Christmas Cooking

Today we made our Christmas goodies for Family, friends and work. Kimber got to help Grandma Neff while I worked today. When I came home, Kimber was the master at pouring the chocolate and nuts into the fudge, and then helped me make peanut blossoms. She was great at helping me measure out the flour, as well as roll the cookies and places the kisses on them. Nicole's job today was the taste tester; she stole a loaf of Cranberry bread from the cooling rack and started eating it. It was a lot of fun doing this with family rather than all by myself.

Also... Today at school, I started telling the kids that I was moving and would not be here next semester. They seemed rather upset. Some started plotting duct taping me to a chair, others told me I should leave Randy to stay. I was very flattered. I thought they all hated me because I got them into trouble, but apparently I am "kewl."

I did get my final grades today for school. I officially passed!! I had 2 Ps and 2 Bs. The "P"s are for my pass or fail classes!! I am a little disappointed I only got Bs, but... I am done and that is all that counts! I am done with my Early Childhood Education Associates!!! I still need to finish my Bachelors, but I have about 10 years before I am going to get started on that.

Well, we have 6 days until my family starts the drive to Kansas. I am excited and very sad. I have been blessed with creating some dear friends, and it is going to be hard to leave them....

I still need to update more details on past activities and I have pictures, but... this is all for now!

hmmm... lots of time has gone by

Well, lots has happened... and I will post pictures later and update more detailed, but a quick catch up... We closed on our home November 3rd, and have been living with my in-laws. It has been fun. The girls LOVE being with Papa and Grandma everyday, I think they are going to miss their greetings the get when they come home.
Halloween was a blast... well, for most. Kimber and Daddy trick-or-treated the street. Nicole made it to 2 houses before she threw up.
Thanksgiving we spent with our dear friends the Frys and Burtons, and then also drove to Anchorage to see my sister-in-law and her family.
Randy got his Job for the Air Force!!!!! He is active duty as of the 20th of April when he enters Basic, and he will be training for F16 avionics. It means I have to be separated from April until about September or October, but I will be able to visit after the first 2 months.
Now... We are two weeks away from driving down the Alcan, I should be finishing my finals that are do on Monday, but that is what Saturday is for. I am excited and sad all at the same time. I have so many people here I don't want to leave, but I know the Lord wants us to do this. So... I will come back and visit, and count my blessings to have the love I do here.

I will update more... probably in 3 weeks with pictures of previous events, the drive, and Christmas! I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas!!!

Sale Pending

Our house had an offer made, and through counters we agreed on a price! I can't believe it!! I have less than a month to move out of my house, and it is hitting me, that although I prayed for this, I really am going to miss my house. I am also a little more nervous about how the military is going to work out... With selling our house and not knowing what is to come just yet... kinda scary. I was up half the night thinking to do's and where to start. I am so grateful for my in-laws that are going to let me live with them while everything works-out, and then continue to Kansas if things progress nicely with the military.
This waiting game is going to be fun. My little girls are going to go crazy with me as we adjust to everything. I am hoping they wont notice how many toys are going to be packed, and have patience with my while I try to pack, and prepare for school as well. But! It is one less worry for me, and a comfort to know the house is taken care of.

On other notes. We took the girls swimming last night. Kimber got to wear swimming wings for the first time, and if she picked up her feet to float it was awesome, but if we put her in the deep end she kinda freaked, but did work her way to us for support. Nicole just loved the water... after the first shock. She was tipping over her "lily pad" that we put her in, and when she was in the shallow end she was walking and bouncing... if she tripped and went under she just thought it was funny!
Randy got his truck running this week! It was quite a bit of excitement... to get it there it caught on fire, and had some other mishaps as it all went together! But we are all excited he has his truck up and running!
The girls are finally feeling better. Life has been not overly exciting because Kimber and Nicole have been sick (Kimber mostly). Nicole did have her 18m well baby check and is 26 lbs 2 oz, 34 inches long (that is 90 percentile for height and50percentile for weight). She got pricked a while bunch, and didn't really care for that.

Well... that is our exciting moments of the last week. Hopefully this week we will all be healthy and can go play a bit more!

Update...

Nicole was super sick and cuddly, Kimber wanted a chance to hold her to help her feel better!


