AWANA Award Ceremony

So on Sunday we had our church's AWANA award ceremony. I am so proud of my kiddos. Rebekah finished her first Cubbie Book with PERFECT ATTENDANCE! And then Thomas did an outstanding job. Not only was he just 1 of 3 Sparks who completed the second Sparks book, did their review and earned the extra credit pin by completing his workbook, but he was again the FIRST Spark to be completely done, and he did so with over 6 weeks to spare!! It was a lot of hard work on his part, but I couldn't be more proud!



Afterwards there is always an ice cream social and of course that's almost the highlight of the evening! Vanilla with raspberry sauce for Thomas and chocolate with chocolate sauce for Rebekah (surprise, surprise!) Next year Rebekah will finish Cubbies with the second book and Thomas will finish his third and final year of Sparks and I'd venture to guess he'll complete the review and extra credit too!

So my sister came down from Anchorage this past weekend. It was great for her to be here, with my dad's declining health and all. We've seen her several times this spring up in Anchorage, but the kids loved having Auntie for a "sleep-over" at our house. She is now 35 weeks pregnant (due May 25th) and we (namely Rebekah & I) are super excited to welcome baby Jazmyne into the family and love on her.


These are pictures from Easter. Did you notice the kiddos are wearing the same outfits as in the photo above? I bought them at a local boutique here and paid a small fortune for them, so I guess I should be thankful and glad that they like them well enough to wear them often. Such a handsome and tender young man my Thomas is turning into. And well Rebekah....she is uniquely her own. Super sweet one minute and then ultra independent and sassy the next. Chris even set up the tripod and the camera and took a family picture. It is good since we didn't have one taken for our Christmas cards this year and once it's cropped down it should be a good picture. Doesn't hurt that I have lost 20 lbs. since February and Chris is down almost 40 lbs. :)

My father's health is rapidly going downhill and I would covet your prayers for my family. I just got off the phone with my mother and it looks like my father will need another back surgery (that would be #3) ASAP for a slipped disc and with his diminished mental capabilities,I'm just not sure how that's going to work. But if he doesn't have it, if the disc slips completely, it would paralyze him. My gut feeling is that he'll be in a assisted living home by the end of the year if things don't improve drastically...and it's beyond description to watch my father wither to this shell of a man that he once was, not even so long ago. I know God's hand is on him and He will work this for His good purpose somehow, but peace and strength are needed for the rest of us, especially my mother.

My latest crafty creations

So, these past few months this has been my "crafty" creation of choice. And you thought I only scrapbooked! Ha...it all started because I made two of these bow tie bags; one for my mother and the second was for my Aunt as Christmas gifts (not pictured). Then I had to make myself one (brown/cream accent). Then a lady who works at a local convenience station saw my mom's and she paid me $50 to make her one (brown/blue accent). Then I made one for my mother-in-laws birthday (black/brown accent) and most recently I offered to make one for a friend who is paying me for just the cost of the materials (brown/green accent). I've been debating whether to make them and try to sell them at the fall craft bazaars...but not sure if I could make it worth my time. I guess I would hate to make them and not have anyone willing to pay the $50. But then again, I guess I'd have gifts for all my friends if they didn't sell. What do you think?

No posts but lots of snow!

Okay, so it's now April and I still haven't posted. Hmmmm...so much for my best intentions. We have been super busy here. Awana's, field trips, school carnivals, Rebekah's dance class every Wednesday and volunteering in Thomas' classroom on Fridays. Then there's the scrap retreats, day crops and workshops I've held recently. Bible study, quilting on Thursday's, quilt group once a month, keeping up the house and the list goes on...makes me tired just typing it all out! I so apologize for not keeping this blog up very well.

So can you guess what it's doing right now - April 14th in Kenai, Alaska? It's flippin' SNOWING! Aaaaaagh....last night my son and I went out for a beautiful bike ride/jog, saw a herd of caribou in the field at the end of our road and this morning this is what I woke up to. It's a bit depressing to be honest. I'm ready for spring!! Makes me want to go curl back up in my bed with my girl and enjoy a cup of cocoa and a good book! But I guess go do my bible study instead.... :)

I'm still here!

Okay....so I wasn't as good about keeping this thing up to date as I had hoped...but it's a new year and a girl can only hope. Anyways...it wouldn't take much to make an improvement, so that's my goal for this year. At least one entry, every month!

I have to work the rest of this week at Chris' dental office...joy...NOT! But hopefully then, the beginning of next week I can post some pictures of the kids from this Fall and Christmas.

Hope you all have had a good year and may 2010 be even better. I think of you, my friends and family, often and pray for you always!

State Fair Fun

We took the kids up to the Alaska State Fair in Palmer this Labor Day weekend. Although I am glad we went, I don't think I'll ever go on the last weekend again. We got there just as it opened and within an hour the fairground was packed!! It was bad enough to put Chris on edge and that just ruined it for me. But we pushed on for a couple of more hours, letting the kids enjoy the rides and games and such. I wish I had taken photos of the people WAITING to purchase tickets when we left. I have never seen the lines so long! Next year...it'll have to be a weekday, or else I will have to leave Chris at home. Which incidentally I did try to do this year, but next year I'll insist.

It was pretty cool that Thomas is now "big" enough to ride the rides by himself and he was such a good big brother helping Rebekah out on the rides where she couldn't be by herself. And of course, the fair isn't the fair without enjoying the food.

1st Day of School

Okay, it's hard to believe that we are now entering the third week of school. But as I look outside at the changing leaves and the cooler weather, I know it has to be. And to be honest, I am totally okay with school being back in session. I will fess up....I was not one of those mothers who sat crying in her car as her "babies" went off to school. I was one of those who "cheered" on the inside that life would once again resume some semblence of a schedule and I might actually get a few minutes to myself. I miss my kids...but at their age, preschool and school is still fun and I know they are well and safe and in the best places for them...so I enjoy the time they are gone. They'll be home in a few hours...so gotta get while the gettin's good, ya know? But I digress...here they are on the first day of school (which was August 24th). Thomas is getting so tall and Rebekah is losing her "baby-ness". She is well on her way to being a big girl.

And you know they are used to being photographed when they sit so patiently while their mom gets her act together and get the shots she wants. Hard to wait when you are so excited for school!