Be open

Dear Jackson and Addison,

Today is the first day of school. You start 5th and 3rd grade. Wow! Going to bed last night, and in the nights leading up to this morning there has definitely been a mix of excitement and worry in our house. Jackson, you are excited to see your friends but you are in that "phase" where you are steadfast on not liking the work aspect of school. Which cracks me up honestly because I know you will jump on all opportunities to learn something new. Addison, you are worried. You are feeling like you don't have any close friends, and that the other girls are mean. You are also worried about 3rd grade being too hard. We have had a lot of conversations about how you feel you aren't a good reader and how you think you can't do it.

I wish I could tell you both that it will be an easy year, but I'm not going to. Reality is is that there will be some things that are easy, and other things that are hard. For both of you, and those will be different things. Jackson, you are in a much different place starting 5th grade as we have (keeping my fingers crossed) finally mastered your anxiety. And bug, I'm sorry we didn't figure it out sooner. I honestly didn't think it was on the level that it was. Addison, I wish you could see yourself the way we see you. But we are listening sweetheart and are taking the steps necessary to figure out exactly what the reasons are that you feel school is hard. We are your rock solid supports, this year and every year love. I know we will learn and grow together this year and you will have an amazing year.

My wish for both of you this school year is to be open. Be open to new ideas and conversations. Be open to new friends. Be open to different perspectives and new experiences. Be open to success and failure, because through failure comes growth and new opportunities. You are both strong, bright and creative individuals with your own thoughts and ideas. Be open to expressing them. It is important to learn how to explain yourself eloquently. Be open to one another and the love and support that you can give to each other. Be open to constructive criticism from those who are wiser than you. Yes, there are those people out there...and they can teach you a lot if you listen. Ahhh, that word...Listen. Be open to not only listening, but truly hearing. This will take a lifetime to learn. Don't go into a conversation thinking about what you will say next. Focus on the other person talking and truly hear what they have to say to you. Be open to body language, and the unspoken conversation that takes place between all people. Addie, this will be easier for you than for Jackson. Help one another out.

In a few short hours, we will take our first day of school pictures and head out the door. Your new school clothes are hanging in your closet, and your shoes are by the door. What will today bring? This year? Time will tell, so let's be open and embrace it together. Remember that with Jesus in our hearts, and our family by our side we can tackle everything!

I love you both and can't believe we are starting 3rd and 5th grade!!!! I know you're going to have a great day!!

Love,
Mom

Crashing down.

It was a tough start to the week. From a quick end of summer vacation (more this weekend), to back to work and kids not feeling well (again) it's just been one of those. You know the weeks, where you feel like the waves are just crashing over and over on you. They are coming so hard and fast that it's impossible to catch your breath. And all you want to do is stand there, watch them roll in and jump over them. But you can't. You can't even swim under them. They are crashing, and somewhere in there you snag a breath here and there, treading water and keeping afloat.

But here we are. It's Friday! Jackson and Addison start school on Monday. Their back to school pool party is tonight and I can hardly believe summer is over. Hopefully these next few weeks the waves will slow down. Hopefully we can catch our breath and maybe even jump over a few. It's exhilarating to do. Freeing even. Or, we'll take a deep breath and swim under them. Hearing the churning of the water above, but knowing we've got this underneath. So though the ocean is big and vast, we will focus on each wave as it comes. Relying on God's strength to carry us through.

Our Alaskan Adventure - the Hubbard Glacier and Alyeska

The Hubbard Glacier was magnificent. I cannot believe how close we got, nor that they can turn these cruise ships basically on a dime. Dave braved the weather and went outside to take these pictures. The captain did two full turns so that everyone on board could have a good view of the glacier, no matter if you were up on the top deck or watching from your room. You could hear the ice crackling (think Titanic) as the ship cut it's way in up close. There really is nothing like it, and frankly the pictures don't do it justice!

After the glacier, we had a day at sea and then set out on our next part of the adventure. Alyeska and Denali. Those pictures are to come!!!

Our Alaskan Adventure - Sitka

We had high hopes for Sitka. We were headed out on our second fishing excursion, and were hoping to catch some to ship home. Before that though we got to walk around town. I just loved it. We saw new street signs which kind of made me think. The Russian Cathedral was beautiful, and sat in the center of town. I'll be honest, history just isn't my thing. But I don't even remember hearing al the Russian history in Alaska. That was new. 

I have never seen this before!

The Russian Cathedral

Front of the Cathedral

Dave and a bear...he was feeling a little grizzly from walking.