It was raining!!! Kimber played in the rain for about 5 minutes before she was too cold. The day after the rain we had termination dust half way down the mountain... winter is coming quick!



Bath time fun.... we have been doing this lots, because they have been making lots of messes!




Randy working on his truck with our friend Robin Worch. They changed the engine from a diesel to a gas. Lots of fun!


We have been border-line crazy busy. It seems funny, because I have nothing to do but house work after lunch most days.... but we have been finding stuff to keep us busy! Kimber is loving having a preschool with her friends 2 days a week. And I think the babysitting situations are finally figured out. We are so blessed to have so many people helping take care of us, and providing service. Thank you everyone!

We are very excited for Randy to come home on Sunday!! I get to have my sweetheart home!! It is time to winterize the house, and try to pack a bit more, in hopes my house will be sold or rented soon.


I will update again soon!

Mosiah... an answer to prayers (more of a journal entry...)

long story short... I am a little overloaded, and stressed right now. I don't know who realy cares, but it is my life, and I feel like I cant do it anymore. I am forgetting important things, and not sleeping becuase I am too stressed and constantly worried. I love Randy, but just telling me to calm down, doesnt work. How can I? There are too many things that need to be done, too many things I dont have answers to... Well, tonight, I kinda had a break down (yeah, It happens more than I like to admit.) After realizing I cant doing it on my own and crying for a while, I finally started to pray... I honestly don't know if I have the faith I need to really hear the answers, but I prayed. There is nothing else to do at this point. As I cried to my Father in Heaven the only thing that came to mind was to read my scriptures. I have never been the best at reading and studying my scriptures on a regular basis... But they were there by my bed. So I picked them up not knowing where to even start. My patriotically blessing was sticking out, so I read that first, it gave some comfort, but I was still doubting my own faith, so how are the blessing promised supposed to happen if I am not faithful enough... crying some more I opened my scriptures... My mind turned to Alma, I don't know why (beside guidance from the spirit) and decided to start in Mosiah. The answers I got our unimportant for this blog, but I wanted someone to know, that I KNOW my heavenly father listens! Just the words aren't the answer, but how perfectly they fit to my issues are... just what I needed. I still have a long way to go. This doesn't "Fix" anything, but maybe it will help. I am still overwhelmed, but maybe I have more faith to ask my Heavenly Father for help.

September 11th

Tomorrow will be busy, so while I have a few free moments tonight...
I did not lose any one I was close to in the attacks of the 11th, but I still vividly remember that day, and the days that followed. I am very proud to be an American, and I am very proud of our troops who fight for our freedom, and the freedom of others. My heart goes out to all the families mourning the lost of family from the attacks or from the war. It also goes out to all the families with out a parent as they fight in the middle east now.

Thank you so much for your Service!

Alaska State Fair 2009: Get Happy!

This year we had a lot of fun at the state fair!! I went twice before Randy came home, once with our friends the Victors (Monica and Miles) and than once with Rick and Julie (my in-laws). We had a lot of fun. With Monica we went an saw the animal exhibits which included the petting zoo, live stock,

and reptiles!

The Reptiles were awesome! The girls loved them! Nicole really liked the Turtle.

She even loved all the live-stock, but when we put her in the petting zoo, she got kinda scared and clingy.

When we went with Rick and Julie we took the girls on the rides and returned to the live stock. Nicole loved the turkeys. I was so worried she would get her nose bit. Kimber really LOVED the rides, but really seemed to enjoy petting the goats, and sheep again. She also go to see some baby chickens hatch. (Rick has all the pictures from this day, my battery was dead.)

When Randy came home, we went one last time (10 am am t0 1 pm) and did the rides again so he could play with the girls. Kimber really liked the roller-coaster type ride we did,

and Nicole loved the slide

but didn't like the Viking boat swing (she panicked).

We got there early enough we missed the crowds. We also walked to the other end of the Fair and did the National Guards Opstical course (twice).

Kimber had a lot of fun and really liked getting her face painted!

When we were looking at the live stock, Randy was trying to explain to Kimber that Christ once road on a donkey (pointing to the two there.) She responded, "AH! Really? What was its name?" Randy told her he didn't know, so she asked "Was it a daddy donkey or a mommy donkey?" The things they don't teach us in seminary... ;-)

Nicole enjoyed her self, but ended up getting cranky and falling alseep. It was a lot of fun, everyday!

