Janet's life

December 2011

2011-12-26T13:19:00.000-09:00

It's the day after Christmas, it's quiet in my house, the snow is falling, and I am content. Actually, I am quite happy. I am still struggling with health issues, but all of my boys are home. We had all seven of our kids here for Christmas, along with wives, husband, and babies. We had our Christmas Eve dinner on Christmas day this year, it was like it used to be at Nan and Pop's house. Made me miss them so very much. I was really missing my Mom this year, I long to see her again.
I am so very happy to have Tim and Katie here again, I don't want to ever go this long without seeing them again.

So, what else has been going on since Thanksgiving? The snow went away, and brought rain. I don't really like the rain, but it's been nice to not have to shovel the snow away. And we're using less wood so it's a win win.

David only has one more semester of college left; I wonder what the Lord will have him do?
I'm not very talkative, writeative? So how about pictures? And yes, there are too many.

Robin wearing the
hat and sweater I made her.

Playtime at Nan's house.

Smiling and clapping. :-)

Robin LOVES her
Grandpa.

David and Eleanor are
watching Raffi!

My boys!

I LOVE this picture

My great big family.

This reminds me of Cindy Lou Who

Pulling Mama's hair.

Me and my boy at the airport. So happy!

Erik's birthday and Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T14:57:00.001-09:00

What a week it's been. Starting with last Friday, Steve and I went shopping and got ( we thought) all our Thanksgiving shopping done. I was tired. Then Saturday we started on the girls room project. This entailed getting all of the totes that were shoved in the closet out, gone thru and stuff mostly put away. Then we moved the piano in there, moved the loveseat and other stuff around in the den and packed up all the dolls. Way Way Tired. Sunday I stayed home from Church to rest. Sunday night we had our November ladies night at our house.. I so love this monthly group. We always talk, laugh, eat something yummy and pass around babies. And we actually had most of the ladies do a craft.

Monday I had Eleanor, and she was adorable as usual. And it was my Erik's birthday. I love the man he has become. We had a big family dinner with roast, carrots and potatoes and gravy. A super easy big impact meal. Miriah made 2 fabulous desserts. Yum.

Tuesday, Eleanor and Robin were here, I went to work and then made 4 pies. And, wait for it, TIRED.

See a pattern here? haha.

Wednesday. The big day. Robin here, Eleanor for a short time. Then big cooking, eating, laughing, friends, SNOW, pies. It was a really good Thanksgiving. Latecia came early and helped so much.
I am blessed with a big family, great friends, a wonderful Church, a great husband, GRANDDAUGHTERS!, but most of all, a Lord who loves me, who died for me, who is coming back for me.
Life is good. Even when I'm tired. :-)

The Pies
The eating.
I love that we went from den to dining room and back again.

Eleanor really really likes Liam. Liam doesn't agree.

I haven't been in the mood to post.

2011-11-14T22:39:00.001-09:00

So here we are in the middle of November. I haven't felt like posting even though it's been a good month. I turned 51 this year; I got to spend it with my Eleanor, Chris Philips came over to visit and brought me flowers, and Erik and Miriah took Steve and I out to dinner at Chan's. Yummy and fun.

My Tim turned 26. How did that happen? I can't wait till next month when he and Katie are finally here. We're gonna have ALL of our kids here for Christmas. I am so very happy.

Erik turns 25 next week, and then it's Thanksgiving and my Dad's birthday. Then Christmas decorating, Christmas music and my David is home. Add to this my wonderful girls, and life is really good.

My health is still up and down, and I still don't know what's wrong.. Steve and I are praying about going to Seattle in January or June to get a second opinion at Virginia Mason.

Family dinners, friends, ladies night at my house, good teachings at Church. It's been a good month.

Pictures. :-) Ok, so I haven't put any up in over a month. I have a lot.

It is so much fun having the girls at my house.. I get super tired, but oh so happy.

Eleanor discovered Erik's bear. She sleeps with it, and brings it out to play after she wakes up. :-))))

Splits.

Robin is quite attached to her blanket.

The hands.

A picture of Eleanor's first tooth. Totally by accident. The picture, not the tooth. :-)

The mittens I made for David. I love them. I must have some in red now.

After her Daddy's coffee.

Our second big snow fall. It's still snowing as I write this, we're supposed to get an additional 6-10 inches.

RAFFI. I bought 2 of his dvd's, and I had SO much fun watching this with Eleanor and Robin. They mostly watched me as I laughed and sang along. It brought back such happy memories of David watching this over and over and over.... with his toy guitar.

Mid October

2011-10-12T23:04:00.000-08:00

Well, I've only been posting once a month. What's up with that? I see that I tend to post only if I have taken pictures, and today is no exception. Steve and I had Robin and Eleanor today, and yes, I did indeed take pictures. :-)
Before I post them, lets see what has been going on with us since September. Hmm. I have been knitting; I made a hat and sweater for sweet little Penelope Ewing, I finished (FINALLY) Eleanor's blanket. I love it. I almost threw it away. But I persevered. I got to cover her with it today, it made me quite happy.

Last Sunday I started up family dinner again, I have missed it. Chicken pot pie and homemade rolls.... and raisin bread. Ah, raisin bread, how I have missed you. Yum. We are still juicing, and I know it is making me feel less fatigued. I still get tired easily, but it is so much better.

I still miss David, Tim and Katie and my Dad. And Shelly. I still want ya'll here. ALWAYS.

I guess that's about it. Pictures. :-)

Robin's new hat. It matches her blanket. Love.

Playtime in the den. I need to get a new blanket. :-)

My girls!

Trying to get my attention. Love this big old dog.

David's new do. MISS YOU.

This always makes me think of jail. :-)

Robin discovered the drawer pulls. She kept pulling on them all day.

I love baby feet.

Sleeping with the new blanket. And the bunny.

busy busy busy

2011-09-23T01:01:00.000-08:00

September. Warm days. Suddenly fall. Echo ranch. babies. Doctors. Better health. babies. Anniversary! Finally knitting again.

That has been this lovely month. Echo Ranch was yet again amazing. We have been blessed with 2 sunny weekends there....can we make it 3 next year?? I took a record 1314 pictures there. And no, I will not be posting them all here. :-) My camera is still broken, I have a phobia about sending it away. I took 2 of Jacob's cameras this year, I see a trend forming.

It was warm and sunny, then all of a sudden it was fall. Believe it or not, I am ready for winter and snow. Just around the corner is Thanksgiving and then Christmas and TIM and Katie!!!

We still watch Robin on Steve's off days, and once a week we watch Eleanor as well. I am having SO much fun... it's tiring and rewarding. I love seeing the girls smile and laugh and know me. Robin has Steve completely wrapped around his finger.

Steve and I celebrated our 11th anniversary last week; we went to the Salmon Bake and came home and watched Thor. I'm so glad I married my man. We've been juicing, I know it is making a difference in our health.

I miss David. I miss Tim. I miss my Dad. I miss Shelly. Come to Juneau. Bill and Donna, Karen. You come too.

My back was amazingly better for one week. Then it decided to be mean. Oh well.
My arm isn't numb anymore, so I am KNITTING! I still have 3 1/2 baby blankets to knit. I will be done. It might not be until Christmas, but I will be done. :-)

Pictures?

With so many Echo Ranch photos... if you want to see them, go to facebook. :-) I uploaded about 320 there. Aren't my girls awesome???

Kids

2011-09-01T00:32:00.000-08:00

Kids. Isn't it amazing how much they change our lives? Once you have a child, your life is never the same. I am always being told that my boys aren't my babies since they are grown up now, but they will always always be my babies. My youngest just left for Bible school again. I miss him, but I am so happy that he is learning and growing closer to God. All my kids have a walk with Jesus, I am blessed.

Grandkids. There just aren't words to describe how special my girls are. Steve watches Robin on his days off, and I'm starting to get better so I can be more involved now. We are now watching Eleanor every other Wednesday as well. It is work, but so so rewarding. As I told my Dad last week, I am not a spring chicken anymore, I'm a fall chicken... I would say I'm summer but who am I kidding? I'm a fall chicken. :-) Right now I'm feeling more like a late winter girl, but today was such a great day. Robin smiled and smiled and smiled. She laughed and was mellow and sweet. Eleanor had the best day ever, she took her bottle like a champ, smiled, and laughed. Oh, and Jacob loaned me his camera so I got PICTURES. Yay!!! I have so missed my camera.

