A Challenge--See If You Can "I Spy..."

I took this picture yesterday evening, with our very cheap digital camera. I was about 50 feet away from the subject, but one could never tell! So, ok. Here is your mission, should you choose to accept it: We had two visitors in our yard all day yesterday, from dawn 'til way past dusk. Can you spy and identify one? One hint: We had caribou again for supper last night. This visitor was very relieved.

Thankful for Family and for Provision!

I'm so thankful that my parents came to live in Alaska, too. This last weekend, my dad went off to the Bush caribou hunting (more to come on that experience!) Mom came over to watch Spunky Cub so Tony and I could take the big boys to an ice skating birthday party that afternoon. That was a hoot, by the way. It was Mischievous Eaglet's first time, and Wise Bobcat's second (the first was a couple years ago on Wasilla Lake--very rough ice, sub-zero temp, and howling wind. Sound fun?!) I wish I had pictures to share, but alas, I only had my big camera with me. Anyway, Mom had supper with us and stayed the night. We watched a movie together that evening, and spent the entire next morning just sitting about, drinking tea, and enjoying having Grandmom with us. I do not take this for granted. So many fellow Alaskans live here with no family at all. I cannot imagine not having my mom and dad around to share our lives with. Furthermore, I cannot imagine not being able to share our children with them on a regular basis. Grandparents are nearly the only other people in the world who love all the nuances in children's personalities and "cute litte kid stories" as much as the parents. A great weekend was made even more fantastic when we were invited over to Grandmom and Grandpa's for a dinner of that delicious caribou he bagged! Just as fantastic was the slide show and narration of the adventure. Wow! I can't wait to post some of his pictures in here.

Iditarod News!

Jeff King took the Iditarod, making his way under the burled arch on Front Street in Nome a little after 1 a.m. this morning. Way to go, Jeff! This makes him one of the few, four-time champions. If any of you out there are unfamiliar with the Iditarod, you really should check it out. www.iditarod.com. It is also a great project for homeschooling families; consider doing a unit next year!

What a blessing!

Last night, after reading a couple stories, Mischievous Eaglet took his Bible storybook and hopped into his little toddler bed. He chose a Bible story, the story of Jesus' ascension. I read it to him, and he had many questions...like why did Jesus have marks on his hands and feet. We have regularly read this and many other Bible stories together over the last 3 1/2 years, but tonight was the first time that he was full of many, many questions. I talked with him about why Jesus died on the cross, as payment for our sins so we could have a friendship with God and live with Him in Heaven forever. He explained to me that "taking away Hotwheels is a bad choice." He then happily exclaimed, "I believe in Jesus!" In the end, he decided to pray and tell Jesus, "I believe in you Jesus. I love you Jesus. Thank you for forgiving my bad things, like taking away Hotwheels." What a blessing to witness our little guy's first step in faith. Please join me in praying in thanksgiving, that this will only be a first of many revelations and commitments for him in his journey in The Son."

"Nap" (term used lightly) Time...

Today I went to retrieve Mischievous Eaglet from his "nap." He promptly informed me he was "riding in a boat in the river, fishing." His boat was composed of a dresser drawer from his mini side-table. The "fishing pole" was a hanger from his closet, which originally held the sweater that he was now wearing (he decided he needed a little more warmth for his "nap.") Note the chapstick drawing on the mirror, and the metal photo album and miscellaneous items in the bed. Note that the bed no longer has a blanket of any type. They were scattered on the floor, along with about 1/2 of his bookshelf contents! Gotta love his imagination, though.

Look, Mommy!

Spunky Cub is feeling quite proud of himself and his accomplishment. "Look, Mommy! I can balance on a rocking chair!" Note the puffed out chest and cheesy grin--he now produces both on-cue whenever we hold up a camera.

Brothers' Storytime

This morning the boys spent some good, quality-time together...Wise Bobcat read his new book aloud to Li'l Eaglet. All 3 boys are continuing to mend from this nasty bug we've had here; hence, we are staying in and taking it easy again today.

Abstract Art!

OK! So look at the "ink blot"...what do you see?

