Settling in for Winter

The Facebook age. For those of you who use that tool, you know what I mean. I have neglected the blog here in place of tending to the task of keeping up on Facebook. And I don't do that well. So, for those of you who are not on Facebook, or prefer something different, I'll update here.

Kenton is napping now, so I have the luxury of typing with both hands, instead of the usual one-handed hunt and peck while he watches the movement on the computer screen. He is now nearly 4 months old, smiles and laughs and puts sounds together that imitate the words "hi" and "mom." He loves to bat at and touch his toys that dangle from various infant play things. Our cozy living room has turned into a cozy play yard with what we call different centers to entertain his little mind. In fact, mom and dad happen to be a center too! Koko is a center as well, and has taken up with (translated tolerated) his new competition. (I found him in Kenton's room one night, even though he tried to sneak out before I saw him.)

I titled this blog "Settling in for Winter," because I have experienced first hand the Alaskan rush to get things done before snow puts a blanket on all outdoor projects. We have just about 3 months up here to get building/gardening/home improvement projects done,while much of the lower 48 has several more "workable" months without cold and freezing to stretch out their "to do" list.

We were blessed to sell my Missouri home this summer! Russ put in a nice garden this summer and it produced the best cauliflower, brocolli and cabbage I've eaten. We have just about finalized the daunting task of completing projects to get the home more energy efficient for the winter. Russ blew in some extra insulation in the attic and put a thick layer of insulfoam around the basement walls. Thanks to my dad, during his visit, we now have a completed deck and back porch as well!

My parents recently enjoyed their first visit to Alaska and together we were able to enjoy the beauty of a sunny and golden-Aspen Fall. A trip to Valdez put us over the top as we witnessed God's spectacular display of glaciers, waterfalls and mountains dusted with white snow. Of course, Kenton was the highlight of their visit.

Welcome Kenton!

Many of you may already have heard the news about Kenton's arrival, but just in case, here are the details...

Birthday: June 17, 2009

Weight: 7 lbs 14 oz

Length: 21 inches

Name: Kenton Russell Scribner

12 days later we are still celebrating this little miracle! We are home in Glennallen now after staying around Palmer for several days to check and recheck his somewhat elevated bilirubin levels. He needed a UV light or bili-blanket for a few days to help get his levels down. His color looks great now, and he is eating well!

A fun part of his birth story is that my water broke while we were shopping at Lowe's. Our cart was full and we were in the shelving aisle when all of a sudden... Russ checked out quickly and we were checked into the hospital probably just 20 minutes later. That was 5:30 pm on Tuesday, June 16. It was exciting knowing that Kenton would come within 24 hours. We were blessed with a fairly quick delivery, though I realize now that no labor is a "fun" experience. Praise God that we're all well and healthy.

Happy Reunion

We've had some happy and memorable reunions this April. The first picture shows our dinner on Easter day with Sue (Russ' sister, sitting next to me) her daughter Sydney, and Steffan (Russ' brother) and his wife Claire. It's wonderful to have family nearby!

The next two pictures show Koko just after he arrived in Alaska last Thursday. He travelled well by cargo, though he looked quite dazed when I picked him up at the airport. After a walk in a nearby park, he seemed more himself. He has adjusted to the colder weather and new surroundings quite well! In fact, when we drove up to our house, he whined and got excited just like he used to at his old home in Bolivar. You can see from the picture of him on the couch he's already figured out the best place to guard the house. He is quickly learning about the other dogs in the neighborhood, most being much larger than him. We've been taking daily walks after school now that the weather has warmed up to almost 50 degrees at times.

School is going well for both Russ and I. We are eager, of course, for the duties of the year to come to a close, because that means our little boy will be coming soon!

March happenings...

It's hard to believe that two months have passed since I last wrote on this blog! That says a lot about how busy (how I dislike that word) we've been here.

Baby boy Scribner makes his presence known daily with a variety of kicks, rolls and punches. Sometimes I think I feel all four limbs going at once! I wonder if this means we're in for an active child?

I just started the 7th month and the third trimester. There's so much to prepare for in becoming a parent, but both Russ and I are trusting in God as our ultimate instruction book once the fella is here.

Russ has taken advantage of some warmer days and longer hours of daylight getting a head start on next winter's stockpile of firewood. You should see our backyard!

We had the opportunity to attend a Family Life Weekend to Remember (marriage conference) during our spring break last week. It was great to get away for a few days. We manage to pack in a lot during our trips into town. This time it was a dental appointment for Sherri, eye appointment for Russ, shopping trip and marriage conference. We were happy to get out of town before the ash from the eruption started to fall.

Here are some current pictures: Sherri at 26 weeks, Sherri and Russ at the marriage conference, a picture of our car and pantry loaded with groceries (2 month supply).

We hope you are all well, and thank you for your friendship!

It's a Boy!!

We had our 18 week ultrasound yesterday and discovered that blue is the word for the day! We were so thrilled to see our little boy kicking around and touching his toes on the screen. Daddy got to pick out his first outfit...surprised at the choice in camo? We figured that our little guy is getting ready for sheep hunting someday with all those leg kicks going on.

I'm feeling him move every day now, several times a day. What an incredible feeling to know he's growing and moving while I go about my day.

Cold Days

Those of you from the "Lower 48" might wonder what a thermometer looks like at 50 below. Well, here's a picture of it one morning after we got a call that school had been cancelled for the day. They cancel up here if the temperature reaches 50 below by 6 am. We celebrated, even though we'd had just returned from Christmas break for one day back at school with kids. The next day was also 50 below, so we missed two school days for what they call "cold days" here.

So what do you do when it's 50 below? I got on the phone and had a great talk with my parents for starters. I also worked on curtains and chair pads for our dining room and kitchen. I did get outdoors to go to the store and get mail, but only after bundling up pretty good. You can survive in that kind of cold, you just have to prepare for it.