Random stuff

To say I'm excited that we're going to Maui in a few weeks would be an understatement. At this point I haven't traveled further than 30 miles in 10 months. Sometimes I feel like I live on a small, frozen island only 20 miles in diameter. That's all we travel in the winter. This is the poster I made last time we left. We count down the days.

Finding a good deal is also exciting. I wanted some boots like these and they were only $15. Normally they were $45 but with some sale and coupons I got hooked up.
It's pretty random that all three kids are looking at the camera and sitting still in the bath tub long enough to take a picture. It'll probably be the last one they're all in the bath tub together. Sydney's at that age where she needs to start taking a shower.
This is random. Rarely do I see a sunset like this in the winter. Even in the summer it's rare because I go to bed before the sun sets. Last weekend I saw the NORTHERN LIGHTS for the first time. We saw them from our bedroom window. It is definitely amazing. Glad I finally saw them before we live.

soccer, skiing, and more

Some things we've been up to:

1. FHE

These next four pictures is an activity we did with family home evening. It comes from Ephesians 6:11-18 about putting on the "whole armor of God." The kids loved the armor I made. We talked about each piece of armor and what it means to us.

With their armor on, we threw "fiery darts" and the kids were able to block them.
Jordyn with the "helmet of salvation, shield of faith, sword of the spirit, breastplate of righteousness, loins girt about with truth, and feed shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.
2. Skiing

Jordyn took the girls skiing at Hillberg. This is a new way of teaching kids how to ski. Jeff's ski poles were attached to the back of Jordyn's skis. This way he is able to push her and steer the skis. He liked it better than the backpack leash approach we did with Sydney. But Jordyn is a different learner than Sydney. It would've been very helpful if I could've been out there with Jeff and been the designated "cheerleader" and "motivator" a 4 year old needs. Of course Jordyn's favorite thing was riding the ski lift.

Sydney is the smaller kid in blue riding the ski lift by herself. She is totally self-sufficient. Sydney had a friend to ski with, Anna. Anna rode with her dad so Sydney rode by herself. Don't worry this is the only ski lift so Jeff was able to watch her the whole time too.
Jordyn getting ready to go skiing. She did good considering she was sick and they went night skiing so she started out a little on the crabby side. I do expect a whole lot more next year when she sees her cousins ski and my parents can help out too.
3. Soccer

Nothing is cuter than seeing a 4 year old in a soccer uniform. Actually there is, watching the 4 year old "play" soccer. I use the term "play" loosely. All of them are so cute. Running after the ball, kicking the ball, and cheering when they score--or when the other team scores. It doesn't matter to them. Half the time Jordyn is complaining to her coach, usually that she has hot feet. The other half she is casually running to the ball and if she's lucky she'll make contact with the ball and kick it.

Jordyn is on the Alligators team and she is number 4.

valentines

I like valentine's day and all, but I'm still getting over the sugar rush and excitement from Christmas that I don't care all that much for this holiday. Luckily with Pinterest I get motivated to try and make the day a little extra special for my family that I adore.

We had our friend Ila over and made some valentine sugar cookies.

On valentine's day I was sick so I made valentine's breakfast a few days later.
Jeff and I are still planning on seeing the movie Vow for our date we didn't go on since I was sick. We exchange love letters and he surprised me and got me a mani and pedi which I plan to use soon before our Maui trip.

Oh, and for dessert, heart shaped cinnamon rolls.

front yard snow

The twiggy tree Sydney is standing by is the top of the tree buried in 5 ft of snow. Jordyn keeps saying every time it snows, "the tree is sinking."

Sydney standing in front of the wall in our driveway. The wall is getting so high our snowblower can't blow snow over it anymore.

In the 3 winters we've been here, this is the most snow we've gotten. This past Thursday school was cancelled due to icy roads. This is the second time school has been cancelled. We stayed home and did some science experiments and valentine crafts.

Update

The good news is that Jeff is coming home tomorrow night. The other good news (okay I'm trying to be positive here) Jeff didn't get the job. It wasn't meant to be. I believe that things happen for a reason and something else will come up.

Today

Today is pivotal. The next 6 hours may be life changing. Currently Jeff is in a hotel room in Irvine, CA waiting for a 2 hour interview with a group of people and another 2 hour interview with what would be his boss if he gets this job.

Last month Jeff was told that they were no longer going to have an AK state manager. He wasn't fired but he needed to find a lateral transfer. It's funny, because we were talking and looking to transfer anyway. This past November there were another set of lay offs and although that did not affect Jeff, we were feeling vulnerable being in AK anyway.

Yesterday I took Jeff to the airport not knowing when I will see him again. I have never had that feeling before and it wasn't a pleasant feeling....the unknown of when I'll even see Jeff; not to mention our FUTURE. Levi and Jordyn were crying in the back as I drove away. I would've been too if I hadn't been trying to be an example of strength. If he gets the job he will stay there while we stay here trying to sell the house.

In March we are flying to Maui (jeff too) for Spring Break and my parents will meet us there. I was already looking forward to that, but now more than ever do I have something to get me through the next 3-4 weeks.

I do smile at the idea of moving to warmer weather and living close proximity to family. Driving distance to family is a novel idea to me now:)

I'm excited for Jeff and nervous. He's done so much to prepare for this interview. We're similar in that way...preparing, planning, practicing, putting 110% of everything we have into something.

If he doesn't get the job, we'll be okay with that too. He'll come home by this weekend and we'll wait until something else opens up. I'm confident in the knowledge that things will work out no matter what the outcome. This, along with prayer gives much comfort in times of uncertainty.

animal friends

Was running down stairs to get something when I saw this. Levi, Jeff, and I stopped and stared for about 10 minutes. I will miss seeing moose (from inside a house or car) whenever we do leave. I can't imagine another location that have so much wild life.

Sydney's reading has come along so well. Better than I ever imagined at this age. I think she actually reads at about the level of the 2nd grade kids I student taught years ago.