A Tragic Day

Yesterday, December 20th, 2007, our beloved dog, Pike, was killed. She was hit by a car in the early dark hours of the morning. The unfortunate person who hit her was kind enough to rush her to the vet, but it was too late. I got the call about 8:45 am. After the kids and I cried for awhile, Ryley asked if we could go see her one last time. So we drove over to the pound and met up with the officer who called and gave us the bad news. They had her wrapped in a blanket in the back of the truck, and she looked fine...like she was sleeping. Her injuries were obviously internal. All the kids got to pet her one last time. She'll never be forgotten, and in the spring, we'll bury her collar and make a little plaque for her.

Special Times

I cherish opportunities, within our six member family, for rare one-on-one moments. Last night, after all the other kids were sleeping, I heard faint singing coming from Josiah and Isaac's room. I peeked in and Isaac was still awake. I remembered back to the afternoon, and realized that he had fallen asleep during Quiet Time. No wonder he was still awake! I motioned to him to sneak out quietly and invited him to join me in the Christmas baking. (Jeremy was at poker, so I was trying to be productive for the evening.) We had such a special time together, and I think that's just what Isaac needed after our traumatic day, and just in general, as a middle child who seems to sometimes get lost.

Life With Boys

We bought a gaggle of crickets at the pet store yesterday, for Angel. There were more than any lizard should eat in one sitting, even on Thanksgiving, so Jeremy said the boys should store the rest in the garage...they would go dormant in the cold air out there. This morning, Ryley decided to "wake" some up, for Angel's breakfast. Isaac, ever the mischievous one, thought it would be funny to put one in the vent. Unfortunately, we've found out before just how "funny" that is, as I was one time kept awake all night with the echoing of the cricket's lonely call through the entire duct system. Try getting a cricket out of a heat vent! Impossible, you say? No, not for Ryley. He successfully retrieved that culprit and promptly fed it to Angel. But can he do it again?

Now, for the good news of the morning! Josiah would like to share the specs of his "ship of the day" with you.

this is my lego creation, my biggest this month.It has a satellite blaster, a detachable ship, and Machine guns

It travels at the speed of light.

It has lazer guns,cannons and an escape pod.

Fun, Food, Friends

Last Sunday we spent the day with our friends Cody and Nikki at their house. We enjoyed an awesome display of yummy treats. Jeremy and Cody spent some time working on the attic project. The kids stayed busy bouncing back and forth from the kitchen (and the food) to the basement (and the air hockey, pool table, and drum set). Later in the day, some other friends come over to join us. Cody even taught Anna the Tango!

The Nutcracker

Anna and I went together to see a local dance school's rendetion of act two of The Nutcracker last Saturday morning. She loved getting all dressed up and watching all the girls in the beautiful dresses up on stage. Maybe in a year or two she will be able to join them! We sat with our friends, the Lacrosses, whose youngest daughter danced in the ballet. In these pictures, Anna and Elizza (her baby) are sitting on Becky's lap with Mark in the background. She's also pictured with Cassie (our favorite babysitter EVER) who is home from college for the holidays. After the ballet, Cassie came over to spend the day with the kids while Jeremy and I went to Anchorage to do some Christmas shopping, go out for dinner, and even catch a movie! The kids had a great time, also, as always. Cassie took them out for hot cocoa, then to an awesome sledding hill, where they were joined by some guys who had mounted a shopping cart on skis and were taking turn strapping each other in for a wild ride. Hope the boys didn't get any crazy ideas...

NOW it feels like Christmas!

Finally...we have SNOW! I think this time, it will actually stay, too.
Yesterday we spent the morning working on Christmas-Ryley and I made a double batch of Pepparkakor cookies, Josiah made a necklace for his friend for Christmas, and Isaac and Anna were busy with projects of their own...mostly play dough. This afternoon, after a busy morning at church, we got home and the kids insisted on getting out to play right away. At last, enough snow for a snowman!!

'Tis The Season...

