tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25137873112669598732024-03-04T19:49:35.657-09:00At Home on the Last Frontier
Alaska living, home education, gardening, hunting, fishing, trapping and preserving the harvestMelissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749068092786448966noreply@blogger.comBlogger1607125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513787311266959873.post-53238942102687340952017-06-24T00:30:00.000-08:002017-06-24T00:30:38.563-08:00Out and About<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXmiSNcR0TAhTFZzXvtr691qLB0A1kjYgkESWosxxOXcg_p7m5I0ZJ_HuAuM85vAzRg1tzaBY5ZfmDea7hJxx3nvVGulzEf_WqfuxgNSwfAeo8o7HGWsiAKL572taw7F2fD6lPSfwdhalC/s1600/IMG_7093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXmiSNcR0TAhTFZzXvtr691qLB0A1kjYgkESWosxxOXcg_p7m5I0ZJ_HuAuM85vAzRg1tzaBY5ZfmDea7hJxx3nvVGulzEf_WqfuxgNSwfAeo8o7HGWsiAKL572taw7F2fD6lPSfwdhalC/s320/IMG_7093.JPG" width="240" /> </a></div>
<br />
<br />
Well, here I am. I found my blog. So much has been going on here in the Last Frontier. The biggest changes are that our oldest is moving away to start an internship with a media company. Never fear, he is still in Alaska. How amazing is that??? After his summer work on the river he will begin a one year internship learning about video production. The other big change in our family is that I spent the winter working on getting my teacher certification and I have accepted a position as an advisory teacher with a school district and I will be working with home educating families. Yes, I will still be educating my children at home. Life will be a bit different as I will have the job responsibilities but this is just the fit for our family at this season of life.<br />
<br />
Top photo: A waterfall in Valdez, Alaska<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I attended a Math for Teachers Course at the end of May and one of our activities for the class was kayaking to Valdez Glacier. Alaskans do a great job when it comes to professional development for educators. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhih38OVWVjEohoHWjdOVtJqnEmyAraNGE1Dj6KSIIw5qJAHLrF9eFlXCdtA7BDqVSzSB05XB8OeauOasyV_KWOKfuJ-i9cV7OE9_QpQbjpVGOy54kH3nnvJLxQvaZ7baW__GcMAXihrNX4/s1600/IMG_7108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhih38OVWVjEohoHWjdOVtJqnEmyAraNGE1Dj6KSIIw5qJAHLrF9eFlXCdtA7BDqVSzSB05XB8OeauOasyV_KWOKfuJ-i9cV7OE9_QpQbjpVGOy54kH3nnvJLxQvaZ7baW__GcMAXihrNX4/s320/IMG_7108.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749068092786448966noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513787311266959873.post-56631590535338308122016-11-10T21:53:00.000-09:002016-11-10T21:53:37.888-09:00Remembering<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">After voting on Tuesday morning I was driving into town for a meeting when I saw what looked like a rainbow, in November, in Alaska. I didn't think it could be, but it was. A rainbow. In November. In Alaska. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAG62HY_A_nqaWXg8GCaY6NoW3XDo0F9HRE6CW6WK6Vs85EA2BjOVUU5J08JY_bFVcyjWffCm2v-Ka9OHy3Bjv67No4ivDsnrwRONnEyL9rXyMakkc7C24dOP9qHKgQM5NZ_W-SVYoY8O8/s1600/IMG_5836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAG62HY_A_nqaWXg8GCaY6NoW3XDo0F9HRE6CW6WK6Vs85EA2BjOVUU5J08JY_bFVcyjWffCm2v-Ka9OHy3Bjv67No4ivDsnrwRONnEyL9rXyMakkc7C24dOP9qHKgQM5NZ_W-SVYoY8O8/s320/IMG_5836.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
I was shocked, I was amazed. Then I rejoiced and I praised God who sent a reminder that He NEVER leaves us and He keeps His promises.<br />
What started out as a dreary day ended up quite a good day because I had a reminder of what is important, what is real and what is true and what is just.<br />
<br />
One thing this election year yielded was an interest in what is going on in Our Country by my teens. They actually seemed more interested in the results than the adults in the house on Tuesday night. Our oldest Blessing also voted for the first time, what is up with that? Time moves on, quite quickly I do say. I didn't even take his picture at our polling place. <br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749068092786448966noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513787311266959873.post-73261064199248455132016-10-06T23:48:00.001-08:002016-10-06T23:48:18.318-08:00<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Expectations, we all have them. Benjamin has expectations that are very different from mine. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Benjamin asked to build things using cardboard this school year. Things like the Eiffel Tower. My expectations include lots of tedious work, measuring, cutting, gluing, painting; this means projects may not even get started because I may never begin due to expectations. Benjamin just wants some cardboard and scotch tape. I'm learning to go with his expectations. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This week we are "rowing" <i>The Giraffe That Walked to Paris. </i>Benjamin is enjoying the blank hardback book we are filling with information we are learning from the books we are reading. </div>He plans on selling copies of his book in his Lego store when he is grown up. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqqZc5wS758iZlavNuyxMI5ygobwcGkLWJEyXXwkm7_PkTBI0uUcS_meqqyvwXmXwyyRt9MaVB38bsb2PW1zljmRDDgm5-nL6Vz32rNMfkzIQZIn6QlYHKI01eTpQDvW_2dNF84sJcmc14/s640/blogger-image-1591103776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqqZc5wS758iZlavNuyxMI5ygobwcGkLWJEyXXwkm7_PkTBI0uUcS_meqqyvwXmXwyyRt9MaVB38bsb2PW1zljmRDDgm5-nL6Vz32rNMfkzIQZIn6QlYHKI01eTpQDvW_2dNF84sJcmc14/s640/blogger-image-1591103776.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Then he asked to build something so we went with the Egyptian pyramids. </div><br></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUGjFODvo2uZMBzl6pIIt33Mqj9Y3OY17HVp_qK2_4cerPoROFliMqk9oPe1UHdmTaN-PmTxOAVxY_zLRnjhWDamQFJtqImeEFMGu9s3Lfn9bSNfbpOIn8t0qKulHhsVKGIOMvHeZJxP9/s640/blogger-image--1935793964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUGjFODvo2uZMBzl6pIIt33Mqj9Y3OY17HVp_qK2_4cerPoROFliMqk9oPe1UHdmTaN-PmTxOAVxY_zLRnjhWDamQFJtqImeEFMGu9s3Lfn9bSNfbpOIn8t0qKulHhsVKGIOMvHeZJxP9/s640/blogger-image--1935793964.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My expectation was that this would take a long time. No it did not. In just a few minutes he had cut out the sides and they were glued down. A little scotch tape and he is happy and has moved on to Legos or other such fun thing. </div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0mzHmWx75sR55y9bqP6WyvBVYBjV6CLVA3nFoyirddbPm027mfe3_vEkogvAQQQugEVAfA9SsKLSSxXgO8-q4SPJD-d6Rq1vnHfi7CJw7_py0TXcZjbs5YTvK54a0a1KT0yXDLPqCCWAv/s640/blogger-image-65820607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0mzHmWx75sR55y9bqP6WyvBVYBjV6CLVA3nFoyirddbPm027mfe3_vEkogvAQQQugEVAfA9SsKLSSxXgO8-q4SPJD-d6Rq1vnHfi7CJw7_py0TXcZjbs5YTvK54a0a1KT0yXDLPqCCWAv/s640/blogger-image-65820607.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23hYrj8ynGflYtwJ4gQ147C3mbcb8vFLt0krOILF1DVawFM8-mWeTWlPobmRhN2FDFTMca1_rBUhWUfnyhzldQmyHhx1mgMAsa7b0qcFV61GTFmJlIrBbNoQfKrZll-wZRo5cspoLCQFz/s640/blogger-image--186900118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23hYrj8ynGflYtwJ4gQ147C3mbcb8vFLt0krOILF1DVawFM8-mWeTWlPobmRhN2FDFTMca1_rBUhWUfnyhzldQmyHhx1mgMAsa7b0qcFV61GTFmJlIrBbNoQfKrZll-wZRo5cspoLCQFz/s640/blogger-image--186900118.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Benjamin is learning geography, history, art appreciation, language arts and much more and Mom is learning to go with the flow, let go and let a seven year old's expectations become mine because his expectations are pretty easy. </div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik1TrHibUto6JqNk6ZxRfYaV9fpJuqEprrGypb3JEQmDbbGTA0NiOsgMWpup5_3DYZiLB8CRZN90rG4fOEAVGh1H4sOp_J_ENLH6k41C_ZiFzgedvAusGggLZUUfcxabkZYgNbUQgnS6rf/s640/blogger-image-206069585.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik1TrHibUto6JqNk6ZxRfYaV9fpJuqEprrGypb3JEQmDbbGTA0NiOsgMWpup5_3DYZiLB8CRZN90rG4fOEAVGh1H4sOp_J_ENLH6k41C_ZiFzgedvAusGggLZUUfcxabkZYgNbUQgnS6rf/s640/blogger-image-206069585.