Our 7th anniversary is on May 24, but since John and I both work that day and we have opposite schedules, we thought we'd get away this week. I reserved a room for us at the Lake Louise Lodge for a couple of nights and off we went.
Lake Louise is about 20 miles south and 17 miles west of Glennallen. The night we got to the lodge it was pouring and I thought we might have a "weekend" in just hanging out around the lodge. I've confessed on here that we have a great time at hotels because we love watching cable and get stuck on HGTV and Discovery Channel forever...this hotel didn't have cable let along TVs in the room - so he were forced to talk with each other. What a drag - ha! :)
On Thursday we woke up to a beautiful day and decided to drive to Delta Junction since I've never been there. It was a beautiful drive and Delta was a cute little town - very midwestern which was strange considering it was interior Alaska. We spent a few hours strolling around town and checking out the 'hot' spots and then headed back to Lake Louise. We are addicted to the "Milepost" and treated ourselves to a new copy for this trip. I'm glad we got a new one - there were updates and the one we'd been using was about 15 years old. For you un-Alaskan's the Milepost is basically a bible for traveling on Alaska's roads. As you've probably guessed from the title, it is a mile by mile description of what you'll see on the way.
We headed back to Anchorage on Friday and planned our next trip on the way. We're trying to plan a trip to the lower 48 - driving around the west coast or something. We've got to get serious and decide where we'd like to go and when we'd like to go, etc. We love road trips - good time for all!
Happy Anniversary, love of my life, you're still the best husband I ever had! :)
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Psalm 23
Psalm 23 (The Message)
God, my shepherd!
I don’t need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
You find me quiet pools to drink from
True to your word,
You let me catch my breath
And send me in the right direction.
Even when the way goes through
Death Valley,
I’m not afraid
When you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd’s crook
Makes me feel secure.
You serve me a six-course dinner
Right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head;
My cup brims with blessing.
Your beauty and love chase after me
Every day of my life.
I’m back home in the house of GOD
For the rest of my life.
God, my shepherd!
I don’t need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
You find me quiet pools to drink from
True to your word,
You let me catch my breath
And send me in the right direction.
Even when the way goes through
Death Valley,
I’m not afraid
When you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd’s crook
Makes me feel secure.
You serve me a six-course dinner
Right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head;
My cup brims with blessing.
Your beauty and love chase after me
Every day of my life.
I’m back home in the house of GOD
For the rest of my life.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Bella
I've been making noise about getting a dog for a few months now. I've done my research and have narrowed it down to the perfect dog for us - medium-sized, able to walk for miles, happy with a smallish yard, non-shedding and energetic but not so energetic that it eats my house.
I came to John with the best breed for us and the places that we can buy it and he reminded me we already have a dog. Oh yeah, we already have a dog. Bella. Three years ago, I picked up a Shih-Tzu puppy for my MIL at my mom's house - it was buy one get one free day so I came home with two. Since we were taking care of my sister's dogs (who aren't very dog-friendly) my MIL agreed that she would raise both of the puppies until my sister's dogs moved out.
The dogs moved out.
And Bella stayed at my MIL's house.
I felt so bad about taking Bella from her little sister Izzy - they were attached at the hip and were a package deal. But when I started thinking I really wanted a dog and John reminded me we technically had one, I thought maybe it was time for Bella to come home .
We are at day four of the great dog exchange - so far both girls seem to be adjusting to life as top dog - and are SO happy to see each other at play dates. I don't think they've yet gone a day without seeing each other. Bella will visit my MIL...I mean...Izzy on days I work and John sleeps (this is part of the shared custody agreement). I hope that the dogs don't hate us for breaking them up and that they understand that people need pets. it's the law!
I came to John with the best breed for us and the places that we can buy it and he reminded me we already have a dog. Oh yeah, we already have a dog. Bella. Three years ago, I picked up a Shih-Tzu puppy for my MIL at my mom's house - it was buy one get one free day so I came home with two. Since we were taking care of my sister's dogs (who aren't very dog-friendly) my MIL agreed that she would raise both of the puppies until my sister's dogs moved out.
The dogs moved out.
And Bella stayed at my MIL's house.
I felt so bad about taking Bella from her little sister Izzy - they were attached at the hip and were a package deal. But when I started thinking I really wanted a dog and John reminded me we technically had one, I thought maybe it was time for Bella to come home .
