10 years with my best friend

I meant to be posting little updates of our 10 year anniversary of this and that this summer... but honestly, we can't remember every date, and don't have it written down. In the summer of 2001, Adrian spent a lot of time out of Skagway for the power company, and I spent all my time in Skagway driving horse & carraige tours. We seemed to miss each other while apart, but didn't really want to admit that to anyone else. We emailed and instant messaged (via dial up) when possible.

Some long summer night we met for dinner at the Bonanza (Adrian asks if that was our first "date" but I didn't think so!). Afterward, we met up with some of his cousins and their cousins at the old haunted Pullen House. We had quite a freight as darkness fell. Another day we went out to lunch together, and he got back to AP&T much later than he was supposed to-- because my lunch "hour" consisted of unhooking the buggy, getting the horse his lunch, and then going to lunch myself. We went to the Fish Co that day and sat at a 2 top; me in my long hot velvet 1800's dress & felt hat. One Saturday in July or August, we hiked AB Mountain together. Keen memories and the embarassment of our descent lives on...

It wasn't until the end of summer (and after another road trip from Alaska to Montana) that we decided to admit we liked one another. That was prompted by one day in late August when we went innertubing on the Blackfoot River. We were with some of Adrian's childhood friends, and it was supposed to be a good time. At Thibodeau Falls, however, I flipped out of my inner tube and went under the cool water. In the commotion, with water rushing and rocks bulging all around my head, I couldn't tell which way was up. Even if I could, would I be able to propel myself that direction? The water was far stronger than I was, and the undercurrent was holding me down. I thought to myself, "so this is what it's like to drown"....

A few seconds later, someone grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the waves. It was Jason, Adrian's childhood friend whom I had only met once before. I got dragged to the river bank, coughing and sputtering, having swallowed a bunch of the river. Adrian came and sat beside me, and I could tell he was scared. That experience opened a good opportunity. That night, I told him I had once before promised myself that I would never hold back expressions of love for someone (I had deeply regretted that before). And that I felt a "connection" to him and didn't want to ignore it. I can't remember if it was that conversation, or another during the same time period when Adrian had me listen to a Tom Petty song about "changing the locks". He was a Tom Petty fan anyway, so we listened to a lot of his music to/from Alaska. But I was quick to recognize that Adrian had plans to "change the locks" -- in other words, disappear and cut off contact with me (out of fear of hurt, I believe). I asked him directly if that was his plan, to which he replied "I don't know" (translated: yes)! I told him I hoped he would reconsider.

We drove back to Oregon, where we attended Boring 1 together; his cousin Denita snapped this photo, and it was on impulse that I put my arms around him for the first time ~

Then in September, I went on our Doland Family trip to Hawaii, a gift from Grandpa & Grandma for their 50th wedding anniversary. I used the time to pray about what I would do next, and felt like moving into Mary's would be a good idea. Our romance heated up while we were apart, and we decided we didn't want to be apart. I was on an island in Hawaii on Sept 11, 2001. The no-flight policy delayed one of our inter-island flights (not really an inconvenience in my opinion!). Once we were ready to leave Hawaii, planes were allowed to fly again. When I got back to Oregon, I quickly packed to move to Montana. Upon arriving there, Adrian was back at school in Bozeman. On the weekend, I was both nervous and excited to see Adrian when he made the 3 hour drive back to Bonner ~ and we sealed it with a kiss Sept 21, 2001.

So here's then & now ~ September 2001

and September 2011

do you think it looks like we've survived having 4 kids, many sleepless nights, and 10 years together? Yes, we're a little older, and a lot happier! :)

Homeschooling Is....

