Kowabunga

We bought snowboard sleds on a Christmas Eve whim last year. They quickly became one of our boys favorit things. They do a great job down steep hills and can even take jumps.

The Magical Word

Mudge isn't one for words . . . but we finally got him to "talk"

Christmas Bells are Ringing

Tonight was the Ravenwood Elementary Christmas Concert. It started out with the Hand Chimes Choir. They played A Little Bit of Bach [which Tanner pronounces Batch]. They did a phenomenal job.

Tanner, Grant, Christian, and Harry
The boys and their best friends. Harry played the bass guitar for one of the choral pieces.

Grant is a cool kid. He's military and just moved to AK this year. You can't tell from the picture but he has a mohawk. He is in Mrs. Campbell's class with C&T, does choir, hand chimes, and active kids club with them.

My three little singers. Oh how I loved listening to them sing. Mr. Lum has the choir singing two part and three part songs. It is amazing to me and I'm sure I'm the classic proud parent beaming from ear to ear.

Seriously?

Seriously, what kind of mother forgets one of her kids on the family Christmas Card. Lucky for me Warner can't read.

O. . . the frailties of man

Bacon Family Health Update:

Eric-Mastering GF Cooking.  Wednesdays, while I volunteer at the school, he stays home with the little ones an makes bread, tortillas, pizza, breadsticks, and cookies.  His patience has paid off and his food is delicious.    I am so glad that he's taken the initiative to learn how to make so many essentials.

Mudge-Still anemic & smart enough to recognize his iron supplement no matter how hard I try to hide it. . . but really, how much can you hide liquid nails??  One of the biggest challenges is that he has to take it in something acidic and the other boys are suffering from severe juice envy.

Me-Went in for a Lasik Exam, only to be told that my corneas are too thin and I'm probably suffering from Keratoconus.  [(Ker-a-to-co-nus)Keratoconus, often abbreviated to "KC", is a non-inflammatory eye condition in which the normally round dome-shaped cornea progressively thins causing a cone-like bulge to develop. This results in significant visual impairment.] No Cure.  Surgery not an option.  Glasses not an option.  Soft contacts not an option.  What does that leave?  Special Fitting Gas permeable contacts.  Ugh.  I grew up in a house of Gas permeables. . . expensive little things that quickly turned into your worst nightmare in a wind storm.  (Luckily we don't really have wind in Alaska.)  I cried.  Just sad for myself, and mostly shocked.  Eric was speechless.  That is probably the fourth time he's seen me cry--EVER.  A minute later I was done feeling sorry for myself. .. . I've got friends with cancer and friends who can't have kids and friends who husbands love pornography more than them . . .  seems silly to be sad about bad eyes.  Someday I hope to pop my contact out, slobber all over it, and pop it back in with as finesse as my Mom!!  Here's to gas permeables

Green

I love Green.  It is my favorite color to wear.  Not the deep somber greens, but the light and playful shades.  Green is the best. .. except for when it is paired with that ugly envy word.  Unfortunately I've been green inside and out lately.  I've been consumed by the envy monster, which I'm convinced is the nastiest shade of green out there.   Sure I've wanted things before. . . but never like this.  And the hardest part, I'm reminded of it EVERYDAY!!!  Sometimes four or five times a day.  I sit in my living room and STARE at it.  I dream about it.  I say I don't have time for hobbies, but this envying thing has squeezed itself into a full-time hobby.  

What is so tempting?  So consuming.  Four walls, a door, a garage, some carpet, and a heater.  Just a house.  A little silly man made house.  

Our next door neighbors are selling my. . . oh, i mean their house.  Funny things is. . . it is a cheaper, smaller, older house.  And yet, I want it. . . real bad.  And even though my brain tells me it isn't going to happen. . . my heart just yearns.  This is the very same house we wanted four years ago.  The same house that went under contract the very day we got up here for our house hunting the trip.  The same house with a BASEMENT family room, a game room, 600 Sq ft. of walk-in storage.   I'd even give up my kitchen for this house. . . and that is saying A LOT because I LOVE my kitchen.  

Funny how one moment you are perfectly content and the next moment you're green.  

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.

Busy

At the beginning of the school year the sign-ups for extra curricular activities started making their way home. I love our kid's elementary school, they provide so many wonderful opportunities (especially an amazing music teacher, Mr. Lum, who not only offers the choir and hand chimes programs, but is currently teaching Sam how to play the recorder and C&T how to play the Ukulele as part of their regular music curriculum; Mrs King who volunteers after school to teach the kids how to play the drums, the bagpipe, and Drum Majors which encourage all of our kids to get in touch with their Scottish roots; and Mrs. Neilson who does a fabulous job with Active Kids Club, a free after school athletic program that includes soccer, ice skating, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, basketball, badminton, and obstacle courses. We are so blessed!!) The Bacon Boys were eager to be involved this year and the family calendar filled up fast. This is our weekly activity agenda (AM/PM indicate whether activities are held before or after school).

Monday: Choir Practice PM (C, T, & S), FHE

Tuesday: Hand Chimes AM (C & T), Sam Pipes and Drums PM (he plays the snare drum), Active Kids Club PM (C, T, & Hy), Basketball Practice (C, T, & S)

Wednesday: Choir Practice AM (C,T,& S), Cub Scouts

Thursday: Drum Majors PM (C & T), Active Kids Club PM(Sam)

Friday: Hand Chimes AM (C & T)

Saturday: Basketball Games (C, T, & S)

Wee Little Warner

(Warner and cousin Jacob celebrating their birthdays together!)

