"The days are long, but the years are fleeting."

Nov. 6, 2009 - November, 2009

Wow, what a wonderful autumn this has been! Having lived here in Alaska my whole life, I have seen many snow-filled winters arrive far too soon. This year has been an absolute treat, however! Here it is, November 6th, and there is still no snow in our yard. The children are still enjoying playing on the lawn, riding bikes, and playing with Winchester (the rapidly growing "puppy").

We've been taking walks, using the double stroller to haul the two babies around (still have the foster children with us), and staying plenty busy with the extra activities that having two more children creates. School activities, birthday parties, visitations, doctor's appointments, etc. It's very busy around here, but every day is full of laughter, schooling, meals, games, and plenty of crayons.

Tony has been working on getting a roof on the barn, and the shed-roof finished so the boat is safely tucked away. The weather has held out so nicely, but there have been a few VERY windy days, making it hard to handle sheet metal roofing. :)

I really struggle with the snowy weather making me feel depressed in the winter, so the dry, sunny days have really been a blessing. Nothing lifts my spirits like dry grasses in the sunny breeze. Add a smiling boy to the scene, and I'm in heaven!! :)

School has been going great and everyone's enjoying the freedom we have to learn our own way. Oliver has been doing GREAT learning his multiplication facts while Evelyn is doing AWESOME with her reading and writing. Celina is working through geometry and biology while Sully focuses on his mandolin, history and math. Of course, those aren't our only subjects... but you get the picture. :)

Nothing much else to share at the moment.... or I'm just too sleepy to be able to think of anything! :)

We're healthy, happy, and so very blessed here at the house of the Alaskan Jacksons. (+2)

If you happen to think of it, please pray for the family of the two foster children who are in our home. They are such neat children, and I believe that God has big plans for their family...

In Christ's Grip,
Leah

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Oct. 24, 2009 - The New Ride...

We've been looking for a bigger vehicle for a while now.

And since our other vehicles are already HUGE (Suburban, 8 passenger station wagon, and a vw van!), there are very few vehicles that qualified as "bigger". ha ha

Tony and I took a little trip to Anchorage to look at this van.

And we decided it was the right one for US! :)

We're really happy about it, and even though it's an older vehicle (94 Dodge 15 passenger van), we feel like it's the EXACT one that God planned for us to buy.

The details all worked out perfectly, our friend Jackie watched the kiddos, and voila!

Here she is!!

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Oct. 23, 2009 - Greetings, Friends and Family!

Hello from Alaska! :)

We're having the most amazing Indian Summer here in our part of the world! We haven't had a stitch of snow (knock on wood!) and the temperatures have been in the 50*'s. It has been pure paradise for this Alaskan girl!!

Life with 7 of us plus two foster children has been plenty busy. We're so blessed to live in this country, where we can shop at warehouse stores and buy in bulk. Can you imagine trying to feed your family in those parts of the world where there is so little? I am humbled when I go shopping and fill up two grocery carts, with such things as toilet paper, diapers, wet wipes, and milk. So many others in the world must do without. Thank you, Lord!!

So, here's an update:

We've had A. and O. (our foster kiddos) with us for over a month now. They fit right in with our crew and are great kids. They are so adorable and easy to love!! I wish I had the liberty to share pictures of them, but that is not allowed. You'll just have to trust me when I say that they are two of the most beautiful children God has ever created. :)

Our family continues to be super busy. Celina helps out once in a while at a friend's bookstore, which is like HEAVEN to her!! :) She is an amazing help here at home, too, and does lots of extra things around here to help out with having an extra baby in the house. She's a pro at diapers and baby baths. God has sure blessed me with her willing spirit and capable hands.

Sully is enjoying his first year of jr. high basketball. He assures me he'll be making the team, and I have a good idea he may be correct. His good attitude on and off the court make him an asset to any team.

Oliver and Evelyn are doing great in school, and enjoy having A. (7 year old girl) to play with. They spend hours drawing, making forts, and creating clubs each day. Everyone helps out with chores, the chickens, and the barn project that Tony has been working on.

I stay plenty busy with laundry, meals (!), schooling, and the two babies. I don't have much time for blogging, but seem to spend too much time on facebook keeping up with friends and family in short spurts throughout each day. Feel free to look me up there, if we are IRL friends. :)

Tony's doing great at his job, and I'm so proud of the job he does working with the youth of our area. Each afternoon he comes home and helps me out with kids, works on the barn, or helps the kids finish up school. He's such a wonderful husband (UNDERSTATEMENT!) and great daddy!!!!!!

I'll close with just one picture of the kids I took last month. I can't include the foster kiddos (it's the rules), so here are our 5.

Praising God for all He does!
~Leah