Nolan Learns a New Trick

The guys are home! We're ecstatic. I was curious how they would feel coming back to a trailer after their hiatus in Alaska.  They seem to be happy to be back in our snug, tiny, cozy home.  They came bearing the perfect gift!

Alaska Socks - we LOVE our socks!

They also brought home a renewed driver's license for Michael and a brand new learner's permit for Nolan. While the younger two worked on a few birthday surprises for Michael - shhhhh...... he and Nolan went driving. 

 The game is ON - who will be freeway ready first.? Nolan in the van or me in the trailer??????? Place your bets - o.k. not really this is not a gambling site. My bet's on Nolan! 

Blogging and Parkinson's

Some may have noticed blogging has slowed down. I recently received this note from a dear saint who has journeyed a couple more decades than I....has experienced joys and grief I've not had to experience....wise words. I listened.

"Unless it is therapeutic for you, do not feel like you have to blog daily. Sometimes the burden and grief of unfulfilled longings can just be too much to express. I was thinking this and praying for you when I was awake for part of the night again."

How precious is it that God put me on her mind? How cool she took the time to reach out and share a word of wisdom and comfort?

When we were busy with the bustle of moving from our home to the trailer, when we were traveling the Pacific Northwest and exploring new areas, it was easy to ignore Parkinson's - this thing which invaded our lives.   Last week Michael and Nolan zipped to Alaska (love those airline points) to meet with the great DMV in the north...and I was alone with the kids and my thoughts in the trailer.

I didn't blog.

My desire is to be authentic.  Change like this takes time to process. I wasn't ready to share all, therefore,  I simply wouldn't share any.

But the mundane, the happenings, "life" occurs, simultaneous with processing the symptoms of Parkinson's and how it changes our future ministry, family, life plans. I've wrestled the beast - and I will blog the mundane, while wrestling with the "big thoughts" - and I will share what I feel is needful and honoring to both Michael and God.

And under it all - God is faithful. His mercy NEVER fails. I prayed for my faith to increase as we retired from military ministry. My faith is increasing. He loves me enough to give me the deepest delights of my heart - even when I scream and cry and beg for something ELSE.  Who am I to complain at the tools He uses?

Baby D Update

I have fallen down on my granna responsibilities....I bet you're all dying to know about Baby D.

Here is Bre and Baby at 17 weeks - the baby is the size of a "turnip" or so the website I found says.

Cutest turnip I've seen in a long bit

One more week went by and here is Baby D and Bre at 18 weeks - now the size of a Sweet Potato.

Looking beautiful!

We have all had such fun with the photos and the texts and the new veggies each week. We love this little one and are so happy God has blessed BreZaak. But the excitement was even more heightened than normal this week. THIS week BreZaak and Dakota headed to the doc for an ultrasound....we all hoped Little D would cooperate and maybe...just maybe reveal a gender.

Bre posted this photo the day before the ultrasound.  I love the added "votes" from her neighbor's boy... Is it Mommy's Little Monkey or Daddy's Little Girl?

Thursday - we waited....and waited...and then the call and photos came....isn't this the sweetest little mouth????

Can you tell?

Everything was perfect! A beautiful little blessing....and yes...they could determine the gender.

Izaak reveals - a BABY GIRL

Yes, a baby girl! We are all so excited. Well - Arielle and Stacia were always sure she'd be a girl. I tried to be the voice of reason - but I hoped. A baby girl! Our heart's are full.

#WYFF - Beale and Anchorage

 

This #WYFF finds our family split up. Michael and Nolan are in Alaska. They have been able to spend a few days with a chapel family we knew in  2002-2005. When we were told we needed to curtail our travel plans, we realized it would be much simpler to maintain our residency in Alaska than to drive to Texas to change everything over. We used some airline miles and Michael zipped up to visit the DMV and renew his license....it was the perfect time for Nolan to get his learner's permit as well.  They have had fun searching for moose, visiting old haunts and checking out the DMV.  This was the window before Michael begins the medication for Parkinson's - so he took it.

Stacia climbs the tree outside our front door

Meanwhile, here at Beale Fam Camp...we've hit the books, taken walks, enjoyed bike rides, spent times with friends.....and did our first solo draining of tanks.

Alex is a pro!

Another week down. This is not what we'd envisioned when we moved into the trailer...but we're adjusting well.



#WYFF (Where's Your Feet Friday) is sponsored by Fulltime Families. View more of our Friday exploits by clicking the #WYFF tab above. 

Blackbird RC Club

Michael has been aware of this club for some time. I discovered their "flightline" on one of my walks this week.

Friday a couple of men were out flying planes. The kids walked over and the men seemed to enjoy showing off their planes. They told them there would be an "event" today.

They hosted a big "fun flying time"....not sure what it was called. ::snort::  It was a great day for the event.  We walked and biked over and spent a fun day learning new tricks, cheering for the best pilots and the kids were given free burgers.

 

 

 

Standing Down the Coyotes - #WYFF

Photo via google images*

  Yuuki and I stood down the coyotes on our early morning walk. I think they would have ignored us - except when they began yipping and howling at us, Yuuki let loose with some rather impressive howls of her own.  She DOES think she's the most ferocious beagle in history.

They crossed the road and circled us at a distance....I walked fast, stood tall and let loose with some of my own impressive Coyote howls.  I'm not sure if I did this as I was terrified, to show Yuuki I was in solidarity, or to alert Fam Camp .75 miles away that we may need help. We'll have to come up with a better plan.

We've not recently worried about the cell phones, whistles and pepper spray as we no longer walk amongst drug deals....but this is going to call for some rethinking of our walking plans.  I am guessing waiting another 30 min to begin our walks will help?

*Again, I did NOT take this photo - but it WAS on a road like this, it did look like this and there were three of them.

#WYFF is sponsored by Fulltime Families. View more of our Friday exploits by clicking the #WYFF tab above.  

Unexpected Sight

A MOVING TRUCK pulled up outside our neighbor's trailer. They spent most of the day packing and crating their household goods for an upcoming move.

A familiar sight in an unexpected location

This answers a question we've had as we observed the lifestyle of the "permanent" residents at this Fam Camp, "How in the world do they travel with all this stuff?" They don't.  We should have guessed. Of course, moving trucks can pack from a trailer and ship goods to your next location.

The movers didn't seem as thrilled as us at the novelty of packing out a trailer.