Random Pictures

Doc stuck in the snow in our driveway

This is how Doc and Charlie play.

The moose outside our bathroom window.

We celebrated our favorite team on Super Bowl Sunday.  It was wear your favorite team clothing to church.

More of our Super Bowl Clothing

More of the stuck vehicle

More of the moose

More of our Super Bowl Sunday clothing.

Moose, Snow and a Night Out

I can't believe it has been two weeks since I last wrote. I will try to catch you up on what is happening in Alaska.

SNOW, SNOW and more SNOW.  We got about 6-8 inches of new snow this week. With snow comes warmer temperatures.  Yesterday and today we actually saw in the 30's.  I didn't even wear a coat yesterday or today.  I know that sounds crazy, but considering two weeks ago it was -51, we thought it was summer - well not exactly. With the snow also came the first adventure of being stuck.  Stuck in our own driveway and (I probably shouldn't write this, but) I was not the one to get stuck.  Richard had come home from work and was going back and forth on the drive to pack down the snow and found the edge of the driveway.  See pictures in my next post.  Someone saw him and stop to help.  He couldn't pull him out forward so he had to pull him out backwards.  Thank God for friendly Alaskan people. Richard made the comment this week that he is tired of white.  Sorry honey, I think it will be here a few months longer.

Two weeks ago today we finally saw a moose outside our house.  There was a mama and her baby.  It was pretty awesome to look out the window and see them both right outside the window.  I got brave and went out in the backyard.  That was amazing to stand there and see this huge moose only a few feet away simply staring at me.  Charlie got way too excited.  Pictures will follow.

We are now up to about 7 - 7.5 hours of sunlight.  It is starting to seem more like normal daytime.

We spent the Super Bowl with our Pastor's.  It was fun as always.  Nathaniel (our Pastor's youngest) was so excited all week that Doc was coming over and they were going to get to wrestle. 

My job continues to go well.  Although it would never of been my first choice for a job, I count it a blessing and believe there is a purpose for my being there.  I have a HUGE appreciation for all my special ed teacher friends.  I'm learning so much about the SpED system and working with learning disabilities.  I will say the highlight of my day is the last hour of school when I get to work with the high school kids.  This week we took the seventh graders to McDonald's one day - did I mention we walked (1/4 of a mile) with snow falling and the temperature was 4.  That was fun.   Then another day we went on an HOUR long walk - I was totally unprepared.  It was snowing heavily that day and the temperature was in the teens. We also attended the awards assembly for the History Day.  We had three students place.  I also got to see many of my friends from the high school.  This week is testing and then we will go on Friday to the UAF Museum to see a presentation on hibernation.  They try to take one field trip each week.

Last night we had our first couples night out.  We went to dinner and a movie with two couples from Richard's work.  It was so much fun to be with other people and get out of the house.  I believe we may make it a monthly occasion.

We purchased Richard's ticket to come to the optometry meeting in April.  I will be brave and stay home alone in Alaska for the first time.  Be prepared - I may be calling people to keep me from thinking about the fact that he is in Oklahoma and I am in Alaska.  I would say we have never been that far apart before, but I guess we were one other time - when Eric and I went to Hawaii. 

Well, that about sums up the last two weeks.  I can't believe we have been here over 7 months already.  It is going fast.  The Army has already renewed Richard's contract for another year, so we know we will at least be here another 18 months. 

I hope all of you have a blessed week and a Happy Valentine's Day.  Love and miss you all.

Sally

New Job and COLD Weather

The saying in Oklahoma was always, if you don't like the weather stick around and it will change - or something like that...well, the same can be said for Alaska.  We have gone from 30+ to a crisp -48 today.  We had about 4 inches of snow last week.  This weather is to say the least - CRAZY.  Charlie wasn't a big fan of going out to potty today.  He went out, did his business and just set down and would slowly pick up one foot and then the other.  He hasn't been out since. lol....

