Giveaway!

This last week I have been itching to craft! I've been browsing through blogs left and right making lists of projects I'd like to do. I've started thinking about Christmas and what I'd like to make for the boys and family. I cam across this awesome blog and found this I-Spy fabric swap....I was sad to find I had missed out. She does have this awesome giveaway though and I'd love to win it.

Playgroup

Today, Cameron and Joshua and I were able to go to playgroup. If you know me you know how hard this was for me. I hate making new friends, I hate meeting new people. After we got home I was talking with my sister-in-law telling how well it went and how much fun Cameron had and how it was nice to be out with other women instead of stuck in the house...I mentioned how I laid in bed this morning trying to talk myself out of going....seriously! I really did lay there for well over 30 minutes trying to talk myself out of going to playgroup.

I don't know what it is about meeting new people. All of the ladies at play group are very nice, they all have young kids and they all go to church with me. It wasn't so much as meeting THEM...it is meeting new people in general....I think it brings out all of my insecurities. I'm really quiet until I get to know you. I am self conscious about my weight. Cole and I are still trying to get established here...it sounds crazy to ME when I'm asked why we moved and what kind of a job my husband has....we moved 3,000 miles so he could install security systems? Seriously!

Anyhow, playgroup went great....Cameron loved playing with the other boy his age there. It makes me so sad every day when he plays alone...in Oregon he had cousins to play with everyday! So it was good to see him take to this other boy and run through the backyard. I had fun chatting with the other moms....I didn't say much but that will come with time! Cameron is already looking forward to going back next week. J also enjoyed himself....he discovered grass and played with a baby doll.

Making friends takes time...I know, but I only have a couple more months before the state of Alaska is dark....I need friends by then!

Me

My days go something like this:

• Wake with the kids but try to doze while they play in our bedroom.
• Get the kids breakfast....sometimes it's toast and eggs, most of the time it's cereal (cold for Cameron and hot for Joshua)
• Get me and the boys dressed.
• Run to the store or library or something just to get out of the house before Cole leaves for work.
• Around noon Cole leaves....the boys have lunch.
• Joshua naps...hopefully this is his second nap...some days it's only his first!
• Cameron reads, colors or plays...I read, clean or catch up on our recorded shows.
• Boys have a snack.
• I start dinner.
• We eat without Cole most of the time!
• Cole arrives home between 6pm and 10pm most days. He comes in and spends some time with the kids before they head to bed.

So as you can see my day is that of a stay at home mom. I realize I should feel fulfilled at the end of the days ...as if I've spent my day doing good...most days I do feel that I believe that the work of a mom is 1. never ending 2. the most important job I will ever do...Some days though it isn't as rewarding as you'd think. Some days all I do is argue with my four year old and change the babies poopy diapers...those days I wonder why I signed up for this job. Don't get me wrong I love my kiddos....some days I just need more me!

So, I have decided to turn our family blog into my personal escape....I will continue to post updates about my wonderful little family....but I will also post recipes, crafts and general to-dos! I will also post about myself and my feelings. For now.

We are all doing pretty good. I still believe Cole has adjust the best to this move. Cameron is coming around! I have my moments. For now, we are good. I tell myself that at least 50 times a day....it's become my mantra...we're good. I'm good. It's good!

Alaska Zoo

On Saturday, June 11th we drove into Anchorage for a fun-filled afternoon at the Zoo. It was a beautiful day...a little over cast and chilly but there was absolutely no rain! We explored the Zoo...it's been years since any of us adults had been and Cameron sure enjoyed his first trip to the Zoo.

My sit-and-stand stroller was such a blessing this day...it has been a blessing since I got it! Any how, We walked quiet a bit and it was nice for Cameron to be able to ride in the stroller as well.

Joshua loves the stroller and would ride for hours! He seemed to enjoy being outside...I'd like to think he enjoyed the animals but that might be stretching it!

The Grizzly Bears were playing while we were there....I love this picture!

Cole has been telling Cameron about the Mountain Goat since we arrived in Alaska...He has fond memories of watching them climb the rocky mountain on the drive from Anchorage to Homer. When we took our trip a few weeks ago to Homer he had Cameron on the edge of his seat trying to spot some...we didn't see any but we did get to see them at the Zoo

The wolves were so cool....they had them in separate kennels when we first arrived at this particular exhibit....the zoo keeper was out in their pin setting up food in odd places for them to hunt...we watched them hunt and it was probably my favorite exhibit!

This is a Grizzly cub....

Bald Eagle

Musk Ox

Polar Bears...we visited this exhibit twice....It was Camerons favorite exhibit. We were hoping that on the second visit we would catch them swimming. no such luck... they must have been tired that day!