Look:

I love my family.

Sunny weather

2011-08-02T16:53:00.000-08:00

Well, I finally went for a walk. :-) It was super short, and even though it made me tired, and made my back hurt, I bounced back quickly. I went and just walked down the docks at Auke Bay. It was hot, it was sunny, it was breezy. It smelled wonderful. I took pictures. :-)

I missed Kelly's birthday, so last Friday I made some singapore chicken stew and a german chocolate cake for her. Now that... that made me tired. I didn't bounce back from that so quickly. Maybe because I went to a bridal shower for Hannah the next day, and then church the day after that. But dinner with the family was great, I have the best family ever..... and it's getting bigger. Ed and Danielle are engaged!! I am so happy. I love it when families at church become related.. :-)))))))

So I'm mostly up to date. I just woke up from a nap, there's a cat sleeping on the back of my chair purring, the sun keeps trying to peek out, I got some sweet smiles from Robin. It's a good day.

I still can't hold my girls, but maybe soon. I'm going to ask if I can try in a couple of weeks.

July

2011-07-19T22:25:00.003-08:00

July. Summer is almost over, and I have yet to go on one walk, yet to set one foot on a beach. Having a hurt back is no fun. I have been knitting a little bit here and there, reading lots, twilight watching too much tv, listening to books on my I-Pod new moon and eclipse and sitting. Oh and seeing Chiropractors, massage therapists and physical therapists. I am better, but I still can't go shopping, and I still can't pick up my girls. I can sit with them if they are still, but no standing. Ugh and Ugh.

Pop and Shelly went home. I miss them so much. I want ya'll to move here! You too Tim and Katie! I would be in such bliss if all my family lived here in Juneau.

David turned 22! last week; we went to El Sombrero for dinner and then came back here for cheesecake.

Jacob turned 30!!!!!!! today, and we are going to Asiana Gardens and then back here for carrot cake. I have taken the easy route with birthdays this year and only made dessert, no big dinners. I will someday be able to cook again..... right?

Dan told them it was Jacob's birthday, so they played this techno Asian birthday song and brought Jacob out some cheesecake. Not to be missed. :-)

Robin never fails to give me smiles when she is here, she is such a sweet happy darling.

Erik and Miriah dedicated Eleanor to the Lord last week at Church..

So it's now 10:00 on July 19th, and my back is telling me that today was a bit too much. We'll see if I bounce back tomorrow. I have lots of pictures... so here you go! And well, my camera had an accident tonight and needs to go to the shop, so no more pictures for awhile. How will I make it????

I love this smile.

I miss you Shelly

Pop and Eleanor~ Love

One of my favorites!

5 generations. I'm so blessed.

Steve grew this lovely red flower from a seed for me. :-)

Miss serious face

And laughing face

The girls

Aren't they cute?

family time

2011-06-27T01:14:00.001-08:00

June has been a really nice month so far. Pop and Shelly's visit has been really nice.. I so wish they lived here. I haven't been able to do much with them because of my back... it's still pretty bad. I'm seeing a physical therapist and a massage therapist, it seems to be helping a bit.

Miriah has been coming over almost everyday with Eleanor, I'm getting spoiled!

David and his new glasses....

Happy Father's Day!

We all went to the Island Pub for Father's Day

Aren't they sweet? Pop bought a mobile for the crib, both girls were fascinated.

Larry being silly

Dad wanted to go up on the tram, so ride and dine it was. A nice lovely evening.

Me and my sweet Shelly.

Saturday brunch at the Sandpiper

Best. Picture. Ever.

We have been playing lots of card games- hearts ( I lost big time!), fill or bust ( best game ever) and canasta! I played this game a lot as a teenager, and it has been fun to play it again. I see lots of card games in my future.

Cordova. I didn't get to go. I was really sad at first, but then I decided it was for the best. My back would have gotten worse. I would have spent WAY too much money. And I would have missed out on all these card game memories. :-)

June happenings

2011-06-10T17:27:00.000-08:00

June has been amazingly beautiful, hot and sunny. I haven't seen much of it except from my window or from my car as my back is really bad. It's been this way for almost 3 weeks; I've been to the chiropractor 4 times, and have had an MRI and ex-rays.

I have 3 discs with tears, 2 discs with medium bulges, 1 disc with a big bulge and one area where my spinal cord is protruding. I have spurs that are pressing on nerves and arthritis. One of my discs is pretty much gone, and my sacrum is pointing the wrong direction and squashing a vertebra. Ugh. My chiro says I need 6 weeks of physical therapy, 6 weeks of once a week massage and adjustments. After all that we will reevaluate; if I am not better I have to go to an orthopedic. I don't want to do that! Oh, and no lifting of anything at all, not even my purse. No grocery shopping. No picking up Eleanor. :-(( I am not a happy camper, and neither is my back. I am going to send my results to Dr Huffman so I can have 2 opinions. God is in control and can heal my back or give me the ability to deal with it. So I am ok. My only really big bummer is I might not be able to go to Cordova. I WANT to go to Cordova. We shall see.

Pop and Shelly came to Juneau for a month long visit, they got here last night. Here are some pics!

my sweetie

2011-05-26T10:32:00.000-08:00

I hurt my back on Tuesday, really I think I hurt it on Saturday/Sunday, but it didn't go out until Tuesday. Anyway, I rotated some vertebra in my lower back, went to the chiro after work, she put it back in place, made me able to stand up straight.. walked ever so carefully to my car, got in, sat down, and it moved back out of place. I was still in the parking lot. ugh. I got home, barely made it upstairs, and have been in my chair since. My sweet Steve made me breakfast yesterday, and brought me flowers. Such a happy thing to look at while sitting in my chair. And what is it about my Teri Bruce chair that makes it the only comfortable chair when my back is hurt?

He grew them in my front yard, and said Since I couldn't go down to them he would bring them to me. He is a sweet lovely man. :-)

Oh, and he moved my yarn shelves from the grandkid/guest room up here. Look:

This pic is a bit dark, I will need to take another one with the light on. I love to sit on my bed and look at all the lovely colors. Yes, this is in my bedroom. Yes, I took out a dresser for it. Yes, I have a lot of yarn. Yes, my husband loves me. :-)

David! Big dinner!

2011-05-22T23:28:00.000-08:00

David came back from Bible College last night... I was so excited to see him! Gosh I miss my boys when they are away. It is so good to see him happy and following the Lord!
He met Eleanor-- he was so cute. He will make a great Uncle. :-) After we got home we had a pie party-- 2 chocolate, 2 pecan and 2 pear. I was tired. Although it made me so happy when Larry said how great the house looked.. I worked hard!

Karla and David came for a quick visit to Juneau, it was so great to see them. We had a big dinner at my house tonight.. there were 23 of us here! Lots of friends and family, so of course I had us go in the street for some pictures. Sometimes when I see us all out there milling about it amazes me that there are so many of us... I am so blessed to have all these kids and all these friends. Big families are the best!

A great day

2011-05-19T23:50:00.000-08:00

I am quite happy today. God is good, He never leaves me, He speaks to me. He loves me. All of my family is saved, and will be in Heaven with me. What is there to be unhappy about when our eternal life is certain?

I have been in such a funk lately, and today it just all seemed so unimportant. God is good.

How about pictures?

It was another lovely Thursday with God, Bible study-- my boy taught. :-) There is so much joy in hearing your son teach about the love of God.

I held Eleanor and made Robin laugh.

Robin has the sweetest smile.

Asleep in my lap again. I love Thursdays.

Don't they look alike???

Gosh I love them. So much.

Birthdays, babies, fatigue and David

2011-05-16T21:21:00.000-08:00

It was Miriah's birthday last week, and same as last year we went to Brian and Lisa's for dinner. We ate yummy almond tilapia, sweet potato fries, asparagus and the never to be forgotten key lime pie.
I love going to Lisa's house, it is always such a sweet relaxing time, and it is such a joy filled house.

