I have an out

The other day Jeremy said that since we have a lot of air miles just sitting around, and since I could probably use a break from the girls, and since Brayton may not like a 5 day drive strapped in his car seat, I should probably just fly back to Kansas.

I was hesitant, since I know I'll miss my girls and my sweet husband dearly. Dearly. IMMENSLY! I then started thinking of all the "what if" scenarios that could happen with Jeremy driving solo and me at home alone (Brayton can't really fend someone off if they're attacking us in the night. Yes, I think of those highly unlikely kinds of things).

We said a prayer together.

It will be OK.

We'll have an increased appreciation for each other. It will be a nice break. It will be more enjoyable for everyone without having a screaming baby and mother in a car for that loooong drive. We will have time to bond with our children more fully. We have the means, so why not?

It will be OK.

I got my ticket last night. I bought (with air miles, of course) the last seat on a red eye to Denver...it's in First Class...(at no extra charge even!)and a super duper cheap ticket onward to Kansas City. I'll be home before Jeremy even has the car loaded and pulls out of the driveway.

It will be bitter-sweet, the girls may scream bloody murder when I'm dropped off at the airport, it may be tough doing things without the other helpmeet, I may cry myself to sleep, but it will be OK.

The Newest Blue Penguin

Jeremy's swim coach, Mary, from his city team (back during his high school years) was visiting our friends in Anchorage so we stopped over for a visit this past weekend. He had a great time catching up with her, and our friends too.

While we were there, we received a soccer uniform for Maddie (Shannon is the team's coach) so she could play the last 5 games. She was a bit shy about it, but once we got her on the field, she LOVED it! I'm glad she's just getting some fresh air and has a chance to play with some new friends.

No thanks Abbie, I can't eat a cookie while I'm playing. Take it away!

I saw this from afar and later asked Madeline what they were cheering about. She said they put their hands together and said "1, 2, 3, Best friends forever!" I am just amazed at how easily kids become friends....definitely something that adults can be inspired by (me included).

Madeline was able to kick the ball around a bit, dribble it a little ways, and steal it away for her team. Usually if she's running with someone and they get ahead, she'll stop, fall down, and cry. She didn't do that at all in her games (thank goodness!).

Here's the cheering section. Abbie and Brayton loved being outdoors. We're getting some smoke from a forest fire near Denali, but it was barely smellable (is that even a word?)...I was more concerned with staying cool in the 80 degree heat! Yes, we're really going to suffer when we get back to the 100+ heat in Topeka...

And nothing is as refreshing as a raw spear of broccoli. Seriously, she got snacks/gatorade after the game, but preferred her veggies.

Sweet

I'm free!!! Jeremy is making sure the kiddos are staying all tucked in while I am getting caught up on a few things in wireless-land. The UAA commons is quite cozy and quiet. Nice, huh? Anyhow, I don't have photos available (they're in the camera at home), but I just wanted to share one little niblit of cuteness with you - our delicious little chublet. He is now crawling, and trying to climb up to things...amazing what a lack of toys (exersaucer) have done for him...lots of tummy time has done the trick I suppose.

And it's also amazing to realize that we CAN live without TV. The girls are playing together better (most times) and coming up with some fun and interesting games. Imagination abounds! When we get back to Kansas, that TV is going into the basement.

We have had so much freedom by not having so much "stuff" around. We barely have enough dishes for the 5 of us, but it's been eye-opening. We're enjoying one another more and really realizing that we don't need much (we've known that for awhile now though). Try it - send your TV away for a week and see how closer you are to one another.

And go ahead, take another peek at sweet Brayton.

Where are those O'Neils?

OK, so for me to blog/check email/do anything internet related, I have to load the kiddos up in the car and find a parking lot on campus to get a wireless connection (which is what I'm doing now, very reluctantly and regretfully). Sure, I could do that at night when they're in bed with Jeremy watching over the house, but that doesn't happen until 11pm...and I'm too tired to go find a connection. We're enjoying it here in Anchorage - it's so beautiful! I prefer the traffic in Fairbanks or Topeka over that of Anchorage. I pick Jeremy up from work at the Federal Building downtown, which is a 7 minute drive (theoretically) and it takes 20 minutes because of traffic!

We got to enjoy family this past weekend too - thanks Fairbanks O'Neils for visiting :) Now what you've all been waiting for...photos...I'm listening to screaming children, so we'll have to go without captions for now :)

82 Degrees

I have tried and tried to upload photos to no avail. We're using someone's unsecured wireless network and it's just too weak to get pictures on here. Just wanted you to know we're still alive...We've been enjoying our looooong visits with family and friends the past week. For our non-Alaska friends, the sun doesn't set up here in the North and it seems to have really thrown us off. The kids are out playing until 11pm and then are sometimes up at 6am...it's been tiring. We just don't realize how much time has passed while sitting outside chatting it up! Today we spent hours at a pond fishing, canoeing, playing in the mud, barbequeing and even getting a bit of a sunburn.

It was hotter here in North Pole than Topeka today. Yup, we reached a beautiful 82 degrees.

Cousins!

The girls have missed ALL of their cousins and couldn't wait to see them again. We spent yesterday having them get reaquainted while Jeremy and I visited with our siblings. We still have more family to visit, but it's been wonderful to see everyone again and to see how much all these kiddos have grown!


My brother's kids, Dylan and Donaven, give Maddie a ride on their "trucktor".

Jeremy's brother, Kelly & his family took us out to a delish dinner at the Alaska Salmon Bake (THANK YOU!!!). It was so good to have some fresh fish again...and of course enjoy their company too! Kelly had to head back to work, so Amber and I took the kids on a walk through Pioneer Park. After all that cake the kids had some energy to burn.

Vaughn, Abbie, Maddie, Bailey and Brayton posing for a touristy photo.

we made it!

we got in at 5pm last night and will post lots more soon...soooo tired....yes, still.