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749068092786448966noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513787311266959873.post-28261974136926637112016-09-07T13:49:00.001-08:002016-09-07T13:49:45.162-08:00September Equals Fall<div><br></div><div><br></div>My view today. I took the day off and sat on the couch all day. <br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEislvkR52QZg2Gr3ipHPAPsNFH3TlYpqR-0Qi8cCc6V27P1F0hBksk8PJ4C-fOoZt34wDV-kv6vI2v2VrkPD_l6Y50-B4KTvd5Y98Fhd9yk7cDUkB9T24xN4VcHBw5B5Mc7trieZ5B0Kuea/s640/blogger-image-410770654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEislvkR52QZg2Gr3ipHPAPsNFH3TlYpqR-0Qi8cCc6V27P1F0hBksk8PJ4C-fOoZt34wDV-kv6vI2v2VrkPD_l6Y50-B4KTvd5Y98Fhd9yk7cDUkB9T24xN4VcHBw5B5Mc7trieZ5B0Kuea/s640/blogger-image-410770654.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My husband went on a sheep hunt.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVG4XatUX_phBogzGazE3B4clvGWisC9htAKDa4Kv7NcDYcQjLVmq5RvtzE5r4rCoIF2B_9oSep0BKVSfmDZLSd5t0b9VTR13XeCQ9F9DaBnP80vdjuR29ypZIIbBRhSVBSrrXGPNZt290/s640/blogger-image-1573528798.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVG4XatUX_phBogzGazE3B4clvGWisC9htAKDa4Kv7NcDYcQjLVmq5RvtzE5r4rCoIF2B_9oSep0BKVSfmDZLSd5t0b9VTR13XeCQ9F9DaBnP80vdjuR29ypZIIbBRhSVBSrrXGPNZt290/s640/blogger-image-1573528798.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">His hunting partner got his first sheep. </div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4nbv165-lfRR83oZj9NdAl3Ee2v6aSncG5FNqWixURUQNev2iE7oc-PtLdd72Z4m8_GAGahyphenhyphenVZcwL1tvcAU0dPOLHRqxd2VlFsvjT9YWq36imAUzh4jdjjiVx1snXP_4hZLB1gQxPqLCy/s640/blogger-image-1564341824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4nbv165-lfRR83oZj9NdAl3Ee2v6aSncG5FNqWixURUQNev2iE7oc-PtLdd72Z4m8_GAGahyphenhyphenVZcwL1tvcAU0dPOLHRqxd2VlFsvjT9YWq36imAUzh4jdjjiVx1snXP_4hZLB1gQxPqLCy/s640/blogger-image-1564341824.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Their view from the hunt.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNjqBwtOr1RfTp6MwqEOftE_rfqsxAwZyxKPSGvkLo4ncog8EgTZ-6i9phkVGUX_OxjWtVWtyJ0z1F4PcLixOwJx6GtIVC8vFxC2MOUsyGAy9VHZB3xuMepkx8k8Epg28Y3yHKqfRgr7pO/s640/blogger-image--1184943431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNjqBwtOr1RfTp6MwqEOftE_rfqsxAwZyxKPSGvkLo4ncog8EgTZ-6i9phkVGUX_OxjWtVWtyJ0z1F4PcLixOwJx6GtIVC8vFxC2MOUsyGAy9VHZB3xuMepkx8k8Epg28Y3yHKqfRgr7pO/s640/blogger-image--1184943431.jpg"></a></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749068092786448966noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513787311266959873.post-34937108426224864752016-09-06T12:35:00.001-08:002016-09-06T12:35:10.529-08:00Five in a Row-- The Rag Coat<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Five in a Row has long been a favorite of mine. Last year we did other things but this year I am bringing it back and we are working on <i>The Rag Coat </i>by Lauren Mills today. We read this book last year and did a couple of activities but today we finish it up. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I cry every single time I read this book. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We have the map out and we are labeling states in the Appalachian mountains. We are also learning about forgiveness, grief, wisdom and kindness. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRe6Tp-RMJghoN3jddoF1RcW0raFjYidP3kVRE42f2zk5Y7np0mNCxfBXd-9NwXgN7NKHchiFe7-ZblpAUIULMDVjqHUcZo_-BWzFiAmFD0aUHMXflwVR3QFTH3oF3N8KRdXWS6vYunx2y/s640/blogger-image--1793784610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRe6Tp-RMJghoN3jddoF1RcW0raFjYidP3kVRE42f2zk5Y7np0mNCxfBXd-9NwXgN7NKHchiFe7-ZblpAUIULMDVjqHUcZo_-BWzFiAmFD0aUHMXflwVR3QFTH3oF3N8KRdXWS6vYunx2y/s640/blogger-image--1793784610.jpg"></a></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749068092786448966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513787311266959873.post-17050612826336792002016-08-24T18:54:00.001-08:002016-08-24T18:54:59.045-08:00North Pole Fitness and Nature Trails<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIWShCNQAE2DuGzNmFwWClQ3OLHJ5EG5sesyR5SNR4plqz68bjp9cweCjXnww8Ot6gMZjdKyJ6EJDRD2dVEq149N1M7SCWnYU70WPh428sCn47PQ3YZoGrdRBO88K8Iqstf1YCMhjZJDAc/s640/blogger-image--1069417411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIWShCNQAE2DuGzNmFwWClQ3OLHJ5EG5sesyR5SNR4plqz68bjp9cweCjXnww8Ot6gMZjdKyJ6EJDRD2dVEq149N1M7SCWnYU70WPh428sCn47PQ3YZoGrdRBO88K8Iqstf1YCMhjZJDAc/s640/blogger-image--1069417411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicoQzMcHYKeqgnBMFB_wTE1-EzcDLyZ7kV7BF5hxeVGfNftEkQEkmn6n56JIuEbFqE83Y9IogQ5ZcD_I-jo_xUF40tijPEF2oljmTiELGGKXH-c9aHAwRp2VFKXa8diYbvoUhMxG5_ZKUQ/s640/blogger-image--1862497337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicoQzMcHYKeqgnBMFB_wTE1-EzcDLyZ7kV7BF5hxeVGfNftEkQEkmn6n56JIuEbFqE83Y9IogQ5ZcD_I-jo_xUF40tijPEF2oljmTiELGGKXH-c9aHAwRp2VFKXa8diYbvoUhMxG5_ZKUQ/s640/blogger-image--1862497337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQSGeFRksSDC1NQ0tw1cxCldCU85gxghItapyPuJdTc_NVW4AYn1UNoUhnq2gflAJPa_91LtWLzMEsnCrTWZB0c1lZvy8wiZCL4GWxIU_9H7_Yd5K6anbctnLZ_AZwQqpBCklAtvGFh6W/s640/blogger-image-1298606476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQSGeFRksSDC1NQ0tw1cxCldCU85gxghItapyPuJdTc_NVW4AYn1UNoUhnq2gflAJPa_91LtWLzMEsnCrTWZB0c1lZvy8wiZCL4GWxIU_9H7_Yd5K6anbctnLZ_AZwQqpBCklAtvGFh6W/s640/blogger-image-1298606476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpaHQxGnljtKGEn2zriZd9MeCIsQwm8CO1yOGjUnLUGKOq70mobZVsAiQMGuBfvcuLilCkHccVsWCFjVt6mGve57sTNLF0V8QkOpIBN9kh9RxHisJ3T1QAB9ZRouGHz2BHj5FVb6Zn8g3p/s640/blogger-image--491469585.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpaHQxGnljtKGEn2zriZd9MeCIsQwm8CO1yOGjUnLUGKOq70mobZVsAiQMGuBfvcuLilCkHccVsWCFjVt6mGve57sTNLF0V8QkOpIBN9kh9RxHisJ3T1QAB9ZRouGHz2BHj5FVb6Zn8g3p/s640/blogger-image--491469585.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjubNWjJ8CKZpPtExVaV2nywaNCbgYbUklzBE6_qmsjspWFu7dVv6jAjrKGAVdkWav3Sj7viS5_NBdbknz8G4kLFNhyphenhyphenRuWnHflINTRAFQ0AoUTXrR4XF5uVSq7WM8q-6aMWGvDTrW0aJp/s640/blogger-image-2051270950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjubNWjJ8CKZpPtExVaV2nywaNCbgYbUklzBE6_qmsjspWFu7dVv6jAjrKGAVdkWav3Sj7viS5_NBdbknz8G4kLFNhyphenhyphenRuWnHflINTRAFQ0AoUTXrR4XF5uVSq7WM8q-6aMWGvDTrW0aJp/s640/blogger-image-2051270950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxfEORsQTP1Q1F2SAagiDYbQP6b4VQ8BplYgrYJxuYpd8wIoGUKJFveRV9Tg7lG-V0f2V4Z1Us2Q9SpIPMY2eKcUzQRI8VceAZ8xoJSAo5cWxb8BMZ39PI7N9IUSVokuuhfPg3uXxBW_v/s640/blogger-image-1418441351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">What does home education look like around our place these days? Well, we are down to three students. We have slowly started working back into our studies around here. I really should name our little home academy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Monday was the official day of daily school. The girls have started about 80% of their school and Benjamin is at 90. I am waiting for one more box for him. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I am working on schedules for meetings, classes and Eisabeth has a two afternoon a week job and I have accepted a very part time job with our homeschool program as a K4 person. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Today Benjamin asked if we could do the fitness trail in our little town of North Pole. So we did. This trail system has five stations in which one can stop and do various warm-ups, exercises and cool downs. Pretty neat. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxfEORsQTP1Q1F2SAagiDYbQP6b4VQ8BplYgrYJxuYpd8wIoGUKJFveRV9Tg7lG-V0f2V4Z1Us2Q9SpIPMY2eKcUzQRI8VceAZ8xoJSAo5cWxb8BMZ39PI7N9IUSVokuuhfPg3uXxBW_v/s640/blogger-image-1418441351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh78rLEnir-KGA_N6S1AO4IHu8kEvV8zSmyc9VXKvf65qgV7jlj61M6DIkjDVJgJvPb7M0f_RyyjEhRjLZx-Go4k4Ky_bS9bgrOK7zkLaDBuRbCmh5C5YH40iTNN7BqI5Bk9iCfJOfnyF_i/s640/blogger-image--1018030141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh78rLEnir-KGA_N6S1AO4IHu8kEvV8zSmyc9VXKvf65qgV7jlj61M6DIkjDVJgJvPb7M0f_RyyjEhRjLZx-Go4k4Ky_bS9bgrOK7zkLaDBuRbCmh5C5YH40iTNN7BqI5Bk9iCfJOfnyF_i/s640/blogger-image--1018030141.