Babies. I love my sweet granddaughters.. I wish I could hold them everyday.. I did get to hold Eleanor at Church, I love my snuggle time and can't wait till she is smiling and talking more. Robin was here today, and she was such a good girl. Lots of smiles for me. :-)

My fatigue and pain is getting worse; my frustration at not knowing what is wrong with me grows. I am so tired of doctors and tests. Anyway.

My David comes home on Saturday! I am quite excited to see him again, we are gonna have a pie party on Saturday night.

Pets. Why do we love them so? Even when they drive us batty? Max is a sweetheart, unless Steve is gone and he thinks he is the Alpha and must protect me. Don't even try and come in my door. :-))

Emmy... you were supposed to be my dog, nope, you are Steve's. Totally. You're still a sweet old girl.

My sweet Lucy. You were mine for 14 years. I loved you. Then you decided that you didn't like the other cats and the whole house was your litter box. You were still my girl, and I loved/hated you. I finally made the hard choice and told Steve to take you to the animal shelter. I couldn't do it, so my sweet husband did it for me. I cried. I prayed so much that you would be ok, that someone would take you and love you. God heard, and you were adopted in less than a week. God cares so much for us, He listens to our small requests just as much as our big ones.

Mother's Day

2011-05-09T00:38:00.000-08:00

Mother's day for me was 2 days. Yesterday Steve moved my yarn shelves from the downstairs room to my room. I am going to turn my craft room into a guest/grandkid room, so the yarn had to move again. Steve put the shelves up in my room on Friday night, and I put most of the yarn on the shelves Saturday. I love my yarn! It is so pretty and colorful and yummy. :-) I got a lot done, but it made me really tired.
We took Steve's Mom and sister out for dinner, Larry, Kelly, Robin, Ed and Ken came too. We ate at MiCasa, it was good, but dairy and garlic don't like me. Oh well, we had fun.
Today was Church.. awesome as usual. I love my church-it is such a sweet family to me.
Latecia had Liam on Wednesday, and they came to church today! Liam is a sweetie, I can't wait to see how he grows up.

After church I went to Fred's, wow is it busy there on Sunday's! A wonderful sunny drive back home, my I-Pod and I began to cook my spaghetti. Sometimes I just crave my favorite comfort food. Erik, Miriah, sweet Eleanor, Jacob and Ken all ate with us. I took lots of pictures. I snuggled with Eleanor twice today, once at church during worship and tonight. Larry, Kelly, Robin and Ed came over later, more pictures.
All in all, a wonderful day.

I went to the neurologist last week, she said I don't have MS. She doesn't know what is wrong with me, so I'm still in limbo land. God knows, and He will get me through anything.

I am going to buy my plane ticket to Cordova tomorrow... 3 nights and 4 days with just me and yarn and 3IG. Bliss.
I love love love being a Nan.

Ladies retreat part 1

2011-05-01T00:28:00.000-08:00

Our ladies retreat was so awesome this year... I should be in bed, but I am over tired and can't sleep. So I am going to post a few of my favorite pictures from this weekend.
I so love the women at my church, and it is such a blessing to be able to get away with them; I can't wait till next year!
God was with us. God spoke. God loves me. I am His.

Pictures!

My sweetness.

Our speaker, Teresa Rinker. She so blessed me. And Darla.
Sharing the E and D pics. :-)

Love you Lisa.

Some Robin lovin

Ruby was so cute! She was having her first laugh. :-) I so love watching Ashleigh with Ruby. She is such a sweet Mama.

Smiles for me!

It won't be long till Latecia is holding her sweet Liam. :-)

Easter

2011-04-26T21:03:00.001-08:00

Church this Sunday was so amazing. It was Easter, and it is such a blessing to be able to celebrate Christ's resurection. The worship was awesome, Brian's teaching was great. We got to fellowship with lots of other believers. I love my church.

Steve and I went to the store, came home and ate hot dogs together. :-) Then we cleaned up the house, and set to making our Easter dinner. I didn't want a ham this year, so we had meatloaf, potato salad, deviled eggs, green bean casserole, roasted asparagus with some of Steve's home grown peppers, and some of Ken's macaroni and cheese. Miriah brought this to die for tunnel of fudge cake.. I ate some. I shouldn't have, but oh yum. We had lots of friends and family over, it was so sweet. And we had 2 new little girls that came for their first Easter. :-))) Next year we will be dyeing eggs together!

We've been watching Robin since Kelly had to go back to work Monday.. it is going to be challenging. My health has taken a nose dive; I don't know what all is wrong, but I am going to see a specialist next Thursday. We shall see!

Steve and I have been spending lots of time together since there has been no more over-time, it has been so much fun. Tonight after Larry came and got Robin, he said... let's go out to eat. Sure! Off to the hangar we went, yum. Now we're going to watch a movie. A fun date night for me and my guy.

Our ladies retreat is this weekend, it will be our first over night one in quite a few years. Hopefully I will get some snuggle time with my girls.

I love family dinners. They make me tired, but they are so worth it. I am blessed to have such a big family. I wish Tim and Katie, and Karla and David were here!

So these are blurry, but I wanted them anyway. I love watching them be silly!
I really need a new lens for my camera. Or a new camera like Hannah's................

This is a picture I swiped from David's facebook page. I miss you my boy.

Robin was full of smiles today.

love

2011-04-18T00:39:00.000-08:00

How is it possible that I could love Eleanor so much? That she has only been here for 9 days, but it seems like forever? That I can't imagine her not being here? How is it that God put this love in my heart for her, the same as I had for my boys? I love how God made us. It's a mystery.

Church today was so awesome, the worship... I could just sing all day. I was so blessed by it. And the teaching, well, Brian always blesses me. This has been such a good day. Church. Fellowship. Babies. Chores. I wasn't tired! Knitting. Hugs from my husband. Dr Who.

As Ashleigh said, what would a post be without a pic of a baby? ( She has Ruby, I have Robin and Eleanor.)

Hannah took this fabulous picture. Isn't she lovely?
I'll take some of little Robin later this week. Family dinner on Sunday. Yay.

Friday!

2011-04-15T20:57:00.002-08:00

It's Friday, I'm eating some yummy bbq chicken, the heater is on in my room, and I got to hold Eleanor today. She is one week old, and still perfect.
I made her a little hat on Wednesday, it was the tiniest little thing! It fits just like I hoped it would. Yay.

Oh, and my crocuses have come up! Can spring really be here???

Karla came to Juneau for a few days, it was so much fun to see her. Kelly brought Robin over to Erik and Miriah's on Wednesday, look at the 2 lovely little girls together:

Look at all the Calvary ladies that were pregnant at the same time-- Teri was missing for this picture--I can't wait till they are all born. :-)

Tomorrow is Latecia's baby shower for Liam, I haven't started her blanket yet.. I still need to finish Miriah's first. I am a bit panicked about getting all of the blankets on my list done...I know they won't be done before the babies come, I'm just hoping I will only miss it by a few days. Or weeks.

I'm off to knit!

and baby makes three

2011-04-11T18:26:00.002-08:00

I was always told by my Mom and Dad that when you have a grandchild, you have this immediate and complete love for them... now I know it is true. How is it that I am so in love already? That when I leave, all I want is to come back? It is like nothing I've felt other than the love I have for my boys.

Thank you Jesus for family, for new life, for the supernatural love you give us for children and granddchildren, that this little girl is going to grow up loving and being loved by You.

Here is the Peterson family today:

I just LOVE the back of the neck. :-)

love.

