Moose

So I was minding my own buisness quilting my newly pinned quilt upstairs and I look out the window and right in front of me is this guy. Between the time I got the kids to come look and grabbed the camera he had layed down in the snow. We sure have been seeing alot of these guys in our yard. I am hoping that Brent won't have to go out hunting, he can just sit in our yard and shoot them.

Cookie Face

The other day Ari got a treat from one of the ladies at church who
will never live the cookie thing down. She gave her a cream filled
cookie that she could gum to death. So today I gave her
something else that she could gum. She sure enjoyed it!
I think she already has the "Oh, you caught me look!"








This is her poor me little baby face when she is sooooooo
tired. Isn't it the cutest little thing? She has drool over her chin and some rice kernels that were left in her walker from the other night.

Artsy Fartsy

My eldest little girl loves to do anything artsy. This is her latest with

watercolors. She has been constantly drawing, painting, or creating

something since Christmas. She recieved a number of artsy things and has made good use of them since.

Doing Something Right

The last couple of days I feel so good about school. I have changed some things we are doing and the order in which we do them. Trying to get David through before he gets to antsy. We are doing Bible together instead of separately which is much easier.

I find that when I am antsy and in a hurry it wears on the kids. So my goal lately is to not rush and just enjoy the time with them. We are doing magnetism in Science and Ania is loving it. David isn't required to do it but he loves doing the experiments with her.

Another Nasty Moment

Yet another nasty moment in the life as a mother! I am sitting at the computer holding Ari. She is now happy and smiling because she had pooed in her diaper moments before. Well, I went to get up and low and behold the computer chair has now been christened along with the carpet in the room. I thought the yellow on green was a bad contrast; well, it can't beat the yellow on mauve!

Six Months Already

My precious girl! What an adventurous six months already. You are so loved and such a joy. From such a small bundle to a bright eyed gift from God.
Thank you for the joy and smiles you have given all of us. Always remember that you are loved by all!

T-R-O-U-B-L-E

So while I was pinning my quilt for our peak window today, my two older children decided to find something destructive(I meant constructive) to do. Somewhere along the line one of them decided to make a pizza for baby with rice........
I know that it is great for tactile learning and things but we had a huge mess! I leave a pie plate of it out for David to play in and it has slowly dwindled. Ari sure enjoyed it by the size of this smile!
TROUBLE! I am in so much! Put the three of them together and I can sure wait until she is walking cause I have a feeling that there is going to be many more of these fun times;)

Newspaper Topics

I have been following in the newspaper several topics related to Alaska. The AGIA(natural gas pipeline), parital-birth abortion becoming a felony in this state, the caucuses, and it wouldn't be Alaska if we didn't include gold panning.

AGIA has been huge right now because there were 7 proposals sent to the state from different companies and only one met the requirements set out by the state. It has been kind of comical to watch ConocoPhilips pout about their proposal being shot down. The key to theirs is that it does not guarantee a pipeline being built. While I am not so sure about awarding it to a Canadian company, at least theirs guarantees a pipeline being built. I do want to see the pipeline benefit Alaskans. After all my children will most likely end up working on it in their lifetime. But I also don't want to see the state getting pushed around by the big oil companies.

Partial-birth abortion has been proposed to the legislature as a felony in Alaska, which I am all for. Those of you who know me know that I would prefer it be banned all together but we can take it one step at a time. With the pregnancy rates here and the ages that young girls are getting pregnant it will be tough.

Uggh! Is it another election year already? Just watching the mud slinging has been enough to turn my stomach. There is a movement here that is calling for the backing of Ron Paul, which I am not backing at this point. I get so frustrated with the fact that the only ones that matter in the presidential election anymore are the ones labeled Republican or Democrat. I have to say it sure depends on the candidate.

With gold prices at an all time high gold panning has once again become more than just a hobby. There are more than a few amateurs that are purchasing sluice boxes, gold pans, etc. I for one am not one that is willing to stand in a stream in freezing water like the guy that I saw in the paper this morning. Like he said you end up spending just as much as you make. For any of you who might have suddenly got gold fever remember that!

Adult Conversation

So we went to church last night for Kids Club. I have finally come to the conclusion that it is not for the kids that I go it is for me! I enjoy the adult interaction so much. I have truly enjoyed our church here more because Brent's job is not at the forefront of everyone's mind. It's tough when that is how most people see you. Thankfully with this rotational position I don't have to think about it. What a relief!

