Alive

We are alive... barely but here we are.  Mike has been working like normal.  Megan has been working up a storm, think 75+ hours a week, which is why there has been like no post lately.  Last weekend, for the 4th Megan had Friday-Monday off and we headed down to Huron South Dakota to visit our "Alaskan" Friends Hans, Samantha and Jacob.  It was a great weekend and really felt like summer.  Mike and Hans took a trip to Mitchell to go to  Cabela's and Home Depot.  They also stopped by the Corn Palace.  Samantha and I went to the city pool, while her mom had Jacob at home.  We had a great time relaxing and sitting in the sun.  Saturday Night we went to some fire works.

As for our house :)  We had the appraisal last Thursday. And sadly it can in at $6,000 below what we offered.  And the bank wanted them to fix a toilet in the basement bathroom and the sink in the closet in the basement.  I freaked out.  Thinking there was no way the home owner was going to go down that far.  Guess what she came down $5,000 and is going to fix the plumbing issues.  As long as the plumbing issues are fixed by Wednesday we will be closing on Friday at 2!! Happy Birthday to ME!!!
 
We plan on cleaning most the afternoon/evening on Friday.  And actually move in all out stuff on Saturday.  Well we will move in at least a bed on Friday so we can spend the night there.  I am taking Friday and Saturday off of work so we will have 3 days to get the house in order!      

Thankful

Last Tuesdays night class has gotten me a Little down on life, see my previous post.  So I decided to make a list of things I am thankful for:
- For a husband that loves me
- For amazing parents that support me
- For my expended family and in-laws who love us
- That Grandma O is allowing us to live with her
- That we have family so close
- That we both have good jobs, in the fields we have always dreamed of
- For Cora and Java.
- For more than enough food to eat every day and not having to worry about going hungry
- For Marja, Nicole, and Samantha who I can call at any time to laugh or vent with
- For my faith in God, know that all will work out
- For Callens life and all he has taught me
- For health, dental and vision insurance we have through my job
- For our Adorable 2 nephews (Preston-4 and Wyatt-1), for the 1 nephew on the way and the other niece/nephew on the way
- For my health
- For the wonderful nature that you can find almost anywhere if you are looking for it
- The knowledge I have about saving money
- For Spring!

Hope every one had a Happy Easter.
 ( I promise to post some pictures soon...)

Birthday week

This week is the week of birthdays.  First Mike Brother Mathews Birthday is the 12th.  The 13th is a big day.  It was Wyatt's 1st birthday, Jory's birthday and My moms birthday.  Then Mike Srs birthday is the 16th.  And finally Jacobs 2nd birthday in the 18th.  Where did the last 2 years go?

In other news I have started the C25K... again.  I did W2D1 on Saturday and W3D1 on Monday.  Cora has been doing it with me... it really tires her out.   I would also like to start doing Yoga more.. but currently we still have water coming into our bedroom.  I really have no place to do it, unless I push the bed completely again the wall in our room.  So I cannot wait until the water stops and I can start Yoga.  For now I think we have decide to not get a gym membership, walk out side and save money for a house.  But as things have it I injured my foot after 2 days of running.  I had a lump on top of my left foot that hurts... Going to take a few days off and re-evaluate.

I have a to give a HUGE congrats shout out to our friends Hans and Samantha!  They found out last week that Hans got a job in South Dakota!!  So they are packing up and heading out.  They will only be 8 hours away from us :)  Which is amazingly close, considering the other options they had been looking at.  They also had an offer accepted on a house where they are moving to.  Lots of changes for them but I am so happy it is all working out for them.  We only have to find a way to get our wine down with them.

This weekend we are heading to Minneapolis to celebrate all the birthdays.  We headed out Thursday night, and spend the night in Moorhead with my cousins.  Today we got up and are headed for Minneapolis.   Mike took Thursday night off work so we could head out and with Good Friday next week, I would normally have Thursday off, But my boss rocks and is letting me take Monday off instead, so we do not need to rush back as quick. We just have to make it back for Mike to go to work Monday night at 6.  Hopefully I will have some fun picture to post next week.

Fixed

Well we got the Versa fixed!! For free!!! Which makes it even better.  The mechanic in Williston was correct, the front wheel bearings were both shot.  They were both replaced on Tuesday and I drove the car back on Wednesday. 

