How could a girl not want ten more. How fun is this?
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Independence Day
We had an extra special 4th this year... Aunt Michelle and Cousin Kate came to visit, and they brought Memere and Papa with them! The girls had such a good time together, and I can't wait to get together sometime down in Utah.
Bella & Kailyn showing their patriotic spirit.
The girls spent lots of time outside with gorgeous weather.
Kate loves the water so much that we turned the sprinkler on for her and she had a blast ! Kids always amaze me - our tap water is glacier fed (read... VERY cold!!!). Even Kailyn, Miss Tough Alaska Girl, wanted nothing to do with it! But Kate showed her Alaska spirit for sure!!!
Bella & Kailyn showing their patriotic spirit.Ethan Weber becoming the envy of all the local kids!
After the parade, we had a few people over for a BBQ, and what would a BBQ be without watermelon? Charlie ate an entire watermelon by himself, I think!
The girls spent lots of time outside with gorgeous weather.
Kate loves the water so much that we turned the sprinkler on for her and she had a blast ! Kids always amaze me - our tap water is glacier fed (read... VERY cold!!!). Even Kailyn, Miss Tough Alaska Girl, wanted nothing to do with it! But Kate showed her Alaska spirit for sure!!!
Monday, July 13, 2009
Lifelong dreams
"My mother always told me some people grow up wanting to be doctors or lawyers or teachers. She wanted to be a mommy," Markham said in a statement. "Her lifelong dream was loving her babies and being a voice for them."
Ashley Markham is one of the 16 children whose parents were recently murdered in Pensacola, FL, where I went to college and then worked before moving to Alaska.
For so many reasons, it has had me thinking about so many things these last few days. Mostly about how sad that such good people had to be taken from this world, but it's also helped me reflect on my own life.
We've had a few tragedies recently here in Valdez, too. This year alone, two dad's were taken way too soon from their very young families. Really, this type of thing seems like it will never happen to you, but why are any of us different from this family in Pensacola or one of the moms here that had possibly the worst possible thing happen and change their lives in a matter of minutes. Seconds even.
We're not different. Those people probably woke up and went about their daily routine just like you and I did. They had no idea that it was their last day to see their kids. Their last day to kiss their spouse. That someone else would be finishing their to-do list. How could they have known that they would not, for whatever reason, get to finish that day?
They didn't.
Which makes me think about my own life. While I can't exactly say that I have ever wanted to die - I've always been pretty happy - I have never wanted to live so badly. If nothing else, these tragedies have reminded me that each day is such a blessing. We are so lucky that for whatever reason, be it God or fate or whatever you believe, you get to walk in this world one more day. You get to see your kids, your spouse, your dog. One more time you get to leave your underwear on the floor even.... the world is completely open to you; you woke up.
I wonder how many people didn't get to do that this morning.
If I sound bleak, I certainly don't mean to. I have been refreshed, if nothing else, by the reminder that life is so delicate. I have been reminded to live each day as if it could be my last, because, really, it could be.
Ashley's quote reminded me of a conversation with Brian one night after dinner. He mentioned that he, as Fire Chief, has reached his life goal. It's what he always wanted to be, and now, at 32 years old, he's there. In those talks, I've always been so proud of him that I never bridged the thought over to myself - I mean, really, how cool is that to be able to say? My thoughts stayed on the excitement I felt for Brian. But today I thought about myself.
It hit me that I, too, have reached my life goal. For as long as I can remember, I would always tell people that I wanted to be a wife, a mom, and a teacher. And look at that. I have been a teacher, though not the kind I would have preferred, and I will be a wife and mother until my last day. How fabulous is that? I, at the very least, got to live to see my life's dreams come true, and I will be living the dream each day until my last.
I hope that the same is true for you =)
p.s. I do know that the pictures are repeats, but they really make me smile.
Ashley Markham is one of the 16 children whose parents were recently murdered in Pensacola, FL, where I went to college and then worked before moving to Alaska.
For so many reasons, it has had me thinking about so many things these last few days. Mostly about how sad that such good people had to be taken from this world, but it's also helped me reflect on my own life.