Here she is, Eleanor Christine Peterson

2011-04-09T20:19:00.001-08:00

On April 8, 2011 at 10:03 pm, Eleanor Christine Peterson came into the world. My life will never be the same. :-)
Erik texted me Thursday night after Bible Study that Miriah was having contractions, and they'd let me know if they went to the Birthing Center. Oh my, I was excited... I barely slept, I kept waking up every hour afraid I wouldn't hear my phone if it rang. (I did the same thing when Kelly was in labor) :-))
I finally texted them at 7:30 on Friday, they were still at home but were heading in for a check at 11:30. I ran to work, started on the bulletin, and thankfully had all the wording done when Erik said they were at the birthing center and staying there. All coherent thought left my head and I finished work so fast, got home and told Steve we are leaving! Can I change shoes he asked? NO! haha. I was so afraid Miriah would have the baby without me there. Again, I did the same thing with Kelly. And yes, Tim and Katie I will do the same thing when it's your turn. :-) Anyway, the birthing center is really nice, the midwives were awesome, and I got there with PLENTY of time. :-) I was so blessed to be able to be in the room with Erik and Miriah-- that was the first birth I have been to other than my own. It was amazing, heartbreaking, amazing, the most wonderful experience of my life. I went through so many emotions, and fell headlong into love the moment I laid eyes on Eleanor. And when Erik told me her name and why they chose it I just wanted to cry and cry. I still get choked up thinking about it.
Miriah was so strong and sweet and wonderful; Erik supported and cared for her just the way I always hoped my sons would. I am so very proud of them. They made such a wonderful little girl.
God is so awesome and wonderful.
I got to go and see her again today, and she does indeed look like her Mama. Joy.
Pictures?

7 lbs, 8oz 19 3/4" and perfect.

Erik put on his first diaper, followed by his first outfit,and Eleanor is the first baby he has held. :-)

March Stuff

2011-03-28T12:26:00.000-08:00

Babies. Knitting. Showers. Spring. More knitting. Family dinners starting up again.

That has been my March.

I have been enjoying getting to know Robin, she is such a little sweetie. Steve and I got to baby sit her for the first time on Friday night, she slept almost the entire time. I woke her up to eat and she was so cute.

Miriah had a baby shower, then 2 weeks later we had one for Robin. We played a few games I had not heard of before, the spit the pacifier one was hilarious. See:

This is the crib Steve built for our little granddaughters to sleep in. It is amazing!

At Kelly's I melted candy bars and put them in diapers. I should have taken a picture of what it looked like in the diapers, it was quite realistic, although with a good smell. :-)

Ruby has the most darling expressions. I took many pictures of this little sweetie. I just love they eyebrow!

Not too much longer till I get to meet this little girl. :-)

Aren't they a cute family???

I made a sweater and hat set for Miriah, have almost finished Kelly's blanket, and have wound all the yarn for a blanket for Miriah, Latecia and Hannah. So much knitting! I am really slow at it, and have developed tendonitis, so am even slower. I decided not to stress out, just keep knitting. The blankets will be done eventually.

We started family dinners again last night, it was good to have all the kids over at my table again. At our next one we will have Erik and Miriah's little girl here. I can't wait to meet her!!

I'm off to knit.

steve has been at it again

2011-03-18T21:53:00.000-08:00

Steve builds me the most amazing things, he truly is an artist with wood. And he's pretty cute too.
:-)) Anyway, since I am going to be watching Robin, and maybe Erik and Miriah's baby occasionally, he built a crib to have here. It is so nice! See:

Starting April 25, Robin will be taking her naps in this lovely bed. Now to clean up the room it will go in!

I am still knitting away, I made the sweater and hat for Miriah, and am making her newborn size hat. I am going to finish Robin's blanket and sweater by next weekend, then start Miriah's blanket. Lots to do!

Cordova and Three Irish Girls!

2011-03-01T18:50:00.000-09:00

As many of you know, I am a huge fan of Three Irish Girls yarn. Well, Sharon is finally coming to Alaska! She will be coming to a nice little yarn store in Cordova June 24-26th. I am SO going to be there. I have been looking forward to meeting her and taking her classes for over a year, and it is finally here.
And I get to see another Alaskan town. And it is going to be a three day Janet only vacation. Me, yarn, Sharon, and other lovely knitters.
I am SO EXCITED!

On the 3IG front, Sharon has shipped all the yarn I need to make 4 more baby blankets, and 3 baby girl sweaters. And there just might be some yarn in there to make a couple of baby boy sweaters.......
I do love to knit!

I get to go to Kelly's house tomorrow night and will hopefully be snuggling with Robin. I haven't held her since Tuesday! I will be making a nice big pot of singapore chicken soup and taking her some.

Oh, and ladies night is starting up again... this Sunday at my house. I love having ladies come over and just visit.

The countdown is on for my next little granddaugher.... I can't wait to meet Erik and Miriah's little baby!

This was Robin at Church for the first time. We had a potluck and in the background you can see my sweet Miriah and Latecia. The next two ladies due.

family

2011-02-22T21:30:00.000-09:00

Grandparents. Steve and I are Grandparents. Grandpa and Nana.

Baby girls. I don't know anything about girls, but I am going to learn. Larry and Kelly had Robin last night at 1:22 am. Kelly was in labor for a really long time, but it was worth it. She told me so. :-)

Look!

It won't be long till I have my baby's baby in my arms, just about 6 weeks. I am so excited about this season of my life.

I am going to be knitting forever I think! I have Robin's blanket almost finished, she's wearing the hat I made while Kelly was in labor. I have yarn coming for Miriah, Latecia, and Hannah.

I think that my blog is going to be busy from now on. Jacob's camera is so much better than mine, I'm so glad he shares!

TTFN

It's a new year

2011-01-30T00:35:00.002-09:00

Ok, so it's almost February, but it's still a new year. I just haven't felt like blogging.
I've been struggling with my health, trying to figure out what's wrong with me. I had an MRI, haven't gotten the bill yet. It was inconclusive, as I knew it would be. I may or may not have MS. I'm supposed to see a neurologist, but I'm not going at this time. They want too much money up front, so I'm just going to wait and see. November, December and the first half of January were really hard health-wise, but I am now having better days. YAY!
I've been knitting, knitting, knitting. With 7 ladies that were pregnant at Calvary I had lots of baby blankets to do. I've finished 3 of them, and there are 2 wonderful little boys and a sweet little girl now. I must admit, the owl blanket I did for Ruby is my favorite. It is just so different than what I normally choose; I saw the pattern on Ravelry and knew it was the one for Ashleigh.
See:

Ruby on Thursday night, the first time I met her. Isn't she wonderful????

I love this picture of her little hand, she has such lovely long fingers. Girls are so amazing; I have no experience with them, but that is so going to change. :-)

We stopped by Erik and Miriah's house to see how they painted the baby's room, then went over to Larry and Kelly's. I can't believe that those baby girls are coming soon! I am so excited to meet and cuddle them.

Erik is putting together the baby's dresser, the crib is next!

The walls are painted yellow and aqua.

My girls, and my boy.

Steve and I stopped our chores today and went for a ride out the road; it was such a pretty day.

My David went back to college in Seattle, I miss him. I don't like it when my boys are gone.
As our usual, we ate at Donna's before his flight back to Seattle. See you there again in May!

Let's hope I post more than once a month now!

December.....

2010-12-29T10:10:00.000-09:00

November and December have been a bit of a blur for me. Thanksgiving was wonderful, but it kind of took a lot out of me. We had lots of food, friends and pie. We had my birthday, Tim's birthday, Erik's

birthday and my Dad's. As soon as I had a tiny rest from all the cooking, it was time to decorate our house. I love to decorate, and have lots and lots of Christmas stuff. I also don't like change, and use the same things in the same places. This year I learned to embrace change.... lots of my favorite things in different places, and some of my favorites went missing.

Erik and Steve both had to work this Christmas, but we were still able to have our traditional Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas morning. My David came home, and I have him for one lovely month.

We've had snow, we've had really cold days. We've had burn bans. I miss my woodstove.

I have slowly been knitting on Ashleigh's baby blanket, I hope I get it done before her little baby comes. I have yarn for Kelly's, and still haven't chosen any for Miriah yet. I did get some books for Erik to read to his little jelly bean--- I remember reading them to all my boys and can't wait to read to my grand daughters.

Next week it will be 2011, and I hope to start getting rid of lots of stuff in my house. Anyone want a cat? Or two?

Later!

November!

