watch for icy roads

Here in the Last Frontier, school doesn't get canceled for snow, or bitter temperatures like you would think, oh no it gets canceled for temperatures that are too high.  Take today for example, above 30, it rained and rained and rained .   Some would say a heat wave . . . but most of us Alaska would say bad news because inevitably the temperatures do drop and everything turns into a crazy ice rink.  Cars sliding off the road.  Trucks jack knifing.  Buses filled with children gliding into street posts.  

And after a night of raining, raining, raining the temperatures dipped again around  6 AM  (well after the usual cut off for canceling school).  Luckily the boys walk to school, so unaware of the danger we sent them slipping and sliding their way to school.  It turns out that no class in the school had more than TEN students show up . . .the roads were that scary.  

We've already received the good news that school is canceled tomorrow.  I love surprise home days.  I'm banking on a good sleep-in, a day of games, snuggling, reading out loud, movies, and popcorn.    Heaven.  

Re: posting on two blogs at once

seeing if this works

Sitting here. . . it is 18 degrees. . .and had fun looking at these.  What a great summer.  

All those little pieces

Most days the clutter annoys me.  I wonder how I've failed to teach my children to pick up after themselves.  I count the trips I make upstairs to the lego bucket to put away a forgotten mini figure.  And I shake my head. .. a lot.  

So I was surprised today. . . 

I was in the entry way sweeping. . . and amidst the usually dirt and rubble I found. . . Stroke 1:  A Playmobil Ax.  Stroke 2:  A Playmobil Sword.  Stroke 3:  A Playmobil Battle Ax.  

I smiled.  Today I thought it was cute.  Today I thought of the little hands playing with those toys and the little imaginations that where creating new worlds and conquering foes.  Today I didn't mind the walk up the stairs and I cradled those little toys in my hand and thought about how much I love it when my kids play together, with their hands, and their minds, and all with all those small, sometimes annoying, little pieces. 

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trail

Tongiht was Pack Meeting. 6:45 PM, bedtime.

But I'm trying to be a good mom, so off we went, some in uniform, some
in pajamas, and some wishing for pajamas.

Me and six little boys amongst organized choas . . . several Bacons in
Heaven. . . while the rest of us. . . well, I'm trying to stay
optimistic, afterall, I've only got 10 straight years of cub scouting
left.

Sam received a handful, literally, a handful of belt loops. He loves
stuff and cub scouts is just up his ally. The easiest earned award. .
. the video game belt loop. Can you believe that is really an award?
LIke I said, little boy heaven.

C&T, in all their silliness, earned their Arrow of Light. Don't you
worry, I took my camera to capture the entire thing. Yup, took the
camera, but happened to forget the battery. Luckily my VT was there,
and I took her up on the 'ole "Is there anything I can do for you?"
offer. She came through like a champ snapping pictures of C&T all
painted and silly and in heaven.

Hard to believe that my baby boys are in Scouts. Big, Tan shirt
wearing, Merit Badge earning scouts.

Tonight as Hyrum said his prayers I overheard, "Please bless Tanner
and Christian that they got their faces painted." Only 10 more years.
. . 10 years of seeing my boys eyes light up with each award. . . only
10 more years of face painting, and kisses on my cheek. . . only 10
more years of seeing them giggle as they sing the silly songs or yell
the silly cheer. . . only 10 more years of my little boys loving being
little boys. Bring it on.

Duet

I love little moments like this. Of course the picture doesn't do the moment justice. . . you cannot hearing the other kids noisely playing in the background, the toys pretending to be the bombs, the lights switching on and off and amidst the chaos this cute moment. Tanner, who naturally is so tenderhearted and nurturing, adores Talmage. I think the admiration is mutual.

What Makes A Home

They say that loves makes a house a home. If that is the case, then we are over the top on the home title, especially with the addition of my recently received birthday present. In August, I called my Mom and asked, begged, pleaded with her to help me finish this star quilt that I had started and never finished. When I pulled out the star squares from my sewing bag I found a pair of training underpants, from when I was potty training HYRUM over 2 and a half years ago.

My mom came through like a champ, which if you ask Warner is the highest title of honor in our home. The wall hanging is perfect. I had originally planned on hanging it by the piano but wanted to be able to see be able to see if from the kitchen. It is such a symbol of cheer and love.