Last weekend was a blast.  We drove to Bismarck and dropped the car off on Friday.  Then ate at Erberts and Gerburts, which was super tasty.  We then took Cora on a walk and headed to Sara and Adams.  Their house is awesome, I loved her kitchen.  We chatted for a while, watched on TV and then let the dogs meet.  Sara and Adam have a weimaraner, and were babysitting a 105 pound yellow lab and a smaller black lab mix.  All 4 dogs got along great.  It was so nice hat they have a fenced in back yard where we could just let them run run run.  After the dogs were pooped we went to Famous Daves for dinner and walked around Scheels, where we got Cora a Chuck-it.   Saturday we went to Sam's Club, Target, and to lunch before packing up and heading out.

When we got back to Grandmas on Sunday we found there was more water in her basement.  And it had started coming into our bedroom.  I feel so horrible for grandma because she is really freaking out over it.  We have been placing towels where the water comes in in our room and changing them every 3-5 hours.  We hope the pray the water stops soon. 

This week had been OK.  Monday we both worked.  Tuesday morning Mike dropped me off at work and then I headed to Bismarck for work.  The conference I went to was interesting but boring at points.  The hotel we  stayed in was quiet and I got a goods night sleep so that was awesome.  Plus I got the Versa back running super!  Tuesday night we went for a walk...the pictures from it are above.

have a great week

I am in Love...

With Cora.  She is the so sweet.Yesterday I took her on a walk she did great passing other people, bikes and skiers.  She did OK passing other dogs.  Her and Java met for a while Java is a little leery and Cora just wants to play.  Cora did great listening to us.  Best of all she did amazing with Jacob around.  He is 21 months old and was running back and forth across our 1st floor, Cora just laid down and watched him!  Awesome!!  Samantha took some pictures of me, Cora and Jacob.  How cute!

After Mike went to work and Samantha and Jacob left  I had some work to do.  I sat on the floor and spread my papers out and Cora laid down and fell asleep.  She is AMAZING!! I can't wait until Thursday.

Be who you Are

"Be who you are and say what you feel,

because those who mind don't matter,

and those who matter don't mind."

- Dr Seuss

I really love Dr Seuss.  I love the poems and rhymes he made.  I found this one recently.  It works perfect for me.  I hate when people side step what they are really trying to say or pretend to be someone or thing that they are clearly not.

 

This was a great weekend.  Mike and I kicked it off by going to an Aces Game with Samantha, Hans and Jacob.  Jacob did great at the game and was so entertaining.  He had 2 cow bells and was ready to cheer, mostly at the correct times.  When the music would be his little foot would start stomping on the ground.  We had a great time watching him as much as the game.  Sadly the Aces lost in overtime. After the game we played with Samantha and Hans new X-box Kinect.  It will definitely take some getting used to.  But I can see it being a lot of fun. 

 

Saturday we got up and went to a free Tai Chi lesson at The Oriental Healing Arts Center.  Mike even got up at 8:45 to go with me.  It was interesting.  It was out first experience and I could see liking it if you spent the time to cultivate the practice.  After Tai Chi we did some running around went to Boarders Book and got "The Dirty Life," then went to Petco and saw some adoption puppies.  The puppies were so cute and cuddly.  We wandered over the Michaels and I got 2 new Cricut Cartridges, normally $80.00 on sale for $9.99!!! I was happy.  Then we went to Costco,  OMG Costco is CRAZY on the weekends but we managed to get in and out without getting run over by a giant cart.  After watching some football, reading and napping, we went to our friends’ house, Lindsey and Chris' for dinner.  We had really yummy Garlic Chicken with rice, a salad and brownies with ice cream for desert.  We also got to meet their newest addition, Greighson.  He was born on my birthday this year (7-15-10), but was not due to be born until Halloween.  So WAY WAY early at 1.65 pounds, 12 inches and 24 weeks 6 days pregnant. He stayed in the NICU until Thanksgiving, but is now home and on Oxygen and doing well.  We played Taboo and Cranium, drank strawberry daiquiris and caught up.  

Sunday Morning we taught our Sunday School kids, we had 8 today.  They are so fun.  After Church we lounged at home.  For dinner we went out to Sullivan Steak House, with 2 free burger coupons we had.  The burgers were really yummy and so were the fries.  Now we are going to go read and go to bed early.