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The oh so necessary selfie</div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxfEORsQTP1Q1F2SAagiDYbQP6b4VQ8BplYgrYJxuYpd8wIoGUKJFveRV9Tg7lG-V0f2V4Z1Us2Q9SpIPMY2eKcUzQRI8VceAZ8xoJSAo5cWxb8BMZ39PI7N9IUSVokuuhfPg3uXxBW_v/s640/blogger-image-1418441351.jpg"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Mom as the caboose with the crew up ahead</div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjubNWjJ8CKZpPtExVaV2nywaNCbgYbUklzBE6_qmsjspWFu7dVv6jAjrKGAVdkWav3Sj7viS5_NBdbknz8G4kLFNhyphenhyphenRuWnHflINTRAFQ0AoUTXrR4XF5uVSq7WM8q-6aMWGvDTrW0aJp/s640/blogger-image-2051270950.jpg"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Beaver Springs Slough</div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpaHQxGnljtKGEn2zriZd9MeCIsQwm8CO1yOGjUnLUGKOq70mobZVsAiQMGuBfvcuLilCkHccVsWCFjVt6mGve57sTNLF0V8QkOpIBN9kh9RxHisJ3T1QAB9ZRouGHz2BHj5FVb6Zn8g3p/s640/blogger-image--491469585.jpg"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I thought I smelled those highbush cranberries. </div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQSGeFRksSDC1NQ0tw1cxCldCU85gxghItapyPuJdTc_NVW4AYn1UNoUhnq2gflAJPa_91LtWLzMEsnCrTWZB0c1lZvy8wiZCL4GWxIU_9H7_Yd5K6anbctnLZ_AZwQqpBCklAtvGFh6W/s640/blogger-image-1298606476.jpg"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicoQzMcHYKeqgnBMFB_wTE1-EzcDLyZ7kV7BF5hxeVGfNftEkQEkmn6n56JIuEbFqE83Y9IogQ5ZcD_I-jo_xUF40tijPEF2oljmTiELGGKXH-c9aHAwRp2VFKXa8diYbvoUhMxG5_ZKUQ/s640/blogger-image--1862497337.jpg"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I just learned yesterday that North Pole has this little nature trail. Where have I been???</div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIWShCNQAE2DuGzNmFwWClQ3OLHJ5EG5sesyR5SNR4plqz68bjp9cweCjXnww8Ot6gMZjdKyJ6EJDRD2dVEq149N1M7SCWnYU70WPh428sCn47PQ3YZoGrdRBO88K8Iqstf1YCMhjZJDAc/s640/blogger-image--1069417411.jpg"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After the outing we returned home to hit the books. Once I completed my teaching tasks I was out in the garden to harvest more green beans. </div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX01lewsXE9MuWIU29VFstcpK-bWIp96Fpqi83dEHBgjp_gqTrLu2prvmbSa8fyCAi8Et54xJAO0RsOG5NWwptfTLo_MCGWjPokc6cJEwfuqSMS7nTqcA7UhAxIiO4T_itJWBT7przRMHx/s640/blogger-image-1410372378.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX01lewsXE9MuWIU29VFstcpK-bWIp96Fpqi83dEHBgjp_gqTrLu2prvmbSa8fyCAi8Et54xJAO0RsOG5NWwptfTLo_MCGWjPokc6cJEwfuqSMS7nTqcA7UhAxIiO4T_itJWBT7przRMHx/s640/blogger-image-1410372378.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749068092786448966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513787311266959873.post-58158278782676774502016-08-23T08:53:00.001-08:002016-08-23T08:53:08.592-08:00Truth<div><br></div><div><br></div>When life is discouraging keeping following Christ. <div><br></div><div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLQizRL7_MK7CDVh9lQcM0G0g7dJ1OlZ2YXsSws1zbzCefD1wNrqwVLEYfkiXAhfRBsu6b8XF8vKmpszr-Mt4xdjJR3jt5Y2KUGaAstTJ9TZs0kqXgh2AaR342p_Niy5XNwp1fQyBBnWK/s640/blogger-image--106568322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLQizRL7_MK7CDVh9lQcM0G0g7dJ1OlZ2YXsSws1zbzCefD1wNrqwVLEYfkiXAhfRBsu6b8XF8vKmpszr-Mt4xdjJR3jt5Y2KUGaAstTJ9TZs0kqXgh2AaR342p_Niy5XNwp1fQyBBnWK/s640/blogger-image--106568322.jpg"></a></div></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749068092786448966noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513787311266959873.post-47293637189015114652016-07-22T16:52:00.001-08:002016-07-22T21:48:44.197-08:00We Are CampingValdez, Alaska was our destination on this July weekend. We made it and it is raining. We knew the forecast was calling for rain so we came prepared. We have a slide in camper so my husband put up a tarp awning. <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgutJTVFTQKDihJz89GzyK0xPTzqpQh6tdHxQZUTbAXwCZZLiE55Xc8F2EKl7gZPyrKvpaKYCGvAtmjz3cOuvWuIv5uE2sb_cdJ5aB07zcSyB0fHfaYqEdaKnhVScymRRwfVZHQ6CrzW7fc/s640/blogger-image-1440835759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgutJTVFTQKDihJz89GzyK0xPTzqpQh6tdHxQZUTbAXwCZZLiE55Xc8F2EKl7gZPyrKvpaKYCGvAtmjz3cOuvWuIv5uE2sb_cdJ5aB07zcSyB0fHfaYqEdaKnhVScymRRwfVZHQ6CrzW7fc/s640/blogger-image-1440835759.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Our view</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVL51NjScqE2nS5sPSBOYt2xmAH_pUprF1nNdly0NPK9hGY_7qk3vTVpK8LFATz3rlUSXG_ZlOCpzRo6fTMpuBWmCCJ6cQ6cDyHvQzyK80Z3hVGCai0WELcC4XGiStHm-mtB4TwLvVLDw9/s640/blogger-image-1349077117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVL51NjScqE2nS5sPSBOYt2xmAH_pUprF1nNdly0NPK9hGY_7qk3vTVpK8LFATz3rlUSXG_ZlOCpzRo6fTMpuBWmCCJ6cQ6cDyHvQzyK80Z3hVGCai0WELcC4XGiStHm-mtB4TwLvVLDw9/s640/blogger-image-1349077117.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">One of the best camping things we have ever bought is this Coleman camp stove. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My husband has sung its praises for quite some time. Tonight I am cooking chicken enchiladas for the crew after they fish for a while. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcdGDWEKrSx7PxqWxz0opRMbdxNZr6pj0z1nvhbKupjvnqFU5qHaFPPetO5XBqagxLvCZcKzR00AV29b5_3wHFU9NL1cW6WK2IDZjIEVG63nvLZwk8WScJb1-_6HmuJlKYd2HSh_lOq0V/s640/blogger-image--625997949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcdGDWEKrSx7PxqWxz0opRMbdxNZr6pj0z1nvhbKupjvnqFU5qHaFPPetO5XBqagxLvCZcKzR00AV29b5_3wHFU9NL1cW6WK2IDZjIEVG63nvLZwk8WScJb1-_6HmuJlKYd2HSh_lOq0V/s640/blogger-image--625997949.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749068092786448966noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513787311266959873.post-81423537281636157172016-07-14T23:44:00.001-08:002016-07-14T23:48:18.766-08:00Things Never Go As PlannedThings never go as planned... <div>and that's okay. Actually, that is life. </div><div><br></div><div>When I looked ahead to summer I thought of all of the cleaning, organizing, books I planned on reading, swing setting while Benjamin played in the yard, chair sitting while Benjamin played at the lake, gardening, etc. You get picture. My summer book list has only one book marked off, and that is okay. I can read in the winter. </div><div><br></div><div>I also haven't done much swing setting or lake sitting until this week because the weather and/or schedule haven't agreed with each other. This week has been a scorcher. The airport recorded 100 degrees yesterday. Now that is crazy hot! </div><div>We went to Benjamin's friend's soccer game tonight, yes we chose a hot night for soccer watching. At 7:15 the temperature was 91 degrees. </div><div><br></div><div>Benjamin loved his time at the lake. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwPlWGxmLvFRQfd5hpKQqjQpqyTbBIiPquJ8Jr2IytDCwQZ213UZPpFtzMblH7KnGNKWIvzky_JUeeStWlJzaeeJc_TSaq6Lh0JxTsqHhts0uBNBFTmiH7ry7dwoJgQ5ldMTlObu5Gn3eo/s640/blogger-image-1563934632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwPlWGxmLvFRQfd5hpKQqjQpqyTbBIiPquJ8Jr2IytDCwQZ213UZPpFtzMblH7KnGNKWIvzky_JUeeStWlJzaeeJc_TSaq6Lh0JxTsqHhts0uBNBFTmiH7ry7dwoJgQ5ldMTlObu5Gn3eo/s640/blogger-image-1563934632.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Even though I have not accomplished everything on my summer expectation list much as been done and we have had some relaxing days at home as well. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We have a few salmon in the freezer, the man will have to go again to get us set for the winter. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXPmUJeg_E6TXeVneiF4cV2x66gGaDqMuyQXMJEKMiAi85POdrtqi1UJ7DMR5QNq3F6YSfNLR6RTGZW17AwclCsAcZKR9HkkEj9Gik7YBnj0jbjG1wakYau4BnHJ8OKmdLdj1P0jvNkxi/s640/blogger-image-715899634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXPmUJeg_E6TXeVneiF4cV2x66gGaDqMuyQXMJEKMiAi85POdrtqi1UJ7DMR5QNq3F6YSfNLR6RTGZW17AwclCsAcZKR9HkkEj9Gik7YBnj0jbjG1wakYau4BnHJ8OKmdLdj1P0jvNkxi/s640/blogger-image-715899634.