At The Reindeer Farm

On Saturday we were finally able to head out to the Reindeer Farm/Pumpkin Patch

We were a little worried because it was a little over 30 degrees and the wind was really strong. 

But when we got there, there was no wind and the sun was bright.

(Please ignore the foggyness of some of the pics,

there was something on my lens and I didn't notice till later that day)

There was an area for "Potato Launching". It's pretty much a giant slingshot for potatoes.

Way down the field there were scarecrows and big barrels as your target. 

If you hit one of them you got a prize at the gift shot. Of course, Fancyman hit the target.

Handsome wasn't very intrigued by the pumpkins.

Hay Ride

  The Aminals

(I meant to spell it that way)

Right down the road from the farm is the entrance to The Butte. I like to call it the butt. It's a large hill in the middle of the valley that you can hike up. I've really been wanting to hike it but, I haven't been able to convince the Hubster. Can you believe he grew up less than 30 minutes from it and has NEVER CLIMBED IT?! He already knows that there is no way I'm coming all the way up here to never experience Alaska. I'm ready for hunting, fishing, hiking, whale watching, all the things that involve me and nature. I can't wait till next summer. That's when he says we're going to go explore. I am keeping him accountable.

After our adventure at the farm we stopped at a local pizzeria and had chill time.

A Gassy Night

As a southern gal who grew up in the flat lands of Texas, the mountains are most definately a hazardous distraction when driving. I absolutely LOVE nature and its beauty. While living in Puerto Rico, I spent most of my time in the la la land as we drove through the mountains with my Jesus music blasting. Tonight I found a new natural beauty that so many people are deprived of seeing. After volleyball, and a stop at the grocery store, lights broke through the pitch black sky. 

Now, lets have a science lesson. Well, as we know, there are all kinds of different gasses in our atmosphere and they float on up into Neverland. The same with the Sun, it's gasses float on over to us. When this happens, the particles collide and we get the most beautiful dances of lights in the sky. The beautiful Northern Lights. I remember Science books having these pictures of pink and purple streaked skies and I just knew I had to see them for myself. It seemed fake. 

So, back to tonight. I have seen the lights a couple of times being here, but tonight was a different story. They were rediculously bright and "dancing" all over. This means they would move around fast. I wish I could capture it on camera but all my camera could handle was the darkness. I found some pictures of Northern Lights that looked alot like the ones that were out tonight.

They weren't as green as the first picture but they were as big as the second. Right above our house and they swirled around and glistened they're way off. There are many colors that they show up as. They all depend on which of our gasses are colliding with the Sun's.The most common are the green-yellow which are caused by a collision with oxygen in a lower altitude. Reds are caused by high altitude oxygen and Blues and purples are due to Nitrogen. I cannot wait until the winter comes because that's when they are they're brightest.

 As much as I love the science behind the "Aurora Borealis", I LOVE the spiritual connections that natives always make with nature. Of course I don't believe what they do, but I love their connection to nature. Natives from different tribes have different beliefs. Some see the lights as a connection to ancestor spirits or spirits of animals. Others believe they are a sign that there will be lots to hunt the next day. Others still to this day do not dare whistle or sing into the light-filled nights for fear of being taken by them.

In the end, it should bring a spiritual connection to us. The beauty that our Creator puts into these colors as they light the sky, the way he swirls them around and calls them to dance for us. He does this all for us to admire and enjoy. Why? Because we are His prized creation. He would hold back the Sun, catch falling stars, split the ocean, just to have us love Him the way He loves us. Have you told Him how much you love Him? He tells you everyday. Let's return the favor.

...The Best Is Yet To Come

Heaven on Earth

Time seems to fly when your waiting. Hubby's call back still hasn't come in. So back to the drawing board. We aren't giving up on that job yet though. I know there's something perfect for us. Once we get settled, I would like to start working again. It just sounds like I will end up having to go back to beauty school if I want to work in a salon again. (which is what I want to do) I do love being able to be the one to care for my son, though. And, I know we don't want to wait too long for our next munchkin, so we'll just need to pray for what's best.

Even though that area has been gloomy, there has been plenty good to look back on and smile. Hubby has gotten some great opportunities this past week. He was asked to preach this past Sunday at church. You know, regardless of how you feel you did, how prepared you were, how many things went wrong, what matters in the end is just hearing that one person say that what you said impacted them. Hubby's preaching on "Pride vs. Confidence" really hit home for some people in the service. That's how you know your job was done. And, he was also asked to speak at another church for tomorrow night's youth service. So proud of my Fancy Man.

HANDSOMELY NEW

{This face is definitely little me}

This past weekend Handsome turned 11 months. Gosh. One more month till he's a YEAR. It has been a little downer due to the fact that many of his little friends also turned a year this past month and we aren't able to be there for they're big days. But thank God for Facebook, Blogs, and Instagram to keep as close as possible. Also, in keeping up with all the birthdays, once again a downer. You can't begin your party planning without money. I am not the type of person to wait till last minute when it comes to planning things. Just ask my Hubby. So its very hard to be this close to Handsome's birthday and not be able to start on anything. Besides my downers, Handsome now stands by himself great. He can walk very good with us only holding one of his hands. He has also started a new language where everything he says is "Butu, Butu, Butu" in different tones. All we can do is laugh and say "oh, really?". We also have a new little friend. Tooth number 5. We were wondering why he all of a sudden had an urge to bite everything and everyone.

THIS FAIR LADY

I am sad to say I never went to a state fair while living in Texas. So my first visit to the AK state fair was good cause I had nothing to compare it to. (Unless we compare it to the Houston Rodeo. That's a whole different level which is unreachable) They had the norm: Carnival rides, petting zoo, lots of food, and shops. Including one shop that sold merchandise that was all about talking mess about Texas. Not a fan of that I must say.  But, it was fun EVENTHOUGH I didn't get a funnel cake.(the best part of a carnival) I also got a compliment on my hair. That always ups your spirits. I think the best part of it was the backdrop of mountains. This view will never get old for someone who grew up in Texas. We will most likely be going again this weekend and this time I'll get my funnel cake.

{first time riding a pony 11month gift from Grandpa}

{He said not to post him on Facebook haha}

HEAVEN ON EARTH

The long awaited visit to one of my favorite stores finally happened. FOREVER 21. I had heard that this one is supposed to be a really good store so I was anxious to check it out myself. We were in Anchorage on last week because Hubby was painting his grandfathers wood fence. Well, I decided to take a stroll to the mall. We normally go to a nearby mall on Sundays (family tradition) for lunch, but that wasn't the mall that had the goodies. When I had asked Hubby how far we were from THE mall he said "Oh, yeah. Its FAR. It's on the other side of town." So I braced myself for at least a 30 min drive to the mall. I got there in 18 minutes. Really? He just laughed when I told him how long it took me. We're barely here for less than a month and he already forgets what it was like living in the city. I, on the other hand, love the fact that "the other side of town" in the largest city here is only 18 minutes. Whether it was 18 or 30 minutes, it was worth it. The store was great.

I am the type of person that if I go to a store that is rediculously unorganized or crowded I will turn around and walk out before I hit someone. I HATE stores like that. This was heaven. The only other XXI that can out-do this one is the one located in Puerto Rico. I wasn't able to buy anything of course. (Not in the budget) But, just walking through the store I looked like a Ree Ree cause of the goofy smile on my face. My day was made. Then, the icing on the cake. Connected to the store was another seperate store that was nothing but sale items. Oh dear Lord I WAS in heaven. Let's just say I WILL be coming back!

{outside the mall}

...The Best Is Yet To Come