November 25, 2012

November 25, 2012

Sad day : (  I won't have any pictures on this blog.  I have used my 1 GB that I get free.  I have to make some decisions, but for now, looks like I won't have any pictures.  Sorry! I will figure something out soon.  The pictures are my favorite part.

Happy Thanksgiving!  (a few days late)  I pray that everyone had a great Thanksgiving with friends and family!  What a wonderful time to thank the Lord for the many blessings in our lives.  Even though we don't deserve it, God continues to richly bless us!  Here's what we've been up to the last couple of weeks.

Weather update:  COLD!  Very COLD!  But as I keep telling my family, if you dress for it, it is no big deal whatsoever.  Still taking Finley to both the dog park and several walks up in the hills at 20 below.
-  Sunrise: 10:02 a.m.
-  Sunset: 3:13 p.m.
-  Hours of daylight:  5 hours and 11 minutes
-  Temps - 20 below as I type, tomorrow a high of 2 below, and the next day, high of 10 below.  Who wants to come and visit us in December! For Christmas!  Please!

I've been working in schools on a regular basis.  Enjoying it, but also enjoying my time with piano students.  We found a PIANO!  No, we don't have it yet but hopefully over the next couple of weeks.  Working on how to get it up two flights of stairs and into our house.  It is a beautiful Story and Clark upright piano, and in really good condition.  She is giving it to us for a HUGE deal.  Can't wait to start having lessons in my own house.  Pictures to come once we get it in our house.

My knitting has picked up lately!  Especially as our temps drop : )  I have knitted a few items for my friends new daughter, Kate and my godson, Parker, as well as some Christmas presents that I can't post until after Christmas, sorry.  Thanks to my amazing sister-in-law, Kristin.  I have a brochure, website, and email address for my knitting, Alaskan Boutique.  Hopefully within the next couple weeks I can get it all updated and make it all available to whomever would like it.  I am excited to try knitting knew things that people suggest, and perfecting my older items.  You'll have to check out facebook to see pics of these!

Leading up to Thanksgiving we had lots going on here at home and at church.  I played for the Thanksgiving service, which we had the night before Thanksgiving.  We then spent most of Thanksgiving in our pj's, watching football, the parade, knitting, going on a hike with Finley, and relaxing.  Around dinner time we went to a members for a Thanksgiving meal.  It was delicious!  Jason did just a small amount of Black Friday shopping. I just dropped him off.  I have never been one to fight those crazies.

Along with some wonderful members, we decorated our church for Christmas.  It looks beautiful!  I will try to gets pics of that for my next blog.  We also got to put up our decorations inside and our Christmas lights outside.  Brrrrrrrrr!  It makes it really hard to put up lights outside when it is 15 below, you are bundled up head to toe, and your gloves won't allow you work any faster.  But we did it!

Jason is doing very well.  Heading into a busy season, but loving doing the Lord's work.  Next week Sunday begins Advent, so two sermons a week will make him a bit busier.  Other than that, things continue as usual.

Finley is doing great! Loving the cool temps, longs walks, and trips to the dog park.  Last Monday he turned a year and five months old.  He is still all puppy, but is slowly improving in some areas.  He continues to bring so much joy to our lives!  We love him greatly!

This week will be a busy one.  I have three, 3-hour choir rehearsals for our big concert on Sunday, December 2.  I can't wait!  Not too excited for the rehearsals, but very excited for the Holiday Concert.

May God bless your weeks!

Love,
Becky

November 12, 2012

November 12, 2012

Another busy week.  Fun, but busy!

I subbed 3 days this week.  2 days I was in a Kindergarten classroom, and the third I bounced around to different rooms.  On Tuesday I continued to teach my piano lessons.  This Tuesday I will start one new student!  That puts me up to 10 lessons.  (with two more possible joining soon : )  Still no piano here at home, but lessons at church are working out well for now.  Praying that a decent piano gets sent my way soon.  For now, I'll continue to teach over at church.  

On my day off this week, we took another hike on a very cold, but very sunny day.  Here are some pics. 

 My boys.

 This would be Denali, but it is very hard to see.  We are saving for a nicer camera, so maybe soon I can get an awesome picture to post.  

 He loves his freedom on these hikes.  As do we!

 Jason and I both sat in the snow, while being about 15 to 20 below, and could have taken a nap.  It was just so calm and peaceful up there, and we weren't even cold.  I know, sounds crazy, but there is no wind, and we were very bundled up.  Long underwear, face masks, boots, wool socks, etc.  

God's creation is still beautiful at 20 below!

 Beautiful birch trees .

 Pulled his booties out.  He was beginning to get cold, and lifting up his paws.  We knew it was time.  He is so fun to watch slip and slide all over the place. 