We are at day four of the great dog exchange - so far both girls seem to be adjusting to life as top dog - and are SO happy to see each other at play dates. I don't think they've yet gone a day without seeing each other. Bella will visit my MIL...I mean...Izzy on days I work and John sleeps (this is part of the shared custody agreement). I hope that the dogs don't hate us for breaking them up and that they understand that people need pets. it's the law!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Mini Family Reunion
My family lives all across the US. My brother and bil are both in the military, so this causes lots of moving across the country and the world. Right now, all of my family (John and I excluded) live in square states, specifically: Colorado, Oklahoma and Nebraska.
When my little sister, who lives in OK, is going to be in Colorado, I try to meet her at my parent's house. This is sort of a 'central' place to meet...and Alaska Air flies to Denver (YAY!). She's going to be there in June so John and I are heading down there to be with family. It will be a very short trip for us...but that's nothing new. My sister and I got our brains together and decided we wanted to go visit our brother (who lives in NE) and our grandmother while we were 'close.'
Then we thought to ourselves, why don't we see if any other cousins (all of them live in NE except for our family) want to meet us at Grandma's while we're there. This has turned into a full blown mini family reunion. I am so very excited. So far we know that my sister and her girls, my brother and his family, my parents and two of my other cousins are going to join us in Valentine, NE. We're planning to tube the Niobrara (which I am totally excited about) and just hang out visiting with family.
I LOVE Nebraska summers. Yes, it will be flipping hot (we were there in May a couple of years ago and it was 96, and this is a month later) - but that's what water and sunscreen are for. You just can' t beat those summer nights when it's dark and warm and there are cicadas chirping and lightening bugs flying around...ahhhh...watermelon that tastes like something...warm tomatoes...I could go on. The point is - I'm really looking forward to time with family and time in the sun.
When my little sister, who lives in OK, is going to be in Colorado, I try to meet her at my parent's house. This is sort of a 'central' place to meet...and Alaska Air flies to Denver (YAY!). She's going to be there in June so John and I are heading down there to be with family. It will be a very short trip for us...but that's nothing new. My sister and I got our brains together and decided we wanted to go visit our brother (who lives in NE) and our grandmother while we were 'close.'
Then we thought to ourselves, why don't we see if any other cousins (all of them live in NE except for our family) want to meet us at Grandma's while we're there. This has turned into a full blown mini family reunion. I am so very excited. So far we know that my sister and her girls, my brother and his family, my parents and two of my other cousins are going to join us in Valentine, NE. We're planning to tube the Niobrara (which I am totally excited about) and just hang out visiting with family.
I LOVE Nebraska summers. Yes, it will be flipping hot (we were there in May a couple of years ago and it was 96, and this is a month later) - but that's what water and sunscreen are for. You just can' t beat those summer nights when it's dark and warm and there are cicadas chirping and lightening bugs flying around...ahhhh...watermelon that tastes like something...warm tomatoes...I could go on. The point is - I'm really looking forward to time with family and time in the sun.
Monday, April 26, 2010
One of those moods
Ever get in a 'mood' that you can't put your finger on? You're not really sad, but not happy; not content, but not discontent; not tired, but not really bright and shiny...etc. I'm there. Can't really label what the feeling is, but just sort of blah.
I did have a good weekend - it was busy, but it was great. John and I went for a bike ride Friday morning and then spent the rest of the day working on projects around the house. We cleaned the garage and worked on the yard...for some reason I really like yard work, can't put my finger on it, but I do.
I was in the Heart Run on Saturday (see my picture here - it was in the paper: http://www.adn.com/2010/04/24/1248735/2010-heart-run.html#id=1248729&view=large_view) and then I had to work on Saturday afternoon at the Women's Show.
Sunday, after church, my friend and I did some shopping and hung out some. Then of course I watched Amazing Race. My cowboys are still in it - maybe they'll win Maggie! Wouldn't that be the best?
I did have a good weekend - it was busy, but it was great. John and I went for a bike ride Friday morning and then spent the rest of the day working on projects around the house. We cleaned the garage and worked on the yard...for some reason I really like yard work, can't put my finger on it, but I do.
I was in the Heart Run on Saturday (see my picture here - it was in the paper: http://www.adn.com/2010/04/24/1248735/2010-heart-run.html#id=1248729&view=large_view) and then I had to work on Saturday afternoon at the Women's Show.