2010-11-22T11:04:00.001-09:00

I love November. I love fall, yes, even here in Juneau. :-) I love having lots of family birthdays in one month..... My birthday is on the 1st--- I am now the big 50!, my boy Tim is on the 6th--25, my Mom is on the 7th, my boy Erik's was yesterday the 21st--24, my Dad is on the 24th. So many times to remember those I love.. and Thanksgiving. Erik's favorite holiday. Although I won't have my David for the first time ever! At least he will be home for Christmas. I had the family over last night for Erik's birthday, we had spaghetti and meatballs, salad, bread and Dale's cheesecake with raspberry and blueberry toppings. I love having all of us together. Tim and Katie come home!

I am truly blessed with a wonderful family, and it is getting bigger. :-) Two, granddaughters. 2!!! Miriah is also having a little girl; she and Erik had an ultrasound last week, and they brought over the pics and even a cd the tech had made. It was so exciting to actually see her moving around in there. My baby is having a baby. It is real. :-) Until she pops out she will be known here as Jelly Bean.

We're having yet another burn ban.. I hate and love them. My bedroom and the basement are warmed with our boiler, but the rest of the house is SO cold. And we have a really good stove that burns well. Oh well, not everyone has a good stove, and I don't want a ticket. I will submit.

On the knitting front, I finished Tim and Christine's blanket, I LOVE it. It was all my favorite colors. I have started Ashleigh's, and it is going well. Yarn is ordered for Kelly's, and I have some picked out for Latecia's and Hannah's. Not yet for Miriah though.
That's enough for now, I need to go to work today. I don't want to, it's my day off. But since we are doing our Thanksgiving on Wednesday, I have to.
Later!

Kelly with Owen at Christine's shower

My birthday boy

Rikki and Max

Too much love!

Signing the papers for their first house-- next door to Larry and Kelly!!!

Owen's new blanket

hope

2010-11-07T14:41:00.001-09:00

Today is my Mom's birthday. She would have been 70 years old. I have been missing her so much lately; I think it's because I am going to be a Nan, and I know she would have been so excited to see her grandbaby having their own baby. Someone told me recently that I really look like my Mom, it made me so happy as when I was growing up all I wanted to be was her. I am so fortunate to have had a Godly Mom and Dad, to have grown up always knowing that God loved me.. to know that even though there is death here on earth, I will see my family again. That they are happy and worshiping our great God.

Worship today at Church was amazing, I felt so close to God and grateful for all He has done for me. I was remembering when Dale died, seeing the sunrise at my friends house thinking this is Dale's first sunrise with Jesus. Being so sad and happy at the same time.
Thank you Jesus for loving me, for saving me, for always being there for me. Thank you for giving me hope.

yarn!

2010-11-03T14:35:00.000-08:00

Today was Three Irish Girls day at my house. Every month I get an order in... this months yarn is so beautiful. I haven't been posting many pictures of my yarn lately, but I have to today.

Feast your eyes on the gorgeous work of Sharon:

Here you have flourish, cornucopia, bountiful, sweet pea and alchemy.

Ahhhh. Bliss.

50

2010-11-01T19:26:00.000-08:00

So I am now officially middle aged. I don't feel old, I still think I'm young. Saying hey, I'm 50 sounds really weird. Oh well, I'm as young as I want to be.

Today has been a very nice day.. I had lunch at the Sandpiper with Lisa, Sherrie, Latecia and Miriah. It was so much fun to sit around and chat with my lovely friends. Look at the fun things they got me:

I had my first massage today, I don't think it will be my last. My chiropractor cracks me up every time I see her; today she just shook her head at me and said, "Janet, you are so unusual." What can I say, I like to be a challenge. :-)
I have been told I have tendonitis, and can't knit today. I don't know if I am going to obey or not. I'm halfway done with Christine's blanket, and I'm having such a fun time knitting this one. Maybe I can just knit for an hour.

The weather says we could get 4-8 inches of snow tonight... we'll see. I'm always excited for the first snowfall.
Last night we had another family dinner-- roast this time. It was yummy, and was again tonight. :-) Kelly, Miriah and Latecia let me take a picture of them last night, they are so sweet and cute.

I bought some really cute baby clothes from Mommy and Me Saturday, including 2 sweet little dresses. It begins. :-)))

babies!

2010-10-24T23:50:00.001-08:00

Today was such a lovely day; sunny, cool and wonderful. Church was wonderful as usual, Steve and I had lunch at the Booyah grill with most of the kids. David, you are missed! Tim and Katie, you would have fit right in.

I finished Teri's blanket and hat, and have a good start on Chris's. I only have 5 more to go!
I took a picture of Chris, Ashleigh and Miriah today at church, 3 of our pregnant ladies. They are so cute!

I am beside myself with excitement waiting for my Grandbabies, I went and bought some clothes for Kelly's baby......it's going to be a GIRL! We will find out about Miriah's baby next month. Joy, joy, joy. I already have some boy clothes waiting for my first grandson; I've had them for about 3 years. :-)

Finally after waiting and loving all the babies at church, I get grandchildren of my own. :-)))) I will be posting pics of Kelly soon.
This is a pic I took of Miriah on Saturday. Isn't she cute?

fall days and food allergies

2010-10-04T16:37:00.000-08:00

It's been a great fall so far. I have taken lots of pictures with my phone, but usually forget my good camera when I go out. Today I remembered it and got a few pictures.

I have been seeing a different doctor for my food allergies; for some reason I keep getting new ones. So far I am allergic to eggs, some proteins, tomatoes, peppers, some vitamin c, sugar!, dairy, garlic, and I think rice. Ugh. My doctor is doing some natural remedies that supposedly will make my body not so sensitive, we'll see if I can again eat without getting tired.

We have begun our ladies craft nights again; we are going to be having them at my house once a month. We had one last Friday, it was SO nice. We didn't craft, we didn't play games. We talked, laughed and ate. My kind of night. :-)) I'm just gonna call it ladies night.

I have been knitting on baby stuff.. I have finally finished Teri's blanket and baby hat... she can go ahead and have the baby now. Christine's is next on the needles, followed by many, many more. If anyone wants to get pregnant, just come to Calvary. There's something in the water here......

That's enough for now, I want to knit.

10 years!

2010-09-17T16:48:00.001-08:00

Steve and I just celebrated 10 years of being married on the 16th. Sometimes I can't believe that I have lived in Alaska for 10 years. It's been wonderful, and I love it. I feel so blessed to have such a great husband; someone who loves me in so many ways.

Steve had to work on our actual anniversary, so we claimed Tuesday as our day. We went for a nice walk, ( 8 days and counting of hot sunny weather in September!), walked along the docks at the downtown harbor, went to Twisted Fish for supper, and then watched The Prince of Persia. A nice lovely date.

I love boats!

I love all the fall colors showing up now.

The best scrabble game I have ever played. I had incredible luck. :-)

Family Camp 2010

2010-09-17T15:56:00.000-08:00

Last weekend was our annual family camp at Echo Ranch. It was incredible. On the drive out the road Friday, we had sunglasses on and the air conditioner on low in Steve's truck. It was sunny and warm the entire weekend, and it got way to hot in our cabin with the wood stove. :-)

I of course followed the little kids around and hung out by the horses. Steve and I went for many walks, and on one of the walks by the beach we got to see Dan and Ashleigh's canoe tip into the ocean. Ashleigh was such a good sport, she and Dan both were just laughing about it.

We got to have a softball game, again I got many pictures. Steve whooped everyone at tether ball, it was so much fun to watch.

As usual, I told Steve I want to live out the road, especially at Echo Ranch. It is just so peaceful and quiet, and unbelievably beautiful. I just look at everything and am so awed that God created all of this.

I was blessed to be able to take a boat ride both ways to camp, thank you very much Bill Nash, Kevin Miller and Russell Brown for providing that for us.

I took 702 pictures at camp. That is a record for me, and it's quite hard to choose which are my favorites. Here is a sampling:

This past week

2010-09-05T20:00:00.000-08:00

We started our Thursday night Bible study up again this week. After dinner, and while Bryan Hosh was teaching I found myself realizing how much I had missed it. The fellowship, the laughter, the teaching, the food. Just a bunch of Christian people sharing food and God together. I love it.

