Shoes...

I've always been a "Payless Shoes" kinda gal - great shoes, great prices. I don't care about name brands or anything extra fancy, just something to get me where I'm going. Unfortunatly the dress shoes I bought from them last month aren't working out. I like the way they look and they go with everything, only problem is I can't be in them more then 2 hours (sitting or walking) - they are just crippling after my 2 hour mark is up. So with my brothers up and coming wedding I need a pair to replace them with. I decided to look further than payless and figured I could swallow my routine and pay $10-$20 more than usual for something that would last longer and be more comfy.


I saw these and thought, wow. Those are cute.

Then I saw the price tag...

$470.00

No joke.

I knew Nordstroms could get bad, but man.

I've owned a handful of dependable cars that all together were still much cheaper than these shoes.

School Dayz

We had parent/teacher conferences today. Blakes teacher had his class and school pictures waiting for us. I wish I had a scanner so I could share with everyone - he looks sharp in his picture.

Blake sat in the hall and read his book while we met. His teacher had a good report for him. He is doing well in all his classes and getting along great with his classmates, which was so good to hear. In the middle of it all she stopped to tell me how much he enjoyed church. Ha, That was the last thing I expected to hear about from his public school teacher. She said she constantly hears him telling the other kids about church, how much he loves going, and all the fun he has there. That made me so happy to hear.

Anyway she gave us a few things to work on at home but other than that she had only the best things to say about him. So I took him out for a pizza dinner tonight.

I'm pretty happy to get that out of the way. When I switched schools at his age, I had a hard time with grades and such. The different schools were studying completely different material and it took me so long to get back on top of things. I'm really happy Blake made the transition as well as he has.

Party of 6

We had a puppy show up at our house last week. Cute little thing, came right over when I called him and was starved. It was getting late when he showed up so we thought we'd bring him in and let him stay for the night and figure out who he belong to the next day. Marty said he had seen him that morning taking Blake to school so we knew he'd been on the run all day and hadn't seen anyone turn up after him.

Come to find out he wasn't house broken and stunk to high heaven so before we could go to bed I had to give him a shower. It was sorta funny, he doesn't like baths at all. He was so scared he just froze, I don't think he moved a muscle except when I had to turn him around to scrub the other side. Turns out the bath did no good and it was at the point when he finally dried off all the way we knew something was wrong with him. Dogs just don't stink like that. I felt so bad for him. So the next day Marty and I went to all our neighbors houses to see if they knew who the puppy belonged to with out luck. We also called the pound and left all the info on him in case his owners called looking for him... Because if you lose your dog, you call the pound right?

We took all 3 animals to the vet (it was time for Boss and Toby's annual shots anyway). Come to find out Puppy has round worms - so we ended up getting medication for both dogs, just in case. Other than that puppy got good scores from the vet and while we were there we just got his shots done too.

So here we are a week later and still no sign of an owner, but he smells good now that the worms are gone. And the three of us have fallen head over heals for him, so I guess he'll be sticking around.



It's been 3 days in a row with out a piddle in the house so I'm hoping pody training is done. Since he's an American Bulldog and (other than his face) somewhat resembles "pete" on the old "Little Rascals" thats the name we've gone with. He really had no idea what a leash was when we found him and no coller on - he's still awful about walking on a leash but better. And the most foreign thing for a dog - hates truck rides. I just can't imagine what kind of owners he came from. Who wouldn't come looking for their cute puppy?

Oh and I almost forgot to mention, ha - the poor cat never comes out anymore. Pete thinks he's a chew toy.

New site...

I haven't been posting much here lately... Seems like when I feel like blogging, I don't have the time; and when I have the time, I don't feel like blogging. Go figure. Anyway I sent an email out last week and have been meaning to post on it too just haven't had time, so here it is...

I started a new site...

Devotions

I still plan on using this blog for not only some devotional stuff but family updates, pictures, and whatever else I might come up with. I wanted a separate site for nothing but devotionals, so those who don't care about my personal life don't have to suffer thru it, ha. On the new site I'll be sharing tidbits I find, highlighting different bible verses, and spotlighting other writers and their work all for the purpose of Christian encouragement. I would really like to focus my "blog time" more on the new site than the old one.