Frustrations and Blessings

I don't get people sometimes!! I guess lately I feel like I am in high school! If a person is hasing issues, I wish they would just talk to be about it! Becuase they wont I am left sitting here wondering what I did wrong to make them upset.
The good thing that has come from this, is I truelly appreciate the people who love me, and are willing to help me in tight situations. I feel like a bad friend when I dont stay in as good of contact as I would like to with some of my closest friends (should be family), but when I call them needing help or a shoulder to cry on, they are there. I am so blessed to have so many people care for me. Thank you.
This last week I have been ready to throw in the towel, and just quit. I have felt overwhelmed and under supported. Randy does his best, but when he is so far away it doesnt always seem to be enough, but it helps knowing he loves me and wants to me to succeed. But I finally caved and starting asking people for help (kinda hard to do) and I was happily surprised at how many were doing all they could to help me. Things didn't and still haven't worked out perfectly, and I am still super scared about how I am going to do it all semester, but I know people are here to help. Thank you.

This semester is going to be alot of work, but I am really looking foward to it. I have lots of feild hours with students, and am getting to be more hands on! I am so excited to start teaching! I have been doing mini lessons with kimber and some of her friends, and they seem to like it. I have hope I might some day be a good teacher!
Work is going well. I have great people I am working with, and they are evening trying to find ways to help me, having only known me for a couple of weeks. They are so positive and happy. I enjoy going to work!
Randy comes home this Sunday!!! YAY!!!! We are all very excited. he is only going to be home for a week, but we are going to make the best of it!!


Love you all!

Summer's End

Well, the fireweed has started to seed, so 6 weeks until snow, and fall has begun. The leaves are turning yellow, and it is much colder now, but I still have hope for a few more nice days (maybe in the 50s.) The last 2 weeks have been so much fun. Randy was home, and we didn't do a whole lot of extra, but we enjoyed every minute we could.

I started working at Palmer Junior Middle School as a monitor 2 hours a day (I withdrew my name, because my school conflicted, and they called me back willing to work with it.) I enjoy the break, but it is still hard to leave the girls. Randy was a huge help, and did dishes and laundry everyday! I am so lucky! He also had tons of fun stories about the girls by the end of 2 hours.

His stories:

Kimber buried him with pillows and stuff animals and when he asked when she was going to let him go, she said "No, Never!!"

Another morning Randy was cuddling Kimber on the couch and had not brushed his teeth yet. Kimber got wind of his breath and said "Daddy you STINK!"

They were watching a movie, and Randy started dozing, so Kimber crawled over and started tickling his feet (his most ticklish spot).

Nicole loves to rough house with her dad, and sister. She also has become very attached to blankets. When she first wakes up she likes to cuddle with me/or Dad and her blanket. In fact, she asks for her blanket if we forget it by saying "Bee bee?" Nicole is also wrapping up baby dolls up in blankets and pats them on the back. If one is moved she will shrug it off but will also notice it, then she picks her doll back up re-wrap it, and say "baby" and set put it back where she wants it.

Nicole has once again fallen asleep, or close to, on the lawn mower. She loves that machine! She sees it out and is climbing on it.

We did a Family home evening with some friends of ours, the Ryan's. It was about sharing your testimony. While I read a story from the Friend, I started eating an apple, and talking about how good it was. All of the children able to talk (5 between 3 and 10) started to complain about how I was supposed to share, and they wanted an apple to. It was perfect!!! Kimber even got in down and walked in front of me to let me know that I needed to share! I know the older kids got the actual idea of sharing your testimony, and the younger ones at least learn how important it is to share.

Randy and I finally had a chance to celebrate our 5th anniversary. We decided to backpack crow pass... but the river was too high, so we did the Gold Mint trail in Hatcher's Pass. It was BEAUTIFUL, rainy, and a bit cold. We took our time the first day, and just had fun, but it was raining bad enough the next morning, we packed up and did 9 miles in just over 4 hours to get out... the funniest part was how little we could move that evening and the next day. It was a blast, and we just had fun being with each other. We saw waterfalls, and marmots, but nothing to worry about. Our food even made it through the night with out any animals trying to get into it.

