Speaking of school – SCHOOL’S OUT!  YAHOO!  All of our end of the year paperwork is turned in, and approved — As homeschool mom/teacher, I am officially done too :-D!  I wonder, are there other homeschool mom’s out there who are so excited when it’s break time?  I absolutely love homeschooling, it is my choice alone, and I am not real rigid with when/how everything gets done, as long as it does get done.  But, boy does it feel good when I have my part done and turned in!  I feel as if the ever present lingering questions of “Is … done?”, “Where are we on…?”, “Have we done enough?” – are over! Yes, Yes, and Yes — It is done, where are we on–oh, we are done, and yes, we have done enough.  This year is complete!  {big, deep sigh of relief}  I now have a 9th & 7th grader…uh, wait! can we go back?  Maybe I don’t want this year to be over, let’s back up several months (or years).  I know, think anyone would notice if I just had my children repeat?  🙂

I have also determined to be a more “fun” mom, being less ‘single parenty’ mom as I can be…meaning when I take a break on the ‘have to do right now list’, I’m not blogging.  Besides that – the sun finally came out and we felt some warmth, if the sun goes behind a cloud it is still chilly air (there’s still tons of snow on the mountains), but there is the idea summer might come yet. 🙂  Yesterday we put the bike rack on the back of the van and used it for the first time.  We only put their two on to start with, so the kids rode while I walked.  But, I did buy myself a helmet afterwards….

Today, {I actually saw 70.5* on my thermometer!} we took Ali to the park – just for fun!  When we got there the park was packed, we were so bummed – we’d planned so specifically for mid-morning (after she came, before lunch & nap), before school was out for the day and before school is out for the summer….but, we forgot to take into account schools are having all their “last day” activities.  Oh, ya.  We shuffled in through the gate working to not step on any little kids.  Hoping to find a spot, Ali turned to Vince and decided there was no way she was getting down.  We were just getting ready to leave when we saw another school bus show up full of kids – but that school bus loaded up the kids (from the first group) and the second group stopped to each their lunch first. Yes!  We got to spend 30-45 min playing before it started to get crowded again.  My kids have really wanted to take Ali to a big slide – one that is slick (the one we have in our yard is not).  Here are a few pictures of our time there, I was excited to try my camera again after getting it “fixed”.

Vince went with Ali the first time, then she wanted to go on her own, so he just followed closely.   {obviously I didn’t anticipate the right lighting setting – smack in the middle at 0 wasn’t it}

At the park I realized my camera is still not acting right, I have determined it isn’t just me and my lack of knowledge though.  It doesn’t even work that great on auto!  This is so frustrating – the store I bought it from says it’s been too long, it’s not their problem.  Nikon says, “don’t use it on manual just use auto” {NOT why I bought a DSLR!!!}, besides that it doesn’t work on auto either.  The protection plan I bought says, it won’t go into effect until after the first year, until then it’s Nikon’s responsibility.  Back to Nikon I went and they walked me through doing a bunch of setting changes and again said, “Don’t use it on auto.”  He said the kit lens (18-55) isn’t meant to focus closer than one foot.  Seriously?!  With my Sony I could rest the end on my jeans and as long as it was tipped enough for light, it focused.  I keep trying to go back to using my old digital Sony, it doesn’t focus all the time – but at least it has good color and an amazing zoom.  However, it is a point-and-shoot and I really wanted to learn how to use a camera – but maybe it isn’t the time for me right now.  I want to be able to zoom in and take really close-ups, without changing lenses.  Is this possible with a DSLR?

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We are greatly blessed, and I don’t ever want to take our freedom for granted.  Today is a day set aside to remember, honor, and thank those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.  If you are someone active in the military or you have a spouse active in the military, thank you.  For those who have close family or friends active in the military – so we can all enjoy our freedom – thank you.  The person gone for active duty needs the support you provide.

My kids & I went to a local memorial event with my dad today.  As you can see, we had quite the visual real-life background behind the speakers.  My pictures once again didn’t turn out – but the trees were a brilliant spring green.  At one point a super cub flew between us and the mountains.  Yesterday was very cold & wet, and now it is overcast and much cooler than it was earlier.  At the time of the outdoor event – it was gorgeous!  It was a good thing we had the breeze, there were moments I actually thought I might get hot. 🙂

An interesting fact we learned from one of the speakers – Memorial Day was first celebrated 100 years before Alaska even became a state.  Alaska just celebrated 50 years of statehood a couple years ago…does that help you grasp how incredibly young our state is?!  I know this, but sometimes when put in context it really gets me.