Today we went hunting for the Perfect Alaska Christmas Tree. We think we came pretty close. Every year, we try to find a better tree than last year. Of course, they all look so much better outside. Then after we haul it home, stuff it through the front door, smear the hardwood floor with sap, and stand back to admire it, we look at each other and ask, "What did we think was so great about this tree? Is this really the best we could do?" We have to answer ourselves with a resounding, "yes!" As Jeremy pointed out tonight (while I grumbled about the bare spots and asymmetry while stringing lights), the TREE has nothing to do with the tree...it's all about the hunt. What awesome family memories we make each year, as we tromp around what we hope and pray is state land in search for the prettiest scrawny tree around.

Grandpa and Me

Grandpa Jacobson

On Monday night I left from Anchorage, flew to Seattle, met my mom, and continued on together to Chicago where we boarded a bus and traveled to Rockford to be with my Grandpa and Grandma at the hospital. Grandpa had another stroke and things aren't looking good for his recovery. He will probably suffer more strokes and/or heart trouble for the rest of his life. The doctor says it could be two days, or two years. We've been having fun keeping his spirits up. He is confused and disoriented a lot of the time, so he's been regaling us with stories of his wild nights when we get to his room each morning. He's had visits from the Tattletale Committee, the doctor who is "part duck" (or the Fart Doctor, according to Grandma), beautiful women surrounding him (no, he wasn't talking about us family members!), five guys who wrestled him to the ground, and more-just in his imagination! (By way of explanation, I tried to rotate that first pic, but I'm out of time, as we need to get back to his room! The picture of him eating something green is just for Ruth. He's eating pureed food and he called it Sponge Bob. I think it's green beans.)

I'm so thankful for air miles which I flew on to get here affordably, and for an awesome husband who let me go! The kids have great babysitters who are trading off for the week.

Ryley, Josiah, Isaac and Anna...I miss you so much and can't wait to get home. I'm counting the days with you and I'll be bringing little surprises for all of you! I hope everyone is done throwing up now. Josiah, Dad said you were so tough and you took the flu "like a man". I'm so proud of you! Ryley, I'm sure you're helping the girls with everything and are comforting to Isaac and Anna when they miss me. Isaac, I know you're keeping everyone laughing when they feel sad. Anna, you are probably taking good care of all your boys. I'll see you soon!!

Girl Stuff

I have been so blessed with having a little girl. I am continually amazed at how different girls and boys are...from birth! Today Anna asked me if she could please have one of my many chapsticks ("lipgloss", she prefers to call it!) I love my little Anna Elise!

(This is the most recent picture of the two of us that I have...but look how little she is! Why do they have to grow up so quickly??)

Concerning Critters

***Ryley's Bearded Dragon was his 10th birthday present from us. He named her Angel, because she loves to sit on his shoulder. Recently, she's figured out how to escape her home, waking Ryley up in the middle of the night as she crawls/jumps around on his bookshelf.

***Hercules, the Emperor Scorpion, is just a joy to have in our family :-~ (Thanks, Bobbie) All in all, he's pretty quiet and happy, as long as he can suck the insides out of the occasional cricket.

***Lewis II, the Hermit Crab, is the successor of Lewis (of Lewis and Clark, our first Hermits). After bringing them home from the pet store, securing a home for them, and leaving for baseball, they escaped. Upon returning, we were up "way past bedtime" searching for them. As it turned out, they were on a little exploration. They were found in Ryley's room, beside the book, Around the World in Eighty Days, by Jules Verne. The boys named them appropriately. (Sadly, they've both passed on. They were flushed to their watery graves.) We're hoping Lewis II stays safely at home.

***Pike (which neams, "girl" in Norwegian) is not pictured, as she is your typical black lab. Her main claim-to-fame is that she can open our front door. Now if we can just teach her to shut it...

The Ancient World

(This poem was written and typed by Ryley)

Sumer, with the terrific Tigris and unique Euphrates,
lush gardens,
astonishing Ziggurrats.

Egypt, with exquisite Pharaohs,
mysterious pyramids,
the endless Nile.

Israel, with GOD'S PERFECT WRITTEN LAW,
the hallowed temple,
and the plentiful promised land.

Never too old for sledding!

