It Must Be Thursday

Dinner...conversation...Hot Chocolate, Tea...and two episodes of All Creatures Great and Small...It must be Thursday. Jenni didn't have to work tomorrow morning, so she spent the night in Spare Oom...Otherwise known as the Jenni Room. LOL 

Another Day in Court

I have spent an hour looking for the "right" photo to start this post - something just right. I took a photo in court which I think is quite artistic, doesn't show anyone's face, the light is good - but there is a concern one is not supposed to take photos in court.  Oops - there weren't any signs. 

In the end - THIS is who the day was about. Taking steps closer to some sort of earthly justice for Josiah. I know without a doubt there is, and will be, ultimate justice. 

We were not surprised when discovery was not declared complete today.  We knew it was highly unlikely all the evidence would be gathered. Everyone is working hard to get all the pieces in place, no one wants a mistake, or miss a technicality which could cause trouble later on. 

Sitting in the courtroom is like having a Band-Aid ripped off a wound which is just starting to heal...a tender scab - far from a scar...one is taking steps to get life on track again and....RIPPPPP.... 

 No, I did not make a scene in court. Yes, I winced and teared up...It all feels so unbelievable...to be sitting in court hearing our SON discussed in the same breath as medical examiners and trial dates. I do believe everyone had much the same reaction.

These early court dates are like a cattle call. Many are given the same window of time; we all show up; they call one case after another and do the lawyerly thing...the judge is always gracious and asks which case we are here for and moves us to the front of the line.  This helps to clear the limited seating for everyone else.  He always thanks us for attending. Our DA was in court today and is taking the lead going forward. She asked to talk to us after court and discussed the process of the case going forward. We were able to ask questions and get a sense of how she sees things moving along.  It was a good day. No big surprises, discovery continued to May 1st... it is always just a bit ouchy. 

Please note, we are going to be extra-careful; we are not prohibited from talking about facts of the case online, but we are going to simply err on the side of caution and not discuss facts of the case or guesses as to what may or may not happen etc. We do not want any of our words to come back and be used against justice for Josiah in court. 

Before we drove to Anchorage, we stopped at Bre's and dropped Dad off to spend the day with her and the kids. He was excited the kids wanted a play date with him. Bre said they had a good day. I know HE had a blast and was ready for bed when he got home. LOL 

Annie was waiting for Pretty Princess to be played...and Jojo was quite impressed with GG's beard. 

Jojo, GG and Annie

Nolan and Alex live next door to BreZaak which made it convenient to bring them along for the drive to Anchorage - which we did. 

After court we grabbed a meal with everyone who was there, and then we branched off and visited Costco's new Business Center store. It was the most convenient for us, and we can get much of what we needed...unfortunately quite a few items I wanted were NOT at the business center.... I'll be looking for a chance to zip to Anchorage again for the rest of the items on the shopping list. We'll go to one of the "regular" Costcos. 

I'll leave you with these sweet photos - because this day was about taking steps towards justice for Josiah, Carrie, Livie and Josi.  We're so proud of Carrie for taking this trip with the girls - I know it means much to her family in FL for her and the girls to visit. 

Can you think of a more fitting commentary than Josi's to end the day? 

GRACE NOTES:

1. Dad had a great day with Bre and children. He also had dinner with them so when Michael and I got home we could simply relax. 

2. The DA took quite a bit of time to talk with us today. 

3. Spending the day with Nolan and Alex, Jamin, Jared and Krista is a treat - regardless of how we spent it. 

4. We can begin to see discovery being complete and moving on to another phase. 

Grands, Produce, Dinner and Games

It was a VERY busy day - but not much of it is blogworthy. Therefore, I will begin today's post with photos of all the grands sent by their Mamas. 

Little Miss Trudy is Bre and Izaak's youngest and she is finally letting us SEE her walk. We've all known she CAN walk, but she preferred to walk in private! LOL  And this little gal below? Josi Faith is CERTAINLY not in Alaska. I prefer to think her pouty face communicates, "Enough sun already! Get me back to the slush, mud and moose." 