As a family we have been enjoying the nice evenings with a fire in our firepit. One of my close friends (Taron Deeds) and her family came out and spent Friday evening with us, and I just have some cute pictures of our families I wanted to share:

The Kids Attacking Randy



Braydon enjoying an overcooked Marshmello

Sitting around the Fire

Ethan Dunking himself in the pool

Nicole enjoying a marshmello

The Kiddos

So... a couple of things the kids have done this week:

Kimber and Nicole played a "copy me " game. Kimber hummed a tune and clapped and Nicole would mimic... for about 10 minutes

Nicole was so determined to stay on the lawn mower with Randy that she fell asleep in his arms, and woke up when he turned it off to bring her to me, insisting on staying on the mower.

Kimber wanted to play house, and be the mommy, so she called me sweety all day when she asked for stuff. It was super cute. She would call me on the phone, and say, "Thank you Mom... Sweety, what else?"

Randy surprised them both that he was home, and Nicole kept crawling into his lap, giggling and refusing to leave when she saw him.

Nicole also was trying to help me weed, but while I was on my hands and knees she grabbed grass, pulled my shirt up, and tried to put the grass down my pants. Randy thought that was so funny, but that is when he invited her to ride on the lawn mower.

They both are keeping smiles on our faces, and us busy. But we love them!

Fun in the Sun... Update!

The sun has come out again, and we are playing in the water. Today Monica came over and we relaxed letting the kids play. Heather Thorson invited us to go to Kepler-Bradley with her and her husband. We learned: go to lakes where you don't have to walk 1/2 mile to get to the beach with little ones, don't take strollers on these muddy paths, always carry bug spray, and don't keep your cell phone in your pocket as you wade in the lake. We still had fun though. It was fun cramming 3 kids in the back seat of a Vibe, and just trying to get to and from the beach. I enjoyed the day with Monica, and seeing Heather was a bonus.
This evening my girls have been out in the kiddy pool, and now are playing in the tub. Kim is excited because they started building next door and now she has a new dirt hill to play in.
We are so lucky to live somewhere so beautiful.
Tomorrow it is back to chores and mowing the lawn, and weeding. But hopefully the kids will be entertained and it can get done quickly.
6 days until Randy is home!

5 years

July 31, 2004

Today is the anniversary of when I married my best friend 5 years ago. I can't believe that it has been five years. So much as happened, and even though not all has been planned, I wouldn't trade any of it. I am so blessed to be married to such a wonderful man. He has been so supportive through all of our trials, and my thick-headedness. Randy has supported my in being a stay-home mom, and pursuing my degree. He has helped me through emotional, and physical trials. Our life has been blessed. We now have 2 beautiful daughters that keep us busy. I love watching Randy be a dad. He loves his girls, and hates to be away from them when he is working.

Marriage isn't easy. I know I complain sometimes about how "he just doesn't understand." but what I don't give him credit for, is at least he tries. Our marriage is not perfect, he is not perfect, I am not perfect, but I think that is how the Lord wanted it. We have to grow, learn and adjust together. I mentioned to a classmate how it is my 5th anniversary this week, and she was shocked that at how young I was married we made it this far. I am so grateful to be with a man you appreciates marriage as much as I do, and don't think it is a short-term thing. Having the Gospel, and knowing we have been sealed in the temple is the foundation of our marriage.

Some of my favorite memories over that past 5 years are major ones like each time he held his new daughter. But there are other little things that I am so grateful to have shared with him: countless nights stay up just talking or laughing over nothing, holding his hand as we walk, the way he kisses me, his face when he realizes he surprised me.

I truly love Randy so much more than I did 5 years ago, and I count him as a blessing in every prayer. Thank you sweetheart for everything, and all your love. I am looking forward to the rest of Eternity together!

June 6th, 2009

Cute things Kimber has said

One day while taking a bath Kimber stood up and pinched her nipples and said to Grandma "These are my boobies, they will be big like mommies when I have a baby come out of my tummy, after I am married in the temple."

Grandma also got to see how well kimber is able to wait to use the potty: "I took her to the restroom (at McDonalds) which was a mess so I told her to hold it. She jumped up and done switching how her legs are crossed saying 'hold it, hold it, hold it!' with each jump and change of leg crossing."