We "straw painted" today...the boys would dip a straw into paint, and then blow it out the end onto paper while moving the straw. They had a blast! Note that the picture didn't come out real well, because I was standing in the SUNSHINE!! Aaah...it really is Spring! (Even if it was ten below zero this morning. In Alaska, we can't be too picky...)

Hey Bro! Let's Ditch the Straws!

The only problem was that soon they forgot about the straws and it was finger painting time! I love the freedom of childhood!

Exploring Science

After Art, we caught up on some Science. Today's focus was on sound vibration. Here is Li'l Eaglet, demonstrating our home-made "sound pipes." We've really enjoyed our Science program this year, and the boys have learned and retained so much. Fridays are very fun, as we generally save the "Discover and Do" DVD for the end of the week. We watch one of the experiments, and then try to duplicate it ourselves.

After 2 Days, the Fast is Over?

Spunky Cub was back to eating this morning. I was so relieved to see him enjoying food once again. Unfortunately, it all came back up a few minutes later. Poor baby. Please pray for restoration of health for this little one. He has thankfully had no trouble keeping milk, water, and soymilk down, and he did have a couple saltines for lunch. Also, the nasty diaper blow-outs seem to be done. My over-worked wash machine is happy about that!

Creative Storytelling

We hear lots of Thomas the Tank Engine stories these days...mostly from Wise Bobcat, as that is the thing he is into lately. The stories range from 5 minutes to 20 minutes (no, I'm not joking nor even exaggerating) when told orally and are eerily word-for-word according to the books. That being said, we are also occasionally blessed by the much shorter, wilder, completely original versions of these stories by 3-year-old Li'l Eaglet. We enjoyed one of these during lunch today. It was quite cute, I thought: "Mommy? I have a story. It's called Thomas and the Skunk. Thomas was taking Annie and a Clarabel and then a skunk ran into Annie and a Clarabel! AND, *eek!* it stinked up all the passengers!" (lots of re-enacting, including sound effects) "AND THEN--the skunk ranned into James! *eek!*" (lots of re-enacting, including sound effects) "AND THEN--the skunk ranned into Henry! *eek!*" (lots of re-enacting, including sound effects.) I've noticed that whatever is fascinating Li'l Eaglet at the time is what tends to make it into the stories. Yesterday it was Electric Eels.

Hazards of Motherhood

Nobody told me that when I became a mother, I would risk a toenail in my eye as I clipped my one-year-old's before putting him to bed. Any other red-eyed moms out there?! :)

A 5-Year-Old's Theology

Anyone who knows our Wise Bobcat very well, knows that he is WAY into spiritual matters. Last night at supper, he came to the table and very seriously asked me a typical "Wise Bobcat question:" "Mommy, do we sin every day?" I told him that yes, we do sin everyday. He gave it some thought, and then, shrugging, mentioned that he is a good boy. I affirmed to him that he is a good boy. "But," he replied, "we all do bad things sometimes." "Yes," I affirmed him again. Giving it some more thought, he added, "That's why we all need Jesus...because Jesus is ALWAYS good. He is the only one who is always good. Well, Jesus and God. " He then turned his precious little face to the sky and recited with such love and awe, with hands gesturing, "Oh Lord God Almighty, who is like You?" Tony and I sat in awe. We had just witnessed our little 5-year-old boy in a pure and genuine act of worshipping his Lord and Savior. What a comfort to know that he is secure in the arms of his Father, and what joy it gives us to see him enjoying his relationship with our God. What a privilege to see the words hidden in his heart, spilling out in fullness and application.