One more fun pic from our sledding day. Thanks, Elizabeth, for capturing the moment!

Winter Fun!

This afternoon we went to Hatcher's Pass (our favorite place for winter fun!) and went sledding with the Horsmans. Nate and Ryley also had fun snowboarding. Poor Jeremy wasn't able to snowboard, however, due to three broken fingers thanks to his ironworking job! Maybe next time! (If you're wondering about Anna, she tripped in the snow while drinking her hot cocoa!)

Ryley's Latest Book Report

(Typed by Ryley)

Buffalo Bill

by Edmund Collier.

This story took place in the 1860's wild west.

Bill was 7 when he and his family moved to Kansas. He shot a doe through the heart on his first shot!.Once he captured three Indians. They had lunch together and played untill supper.

Bill and Sam were herding cows. a cow went up a bluff and knocked a rock loose. BetseyBaker(Sam's horse)got scared and bucked three times. The horse came down on top of Sam and killed him.

My favorite part of the story was when Bill rode the Pony Express. I loved this book and I think everyone should read it.

Anna says the darndest things

After sitting on her feet to reach the table while she enjoyed this juicy orange, Anna came running to find me, exclaiming, "Ouch! Ouch! There are stars in my feet! Quick! Get me some socks. Then the stars will come out of my feet and go into the socks instead!" Apparently, she was experiencing the phenomenon of "pins and needles".

Josiah, Lego Master

(Typed by Josiah) this was a pretty easy ship. weapons: fireblaster- 5,000 mph . per blast high tech robot cutter 150 mph speed of ship = speed of light.

New additions to my cozy home

Jeremy installed a fireplace for us this fall. The kids and I have been loving the cozy atmosphere of cuddling up with a good book in front of the fireplace, both in the evenings and the mornings!

Here is my new china hutch. I got it at an antique store that is going out of business...for half off! Now I can proudly display Grandma Jacobson's china which was until recently waiting patiently in the crawlspace for a new home! It is in its original condition and was made in the late 40s or early 50s.

My Blessed Life

I've been thanking God lately for the blessings He's poured out on me. After a particularly difficult week last week, and several days of venting my anger and disappointment to God, I've been seeking to recognize and acknowledge His abundant love for me. What a beautiful life I lead! What more could I possibly want? My amazing husband is so attentive to me. He works so incredibly hard so I can not only feed my family, but buy a pair of shoes on a whim. He has eyes only for me, and he communicates that very well ;-) He supports and encourages me with my endeavors to encourage my kids' education. He listens when I call him, crying with frustration, right during his lunch break!
Our four beautiful children are definitely a "quiver full". Sometimes when the "quiver" is bursting at the seams with wrestling and pillow fights amongst piles and piles of Legos, I wonder at these little "blessings". Then in the quiet, tender one-on-one moments, my eyes well up with tears and the lump in my throat prevents me from speaking.
What did I do to deserve this? Absolutely nothing. That is the beauty of my Jesus.

Dressing Up

Dressing up is such fun! Ryley was "Mullet Man", wearing bad teeth, stubble, a mullet wig, and really beat-up clothes. Josiah was Wolverine (and no, they've never seen the movie, but they LOVE the guy anyway!) complete with custom claws made by dad, stubble, spiked hair, and the cool jean jacket. Isaac was an Indian...face paint, feathers, a bear claw necklace made by Grandpa H, the whole thing! Anna was...surprise...a princess. She got to wear eye makeup, lipstick, an "up do", and painted nails (which she is proudly displaying in the picture.) As I was Pippi Longstocking last year, and I feel that took WAY too much effort, I figure I'm good for the next couple of years!

Ahhh...Winter

The kids were so excited to wake up this morning to all the fresh, albeit wet, snow. I am inspired by their enthusiasm for the simple things in life that I often overlook. However, I must admit that even though I didn't squeal and hop around with zeal over the snowfall, I do feel my own form of excitement. I donned my apron immediately upon entering the kitchen this morning. Dinner is in the crock pot (a "comfort food"-stew), bananas are thawing from the freezer to be used in bread...yes, the cozy feelings of winter have set in.