I only just started it and already its been very encouraging to me. If no one else reads it, I won't complain one bit; it'll still give me tons of encouragement just thru the writing pieces. But the original thought was to reach out and encourage others as well as myself. I hope all of you enjoy it as much as I do but please don't feel obligated to read it. If there is a piece that gives you encouragement, please forward it on, I just may end up posting it! :)

Do you have a hero?

Thoughts of hero’s have been mixed up in my thoughts for a week or so, which is odd because I really have never had any that stick out in my memory. Not that I haven’t had people I look up to, just can’t think of any that made it to hero status (other than maybe Wonderwoman for a month or two back in kindergarden).

Having Blake around has got me thinking about it. Last week he spoke to someone close to his heart he hasn’t talked to in a while. The moment the communication started the lump became visible in his little throat and a few seconds later he burst into tears from loving and missing this guy so very much. I was trying to fight the lump in my own throat and hold back the tears in my own eyes. I have never met this person but in moments it became very clear just how great this person must be and how high Blake holds him in his little heart. It was at that moment the word hero came into my head for the first time in years like a frieght train out of nowhere, because it was clear that’s how Blake thinks of him.

He looks up to strong male figures so faithfully, it’s just amazing. Not the TV or radio kind but just about all the men in his life, even a few at church he hasn’t known very long at all. Not that us chicks don’t mean a ton to him, but there’s just something different with the men in his life. I really am glad to see this in him and hope he picks the best qualities of each of these guys and carries them with him through out his life.

Hero’s are great, but it hit me this week… We hear about super hero’s, sports heroes, TV stars, rescue personnel, and even family members; some deserve the title of hero, others (like maybe actors and sports players?) maybe not so much.

But sadly I’ve never heard anyone say their hero was God, or Jesus. I’m sure most would agree they're the ones who deserve the title first, and I'm sure its been said before, its just bothersome that I myself haven't heard anyone give them the credit of hero in my 29 years.

I had thought about doing a post on this whole subject a week ago, just never happened for a few insignificant reasons, but the whole hero topic has been bouncin around my brain since.

Last night while I was reading the bible before bed to my surprise I came across the following verse...

Malachi 1:6
“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?” says the Lord Almighty.

Sorta broke my heart when it all came together. I don't really think any of it was a coincidence either.

So I’d like to give credit to my 2 heroes. Jesus for walking this earth and going through all the trouble, rejection, and pain all to save us from our sinful-selves. For setting a better example then anyone ever could and leaving us his love and teachings. God for making all this possible, for loving us, for guiding us, for forgiving us, and for sticking with us even when we’re so dispicable no one else would have us.

I also want to say how grateful I am to have gotten such a moving lesson. I never suspected a week ago when I witnessed such a touching phone call between Blake and his hero that God had used it to send a message that would be waiting for me on the other side of the week.

Need a Buzz?

Today while in a bit of devotional time I came across something unrelated to what I was studying yet its meaning close to my heart.

Isaiah 5:22 (NIV)
Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine and champions at mixing drinks

Wow, that brings me back. Back to high school and the parties that followed through the years and well into adulthood. Some of the things that made us cool turned out to be a real detriment, and I really thought nothing of it.

Since pot and other drugs weren't around back in times when the bible was written I apply verses that talk about being sober to not only alcohol but to drugs as well, because they are all mind altering in various levels. It seems that it's ok for a person to take a sip or have an alcoholic beverage for the taste of it, with out getting buzzed or drunk. However I've never met a person who took a hit of pot with out the intention of getting stoned, I think that same train of thought can be applied to all narcotics. And there lies the problems, so often these things aren't being done to fix an allergy, cure a sickness, or some other true medical purpose; they're being consumed for the purpose of fun, relaxation, or addiction, all while clouding judgment which is separate from God and His teachings. This loss of judgment or loss of control is what the word is teaching against, not against relaxation or fun.

I keep a list of verses that talk about being sober and the consequences that follow those who don't heed His warning. I use them to remind myself and anyone else who needs the help fighting drugs and drinking because they are so powerful. I wasn't aware of the verse above till today and thought it might be time to spotlight all of the verses relating to being sober again.

Luke 21:33-36 (NASV)
"Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap; for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth. But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."

Romans 13:13-14 (NASV)
Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.