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Tuesday when we went to the lake I got a little too much sun. Since I am avoiding all sunscreen today I had to use a hat, clothing and an umbrella to protect the parts that were over exposed on Tuesday. </div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsOCFRSgdCrSx4JkIFoHYhEktbPFJC8mtu1-lCHfQcD4vLZbMvpPffFPONQ5ELfOWan3wc8_B1EDI9MhwYlHsveUSRGwh_TflqHEImPeCtSN3V2yEVFsVAveh5Cxa31vBPPPGlbfx-5S5y/s640/blogger-image-1144106524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsOCFRSgdCrSx4JkIFoHYhEktbPFJC8mtu1-lCHfQcD4vLZbMvpPffFPONQ5ELfOWan3wc8_B1EDI9MhwYlHsveUSRGwh_TflqHEImPeCtSN3V2yEVFsVAveh5Cxa31vBPPPGlbfx-5S5y/s640/blogger-image-1144106524.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Even though things have not happened to my expectations the summer has been a good one and most days are productive days. </div><br></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749068092786448966noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513787311266959873.post-45064023397574195642016-07-07T00:56:00.001-08:002016-07-07T00:56:08.302-08:00A BookMy high school English teacher wrote a book. How exciting is that??? Here is the link of you are inclined to read the book and leave a review. <div><br></div><div>My review: I was interested in the book because it is historical fiction based on a relative of the author. The book doesn't present everything in pretty little packages with a happily ever after ending. The book just tells the story of a life and the struggles that life brought during the time the main character lived. </div><div>https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01HQCEYXI/ref=sxl1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467881335&sr=1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65</div><div><br></div><div>No affiliate link here just the link to the book. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749068092786448966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513787311266959873.post-26915318893266631802016-07-07T00:50:00.001-08:002016-07-07T00:50:30.555-08:00Woah, What Happened???<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I liked the list method of posting so here we go again: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">1) I did not take any pictures of my week in and out of the ER, doctor's offices and the hospital outpatient waiting room and maybe I should have. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">2) We saw a urologist on Monday and on Tuesday morning my husband went in for laparoscopic surgery. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">3) Wednesday I took Benjamin and a friend to $1 summer movie at the theater to see <i>Peanuts. </i>I am cheap like that. <i> </i>Yes, the day after surgery. This was Benjamin's first every movie theater experience. He loved it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggSK5AtfhPkSq7AOwGdwRUyg6IUY93aV06102I1lI7uX5yaLenmfOPll0Oyc7WepiB0HhnsvQ0SWQSiPDsWpoP-9FWXz2NF1U0fVRw0zDPtGJQOCUD6yldLYFjSHErGPKMYJufya56_3Gm/s640/blogger-image--1789096633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggSK5AtfhPkSq7AOwGdwRUyg6IUY93aV06102I1lI7uX5yaLenmfOPll0Oyc7WepiB0HhnsvQ0SWQSiPDsWpoP-9FWXz2NF1U0fVRw0zDPtGJQOCUD6yldLYFjSHErGPKMYJufya56_3Gm/s640/blogger-image--1789096633.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">3) $3 admission cost and way too much for icees and popcorn. I did not partake of the movie theater snack bar offerings. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">4) Benjamin contracted pink eye two days later. When the kids get pink eye my eyes itch for days. Then they never itch again until I am in the presence of someone with pink eye. Same with lice. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">5) Rain, we had lots over the weekend. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">6) Chickweed, my enemy. We fight daily. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfxhB5LWsGBTtfwakx14-CUNf1Bt7kMmREjx0XfO8Lb5vwx-vQOOlfs57r-lI2_KqDfg8ei0TNYPgfp1_4Rfl5S2JdFMTwCFo67RreHGTwNT6RHe1iL6vlAe63TldDK2hAe1RzXQ0x21j/s640/blogger-image-1253720605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfxhB5LWsGBTtfwakx14-CUNf1Bt7kMmREjx0XfO8Lb5vwx-vQOOlfs57r-lI2_KqDfg8ei0TNYPgfp1_4Rfl5S2JdFMTwCFo67RreHGTwNT6RHe1iL6vlAe63TldDK2hAe1RzXQ0x21j/s640/blogger-image-1253720605.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">7) A window in my van shattered and is no more. Tomorrow I go see about getting it replaced. For now it is duck tape and cardboard to the rescue. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">8) This girl turned sixteen. Sigh.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPB3Ed4rx325pDO2NvN-BvuAR8mn0LmN0h954ckUBag6ntUOiXFzWyZqoWHpRewiDTeUwbJ5yykcge6tG3AiAOjc4nuQDLAtCPNZ30epkgiLzBgb9nqDcwW772lZNAD4eGUo8oRGHyyygj/s640/blogger-image--858380587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPB3Ed4rx325pDO2NvN-BvuAR8mn0LmN0h954ckUBag6ntUOiXFzWyZqoWHpRewiDTeUwbJ5yykcge6tG3AiAOjc4nuQDLAtCPNZ30epkgiLzBgb9nqDcwW772lZNAD4eGUo8oRGHyyygj/s640/blogger-image--858380587.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">9) Chocolate zucchini THM cupcakes. Then for the 4th of July we made Strawberry Trifle. This whole THM lifestyle is soooo depriving 😂😂😂🎂🎂🎂. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_MQFcDdT0idt45aCk5sZjxZn39S1qNCBVph3-KFhLuC0VFeXl4agmFnClXDM3CPDZGZQ7uY5dloVmMpf1HPFxjeSf8-F1-vgom15xJIx6DHiLRBvwlgkCFuzwnL6hsWXmSgyD-t6NWbtI/s640/blogger-image--1547686138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_MQFcDdT0idt45aCk5sZjxZn39S1qNCBVph3-KFhLuC0VFeXl4agmFnClXDM3CPDZGZQ7uY5dloVmMpf1HPFxjeSf8-F1-vgom15xJIx6DHiLRBvwlgkCFuzwnL6hsWXmSgyD-t6NWbtI/s640/blogger-image--1547686138.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifCBLOn0c5SjGkzkz7y7Mk4IxW5GYBL-ne_48se0_X_7-XMznmJlXAvAgwhn2Q2cYWpUzdpgEPISWO5LMJhJkP0WPYUJIDy5-M88Xrkoq3iY0UY_dXDgKiJZY7bMGc05VJidGHsd3ca3zR/s640/blogger-image--306017418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifCBLOn0c5SjGkzkz7y7Mk4IxW5GYBL-ne_48se0_X_7-XMznmJlXAvAgwhn2Q2cYWpUzdpgEPISWO5LMJhJkP0WPYUJIDy5-M88Xrkoq3iY0UY_dXDgKiJZY7bMGc05VJidGHsd3ca3zR/s640/blogger-image--306017418.jpg"></a></div><br></div>10) An island, we have finally found all of the pieces to complete the island I wanted. Guess how much we have spent so far?? $0. Yep, total recycle center finds. I will paint the base and strip and stain the top and that will be our only money in this project. I may have had to wait for my husband to scope out the correct parts over the last few months but I will have the island I want. The base is super sturdy and well built. The thing is on casters, which was a huge priority because I wanted a moveable island so Benjamin can play basketball here. Looking forward to many morning breakfasts, group meal preps, friends around the island, school lessons done here and so much more. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPiPSuVcci3Pdi5v-zTiN_41dt8tm4n9kRkDHxM_miUE5d9txOptxtabMJi8PPnKjXxg6L9jG9YlhW_2rl05SGVXRpq3oXllsLt54h-L5YodF7MGxuB07T-yKahjv5ZUrAJOxWOmulMcEA/s640/blogger-image-454471053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPiPSuVcci3Pdi5v-zTiN_41dt8tm4n9kRkDHxM_miUE5d9txOptxtabMJi8PPnKjXxg6L9jG9YlhW_2rl05SGVXRpq3oXllsLt54h-L5YodF7MGxuB07T-yKahjv5ZUrAJOxWOmulMcEA/s640/blogger-image-454471053.jpg"></a></div></div><br></div>Goodbye from the Last Frontier, the home of the midnight sun. </div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749068092786448966noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513787311266959873.post-33308230938795011062016-06-26T23:49:00.001-08:002016-06-26T23:49:57.324-08:00When Life is Well, LifeOne thing that really concerns me is the setting up for disappointment of the younger generations.