We've had a few tragedies recently here in Valdez, too. This year alone, two dad's were taken way too soon from their very young families. Really, this type of thing seems like it will never happen to you, but why are any of us different from this family in Pensacola or one of the moms here that had possibly the worst possible thing happen and change their lives in a matter of minutes. Seconds even.
We're not different. Those people probably woke up and went about their daily routine just like you and I did. They had no idea that it was their last day to see their kids. Their last day to kiss their spouse. That someone else would be finishing their to-do list. How could they have known that they would not, for whatever reason, get to finish that day?
They didn't.
Which makes me think about my own life. While I can't exactly say that I have ever wanted to die - I've always been pretty happy - I have never wanted to live so badly. If nothing else, these tragedies have reminded me that each day is such a blessing. We are so lucky that for whatever reason, be it God or fate or whatever you believe, you get to walk in this world one more day. You get to see your kids, your spouse, your dog. One more time you get to leave your underwear on the floor even.... the world is completely open to you; you woke up.
I wonder how many people didn't get to do that this morning.
If I sound bleak, I certainly don't mean to. I have been refreshed, if nothing else, by the reminder that life is so delicate. I have been reminded to live each day as if it could be my last, because, really, it could be.
Ashley's quote reminded me of a conversation with Brian one night after dinner. He mentioned that he, as Fire Chief, has reached his life goal. It's what he always wanted to be, and now, at 32 years old, he's there. In those talks, I've always been so proud of him that I never bridged the thought over to myself - I mean, really, how cool is that to be able to say? My thoughts stayed on the excitement I felt for Brian. But today I thought about myself.
It hit me that I, too, have reached my life goal. For as long as I can remember, I would always tell people that I wanted to be a wife, a mom, and a teacher. And look at that. I have been a teacher, though not the kind I would have preferred, and I will be a wife and mother until my last day. How fabulous is that? I, at the very least, got to live to see my life's dreams come true, and I will be living the dream each day until my last.
I hope that the same is true for you =)
p.s. I do know that the pictures are repeats, but they really make me smile.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Ketchup
Well, it's summer in Alaska. What else can I say but chasing a 3-year old, a 10-month old, growing a baby in my belly, and attending the building of one fabulous cabin has kept me away from the computer. Here are a few (OK, alot, but I couldn't narrow it any more) pictures from what we've been up to over the last couple of months. 
Anchorage doctor's appointments give us lots of time with Memere & Papa.
Anchorage doctor's appointments give us lots of time with Memere & Papa.
Kailyn traded in her princess garb for a detective's suit at Memere's house. It seems that there have been some bad guys around.... hmmm...
Kailyn had her first ballet recital and was a smashing success!
My washer and dryer have been installed upstairs (YEAH!!) 
Lots of time has been spent outside, especially in our backyard...
...where Kailyn got her first swing set.
Her last day at Mrs. Banner's Preschool - Beach Day.
The first of several cruise ships came to town.
The hummingbirds arrived, so we made them some yummy food and have quite a few that regularly visit us, even when we sit outside.
Even the cabin got a swingset...
We had so many friends come up to help Brian put the roof on - we feel so blessed to be surrounded by such awesome friends, even when we are not the best at keeping in touch as much as we'd like.
Our Alaska girl - it's been so hot that she can't even stand to wear pants, but notice that she still has on her XTRA TUFFs - I think that this may be THE yearbook picture...
Charlie's been able to take some time from his busy schedule to relax in his namesake's chair at the cabin.
Kailyn has broadened her flower-smelling/ picking obsession to include baby pinecones. Really cute baby pinecones... I am thinking of Christmas crafts to come!
Charlie absolutely digs the swing!
Can you just tell how much he ADORES his big sister? And she cannot get enough of him, either.
Willie still loves rocks. His back seems to be pretty much healed, but it's not exactly 100%. I'm just glad that he's having fun and not in pain.
Even though she is still our Princess, this girl LOVES a pile of mud. Dad has to take her on a quick ride most every night at the cabin, and sometimes several rides if there's been rain.
With all the trips to Anchorage, we've been able to hang out with the Head family and use our zoo pass from last summer.
More swinging - this is a regular theme around here!
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