a deaf interpreter and her husband is a deaf pastor.  We are excited about the opportunity to attend a deaf church and get to know the deaf community. Allie has a gift; we saw it. Her teacher and the director of the course confirm it. Allie has been invited to join the American Sign Language National Honor Society. This will give her more experience with ASL and the chance to apply for scholarships from the society. 

Simply Stacia

It's time for a couple of random, totally bragging, "Mommy stories."  Stacia worked hard last year....she was driven... She was working at a local cafe, taking a BIG school load, and baking cakes etc. She handled it, but we all sensed a need for her to step back... Her stress level was higher than we thought was necessary for a 10th grader. One doesn't have to do EVERYTHING before 18 (Stacia is currently 16). 

This year's pace is much less frenzied. She's taking a full Junior year of courses. She works as a "mommy's helper" one day a week. She is able to focus on an in-depth Brit Lit course and writing.  She is taking her 3rd credit of Japanese. We are standing back with curiosity to see how God weaves her dreams and skills into a future. She would love to travel, would love to spend time in Japan, and wants to someday own a cafe - a community hub. A cafe that would bless the community while providing her income.  She is currently praying about what to do the year after she graduates. She may take a gap year and travel (to include Japan), she may pursue college, or she has a thought of buying a food truck and starting on the road to a cafe/bakery. Who knows? One thing I know is God will faithfully lead one step at a time as she listens and follows...and we will all be amazed at how the picture will weave all the threads together. 

 The shift in her schedule has given her time to delve deeper into cake baking and decorating. This cake was ordered from her first REPEAT customer. 😀

They wanted an 8 inch cake showcasing their daughter's hobbies: sewing and building. Yadira is GREAT about finding photos of the cake she wants online and then tweaking it with Stacia. 

Stacia baked the cakes and then planned 3 days for decorating. Day 1 she worked on the fondant pieces for the sewing half of the cake. 

Sweet lace

Buttons anyone?

 

Day 2 she worked on details for the building side of the cake. 

I LOVE these little doo dads

Day 3 she put it all together. 

I think something like this would make a fun cake for a man who is into building or wood working...

The finished cake...this was a fun cake to watch come together. 

Yes, she is charging for her work.  She did this cake and some cupcakes for $100.00. We are pretty impressed with how her skills are developing...She hasn't taken a class, she DOES watch YouTube videos. I'd like to find her a class in the near future, or someone who decorates cakes and would like to mentor her. I'd also like to find more outlets for her practice cakes...because we have two diabetics in this house. ::snort:: 

We are proud of Stacia's work this year...her willingness to step back from activity and course-correct, her determination to do life well, her heart to connect with others.  She's a jewel. 

Cocomelon Cake

 Stacia has taken cake requests before. This, however, was the first cake where she screwed up her courage to ask the going rates for specialty cakes. Given the cost of ingredients in Alaska and the amount of hours she puts into baking and decorating these cakes it's TIME she charge the going rates.  

When Yadira asked us if Stacia could make a Cocomelon cake, we had to google to figure out what a coco-melon cake would look like. LOL It was needed within a week so they settled on a fairly simple design. It takes TIME to get specail doo dads up here. LOL  Stacia baked the cakes, colored fondant and created a face and such....

Yeah, she was stressed. She was CHARGING for this one and it wasn't going to family.  I think it turned out darling. She's learned some things since then that she would do even better. 

Yadira requested a couple dozen cupcakes as well. Stacia was glad to have it all done and asked to deliver it the night before it was due.  She got $100 for all this. That is NOT all profit. She makes about $5 an hour for her time on the cakes. 

Michael and the girls headed across town to deliver the baked goods.  They were happy with them. 

BUT Stacia worried for weeks that the cake had fallen apart or something was wrong with them.  As I'm back posting this and it's REALLY December, I can share a day came when Yadira contacted her and asked her to make another birthday cake - the sewing/building cake.  Yadira said it was just what they wanted and TASTED good too. 

Go, Stacia! We are proud of your growing baking skills, we are most excited to see how chasing this dream is motivating you to go beyond your comfort zone...in skills, and in "people-ing". Way to go! 

Krista's Summer Adventure

Photo via Krista's FB - her uniform was in regs, I removed her name tag

Last Friday was a big day for Krista. She completed her final Chaplain Candidate Tour. Her next tour will be as a Reserve Chaplain.  She had the privilege of spending five weeks at Eglin AFB.  She enjoyed the staff, chaplains, and congregants, and reports that she learned many new things to round out her education.  Krista still has a few hoops to jump through before she can go Active Duty.  Although, the Army has told her they'll take her NOW.... Krista continues to make us proud. 

Krista went to VA , packed her car, and said goodbye to her roomie. Then she headed down the highway.  Wednesday night she met up with a previous youth leader in IL. 

Krista and Corrinna via Krista's timeline

Thursday night she arrived in Colorado and met up with Michael at Earl and Mary's (Michael's brother and wife).  They continued the trip to Alaska. At some point on Friday or Saturday they met with Michael's sister, Kathy. 

Photo via Krista

They've visited grave sites in CO and MT...spent most of Saturday in WY and MT....and should head into Canada tomorrow. They'll see new parts of Canada than we've seen before. We usually enter in WA. 

