Easter 2010!!

Here are a few highlights of our Easter celebration this year. Kiddos loved coloring eggs and finding them. Brookie had her Easter dress for awhile, but I wouldn't let her wear it until today. Her favorite part about it was that it came with a matching one for her baby doll. Silas told me that he wanted a striped shirt for Easter and he liked it even more when I let him pick it out himself. So they don't match but they are still so stinking cute!! They both got their own Bibles in their Easter baskets and they are so proud of them. We had Easter dinner at our house with Gpa Dale and Pat as our guests. Lisa (Sam's mom) wasn't feeling well so we missed her. It was my first attempt at making a turkey and I must say, it turned out to be pretty yummy!! I even got all the insides out! Hope you enjoy this handful of picts!

Happy Birthday Sam!!

Today is Sam's birthday and I just wanted to send out another birthday wish to my wonderful, sweet husband!
Sam, you are one of the greatest blessings in my life. Thanks for all you have ever done for me and our family. Thanks for your sacrifice each and everyday! You are truly loved by me and our kiddos! I just hope you know how blessed we are to have you in our lives! We love you so much and hope that you had a great birthday!

Trip to Anchorage

Our family took a trip to Anchorage a couple weekends ago. We were looking for an excuse to go so Sam could get some stuff for the fishing boat and I just wanted to look for a few baby items, so once we heard that a friend needed to be picked up from the airport- we jumped at the opportunity.

We also planned this as our last rendevous as a family of 4. The kiddos loved it- they got to go to Chuck E. Cheese AND Bouncin' Bears. I didn't take any picts at Chuck E. Cheese because it was so packed in there that we were told that there needed to always be someone at our table if we were holding stuff there. But here are some pictures from our kids new favorite place to go in Anchorage- Bouncin' Bears!! Sam and I really liked it too- we think it is the perfect thing to have up here since the winters are so long and there is only so much you can do inside and outside when there is snow on the ground.

Is it time yet??

This has been a question lingering in my home for a couple weeks now. Each and every day my two wonderful kiddos ask me- "Is it time for our baby to come out yet?" Each time I smile and gently say "no, not yet", but not too long ago I came to the realization that it will be time very soon!

I am really starting to over-think everything and cause myself anxiety over his arrival. Everything from do we have what we need to how will the delivery be? Over the past couple weeks, I have made lists upon lists of what to do and get before he arrives and yet I still feel a little unprepared. This is the only time I have felt this way in a pregnancy so I am not sure how to react to it.

I am happy to say that this week is spring break up here so every extra-curricular thing we are involved in took a break this week, which has allowed me to get many things on my lists crossed off. Of course some of them are an everyday battle, like keeping the house picked up. We, well I should say I, have been really trying some new activities to get the kiddos involved more in this part and put our reward system back on track. The baby's room is pretty much in order which is a relief, since this time last month it still looked like the 'classroom'. With the week halfway over I am striving to get as much crossed off my list as possible and then just maintain everything as we go along. I guess I should share this goal with my hubby since most the dirty clothes I pick up each morning are his!! So wish me luck on my tasks!

As for the actual arrival of our little man- only four weeks left!! I just can't help but think of how this delivery will go. The other two were very different but with one commonality- very fast! So that makes me a little nervous. And then of course after bringing him home and the kiddos getting jealous or feeling left out is a huge burden that I feel right now. I just pray that all will go smoothly and safely and that everyone will adjust very well!

My last mom thing for today- it suddenly hit me a couple weekends ago that I will only have two kids for just a little while longer. I only have so much time left to give them all my attention. This freaks me out. I can't help but think how Silas will be heading to school in August and then he will be out of the house for 6 hours everyday. I mean all the times lately that I have been so frustrated with him and not handled it in the best way that I could- I don't want our last few months of being home together to be like that. And Brookie is Miss Spotlight. She can entertain herself for awhile, but always has something to show you or needs you for something. I know she will be a very big helper, but how long will it last?? I just pray that I will have the strength to deal with the challenges and handle everything a little better! And I pray even more for Silas and Brookie to somehow understand the changes and not feel neglected.

There is my venting for the month- hope not to bore all you that frequent our blog, but sometimes I just need a listening ear and I'm going to get it one way or another! I will keep you updated on everything as much as possible. Love to all!

On my way to 30!!

Well it's official- I am headed to age 30. I am no longer in my early 20s as I liked to say, I am now a whopping 26 years old. It's amazing how birthdays just aren't the same after you hit like 22- it is just another day that comes and goes with a few phone calls and maybe a couple gifts. My day was nothing different than that.

The kids and I skipped out on our usual Wednesday event of going to the library and stayed home to just hang out. We did a few cleaning chores and they helped me with my attempt to clean out the soon to be baby room. I had a good meeting with a couple friends in the afternoon and then AWANA's to end the day. So all in all, very uneventful and just seemed like another day!

But my sweet and wonderful husband really made my day so much better when I got home from AWANA's. There was this beautiful vase of gorgeous flowers on my kitchen counter. He was there waiting for me to give me a sweet hug and kisses!! My kiddos thought he was being funny! He even opted out of working in the garage that night so we could watch a movie together. It was very sweet!

Seeing that my husband has NEVER bought me flowers- even when we were dating, this was a huge deal to me. It just amazes me that no matter how much I screw up, he still loves me unconditionally. He is a great and loving husband and I wouldn't trade him for anything!!

Alaskans for 4 years

I can't believe that our 2-year trial of living in Alaska has turned into this four year time period of making a home and a life for ourselves.

Here are a few highlights from these last 4 years:

*Driving from Arizona to Spokane, WA in 'old purple'

*Little Silas cruisin' in the middle seat and doing awesome in his carseat

*Riding on a ferry from Bellingham, WA to Whittier, AK

*Living with Grandparents (rent free!!)

*Buying our fixer-upper house

*Time with Grandpa Slim & Grandma Cary

*Remodeling our house

*Welcoming baby #2- sweet little Brooklyn

*Finding a great church family

*Getting a puppy- Kodi girl

*Creating everlasting friendships

*Great and fun fishing seasons

*Paying off our home (IT IS OURS!)

*Making it through 5 years of marriage (it's 6 now)

*Learning that we would be a family of 5!

*Being Happy!

Thinking back and pondering the past 4 years just reminds me of all the great blessings that we have received while living here. We do not deserve any of what we have been given, but the grace of God has allowed us to enjoy all the blessings! Although we hated leaving our families and homes in Arizona, moving to Alaska was the greatest thing that we could have done for our family. We just wish it was a quicker trip to visit everyone. In the past, I swore that I would never live here but now- I don't think I will ever leave! Thanks to all who have shared these 4 years with us and for those who had to let us go but continue to support us from a distance. We love and miss you!

Won't be the same

Being avid Deadliest Catch fans and living in Alaska where fishing is a BIG deal, we are definately bummed about this news:

Captain Phil Harris of the F/V Cornelia Marie dies after suffering a massive stroke.

Here is the article:
Deadliest Catch : Discovery Channel

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I know that Phil was one of the most colorful captains on the show, but he provided much entertainment for Sam and I. We will miss Captain Phil and the show will definately not be the same, especially on the Cornelia Marie.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family!