2010 in review



January- Trip to Hawaii with Mom and Dad






Febraury- Callen, Photo by Blasing Shots Photography

  


March- Back to Alaska- Star Wars Exhibit



April- Easter in Whitter, Mom in AK



May - Kodiak



June- More Kodiak and Mike in MN



July- Tattoo, Mom and Dad in AK, Camping with Samantha and Hans, Fishing 



August- Camping, G&G I and Mike Sr in AK



September- Marja in Ak, 2 year Anniversary

October- Fall hikes, went home to MN



  



November: Home in MN, Thanksgiving Photo by Blasing Shots Photography



December- Winter wonder land and Christmas

Exciting Stuff

Monday night Mike and I went to a new friends house for dinner!  We were connected with a few couples and singles in there 20-30's through our church.  Last night 5 of us got together to start planning a 20-30's group for the United Methodist Church's in Alaska.  It was so nice to meet some new people with a common faith in God.  We had some lasagna, bread, a salad and I brought a Chocolate Cheese Cake for Desert!  It was amazing.

Right now we are planning a get together at our church in January and a retreat at Birchwood (http://birchwoodcamp.org/) in the spring!  I am so so pumped about the retreat. I love Birchwood and as exciting as it is to go out with the youth, I am excited to explore the camp!  Ever since Callen and I started going to Clearwater Church camp in Minnesota I always feel closer to God when at camp surrounded by nature and other people who are also searching for him.    

Oh and one of the leaders even started a Facebook page for it so go check it out
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Alaska-20s-30s/159604814063051

Nine Months

Yesterday was the 9 month Anniversary of Callens passing.  Let me tell you it still stinks.  I miss him every day.  and I know these next 2 months are going to be really hard with Thanksgiving and Christmas without him.  When we were home Mike and I went and visited the "Callen Tree" at a local park in Lakeville that his friends stated for him.  We painted on it I painted a Tree and said that I loved him and Mike wrote "Give what you Can" and drew a Ying Yang.  My friend Lauren McKinney who is awesome took some pictures of us at the park.  Here is one of my favorites in front of his tree.

Miss you Callen XOXO

I found this quote today

“I am responsible.
Although I may not be able to prevent the worst from happening,
I am responsible for my attitude toward
the inevitable misfortunes that darken life.
Bad things do happen;
how I respond to them defines my character and the quality of my life.
I can choose to sit in perpetual sadness,
immobilized by the gravity of my loss,
or I can choose to rise from the pain
and treasure the most precious gift I have –
life itself.”

~ Walter Anderson

I like it...

Hello again

We are back from Minnesota

Well actually the picture above is from Wisconsin at my parents Cabin but we are back in Alaska.  We had a great trip home seeing family, friends, and learning how to drum better.  I loved meeting our nephew Wyatt from the first time. 

We spent a bunch of time up at the cabin with my parents

The weather was amazing.

Henna Hair Dye

So I decided I wanted to try something new with my hair.  I am sad to say that genes did not bless me... as I am 24 and starting to grey/white.  I am too cheap to start paying to go to the salon every 6-8 weeks to get it professionally dyed plus I do not really like the thoughts of tons of chemicals being that close to my nose.  I looked up a few "natural" options such as an organic hair studio in Anchorage but it was still $60+ each time to get it dyed.  Again I am too cheap.  After some more research I decided to try to dye my hair with henna.  I read a bunch of reviews online or different companies and decided to go with Henna Hut's Dark Brown Hair Dye   (http://hennahut.com/dark_brown_hair_dye) along with their Henna Oil (http://hennahut.com/essential_oils) and a hair dye kit.  Here is what I got in the mail.

My first step, well really second after research buying it, was to do a strand test.  I "harvested" some hair from my brush and from what fell out in the shower and split it up into 4 different groups.  One was my control.  The other three I would dye for 30 minutes,  45 minutes and 1 hour.    I mixed the henna with a little bit of water to make a "yogurt" consistency. And the dyed each of the 3 samples.

After 30, 45 and 60 minutes I would rinse out the henna and allow the hair samples to dry. After the hour was up I did not see a drastic change in the color, which was the goal.  I was "planning" on keeping the samples to compare 48 hours later.  Since the henna can take up to 48 hours to completely set in... however after Mike took a shower he shut the door to the bathroom, where the samples were, so the cat would not get them and the air movement of the door made the paper towel and hair samples fly and disperse. So I decided that I would just do the recommended one hour when I did my head.