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So this update is an attempt at a ‘shortened’ pictorial version of this anti-socialite’s life 🙂 – God stretched me to the point I feel like a rubber band that has stayed stretched out, no more ‘bouncing back’ to my original shape. So, if you plan to read all the way through, get comfy – consider this is your warning as this post is loooong. It is once again day by day for my sake when I’m trying to journal pictures later…or just when I try to remember why I am so very tired.

Plants on the deck are coming along. We planted a garden again this year, but we also wanted to keep some cabbage & lettuce (last year the moose got them). I told Vince he could make a container garden on our deck as long as he came up with an interesting container. He came up with the idea of tires – I love it! It seems the plants do too, we’ve decided the tires heat up & helps the plants grow well.

June 10th & 15th I went for training for filling in full time.
June 13th – 2pm was a bridal shower an hour away & at 7pm a wedding here.
June 16th-July 2th I worked full time. A very different life for the kids & I. My mom watched the kids for me. Mom, dad & the kids actually went to the cabin June 20-26th.
June 20th-26th I was home 100% alone & working all day. I haven’t lived that lifestyle since 1995! Life was VERY strange. They left Sat after the annual meeting at church – the rest of Sat & all day Sunday was the strangest. It was good for me. It was just long enough that I got past the weirdness of it & was happy when they came home. 🙂 Mom & the kids came home on the 26th.
June 27th was another friends wedding.
June 28th -mom, the kids & I went to town to go shopping for me to get things for going to camp & looking for clothes for my cousin’s wedding.
June 29th – after work we went into town again for more shopping…uggghhh, I really dislike shopping! We got home at 11:30pm!!!!
June 30th – after work I went to the airport to pick up Nate & Christina and their 5 kiddos. We went to eat in Anchorage. We got home 9:30pm & then visited for a couple hours. Oh yeah & I had to get a Creative Memory order in…
July 1st – Nate & Christina headed to the cabin. I went to work, then to a meeting for camp, then shopping to get the craft supplies for camp – home about 10:30pm.
July 2nd – went to work for half a day, went home & fell asleep sitting straight up on the swing on the deck for over an hour! Then 7’ish we headed to town again to take the truck to Jeremy’s apt for Uncle Dave & Aunt Sharon the next day. Home about 11pm.
July 3rd – needed to be at church by 12:30…at 12:15 in the Wal-mart parking lot, while sitting in my mom’s car, someone hit the car. No dents, just scratches – but still caused an adrenaline rush!
July 4th – was so different this year. This year I was at camp with other leaders & 46 students. Last year was the parade in a campaign year. Mom & my kids were home, they went to the parade & the Hughes’ picnic. Jon & Kathy got in & all headed to the cabin, there were 24 people there!

Our view when walking down the hill to eat or for meetings the Lodge.

FAMILY

Uncle Dave (Aunt Sharon’s husband) filled Vince’s love tank to overflowing. Uncle Dave loves to be in the kitchen cooking & so does Vince. He actually chose to stay home when we all went on a hike so he could cook with Uncle Dave for the rehersal dinner.

A small portion of our crew starting the hike.
It took 5 vehicles to get us all up to the mine! Of course I have many pictures of flowers. They were different than the ones going up the other trail. 🙂

Christine & I had to head down the mountain earlier than everyone else. The allergies were getting to be too much & I had to get to town to get paper for the wedding programs and back home for the rehersal dinner at 6pm.

July 9th (evening)– the rehersal dinner was at our house. How strange to have people from both of my hometowns at our house here. It was ‘mentally trippy’ :).

If I counted right we had 44 people here that evening.

At 12:30 Friday morning the 3 oldest girls had a sleepover in my bed.

July 10th –

The beautiful bride working on the bridesmaids’ bouquets.

Buckets of flowers!

By 1:30pm the centerpieces, bouquets, boutiners & food were as ready as they could be. So we went separate directions until 4, when we were to meet for manicure/pedicures. I went to Jo-Ann’s & Michael’s with mom & Aunt Sharon. We needed ribbon for the programs & something for the flower girls to carry.

I got my first pedicure. I figured it would be a fun memory for a first. I even got a design, one of the other girls got it & I liked it – so I copied her.

