trampolines, quads and bbq's

We've had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend, but we are all exhausted from our holiday! :)  The weather has been gorgeous here and with this being Kyle's first real summer here, we are taking advantage of it!  This weekend was filled with bike riding, hiking, church, BBQ's and Kyle went rafting on Eagle River yesterday with airmen's ministry.  He had a great time.  It was a bit too cold for me.  The water is still 36 degrees! agh!  

Today it is beautiful here.  I took Emma to the park for about two hours and she played until she was exhausted and had dirt covering just about every inch of her body.  She had a blast!  She decided to go down the slide face first and land in the gravel.  That was a bummer.  Somehow she ended up with a bloody knee but with no head injuries. go figure. 

This weekend I have had to relax and breath and not stress out all the time as Mom.  We went to our friends house for Memorial day and they have a trampoline, and a 4 wheeler.  Two things that sort of bring anxiety to my life! ha.   Emma being the free spirit and not afraid of really anything too much wants to do all of it!  I am thinking...you are two years old not 15.  A little too old to be riding a quad.  But, Kyle reassured me she would live through the experience and guess what....she did.  She loved it.   Our friend was giving rides to all the little kids.  I have a bad feeling in my stomach that she might our dare devil child.  God help me, please!  

I have enough issues with Kyle being into motorcross and street bikes, but now my only child!  agh!!!!   I need lots of grace for the coming years, please God. 

 

Maria Chapman

I was so upset when I saw all over the news that Steven Curtis Chapman's five year old little girl, Maria, was tragically killed in an accident yesterday.  I cannot imagine the pain their family is experiencing right now.  Steven's website has a really cute family photo and also this movie clip on youtube.  youtube.com/watch?v=A7jX9UHl27E

From watching the movie it made me think she might be a Daddy's girl.  That is exactly how Emma is and I cannot imagine losing Emma.  Heaven will be a wonderful place for sure.  We will never have to face tragedies, death or pain any more.  Praying for their family today.  I don't know if I would be strong enough to face this kind of thing.  I am sure Steven will write an amazing song from this life experience.  He is such a good writer.  God be with their family today.

spring is it really here?

This photo was taken just last week and look how brown the grass is!  Overnight the trees and grass are getting green.  I love spring.   I love getting my hands dirty digging in the dirt with my shoes off!  Need to go do that now!!!!

Alaska vacation fun

Mother's Day @ Chapel

Portage Glacier near Whittier, Alaska

Nature Preservation (yes, these are brown bear cubs digging for food!) 

It's been a while since I have posted.   I have since made it home to Alaska.  Even though I had a great visit in Kentucky,  I was glad to get back to Kyle and life here.    

I had a few days to recover from the long flight and then had to start preparing for Kyle's mother to visit us here.  She arrived last Friday, and we have had a wonderful visit.  She is such a sweet mother in law.   

We have had a few nice days and a few cold and rainy days.  Despite the bad weather we still did some sightseeing.   I haven't eaten this much in a long time. ugh.  Have to start working out again first thing Monday morning.  There is so much wonderful cuisine here in Alaska though.   I am really going to miss some of these restaurants up here.   We are trying to let Kyle's mother try everything we like in one week and that is hard to to!   We need about a month really!  

We have had a great time, especially with Kyle on leave.  That is wonderful and it was so needed. 

Our family has been in desperate need of a vacation for while now, but we have been unable to take leave because everything was so busy around here.    I love being able to be together as a family.  It's really a great thing that the Air Force allows you so much time off.  I am grateful that we are able to have that time away just to recharge the batteries!  

We took Kyle's Mom down to Alyeska Resort a couple of days and we were able to swim and just relax in the hot tub. That feels like vacation to us.    It was a wonderful week.  Sunday it will be over.  :(   I love getting to be with Kyle this much.  Emma has too.  Kyle will be ready to go back to work Monday.   Emma will hardly let him out of her sight!