Friday night Mike was working nights and Hans also had to work.  So Samantha, her sister Kim, and I all went to the Aces Game against Idaho Steelheads. The game was good with an exciting ending. A Win for the Aces in OT.  After the game they helped me put the dye into my hair.  Here is a before picture of my hair from the back

 Lets just say it looked a little gross and green but I loved that it did not have a chemical smell at all, actually it had more of a organic smell that is hard to describe, maybe manure is a good way.  Now the reason I waited until Friday to dye my hair is there were warnings and comments online about the henna doing weird things to grey/white hair.   Such as turning it green or blue for the first24 hours after it was dyed, but promised that after 48 hours the henna would set in and the hair would not be blue. To say the least I was a little nervous, but feeling adventures.

After leaving the dye in for an hour I washed it out, here is what my hair initially looked like

and here it is today, 4 days later

I am not disappointed with the results but henna did not cover up the greys.  The greys did turn a bit green for the first 2 days but when i washed my hair it came out.  It might have dyed them a little but you can easily see, when you look that the greys are there.  Maybe I am going to have to just go with the grey for now, but will continue to search for a option to cover the greys.

Just Keep Swimming

This is the phrase I sing to myself when I feel like quiting during a run.  Monday night Mike and I ran this route in about 33 minutes! 
 
This is also how I am feeling about life right now.  Just Keep Swimming!  and you might get somewhere.  Life is just chugging along nothing really exciting going on.  This past weekend we went to our first Aces game of the season on Friday.  Saturday we hung out at home, walked downtown to the 5th Ave Mall, and then had our first Dinner for Nine of the year.  Our dinner for 9 group is great and we had a wonderful meal.  Sunday we went to church and then taught Sunday School to 2 Kindergartner's and 1 2nd grader.  It was a small group but they kept up laughing.  Sunday afternoon we just hung around the house, watching football and baking cookies.  Sunday evening we went to my friend Angela's house for a little while, her 1 year old Olive decided she really liked me, she was so cute bringing me books to look at.
This week is already 1/2 over.
Monday we ran, as I said above and the vegged. 
Tuesday we went to the gym and vegged.
 Tonight we are going out to dinner at Suite 100 (http://www.suite100restaurant.com/) with Samantha and Hans for their 4th Wedding Anniversary!  No big plans for the weekend.  Just looking forward to going to Minnesota soon!

Marja's Trip

Thunderbird Falls

Alaska State Fair

On our way up Alyeska... we got a little wet...

Marja at Airport Park

On Byron Glacier

Portage Glacier

September

Holy Cow, how is it already September? Where did the summer go? This was the fastest summer ever, I guess that is what happens when you are in Kodiak for the first 6 weeks, move/organize a new place, and have 2.5 full weeks of visitors. Seriously we only went camping twice this summer, have only have the kayak out twice, I have been on very few bike rides and I most certainly do not have tan.
September means that Marja will be here is TODAY!! I am so pumped to see her!
September means we have been married for TWO YEARS! Holy Crap how does that happen?
September also means that in only 2 short months we are going to Minnesota! I cannot wait to see everyone again and under happy circumstances. My mom is planning a family dinner on Halloween and my cousins kids are going to go trick-or-treating in our neighborhood. I was thinking about pulling out my wedding dress (which still needs to be cleaned) and going with them. My grandmother thinks I am crazy but I think it sounds fun. We are also planning to go to my parents cabin in Wisconsin for a couple of nights, to get away. Hopefully it is still kinda warm and we can go out in the kayaks.
September 1st I also ran W4D1 of the C25k with out stopping! I had to slow down a bit for the last 5 minute run but I finished it without quitting!!
Oh and it means that my online class started. I am taking Arctic Engineering at UAA this year. It is required to take the PE test in Alaska so my employer is paying for it! Hopefully I will learn something new.

p.s. have I mentioned lately how much I love my husband. He is freaking awesome. This morning when he got done working a 12 hour overnight shift he came home and made me a beautiful breakfast in bed. I had cheesy eggs, hash browns and toast with a yummy cup of coffee. Seriously how much better does it get.

