End of Summer

Well I know for most of you that summer will last another month and if your lucky two! Here though summer is quickly coming to an end. The annual fair is the official end of summer in the Interior. It usually rains every day of the fair and you just get out and enjoy it or miss it! Luckily this year it wasn't bad. We went on a day where we were able to enjoy the day and it didn't start raining till it was almost time to go. The girls sure did good. Bekah did very well for being in the stroller all day (along with not having much of a nap). Ari obviously loved the animals and seeing all the displays. Ania and David both enjoyed food and displays which hopefully next year we will enter some things. I do miss the State Fair in WA, but there is something to be said for a smaller one. You get to see people you may not the rest of the year. Along with the homey feeling it just seems allot more family friendly. I love the Interior! We were all so exhausted that it has taken about two days to recover! LOL! Still when they all look at you and say thanks mom we had so much fun; it reminds you that it was all worth it!

Heartaches and Joys

Okay so everyone knows that I love being mom. What a privilege to raise precious gifts for His glory and in the way they should go. And sometimes it can be hard to do that and yet on the other side of the obstacle they are more confident and one more step towards what He has in store for them.

With all that said my son went to camp yesterday all by himself. I was so proud of him and yet my heart was breaking. I know that he will come home with wonderful stories and new friends. Yet he is one more step toward manhood. Whew! Big breath!

He was so excited cause he got to do something without his big sister. At this point there isn't much that he does do alone. What a big word, alone. I think that for a seven year old that takes on a whole new meaning.

David at some point you will read this and remember. I am so proud of you and the man you are becoming. Stay true to Him and become the man that He wants you to be. Don't let anything or anyone stand in your or His way. I love you son.

A Day in the Life

I was baking cinnamon rolls awhile back and Ari decided to explore the flour bucket. One of the most enjoyable things of watching my kids grow is getting to experience the small everyday things. This was definitely one of them!

So Ari turned one at the end of July.
She got to enjoy a piece of cake with frosting. As I only had time for a quick cake she got a yellow cake for her first piece. She enjoyed crumbling it to pieces!

One of my least favorite chores growing up was crushing cans. It must be evil to enjoy passing that one on!

So one of our many projects to finish this summer was to permachink the house. Well I have it almost finished. Only a couple more seams and the outside is all done. Thank God it is only a one time application. My hands still hurt! I have noticed a big difference in the house though, which has been sure great.

Brent and the kids gave me one of the greatest birthday presents I have had in a very long time. We went to a Roadhouse down the road that I have been longing to get too. While there David decided to take a picture of Dad and Ania. Isn't he adorable? After we were done at the roadhouse we went for a nice long drive. I needed to get away from the house for awhile. I have been so busy and stressing over getting the house things done while Brent has been having to work extended time that he came home like a prince on a white charger and whisked me away. What a wonderful area that we got to see. I am truly amazed by God's work. Rainbow Ridge is amazing. We got to see a moose eating in a pond. Brent got some great pics of that. Too bad he didn't have a tag and rifle with us at that time.

The one thing I asked for was a t-bone dinner. As you can tell the kids truly enjoyed my birthday dinner!

David being a Starcommand soldier.

With all the flooding we had the mosquitoes have bred like rabbits and trying to sleep is awful. I finally bit the bullet and went out and bought mosquito nets to cover the beds. I sure hope guests don't mind the walls in the bathroom until I can get them cleaned, they are covered in blood spatter and look like a crime scene.

Progressions

Ari has been making the adjustment to solid foods so well. I don't know why we spent so much money on jarred baby food the first couple times! She just eats from our plates and has some definite likes. Isn't this the cutest? We were having cantaloupe one night for dinner and she loved it. Her little lips would just stick out like a cartoons! The sounds she would make were so adorable.






Ania got to go to church camp this year. What an adjustment for
mommy as dad was still at work while she was gone. Ari decided
to help her pack! She got so into it that all Ania's clothes were on the floor and picked through.






This is Ania after camp! The greatest thing was a big hug and an I missed you mommy, but I had such a great time!

Air Show 2008

David in the co pilots seat of a C130.

Ania in the co pilots seat of a C130.

The sight of freedom!

2008 Air Force Thunderbirds

Truly a sight to see! I have to say it was way better than the Blue Angels! You were right there.

My next truck! I am in love!

The kids were playing peekaboo around the corner of the hallway.
Ania loves reading to Ari. Sometimes she even gets to the end of the book before Ari gets bored.
I finally got Ari to keep this headband on for more than a few seconds!
Ania in a blackhawk helicopter!
David in a blackhawk!

Summer Life

While Brent was available I said that I have to get this done. Of course it took me longer than I thought it would as I lost a safety pin inside somewheres. Ari loves it! It is taking me some getting used to and I wish I would have done it sooner. I can carry her on my front or back and she is close and happy. Best yet it only cost me a couple of bucks instead of the $45 that I have seen them for!

Brent and I decided that it was time for Ania to

start helping even more with food prep. She did great with

this chef's knife!

David loves playing with Kiska. Poor dog! She has been doing great with all three of the kids. She just kind of ignores baby still, but she is getting better!

Ania loves to scratch Kiska's tummy! The feeling is mutual. I thought this was great. She enjoyed it so much that she completely relaxed.

Brent thought this was the cutest thing! She crawled around the house with this in her mouth and a big smile around it!

Ari is still enjoying the feel and texture of whatever she puts in her mouth!

Daddy is trying to teach her how to walk?!? Go figure! After he complains about her being able to get up and move.

She sure loves her daddy!

We went to another open house for the fire department. This time the kids were able to go for a fire engine ride around the block, which was even better than the last time!

Thankful for so Many Blessings

Aren't these great pictures? Ania is a natural and David just likes seeing his face on the camera. What a great way to see their love.

We have been out of Barrow for almost a year now. I keep thinking of the things I miss from up there, and then I start thinking of the things I really missed from the real world when we lived in the bush. Things like fresh vegetables, crawling in grass, the rain on the roof, and the wind in the leaves. Brent and I were talking the other day about cooking of all things. He always says how spoiled he is that I love to take the time and cook. I have been thinking about that allot lately. I love to try new recipes and taste new things all the time (you should see my recipe collection now and what it was before we left Barrow). We ate allot of pasta and spaghetti in Barrow not that we don't eat it here but we have fresher things to try and enjoy. He laughed cause I won't even bat an eye at spending two hours in the kitchen to make lunch if that is what it takes. I just enjoy the challenge and enjoyment of making people truly experience the food they eat.


So here is a list of things that I am thankful for not only because we are out of the bush but also because the Lord has provided so much.

• Fresh vegetables



• Green grass



• Wind in the leaves



• Rain on the roof



• Birds and the lovely sounds they make all night long



• Mosquitoes



• Raspberries



• Wild roses



• Rivers that are not covered in ice all year



• A place for the kids to ride their bikes



• Garage sales with good stuff


• A house to put it in and be able to decorate the way I want to decorate



• Screen doors and windows



• Mountains



• Kiska



• My wheelbarrow



• The chainsaw
• Really good coffee

Wow! I could go on and on...........
I am so thankful for the little blessings and sure hope that I don't take them for granted again.


The kids and I have been out working in the yard getting quite a few things accomplished. I got the garden planted and most of the front of the house dug out for us to treat the wood. Thankfully we will be able to get most of this done this summer. There isn't much left of it and I want to enjoy it while we can.

Ari learning to stand on her own.

These are some great pics of the kiddos in the yard.

I love these cute little faces she makes.

Ari is experiencing grass for the first time in these.