Romans 14:21 (NIV)
It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (NIV)
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Galatians 5:19-26 (NASV)
Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.

Ephesians 5:15-19 (NASV)
Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. Then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;

1 Thessalonians 5:4-8 (NASV)
But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day We are not of night nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.

2 Timothy 4:5 (NASV)
But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Titus 2:1-8 (NIV)
You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

Titus 2:11-15 (NIV)
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.

1 Peter 1:13-16 (NASV)
Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."

1 Peter 4:3 (NKJV)
For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.

1 Peter 4:7-9 (NIV)
The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

1 Peter 5:8 (NASV)
Be of sober spirit, be on the alert Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Famous Fishermen

Just discovered our old roommate/landlord/friend from Homer is on a discovery channel show.

We lived with him and a few other roommates a couple years ago before we moved up here to Wasilla. It was a great time in our life, Marty and I were very close with our 3 roomies. The house was a beautiful 2 story place with a ton of room on 6 acres. Don't get me wrong, I love our life here and what its become here in Wasilla - wouldn't trade it for anything but living with our buddies in that house was such a great time. I miss them all tons, we don't get to see them near enough.

Anyway, a lot of you know Jonathan Hillstrand. His son Scottie, who's also a good friend and almost went on this fishing trip sent this link. I think the show's called "Deadliest Catch", its about the commercial fishing industry. If you go to this page, Jonathan (who runs the Time Bandit) is on the 1st, 5th, & 6th videos. It was super exciting to see him in his element working but also a bit freaky. Those guys work so hard, in one of the most dangerous trades and the video clips give a good taste of what it's like. I've seen shows like this before but it becomes much more real and worry-some seeing someone you know in the midst of all that. There short clips, if you get the chance, check them all out.

Thanks for the link Scottie, I swear if I watched that 6th clip long enough I'd be sea sick sittin right here at the computer - I don't know how you guys do it!

Sledding today

We went sledding today up at Hatcher Pass. Sarah and her kids came and another group from church. This is Blake with Sarah's kids, the other 2 kids were a tad late and didn't make it for the group photo. Notice all the clothing on here before we started, by the end of the day much of it was shed from getting so hot. What fun we all had! The weather was beautiful, not a cloud in the sky and it was warm. Although it was windy when we left town, for some odd reason there was not much wind at all up on the mountain... I'm thanking God for that one because no wind on a mountain while there's winds ripping thru town leaves no other explanation in my book.

Sarah, I had so much fun! Thank you so much for going with us today, I can't wait till we can all do that again.


Catchin air!

More photos I took today on my flickr account.

Thank You

Just wanted to give a thanks to all of you who've commented on the last few post's, especially those who have never even met Blake. He's read just about all of the comments and they have really helped boost his confidence such a great deal. Even my mom was wowed with how nice and kind all of you are. Isn't our blogging circle just so great?

And saving the best for last of course....

HE WON A 1ST PLACE BLUE RIBBON AT THE STATE SCIENCE FAIR!!!!
WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOO!

He must get it from his mothers side of the family, haha.

Rewarding

Blake came home today soooo excited. His science project did well enough he was invited to enter it in the state science fair in Anchorage this weekend. The 3rd graders weren't required to do science projects but were encouraged to do so. There ended up being 6 science projects done in his class (one of them done by 2 students), he was the only one that was invited to go. I am soo excited for him. The lame part is that we will have to drive into Anchorage Friday (tomorrow), Saturday, & Sunday if we want to participate. I cringe at the gas money for that but think it will be worth it in the end. Even if he doesn't win anything he still gets a t-shirt for entering and a great shot of self-confidence.

Another picture for the family... Blake BEGGED for me to make this picture. He thinks its the greatest thing since candy.

Fineato

He finished his science project! Thought I'd post the picture for all the family to see. Oh and that smile on his face? That is genuine happiness right there.

Toyota Highlander

My mom and step-dad just bought a new car. Its a 2002 Toyota Highlander. Anyone who really knows me, Knows I'm a Chevy freak but they got a great vehicle. In all the consumer reports the Highlander beats every other SUV across the board in safety features, gas mileage, reliability, you name it.

They've had several vehicles through the years but its been I think over 10 years since they bought anything off the lot, so I'm excited for them.