     Homeschooling is the joy of coming to a quiet park, the grass still green and lush, the sunshine perfectly warm, the quiet because public school is in session.     Homeschooling is the freedom to dictate our own schedule, to go where we need to when we're at our optimum, to catch the sales, to have time to devote ourselves to the Lord & His Word first.
     Homeschooling is being flexible.  It's realizing I may be teaching my 3 year old & 5 year old to read simotaneously.  It is soaking up the days and seasons and not being tied to a clock or a calendar.  It's rolling with the interruptions and learning to love the way every day is unique.
     Homeschool fills me with responsibility.  I am to answer for the childrens' safety, manners, education, the soil of their hearts and the seed of the Word.  Sometimes we homeschoolers focus too much on the product of our instruction and it becomes a source of pride when all is going well, and delivers a sense of defeat when it's not.  But what really, truly is the goal?  Jesus Christ, the righteous.  Seek first the Kingdom and His righteousness, and all the rest (yes, the manners, the discipline, the character, the education, the patience, the energy) will come.  Sometimes I believe I'm just as responsible for keeping our calendar free, open and non-stressful as I am for teaching a basic education.
     Homeschooling is hard.  But so is sending your children to public school, I've heard.  Dealing with the classmates and the teachers and the principal and all.  The stress of what they are exposed to, and the trials of all interpersonal conflict.  I've heard a LOT about this from friends, and I think that's a word from the Lord.  Perhaps public school is a more easily measured progress.  Perhaps not.
     You see who the local homeschoolers are when you come to the park in mid-day, school year.  God, may my words & thoughts be pleasing in your sight (Psalm 19.14).  May my secret thoughts be humble, so that my life will be.  It's my heart you want, Dear Lord.  And there's no experience that gives me opportunity to turn it in quite like homeschooling does!

treasure in heaven

May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other--- each with the attitude of Christ Jesus toward the other.  Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  -- Romans 15.5, NLT

Today, this verse made me feel satisfied that ALL of us ~ souls on earth and those already in heaven, together with the heavenly host, lift one voice praising the only Worthy One! 

Saturday night I had a dream about my friend Angel who died nearly 12 years ago.  The dream itself was kind of unexplainable, as dreams can be, but I awoke with the overwhelming feeling that I would do ANYTHING to see my friend again.  The way human life goes, all feelings left on their own weaken with time.  Memories become blurred, and the sharp pain of losing a loved one thankfully fades.  However, this dream dramatically and unexpectedly propelled me to feel that same intsense urge to be with Angel that I felt for most of 1999.  That was the year I met him, and that was the year he died.  I had to cry some after waking up, just to let that feeling go somewhere.  I don't remember ever crying in the morning before now.  It was good.  God lovingly reminds me that I have more than one reason to joyfully anticipate heaven!

Gone but not forgotten ~

Jace is 3!

We were exuberant to celebrate Jaci's 3rd Birthday last week! Adrian and I have said many times that if we had a choice, we would keep a 2 year old version of Jaci around the house permanently! Age two has been her cutest, funniest, sweetest age yet. So for the first time ever, I felt the feeling of wishing my child were not growing older.

But now I can see, at three, Jaci is still full of fun and not going to stop filling us with joy each day! She is the most "unique" child we have, with a personality that is downright impossible to pinpoint. She is both extroverted (loves to go places, be around people), and shy (it has been 1 whole year of having her cry, or run away anytime a group sings, following the trauma of having "happy birthday" sung to her last year). She is both sweet and sassy. She is both a clan member (feels most secure when our family is all together) and independent (will wander more easily than her sisters). She is a very quiet child, with few demands, but also can be heard screaming the loudest of anybody if she deems the situation appropriate. She is both bold and sensitive. She repeats herself often, always beginning with "Hey Mommy..." which means she has sometimes been lost in the shuffle as the 3rd child, and I need to listen better. She is daring at the swimming pool, but wants to be held close ("uppie") in new situations. She stands up for herself with her sisters and parents in a way that proves she has no idea how small she is. She is small. We have no idea how her huge personality can fit inside her tiny little frame. She is complicated to discipline, because she can be very willful, but also runs and hides if she is told she "no". While hiding behind a closed door, she will often announce, "I need some quiet time". She likes to be spoken to gently, she follows in her sisters' footsteps very closely, and she keeps us all laughing.

Saturday night, I let her play with the flashlight in the dark for a minute before sleep. When I told her it was time to turn it off, she was glad to use her little fingers to control the switch. Once the flashlight was off, she complained about the dark. I reminded her that she could talk to me or talk to God until she fell asleep. She immediately launched into prayer, "Lord, please help me turn this light on!" She and I laughed and laughed, and then she fell asleep quickly.