"I am not pretty/silly/princess, I am Kimber Anne!"

While Sleeping while we were at Denali, Kimber sounded like she was sleep talking while a train went by "I here a train!"

Lots of time to catch up!

Well, life has been crazy, and way too many cute things have happened. I feel so guilty for not keeping up on this better.

Well, Randy has been working lots of extra this summer, so when he is home we are trying to play and have inexpensive fun.

My Parents siblings came up to Alaska in June for Kristina's wedding reception. Kristina was married on May 5th in Manti, but came here to let everyone me Skyler. We had a lot of fun. Randy missed part of it, but was here for the 2nd half of their trip. While they were here, we went to Girdwood, and Portage, stopping at Beluga point and Mcough creek. We also spent a day at Eklutna and Thunderbird Falls.

I was so proud of Kimber for walking the entire trail! We went to Seward and did a Sealife cruise, also visiting the Sealife Center.

Kimber LOVED the sea life center. The star fish she got to touch were her highlight. She also thought it was neat to see the seals, and otters. Of course she was just happy to have Grandma and Grandpa here. At the reception Kimber loved Kristina's dress, and thought she looked just like a princess should. We had a blast seeing everyone, and it was so sad to have to say good bye.

On the fourth of July I went with all the Neffs, and Krissee's Family to the Wrights Cabin, where we has a blast on the jet ski, and knee board. We went the following weekend when Randy was home, and had just as much fun. We swam and has dunking wars in the water. Kimber got courageous and sat on a floaty while we splashed around her. she even road on the 'tube twice with me.

Nicole mostly played on the trampoline and in the sand by the lake. The weekend we were there with Randy we also had my niece Brittany from Texas. She was scared of the 'tube, but we promised her there was NO WAY to flip it, and that people have tried with no success.

Well.... Randy was pulling us, with Julie, Brittany and myself. We were just circling around when the 'tube hit a wake from a large boat that just zoomed by... and, well... we figure Randy was going about 20 mph at the time, and we were 30 ft behind him... so somewhere between 50 and 60 miles an hour we discovered how hard water feels when you fly into it. Poor Randy was devastated that he just hurt people he loved, and Julie and I were more concerned about how Brittany handled it... Tally for injury, is I did something to my eye that made me cry blood for a period of time, and only left a light bruise on the right side of my face (it felt like a 2x4 and i was hoping for better proof) Julie pulled some muscles from around her rib cage and chest (still kinda soar... like a sprain) and Brittany hurt her hand, but the lease sever of everything else. After an hour or two, we were ready to go again, so nothing enough to scare us.

The last hitch that Randy was home for we spent 3 days driving to Fairbanks. While we were there we visited Pioneer Park, Santa Clause's house and Denali National Park. The girls did rather well considering it took us 7 hours to drive there. Pioneer park was nice. We rode a train and they had a play ground for the kids to play at. Kimber loved looking at all the different things in the shops. I was proud that she never asked to buy anything. Santa was her favorite though!! She was making up songs about seeing him, and being at his house. It was everything we could do for her not to cut in line to see him. When it came time to leave she even wanted to wait in line again to tell him good bye. Now she talks about writing letters to Santa and seeing him at Christmas with presents. I was proud of her that when we walked by the nativities she new it was baby Jesus, and it gave a chance to talk about what Christmas is REALLY all about.

Denali was fun. Kimber loved seeing all the different animals and feeling all the different types of furs they had displayed. Was was excited about everything. Nicole, not so much. Kimber was told we were at a park, so she kept asking where the playground was. I just told her it was a different kind of park. I was also informed by many tourist that my girls were the cutest they have ever seen!

This last weekend the girls and I joined the rest of the Neffs in a fishing trip to Kenai. The girls loved camping, and thought it was fun to be in sleeping bags and a tent with Mommy. The were spoiled though and we had Rick and Julie's RV with us so we could stay dry when it rained, watch a movie, and use a bathroom rather than outhouses. The last day fishing we took all of the kids to the beach with us (give those not fishing something else to do) and Nicole LOVED the mud. She was the first to start playing in it. Kimber followed shortly. Kimber was excited about the fish, and want to touch and see them all. It was so much fun.

Life...