<div><br></div><div>Things I know: </div><div>1) When one works for something one appreciates it more</div><div>2) Life isn't all rainbows and unicorns</div><div>3) Expectations are just that, expectations</div><div>4) Everyone should live through the Ramen noodles and other such college survival foods, it just seems like a right of passage and makes home cooked meals just divine</div><div>5) Every marriage can benefit from a cheap apartment/ugly couch beginning, seriously it is all an upgrade from those humble beginnings</div><div>6) Life is about everyday, down and dirty living NOT the big events or planned family outings </div><div>7) Sometimes you spend your anniversary at the ER because that is real life (my husband has kidney stones and boy is that painful) </div><div>8) I can be thankful and even happy in the not so fun days because we were together on our anniversary and kidney stones may be extremely painful but they are a much better ER diagnosis than we could have received. </div><div>9) How can we be married for twenty-three years?? I cannot be much older than that myself. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCiO3wwjIXqz9Wce4BXK69xVU1n44f6qI1dt0iLwEAI-X_kiMRLZrtYfzZMgNQ3quSGbWAKjWjTVbTTadpUoTzT5bzzRc8aRnjBGLzoOHm0uuMcGhDkFxvHbASXTQzJkh6aopDLGfYOzsB/s640/blogger-image--1666568556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCiO3wwjIXqz9Wce4BXK69xVU1n44f6qI1dt0iLwEAI-X_kiMRLZrtYfzZMgNQ3quSGbWAKjWjTVbTTadpUoTzT5bzzRc8aRnjBGLzoOHm0uuMcGhDkFxvHbASXTQzJkh6aopDLGfYOzsB/s640/blogger-image--1666568556.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749068092786448966noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513787311266959873.post-39253841649591391022016-06-08T23:18:00.001-08:002016-06-08T23:18:02.302-08:00Class of 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Kp9JKJuvej6KmAEa5xeM_fqs3vTX4H80WxAex6OoK0qmWv4tW_LxZ04wX4xb1EnZHR3CG-1YFyc88LdaHRqLDVR_3K5C_XUUCKYcU7exvkcXcegeXUNnlR4Pn-CZagJa6Z5VFUEm9FZ1/s640/blogger-image--1797565764.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And we have our first graduate. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">He played baseball the day of his graduation party and it happened to be senior day as well. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGpUpaQKemyidtgLgAB76hCgScl5soPDYZNAH83wHyDXstQey9wE2azKbfF0SgBNQ_pTUPkz12A8KQXRdbKQKcaRnkQv3Ak5anKgTiD0I0ERUL7GAcBdhjnN29azCMeVLuUd4c_pvorKkZ/s640/blogger-image--246217621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGpUpaQKemyidtgLgAB76hCgScl5soPDYZNAH83wHyDXstQey9wE2azKbfF0SgBNQ_pTUPkz12A8KQXRdbKQKcaRnkQv3Ak5anKgTiD0I0ERUL7GAcBdhjnN29azCMeVLuUd4c_pvorKkZ/s640/blogger-image--246217621.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I had my husband talk during graduation, I would have cried and it would not have been pretty. </div><br></div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Kp9JKJuvej6KmAEa5xeM_fqs3vTX4H80WxAex6OoK0qmWv4tW_LxZ04wX4xb1EnZHR3CG-1YFyc88LdaHRqLDVR_3K5C_XUUCKYcU7exvkcXcegeXUNnlR4Pn-CZagJa6Z5VFUEm9FZ1/s640/blogger-image--1797565764.jpg"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Instead I was able to laugh at something Benjamin said during the diploma presentation. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL7tjyTLj62Wm-LAOUw2WGbuW1Cpoad5Lgaj8NBE-8B3jf_il-_VP7DZHo3-aC4-j4fkgD0eag_6JJN2vAW70NKVse6hO4GeizQaQbNIGLeR5PZyqjzrKXNmTRt-6uhDJeUppwGSsKnmaG/s640/blogger-image-984718756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL7tjyTLj62Wm-LAOUw2WGbuW1Cpoad5Lgaj8NBE-8B3jf_il-_VP7DZHo3-aC4-j4fkgD0eag_6JJN2vAW70NKVse6hO4GeizQaQbNIGLeR5PZyqjzrKXNmTRt-6uhDJeUppwGSsKnmaG/s640/blogger-image-984718756.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCV_5zSSZkMEs3lUDnL3KNb5rp3dmEOB5dp1InBr8m-X29blSc1qGI1KUQLGZh7zVr5-3PFSKTdUa0iga-vatmOOUQvSY-rV7-dXKKDsI3JEOOEwxbAQNzmsiCA92HeULnf62Em3BUT0Jn/s640/blogger-image-1163831946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCV_5zSSZkMEs3lUDnL3KNb5rp3dmEOB5dp1InBr8m-X29blSc1qGI1KUQLGZh7zVr5-3PFSKTdUa0iga-vatmOOUQvSY-rV7-dXKKDsI3JEOOEwxbAQNzmsiCA92HeULnf62Em3BUT0Jn/s640/blogger-image-1163831946.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Of course there was food: pork, chicken and side dishes, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdGO0_5-JipVeEPJ96Mg04MIakzj0iYb59sEruF8S6UcCYd6zzoKKKzE_Yx-zLsy8S0huXOo2148uwpXqGjkLn5r4Jp0VaRlgJwG-Vq3sW_KJTFlAOx3FW0gLJSjJ8ztmfwMa_tCHpAg_T/s640/blogger-image-834178679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdGO0_5-JipVeEPJ96Mg04MIakzj0iYb59sEruF8S6UcCYd6zzoKKKzE_Yx-zLsy8S0huXOo2148uwpXqGjkLn5r4Jp0VaRlgJwG-Vq3sW_KJTFlAOx3FW0gLJSjJ8ztmfwMa_tCHpAg_T/s640/blogger-image-834178679.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">and desserts</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCYnMMIpMqFdnNaRffpHkeRyxHS2LZ8rq7ptt-rmCgYXCgt7Fjge7T409vr7fxKTIZLwiHJZDFS9w9T8vwRvS4t2weGVPpnTMLfCBQ_hQjD4EUqBd95iRBcy6H5T-ELiX1Ph1W6YPFrxT3/s640/blogger-image--1005152427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCYnMMIpMqFdnNaRffpHkeRyxHS2LZ8rq7ptt-rmCgYXCgt7Fjge7T409vr7fxKTIZLwiHJZDFS9w9T8vwRvS4t2weGVPpnTMLfCBQ_hQjD4EUqBd95iRBcy6H5T-ELiX1Ph1W6YPFrxT3/s640/blogger-image--1005152427.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I didn't get too many pictures during the party because I was busy enjoying good conversation. </div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749068092786448966noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513787311266959873.post-11264971622943485712016-05-31T19:27:00.001-08:002016-05-31T19:31:24.537-08:00Looking Back is a Very Good Thing<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Tonight I had a few minutes to do something so I decided to work on school shelves. I am very glad I did. You see, the negative self talk keeps telling me that I shoulda, coulda woulda been a better home education Mom. I shoulda, coulda, woulda pushed more and required more and bought better curriculum or even allowed my kids to have less curriculum and more time to explore interests and abilities. Oh, those shoulda, coulda, wouldas. My son met and in some cases exceeded the requirements for the state of Alaska to graduate high school. He is prepared for whatever path the Lord has for him. I am prepared to watch him travel that path. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">See this folder? It contains his 8th grade writing assignments. I feel as though I have been a writing failure and that we didn't do enough writing. Guess what?? He did do more writing than I thought because I forgot what we had used and when. What a blessing that long left on the shelf folder has been to me tonight. I am thankful and I blessed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvxQIOq0_fPjMJWRVVXqPjxT_3iGvu9V-LmkP_Xx0AnVw8ODfJOmUSZ8ledF421K5q1iB_kxsJH5mnw4ZM1du65NdHveKQL5QpAVXJbOtbsVM_6s4jfVRMQC-VaW4IBCuaIsoyDoTLutwy/s640/blogger-image--1766945381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvxQIOq0_fPjMJWRVVXqPjxT_3iGvu9V-LmkP_Xx0AnVw8ODfJOmUSZ8ledF421K5q1iB_kxsJH5mnw4ZM1du65NdHveKQL5QpAVXJbOtbsVM_6s4jfVRMQC-VaW4IBCuaIsoyDoTLutwy/s640/blogger-image--1766945381.jpg"></a></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749068092786448966noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513787311266959873.post-28034750010245796672016-05-17T18:37:00.001-08:002016-05-17T23:17:25.498-08:00Why Our Teens Do Not Have A Curfew<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmFDR0Dpw48enW9PfQz09XT1ydTL17yeTq39IAacaWIowS8m49jXRgHy6QkfX-Xl3aB2i0fDJGsXPB-MmJ02X7-vRzmyUPQzdfUZecGhl25Bvng93MUJWrzGVzkFy08mNKz1-Z7IhJO8BK/s640/blogger-image--721295929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmFDR0Dpw48enW9PfQz09XT1ydTL17yeTq39IAacaWIowS8m49jXRgHy6QkfX-Xl3aB2i0fDJGsXPB-MmJ02X7-vRzmyUPQzdfUZecGhl25Bvng93MUJWrzGVzkFy08mNKz1-Z7IhJO8BK/s640/blogger-image--721295929.jpg"></a></div>Yes, you read that title correctly. Our teens have no curfew. Life for us just does not fit inside of a box and curfews just create a boxing in of sorts. <div>Curfews seem to create a sense of being out just to be out until curfew. Make sense? </div><div><br></div><div>Our approach is to assess each outing as it comes. If our teens are out at a friend's house for a game night then they are probably going to get a later time to be home than a set curfew would allow. </div><div><br></div><div>Our teens attended a movie with friends, on a school night even, they ended up going to a 10:00ish movie due to schedules and such. We