Janine looked at Ari's ear last night and said it is a little pink. She gave me some suggestions and am trying them now. I am hoping that it will drain quickly and not become a full blown ear infection. She seems happier this morning. She hasn't been waking up the cheerful little baby that I know and love since her cold. She is all talk and bright eyes this morning though.

Woke up in the middle of the night to my two older children in my bed! Talk about a surprise! Ania has been very good about getting up on her own and going to bed, but I had to carry David. Thank goodness he is still small enough for me to carry short distances. I love to cuddle with them but my bed is my bed. I like having room to move and stretch. Sure wish we had gone with the king size bed, but that is okay I like cuddling with Brent too.

I did my grocery shopping on Thursday and found the most darling little pink coat with a hood for Ari next winter. This is one of the biggest things that I missed about living in Barrow. There are no outlet stores or huge clearance sales, except for what AC is trying to clear out. Thank God for Fred Meyer and their 50%off already clearance priced items. Granted I can't do much of that right now but when an opportunity presents itself and I have the money and can work it into the grocery budget.........

Brent and I were talking and it is weird how God intertwines when people come in and out of our lives. We heard from a old friend from high school the other day. Haven't talked to her in years. It is interesting to see how their lives have changed and how God has been working in them. To see and compare the things we have all gone through and glean from each others experiences. What a treasure!

Snowing

It is snowing here! YEAH! We have had temperature swings like no tomorrow lately. From -40 to 40. Although the above 0 has been perfect timing for us. We ran out of wood and had to get some while the temps were good. I am thankful for the snow right now though. The insulation is great before it gets colder again tomorrow. God's timing is impeccable!

My Youngins

I love being mom so much! When I think back to how hard of a shift it was for me to go from full time college/working student to full time worker/mom to full time mom I cringe. I did not make life easy for my wonderful husband and my children. I didn't know what to do with myself and all this time. Now as a mom I don't have extra time for all the things that I thought moms had time for. What a lifestyle change! Not even touching the mind change. My kids constantly amaze me. With all the changes we have had in the last year they are still my good kids. Thank you Lord for such wonderful blessings. It is true that as the Bible says children are a blessing from the Lord. It is really to bad that in today's society they are considered an inconvenience. Where would we be without kids?

Anyway, these are some pics of my blessings.

Size Comparison

So Brent was entertaining Ari the other day and used his foot for the fun.

She would open her mouth, grab for the slipper, then attempt to eat it.

She finally got it off his foot and it sat next to her while he took these pics.

She is reaching for things all the time now and has just started reaching

for me when someone else is holding her. She still isn't to sure about that

fuzzy faced man that sometimes lives her yet!

Look at the size comparison of Brent's slipper to her! Has she gotten big or what!

Frozen Faces

So yesterday Brent and I had to get wood to get through the night. Thankfully he was feeling okay and I put a face mask on. This is what happened after only 20 minutes in -30. Give Brent a few more minutes and he could look like Santa Clause.

Whew

We made it through the last cold spell. Thank God! We have been dealing with sub zero temps for the last four days which may not seem like that much to some but when you have to get out in it to get wood it sucks! Although, when it is that cold we are able to find and fix more air leaks in the house.

Brent has officially gotten sick! I now get to put up with a grumpy man and three sick children for who knows how long. We have to all be careful or we will catch something allot worse.

Sicko

Winter is so not fun when you are sick! David brought home some bad cold, passed it to Ania, gave it to me, moved to Ari, and we are waiting for Brent to come down with it. Uck! I haven't been sick like this in awhile, thank goodness. My husband actually put me to bed:) He takes such good care of me.

We have been busy getting wood, again! Also been fixing holes and making the house warmer. It has been -40 below or close to for most of this week. It is much different than Barrow in the fact that there is no wind. Thank goodness! I actually drove the car today with square tires. You have to just deal with it till the rubber warms up. Talk about a heart attack in the making, I thought I blew a tire! It is supposed to get to 0 or above in the next couple of days. Yeah! An Alaska warming trend. I do miss the sound of the snow blowing on the ground from Barrow but right now that is all I miss.

We had a visitor this week. Pastor Jamie came to see us. What an answer to prayer. Brent had a rough rotation and it was a great thing for him to see him and be able to chat. I hope they come to visit in the summer. Brent and Jamie share the same sense of humor and just feed off each other. It is a riot and truly enjoyable to watch them together.