Livie is sporting the ever-popular Chick Fil A Oreo shake! There is nothing better on that menu!  Sweet of her to take one for the team and eat at Chick Fil A in honor of her Daddy. LOL 

Check out the newest edition to the girl tribe. Ellie Rae is sporting the SAME bow as Josi Faith. 

Noah looks alarmed to be surrounded by all these girl cousins...but isn't his new haircut handsome? 

Ah, Josi...those dimples make me smile each time they surface. You got more than long limbs from Daddy. 

As sweet as babies are they can wear out Mommies and Daddies pretty quickly. 

The above photo tells the story. I was up early to bake bread and start dinner in the crock pot. I managed to get in Dad's routine and a workout before heading across town to spend the afternoon at the Food co-op with which I volunteer.  

I got home in time to put away produce and make the finishing touches for dinner. The chicken/sauce was nicely seasoned and done. I made a salad, air fryed some asparagus and boiled egg noodles. I had a few cookies left from the dinner we took CoRielle yesterday.  Krista called and was sick so wasn't going to drive out to the Valley. Nolan came over anyway for dinner and games.  

Playing games, talking, connecting was a good end to the busy day. I'll leave you with a couple of more photos of Ellie Rae. 

Hello Ellie! 

A Full Monday

Welp...22 weeks (and 2 days) since we last saw Josiah.  It's amazing how resilient humans can be. We can march on when we'd rather everything stopped. God is faithful to travel with us and we're sinking and stretching into new depths of intimacy with Him. I just wish...

Carrie shared this this morning...that boy loved fishing! He was so helpful for us newbies and so gracious while he helped....most often with that big smile on his face. My heart misses Josiah this Monday. 

I went through the morning routine...Bible, bread, Dad's breakfast and shower, 3.5 miles on the treadmill, shower...and then headed to the store to pick up a few ingredients for this evening. 

Stacia texted to ask for prayer on a rough day. We encouraged her to come home between classes. She has a 7-hour break between classes on Monday and usually studies, runs errands, skis... She was reluctant to come home - gas prices being what they are. We love that frugality but finally prevailed on her to come home. We were able to talk with her, encourage her...and I am thankful for the margin to spend an afternoon with a daughter who needs a bit of extra care.  

I baked cookies, made Alice Spring Chicken, mashed potatoes, grabbed a salad, dino nuggets and fries and prepared to take dinner to CoRielle and the boys - plus one! LOL The sibs aren't visiting until Wednesday, and we don't assume a visit when we deliver a meal, but Michael and I encouraged Stacia to come along to deliver the meal.  

The boys met us in the driveway chattering away about "their baby." Charles told me he'd "go get baby."  They were sweet. Stacia was invited in. The meal was delivered. We had a quick visit, Stacia played with the boys. This was surely the best part of her day! This little gal is simply perfect. We're falling in love. 

Stacia opted to attend her evening class via zoom...and was able to grab dinner in the 20 min break between hours. Three-hour evening classes can be quite long. LOL 

We had dinner as well -and cleaned up.  All is quiet on the home front. Stacia and Allie are occupied with their class. GG is reading a new magazine. Michael is reading...and I'm about to join him. 

I signed up to take another dinner to them on April's First - I'm open for fun surprises on April Fool's Day. 

GRACE NOTES:

1. Rejoicing today in two new little girls, destined to be the best of friends as they grow up as cousins. 

2. I am thankful for margin to make a dinner to welcome a new baby and to sit and encourage a hurting daughter. 

3. I'm thankful that it appears breakup may really be here. That's spring for the rest of the world. 

Ellie Rae is Here!

Woot! 

I told Michael I was going to get a bit of sleep as I was sure Ellie would be born either Saturday night or on Sunday. I even texted JaRissa and Jamin so they wouldn't wait for us at church this morning. We decided we did not want to be out of town. Sure enough...30 minutes after I laid down, Cory called. 

"Can you come over?" 

"On my way!" 

Arielle has had long and complicated labors in the past. I sped over to their house...and settled in for an 8 - 12 hour wait. I knew the plan was to come home 4 hours after birth, but I expected birth would take a substantial amount of time. 