David is doing well at Bible College, his classes start tomorrow. He has been great about keeping in touch with me, he sent me these two pictures:

His roommate brought in a stand up poster of Bella, David thought I would get a kick out of it. He was right!
Ashleigh posted on her blog a recipe for black bean burritos, I made them and they were wonderful!

Tonight I made me a stir fry with buffalo, asparagus, green pepper, tomatoes, broccoli and onion. I put it on brown rice, yum! It did raise my heart rate for some reason, I'm waiting to see if I have an allergic reaction as I seem to be getting new allergies all the time. My body has decided that it doesn't like food.

I have been knitting like crazy, I am still not done with Teri's blanket, but I'm sort of close. 4 more to go!

And he's off!

2010-08-30T14:10:00.000-08:00

I am in such a blue mood. My baby just left for Bible College in Seattle. On the one hand, I am SO excited and happy for him-- this is going to be the best thing for him and he's gonna have a blast. On the other hand, I am so sad. I HATE it when my boys leave, even when I know they will be back. It's just not the same house when they are gone. I cried all the way home from the airport and then went in David's room. Empty. Messy still, but empty.
Hurry up December!

Babies, pizza and college

2010-08-30T01:11:00.000-08:00

I love babies. I loved being pregnant with mine. I always wanted lots of kids. I was blessed to have 4 great sons. I got 2 more sons and a daughter when I married Steve. I still wanted more. It wasn't meant to be. Steve said wait for grandkids. I waited and waited. Guess what?? I'm gonna be a Nan! Kelly and Larry are having a baby in March, and Miriah and Erik in April. 2 babies. 2 babies!! I am quite excited, and you can expect my blog to explode with pictures. :-)))))) And someday, if Erik's baby is a girl, I will be at Hoshide/Peterson wedding. Just sayin.

David is going to Calvary Bible College in Seattle tomorrow, I am so gonna miss him. I know God has something marvelous in store for him, I can't wait to see what happens.
We had some of my home-made pizza for supper tonight, it was delicious. I of course took pictures, and got some of David E., Rikki, and my David's new tattoos.
See:

Where has August gone?

2010-08-23T19:33:00.000-08:00

I can't believe that it's already the 21st of August. Time is just flying by. Ok, so it's now the 23rd. I didn't finish this till today, and now there is even less of August.
Steve and I flew up to Anchorage last weekend to watch Karla graduate from nursing school. I am so proud of her! Kelly, Larry, Ed and Adam drove, and Erik and Miriah flew. It was fun all of us being together.
I am always amazed at how much I appreciate Juneau when I visit other places. I always can't wait to come home to my small lovely town. God so knew what I needed when he planted me here.

David is going away to college on the 30th, I am so going to miss him! He will be going to Calvary Bible College in Seattle. I wonder what God will have in store for him... will he pull a Tim and get a wife?
Speaking of my Tim, I so miss him. I wish he and Katie could move back to Juneau, I wish all of my kids lived here. But they are happy and love the Lord, so I am happy.

Tomorrow is family dinner, we are having spaghetti and meatballs. Yum. Dinner was great, the fellowship over the meal was even better. Latecia, Hermie and Kellen, John and Jordan came too. I LOVE big dinners.
Today has been rainy, but I don't mind. God is good, life is good, I have great kids, and I am content.

I love that Kellen always smiles for me!

This was the sunset on the day we got back from Anchorage, it's the view from Erik and Miriah's back yard

More photos, and lovely sun

2010-07-27T20:05:00.000-08:00

The sun came out to play again, we went for a drive with Max and Emmy and went for a walk on the Mendenhall Wetlands. I have always wondered what it was like out there, unfortunately the tide was in and I don't own extra tuffs. I need to fix that! I love watching Max on walks, he is so full of joy.

This is from today, it was so nice.

This is one of John's favorite views, my Dad agrees.

My Dad and I went on the Auke Lake trail,
he loved it.

I love this pic of Steve and I, we are in Gustavus

Go fish!

Father's Day

2010-06-20T19:12:00.000-08:00

First off, Happy Father's day to my wonderful Dad! I am so excited that he is coming to visit us again this month, we are gonna do some fun things--GLACIER BAY!!!! And some in Juneau stuff too. I so love Juneau, today after Steve and I had lunch with Ed, Larry, Kelly, Jacob and Dan, we walked around our pond out back, fiddled around in the front yard, and then went for a drive out the road. It was so beautiful today, 74 degrees and sunny. I can't imagine living anywhere else.
I of course took pictures, and I wish I could post all of them! I was chatting with Darla at church today, and she was telling me all about her new Nikon D3000, I was so jealous, then I saw what my old D50 can do and I am just fine with mine. A new lens maybe........................... Anyway, on to pictures!

I have had so much fun watching the family of ducks living in our pond. There are at least 3 females that take care of the babies, and we've seen as many as 10 babies. Today there are 6.

She has the prettiest color on her wings.

We have lots of plans to make our backyard special, next year it is going to be awesome!

How many pictures have I taken of this spot?? I can't seem to stop.

I love Eagle Beach, it always amazes me that we have this beautiful spot; everytime we are there we are the only ones. If feels like it is my very own special place.

We saw whales!!!

I took lots more, but this is enough for now. We found a little secluded parking spot and just sat there on the rock and watched whales. It was heaven. Today went perfectly with Brian's sermon on Genesis, I am in such awe of what our God can do.

Sunny Sunday in June

2010-06-06T16:20:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I can't think of what to blog about, so I just go and look at what I have taken pictures of. So far this month, it's been flowers. Ahh. I love to plant flowers, to look at them in my yard and in other peoples yards. I love to look at them at the store. I can see some pretty lupin Steve planted behind our house from the kitchen, and sometimes can see the ducks in the pond.

We had Miriah's birthday at Lisa and Brian's house, it was nice. Lisa made us a dairy free chocolate cake.. yum! Erik picked out some extremely nice pots and pans for Miriah, and several of us went in on it with him. She loved them. :-)

Brian is out of town at a Pastor's conference, so asked Erik to teach today. It was wonderful. I would have been so nervous I wouldn't have even been able to remember my name... Erik definitely has the gift of teaching. It is such a blessing to know that all my sons love the Lord, and are living their lives for Him.

Right now it's sunny, cool and fabulous. Latecia just popped over for a few minutes, and is going to paint. I just might have a new painting in my room soon! :-) I have a roast in the oven, and potatoes will soon be joining it. Sunday family dinner tonight!
Yesterday it was cloudy, then another rainbow. Juneau certainly is the place for rainbows.:-)

Jeanette Phillips had her baby boy-Timothy. I finished his blanket a week after the shower, my favorite one so far.

Ok, so posting these pictures is driving me crazy, they won't go where I want them to... I'm stopping. It's a lot of photos anyway!
Till tomorrow.

I miss my boy

2010-05-30T19:35:00.001-08:00

Tim sent me a picture today, it's the first one I've seen since he was last here almost 2 years ago.
I miss my boy. Look at the man he's become:

my new and improved dining room

2010-05-14T22:46:00.000-08:00

Steve has done it again. He built me a table that extends to 9 feet. And now, I have beautiful, fabulous, GORGEOUS built ins. ahh. I have lots of wonderful collectibles on the shelves, and am getting organized with the cabinets.
Look:

mother's day

2010-05-13T22:38:00.003-08:00

Mother's Day.

It was sunny, we had most of our kids over; I wish we could have had all of them. Oh well, they are happy and where they should be. Ken, Gramma and Helen, Latecia, Hermie and Kellen, and Heather and Sam came over too. So much fun! Lots of food, lots of conversation, lots of love. Lots of big ole picnic table! Want some pictures??

Can my husband build or what?

my boy, teaching another boy to play the piano. It so reminds me of another man, teaching his little boy.

what, 3 posts in one day???