agreed to the later time and they went to the <font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">movie. We survived and so did they. </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Just this past weekend the teens stayed in town after the Sunday evening service to wait for one of their friends to arrive home from college. That late night trip to the airport will be a long held memory for all involved. But, they didn't just stay in town, they were at the home of a friend playing games and apparently eating cereal. </font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">I dare say parenting isn't about a to do checklist. Every day is different, every child is different. </font></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">I personally am not a fan of teens just going out with no plan or place to be because it is Friday night. I lean more toward going about life with a purpose or plan. We are also blessed with great families to host the group our teens spend time with. Even if that plan is just game night with friends, it is a plan. </font></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749068092786448966noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513787311266959873.post-73194130466413642472016-05-07T22:04:00.001-08:002016-05-07T22:04:07.066-08:00State Conference, Mom Weekend, Ravi Zacharias<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A friend organized a trip to the state homeschool conference in Anchorage. All I had to do was pack and bring money, ya can't beat that. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We realized it must be summer because road construction has begun on our Alaska highways. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8DsHBcMpKjg9wSF5mN9Jct_Ri0JGtP2x2PorYkgDvOra2DwBoW8wJXnvF3fzq5aHQGJ78Y7HvHmGUi4PjeH9P9J6jY06v6dP5_yrvkW36WHHLJI0MH-gupA8dkMKGbLacp_wplWMG1nnN/s640/blogger-image-1967058172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8DsHBcMpKjg9wSF5mN9Jct_Ri0JGtP2x2PorYkgDvOra2DwBoW8wJXnvF3fzq5aHQGJ78Y7HvHmGUi4PjeH9P9J6jY06v6dP5_yrvkW36WHHLJI0MH-gupA8dkMKGbLacp_wplWMG1nnN/s640/blogger-image-1967058172.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We happened upon a tiny house on display so we toured and took a selfie. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit9WgCh8C8a-eI1efTMsyHUl6n8B-TdYRgXByIUsfR9nZqDY35Jeag8HAm_HVD2x1PEnoON1bvINfgXl0l3I59v57TuT6WpvJ88jvtPWO0nsXXCWgmzbj9ThWr_MfIcHFFGg06TTbzO586/s640/blogger-image--477490439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit9WgCh8C8a-eI1efTMsyHUl6n8B-TdYRgXByIUsfR9nZqDY35Jeag8HAm_HVD2x1PEnoON1bvINfgXl0l3I59v57TuT6WpvJ88jvtPWO0nsXXCWgmzbj9ThWr_MfIcHFFGg06TTbzO586/s640/blogger-image--477490439.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Trips to Anchorage mean eating in restaurants we do not have in Fairbanks. How about Texas Roadhouse with anAlaskan twist? Great service by the way. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8dcfXzeblDTpTdo4L2rm2SXhV22Gba6HJBjihtnrLHso49sxx2G8C_kZHFcR0bJdpZwt-gOyLw8pj-Ls79h5zajMgMEmltXnOY4ZZyhk0u1ONZAT7yXNRbNPhADp39g9QHPzbfGkzy2rE/s640/blogger-image--1434360295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8dcfXzeblDTpTdo4L2rm2SXhV22Gba6HJBjihtnrLHso49sxx2G8C_kZHFcR0bJdpZwt-gOyLw8pj-Ls79h5zajMgMEmltXnOY4ZZyhk0u1ONZAT7yXNRbNPhADp39g9QHPzbfGkzy2rE/s640/blogger-image--1434360295.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPQ4ie66ml0opxy0XhIuzA_oTZQ3DFq3BU_O2vSGg6NFxOfiYocdRo3QfiA8Ta6qt2kGX3QlRSAcGd_5HL1TO6vWykIbcDmSY50BLdH2BetUZpUB7heC2KxQStogb1PSK1XI9bjkjpnwDz/s640/blogger-image--341238945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPQ4ie66ml0opxy0XhIuzA_oTZQ3DFq3BU_O2vSGg6NFxOfiYocdRo3QfiA8Ta6qt2kGX3QlRSAcGd_5HL1TO6vWykIbcDmSY50BLdH2BetUZpUB7heC2KxQStogb1PSK1XI9bjkjpnwDz/s640/blogger-image--341238945.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I left with two to go cups, one water and one tea. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgckBS3iOiKVXhAaTbR70DEhq-pvBtaLeswx4YoXCH8X2sJ1rhReMW2di3hLW-QtfWA9-BY9HiSSzXCM1eY0KEp0np7lOuHt4gjqu12i8DygSK8BYHiAjZHXXI7LpZ_l_-n4zv65an7UpEV/s640/blogger-image-682239500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgckBS3iOiKVXhAaTbR70DEhq-pvBtaLeswx4YoXCH8X2sJ1rhReMW2di3hLW-QtfWA9-BY9HiSSzXCM1eY0KEp0np7lOuHt4gjqu12i8DygSK8BYHiAjZHXXI7LpZ_l_-n4zv65an7UpEV/s640/blogger-image-682239500.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Anchorage has a great homeschool store with exceptional service. Love Chickabiddy Books! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJuqmBxM_6tvovtFpgkVvCXYcoo1Vd7wjTbrHhWl38VkSAk_pQGqjFMNK-SnGPwIbVDUpkGw2ueXwQ7ACQYwBPkeVp5gxCiz9JU_SPjI5LJtMoWY5hlTvHfsYzQOQQcKCT9nNn5kwcMX9/s640/blogger-image-2069042695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJuqmBxM_6tvovtFpgkVvCXYcoo1Vd7wjTbrHhWl38VkSAk_pQGqjFMNK-SnGPwIbVDUpkGw2ueXwQ7ACQYwBPkeVp5gxCiz9JU_SPjI5LJtMoWY5hlTvHfsYzQOQQcKCT9nNn5kwcMX9/s640/blogger-image-2069042695.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After closing down the store we went back to the hotel to research what we needed because we were going back the next day to complete our shopping. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRprB0pxiuF6cPkeKKJqeX64R0YG1IUGxVFcci198VPwlL_kcDjh0ioUT0GHwyZk1T0FlcjKcHfCGyaMA0FbywACIhkb3yqV84F6x8QlGyfHzVdVCY_4S3A00XGA4bN3KsIDcALfpMtMlW/s640/blogger-image-27859296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRprB0pxiuF6cPkeKKJqeX64R0YG1IUGxVFcci198VPwlL_kcDjh0ioUT0GHwyZk1T0FlcjKcHfCGyaMA0FbywACIhkb3yqV84F6x8QlGyfHzVdVCY_4S3A00XGA4bN3KsIDcALfpMtMlW/s640/blogger-image-27859296.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We hung around for the Sunday not going service at a church in Anchorage because Ravi Zacharias was speaking there. I am so glad we did. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgFNyMvQ96PurBgvWT4qNwxG51DMD6rGUbU3Q0-xPvqge086py9T-FJBgKl51Ten-cD1ITF-rOJxWTeeB8VU5BM4-TcwLZbZ5wCUOzlVeJqF_kpDRjBqjCHelWZragnBPTel4xpmTa0vhl/s640/blogger-image-586370972.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgFNyMvQ96PurBgvWT4qNwxG51DMD6rGUbU3Q0-xPvqge086py9T-FJBgKl51Ten-cD1ITF-rOJxWTeeB8VU5BM4-TcwLZbZ5wCUOzlVeJqF_kpDRjBqjCHelWZragnBPTel4xpmTa0vhl/s640/blogger-image-586370972.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Then we loaded all of our stuff into the car and headed home. Looks like we did some shopping while there. ☺️</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYb1imNCTL4pQ0ACMWheRitlLmBDI_kycyYKoU9p3GUOTxwWUV9N_rkQFsLN0d-DHFHgLSF82R_5erLz_qTFQZvUbMtiS5364E742EG8sh8NB2OhRApWPnBr7PYFKnstnZVuxm22m90Yvs/s640/blogger-image--776211789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYb1imNCTL4pQ0ACMWheRitlLmBDI_kycyYKoU9p3GUOTxwWUV9N_rkQFsLN0d-DHFHgLSF82R_5erLz_qTFQZvUbMtiS5364E742EG8sh8NB2OhRApWPnBr7PYFKnstnZVuxm22m90Yvs/s640/blogger-image--776211789.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We saw Denali on the way home(right under the cloud). I also bought a selfie stick which came in handy for Denali pictures. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqW0e0LOPE38XGI6s32pNX_7YELtH_5d3wOhbHv1D9sxh898JfIMPDY-dXY7_C7A2cj40z_djLbhcpUuTElICxKNydd35HbQbZq-1NW4tofLZutYlITwAtVudecTHl6qZoqnq1xz5MlZB8/s640/blogger-image-1444656149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqW0e0LOPE38XGI6s32pNX_7YELtH_5d3wOhbHv1D9sxh898JfIMPDY-dXY7_C7A2cj40z_djLbhcpUuTElICxKNydd35HbQbZq-1NW4tofLZutYlITwAtVudecTHl6qZoqnq1xz5MlZB8/s640/blogger-image-1444656149.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I had no idea how much I needed this trip until I was on this trip. I was in great need of Mom refreshment. </div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749068092786448966noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513787311266959873.post-11607283631812399202016-05-07T21:40:00.001-08:002016-05-07T21:40:57.347-08:00Completing<div><br></div>Benjamin and I finished Sonlight's First Grade Science. Yippee for completion!!!!!!