Christmas

 Well, that was a Christmas never to be forgotten! 

We lost power on Friday morning and it didn't come back on until Monday night!

It was a good test to see how prepared we actually were and I am pleased to say that we were more prepared that I thought. 

Because we have the wood stove that also has an oven in it, we were able to still prepare all of our food for those days. 

We made all of our Christmas dinner on it and in it. We had two kinds of lasagna and they were cooked perfectly. 

We also had some garlic bread. 

Over the course of the three days, we made brownies, bread, and chicken wings. 

It was nice to see we had that under control. 

We did notice quickly the places that we had holes. 

First of all was water supply. 

Without power, we have no water.

However, this summer we bought a hand pump for the well, it just didn't get installed.

So we will be doing that as soon as the snow melts. 

The other thing was that we bought a generator, but it also didn't get hooked up to the house.

That will be happening as well. 

The last thing that actually was a problem was that a windstorm came through Alaska, just like last year, and it caused major drifts everywhere. 

Our driveway actually disappeared and our plow guys plow broke. 

The Hobbs were able to dig us out but it took 5 hours for them to do it. 

I am so grateful for that. 

Because of their service to us, our kids were able to come and have Christmas with us. 

It was craziness, but it is a Christmas we will never forget! 

Seminary

 

I had this moment today. 

It was our last day of seminary and we ate food and played games and just hung out together. 

And in the moment, I realized how much I love these kids, but also how much they are my safe place.

This last year has been incredibly hard in real ways and being with them has felt like an escape from the hard. 

I'm so grateful for them and so grateful that God gave me them. 

 

Dumped on Again!

 

To say that we have gotten a bit of snow might be the biggest understatement of the year. 

We have gotten more snow this year so far than any year we have lived in Alaska. 

Our poor plow guy has spent hours on our driveway digging us out!

In the picture above I am standing up.

It is above my waist. 

In some places it is to my chest as in this picture:

 

Road Block

 

This picture is very blurry because they were running really fast trying to avoid being run over. 

But it was this moment when I just laughed tonight. 

You never know what to expect living out in farm country. 

Tonight it was seven buffalo on the road. 

I love the peace and quiet that our lifestyle affords me. 

It is actually healing, even if I have to share the road with buffalo and sometimes goats. 

Snowpocalypse

 

It is only half way through December and we have already broken records of snowfall.

I think maybe it's going to be a very snowy season.

And already my thoughts are of Hawaii and Arizona. 

Yikes! 

We've had Afton and Emry since Saturday because we couldn't get them home last night. 

There are several feet of snow on the back porch. 

We are currently waiting for sunrise, even though it's almost 9 am, to go out and see if the chickens got buried alive. 

I have phoned the plow guy but I don't know when he will be able to get here. 

It's a situation. 

But we are making the best of it. 

Matt made Beef stew and blueberry buckle yesterday and I made bread.

That was a good hearty meal for a snowy day.

This morning I have shoveled so the dogs can get out.

We're going to bake cookies and pray that the plow comes soon so we can get these boys home. 

I have work that needs to be done today and it's impossible to get anything done with them around. 

 

The Messiah

 

Many years ago, Sam and I sang together in the Messiah. 

This year we decided to do it again. 

There were months of practices and we learned the music.

We got to spend some time together which doesn't happen a lot now a days.

The day of performance was yesterday and her little, Emery had been sick the entire night before.

So she didn't get to make it.

I was sad for her and I know she was sad as well.

But there is one more performance and I am going to forego it so she can go while I watch her kids. 

I'm grateful for family. 

I have a really good. 

I missed performing with her but it was a great experience.

Also, do you like that old lady neck I am acquiring? 

Menopause is kicking my butt! 

 

 

The Quiet Life

 

This life Matt and I are living is so different than what it has been our entire marriage.

We really only have Corban at home. 

Makenna sleeps here sometimes. 

She will be gone in a month and he will be gone in about 6 months. 

We go to work and then come home and have a little time together watching a show and then we rinse and repeat. 

We both love what we are doing in our lives, it's just not a lot of adventure or things to share anymore. 

Tonight the young men came out for a fireside bonfire.

After they left Matt and I went out and enjoyed the rest of the fire. 

The sky was clear and the stars were brilliant.

I just took it all in.

It was one of those moments when peace permeates my soul. 

I found myself so grateful for this life we have and this property we get to live on. 

The world is in commotion and I am constantly in a state of preparing with urgency but not anxiety. 

This summer is going to be filled with growing as much food as we can. 

But for now, tucked in our warm house while the snow piles up, I am grateful for the calm. 

 

12 Degrees

 

There is this moment where I have been home from work for some kind of break for about a day, when the boredom sets in. 

It actually didn't even take a day this time. 

Yesterday I did dishes, laundry, cleaned the table off, did yoga, watched a movie and did genealogy work for a few hours and then didn't know what else to do. 

Today I did more genealogy work,switched out laundry, am blogging (currently), cleaned off my printer, scanned documents and uploaded them, started to decorate the tree but Moroni is too tall so I abandoned that, and then decided that I should go take a walk.

It is gorgeous outside, but really cold. 

Although, if you stand facing the sun you don't get cold on the front of your body. 

Anyway, it was beautiful out and I stayed out for about 20 minutes and listened to the crunch of the snow under my feet and then stood still and listened to the quiet world. 

It's so quiet out here. 

 

Hale Thanksgiving

 

For some reason, I did not get a picture of all of us at the table eating this year. 

But I did get a picture of me with four of our five grands. 

We had such a good day eating together and playing games. 

I love this cute family of mine and I am so grateful for the times that we still get to spend together. 

This year I am most grateful for living prophets.

We live in crazy times but it is comforting and brings me peace to know that God has prophets that can see around the corners. 

 

Me and Makenna

 

Makenna had gotten ready for church and put on a dress that I have the same one of. 

When I came down in a different dress she mentioned that I shoul dgo change so we could match.

She is almost 20 years and she wants to match her mom!

I think that might be a win :)

We went to Vintage Market together to do some shopping. 

We had to have Sweetie Pies and Soda Jerk. 

We also had some really good biscuits and gravy. 

I love this girl of mine. 

I am going to miss her when she heads down to Arizona in a little over a month now. 

But I am so excited for her and the adventures that lie ahead. 

 

All Dried In

 

I am ridiculously excited about this!

I have no idea what it will be used for when Matt's aunt Margie is not visiting, but I am so excited that it is finally dried in. 

We need to get a door and two windows, but there are two other windows to cut out that will have to wait until spring. 

The view is the most incredible of the lake. 

I look forward to summer when it will be all green again. 

Right now it's not bad either.

Sam and the boys checked it out with me. 

 

Hayes Thanksgiving

 

We were missing quite a few family members tonight because of sickness, but it was so good to be together with those who could come. 

And as a bonus, Shawna and Joaquin came from Arizona! 

We all ate WAY too much food and just enjoyed each other tonight. 

I am so grateful this season for family and those relationships. 

It's kind of awesome to be part of this family!