2010-04-23T19:24:00.001-08:00

So I keep thinking of things I haven't talked about. Steve was working nights last week, and I didn't get to talk very much, well, except to myself and that doesn't count. ;-) and then didn't blog either. Now I have so much in my head! And I'm rambling.
It's all Dr. Huffman's fault.... I love having a naturopath as a doctor! I have energy, and I can do a few things and not get over tired. He had me take a few tests, and it turns out my hormones are off again. He put me on some fab progesterone, and I feel great! ( I was quite cranky at first, but not anymore)
Today I forgot to eat, and it didn't totally wipe me out. Not a big deal for most people, but it is for me. I even went to costco after work, and cleaned the kitchen, and I'm only a tiny bit tired. YAY! I might actually become the old Janet again. And the sun is STILL shining.
I'm just in a terrific mood. God is good. God is amazing. I need to say that even when I'm grumpy and unhappy.

And there is finally a restaurant in Juneau that I can eat at and not get sick.... The Sandpiper.
Steve and I go there for breakfast occasionally, and this is what we eat:

Steve's banana pancakes

my vegan french toast.. and there was ham on the other plate.

And this is a plant we have at the Calvary House... it is blooming. Do you know what it is?????

Calvary's ladies retreat

2010-04-23T18:39:00.000-08:00

We had our ladies retreat last weekend; we didn't get to spend the night, but it was awesome anyway. Linda Shirley from CCBC Murrietta came up, she was wonderful. She was funny, she was encouraging, she was convicting, and she was SOUTHERN! Miriah says my accent comes on strong when she's here, I say yay! I don't ever want to loose it, it is who I am. :-)
Anyway, I can't believe I'm inside, on the computer, when it is so nice outside, but I'm tired. And well, my windows are open and I can still hear the birds. And it's gonna be nice again, right??? We certainly don't take nice days for granted here in Juneau.

Here are some pictures from the retreat... I so love the ladies at my church. I am blessed.

hurray for spring!

2010-04-23T17:55:00.000-08:00

Today is so wonderful. It's about 57 degrees outside, the sun is shining, and my flowers are blooming. When all of my tulips open up, it will be amazing.
The windows are open in my room, I've just eaten a yummy burger, and am getting ready to knit.

OH, and the new season of Dr. Who has started. yay!
Juneau is so my kind of town. I love living here. ahhhh.

another sunny Sunday

2010-04-11T18:46:00.000-08:00

Today has been fabulous. There's something about Sunday's, they are always great. It's going to church, singing praise to God, hearing a message about Him, fellowshipping with other believers, and family. I love my family. We went to Erik and Miriah's for a BBQ lunch today, it was great. A tiny bit chilly, but not enough to make us stay inside on such a great day. I of course took pictures. I want to take some every Sunday, and see what people come and go in them. You can't have too many pictures!

Here is today:

Yarn!

2010-04-05T14:32:00.000-08:00

If you don't like yarn, just skip this post.
I got a package from Three Irish Girls today. So much loveliness inside! If you like to knit, and like fabulous yarn, you HAVE to order some from her. There is a handy link on my blog. Go and look.

Here is what I got today:

This could become a lovely baby blanket

This is yarn that David bought me for Christmas, it is going to be a shawl for me.

So pretty, it is destined to be a baby blanket that I keep here for my first Grandson.

And this? I don't know what it wants to be, it is just pretty. I took these with my phone, the colors don't show up as wonderful as they do in person. Yarn is so much fun. I must put it away now and pay some bills.

Family time

2010-04-04T21:48:00.001-08:00

Miriah and Erik had Easter dinner at their place this year, it was so nice. Miriah's Dad, Russell was there, Ed, Larry and Kelly, Adam, me, and David and Monica. Steve unfortunately had to work until 10:00 so he missed out. The weather was so nice, and most of the snow had melted. Can you believe we got snow last night??? You've gotta love Alaska.. I know I do. :-)
Anyway, Miriah made a really delicious coconut cake ( I had a taste, boy did I want a whole piece), she had grilled lamb, asparagus and hot crossless buns. Monica really liked the buns. :-) I wish I could just lie in a hammock out there and listen to the water. Bliss. Everyone was a great sport and let me take pictures. Thanks! I am so blessed to have such a wonderful family.. I'm sad I didn't get to have Tim, Katie, Karla and David there. I miss you all!

That's about it, I want to knit and play some scrabble. Here are some of the pics:

Russell

I love how you can see Monica in the corner, and a bit of David if you look close.

My boy

Erik and Miriah get this kind of sunset all the time. So beautiful.

This is the latest scrabble game between Morgan and I... it was the most fun yet! I've never had such good luck with letters, and Morgan really makes me have to think. So fun!

random pictures on my phone

2010-04-04T15:20:00.002-08:00

Happy Easter! He is alive, He is risen. Doesn't that make you smile? Doesn't that fill you with hope?
Today has been wonderful. Worship was amazing today at Church and I loved the teaching. I couldn't ask for a better church family.

I was looking at all the pictures I have on my phone.. here is a sampling.

David-

Erik-- bearness

Larry and Kelly

Pop and David

Steve

I took this one today after church.

Miriah

Jacob

One of our ladies craft nights at the Calvary House... I think it was our first one. So much fun!

I took a picture of an old one of Dale and David. I've been missing him alot lately, and thought about him today... I am so happy that he is in Heaven and I'll get to see him again. God is so good.

yum!

2010-04-03T17:56:00.001-08:00

I had my very first butternut squash today, and I am hooked. Lisa told me how to make a really easy soup; it was easy, cheap, healthy, and best of all delicious. Oh, and I wasn't allergic to it. :-))

Isn't it pretty?

This is what I did:

Peel and cut into cubes 2 butternut squash. Place them in a 9x13 pan, sprinkle with salt and pepper and pour a bit of olive oil over it. Add about 1/2 a little bag of organic baby carrots. Cover, and bake for an hour at 375 degrees. Cut a big red bell pepper in half, take out the seeds and pop it in the oven beside the squash. Take 2 organic chicken breasts, place them in a 8x8 pan, salt and pepper them, pour some olive oil on them. Put them in the oven also. They will all be done at the same time.

Now pour a box of organic chicken broth in a pot. Add one can of coconut milk. When you take your squash out of the oven just squash (haha) it with a fork a bit. Add it to your broth. Cut up your chicken and red pepper, add them also. Heat and eat. YUM.

What made this sweet? I loved it. My bowl is empty, and I want more. I'm gonna restrain myself though, I want it tomorrow. I gave some to Jacob, he loved it too..... I'd better go hide me some. :-)

2010-04-02T16:56:00.001-08:00

Today has been a fabulous day. The sun has been out, flowers are blooming, and I got to walk around Auke Bay today. It was just for a little bit, and I did get tired, but so what.

Look:

I talked with Dr. Huffman today, thank you Lisa for prodding me to call him! He says I am having a non-typical response to menopausal hot flashes. Me, not typical? I know, it's hard to believe. :-))
How does this man know so much? I'm hopeful that we may get to the bottom of what's up with my crazy body.
Bible study last night was nice, I got to listen to Bryan Hosh teach and chat with Sherrie in the kitchen. We have amazingly wonderful people at my church.
hmmmmm, anything else new? Oh, Steve and Larry finished the drawers on Larry and kelly's bed. See?

Steve does such amazing woodwork. You too Larry!

That's all for today.

stuff

2010-03-23T19:36:00.001-08:00

Tulips, crocus, and snow. Well, my crocus flowers are blooming, my tulips are way up. We took the sawdust off of them, and the sun came out. They are beautiful. See?

Then last night we got lots of snow. I'm hoping my tulip blooms to be still come up. We have so many!

I've been moving my scrapbooking stuff downstairs, and then decided to move most of my yarn down also. I now have the most amazing craft room... and I have Latecia art. :-) I like to sit at my desk and just look around me, out the window, and do my Bible study there. It's a Janet room.

We had Bible study at my house last Friday, it was a lot of work to get my house clean, I got over tired, but it was worth it. I love having Godly women come over, praying and reading the Word.