Reliving my Sled Dog Passion

Today I gave a mushing talk/demonstration for a group of about 100. I had been asked by a friend about 1 1/2 weeks ago to do this for a homeschooling group. Honestly, I didn't want to do it at first, just because of the "detail factor"--what to do with the boys (not to mention it was at lunch and through naptime!), how to manage a dog pulling me across glaze ice into the van, carrying in all the gear, etc. I voiced my apprehension to my friend, and she arranged for her husband (thank you, Derek!) to sit with and handle the boys the entire time so I could concentrate on the presentation. (By the way, they were SO well behaved; I really am proud of them for sitting so quietly for 2 hours!) I am so glad I agreed to do this; it was fantastic to relive my passion for these dogs and this sport! I took along an entire set-up of ganglines, tuglines, necklines, and a snowhook. I also took along some dog booties, a skijoring rig, and of course--the star of the whole show--Willow! She was so nervous and excited when I loaded her into the van this morning--she was literally shaking. By the time we reached our destination and she had a few minutes to take it in, she splayed herself out in front of my feet, front legs crossed in true lady-like husky fashion. Basically, she owned the place. The presentation went great. I shared a little about myself and how my interest in huskies began, introduced Willow and discussed the history of her breed, and then demonstrated how to hook up lines. To do this, I had children volounteer to be a "sled" and "dogs." They got a real kick out of that, and it helped to engage them in the presentation. The best thing about today, is that it brought me back into this wonderful passion that brought us to Alaska in the first place. With a family including 3 young children, it has had to take a backseat in recent years. There is a time and season for everything, and traipsing across the tundra with dogs doesn't fit in real well with the season we're presently in! But, I sure loved getting a taste of it again today. And just in time--the Iditarod starts in 1 1/2 weeks.

This one is for Jodi!

See Jodi? We really do eat moose burger, and we're proud of it!

Interesting that you made that comment about us "really living in Alaska" today (Friday the 17th,) on a day that we immersed ourselves in the history and legend of this great state... The boys and I had a field trip today, to the Knik Museum. It is located in just one of a handful of buildings still left standing at the "Old Knik Townsite", just a few miles down the road. The building is 100 years old, and used to be the place where everyone would be--the life of the town--the pool hall. Knik used to be the place. It is hard to believe that this little ghost town is actually the reason there is a city of 300,000 people (Anchorage) just across the Inlet from here. Formerly, the city we now call Anchorage, was nothing other than the spot ships bound for Knik anchored--hence, "Knik's Anchorage" it was called. The ships would anchor there and smaller boats would bring the goods across Knik Arm (Cook Inlet) to the port at Knik. Later when the railroad was built, people gradually moved from Knik to be nearer to the train. Knik just sort of died away. Meanwhile, Knik's Anchorage began to spring to life, and the "Knik's" portion of it's name was dropped. There's your history lesson for today! Anyway, I really did enjoy the museum today. It brought back to life all the excitement we first felt when we moved here eight years ago. Afterward, I couldn't resist stopping by the turn-out which overlooks Knik Arm. The tide was in, the sun was shining, and the mountains loomed in the backdrop of it all. This is truly a special place to live.

Love is Grand!

Happy Valentine's Day! We are so thankful for our little "cupids"...

It's Spring (Let me DREAM!!!)

Spring is in the air! Chinook winds came through today and we enjoyed a small taste of Spring. Don't worry; I won't be fooled. There are at least a good 10 weeks left of Winter and "break-up" before we'll enjoy the warmth and green again. But, for today, I was satisfied to bask in a little sun and breathe in the scrumptious scent of the thaw. We giddily hung out in the yard and savored the fact that it was nearly 40 degrees. Ahhh...

Can it be? The big "0-1" is already here!

Happy 1st Birthday, Spunky Cub! Today has been a "one"derful day, full of reminiscence, thankfulness, and yes, even a few tears. My baby is quickly becoming a big boy, and though it sounds cliche', I really do not know where the time has gone. I remember one year ago today so incredibly clearly--the perfect birth experience. Truly it was. This little guy has given us so much love and joy. No words, parties, or gifts are befitting of expressing our love for him. I'm just so thankful the Lord saw fit to bless us with him. We had a little family dinner party in celebration tonight. I think Spunky enjoyed himself, though I know he definitely did not know what the fuss was about. He was completely disinterested in his presents (the big brothers happily opened most of them), and totally enraptured by his cake!

Li'l Maestro

Wise Bobcat at his violin group lesson today... Here he is with his instructor, playing his solo (Twinkle Twinkle Little Star--He is SO proud to be able to play the "Theme.") When Ms. Joy asked him what he'd like to play today, his little chest puffed right out and he declared, "The Theme!" When Ms. Joy then asked would he like to play the "bread" (the beginning) of the Theme, he retorted, "I want to play the WHOLE thing!" I'm so bummed I accidentally had my camera on low resolution for this one...it's hard to see him very well, but rest assured he was very endearing.