Is it Thursday yet?

I am so looking forward to Thursday Night! One of my best friends, bridesmaids, and my college room mate, Marja, is coming to visit for the weekend. She gets in at 8ish Thursday night and is here through Monday night, a short visit but I am SO EXCITED!!! I really hope that the weather works with us. Not sure what we are going to do yet, but we will see.

Tonight I went on a walk on the Coastal Trail, it is so beautiful out tonight I had to get out, I also stopped by the little coffee hut by West Chester Lagoon and bought myself an ice cream sandwich. It kinda defeats the purpose of the walk but it was so yummy!

Rain Rain Go Away

This weekend Mom, Dad, Mike, Samantha, Hans, Jacob and I all packed up and headed down to Anchor Point for a mini-vacation. We rented a cute little cabin "Cabin in the Woods." It had a loft with 2 beds, a bedroom with 1 bed, a living room, bathroom, kitchen and a washer/dryer. It was very nice to have place to warm up from the rain.

Mike, Dad, and Hans were "supposed" to go halibut fishing on Saturday morning... however the winds were to high so it was postponed until 1, and then the charter was completely canceled. So the boys headed up to the Kenai to dip net, with Dad on the shore watching. They only caught one fish.

Samantha, Mom, Jacob and I headed into Homer and went to Bear Creek Winery for some wine tasting. Jacob had a juice box and some string cheese. They had some really yummy berry wines, Samantha who "does not like wine" even bought 2 bottles. Their Strawberry Rhubarb wine was super yummy and we each bought a bottle. Then we stopped at the National Wild Life Refuge looked around the small but interesting museum before heading out on a walk. Jacob was so cute on the board walk, he at times looked like the one who had been drinking the wine.

Sunday Mike and Hans got up early and headed out to the Kenai for some more dip netting. Mom, Dad, and I went on a short walk around Anchor Point before starting the treck back to Anchorage with Samantha and Jacob. The Boys made it the the River at the PERFECT time Sunday!! They caught 10 yes 10 salmon!!! Mike 6 and Hans 4, between 10 AM and 3 PM. Needless to say they were happy. While they drove back we all went to church to welcome our new pastor. We ended the long, but short weekend with a pizza and the boys cleaning fish.

I will try to post pictures sometime...

Five Months

Wow I cannot believe it has been over 5 months since I have talked to Callen. I miss him with all my heart, soul and mind. I am reminded of him daily by others with dreads, in the things I do and the music I listen to.
Today another blog that I follow, A Ruby Family (http://Rubybaby09.blogspot.com) is suffering through the exact.same.thing. Ashley's 22 year old brother Charlie died suddenly in a car accident. I cannot help but have tears running down my face thinking that another family is going through this.
Monday I found out that my childhood friend and neighbor SSGT Kyle Malin was injured while serving our country in Afghanistan, he was on his 3rd tour there. The vehicle ahead of his hit a road side bomb, he ran up to help when another one went off. He has had both legs amputated, one leg above the knee, the other just below the knee. Last I heard he was in a comma and on his way to Germany to recover and then he will be transferred to Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital. I think I am more in shock about this then anything else. I feel so bad for his wife, two sons under 5, his parents and his sister who was my best friend growing up. His life will forever be changed not only physically, but emotionally and mentally. The Army is what he had wanted to do since I can remember. I remember Kyle "painting" Callen with his army painted, Callen thought it was so cool. They would run around plying army and recking havoc on their sisters.
I have decided that Life is not Fair. Why do good young people get injured and die suddenly? Why do good people get hit again and again with bad luck? However I do know that God will only test us with events he knows we can get through...

Jacob

Samantha and Hans came over for dinner last night. While the big boys grilled the chicken and potatoes Samantha and I sat on the porch and Jacob was WALKING around. Yes Walking!!! The sun was shinning so I took some really cute pictures of him.

Standing at the coffee Table

ohhh Phone...
Walking to the porch, it was a little bright

Oh look the Camera.

Date Night

Mike and I went out with Samantha and Hans on Friday night. First we went out to dinner at Dish Sushi and then Bowling. After bowling we stopped at cold stone before going to pick up Jacob. It was a fun night... and now some pictures:

Pretty VaseSamantha and Hans waiting to be seated

Mike's Sushi

Jacob after we picked him up from his grandpa's house