My health has taken a tired turn, and I'm trying to figure out why. I had more allergy testing, and my thyroid quit working again. I hear that is normal while trying to figure out the proper dosage. I'm looking at the required resting time as a good thing.... I can read my Bible more, and knit. There is always knitting. And I have 4 baby blankets to make right now, and when those are done I want to have a couple in standby. Those Grandbabies are gonna come someday. :-)

We had all the family over for dinner on Sunday, it was marvelous. I want to have family dinner every Sunday.. we ladies can each make something so I don't get too tired, and I had plenty of help cleaning the kitchen. I just love having my big table filled with family. Hearing all the chatter and laughter. Good times. Tim and Katie, you need to come for a visit!

snowy march

2010-03-13T13:35:00.001-09:00

So it isn't spring afterall. We've had quite a bit of snow this month, and our tulips are coming up. Steve got bunches of saw dust and covered them before there was snow on them, I sure hope they make it. He planted TONS of them for me. The bed he and Larry are making is almost finished. They brought it over to Larry and Kelly's house last night and set it up; they will bring the drawers when they are done. It is so beautiful!

How does he make such wonderful things?
I've been knitting quite a bit, but I keep starting new things and not finishing what I've already started. I now have 4 shawls in progress, and 3 scarves. And I want to start more! I think I need an intervention. :-)
I'm developing more allergies, Steve says I'm just allergic to food. ha. I wish I could just take a pill and not have to eat. I should be cleaning my kitchen and baking some bread, but here I sit. Tired as usual. But happy. God is great, and I have all I need: a great husband and 7 fabulous kids, a son in law, and 3 new daughters. And of course, yarn. :-)

steve

2010-02-27T14:19:00.000-09:00

Steve's birthday was this month, we all went to the Hangar for dinner, and then had a nice turkey dinner with pecan pie the next night. Oh, if you have never made mashed red potatoes, do it. Yum! I cheated and tasted a bite, they were so smooth. I added a bit of sour cream to them also.

Steve has been busy with wood again.. he and Larry are making an enormous bed for Larry and Kelly.. I am jealous! It has a massive headboard, a footboard and drawers. It is made out of Hickory, and I have yet to see it. Tonight Steve and I are going out to dinner, so I'll go and take a peek.. and a picture. He is building me some shelves/cabinets for my dining room, and those should be up sometime in late April. He also painted, helped me move into, and built me more shelves in my new scrapbooking room. It's quite lovely and girly in there. I'll take a picture of my new room tonight too.
He is such a wonderful man. I am very blessed.

nice snowy day

2010-02-27T11:50:00.000-09:00

So tomorrow is the last day of February. How did it go by so quickly? I figured I need to write something before it's long gone. I've not been in much of a blogging mood this year, nothing new is really happening. Well, that's not exactly true.. Larry and Kelly moved into their first house! It's really nice and they are getting all settled in. Ed and Adam are living there too, Kelly is always surrounded by great guys. :-)

It's finally snowing again, although it's supposed to turn to rain later today. It's been such an odd winter/spring month. But I've loved it. I wish I had taken more pictures, but sadly no. Hannah, Latecia, and Ashleigh have taken awesome ones though.

I have been knitting, and have 3 different shawls on my needles. And we had our second ladies craft night at the Calvary house. It is so much fun to have a nice group of ladies sitting around chatting, listening to music, and doing whatever, just being girls. I love it.

On the yarn front, one of my favorite online yarn shops is closing, and woolgirl was having some amazing sales. Can you say Janet spent her paycheck? And then Three Irish Girls went and decided to move her shop from Washington DC to Duluth, and had her very own sale. ugh and yay. I am now officially on a yarn diet. A very strict one. :-)

I guess that's all for now. I must go and see if I have another scrabble move to make... I have discovered scrabble on my I-Phone; and I'm addicted. I love scrabble! If you have an Iphone, go get the words with friends app and text me.. I'll play with you. :-)))))))))))))

January!

2010-01-09T23:26:00.003-09:00

January 2010.
I hate making resolutions, I never keep them. I read an interesting post about them written by Maggie Stiefvater, an author I really like. ( if you haven't read 'Linger', you should. And no, it's not about vampires. :-) Anyway, she said that the reason resolutions usually fail is because of the way we make them. They need to be specific, realistic and have a deadline. For instance, I want to scrapbook this year. The specifics: I will have Tim's done and in his hands by his birthday. Same for Erik. If I get more done, great. But I must do those two. I want to organize my house. Specifics: throw out some stuff. :-) Get rid of 1/4 of my collectible things. Oh, and stop buying more. Steve will like that one. Oh, and knit alot! Ha! See how that wasn't specific? I want to knit 3 pairs of socks this year. And make the Faraway so close shawl by April. I will finish Erik's scarf this month, and Lisa's by the end of February. Get the idea?

I really want this to be a better year... I blew it with the Lord in 2009; I'm so glad He loves me even when I mess up. He deserves so much more than I give Him. He is faithful, even when I am not.

It's going to be a better year healthwise..I am going to try and exercise. If my thyroid starts working again then I won't be so tired. Here's hoping! I want to bake different kinds of bread, not just wheat. Miriah came over today and we made some wheat bread. It was fabulous. Next week we want to make rye and some apple walnut bread. And maybe some cherry swirl. Yum.

And I'm still hoping for some grandkids. That would make my year. And to have Tim and Katie and Karla and David move to Juneau. Those are my big wishes.
Here's to all my wishes and resolutions coming true.

December 2009

2010-01-09T22:15:00.008-09:00

Yes, it's 2010. But I skipped December, so I'm going to backtrack a bit. :-)
Pop left the first week in December; I so enjoyed having him here. I got the house all decorated and the tree up in about 3 days. It all turned out beautiful, but I'm beginning to wonder if it's worth how tired it makes me. Although I've decided that 2010 is going to be a great year. I had my thyroid checked again, and found out it isn't working again. This time I am on actual thyroid medicine, so am confident it will all be better.
I made too many cookies, but somehow they all got eaten. I made Mom's peanut butter fudge, Dad I wish I had made it in time for you to get some. We all got some nice gifts, and I didn't spend too much money. Oh! I got a blu ray player from Ed, Larry and Kelly. I love it.
Happy Man. Erik put him on my car Christmas morning. He makes me smile. Erik also put him on our white board Christmas Eve. I love him. Erik and happy man. :-)

I am so glad that my boys still like to decorate the tree with me. And Adam has been here watching the past couple of years. Keep it up Adam!

I love that all these great kids still come to my house every year. I am so fortunate!
2 of my girls. Kelly was not feeling good poor thing.
I have decided that if I want a picture of Erik, I have to let him be as silly as he wants. :-)

I got Kelly a Twilight apron, and some other twilight goodies. We of course got teased about it. I love that someone else gets the twilight thing. And I love my Kelly.

Christmas Eve was so nice. We had friends and family, we had Ezra. He has to have the sweetest smile ever. And Sherrie came for a minute!

I always like to take pictures of how my house looked before I take it all down..David and I are always sad to see it go.

Yarn. Beautiful yarn. These came this week, but were ordered in August. Sharon from Three Irish Girls makes the most wonderful yarn. These were special one time only colorways, so I had to have them. Like I need an excuse to buy yarn!
These are from Woolgirl, pretty, aren't they?
And the last of Sharon's special yarn. It came yesterday. You should see it in person!
So that was December. January is here, and will be great. See you later!

Thanksgiving!

2009-11-26T00:03:00.005-09:00

It's midnight, and will soon be Thanksgiving for most people. We had ours tonight. It was so much fun. I baked 8 pies yesterday, and then got up and made a lemon meringue pie this morning. Dad and I were talking about the Thanksgiving dinners we had when Mom was alive, and I had to make her lemon pie. First one I've had in over 10 years. We ended up having 24 people over for dinner. We put my new big 9 foot table and our old one in the den, and Steve built some quickie benches. It was wonderful. I love having so many people over sharing food and laughter. Now however, I am really tired. Crazy I've eaten tons of dairy laden foods and have been cooking for two days tired. But happy. Really content and thankful to have so many wonderful friends and family. I miss my boy Tim and Katie though.
Anyway, a few pictures from tonight. I was going to make everyone get together for group pics, but seriously. Too many people and crazy tired. :-)))