Hoping for a houseful...

How could a girl not want ten more. How fun is this?

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.

Of course we couldn't miss the Valdez 4th of July Parade!! All the kids came home with lots of loot, most of which melted by the end of the day it was so hot. 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!!!

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.

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.

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...

...And a new roof!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!

An appeal

At our table, before eating dinner, we always say grace and give thanks for our food. Last night it went pretty normal - very informal, we all just go around the table as we have things to add, in no particular order, until nobody else has anything.

Last night followed our same tradition, and went something like this:

"Thank you God for this good food. And thank you for the baby in Mommy's tummy. And keep Daddy safe on his drive tomorrow. Please keep Mommy and my kids safe on the flight tomorrow. Please help Charlie to sleep past 6:00, and help Mommy be happy if he doesn't."

Just as I thought we were done and ready to say "Amen," Kailyn threw out her last plea. It's one that she made once before to the offending party, but apparently her problem wasn't solved and she is appealing to the Higher Power.

"Please help Daddy stay out of my bathroom so I can still use it without getting sick. Please. Amen."

Mother's Day

Yesterday I was listening to a talk show geared at giving kids some ideas about what to get mom for Mother's Day. One that really stuck with me for some reason was a mom of two that really really really just wanted a day of peace and quiet at a hotel. It didn't have to be nice at all, no spa needed, just a private room all by herself.


Now don't get me wrong. I look forward to my peace and quiet as much as the next mom - I mean who doesn't lock the door and savor that long, hot shower each (hopefully) day? But that's not quite what I would ask for on Mother's Day. Nope. I want my kids jumping all over me and singing and playing while I do "mommy" sorts of things.


Like give them lots and lots of kisses. So many, in fact, that my husband, possibly out of fear that I might devour them, told me that I am like a little sucker fish.While this brought funny images to my mind, really, I feel more like this:

A big, round, puffed up blow fish.

Peek A Boo

An easy way to stay entertained, I'd say. Charlie LOVES to play games and laugh and Peek-A-Boo has come back around as his favorite lately.

Among other things that totally and completely crack Charlie up these days, "no" seems to also be a favorite. I am not really sure what to do about this; the sterner you say it, the harder he laughs. Luckily he's not really into anything that's too bad, but I'd like him to learn what it means before he does!

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He's such a tease, too. The other day, he had a paper that he started to put into his mouth, and of course, I told him "no," and pulled his hand down. He was laughing sooooo hard that it got to the point that no noise was even coming out of him. He would turn his head, but look at me and slowly bring it to his mouth, waiting for me to tell him "no" so he could throw his hands up and laugh. And, really, what can you do but laugh with him? I love watching their individuality and personality come out.

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On a total side note: you may have heard me from time to time complain about my husband sleeping like a starfish. No kidding. Arms out, legs out - just like a star. He's lucky that I usually sleep on my side and pretty much stay in the same spot all night, or one of us would probably have to go (from the bed, that is). Anyways, I noticed something that gave me cause to laugh so hard that no noise came out. See if you can see what did it for me...

Big Girl School

Kailyn may get to go to the "big kid school" next year! Not as a kindergartner, of course, but they have a fabulous preschool program that we are trying to get her in to.

She is so excited that she had her outfit for the screening, jewelry and shoes included, picked out two days early! It was a brief glimpse into the future as I walked with her, hand in hand, four houses up the street to the front door of the school. I can't believe that time has gone so quickly and this is my last school year with her at home.

We won't know for sure until fall, but I have a really good feeling about it. The teacher is great, and I think that it will be a good head start for Kailyn to get to know the school and some of the teachers and kids prior to starting kindergarten, especially since she will start a little younger than most kiddos. The program is a couple of hours each day, and the kids get to do fun activities like gym, library time, and music.

I'm likin the new tune!

No dancin' tune for Charlie this morning... and although he did wake up at precisely 5:11 again, he wasn't happy and cheerful and didn't really seem ready to start the day. So, I gave him his pacifier and held him until his breathing slowed.... and he went back to sleep for almost 2 1/2 more hours! I woke up a VERY happy mama at 7:37. Hallelujah!!!!

5am - Mystery Solved?

This morning I finally was grumpy enough to bark at Brian that it SURE IS COINCIDENTAL that exactly 3 seconds after his alarm stops each morning, Charlie starts fidgeting and is fully awake within about 5 minutes.

Did I mention that he gets up at 5am? And I am 4 months pregnant. And can't seem to fall asleep before 10pm. And that I REALLY DON'T LIKE 5am wake-ups?

I have even become thankful for 6am.... what??? Anyone that knows me well knows that I am definitely, without a doubt, a 7am girl. If I can sleep till 7, the day is beautiful. Six... well, it's still good, but I am a little sleepy and sometimes nap in the afternoon. But 5 - it's like Oscar the Grouch has entered the premises. I am no fun to be around... and the old saying definitely holds true for this family: "If mama aint happy, aint nobody happy!"

The interesting thing is that I really didn't think he could hear Brian's alarm. I was just super tired and grumpy, and the irritation at yet another 5am (5:11 really) wake up made me snap at Brian (sorry Brian!). Charlie has been waking up this early for a few weeks now, and he does it on the weekends, too, with no alarm clock, so that didn't seem to be a common link.

But Brian, being the problem-solver man that he is, brought his phone in to the dining room this evening. I didn't know what he was doing until the involuntary cringe went up my spine as I heard his alarm tune go off.

Which hopefully solved the mystery of the 5am wakeup. Charlie, who was very interested in his dinner, started flapping his arms and cracking up - he LOVES it!!! Absolutely LOVES Brian's wake up song. I swear, he might be just 8 months old, but he was dancing.

So... sorry Charlie, we changed the tune. Although I love that he wakes up in such a fabulous mood, I am hoping for another hour (or two??) of shut eye in the morning.

Easter

Oops! I can't believe that I haven't posted these yet!

Well, actually, I can believe it.

Whatever. Here's some memories of our Easter this year!

We had a few close friends over on Good Friday for a little party. The big girls, Bella and Kailyn, we so efficient at finding the "hidden" eggs that we had to congratulate them almost right away on "winning" and have them go to the table to decorate eggs. They were ecstatic and I was relieved that the younger girls would have a chance to find a few! Who knew that amongst the squeals and giggles they would be filling their little bags to the brim so quickly?

Thanks to Justin Major for saving the day and painting the little Easter baskets after Brian got stuck in Anchorage, each little girl was able to have a basket to carry her eggs home in. I'd say that we will do this again for sure!!

Then, Easter morning was beautiful. Kailyn wasn't sure if the Easter Bunny was going to come since she had such a hard time falling asleep. Plus, she knows that he won't risk coming in a home with toys on the floor since he could fall and get hurt and therefore not be able to visit other good little girls and boys. And she accidentally left some toys on the kitchen floor she remembered. Well, luckily for her, he found time to come after she did fall asleep, and Dad saved the day by cleaning up her toys (shew!). Not only did he leave a few candies, but he brought some presents, too!Here she is coming downstairs to check it out... a little worried!
Her first sight of the some hidden eggs...

Charlie's just happy that he woke up again - he thinks life is just fabulous!

Some presents from the Easter Bunny...

I wonder how he knew that she LOVES to color - the window markers were a total hit!
Jumping up and down with excitement to show dad the baby dress that the Easter Bunny brought.

And still more presents from Memere and Papa...
Kailyn's new kuspuk from Memere.