Freedom!

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.

Thank you to the many individuals and families 

who have sacrificed their time and lives for our freedom.  

This week...

I have spent too much time with my face glued to the computer screen this week.  As I can, I will share the way too many projects going on - I'm trying to learn/re-learn Dreamweaver to create a website, and "quickly" get my blog and business websites set up using WordPress - Ha!  I definitely feel as if I should just pull out my hair and save myself many, many, many hours.  Ugh!  I went to school to learn this stuff, trying to avoid this exact scenario. Does this mean I need to go back to school to finish learning it, or does it mean you can't learn from school what you need to work out and experience in life?

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".

Mom came with us to the park, here she is with her two oldest and youngest grandkids.  

The three middles are in the Philippines.  

{okay, color isn't too bad - after all it is bright, bright, bright}

The swirly tube slide.

 {the color was just so washed out & blah... so I changed it to black & white}

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}

 Then she went completely on her own.  

When she came out her hair was TOTAL static in a round ball all around her head.  

{hmm...auto wasn't it either}

After the swirly slide, we went back to the big slide.  

Ali was a little quicker coming down and a bit surprised, she'd forgotten this slide was much more slick.

But - she still ended with a grin and went back for more. 

{I so, So, SO wish this was in focus!} 

It was fun to go to the park with a 2 year old again.  I don't feel old enough to say this, but here goes anyway, I really, really miss that age.  I know.  I remember.  It can be so tiring, so absolutely draining.  But it is also so very soul satisfying.  When she felt uncertain, she wanted me.  She adores her cousins, but sometimes there just isn't a replacement for a mom/auntie.  I want to enjoy these middle school years, but so far I daily fight the feeling of failure.  I think part of it is because now I'm working/trying to start a business, and before I wasn't.  I'm definitely more tired now - but it's a mental tired, rather than the physical tired.  I so thoroughly have to cling to my Heavenly Father each and every day - it is truly only by His grace, strength, and mercy I make it through each day.  I won't drag this out anymore, but if it can encourage one of you reader-friends to cherish the days and time you have with your little ones, then it is worth the vulnerability.  :-) 

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?

Do any of you kind reader-friends have any suggestions for me?

{ps - just a warning:  It will probably be several days until I post again, unless I need to for sanity purposes.  There is a much anticipated graduation, several weddings, a couple graduation parties, and three funerals in the next 9 days.  Besides the necessity of working, being mom, and life in general.  Thankfully, we are done with school for the year!}

Life has been very busy...

It's already been 6 weeks since I last updated. I feel as though it was 'just yesterday' and at the same time there has been so much life crammed into the last 6 weeks I think "really, it's only been 6 weeks?" In the last 6 weeks, we've had VBS, one slow'ish week, then attended 2 bridal showers, 3 weddings, I worked full-time for 2.5 wks, went to Victory for 4.5 days for our youth group trip, and had 16 family members & 2 friends using our home as 'home base' while here visiting in the state, we also had the rehearsal dinner here (44 people) for my cousin's wedding.

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 loooooong. 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.

Memorial Day -
Christine & I went to join the Brown's & Mueller's at Carter Park
for a fun evening of play & visiting.

Painting - dad & Vince were in Halibut Cove...mom, Christine & I painted the entry way, living room, hall, bathroom, 1 kitchen wall & all ceilings, including the kitchen in preparation of all the family coming. The bathroom wall (left side) is a fun color, depending on the lighting it is either grey'ish, green'ish or brown'ish. This is also the color in the hallway & up the stairs.

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 in Anchorage & at 7pm a wedding in Wasilla.
June 16th-July 2nd 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 Cove 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 Anchorage to go shopping for me to get things for going to camp & looking for clothes for Jeremy & Kate's wedding.
June 29th - after work we went into Anchorage again for more shopping....ugghhhh, I really dislike shopping! We got home at 11:30pm!!!!
June 30th - after work I went to Anchorage to pick up Nate & Christina and their 5 kiddos. We went to eat with Jeremy & Kate 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 Cove. 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 Anchorage 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 Homer, there were 24 people at the Cove!

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

pretty flowers along the way - of course. Unfortunately, I'm allergic to dust, cottonwood, and fireweed & Victory had an exceeding abundance of all 3! By day three I was pretty miserable, but camp meetings were so very good. It was such a blessing to see so many kids hear & take to heart what was being said, especially when so many made the decision to make their faith their own! Wow-it really was amazing!

Over looking the Matanuska River, just past the Victory turn off.

July 6th - late night all but dad made it to mom & dad's in Wasilla. Nate & Christina went to stay in the 5th wheel up at Zach & Jane's, the rest were here at our house. Dad stayed to clean up & then flew into Anchorage Tues afternoon. I left Victory Bible Camp at 12:30am to drive home to be there for first thing on Wed.
July 7th- I climbed into bed at 2:10am and was up just a few short hours later. After spending hours working on getting the internet to work...We four mom's took the 13 kids to Matanuska River Park - it was so hot! We ended up going back to mom & dad's to give them popsicles & let them play in the water. Josiah came in at midnight that night.
July 8th -

FAMILY

Dad & Aunt Sharon

My girl cousins & I.
Gabby (left) is the youngest grandchild & only other girl on my dad's side. Christina (pink) is married to Nate & has 5 sweeties. Kathy (right) is married to Jon & has 3 sweeties.

The 13 grandchildren of Dad & Aunt Sharon.
We don't take it lightly and know we are so amazingly blessed to all love each other & get along so well. It is a heritage my grandparents started & prayed over. We just spent close to 2 weeks totally immeshed, all 13 kids most everyday all day. Yet, it still hurt to have them leave. Even though we went to bed way too late every night (even kids up too late every night) and the days were full days. Again I say, I'm so thankful the goodbye hurts because it means we care. If we didn't care, it wouldn't hurt.

July 9th (day) -

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 to hike Hatcher's Pass 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 Indepence Mine! Of course I have many pictures of flowers. They were different than the ones going up to Summit Lake. :)

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 Anchorage 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.

July 11th - mom & dad's 39th wedding anniversary and the wedding day we've all been waiting for. I was at the UPS store by 9 to get the programs copied, then to get Vince's hair cut & to Fred Meyer for me to try last ditch effort to find shoes & I did! We were home by 10:30'ish to get ready & leave for Anchorage by 12'ish. I was able to catch Aunt Sharon before she left & she took the programs to fold while Gabby was getting her hair done & I wore a sweater so I didn't fix my dress. We were at Chapel by the Sea getting all last minute stuff done by 1:20pm.

The way adorable flower girls - all 8 of them!
On the right are the 3 oldest girls - within a year or so. The younger ones rotate by family with some a couple months apart & a few being only a week apart.

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 into Anchorage, 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 Sheep Mtn for a bbq with Matt & Samantha, Nick & Beth (WI friends) also joined us.

While at Sheep Mtn, Matt took Gabby & CJ to fly over Matanuska 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 Anchorage 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 Coke'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 up at Hatcher's Pass 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.