<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwwxTNoxEEzBczYyVnHX9xa25rmTOiWQZHu4ciG4urqKCLw42Ed_hwbzn-rF0BBTtNdtpK3jrlsQHuBdCKThaSytaPavBdY2EmloIXXrvEageRG6QtJ1b_7saQqNVPZPxuTrWUyPItew3D/s640/blogger-image-1693769118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwwxTNoxEEzBczYyVnHX9xa25rmTOiWQZHu4ciG4urqKCLw42Ed_hwbzn-rF0BBTtNdtpK3jrlsQHuBdCKThaSytaPavBdY2EmloIXXrvEageRG6QtJ1b_7saQqNVPZPxuTrWUyPItew3D/s640/blogger-image-1693769118.jpg"></a></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749068092786448966noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513787311266959873.post-86373822558559531112016-05-01T23:03:00.001-08:002016-05-06T23:54:56.545-08:00Oh, Those ExpectationsThey get ya every time, those expectations. <div><br></div><div>The bar gets set high for other people. </div><div>The mind thinks about what someone else did or did not do. </div><div>The mind, it sure is an interesting playground of thought. </div><div>When the focus is on what did no did not go the way of expectations the mind dwells and inflates situations. </div><div>The focus should be on God, the Father. Time should be spent in prayer and in the Word, I am reminding myself of this fact. </div><div><br></div><div>I am guilty of setting high expectations and I am also on the receiving end. </div><div><br></div><div>Through frustration and hurt I also have opened eyes, renewed clarity if you will. </div><div>I see now. </div><div>I see how to pray for every day situations. </div><div><br></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSvVn6mh9cUrIl7BuiCYAn9wkQdacfP1qyiFY5GAeyY-N0qYmUi2-m9RTmI_leq1A5h01wEfs83qK_agN1igpUhsz3OFR9IKj3thnXJaNrqKM0-F31EwhLY7DoaAeRKJDSe5KGIGiLHibE/s640/blogger-image-704962058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSvVn6mh9cUrIl7BuiCYAn9wkQdacfP1qyiFY5GAeyY-N0qYmUi2-m9RTmI_leq1A5h01wEfs83qK_agN1igpUhsz3OFR9IKj3thnXJaNrqKM0-F31EwhLY7DoaAeRKJDSe5KGIGiLHibE/s640/blogger-image-704962058.jpg"></a></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749068092786448966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513787311266959873.post-41162410973476343602016-04-29T00:51:00.001-08:002016-04-29T00:51:09.597-08:00PerspectiveLife has a way of ebbing and flowing that also makes for eye opening experiences. Sometimes you can see the highest peaks clearly, just as a rare sighting of Denali while driving home from a weekend in Anchorage. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4e314_TRfDmUt46z97uRqUv5Hpd_l6VARv5qAI4chakklI84IuvZgqKB1MH4QDw_DkhQIR8zWgGpVQDwL_y6mGPeWW-u3xwiFVb2XWKfnmhEj-UCqoc0pOl95JGNzCfhjNzLL5PC0n7h/s640/blogger-image--541196598.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4e314_TRfDmUt46z97uRqUv5Hpd_l6VARv5qAI4chakklI84IuvZgqKB1MH4QDw_DkhQIR8zWgGpVQDwL_y6mGPeWW-u3xwiFVb2XWKfnmhEj-UCqoc0pOl95JGNzCfhjNzLL5PC0n7h/s640/blogger-image--541196598.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Other times the clouds roll in and the view isn't quite as clear. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvILLDMrHmttNbQ1wKVu4SWUEXjebfQ3B_YazW7vfmbR5GTj_OMS92IXDq_zMcPzG1II5La4b6x6KXuwqH2xNv_QVgGNa789epfqUJtn8fQsGmRG6ixGHb249Q3_b7FlWsA0TSMT6lvEP0/s640/blogger-image--294983085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvILLDMrHmttNbQ1wKVu4SWUEXjebfQ3B_YazW7vfmbR5GTj_OMS92IXDq_zMcPzG1II5La4b6x6KXuwqH2xNv_QVgGNa789epfqUJtn8fQsGmRG6ixGHb249Q3_b7FlWsA0TSMT6lvEP0/s640/blogger-image--294983085.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Recently I have learned much and my eyes have been opened and the clouds have moved on and I can see clearly. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Perspective and expectations are two things I have learned along the way. What??? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Yes, perspective and expectations. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">What do I expect from from others and do I view situations from only my perspective? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Expectations often cause problems in relationships. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">What do I expect of others?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Do they know my expectations of them?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Are the expectations realistic? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This brings me to perspective. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">When expectations are not met it does pay to consider the life/situation of the other person. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I am thankful to have finally put these two items together in life circumstances. To remind myself that I should not expect more of others than they can give. I have also learned that I may not know what someone else is going through and why they make the decisions they make. I should give others the benefit of the doubt. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div><br></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749068092786448966noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513787311266959873.post-63978365923950298742016-03-14T11:42:00.001-08:002016-03-14T11:42:54.201-08:00March<div><br></div>Benjamin working on a project. He really needs a haircut. <br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRc-Kvm7x1K2aD0_sVchhz_-1chzJou-NOK_gaH2TU9UU7PlSyFT_sgcz9oLx-8HvjR-E-cwVL7PyaJtSILNiik-7OxYZ9UFBswjjKsZJgGN3nrDEXTl9ojQOpla82dTkGQvP5V_Z5ILlz/s640/blogger-image-1628407466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRc-Kvm7x1K2aD0_sVchhz_-1chzJou-NOK_gaH2TU9UU7PlSyFT_sgcz9oLx-8HvjR-E-cwVL7PyaJtSILNiik-7OxYZ9UFBswjjKsZJgGN3nrDEXTl9ojQOpla82dTkGQvP5V_Z5ILlz/s640/blogger-image-1628407466.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is how the school box looks in March. Where did the pencils and crayons go? Somehow, we manage. </div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtfuNShHq5e-5-e4o-_U_gNUFjDStjpzGEml75CanjB7pfCGoTpW0F8xjO6kkSuf7gsdGr0UwWjMB_1cMSEUeYg5jWPd1VrmoUWO4eYdi4aKOoLvaNh6wfiKsQyuzFQbB3wFdpddVGfv8D/s640/blogger-image-371804480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtfuNShHq5e-5-e4o-_U_gNUFjDStjpzGEml75CanjB7pfCGoTpW0F8xjO6kkSuf7gsdGr0UwWjMB_1cMSEUeYg5jWPd1VrmoUWO4eYdi4aKOoLvaNh6wfiKsQyuzFQbB3wFdpddVGfv8D/s640/blogger-image-371804480.jpg"></a></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749068092786448966noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513787311266959873.post-5007308331985566852016-01-18T16:30:00.001-09:002016-01-18T16:30:27.300-09:00HumorThis popped up in my Instsgram feed and I love it. True, so true!<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7tCoY25M1TaZojDOcCaAjrGQFWqa3_WM4oN4QgMf889AOA5bkhS9RQIIGJpdwXNIVRVWbkf2gW3V47LRRwT8WQRs2aYumO1ZcvistON_OKQchmmeY0xRZujoYGHdOMwQKNvPqFsM-1thx/s640/blogger-image-758889832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7tCoY25M1TaZojDOcCaAjrGQFWqa3_WM4oN4QgMf889AOA5bkhS9RQIIGJpdwXNIVRVWbkf2gW3V47LRRwT8WQRs2aYumO1ZcvistON_OKQchmmeY0xRZujoYGHdOMwQKNvPqFsM-1thx/s640/blogger-image-758889832.jpg"></a></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749068092786448966noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513787311266959873.post-35834495754576134882015-12-24T23:32:00.001-09:002015-12-24T23:32:54.410-09:00The Fourth Annual Cookie SwapOur annual cookie swap went down Friday night. We swapped cookies with eight other Mother/Daughter teams. <div><br></div><div>Our family makes gingerbread cookies every year for the swap. <br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbJBMqL79KdpwnLP9xgHWpBAeyVf_JzZq5eRcM5Jleps8P17oQhIuWz6vWIjdbL7csr0KQpdnLrXcZICbfnlNieH1qWrwCOhTX8Y6inswT_OQThx81oHu6dw9Rg_ws2GhFiaY7asXWIQH/s640/blogger-image--957845014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbJBMqL79KdpwnLP9xgHWpBAeyVf_JzZq5eRcM5Jleps8P17oQhIuWz6vWIjdbL7csr0KQpdnLrXcZICbfnlNieH1qWrwCOhTX8Y6inswT_OQThx81oHu6dw9Rg_ws2GhFiaY7asXWIQH/s640/blogger-image--957845014.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfbjJGpSzCRu11xH0rsRc8HeC-Gyb3i6t0PFAij2kvQpFCBwy6VTsB242ZezojckPJ8lSpltcfVrWyDgC6rvrstLSk-evPJYefgeVyH419Bi-X8Q2Ar4s5d33RXkgncVtw08sem_QSvKXz/s640/blogger-image--723587213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfbjJGpSzCRu11xH0rsRc8HeC-Gyb3i6t0PFAij2kvQpFCBwy6VTsB242ZezojckPJ8lSpltcfVrWyDgC6rvrstLSk-evPJYefgeVyH419Bi-X8Q2Ar4s5d33RXkgncVtw08sem_QSvKXz/s640/blogger-image--723587213.