Sea Otter

Seals

Moose! This was my first time seeing a Moose since we have been in Alaska this time! The following day while driving to Hatchers Pass we passed a moose on the side of the road....and then while driving Emily to the Airport we spotted another Moose on the side of the road...as well as a black bear cub!

I wasn't super impressed with the Alaska Zoo but it was definitely worth the money. We had a great family day and Emily seemed to enjoy interacting with Cameron over the different animals!

Aunt Emily Visits!

After a long 6 weeks my family or a piece of it had finally arrived (had, because I am writing this after she has left!). We had so much fun catching up and exploring our beautiful town with her. Cameron loved having someone new to play with as mommy and daddy get kinda boring sometimes! Joshua had an extra set of hands to hold and arms to carry him, he too was in heaven!

I almost had my sweet sister convinced to stay with us for the summer! She promised she'd be back in December...YES, she's crazy but if she's going to consider University of Alaska at Anchorage as a Med school she has to experience Alaska in the WINTER!

Cameron loves his Aunts and this week Aunt Emily was his favorite!

We had so much fun! I have a few posts planned with our outings and lots of Alaska pictures! Thanks Emily for keeping me company for being a wonderful sister and for being a marvelous Aunt! We love you and miss you more than you know!

Palmer Hay Flats

While Emily was here we ventured down to our favorite evening spot...Palmer Hay Flats. The flats are so beautiful. The very first time Cole and I explored the flats I couldn't believe something so wonderful was just minutes from my home. We promised we'd be back and sure enough we've been back time and time again.While with Emily we took dinner and sat while listening to the birds. Cameron wanted to fish so bad....

Joshua enjoyed eating rocks....and then telling us all about it!

We also walked down by Lake Lucille...Emily had to get a picture of Sarah Palins house.

We are so blessed to live in such a beautiful area. I look around sometimes and ask myself what I have done to deserve to live here.

So much more!

WOW! It's been awhile. So much has happened since the 1st of January. Let's go through the family....

Joshua~ Has started crawling, he has his two front bottom teeth. He loves to eat anything and everything. He's still not a super sleeper and he's still been sick off and on....it seems like he is just more susceptible to lung infections...so much so that our great Doc suggested that we have him tested for Cystic Fibrosis. We did the test he is healthy as can be and does not have Cystic Fibrosis. There is still no explanation for his infections....maybe this will just be his/our challenge! He is such a joy....I love waking to his smile every morning. He has started playing games with us...he likes to play peek-a-boo and he likes to pretend he's going to sleep and then he pops up. So cute. He is walking along furniture and is getting more brave every day. He loves to be outside...the stroller is his best friend.

Cameron~Is my big helper. He loves his brother...almost too much sometimes. He learns something new everyday and reminds me so much of Cole...it's scary! He is such a trooper and tries his hardest most of the time. He can count from 0-15, can recite his abc's and can spell park. He knows his shapes...his colors and know which are primary colors and which ones to mix to get the other basic colors. He's taken a liking to learning to write his letters (kinda thought it would never happen). He loves to sit with Cole and watch science and history shows...it's amazing what this kid picks up. He is my first pride and joy...and makes me laugh all day long!

Cole~ Took a new job...in Alaska! We were separated by miles for just over 6 weeks. He is loving his new job...he is in such a great place mentally and emotionally. He loves living in Alaska and says he's glad we've finally joined him. He traveled the Al-Can with his dad at the end of March...it was quite the adventure but gave them the father-son time they hadn't had for a while and it sure sounds as if they enjoyed each others company.

I am holding up. This move has been hard on me. From the moment Cole took this job he's either been traveling or gone...so I had to pack and clean and move and get rid of everything on my own. It was emotionally exhausting....but I made it through. The boys and I were able to stay with family while Cole got established in Alaska....and we missed him terribly. We have been reunited for a little over 4 weeks now. It was bitter-sweet coming to daddy. We, of course, left all of our family and friends behind but we are making due.

Since we have been in the beautiful state we have had the opportunity to travel a little bit and really focus in on what is important. we have been living with the bare necessities for a few weeks now....it's pretty humbling! Thanks to Cole's grandparents we now have a real mattress to sleep on and a card table that is making due as a dining room table. Family is everything and we are really trying to rely on each other. Like I said before...Cameron is such a trooper...I believe this move has been the hardest on him.

Looking ahead, Cole's sister Shannon is pulling into town is just a few hours to spend the weekend with us. My little sis Emily will be here in two weeks to visit for a week and then at the end of July we get to see Mandi and her fam, another sister of Cole's! Looking forward to the wonderful long days and the warm sunshine!