Wow, what an amazing little girl our Jaci Claire is! I cannot imagine what plans the Lord has for her unique personality and talents yet, but it really doesn't matter to me. Now, and when she's all grown up, she will be my daughter, and for that, I'm so very blessed!

This year, Jaci requested a "black cake with black frosting and horses on top". So this is what we came up with ~ a chocolate sheet cake with the girls' figurines galloping across. Like my sister-in-law often says, the third birthday is the first a child is really able to anticipate, understand, and enjoy. Jaci was so very patient waiting to celebrate her birthday (18 days after watching Tessa's), and she shined like a little jewel when the spotlight was on her!

To help celebrate, we had Uncle Darryl, Gramma Mary, Logan and Elissa, Coy & Bentley on hand!

Since Uncle Darryl's birthday was 3 days later, we gave him a candle to blow out as well!

FARKLE!PRESENTS!

Little mr. casual, not trying to steal the show or anything...

Tessa Turned Five!

Here's a short pictorial journey of Tessa's 5th birthday. Despite being a super busy day, we had a wonderful celebration with her! We are so very blessed to have this precious child. Not only is she beautiful, she has a beautiful heart as well. She is generous with her sisters, and ultra- affectionate to her brother. She is happiest when helping mommy with cooking, cleaning, or laundry. She prefers to wear dresses every single day, and can often be found dancing ballet-style around the house, her long blonde curls following her twirls. She is horse crazy, often asking when it is that we can have one of our own ("next week, mom?"). She is at the stage of saying funny things that crack us all up, and she loves to explain why God made things the way he did.

Happy Birthday to a true Princess!The gifts just waiting to be torn apart...

My first sewing machine!

A stallion figurine from Ella
Drawing by an original artist!
Clothes and headbands! (All 3 girls are planning to use these!)

A floral arrangement sent by G.G'ma A ~ a watering can filled with flowers, complete with a purse filled with chocolate kisses and a cuddly teddy bear!
Off on a birthday date with Dad and Mom. Tessa wanted to do the same thing as Ella did in February, so we headed to Fairmont to swim and ride the 25 cent horse. Unfortunately the swimming was cut short as Tessa had some intense fears about sharks being in the water. Hope that fear is short lived, and that it is soon left to only be a funny memory...

Giddy-Up Cowgirl!

The Best 10 Years!

This year, Adrian and I are celebrating 10 years! May 14, 2001 was the day we met. We both had extended family in Skagway, Alaska, and had secured summer jobs there. I wanted to drive my brand new yellow XTerra to AK, rather than fly. So our family members, knowing we had an identical destination, suggested that we could make the drive up north together.

We emailed and IM'd a few times, and agreed to begin the journey in Oregon. We met at Adrian's sisters' place in Boring, OR on the day that we embarked on this 2,000 mile road trip ~ complete strangers, other than knowing some of one anothers' family. Here we are on the day we met

(Why was this picture taken? None of us are quite sure, but I am so very thankful to have it now!)

...and again 10 years later, striking a similar pose!

On that day in 2001, niether of us had any idea, hope or desire that our acquaintance would turn into a happy marraige. But now we can say with 100% honesty, these have been the very best 10 years of our lives!

Mother's Day!

For Mother's Day 2011, my favorite gifts are these kids ~
they are so very precious, adorable, entertaining and lovable!

I actually got my present from them about 10 days ago; Adrian brought it home from a road trip, and knew I could begin using it right away!

Even though I researched it and picked it out, they wrapped it up just for fun:

And I just love my new little vacuum! I recommend it to absolutely anyone looking for a lightweight tool for bare floors. I used to complain about the need to sweep our kitchen floor about 5 x per day. Now we are all discussing WHO gets to use the new vacuum! I love that I can do it one-handed (while holding a child), and that the kids can do it too since they were never any help with sweeping! :) There's a product description & good video here !

Happy Mother's Day to all you moms! May your children rise to call you blessed (Proverbs 31)!