Sad to leave Minnesota!

It was amazing week in MN. I started out staying with my first roommate in college and best friend, Betty Yang. She is an amazing woman who loves God so much and asks me hard questions to grow in my faith. I was excited to meet her fiance, Kyle who makes me laugh so hard! He had neat pets for me to hold and pet: snake, Australian dogs, and geez can't think of the name....you'll know it when you see it. Betty of course make me work hard in her Pilates class and Body Works class that I was sore for a very long time, then she said a walk will help with my soreness, but she forgot to tell me it was a 4 mile walk. We also had fun shopping a Victoria Secret's. I think we did more laughing than buying! Eating out was the the most fun! I really enjoyed my conversations with Betty that challenge, help me to understand Bible Verses. We ate out with $5 appetizers with Kyle, Tyler (Kyle's roommate), my High School friend Missy. It was equally fun getting appetizers with Missy. I love her questions and her sarcastic jokes!

After visiting with Betty, we met with Johanna and her family. I finally got to meet Gabe. He sure is a cutie! We met at Big Bowel and then had to say goodbye to Betty. I was trying so hard not to cry, but all of a sudden the tears were flowing! It was great to play with Gabe, watch him drink from a glass, and take lots of photos of him. I was blessed to see one of my other college friends Sunday afternoon while I was there who I have not seen in 7 years. I also met her family: Greg and little girl, Audra! Wow, what a smartie! Johanna and I took Gabe to a zoo and that was great! Gabe was incredibly tired but was a good sport when I kept taking him out and then putting him back in the stroller. The animals were so awesome! I felt like a little kid at a zoo, geting all spazed out. We had a fun breakfast at Perkins, after we went to the doctor's for a check up for Gabe. He did a incredible job getting a poke! No tears!

After coming back, I realized how much I miss my Christian friends. I praise God for their friendship and makes me want to live closer to them.

Dad's Birthday!

My dad celebrated his (I don't know) birthday! I'm sure he won't mind that I forgot. I made a scrapbook for him of his 50th surprise birthday party about 6 years ago. Darn it, I remembered! I believe he turned 56. My goal was accomplished! I made him cry. Our neighbor girl also made my dad get tears to his eyes. Nora brought over a card with a fish and a boat with people fishing in it that said, "Happy Birthday Glen!" If you don't already know, my dad loves to go fishing!

Other fun times so far:

I had a great time with my grandparents who visited last weekend. We went garage saleing, out to eat, and shopping while the guys went boating. I look forward to spending more time with them traveling to Door County in their RV.

I've been enjoying eating out at Buffalo Wild Wings, Red Robin, and African restaurant. The fresh fruit and vegs are always a treat.

Loving the coffee shop with internet!

I'm leaving on Monday to go to MN to visit Betty and Johanna, and baby Gabe. I'm going through baby withdrawls! I miss them so much!

Babysitting tomorrow for Nora and Henry, can't wait!

Enjoying walks with Berry and Dad!

My kind of young man!

This is the neighbor boy, I've been waiting to meet a long time! He's my kind of young man who loves trees and being outside. I can't wait to babysit him and his smart, adorable older sister, Nora. It was fun playing hide and seek with Henry behind the trees, play with him in the yard and on the slide. I miss kids who are toddler age. His smile just brings so much joy to my heart!

Bath Time!

Jess gave free baths at her Vet to Belle and Berry. Belle is my parent's chocolate lab. She is so wiggly and cute! Berry looks real cute, but she really is a bully deep down. She attached Belle a few times already because of a ball and just to be a brat. They are slowly getting along! They played with a tug toy this morning. If Belle hears Berry "play" growl just once, she stops playing. So hopefully they will play together soon.

Berry loved the car ride, while Belle sat on my lap the whole way there and then on the way back Berry took her turn. It's been fun to spend more time with Berry and play with Belle. I definately miss having Berry just run free. Walking her on her leash, just doesn't give her the exercise she needs. Berry is loving sitting outside on her rope for long periods of time.

More Fun In Galena

Here is one of my favorite photos of David. Kiva and him are so cute together! We took Kiva and Berry for a walk and it was so funny. Berry would not have anything to do with Kiva because she's still a puppy who is hyper. Hmmm....made me thankful for how much Berry has matured. Once they got outside Berry wanted to Kiva to chase her so she ran and ran and ran. David was so proud of Kiva for going into the water. Berry was a good teacher! Then Berry came over to Dave's and Kiva and her were a little unsure of each other, but then started to race around and play hard. For some reason, they started a little fight. I'm very sure Berry is the one who started it because Kiva is just to sweet to do something like that. Until later, I got to get ready for my flight to Nome.

Summer Vacation in Galena

Here are some more pics from Galena. Geez it's hard to keep up with blogging and facebooking! Romay thinks she can beat me up, but I know she can't and that I'm more buff than she is. Berry is trying to protect me from Romay tickling me. Thank goodness I have a good guard dog.

Here is a picture of my closest Christian friends, Myra. Her and her husband have been such great dating mentors! Oh boy, do I need mentoring! Myra made delicious pizza for her fam, me and David! It was fun to visit the place they might buy. It was so great to visit with Jason and Myra and talk about fun Koyuk memories, listening to Jason make Berry, Kemper, and Kiva voices and conversations. What a great sense of humor!

Here is another picture of Dave and I by the Yukon. We went out with his fam, Jason, Myra, and Romay. I am amazed at God's beauty! I felt so blessed to be with amazing people and amongst God's creation. We saw cranes, ducks, and listened again to Jason's voices of the dogs. The younger girls could not stop laughing. Also it was neat to watch David laugh about Tundra Comics. Hmm....a good gift idea.

I'm so thankful that David and I finally got a chance to hang out in person besides skype, facebook, and phone. It definately is hard to go back to long distance. Hopefully another visit to Galena in July or August while I have the time off.

End of the School Year

It's been a while! Here are pictures of the last day of school. We had a picnic outside and then the kids got to go home and the teachers could work. Real Cheap, as the kids would say. It has been such a joy to reflect on where the kids were at the beginning of the year and where they are now. THey have gotten independent, smarter, and learned to read, write, use I messages when they are upset with someone. I started missing my kids even before school was out! May God keep them safe.

Here is an ulu I purchased from the school. Many high school students and junior high students worked with the bicultural teacher to make them. The bowl was an experiment, but I love it. I still don't know what to put inside it. It is made from Alder.

The last two weeks of school were exhausting, but it was also exciting because that meant I was that much closer to see David, Jason, and Myra.