Chance turns 12!

Chance turned 12 the day after Christmas. We had a little family party. Chance had his choice of supper - he chose Taco Bell. Then, we came home, opened presents and enjoyed a Dairy Queen Reeses Cup Blizzard cake (yum!). Yes, the bad mom that I am forgot to make sure I had the right candles, so we had to settle for 1 candle on one side and a 2 on the other to represent the 12 - adaptation :) The next day was Sunday and Chance was ordained a deacon at church. I cannot believe the years have passed so quickly!

Christmas 2009

We had an amazingly wonderful Christmas this year! We kept it simple, didn't even get out of our pajamas all day, and just enjoyed our time together. We scaled down on gifts to the kids so we could focus all month long on the true meaning of Christmas. Hope everyone had a great Christmas. Here's a slide show of the kids with their Christmas gifts.

Chance's Basketball

Here's Chance with his two coaches: Coach Bui and Coach Mitchell


Chance wrapped up his basketball season with a record of 9-4-1. He had a great time playing guard and learned a lot this year. He was really excited when he got a bloody nose during his last game of the season. Psycho C following in the footsteps of his idol, Psycho T. I wasn't able to get a picture of it (and yes, he wanted a picture for the record). He's hoping to play basketball at the church since he will soon be a deacon.

What a difference a day makes

One day you think you are deploying and 24 hours later you find you have been diagnosed with a 4 cm acoustic neuroma on the left side of your brain that is shifting to the right into your 4th ventricle and brainstem and you will not be deploying after all.

I will have to have surgery to have it removed. I am requesting your faith and prayers.

Thanks,

BJ

P.S. I am not dead nor am I dying so save the sympathy stuff (no flowers)!!!

Bear Hugs

Today we went to Build-A-Bear workshop where each of us (yes, including me!) chose a bear which included a special pre-recorded message from BJ so we can have him close by to cuddle while he's gone. The kids had a blast (although I'm afraid Chance seems to be getting to old for this kind of thing) and I know the kids and I will treasure these while BJ is deployed.

The Difference between Reindeer and Caribou

What do you do on a cold, 15 degree day in Alaska when you're homeschooling. You take a trip to a reindeer farm! At a farm on the "outside" you feed goats, here we get to feed Santa's transportation. It was fun to learn more about these animals - did you know that the only difference in a reindeer and a caribou is a fence? Oh, and of course reindeer fly! We were quite frozen by the end of it, but had a good time.

Chance fed "Rudolph". They keep him here in disguise with a white nose until Christmas Eve when Santa comes to pick him up!

Zombies, Witches, and Jedi, Oh My!

Yes, it's about time I added the Halloween pictures of the kids. Sorry for the delay - we are STILL unpacking! It was fun, cold, and probably a little too chaotic this Halloween. We will definitely be picking only ONE Halloween event to do next year! We have candy coming out of our ears!!!!