An Amazing Day

What a glorious day this has been both weather wise and how I spent it. I started out spending time with Jessa for her birthday by going downtown to the Iditarod. I enjoyed myself tremendously. The crowds were unbelievable thus why very few pictures. We didn't see much of the actual dog race, but it's the whole atmosphere of it all. We went into several shops and then we had the famous M.A.s hot dogs (where we saw Lisa Murkowski, whoopee). The line was really long but it was well worth the wait. It was a great morning spent with her and being outdoors felt good.

I've said many times over that my biggest regret in coming to Alaska was that I didn't come when I was younger and could climb to the top of these mountains our young people climb. Micah Peter came to me and asked if they found a way to get me up there. Well with pulleys, a sled and Micah, Matthew and Nathan, we started out with them getting me to the top of Mount Baldy. I was praying leading up to today and today that I wasn't being foolish in trying to do this. But so like my mom, I feel young at heart, but body hasn't got the message. So bundled up, we headed up and these 3 young men gave me a most amazing afternoon. I experience God's beauty and that was the ultimate goal. I also experience exhilaration and some great fear as we climbed. As we got to the steeper part I crawled, walked, rode Matt's back (which I was really afraid doing and asked not to continue on after the first break). We didn't make it to the top but I've got further up then I've been on foot and these young men made it happen. BUT because we didn't get to the top, we couldn't slide down the other side in all the snow as had planned and had to go back the way we came up over rocks and tundra with Nate and Micah being the rear brakes and Matt being the front brakes. I was sooooo afraid of how this was going to work through the rocks, brush and deep snow. I was close to tears as my biggest fear of the day, it was getting dark. I was praying and I tell it brought back the fun of being a child as we headed down the mountain at high speeds with the guys loving every minute (minus the terrible leg cramps Matt and Micah got). These 3 were challenged mentally and physically and loved every minute of it.
Like I said a most amazing day. Here's some pictures of it. Though I didn't do much, this 51 year old is going to feel the effects of this entire day tomorrow (what do I mean tomorrow, I already do). But it was great fun. The guys asked if we could try again and they'd go a different way to get me up...my response, uh NO I don't think so. And Micah actually apologize for not getting me to the top. I don't think he or the other two have any idea of how special what they did for me means to me. I truly feel loved by these young men. Now if I would've come out of it hurt and maimed, I would have thought differently ~ not really. Thanks guys. I love you all.

Here's the pictures.

Forever and a Day

Don't pass out - I know it's been forever and a day since I've posted. I've tried several times over the last couple months but I thought I had been locked out as it wouldn't even let me comment on other blogs; but it turns out there's something wrong with my Firefox and my blogger (per Jenna) so she had me go through Outlook. So I'm back. I don't know how faithful I'll be but I'll try.

Life has been really different over the last year. Becoming a grandma is the next best thing than being a mother (some times even better because I don't have them all the time ~ tee hee ~ having said that, I really would love to have them more often than I do). Grandpa babysits Savannah twice a week and I leave those morning wishing I could change places with him. Watching Savannah and Noah grow up is one of life's greatest joys for me. I look back and really see how our children's lives change our life as they grow up. I have gone from having three daughers, whom I've always had a close relationship with and we did almost everything together as a family, even after they became adults, to adding two young men into our family through Levi and Dallas. Both very different from each other, but both of which I love very much. Then add in my granddaughter and grandson; they now have their own family. When they say they want to be with their family, that doesn't mean Jody and I any more. Many nights I've cried and prayed for these two young men and my girls and their little ones. I want to be there for my daughters but not be "meddling" in their lives. I have been blessed to have ALL my girls close. I knew one day that would change and that change is coming sooner than I had hoped (but I can't talk about that yet, I'm still coming to terms with my oldest daughter LEAVING ME and not her just leaving but taking my little grandson with her.) Once again, another change that I'm having to deal with. God will help me, I know but....maybe some day I can share the tearing of my heart over this, that I desperately cry out to God daily to help me prepare for.

I have so many things to share, and would like to, but too often the written word is taken wrong and I can't say all that's in my heart to do it justice any way.

Bottom line, one word sums up my life these last several months and that is CHANGE!!!! For the first time in over 36 years I am not the youth leader. I asked to step down as I felt like though my spirit is willing my flesh is weak. Though my heart still beats for the youth, my body won't let me do everything they like and need to do. Along with that, I want and need to be able to help out with the little ones so their mommy's and daddy's can be involved. Fortunately, I still have some of the youth through the ABM as I am a bandleader over 9 out of the 13 youth. I love our youth as if they're my own. Some days I wish I didn't as I hurt when I see them struggle. I don't think any of them even begin to know how much this pastor's wife prays for them and has even cried for them.

I definitely can't sum up all the missed months in one blog and I have no intention of even trying to do so. On a lighter note....I can't wait for winter to pass, I'm so ready to truly enjoy othe outdoors by BEING outdoors and not just looking at it. Oh to be able to take my grandbabies OUTSIDE for walks, and to the park. Soon, it'll be here soon (I'm trying to convice myself, sorry)!

For now I'll leave you some of my favorite pictures of my favorite babies.