Autumn.....

*Big Breath In*
*Hold*
*Let it out*
I absolutely love the Fall. In Texas, Fall is later than normal and it doesn't get that cold. Here in Alaska, it is right where it should be, but only lasts for a few weeks and is cooler than most. The last couple of weeks and 25 degrees at 9 o'clock in the morning, to be precise. BUT, the season brings with it a certain feel, smell, look; very nostalgic somehow and I LOVE IT!!!!
The trees are very gold, orange, yellow and red right now and leaves are piling up on the ground underneath them. Kids running around with lite jackets on throwing those leaves in the air reminds me of school and then I think about all those Friday night football games down there in Texas and it makes me want nachos, a hot dog and rootbeer. :D Hee hee!!!

No, I did not take this picture, but it is a very accurate... no pretty much exactly what it looks like about 10 miles down the road toward our chapel in Eagle River. It is absolutely breath taking to come up over the hill and see that right in front of you. Oh the works of our Heavenly Father.
*Big Breath In*
*Hold It*
*And sigh*

Husband Tag

1. Where did you meet?
We met at a party that was thrown by one of the guys from the singles ward. It was actually my first anything back in the singles ward after a long while. I went with my sisters friend who was back from school for the summer. We were running really late and when we got there only James and his friend Shelby were there and were fixin' to leave. But when we came in and were introduced, James and I shook hands and we both had the thought that we needed to get to know the other. Needless to say, he didn't leave and we hung out and talked to whole rest of the night.
2. How long did you date before you got married?
We Met on July 6, 2001.
We were engaged on July 20th.
We were married on October 19th.
3. How long have you been married?
Almost 7 years
4. What does he do that surprises you?
He takes care of the kids a great deal so that I can do whatever. Even if it is just me getting out of the house.
5. What is you favorite feature of his?
His smile. It lights his whole face up and his eyes twinkle.
6. What is your favorite quality of his?
I love his absolute and unconditional love for his children. He is a wonderful dad.
7. Does he have a nickname for you?
He mostly calls me sweetheart. Or sweetie when he's about to ask me for something.
8. What's his favorite color? He really doesn't have one, but he likes to wear a lot of black and I like him to wear blue and green.
9. What's his favorite food? It depends on his mood.
10. What is his favorite sport? Doesn't have one, though he played football a little in highschool.
11. When and where was your first kiss? It was after institute one night when he took me back to my apartment.
12. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple?
We love to sit and watch movies, old and new and everything in between, after the kids go to sleep. I usually eat popcorn and something chocolate and we have something to drink and just watch.
13. Do you have any children?
Yes. Evan is 6 and Ava is 17 months and boy is he wrapped around her little tiny finger.
14. Does he have a hidden talent?
He is extermely talented at learning languages and he can sing like nobody's business.
15. How hold is he?
He is 32.
16. Who said I love you first?
I think he did, but I said it right after.
17. What is his favorite type of music?
He likes hard rock. The head banging kind.
18. What do you admire the most about him?
His ability to be calm and a peacemaker. I'm totally the opposite. I like to scream and yell. He hates it.
19. Do you think he will read this?
Nope
20. Who will you Tag?I will tag Kara.

Ear Infections and Sore Throats

So, at 3:45 pm last Monday, I got a call from Evan's teacher, Ms. Armstrong. She said that at the end of the day he said his ear war hurting really bad and strated crying, but since we live on the other side of the base from the school she knew the quickest way to get him home would be the school bus. So he gets off the bus and is holding his ear. He saw me and started crying. I said "I know. I know. Let's go get some medicine from the store and make you feel better." But then he just started wailing so I decided to take him to the ER seeing as it was too late in the day to get a DR. Appt. (The whole military, living on base thing is crap when it comes to medical care most of the time.) So we go to the ER and I call James at work to come get Ava. (Emergency room issues are the only time he can get out of work.) Evan was triaged and the gave him some Motrin for the pain. (The wonder drug of the military) But it worked and the 4 and 1/2 hours later, Evan's pain was still gone and there was still one person in front of us. My thought was, "We are leaving and if it truely is an ear infection it will still be hurting tomorrow and I will get a reall DR's appointment in the morning." So that's exactly what happened. But it's Double ear infections and 10 days of pink liquid Amoxicillin. (which he doesn't seem to mind.)
I woke up on Friday with a sore throat. It hurt off and on that day, but yesterday morning I was fine. Then we got home from a Primary Activity and I just crashed. It almost feels like the flu. My friend and her son both had strep thoat last week and the week before, so I hope it's not that.
AND, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE don't let Ava get sick. When your babies, who can't talk and tell you what hurts get sick, it's the worst. It almost makes you feel like a failure and all you want to do is make the hurt go away. Cross your fingers!!!!!!

Time Out for Women

So, This last weekend was Time Out for Women in Anchorage, Alaska. It was the first time they had been to Alaska and it was really neat because Hillary Weeks is from here and so her parents were here and got to see her perform and such.
As always, like the dork I am, I forgot my camera on both Friday night and Saturday, so no pictures but it was great. Of Course!!
Friday night Hillary Weeks performed and we heard talks from Sister Wendy Watson Nelson (married to Elder Russel M Nelson of the Quorm of the Twelve) and Sheri Dew. Between the two of their talks, we had a little Q & A and someone asked how it was that Sister Nelson came to meet Elder Nelson and so we got to hear that cool story, told by both Sister Nelson and Sister Dew. They are best friends and they just play off eachother and tease and everything. It was soooo cool.
Saturday, I was able to hear Emily Watts and S. Michael Wilcox. I absolutely love both of them. It wasn't the first time I have seen and heard Brother Wilcox. He was at the very first TOFW I went to in Texas several years ago. But it was the first time I heard Sister Watts, though I have several of her books and talks on CD. Same with Bro. Wilcox.
I left at lunch time because I wasn't feeling well, but before I left I was able to get Hillary Weeks to sign her book that I had bought form the book store there. By the way, her new CD is coming out in a week or so and it is going to be awesome. She sang several of her new songs that are on that CD. Most she, of course, wrote and she also sang one in which Tyler Castleton wrote and it was awesome. I just can't seem to remember the name of it all of a sudden. I must be gettin' old.