ONLY IN ALASKA . . . .

Do people leave the house during a SNOW ADVISORY to go sit and watch a parade and then go to an outdoor carnival! Apparently we are those people, LOL. I really didn't KNOW we were under a snow advisory until we got home this afternoon. Figures the day that I plan to do something outdoors, the sun would disappear and the snow would fall, and fall, and fall all day long nonstop.

We had a great day though. Monica and I took our kids plus one of Elesha's for the Fur Rondy Events downtown. It was not too cold, but after standing there at parade for a while we were all frozen. We went to the Downtown Diner (I think that was what it was called) for lunch. It was warm and we all had hot chocolate. The food was good! I had a cup of clam chowder which was AWESOME and a Monte Cristo sandwich. It was not quite as good as the one I had a the City Diner the other day, but it was pretty good.

Then we ventured over to the carnival where the kids got to ride fair rides in the snow! It was a good time. I wish I had gotten more pictures to share, but the snow was heavy most of the time, and I was too afraid to get my new camera wet. There was really no way to avoid it, and I didn't want to have a third camera quit on me.

One side note - Ever tried to use a porto potty with a two year old in three layers and snow gear? Very Interesting, LOL

Sledding Fun

My camera is broken so I don't have any of my own new pictures. Monica took the boys with her kids to Birch Hill area to sled yesterday afternoon. She took these pictures of the FUN! I should have sent Jadyn too, then maybe she would have gone to bed last night, lol.

I have to send my camera off to be fixed, so I got a new one today. When the old one gets fixed I am gonna send it to Jerome. He needs one over there to send pics back to us. Tomorrow we are planning to go the Fur Rondy Parade and Carnival, so I should have some pictures tomorrow afternoon of my own.

Sleepovers and Sled Dogs

Last night Jared spent the night with Luke. Justin, Jadyn, and me went to Red Robin with Elesha and some other friends. Then afterwards the kids spent the night with Elesha. I went home and slept in a house all by myself. Except for my crazy dogs, who got locked out of my bedroom, because they wouldn't stop waking me up. This morning I went to a baby shower for my friend Megan, and then I picked up the kids.

Jared went to the Dyea Winterfest with Luke and had a great time. He stayed with Mrs. Monica and Luke for a little while longer and I took Justin and Jadyn over to Dyea. It was so cute! They had lots of stuff to do. There were games, hockey, dog sled rides, snow machine rides and tubing. They actually used snowmachines to carry you up the hill to tube. Too bad I couldn't do it!

Justin went first on the dog sled and I was going to ride with Jadyn. But, when it was our turn she did not want me to ride with her. She wanted to go by herself! I couldnt believe it, but I let her. She had a smile from ear to ear the whole time.

Unfortunately, for no apparent reason my camera just stopped working!!! This is the second Kodak camera that has just stopped on me. I think I still have the receipt and will take it back tomorrow! Monica got some pictures of Luke and Jared, so I will post them. My friend Elise was there and I think she got a pic of Justin and Jared, so when I get it I will add it to the post.

Dog Sled Ride

Waiting to go tubing

This blue boat on skis was what they used to pull everyone up the hill.

Jared On the SnowMachine.

Hockey

This was sent to me in an email from my cousin Teresa and I thought I would share.



Malachi 3:3 says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver."

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says:"He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver."

She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?" He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it."

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has His eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you. This very moment, someone needs to know that God is watching over them. And whatever they're going through, they'll be a better person in the end.

Reasons Why I LOVE My Husband!