They need to hurry up, get up here, and take us all for a spin in it!

Brain Hurts

It's science project time. Blake's first science project ever is due March 6th. He's decided on "How do animals survive from predators hunting them?" Each night he works on it, and each night he wishes it was over, and secretly I do to. But the book work of it all is finished now and its on to the more fun stuff (hallelujah).

Come to find out he's suppose to type his report out, which will be much easier than re-writing everything neat and tidy... The only catch is that he's not learned typing yet, I guess they hadn't started that at his last school. So we went out and bought him a typing program and he had his first go at it yesterday. He did so good, I was really surprised he took to it so well with almost no help from me. I wish I could learn things as quickly. Although the typing isn't the big priority; it would be nice if he didn't have 2 big things to get past all in this very short time frame, all this at once is rough on the poor little guy. So far he's only had the science project stress, I'm hoping the typing stress doesn't hit.

So if we can just make it thru to the 6th, life will be carefree again.

Until then, on we trudge.

Best friends

Well its become clear, Bossco has found a new best friend. Blake is constantly playing with Boss and they both are just loving the whole arrangement. I'm not sure where either of them get the energy but its totally entertaining for Marty and I.

Blake was just DYING to go out and play in the snow the other day, so we bundled him up and let him go out with boss for a little while (even though he's fighting a cold). Being from Texas, all this snow is just way too neat for Blake (it really brings me back to when I was a kid). Anyway those two were just so entertaining I snuck the camera out and took some pictures. Thought you all might like to see, there's 11 total on my flicker account.

Spring is in the air...

So as most of you know, my 8 yr old nephew (from Texas) is temporarily staying with us. Its been so great having him here. Another fact that most of you know is when it starts to melt around here a smell starts coming out. For those of you who don't know about the smell of spring in Alaska, let me enlighten you (ha ha)...

• Everything freezes up for winter, but dogs still do their thing, moose, cats, and all the rest of the animals who leave their droppings around.
• Weather warms up and all that snow (along with the other stuff) starts to melt, leaving wetness and muck everywhere.
• When things can't dry out, they can't air out. Stagnant water and all that other stuff ends up leaving the smell of a sewer plant on the wet and moist ground.
  

Most adults don't notice this smell, but then you don't see adults out rolling in the last patches of snow or sitting on the ground hanging out with their friends. At each of the elementary and middle schools around Alaska the smell becomes quite prominent.

Yesterday Blake forgot his boots in his classroom when I picked him up from school, so we walked back to the class to get them. As I got deeper and deeper into the school the smell became more and more powerful, when we got into his classroom I just wanted to throw up! The kids don't really notice the smell as prominently as those of us who don't bathe in it at recess but boy do I feel bad for the teachers.

After I vacuum, I spray-mist every inch of my carpet with bleach to dis-infect and keep the house smelling clean, I started that habit about 7 years ago after working at a daycare that also did it. All I keep thinking is that I need to send an instruction note to the teacher with a spray bottle of bleach.

Another funny thing is, usually Blake has better things to do than taking showers (according to him) putting it mildly)) but with the smell of spring in the air he has no problems whatsoever taking a shower every night. I guess the smell of spring does have its benefits.

Water

It's been pretty busy around here and as of tomorrow, it's gonna be even busier for atleast the next 3 months. Somehow I'll manage surface for a post here and there though.

So I found something the other day at the gym that was quite interesting. Its a paper all about the importance of water. I've always been a huge water drinker, tons of it all day, everyday. A few months back I just stopped craving it like I always do, now I have to force myself to drink more than a few cups each day.

Thought I would share what it said, sorry about the length of it all. It's just nice to finally hear why when people point their finger and say "ya need to drink at least 8 cups of water each day". A lot of stuff in my weight gain (which is definitely not soley caused by not drinking enough water) makes some sense now.

How 8 glasses of water a day
keeps the fat away

Water naturally suppresses the appetite and helps the body metabolize stored fat. Studies have shown that a decrease in water intake causes fat deposits to increase, while increasing water intake can actually reduce fat deposits. Here's why: the kidney's can't function properly without enough water. When they don't work to capacity, some of their load is dumped onto the liver. One of the liver's primary functions is to metabolize stored fat into usable energy for the body. However, if the liver has to do some of the kidney's work, it can't operate at full throttle. As a result, it metabolizes less fat and more fat remains stored in the body which stops weight loss.