We're getting excited for you to reach Alaska, Krista! I think it would be o.k. to floor it in some of the wide open spaces...just a bit. LOL 

HUGE week for Josiah!

Josiah has had a plan for some time. He has steadily worked toward that plan, with a detour or two along the way.  This week he bought his first investment property. 

Photo via Jamin

It's a duplex in Eagle River.  He's busy doing a bit of work to rent out the bottom. 

Photo via Josiah

Josiah's time as a property manager in Anchorage will serve him well as he begins to manage his own property.

In the past year he has taken a property with a dismal leasing record, fixed apartments, and got it at, or near capacity, for months on end. In the process he learned the real estate business, got a firm grasp on Alaska rental law, learned how to evict those who needed to be, and how to graciously assist those who needed a bit of advice. He cleaned up the property and long-term residents were thrilled with him. This property had around 100 units.

This week he was offered a promotion....he will now be managing two complexes with around 300 units.

We're proud of your hard work and discipline. Most of all we are proud of your heart - which continues to mentor those around you. You leave each place you go a bit better than it was when you arrived.

It's good to see plans/dreams come together.

Jamin Excells

Photo from Jamin's timeline

Jamin received a Certificate of Excellence from Keller Williams for the amount of homes he sold in May.  Way to show the nay-sayers! LOL

Jamin also paid of all of his student loans  - quite an accomplishment. He did it right about the 2 year post graduate from the 2nd Master's degree.

We're proud of you, son!

Arielle Finished College!

I am about to schedule 4 "mommy posts." Those posts where I unashamedly brag on the adult Gherkins...because adulting is hard!  We are so very proud of Arielle (and Cory who will finish his course before the fall).  I can't say it any better than she did. Here is what she posted on her Facebook timeline.

Hatcher's Pass - taken by Arielle 

I did it. Turned in my last assignment for my last class with graduation planned for August. So much in 4 years: marrying my love, move to AK, my bennybear, multiple jobs, hours and hours of studying, tears, laughter, learning, growth, friends, countless papers, two different colleges, amazing professors, late nights, and so much LIFE! I don't even have words to really capture my feelings other than I did it. Climbed that mountain and now stand looking back; triumphant but also sad it's over.

It's hard to believe all the changes Arielle has navigated in four years. She's done it with grace and determination...

Way to go, Baby Girl. We're proud of you!  You've come along way since the dolphin cry in the van. LOL

Dandelion Musings

For thirty years, I've looked forward to dandelion bouquets in the spring.  Since Bre gifted me with the first bouquet, there has always been another young one to bring them home.

I'm not sure I totally appreciated those first bouquets. Along the way, I realized how quickly those little gift givers grow up....and I began to LOVE and look forward to them each spring/summer.

I bought a special vase to showcase them. 😊Stacia is our baby and I cherished each bouquet.

Stacia is quite old enough to KNOW  dandelions are not  only the wildflower I love to receive, but are, in fact, weeds. She's known this for 5 or 6 years, BUT, she continued to love to give them, and I loved to received them.

I knew last summer may be the very last summer for her to gift me with a bouquet. She is 11 and 3/4 now...and for the first time last year, when she gave a little bouquet to a loved one she was told they were "Not really flowers, but just weeds." I know the words weren't meant to be hurtful, but they did cause a hurt in her heart. I knew she would have to decide to be brave enough to offer them again....and so I watched the season come and go - and was a bit sad at the fact that this year I had no dandelion bouquets.....after 30 years I had run out of kids young enough to pick them and bring them to me.

I was most grieved Stacia's giving heart had been bruised and I purposed to talk with her about it when the moment was right.

As we walked yesterday, she picked this, I barely breathed as I watched to see what she would do. She said, "Mom, I'd like you to have this wishing weed."  I loved it. She trusted me with her gift. She pointed out they are so big up here you get more than one wish with them. I blew and blew....and then she joined me. I was happy to get my dandelion; a special moment I had always enjoyed with Stacia. I was excited to see she overcame the fear her gift would be rejected. I was worried she'd let that comment be the last bouquet she gave.

I confessed to her I'd been a bit sad not to get any dandelion bouquets this year. She told me she had decided to give them to me this year and will teach Bella to get them next year, and then with all the grands,  I should always have dandelion bouquets...if I don't tell the grands they are weeds. (I never have).

I won't.

I promised never to tell a grandchild their dandelion gifts are really, "just weeds."

Our A&M Graduate

Jamin and Ambassador (Ret)  Napper

Congratulations to Jamin - a new graduate of the Bush School of Government at Texas A&M. He now has two Masters degrees in Security Studies and International Relations. He envisions a life of public service in the National Security or Diplomatic Corps. 

He has a couple of irons in the fire, and we aren't 100% sure of where he is going next. I believe I will not say anything more until we ARE 100% sure. On a side note, if he goes into these fields we will be limited in future updates.

We're proud of  Jamin's vision for service and the hard work he is putting into pursuing preparation to serve. 

Some of have asked, "Why two masters and not a doctorate?"  He wanted more breadth in his educational background. He talks about pursuing the doctorate - after he works a few years. 

One last picture with H.W. 

For now, he needs to sell the rest of his stuff, rest, fly to Seattle and drive to Alaska with Josiah. He'll spend the summer in Alaska.