Our new puppy! And other new things. - YES! The puppy pics are on here now! SORRY!

I know it has been a very, very long time.  I apologize.  We have been on the go quite a bit, making it difficult to create the blog.  So, here is what we've been up to:

My parents arrived safely in Manitowoc! They are now back to their busy busy lives.

Life continued here.  We had a few days to clean up the house, prepare for a church picnic on Sunday, and pack for a 3 day trip to Eagle River/Anchorage.  After church on Sunday, we packed our car and headed to Eagle River.  There was a called worker gathering at the Pastor's house there in Eagle River, about a 5.5 hour drive.  Before we arrived, we stopped off in Houston, AK to look at some Golden Retirever puppies.  Not a great situation, so we moved on.  For the next few days we enjoyed getting to know the teachers and pastors of the WELS in Alaska.  They are such great people, and we look forward to getting to know them better (just wish they all weren't 5-8 hours away). 
We went to Eklutna Lake and did a mini hike.  BEAUTIFUL - pics below.  We also did some shopping with the ladies one morning.  It was great to visit a Kohl's and a Target.  I truly do miss those stores! 
We were around the campfire our last night there, and we all thought we heard something kind of like a growl.  All of a sudden all the women get out of their seats.  It ended up being nothing, but we really thought there was a bear!
In between all that, we did go visit another golden retriever.  THis was not a good situation either.  On to more phone calls.

After a wonderful get-together, we began our drive back up to Fairbanks.  We stopped in Wasilla at the last place we had time for during this trip.  The house was way back in the mountains.  It was a gorgeous brand new home. SO far so good.  We spent about 4 hours here!  Yes, 4 hours!  Jason and the dad of the house talked for about 2 of those about relgious issues.  HE was really putting Jason to the test.  He did very well.  It was a great discussion.  We also played with the puppy.  He was actually the last one they had, but they said he was the best of the litter.  They were actually getting quite attached and probably would have kept it if we wouldn't have taken him.  We then were invited in to talk and enjoy some cider and cinnamon bread.  They were very nice people.  They only have been up in AK for a year, recently moving there from Tennessee.  We were definitely sold on this little puppy.  We were going to take him home!!!!  They had started to call him Barnabas, but we decided to change it.  With the help of my aunt Kathy, he is now Finley!  (short i) 
It was a long drive home, but he actually did pretty well.  Once he settled down, he slept quite a bit.  And each time we stopped for him to go the bathroom, he went!!!

Since having him home, we have had a great 1st experience with a puppy.   He is pretty well behaved, but of course has had his puppy moments.  He has had at least one accident every day, but goes to the bathroom when we take him out.  Our house makes it very complicated for a tiny puppy to get outside.  We have so many stairs!  We have borrowed a kennel, and he is doing quite well with that.  He only whines for a few minutes, then quiets down and sleeps very well.  We do get up at 3 a.m to take him out (I should say Jason takes him out).  He then is up and ready to go at 6:00.  Life is just a bit different, but we love him so much already.  We'll see what adventures lie ahead with him.  He's 9 weeks old today, and is growing each day.  Looking at his mom, and seeing how big he is now, we are thinking he is going to be one big golden. 

Jason is loving his life as well.  He is keeping very busy with sermon writing, service planning, and has begun making every member visits.  I have been blessed to go along with him, and look forward to attending many more.  It has been a great way for most of us to get to know our members.  God has truly blessed us with an amazing church home. 

I have started my new job!  I will be working half-time at an area elementary school as an RTI assistant (response to intervention).  We will be working with students who need that extra help in reading.  I will eventually have 3 groups of 3 students and continue to work with them all year.  We are preparing for all the testing now, and going through some training.  It seems like it is going to be a great job and a great place to be for the year.  So far so good!

Anyways, this is too long.  Enjoy the pics!  I will try to be better at blogging.

God bless!

Lake Eklutna in Eagle River

Love this sign.

Lake Eklutna

Mt. McKinely from Eagle River

Alaskan Range

 Finley with his mother, Daisy. We think his color will be right in the middle of his color and his mothers'.

 Car ride home - a six hour drive

 This was an experience!

 He was shivering so much:(

 He devours his food.  Temporary bowl.