The table in the backyard during the rehersal dinner was Jeremy’s table. Kate came back to the house to get something she forgot & saw them burning it after the dinner (it broke when trying to move it), she was sad & mentioned she’d really liked the legs. Vince snagged a leg & made it into a hanging rack – sanding it down & putting hooks on it. He gave it to her at the reception – she recognized it immediately & loved it. He was so pleased!

Mom & Dad with the little car. Dad & Vince brought the little car into Anchorage. Dad chauffered Jeremy & Kate away from the wedding in it.

July 12th – church, gathered for lunch & then all gathered up at Zach & Janes for a hot dog roast – but first Christine & I went to church for the camp wrap up (a crowd of 80+!). Fourteen of our family friends also joined us. Jon & Kathy left late that night.
July 13th – Nate & Christina left late-afternoon (flew out at 5:30pm). Unfortunately Christina got sick & ended up in bed ’til the moment of leaving. I took them in to the airport, made a couple stops to return stuff not used for the wedding & then home for a movie with mom, kids & Gabby. Uncle Dave & Aunt Sharon went to a friends for dinner with Josiah, who left late evening.
July 14th – Uncle Dave, Aunt Sharon & Gabby had to be packed & ready to go. We drove up to Matt & Samantha’s for a BBQ, Nick & Beth (WI friends) also joined us.

While at Matt & Samantha’s, Matt took Gabby & CJ to fly over the glacier. They came back, landed & ate, then we left. We were there just over an hour. Then headed back to drop off BBQ stuff, pick up the fish and luggage to take them to the airport to fly out at 9pm.

This brings us to today, July 15th…It was the first morning I didn’t have to be up by 6:30/7am & out of the house by 8/9am…I slept until 10:20 & Christine until 11! Mom left to go for a campout with friends down in Ninilchik and Vince went to a friend’s for R’s birthday – so it’s just CJ & I. How weird is that?! Today, I got to actually stop & look at my flowers on my deck & how they’re doing. Guess what – remember my hibiscus I couldn’t get to hang onto its buds & bloom? I put it on the deck a month or more ago, I thought it was dead, I just didn’t get around to getting it to the garbage & I’ve basically ignored it. Yesterday (or the day before) I noticed a bud & today it had bloomed! It had all turned yellow & looked very dead. I’m glad I never got around to pitching it. Also, my pots that looked so pathetic have filled out nicely. For some reason though, my Viola’s that should only get to 6″ are all 12-18″ high….who knows. I’m just thankful they are all still alive & I can slow down, breathe & enjoy them now.

I must say I’ve learned so much in the last year & the last 6-7 wks cemented it. I feel as though this picture from last week’s hike very aptly describes my life right now. Beautiful, with bends & curves I can’t see around – but it is still good. All essentials there, just not straight, practical, functional – the way I tend to think is best. My trust is growing thru all this. For an anti-socialite who is used to requiring a couple days to recover from one crowd to see how God does give strength to make it thru multiple crowds in a week or crowds day in & day out for weeks on end… I’m tired but content. God has provided above & beyond, exceedingly & abundantly above all I could ask or think. I’ve been too tired to ask, but He knew what I needed even when I didn’t get it requested.

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for knowing me – who I am in Christ.
Knowing what I need, when I need it & how much.

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Before & After

and the other side….

It’s so much fun to see what dad (or either of my brothers) can do with a broken vehicle. It makes me think of how God does this with us, when we’re broken He fixes us. He doesn’t have to wait to find a good price on the right parts, order the parts, and then wait for them to come (why there still isn’t a grill on the truck). He just waits for us to turn to Him, to give Him our all & all. Thank you, Heavenly Father, for continuing Your work in me.

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I’m not even going to attempt to back track the last 2 months – but here are some pictures of the last week.

4th of July
A proud Vince carrying the Alaska flag. The kids got to go swimming in a friends pool – an unheated pool during a cold Alaskan summer, at 9:30pm! Can you say BRRRRRRR?!

4 days later we hiked Hatcher’s Pass – absolutely gorgeous!

GOD IS SO AMAZING!
The creek, mountains, waterfalls – they’re all so big up in Hatchers, and then in the middle of it all there are all these beautiful little flowers. This little flowers head is about half the size of my little finger.

Yes, that is snow behind the kids. For July it sure seemed like a lot. We were thankful for the sweatshirts & wished we had more layers with us.

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