Sunday, after church, my friend and I did some shopping and hung out some. Then of course I watched Amazing Race. My cowboys are still in it - maybe they'll win Maggie! Wouldn't that be the best?
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Suuuuuprise, suuuuuprise, suuuuuprise!
My friends and I pulled off the best surprise this weekend. My friend, Rebecca, is pregnant and due in July. I thought it would be fun to have a surprise shower for her, but didn't want to wait too long into our summer as people tend to travel around quite a bit and not show up for things if it's nice out. SO, we threw a super early shower and totally surprised her.
My friend, Amy, was in charge of inviting Rebecca to breakfast and then bringing her to the party. She talked Rebecca into helping her carry some stuff into the party and we all did the ole "SURPRISE" act. It was great - Rebecca pointed to Amy and said "surprise!" she thought for sure the party must be for Amy since Amy's birthday is tomorrow. It was too cute.
The party was a success, I think people had fun and Rebecca was blessed with lots of goodies for her new little one...he or she, whichever it may be!
There's more...I met a friend for coffee and then came home for an hour or two. John woke up and we headed off to a birthday party our friends threw for John, Amy and me. It was great hanging out with good friends and having great BBQ!
My friend, Amy, was in charge of inviting Rebecca to breakfast and then bringing her to the party. She talked Rebecca into helping her carry some stuff into the party and we all did the ole "SURPRISE" act. It was great - Rebecca pointed to Amy and said "surprise!" she thought for sure the party must be for Amy since Amy's birthday is tomorrow. It was too cute.
The party was a success, I think people had fun and Rebecca was blessed with lots of goodies for her new little one...he or she, whichever it may be!
There's more...I met a friend for coffee and then came home for an hour or two. John woke up and we headed off to a birthday party our friends threw for John, Amy and me. It was great hanging out with good friends and having great BBQ!
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Alaska Break Wrap Up
John and I went "outside" for about a week. We really had a relaxing time away from home visiting family and other places, and we came back to an Anchorage that was melting away!! YAY!
We started our trip by going to Portland for a couple of days - we attended a conference our adoption agency hosted. The conference was amazing, so many great stories, so many wonderful people - all in the same place we are. There were six other couples at the conference, so it was intimate, and we got to know each other pretty well. We had some one-on-one time with the director of our agency and I feel more secure that we made the right decision choosing the agency that we did.
John and I spent our "off-conference" time walking around to every store we could reasonably walk to - we clocked 2 miles on my pedometer in Ikea alone! :) And of course we watched a ton of TV as we are both hopeless cable addicts (thus the lack of it in our own home - well that and we're cheap). The hotel we stayed in was so nice - probably the nicest we've stayed in, here in the US, and probably the nicest we'll ever get to afford again! :) Once our little one comes to be with us, I'm sure funds will be shifted elsewhere!
After our few days in Portland we head to Colorado Springs to spend time with my family. It was such a relaxing time hanging with my parents and seeing my sister (finally met her new boyfriend) and we celebrated my birthday with brunch.
When we got home, we had a really exciting surprise. Our friends who are moving to Ohio came and stayed with us for a couple of days while they finished some last minute running around. I know that they didn't anticipate the extra day - but I loved every extra minute we got with them.
We started our trip by going to Portland for a couple of days - we attended a conference our adoption agency hosted. The conference was amazing, so many great stories, so many wonderful people - all in the same place we are. There were six other couples at the conference, so it was intimate, and we got to know each other pretty well. We had some one-on-one time with the director of our agency and I feel more secure that we made the right decision choosing the agency that we did.
John and I spent our "off-conference" time walking around to every store we could reasonably walk to - we clocked 2 miles on my pedometer in Ikea alone! :) And of course we watched a ton of TV as we are both hopeless cable addicts (thus the lack of it in our own home - well that and we're cheap). The hotel we stayed in was so nice - probably the nicest we've stayed in, here in the US, and probably the nicest we'll ever get to afford again! :) Once our little one comes to be with us, I'm sure funds will be shifted elsewhere!
After our few days in Portland we head to Colorado Springs to spend time with my family. It was such a relaxing time hanging with my parents and seeing my sister (finally met her new boyfriend) and we celebrated my birthday with brunch.
When we got home, we had a really exciting surprise. Our friends who are moving to Ohio came and stayed with us for a couple of days while they finished some last minute running around. I know that they didn't anticipate the extra day - but I loved every extra minute we got with them.
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