 Always wants to be the center of attention.  We love that he loves being close and snuggling up to us!

It's always been a dream to have a dog like that.

Doing what he does so well.

The rest of my parents visit - August 11

We have been truly blessed to have my parent here for so long.  I can't believe they have to leave already.  Life will truly be different with all our visitors gone for a bit.  We will actually have to see what life is like with just the two of us.  Anyways, before we get to that point, here are some pictures of what we've been up to. 

We passed our written test for the state of Alaska.  (only took two tries :)  We are now Alaska state residents.  Big dates coming up: 

August 2012 = allowed to dip net  /  October 2013 = 1st PFD  (permanent fund distribution) checks

 At the Tanana Valley state Fair - met Smoky

 More of the fair - enjoyed some great fair food

 The huge cabbages at the fair.

 Not my dog, but just like the one I want.  Jason and  are on the search for a puppy/dog.  Nothing yet, but we are searching.

Dad being an dogsled racer at Pioneer Park.

 Yummy Yummy salmon bake!  Love it.  Thanks Mom and Dad! 

 The jackets  we didn't buy, but they were very cheap.  Just thought we would try them on.

Mom and dad riding the salmon at Pioneer Park. 

 Mom and dad went on the Riverboat Discovery - probably one of the neatest things to do here in Fairbanks.  Due to cost, Jason and I decided to wait till it's half off for residents.  Mom and dad greatly enjoyed this experience, so I decided to post some from their trip.  You take the riverboat along the Chena River and stop a few places.  You see a sea plane take off, a dogsled team,  native village, and much more. 

No, this is not a real moose, no matter how much Dad will try to tell you it is.

 Just one of the many gorgeous views they had from the boat.  The clouds are reflecting in the Chena.  As dad would say, "What incredible skys you have here in Fairbanks." 

 Dad kissing the "real" moose. 

 There was a 40 below room you could go in at the gift shop.  Yes, it was cold.  But I went in with capris and flip flops.  So I should be good in winter . . . I think.

 Mom with a native Alaskan.  I have to get a coat like that for winter!

 This was kind of neat.  It is where a dog sled team lives and trains.  It is actually Susan Butcher's husband and daughter who are in the picture.  Susan is a VERY famous Iditarod/Yukon Quest champion.  I could write a whole bunch about her, but you can look her up to find out more.  She passed away 6 years ago, but her family continues her traditions and dreams by participating in the races.  She was an incredible woman.  In summer, they train with a four wheeler (with no motor) being pulled by the dogs.  Kind of cool!

Oh, here's our parsonage! We moved to the river! Like it? 

These is just a sample of what the majority of the homes on the river look like.  They are HUGE and very beautiful.  Most of hot tubs, boats, jet skis, and sea planes.  We need to become friends with them.  Maybe we should canvass in this neighborhood!

Well, that is all of the for now.  I know it is a lot of pictures, but I had a lot to share. 

Tomorrow morning we take my parents to the airport.  I can't believe the 10 days are over already.  We are so blessed to have had them here with us.  I still can't believe both sets of parents and a few siblings had already made it up here.  God is good! 

I will now how these posts to look back on in order to remember these awesome times we had.  The distance is far, but I know that God is close.  He will and has been with us through this transition!

I pray that God will be with each and everyone of you through whatever struggle you have in your lives.  What I've noticed by doing these blogs is that it helps to write (or type) your thoughts and feelings down.  As I do that, I really, truly have to think about what I am typing.  Because of this, it becomes easier to LET GO, LET GOD!  Let go of those struggles, battles, pains, and heartaches.  Give them all to God.  Why do we try to handle them on our own, when we have an all-powerful God right by our side, asking us to, "Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."  Don't be afraid to go to him.

So, if you are having a hard time speaking the words you want to say to God, write them down.  Maybe it will work for you too.  You can always go back and read them again if you need that encouragement.   I know I do!

God bless your night!

August 4-5 Anchorage Adventure

Today will be all pictures, and one video! My parent, Jason, and I went down to Anchorage for a couple of days.  Here are the pictures from everything we saw.