I started a new job this week.  The first day, I was exhausted. I am a Special Education Extended Resource Aide at Star of the North here in North Pole.  This is a charter school for 7-12 grades and there are only 100 students and about 12 staff members.  These are students who either coming from a small village school, needing a smaller learning atmosphere, have a small learning disability, or various other reasons for not attending the larger schools. I have eight seventh grade boys that I am an aide for - OH WHAT A CHALLENGE. I actually have one child who is autistic.  I am with one teacher for English and Social Studies and then a different teacher - who is from Ireland - for Science and Math.  After lunch I help 3 of the students with reading and last period of the day I go to the high school side and assist with study hall.  Rumor is that they may have me teach Job Readiness or some other business elective to the high school students during the last hour of the day.  After school for one hour I help with after school tutoring or homework.  I have a lot to learn, but so far it is going well. This was a cut in pay but it does include all of the regular teacher benefits.  Health, dental, vision, audiology, retirement....which is a very big help for us. Another benefit is that is only about 5 minutes from our house.

Things are still going well here, but as usual I miss being with friends and family - especially on the weekends.  There isn't much to do with the weather this cold and that is hard on this NOT a stay at home person. People here aren't really "going" people and we only see friends at work or if there is an activity at church.

This week was Lane's birthday and we missed that, even though he sent me a sweet video thank you for his Dallas Cowboy gift, still wish we could have been there to help celebrate.  He is having a Dallas Cowboy party tomorrow - wish we could be there.  Not sure if he has always been a Cowboy fan, or if Eric has swayed him that direction.

I would tell you how Myles is doing - but we never hear from him.  I guess no news is good news.  HINT....hopefully if he ever reads this, he will at least call or answer our calls.  LOL

Well I will not ramble for the sake of writing.  We are good and the adventure continues. 

Miss and love all of you..

Sally

The Moose Who Came To Church

Moose Pictures

Another Day Out Of School

Good Afternoon from balmy Alaska - well today it is 12 but yesterday it was 35 and by Friday it is supposed to be a low of -35.  I think Alaska weather changes as much as Oklahoma.

We are out of school today due to ICE.  I understand it took buses over 2 hours yesterday to get kids home from school and so school was canceled today.  I think it is a little funny because when I started work they informed me that they never cancel school and this is the second time this school year that school has been canceled.

Speaking of school, I interviewed yesterday at a small school for an aide position.  The school is called Star of the North Academy (like a Charter School).  There are only 100 students of which 31 are on IEP in grades 7-12.  The students are there by choice.  They are students who need a smaller class environment, have recently come out of special education, don't fit in the the larger schools, recently moved from the native schools (not correct terminology), and there are various other reasons.  The students in the high school side work independently.  The school has two sides - one for middle school and one for high school.  It is a little closer to home and has BENEFITS.  Of course I heard - you do know you are way over qualified - don't you.  DUH...I want to say then get the school district to hire me for a position I do qualify for. LOL. They are to make a decision by Friday.  Again, if it is to be it will happen, if not, back to the high school everyday.

We FINALLY saw a moose.  There were actually two of them in the church parking lot 2 weeks ago.  It was pretty amazing. Pictures will follow.

Charlie has - I think- finally adjusted to being back at home.  I did here Richard talking to him the other day and telling him (you would think he was a kid) that maybe he could have a play day at Holy Dog sometime.  LOL - you think he understood?

This past Sunday we had a guest speaker at church - someone else that I went to Evangel University with - Dr. Joe Castleberry - it is really a small world.

We got to SKYPE last night with Eric and Brandie - just wish the boys hadn't already been in bed.  Lane scored four goals at his soccer game last night - WOO HOO - wish I could have been there to see that.

There really isnt' much to write about here....it is rather slow this time of the year with all the snow and cold weather.  As I say that I think, Wednesday is kid's church and Doc has jazz rehearsal, Thursday is men's game night, Saturday I'm having breakfast with my Black Friday Shopping friend while our husbands are at men's Bible study and then Doc has music practice, Sunday is church and then the week starts all over again. 

Well our prayer is that each of you are doing well and being blessed already in 2013.  Miss you all.  See you in about 4 months.

Love ya...

Sally


PS having trouble posting the Moose pictures.  I will try in a seperate posting.

University of Alaska Museum Pics

Still the only moose we have seen

Christmas Pics.

Happy Birthday Jesus Cake A 29 year tradition