It has been an interesting couple of weeks. Our house is officially on the market, and Randy and I spent 2 weeks do to dos. Fixing the yard, spring cleaning everything... and we didn't quite finish in time. I started working, and was really enjoying it, but... things happen. Randy found out he is going to be working most of the summer, with a week off here and there. This changed the need of me to work. The girls were starting to break down, and made it clear that they did not want me to work. I would come home, and if Kimmie was awake she wanted me to sleep next to her so I couldn't leave. Me working was unnecessary, but I was enjoying the little breaks, even if it got in the way of everything. Through the counsel of my family, I had to decide that this is the most important time for me to be home with my children, and if i don't have to work I shouldn't. Well, I don't have a backbone, and it took a week before I finally called and told work I just wasn't coming anymore. I feel like my work ethic shot through the roof, but it is a relief to be free of it.
Now I am home, and frantically cleaning and finishing the packing before anyone decides to come look at my house. I am super worried that my house will not sale, and we are going to be having some financial issues.

Happy notes. Erin came for a week!!! She is on her way to Europe now, but it was so much fun to see her (I saw little with me still working). My girls loved it! She is such a great person, and helped as much as she could in the craziness my home was this last week. Count down is on until the rest of the Harrops are here, and then Randy will be home for Kristina's Open House. I can't wait. It is a matter of accomplishing everything now.
Kimber has started Singing about EVERYTHING! she sings about going potty, and snakes (don't know where that came from) and anything. It is really cute. She sings words over and over again, when we ask what she is doing she says "Singing" like we are stupid.
Nikki is walking, and walking and walking. She doesn't want to be carried, and told where to go. She is also vary fearless. We went to the park the other day and she would walk of the ledge of the slide to fall on her back and slide the rest of the way down, squealing the entire time. I love being a mom and watching them grow and become their own person.

Graduation 2009

I finally graduated!!! Okay, it is just my Associate of Arts with a 3.77 GPA, I finally finished something. 6 years after I finished high school. I was a little unsure about walking. Randy was at work, and I felt like it would be a burden for anyone to come. But I walked. On the 7th we had a dinner and rehearsal for graduation. A friend from high school was also graduating so I spent the evening with her and her family. While we were there Mr. Williams, a math teacher from Colony, was talking to us and asking questions about our degree, and how going to school went. Afterwards he asked for our names and if he could talk about us in his speech at Graduation.

Graduation comes... I am nervous, excited and a little worried about getting my school books for my class that starts on the 18th. (School never ends). As we walked in, I realized how lucky I am. Rick, Julie, Ryan and Krissee were there from Randy's side of the family, with our two girls, my brother Richard was there, Miles and Monica Victors as well as Taron and Daylon Deeds with their families were there. All just for me. The BEST part was RANDY came home early from work and SURPRISED me there!! A little egotistical, but I was so grateful to have so many people there for me. I ended up know a lot of people from the community and church there, and it was great to realize how many other people I knew at graduation.

Mr. Williams did mention me, and went on to say how I was balancing life well, having my family as a priority, and also a goal of teaching to help with my community. I was beet red.

Thank you everyone for coming, and helping me with babysitting, helping with homework, and encouraging me to keep going when I was ready to quit. Thank you soooo much!

How stubborn Nikki is

Nicole is now almost 14 months old. She just barely figured out how to go down stairs backwards, and only falls when she tries to stand and dance. She only figured this out with the help of our friends son spending an entire evening teaching her. Well last night Randy came home around 10 pm, after visiting Gramma and Papa. Nicole had hit her second wind and was punch drunk goofy. We woke Kim up, and got her out of the car to get her ready for bed, and were doing our regular routine, when Nikki crawls to the couch, stands up and turns to face me. she starts to take a couple of steps (she has been doing that for 2 months now). She fell, laughed, and crawled back to the couch to repeat. after the 3rd attempted we realized that she was practicing and trying to walk across the room to me. All 3 of us started to cheer for her and she finally did it! after moments of her clapping and giggling, she crawled back to the couch to do it again.

I am excited she finally decided she wants to walk, but what does this mean for her future with her personality? ;-) She is defiantly strong willed, and stubborn... who knows where that came from?

Name that Baby

Eveyone always says my girls look just like me, but nothing like eachother... well, you tell me. Can you name that baby???