 Here's what the smoke from buildings does at 20-30 below.  Heads up, then flattens out across the sky.  Almost looks like an atomic bomb. ( I think I'm watching too much 24)

The Fairbanks Symphony Choir continues to go very well! I am loving every rehearsal, which is a good thing since we have two-three rehearsals a week till our concert on December 2.  This past THursday, we had the director the symphony come in to watch/lead rehearsal.  WOW!  We thought our director had energy!  It is great working with both highly talented directors.  Due to the amount of music we have, there are two added rehearsals coming up, including a three hour rehearsal tomorrow night.   Can't wait!  I just love having something to look forward to, and also being surrounded by happy people on these cold, dark winter days.  

On Saturday, I enjoyed a day to myself going to the Holiday Marketplace (a bazaar with anything and everything for sale).  I also did some other shopping, which involved me spending my birthday money from October.  Being unsuccessful finding the correct clothing for my concert, I called on Stephanie!  She found exactly what I needed in the metropolis of Milwaukee, and will mail it tomorrow.  I am so thankful for her!  We just need more clothing stores up here in Fairbanks.  Kohls? Target?  Are you coming anytime soon?

Still been knitting quite a bit, but can't post them yet.  Too many of them are gifts!  Pictures to come soon!

 Very new pictures!  Just completed today.  We had gutters installed.  No more ice skating rinks on our stairs or driveway.  Felt bad for the men installing them in this cold weather. 

More new gutters. 

That about covers things!  I hear the Midwest is having their first snowfall today.  Awesome!  Glad you could join us.  Too bad your temps go right back up tomorrow to high 40's. 

 If you really want winter, come visit us!  It's here, and so are we!

Weather update:  Temps range from 20 above to 20 below.  For the next week, it looks like we won't go above 0.  Snow on the ground, but not too much in the forecast. 

Sunrise: 9:22 a.m.

Sunset: 3:48 p.m.  

IT'S GETTING SHORTER!

Total hours of daylight: 6 hours and 26 minutes

God bless all of you as we near our Thanksgiving celebration!  I know we have so much to be thankful for, even though at times I tend to focus on the blessings and things that I don't have. 

 The difficult part is keeping my focus on those many blessings and things we DO have!  

Becky 

November 3, 2012

November 2, 2012

We'll start of with a video of our pup Finley.  Hope it works!  Jason did this to him, not me.

I am just a couple days behind.  But here is what we've been up to this past week:

Weather update:  We range from 15 below zero to 15 above.  Sunrise is at 9:48 a.m. and sunset is at 5:20 p.m.  We have 7 hours and 32 minutes of sunlight.  Still not too bad.  In 2 months we will be at 4 hours of daylight.  It's been a bit chilly, but hasn't slowed us down one bit.  Finley has had several adventures at the dog park, several walks, and lots of time outside.  

The Lord truly blessed me with work this week.  I had work every day!  The school I was at last year has now started to call me for almost every day.  Monday I subbed in a 5th grade room.  Tuesday I taught my 10 piano lessons.  Wednesday I taught in 3 different classrooms, Thursday I worked at home completing all the invitations, and Friday I taught Kindergarten ALL DAY!  I loved Friday; it was so great to be back in front of the students.  Next week is looking pretty good as well.  God is good!

I was very busy working on making almost 60 handmade invitations for our Advent by Candlelight.  They are complete!  This will be the first Advent by Candlelight held at Light of the World.  The women are very excited and anxious for this event.  We are praying for a great turnout!  We already have 5 people willing to host a table.  

 Inside the cards.

 Sample of the outside. 

 What my table looked like during the process. 

Another sample

Knitting season has begun!  I usually wait till the snow, cold and darkness arrive.  I have started making items that people have ordered.  I am hoping to try a lot of new designs this winter.  

 Same hat as below, just with a pink flower.

We went on a hike up at the summit of one of the large hills in Fairbanks.  This was the same place I hiked last week.  Finley loved it!  He was able to be off leash, and enjoyed running through the snow.  It was a beautiful SUNNY day, with blue skies and mountain views.  

 The loves of my life!

 So handsome. 

 Isn't he the most adorable dog you've ever seen!

 Alaska range through the trees.  Hard to see, but so majestic in real life. 

 We have a blooming cactus in Alaska!  I love it!

 We were given free tickets to the Nanook hockey game last night!  This is one of our favorite things to do in winter.  Here is the UAF mascot, the Nanook!  Came right up to us and posed for a picture.  

 Winter is here! This is our home in the woods.  

It was about 12 below zero yesterday while I was at school teaching.  After the school day, I came out to find this water bottle frozen.  I know it's not that unbelievable, but just had to share.  

My prayers go out to those on the East coast who are struggling with all the sadness and destruction after Hurricane Sandy.  I pray that the Lord continues to give them the strength they need to get through this difficult time.  

Count your blessings every day.  Be thankful for even the smallest of things.  Don't ever take any moments for granted. Tell your family you love them and appreciate them EVERY DAY!

God bless, 

Becky