Drinking enough water is the best treatment for fluid retention. When the body gets less water, it perceives this as a threat to survival and begins to hold on to every drop. Water is stored as extracellular spaces (outside the cells). This shows up as swollen feet, legs and hands. The best way to overcome the problem of water retention is to give your body what it needs - plenty of water. Only then will stored water be released.

An over weight person needs more water than a thin person. Larger people have larger metabolic loads. Since water is the key to fat metabolism, an overweight person needs more water.

Water helps to maintain proper muscle tone by giving muscles their natural ability to contract and by preventing dehydration. It also helps to prevent the sagging skin that usually follows weight loss. Shrinking cells are buoyed by water which plumps the skin and leaves it clear, healthy and resilient.

Water helps rid the body of waste. During weight loss, the body has a lot more waste to get rid of - all that metabolized fat must be shed. Again, adequate water helps flush the system.

How much water is enough? On the average, a person should drink eight 8oz. glasses everyday. That's about 2 quarts. However, an overweight person needs one additional glass for every 25lbs of excess weight. The amount you drink also should be increased if you exercise briskly or if the weather is hot and dry.

Water should preferable be cold - its absorbed into the system more quickly than warm water. Furthermore, some evidence suggests drinking cold water can actually help burn calories.

When the body gets the water it needs to function optimally, its fluids are perfectly balanced. When this happens, you have reached the "breakthrough point." What does this mean?

• Endocrin gland function improves.
• Fluid retention is alleviated as stored water is lost.
• More fat is used as fuel because the liver is free to metabolize stored fat.
• Natural thirst returns.
• There is a decrease in hunger almost overnight.

If you stop drinking enough water, your bodily fluids will be thrown out of balance again and you may experience fluid retention, unexplained weight gain and loss of thirst. To remedy this situation you'll have to go back and force another "breakthrough".

Happy Valentines!

(Photo taken by D'Jair Martinez)

Wishing all of you a great Valentines day.

Bing

Wow. I woke up at 5 this morning and laid in bed for a half hour hoping to sleep a few hours longer. Didn't happen. Finally got up and made my blog rounds (nevermind how much I post, some of you really need to post more *hehe*).

Big bonus besides getting out of bed so early is that I'm 5lbs less this morning. The gym has been working! After not getting anywhere at curves I got frustrated and gained. The Alaska Club membership has definitely been worth it. Having more than just hydraulic weight machines is worth the extra membership fees. Alaska Club has a "cardio theatre", more treadmill, ellipticals, bikes, and stair climbers than I can count all hooked up to 8 TV's and 2 CD players. They also have something similar to the curves circuit only its with weights and not hydraulics (way better). They have a separate weight room (very large), separate family work out room, racquet ball courts, basketball court, steam rooms, hot tubs, movie theatre, free work out classes of all types, tanning beds... I think that's it other than the daycare and game room for the kids.

I did find out for those of you who I haven't mentioned it to, we can bring a guest for under $11 - and every third Thursday of the month we can bring a guest for free. Anyone wanting to join Marty or I is welcome.

So with all that said, I'm off to go work out while I'm still awake.

Crash in Ketchikan

So my brother's working in the shipyard down in Ketchikan. Wednesday he called and said he heard a jet unusually loud overhead and looked up. Just after he spotted the jet, he actually saw someone eject out of a fighter jet, the parachute never fully opened though because the pilot ejected to late. The jet crash landed into a trailer at a trailer park about 200 yards away from where Ian was working. Ian ran over to see if he could help and eventually ended up pointing the direction of the pilots location out for them. Unfortunately the pilot didn't make it. Amazingly enough nobody was killed in the trailer court and nobody was inside the trailer the jet actually ran into, I guess there were only minor injuries. I am just stunned that this happened and even more stunned that Ian actually witnessed it all.

Sitnews has a sad account on the story and some good pictures of the crash site.
KTUU has a story giving a better idea on the cause.

I guess the pilot sacrificed himself to steer the jet away from even more populated area's. It sounds like if he would have landed anywhere else in the vicinity it would have been much worse. My heart goes out to his wife and children.