We set sail with a captain and his son as our guides along with another couple from New York that had never been fishing before. The captain was a character, but pretty impatient. The first place we went to, we could see the salmon jumping off to the side. We all dropped lines, and we might have stayed if the other couple actually had a clue. From there, we went to a few other spots and then they started trolling for salmon. We all drew cards to determine the order of who was reeling in the fish when. Well, the New York couple didn't "get it." At one point we snagged a rock fish and they pushed their way to the line before even the son could get there. At that point, Dave and I were pretty much done. The one cool thing was the captain used that rock fish as bait for a bald eagle. They threw it into the water and he swooped down and grabbed it. It was absolutely breathtaking! We also saw a lot of eagles in the trees. We even saw a sea otter, laying on his back just floating along. I have to admit I was amazed that this is "normal" when you live in Alaska. 

Arrowhead Point

Two eagles, chilling in the trees.

Dave, sticking his tongue out at me.

Completely in his element.

Mr. Sea Otter

Even though it was a disappointing fishing day, it was beautiful. I think Dave would move to Alaska in a heartbeat if he could. I would join him, in the summers...I don't think I'm cut out for the winters...at all!

Our Alaskan Adventure - Skagway

Skagway was a double adventure for us. We went to the Adventure Park twice. First, we went zip lining. Once again, we had amazing weather. There was a family in our group and another father/daughter pair. So zip lining. I can honestly say by the end of it, I was starting to relax a little. They had a zip lining course through the trees. We started on a "ropes course" first to get the feel of just crossing the lines. Then got to actually zip. They had brakes built in to where the guides were braking you (this was my issue...no control). It was amazing, scary, freeing and frightening all at the same time. And I truly think for me it went back to not being able to control my speed. We had a great time, and will definitely do it again!

Sporting the safety gear.

Ready to go!!

Let's ZIP!!!

One of the zip lines...super hard to see though.

Dave, coming in for a landing!

After zip lining, we went back to the ship and had a fast lunch so we could meet up with our next adventure group...rock climbing and repelling. The same family from the morning was with us, as were a few other groups. We got outfitted with climbing shoes (and wow, they help a ton). Dave and I climbed two climbs, and I am happy to report were successful both times getting to the top. After everyone had climbed, we headed up to the top to repel down. I love repelling when I have climbed up, but I am not such fan of just repelling down. For me, it's the stepping off the cliff. But, I did it!!! 

View from the repelling station.

After our repels, we had the driver drop us in town and went with another couple to get a quick drink and then walk back. On the way back, we saw an Ace Hardware so we had to venture in. It was neat! 

We were almost to the ship when Dave and I came across a mermaid, and had to stop and take a picture and send it to some friends because we are going to run away and become mermaids. I would definitely go back to Skagway.

Our Alaskan Adventure - Juneau

Sailing into Juneau we had cloudy skies which provided a nice background for pictures. We saw our first "icebergs." It was absolutely amazing how blue the ice looked in the water. 

All of us part of the morning and lunch free, so we took the tram up to the top of a mountain for lunch. It was beautiful!! We saw our first bald eagle soaring in the sky. What a sight. I just can't imagine seeing them everyday. We also saw some moss that only grows on trees where there is little to no pollution. And of course, you couldn't beat the temperature! The sky cleared for us and we didn't have any rain. 

Art and Linda in Juneau

Loving the cool weather!

Moss

Our first bald eagle.

Soaring towards us.

A side view.

Our adventure for the afternoon was canoeing past the Mendenhall glacier. All the "kids" went on this trip. Our group was interesting, in that we also had a family with a few young kids. Not a big deal except that we all had to paddle, and it was a big canoe. So when kids are involved....it gets harder! But everyone chipped in and no one fell out (always a plus). They outfitted us with as much waterproof gear as we wanted. Wellies were a must though because we had to step in the water to get into the canoe. 

Wellie pic.

Dave and I ready to go!

View on the lake.

We lucked out because the road to the lake had been closed the day before due to flooding when the glacier calved. While we were canoeing, our guide told us he was watching a part of the glacier, and should it calve again, we would row straight into the wave much like surfers do to go under it. 

The Mendenhall glacier

Dave and his sister Dianna

Canoeing was hard work, but was definitely worth it! We had a great time, and afterwards stopped in at the Red Dog Saloon to have a drink. 

Dianna and Nat

Deb, Dave, Dianna and Nat

We were also trying to get more pictures of everyone together! So we played around with pictures that night!

Deb, Dave and Dianna

Art and Linda