Warner turned three last Saturday . . .
and on Monday the potty training began.

It took all of 24 hours for him to have it down pat, and he's been dry day and night ever since.

Granted, it wasn't as easy as it sounds, but almost. I did do something that I swore I would never do. I hydrated the kid and let him sit on the potty at watch PBSkids. That along with the persuassion of Starbursts were the magical factors of our potty training success.

Friends.

Sam's best friend in Flagstaff was Jason. They were two peas in a pod. Both tall, stubborn, funny, and playful. The night before we moved the Hansen's tracked us down at the Rockow's and stumbled out of the car. Jason presented Sam with his cape. . . the same cape that we had seen Jason wearing everyday, the same cape that Jeanna had made for him a couple years before, the same cape that was part of so many of their adventures fighting bad guys together and exploring the neighborhood. It was such a thoughtful gift from him.

I have loved seeing Sam, then Hyrum, and now Warner all wearing that memory of Friendship.

So? Sough? Sew?

Do you know those piles in your house that multiply? Mine is under my laundry room sink. Piled from bottom to top and attempting to burst out the cabinet doors are jeans, jeans, jeans, and more jeans. Jeans with little holes, jean with big holes, jean with tears and jeans with rips. We almost get excited for winter around here because that means the end of recess football. . . boy do those grass stained jeans make their way into the pile fast.
Last summer my mom tackled that crazy pile of jeans. She sewed and sewed and patched and patched some more. And standing beside her the entire time was Sam, flipping the reverse lever on command. He loved it, and at that moment he acquired a great appreciation for the art of sewing. The second he hears the motor humming he is by my side. Last week he sewed a little carry case for his drum sticks. The other day he begged to sew some more and I showed him that you can write your name. I'm thinking I need to cut it with the frilly things like carry cases and name writing and march right on over to that laundry room sink. . . there is plenty for him to work on in there!

Goodbye Summer

You know that summer is over when:
Backpacks and Homework swap places with the balls, and bikes, and scooters that usually clutter the garage.
The Pop Up Trailer no longer claims half of the garage.
The sleeping bags have all been washed and put in the emergency supply cupboard.
One of the front porch chairs is now the piano teacher chair.
It snows on September 26th. We looked out the window before heading to church to see big flakes falling from the sky.

Jamboree 3

Mudge was a trooper. He's cutting his 1st molar right now and frankly didn't want to be cheering his brothers on tonight. He even refused the victory ice cream splurge after the race. . . now that's sick.

Don't let the smiles fool you. Like Sam, he was bawling his eyeballs out when it was his turn to line up for the race. He even had his best friend standing next to him. Nope. He wouldn't budge. Complete and utter hysteria. The primary program is in two weeks. . . fifty dollars says he doesn't even make it to the stand.

Beach lake Jamboree 2

The Jamboree is organized chaos. Masses and masses of people. Amazing parents whooping and hollering for their kids. And kids just giving it there all. At one point I was standing at the finish line waiting for C&T. There was a mom their with her camera poised and ready to shoot. "Good for her," I thought, "Way to be optimistic about your kid being fast." I however was being realistic and had yet to pull my camera out of my back pocket when my friend Megan exclaimed, "There's Christian." And there he was, huffing and puffing and pushing for all he was worth. He's got my competitive spirit and always plays to win. #20. Out of 200 boys he was #20. Top 10%. . . and without a day of practice. . . Uncle Greg it looks like you've got a partner for your next Marathon.

Tanner came is 48. And in Tanner fashion, he was just fine with that. I hope to get the pictures from my friends with Christian running in his short sleeves and Tanner with a hat, a COAT, AND GLOVES.

Beach Lake Jamboree

Sam in a blur of motion with his two best friends just steps behind him.

Gavin, Sam, and Asher.
These three are the goofiest, craziest, lego loving, all boy bunch around.

Corbin, Gavin, Sam, Asher, Hyrum.

Their true character.

Just Enough

The other day I was sharing a story with the Primary kids at church.

I retold the story that my Great-Great Grandmother, Sarah Davis Hawkins, recorded in a letter, "When we left Utah to go to Arizona, we took only enough food to last two months, but one of the horsed died and we were delayed and our bread stuff gave out. When it came to the last batch of flour, I told your Grandpa, "There is only enough for one more batch of bread," but it was like that for two weeks. There was always enough in the sack for another batch til we got to Woodruff, a little after Christmas [1880]."

When Eric called and told me that we had been offered the teaching position in Alaska I knew immediately that we were to go. It simply felt right. Alaska was where God wanted us to live, to raise our boys, to learn and grow as a family. But once we arrived we were inundated with little bills like turning on the water, setting up a phone line, getting power, etc. Then we had to license our cars, and get driver's licenses, and were completely shocked when the tiniest cart of groceries came out to be over $150. Everything as it turned out in Alaska is bigger . . . the price for fuel, utilities, even diapers. The constant sticker shock went on for SEVERAL months. I panicked and started crunching numbers. . . and the numbers told me that there was no way we were going to make it.

I logged onto our bank. Though the numbers were low, they were significantly better (like on the positive side) than my personal calculations. I checked. I double checked. I double double checked. It was then that I got the distinct impression, "I am giving you just enough. Enough for this month and little left over for the next."

I put the check book aside for several months and let the Lord take over the ledger. I wasn't surprised when I looked back later to see that we had had JUST ENOUGH.