Dear Little One

Dear Jocelynn, 

Happy Birthday!! I can't believe that you're 2! Two years seems like such a short time but we have already been through so much together and we love you so much that I can't imagine life without you! You are such a big girl, and that breaks my heart sometimes. But, then you're only 2 and still my little one, which I just love. 

My dear baby, you are amazing. It's hard for me to put into words who you truly are. You are strong as an individual, in your love, your passions for friends and toys, as you fall or get hurt, and in your desire to do things yourself. Yet, you are gentle as you rock your baby, read your books and snuggle in close. You're an open book and love easily, yet you continually impress me in how you consider the people you meet, sizing them up in a way before you really let them in. I love that about you, though not everyone understands that. You have a way of choosing the good ones. With the good ones, you have no hesitation letting them into your life and loving them completely, and through your excited chatter when they're around or not, it's obvious how much you truly love them. 

I love your passion for reading. Books have been an interest of yours from the get-go. While other mom's talk about their worry from silence in their house, because of a mess or trouble they're bound to find the child in, your silence typically leads me to find you surrounded by a pile of books, thoroughly engrossed. Keep that, little one. For knowledge, joy, and contentment can come through reading. Your favorite book right now is one we just got at the library, "We're Going On A Bear Hunt." It scares you, but because of the chant, the pictures and the motions, it's one you can't get out of your head. Your little "Bear Hunt, Bear Hunt, Bear Hunt," chants are darling!

Jocelynn, at times your Dad and I have worried about your independent spirit, but have come to learn what a strength it really is. It's not one that overpowers people or completely turns against us or the rules, but you are independent in the fact that you are content in doing things on your own. At times we have worried that others are leaving you out, that you aren't making friends, that you don't know how to communicate. The opposite is true though, my dear, and don't ever think your ability to spend time on your own is a weakness. Spending time with friends and playing with them is good, and you do it whole-heartedly when you choose to, but entertaining yourself and being comfortable doing your own thing, pursuing your own interests and dreams, regardless of what others are doing around you, will be an incredible trait as you continue to grow.

You are a sweetheart, little one. Oh my word, you are so sweet! I love your soft, little voice! I love your sensitivity to things that are "scarewy" or when people are sad. Every day you teach me the value of kindness with your "dank-doos" and "pees," your eagerness to help and easy smile. You give me more patience through your sweetness, you don't just try it :) And I LOVE your dark, piercing eyes! Those are probably the thing most people bring up about you, those dark eyes. They pierce a person to the soul, and then you smile and welcome them in :) 

I love how excited you get about big and little things. How you dance in the car or to any music anywhere, especially the neighbors' rap music. You love to sing and be sung to. Your favorite song right now is "5 Little Monkeys Swinging in the Tree," and you especially love the "snap!" of the alligator. You absolutely love animals. You get excited when you see every stuffed animal, bird in the tree, picture on a sign, in a book and at the zoo. You're very sweet with Desoto too, waking him up in the mornings and riding him :) though he doesn't really love that. You love to be outside, even on a simple walk and always seem to find something to laugh about or some great treasure to carry. 

You're a "journey" type of gal, Miss Jocelynn. There is no rushing you, which can be a frustration for me at times, but I'm trying to learn. You take your time doing things and going places, not because you're lazy, don't know what you're doing or where you're going, but because there is always something neat to see, something cool to touch, something fun to talk about or some song to sing. You get where you're going or get the job done, but make sure you experience it along the way. 

Jocelynn, my little one, I love you. Your Daddy loves you. I can't tell you how happy it makes my heart to hear you shriek his name with excitement when you hear the door open. I'll forever be grateful for the bedtime prayers and bear hugs you make sure we have as a family, because you can't seem to sleep without them.

We love you, baby. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your journey. 

 

Day One

Anyone that knows me knows that I love to do things in the outdoors and that I'm fairly athletic, or at least claim to be due to sports teams in High School and a degree in Recreational Leadership. Those may not be the first things they think of, but are there nonetheless. Even though I do fall in those categories, I have never been the "working out" type. I like to feel fit, I like to have control of my muscles and body, I like to even be a bit competitive :) But I've found that getting and keeping motivation is HARD when it comes to working out outside of a team and sports, for me. I'm not going to list the things I've tried or the weeks on and off that I've gone through and failed at, but nothing has stuck. 