This is a video that Jason took of the giant bull moose walking through the parking lot of Eagle River Nature Center.  This moose was HUGE!  IT had a full rack and everything.  There were so many people watching and taking pictures, I was surprised the moose stayed as calm as he did.  After all the stories I've read about moose attacks, I kept my distance.  Therefore, I cannot take any credit for these pictures.  All Jason!

Mountains along the drive.

More mountains

 Eagle River Nature center - views from hike

The bull moose!  Awesome!

 More mountains.

Now, look at the van behind the moose.  Now look at the moose.  Now imagine hitting that moose.  Ouch!  As this moose walked right through the cars, the people watching began to find something to stand behind.  It was very neat to see. 

Again, we were blessed to be able to see Mt. McKinely.  So glad my parents got to see it.  These pictures are taken in between Fairbanks and Denali.  By the time we arrived in Denali it was too cloudy to see anything at all.  We even have pictures of the mountain after traveling only 15 minutes outside of Fairbanks. 

A cow moose with her calf on the road to Eagle River Nature center

Nature center hike

People watching the moose.  You can see that I was keeping the correct amount of distance.

The moose mom and dad got for us for our house.  He fits in perfecty!  I will stay closer to this one than the ones before this.

Mom and Dad Schmill Visit - Entry 1

It has been a great first few days with my family.  We’ve been so busy that I haven’t had time to do a blog for some time now.  So, here is a recap on what we’ve been up to.

Mom and Dad’s flight arrived about an hour and a half late, so we picked them up around 2:00 a.m.  Being that it was a late night, we all slept in pretty late.  I then went to an orientation for being a substitute in the Fairbanks School District.  It went quite well, so we will see what I hear from them in a few days, God-willing.  While I was there, mom and dad walked around downtown Fairbanks.  A few of the pictures below will show what they saw.  All four of us went back downtown later that evening for a downtown market. 

Yesterday, we mom, dad, and myself went to Museum of the North at the University of Alaska – Fairbanks.  IT was incredible all the information they had there for us to learn.  You could spend about 8 hours there, and not have read everything.  We then came home to get Jason, and headed out to North Pole; mom and dad had to see The Santa Claus House.  After grilling out here at home, we took my parents to Hot Licks  - Alaskan handmade ice cream!  YUM! 

Today, we started our morning with a little exercise.  Jason ran really early in the morning, and then Dad ran while I biked about 4 miles.  It was a beautiful morning to get out.  Then we began our preparation for painting our accent wall in our living room.  It took a few hours, but you will see the finished product below.  Thanks mom and dad for all your help!!  We hurried to clean up in order to make it out to Silver Gulch Brewery by 3:00 for a free tour.  We were the only ones there, so we got an awesome tour and lots of free samples.  We then stayed for a bit and enjoyed some appetizers.  We met some wonderful Alaskans!  It has been fun getting to know some of the people here.  After a stop at Walmart, we arrived home, nailed our pictures back on the newly painted wall, and ate supper.  It is now time to relax, play a few games, and get ready for our trip to Anchorage tomorrow.  We will spend a day and a half down there.  We hope to see some wildlife on our drive (but not too close).

Thanks for your prayers for my Godmother, Ingrid.  She is home and doing much better.  We pray the Lord continues to bring her to full recovery.  Love ya, Ingrid.

May God bless the rest of your weeks. 

Sign by the Yukon Quest building (a dogsled race that starts in Fairbanks and ends in Yukon - February)

Plugs that are ALL over Fairbanks so you can plug in your cars during winter. 

 Beautiful weather here! We'll take it over the heat!

In Fairbanks - looking over the Alaskan range - just a bit too cloudy

 Driveway inbetween house and church

 Brown bear - 8'9" - can be found all over Alaska

 Museum of the North

View from Chena Ridge looking at Tanana and Chena Rivers in Fairbanks

 Bottling machine at brewery

 Relaxing at the brewery

 Looks cooler inside

 Mom and dad at the pipeline at Fairbanks

At North Pole  - If you visit the Grey Moose Inn, you can get your picture taken with him too!

 Living room before painting is completed

Jason getting to work on the part close to the ceiling with a q-tip.

Finished product!

Another finished product

Hope you enjoyed the pics.  More to come after our trip to Anchorage, AK.