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Our ten dozen cookies baked, frosted and packaged to go. </div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQlpTXAwQQZ1dp2lE3YQDYO8NJBdHLJn-gun7RZIngtwvJhTsTvpee05Ve5INz84K6lRQftOeH_LHRMlRT_a26LQlMOawyXO2I_SPL_fEpEyx-s3s5FxUsFZVjH9PGxqVvDPiUBLnSyhhi/s640/blogger-image--1084489126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQlpTXAwQQZ1dp2lE3YQDYO8NJBdHLJn-gun7RZIngtwvJhTsTvpee05Ve5INz84K6lRQftOeH_LHRMlRT_a26LQlMOawyXO2I_SPL_fEpEyx-s3s5FxUsFZVjH9PGxqVvDPiUBLnSyhhi/s640/blogger-image--1084489126.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The cookie sample table. I tasted not one cookie. </div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqrlo9dl4jzVd1a4yw2qLp2y6yA3vWqm_Aw-bYBhqpFnarMCQLlVJXt1h4BHc7aXTNkn81N6N0BE_QT-Mr8IQs6j9nYe0ihS8Pys8QgVPhe-YddfjN8rxi2UmvuIywkFkTsjfGSbt1Rd8G/s640/blogger-image-771123513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqrlo9dl4jzVd1a4yw2qLp2y6yA3vWqm_Aw-bYBhqpFnarMCQLlVJXt1h4BHc7aXTNkn81N6N0BE_QT-Mr8IQs6j9nYe0ihS8Pys8QgVPhe-YddfjN8rxi2UmvuIywkFkTsjfGSbt1Rd8G/s640/blogger-image-771123513.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>The hot cocoa <br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtoqksSIfyeynVLZVPh1RO4duW_INFWXeC6AR4aWU7U0ileYZcVxfV5pPn7i3bIHWLs8zfmV44KVHzkmMGWUfn60bsJ4O-79kEvBzYoG2sKjZwCc_ArSsGloHIh-a7m-jjTCzAL5hbyeNu/s640/blogger-image--216955629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtoqksSIfyeynVLZVPh1RO4duW_INFWXeC6AR4aWU7U0ileYZcVxfV5pPn7i3bIHWLs8zfmV44KVHzkmMGWUfn60bsJ4O-79kEvBzYoG2sKjZwCc_ArSsGloHIh-a7m-jjTCzAL5hbyeNu/s640/blogger-image--216955629.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The cookies waiting to be swapped. </div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5pZ-sy3L37FpHuQUipf1bHuT8gaxBWkkYwZu6fxtEGfdzGRBPSKE-50UkZ40urj0daf13R-jXnhyphenhyphenIh6k1-9qzQhGqy9lNlH6c36hu2n1DVDsJBbRFNxMR9Zsq-2rVK7RkNnfDE8s0pIr/s640/blogger-image-2120746938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5pZ-sy3L37FpHuQUipf1bHuT8gaxBWkkYwZu6fxtEGfdzGRBPSKE-50UkZ40urj0daf13R-jXnhyphenhyphenIh6k1-9qzQhGqy9lNlH6c36hu2n1DVDsJBbRFNxMR9Zsq-2rVK7RkNnfDE8s0pIr/s640/blogger-image-2120746938.jpg"></a></div></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749068092786448966noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513787311266959873.post-465536109588168222015-12-24T23:31:00.001-09:002015-12-24T23:31:53.486-09:00Merry Christmas<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Merry Christmas to you, thank you for ready my very sporadic and very eclectic blog posts.</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4kCLaOHpSVT6p1qbR7kYC5Nlebeatf2Gbx6r8vEdBeEatMyospOrMwLrfbwL0wEKcQNki9xNdphi-Qf30WQzye3xJW-MZTbMB3q_qTZbAcPZQUJnoFGIGlg9zmM4-ARNwljKNwV-YjSpA/s640/blogger-image-1663935764.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4kCLaOHpSVT6p1qbR7kYC5Nlebeatf2Gbx6r8vEdBeEatMyospOrMwLrfbwL0wEKcQNki9xNdphi-Qf30WQzye3xJW-MZTbMB3q_qTZbAcPZQUJnoFGIGlg9zmM4-ARNwljKNwV-YjSpA/s640/blogger-image-1663935764.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>A screenshot of our Christmas card picture<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrRVQyeY8-LFi_kas7oi-24E64mFfrUjAgrlaOnvmyL-QbYCZ-_GmMDzMYGzcyP8Vim_MKerRQXvE8KZNnChub_2-HCGZv1LAPmC4TCxnmBcAjdJL6wlg50YnlAY3HuUVtAxC4e-LeNd6/s640/blogger-image--993685868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrRVQyeY8-LFi_kas7oi-24E64mFfrUjAgrlaOnvmyL-QbYCZ-_GmMDzMYGzcyP8Vim_MKerRQXvE8KZNnChub_2-HCGZv1LAPmC4TCxnmBcAjdJL6wlg50YnlAY3HuUVtAxC4e-LeNd6/s640/blogger-image--993685868.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Benjamin has been waiting a whole year for the Candlelight Christmas Eve Service. <br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-MAj8fNrHUzbAnu_biySnhyphenhyphenZd7MN2oR4PY2WldP6eWKumPen4-E6UpVxPsfiHJDIQVJhezACBfguVfLTUTktzo_yIdfpKK41irQj7SCUqr5RYOzRI83ePc2O2Fyn_Yh4ehOhrtROGNAq/s640/blogger-image--186600288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-MAj8fNrHUzbAnu_biySnhyphenhyphenZd7MN2oR4PY2WldP6eWKumPen4-E6UpVxPsfiHJDIQVJhezACBfguVfLTUTktzo_yIdfpKK41irQj7SCUqr5RYOzRI83ePc2O2Fyn_Yh4ehOhrtROGNAq/s640/blogger-image--186600288.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Merry Christmas from Our Home on the Last Frontier!!!!</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi319L59_ocA0GjWO7DQhabOgBaTEsKjBKYEP4ccSyPrT848knSu0gqdv8q3vq7ggnANvhhArKyQQK0PXMhKMxRBjkoDu0a-IfWW6SeXhBEn5of2uVA3BBFmDUQ3Sl5shL67Z1FMACUe2oW/s640/blogger-image-1741211360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi319L59_ocA0GjWO7DQhabOgBaTEsKjBKYEP4ccSyPrT848knSu0gqdv8q3vq7ggnANvhhArKyQQK0PXMhKMxRBjkoDu0a-IfWW6SeXhBEn5of2uVA3BBFmDUQ3Sl5shL67Z1FMACUe2oW/s640/blogger-image-1741211360.jpg"></a></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749068092786448966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513787311266959873.post-28428241446745325352015-12-19T01:01:00.001-09:002015-12-19T01:01:19.856-09:00Happy 7th BirthdayBenjamin had a great birthday, he made his cake the day before. <br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8sAxLP4R9OBDaYnHy_jnatnE9EQSoa7DrTWNPq5MPOXFaxWOff3KieRupHqPB76RCdhzpUxo8yZsCwChxlgavpQFHabMAKgndaknDeaPtktaFjG8fi4pvKvab-uuOIMC4nlO9tTpHvgYj/s640/blogger-image--602111887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8sAxLP4R9OBDaYnHy_jnatnE9EQSoa7DrTWNPq5MPOXFaxWOff3KieRupHqPB76RCdhzpUxo8yZsCwChxlgavpQFHabMAKgndaknDeaPtktaFjG8fi4pvKvab-uuOIMC4nlO9tTpHvgYj/s640/blogger-image--602111887.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>The house was decorated after he went to bed<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix1Cl34_xxo95UtxT5sdv8j6ky5hVOqcIPgTLuRTMzjLwqgWjLNmWRBG6mD_pWCBi2VzuWqht3NQ08fL-sSioy3kDRCZHSJocwTbA4dQ5SxAVPoNIcNvaS67JXLXQRkS9o-w1NOTtUS4ry/s640/blogger-image-233328584.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix1Cl34_xxo95UtxT5sdv8j6ky5hVOqcIPgTLuRTMzjLwqgWjLNmWRBG6mD_pWCBi2VzuWqht3NQ08fL-sSioy3kDRCZHSJocwTbA4dQ5SxAVPoNIcNvaS67JXLXQRkS9o-w1NOTtUS4ry/s640/blogger-image-233328584.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>We partied all day long. Sigh, our baby is growing up.<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFCubS32MUlw53bWjbgu2G9_obnTizmdXBR7VLhaRdpQ6XEujt6f-CMzqt0ZgS6N0C7jASqZ7jitGRV2QYeflHZSyqEFd3TNrkza0-zxKHSR3OxgO1uu24rZYIB-1yIIR3AIHCKBOliGTx/s640/blogger-image-638570291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFCubS32MUlw53bWjbgu2G9_obnTizmdXBR7VLhaRdpQ6XEujt6f-CMzqt0ZgS6N0C7jASqZ7jitGRV2QYeflHZSyqEFd3TNrkza0-zxKHSR3OxgO1uu24rZYIB-1yIIR3AIHCKBOliGTx/s640/blogger-image-638570291.jpg"></a></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749068092786448966noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2513787311266959873.post-21195581365352873902015-12-19T00:57:00.001-09:002015-12-19T00:57:42.818-09:00NativityBenjamin was part of the Nativity play at church, he was Joseph.<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWn2C0Sdb_TzazvcF7FpOHl08USyPACkqhd40cCIorNUepXknk7FLkkLcK0vbkyDe3YHKpsS04k1CUaiy-KMw2GS33KJkYSKEqEITuEu7fSKVYdf9zbYnvaXv6AKBS886gDnDRs6LBKBLV/s640/blogger-image--843048371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWn2C0Sdb_TzazvcF7FpOHl08USyPACkqhd40cCIorNUepXknk7FLkkLcK0vbkyDe3YHKpsS04k1CUaiy-KMw2GS33KJkYSKEqEITuEu7fSKVYdf9zbYnvaXv6AKBS886gDnDRs6LBKBLV/s640/blogger-image--843048371.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyIhToz68jL_ElDHEtPLbcPEE_oHAN641NzAEcqaHDAlpIvSdK8XbcaWV0B2IyFALH2N7WY5f-ic_MGwmhwtk4BMpNod918lz3-_w-t31HvN72hoYlyAbhYJz7RMGKgtd5p7YJXBEMg4JC/s640/blogger-image--784008083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyIhToz68jL_ElDHEtPLbcPEE_oHAN641NzAEcqaHDAlpIvSdK8XbcaWV0B2IyFALH2N7WY5f-ic_MGwmhwtk4BMpNod918lz3-_w-t31HvN72hoYlyAbhYJz7RMGKgtd5p7YJXBEMg4JC/s640/blogger-image--784008083.jpg"></a></div>Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749068092786448966noreply@blogger.com1