Whew...been ONE CRAZY summer! Loads of fun, and as always, too short. I can hardly believe the kids go back to school in two weeks. On the agenda for today: school clothes shopping. Don't think I can pull off the Lee Dungerees for Gavin anymore.....sigh. 6th grade is an impressionable time and sadly, Walmart doesn't offer the "everything will be alright because I have $200 jeans" brand clothing. Not that I subscribe to that nonsense, BUT, it is time for a slight upgrade. So, off we go to the slightly used brand name clothing store that I LOVE - Once Upon A Child! It's awesome - we can have our cake and eat it too! $200 jeans at Walmart prices. OK, well, maybe not $200 jeans - but definitely "everything will be alright" jeans. Once we get Gabe's mohawk under control I think we'll be set. I keep hearing the It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas song in my head....fun little jingle...."and mom and dad can hardly wait for school to start again... La la lalala la la la la la-la."

America's Messiest House - I win!

Been a WHIIIIILLLLE since I last posted. Let's see - quick update:

Gavin doing AWESOME in school and looking forward to starting middle school at Colony Middle School next year EEEEKK! Just about done with the hockey season (can I get an AMEN!). State tournament is next weekend. Praise God. We made it. He's still playing trumpet and sounds awesome. Definitely has the gift of music. I'm glad he stuck with it because next year at the middle school will be a totally different experience. He'll love it.

Gabe also doing an excellent job in school. No worries there. He is our resident video game extraordinaire. This kid amazes me with his ability to figure out any and all things electronic. The kids' school is closing next year (sigh), so we've been researching our options. Gabe's only request is that his new school have a computer lab! HA! He also desperately wants to be a ninja, so karate lessons are on his summer agenda - along with swimming. It's time. He REALLY needs to learn how to swim.

Jared and I are forging ahead – both been battling various health ailments. Jared is getting over the flu. It was a nasty one too. Uck! Turned into bronchitis on him so we’re about two weeks into it and he’s just now finally getting over the fever. Seriously considering the flu shot for us both next year! No fun.

I was finally diagnosed with secondary adrenal insufficiency last month. As most of you know, this has been YEARS in the making. In a nut shell, my pituitary gland does not produce enough ACTH – the hormone responsible for adrenal gland function. This means that I don’t have enough cortisol – and, as such, have difficulty maintaining normal daily function at times. Seriously, I think my house would be strong competitor on one of the reality t.v. shows – America’s Messiest House or whatever it’s called. I forget what my kitchen counters look like. I am told that because I was low cortisol for so long, it will take a bit to recover. But once I get through it, I will be able to manage it and live a normal life. Very frustrating for the time being though. I was feeling better last Sunday, so I decided to go for a little walk (20 minutes was all!). That one little walk completely crushed me and I’ve been Sedentary Sloth since – in bed or on the couch aside from work and necessary errands. This is a tough pill for me to swallow - not much for being a prisoner in my own body. BUT – I am blessed with an excellent doctor and I know I’ll get there eventually!

Well - that's all for now. Love you all!

Halleluja we have SURVIVED the dreaded holiday photo!! hee-hee. I subject my poor family to this pain in the hopes that one day, we will all look back on it and be glad we have a little snapshot in time to enjoy. Since I am pretty much THE WORST at taking pictures...it's nice to have an old standby I can count on! So, after 2HOURS - I kid you not - we came out with a few that I can live with. Funny...the older they get, the harder it is to get a photo where everyone is a)smiling, and b)looking at the camera. Why is that?!?!? Hmmmmmmmmm. Well, here a few of my favorites.

New creature in da house!

So, got a new little critter for Gabe. He is the cutest little guinea pig in the ENTIRE FREE WORLD. I'm not usually one for guinea pigs. I can take 'em or leave 'em. This little dude, however, is the exception. He's a baby - about 8 weeks old, has really pretty grey/brown/silverish fur and loves to cuddle on my shoulder all nestled in my hair. Gabe has named him Bob Marley, which is perfect. He's one chill little critter.

We are so proud of Uncle Shawn!

Uncle Shawn is an absolute bona fide hero in our house. He recently sent me this picture of him holding his quite large, read: bigger than me, gun while at training. As both boys are in to ALL THINGS NATIONAL GUARD at the moment, they are thrilled to see this awesome pic of their uncle all suited up with the HUGE gun. They are so very proud of Uncle Shawn. We all are. Our prayers will be with him DAILY as he fights for our country in Iraq. We love you Uncle Shawn! We are so proud of you!

Gavin's Baptism

Our sweet Gavin was baptised this Sunday. After MUCH pleading and begging and insisting etc etc etc on his part, we decided he meant business and it was time. So, off we went to meet Pastor Chris (Church on the Rock, we love you!) for his baptism. Unfortunately, mommy missed the memo that they wouldn't be providing robes (was going from memory of my own baptism....ooops) so the Gavster, brave little soul that he is, was baptised in JEANS. He didn't complain. He was so thrilled to be taking this huge step of faith - his whole face was glowing. We are so proud of the strong young man he is becoming. His faith is an inspiration to us all!

Ding Dong the Pumpkin's Dead

OK - we survived Halloween! Hallelujah. I just can't like Halloween. I try, for the sake of my kiddos, I try. You see, Halloween in Alaska is an EXPERIENCE. First, you must consider the weather (this year Mother Nature graced our little trick 'r treaters with GAIL FORCE WINDS - literally had to hold masks down or they would fly off). Then one must consider how they are going to convince their little tot that the ninja costume is every bit as fierce with layers upon layers of fleece long underwear bulging out of it. AND the topper - the "sprinkles on my cupcake" as my friend Shannon would say, is when this same little tot who's bursting at the seams in The Impenetrable Ninja Suite tells you, in the gail force winds, that they have to pee. Yay Halloween!