1. I love how he takes songs on the radio and gives them his own funny lyrics.
2. I love that he is an awesome provider for his family.
3. I love that he is a great father.
4. I love how he looks in a uniform - dress blue is my favorite!
5. I love that he prays.
6. I love that he is a good leader.
7. I love that he loves me!
8. I love his hands.
9. I love that he likes things neat and organized.
10. I love that he doesn't let my messiness get to him, too often!
11. I love that he loves his parents.
12. I love that he calls my mother "mom"
13. I love that he serves his country and puts others freedoms before his own.
14. I love that he is a conservative.
15. I love that he has faith in God, and isn't afraid to show it.
16. I love his bald head. - It took a little getting used to.
17. I love that he is not afraid of FOUR kids - anymore, LOL.
18. I love that he can cook. I'll miss his cubed deer this year. I will never get the sauce right.
19. I love that he was covered in deer blood when we met.
20. I love that he rubbed my feet to keep them warm. Not much foot rubbing since then though. I personally don't blame him, lol.
21. I love to rub his back at night even though I complain sometimes.
22. I love that he drove all the way back to Kentucky to get my wedding ring, even if I was being stupid!
23. I love that he doesn't laugh when I cry at stupid movies and stuff.
24. I love that he is concerned for his soldiers and wants to see them succeed.
25. I love that he bought us 4 wheelers. - maybe we will eventually get to use them again.
26. I love that he is teaching the boys to shoot, hunt, and fish. I guess its a southern thing!
27. I love that he has a daddy's girl, and that he is wrapped around her finger!
28. I love that he likes to spoil us every now and then.
29. I love that he likes candles as much as me.
30. I love that he allows me to be a stay at home mom!
31. I love that he is the leader of our family.

But mostly I just love you because you are you! God sent you to me. I prayed for you as a young girl and He sent you as my help meet. I could not ask for a better partner in life. I love You Jerome! Stay Safe and come home soon!

Missing Two Front Teeth

Jared Finally lost his other front tooth. It has been hanging on for several days now. Jerome tried to pull it, but Jared wouldn't let him. Skittles - that was what did it!

Hanging out with Dad

You can tell from his eyes in the pictures that Jerome was pretty sick last week. He is doing better and gaining his strength back. He called yesterday, but has not reached his final destination. He is doing OK, and said he will call again as soon as he can. I will not post specific information on here, but when I get an address and stuff I will email it to those interested. You can also send him emails and stuff, too. He has his laptop.

Happy Birthday Jared!

Wednesday was Jared's real Birthday. He is finally 6 years old. Which means he is no longer FREE at the post theater, LOL. He is such a sweetheart, daredevil, super clumsy kid. He keeps us all laughing. We have a running joke that if anything is going to happen while we are on a trip, outing, or other venture that it will happen to Jared. He has already had several trips to the ER, including one ride in an ambulance. He is learning to love the Lord and will hopefully very soon make the decision to ask Christ in his heart. He is an awesome big brother and helps with Jadyn all the time. He loves his big brother, Justin, and tries to be like him often.

Jerome had to leave the same night, so we let the kids play hooky from school and we just hung out at home with dad. I think we all stayed in PJ's all day long.

Happy Birthday to you!

He blew out the candle!

And the trick candle lit back up!

Then, in true Jared style, He dug right in!



Jared chose shrimp for his dinner, Yummy! We all enjoyed the feast. Even Jadyn who had been running a fever and not eating for days had some. All but Justin, he filled up on asparagus.

H2Oasis Party

We let the boys each invite a few friends and took them to H2Oasis water park for their birthday party. I say we, but actually Jerome did not get to go. He came home Friday with a fever of 102. The boys were disappointed at first, but once they got there it was OK. They had a blast! I didn't get too many pictures of them in the water, because they were all over the place. I had to stay with Jadyn in the water. I was kind of jealous that I didn't get to go down the slides too, but I guess that would not be safe for the baby. They got a new slide there that looks like a lot of fun!

PIZZA!

Jadyn was so tired all day. She had fun, but I think she is getting sick.

I ordered cupcakes from Costco. I thought they were going to be multicolored sprinkles like the birthday display, but I guess I didn't specify that they were for a birthday. So, we got Valentine cupcakes, LOL. The boys didn't seem to care though.

Justin showing off his Kirby DS game from Maw Maw and Reg.

Jadyn and Peyton eating Push ups.

Mrs. Monica promised Jared that she was going to get him Slim Jim's for his birthday. He eats them at her house all the time, so she gave him his own pack.