School, Patience, and Perseverance

What a day yesterday. We had a difficult school day, but the best part is we worked through it. Thank God for His grace and the wisdom of mom! Going through that just puts me in my place. I remember putting mom through so much of that and it is not fun to be on the other side of it. So mom (and dad) here is a huge I am sorry and apology for the years and years of what I put you through. Thank you for the wisdom and love of so many years of going through the same thing.

It's funny, Ania has been listening to Odyssey. She got a new one from Grandma for Christmas and the one she has been listening to constantly is about patience and perseverance. Hmmm, do ya think the Lord is trying to tell me something? I get it, I get it! Even my Bible study has been about patience and making every thought captive to Christ. What a huge thing to work on! But I am loving the results of the lesson. Life is so much sweeter when I make every effort to ask (and I know this is a cliche but) what would Jesus do?

Growing fast

Ari is rolling OVER!!!!!!!

Just thought I would let you know. I had to call Brent and tell him too. I am not talking about just once but many times. If I lay her on her back she rolls to her stomach and then proceeds to cry because she is not on her back anymore.

She is also putting her cute little tosies in the air and playing with them. I put a wrist rattle on her this morning and she couldn't take her eyes off it. She is also talking again after having been a little quiet for a couple of weeks.

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Just Have to Show You

This picture is from Christmas but I love it so much I just have to show you! Ania and David both carried it by themsleves from our back woods to the front door, which is quite a ways. I am so proud of them. We figure that Ari will be helping them carry it next year!

Busy.......

Okay....I am soooooo tired. I still haven't caught up on my sleep from when Brent was home last. I have also been busy with cleaning, the kids, moving wood, laundry, the kids(yes I know I said this one already but you know how it is), the dishes(still don't have a working dishwasher), and many other things I can't remember doing but I know they got done. My arm hurts like the dickens(from minor surgery). Remind me to never do something like that again while Brent is gone!

Ari is teething so I am not sleeping much. Hmmmm! Although I have been enjoying movies while she is up and have gotten a lot of projects done.

Was reading in the paper this morning about a home that was 180feet outside of the fire service area in town. Unfortunately this is a reality for many in Alaska. The department got the call but they determined once they got there that the home was outside the service area. On one hand I can understand the thought process and yet on the other side it was someones home that was destroyed. It is unfortunate that politics and taxes affect whether we keep our homes in an emergency or not. I can't even begin to understand how those firefighters feel. I mean they signed up to do a job and they are told no even though they could have saved the home. How awful to live with that realization. Since we live in an area with no fire service this is a reality for many. It is not unheard of to hear of someones house burning and losing everything.

I have a huge chore list today so I have to get started. Maybe I can bribe the kids to do some of it by making cookies:)

I Signed Up for PPP!

Hello all, I have recently signed up with payperpost.com Click here to go to their website
drive traffic

I am excited to see how this works. For those of you who know me I love writing about various things and once in awhile getting on a soap box and being able to express my opinions and open discussions about various topics. I am so excited to get this started because not only do I get to speak to a captive audience, but I also get paid for it! How great is that? And if I don't want to write about a subject I don't have too. It is all based on how much you put into it and what you want to write about.



I am hoping to pay off some debt, be able to pay for a vacation, furnish the house, take some classes, and start an Alpaca farm with the money that I earn from this. Yes, bold I know, but who says you can't dream a little. Living where we do this is the perfect way to supplement some income and be able to work it around my schedule, which as a homeschooling housewife of three is perfect. I can do this when the kids are sleeping and while Brent is at work.

Surprise!

So I got up this morning, late I might add! I went to add wood to our boiler outside and low and behold there was a gigantic moose eating on our side of the fence. She was HUGE! Scared the living daylights out of me. Ran into the house to get the kids and the camera. How cool is that? I love living in Alaska. Yes these animals are destructive and can total a car but it is so amazing to see one in its own environment. We do live in the wild after all!

Party!

We went to church last night for a new year's eve party. So much fun! The kids played like crazy till 1:30 in the morning at church then we got home and they played till 2:30am and then promptly passed out. Got to play cribbage, which I haven't done in years and eat lots of good food. The kids played with sparklers and got to see fireworks. They had fun. Living in Alaska there is no fireworks display on the Fourth, what is the point? So New Year's is the big day. We haven't been in a place the last couple of years for us to see any so the kids sure enjoyed, while I sat with the women and watched Anne of Green Gables!