The boys were in bed and didn't know Cory and Arielle were gone.  They arrived at the birthing center at 12:30 a.m. I'm going to quote Arielle's Facebook, "Ellie Rae came screaming into the world at 2:15 a.m. 3/24/24 in a whirlwind of 6 lb fury on the birth center bathroom floor. She's beautiful and strong and wonderful and we're all so in love. Danny has declared her his but is willing to share, Benny thinks it's the best day ever, and Charles is suitably impressed. Daddy may already be wrapped around her tiny finger. (As is fitting, Bachan says). "

Elleira Raelynn...Arielle spelled backwards, and Rae is my middle name. Lynn is Cory's mom's middle name.  Cory created the name years ago, when he and Arielle were dating, and they finally have a little girl to wear it. It is pronounced Ell Eye Ruh...or it seems sanctioned we can call her Ellie Rae. 💖

Danny has been praying for the baby to have hair like his. The midwife confirmed - she does. Don't you love that? 

It was SURREAL when Cory opened the door and then went out to help Arielle and Ellie into the house at 5:30 a.m. WOW...that's quick... 5 hours and back home with daughter in arms! I got to hug and hold her...

Cory went in and brought Benny out. I'm not sure if he was stirring or if Cory prodded him. Imagine - they didn't even KNOW mom and dad had left and here was Bachan with a baby. They'd been waiting for me to come and knew when I came Cory and Arielle would be going to the hospital...but I was sitting on the couch with a BABY. 

Benny got settled on the couch and while he snuggled with Ellie, I went to see if Danny was waking up. 

I said, "Bachan is here!" and he POPPED up. He took my hand and we walked into the living room. Danny was so stinking cute! He noted her hair, her "little ear," and her "little fingers." Ah - love at first sight. 

At this point my car was warmed up and I had no reason to stay. They said Charles was suitably impressed when he woke up as well. 

I came home and began baking....I baked the bread, but also banana muffins, almond poppy seed muffins and baked omelets...ready for the freezer and quick breakfasts or nursing snacks. 

For the first time in a LONG time, I was able to move the grandparent's countdown from "number of weeks" to...

CoRielle aren't accepting visitors just yet...shoot Ellie isn't even 24 hours old yet...but they said Michael and I could visit. Michael went back with the food and such while I stayed with GG. 

Becoming a grandparent never gets old. Elleira is our 14th grand! What a blessing they are - each and every one! They truly are the focus of our "ministry" these days. 

Grace Notes: 

1. Ellie Rae's safe arrival! 

2. Being IN TOWN when these babies are born! What an unexpected blessing we are living. 

3. Allie and Stacia are safely home too. 

Girls Road Trip

 Allie and Stacia left us all alone from Friday - this evening.😏 KrUke had a snow machine trip planned in the Seward area.  One of Luke's friends went with them. Krista had homework to do and wanted to explore Seward. She invited the girls and I to go with her. I opted to stay home as I am on baby watch.  I wasn't taking any chance of being in Eagle River or Seward when I may be needed here. 

This means STACIA drove the girls to base - Anchorage. As she said it's an adulting milestone - driving outside of the Valley.  Here's a photo from their drive BACK tonight - a Be Real...

 

I am thankful all three sent photos back throughout the weekend. I am not sure who sent what. They had a plan to spend time getting all their homework done, AND explore Seward and enjoy each other's company.  The first batch of photos showed them painting. 

Stacia's hand

Allie

Krista

Yes, they DID get their homework done as well. Krista sent a paper for Michael to edit while they were still down there so we knew they were working the plan. Krista is working on her Dmin in Pastoral Counseling, the girls are working on their Bachelor's. 

Stacia, Allie & Krista 

Most of the shops were open this time. These girls liked the trip to the Fabric store. 

I spotted this old church converted to a coffee shop/ art gallery in January but it wasn't open. The girls were able to get inside it and it was as great as I imagined. I am going back to Seward when all the stores and restaurants are open.😁

Before they could blink, they were on their way home...refreshed, I hope. Homework is done, memories were made...sounds like a great plan to me. 

Krista, Stacia (back) and Allie

I'm pretty sure Kyle and Luke had fun machinging as well.