So, here I am, getting closer to 30 all the time and trying to participate in the activities and sweet adventures I want, and not just participate but thrive in them! I don't need or want to be this crazy fit person with a "rockin" body, but I DO want to be fit enough to keep up with my daughter as she continues to grow and her energy increases. I DO want to be able to enjoy the outdoors and not just endure the experience until the end where I can catch my breath and take a picture. I DO want to be able to physically care for my children if/when an emergency happens and I may need to carry them and supplies for miles. I DO want to feel comfortable and confident in my body and its capability.

Today is DAY 1. 

I got a gym membership. Winter is coming and if I pay for something then it'll be more motivation to use it. 

5:30 a.m. is my call time. That way I can go while Justin is at home with Jocelynn and not miss out on any time with him or her, because they're sleeping. 

"Me Time" is on the docket. I DO want to be a better mother and wife, and feel I can by not only being fit but by having my "me time" before my mom, wife, friend, homemaker, and everything else time calls my name. Don't misunderstand me, I LOVE those roles and that time, but I feel like I can do them better by not being distracted throughout that time by my selfish or guilty desires to improve myself, by media surfing or whatever else. So, my workout, scripture study and even craft time or whatever can happen before my little one even wakes up, and then I'm hers. And then when Justin gets home I'm his as well. 

There are probably some flaws to my plan. I'm sure many other people have better ways at doing this. But, this is for me and how I think it'll work best to improve everything in my life at once :) and I'm excited about it! And I'm sharing this with you all, not to say you need to do it to or to point out things in your own life, but because I need to be held accountable. Don't worry, I'm not going to blog and post a picture of my workout every day, but thanks for the support, even if it is just in my mind :) 

Today is DAY 1, and I'm feeling better already.

Denali National Park

We have some incredible friends who serve in the Air Force and are stationed here in Anchorage. Tuesday was Military Appreciation Day in Denali National Park, which gave them a driving pass through the one road that goes through the park. They invited us to go with them, but since Justin took off for Bethel (for work) on the same day, it was just Joce and I who were able to go. And I'm SO glad we did! 

Denali is incredibly beautiful, and all parts of Alaska that I've seen are. After this trip I've decided that the one word I would use to describe Alaska is VAST. It goes on for-ev-er! There are ranges upon ranges of mountains, river after river (and tons of fish in those rivers), animal after animal (though not all lined up of course), and just a VAST amount of resources in all kinds, including the awesome blueberries we just can't get ourselves to stop picking. 

Alaska is vast, and Denali National Park is quite the place to show that off. Let me paint you a picture of it first, and then you can see my boat-load of pictures :) Denali is 6 Million acres of land, bisected by one ribbon of road. The terrain goes from low-elevation taiga forest to high alpine tundra and snoy mountains. All visitors can enter the park and drive to mile 13. But at mile 13 you either have to have a special pass that they do a lottery for since only a certain number of people are let into the park by car each year, or ride a bus the rest of the way...or be blessed like we were to have sweet military friends take us. Do you see why I had to jump at the chance?! 

Okay, now for all of my pictures. Bear with me...literally haha. 

Though it's only September, we were definitely in the mountains and it was COLD! That didn't stop this little lady :) 

Mountains upon mountains, rivers upon rivers...

VAST! I felt so small and insignificant when it came to all of this. But there's one thing for sure, ALL things denote that there is a God! How can you see these places and not think that?! 

We saw a rare Dall Sheep! Rare for it to be this low at this time of year anyway :) They literally jump up mountains, no walking or running for this guy.

I'm sure there are tons of bears throughout the 6 million acres, but we only saw 7. Still, 7 bears, and most up close, was pretty sweet! They can disappear so quickly into the brush that they can be hard to spot! But once you do they're so fun to watch! 

This was a mom with her two cubs. They were really far away but so fun! 

This guy got a little too close for comfort. He's on his hind legs behind a bush. I'll admit that it made me a little nervous when he stood up tall, like 10 yards from us. 

Beautiful fall colors and a majestic bear. Can you see how they can blend so easily though?

Some of the mountains looked like those glass bottles filled with different colored sand, you know the ones with different layers. Maybe this is where someone got the idea for them :)

That's our road....more clear about why they don't let everyone drive in? It's not paved either. 

Someday I hope to see moose rutting, but this was not that time. Always fun to see them though!

Carson and Jocelynn were such troopers for our long car ride adventure. They're sure sweet kiddos. 

These two DEFINITELY needed baths and silly times after 12 hours in and out of a car. These are also pictures for their wedding video haha.  

Jocelynn was playing with the hotel phone and asked, "What's that?" I realized that she didn't know what a classic telephone looked like! We only have cell phones, and even if we had a home phone it would probably be wireless. Oh technology, changing childhood pastimes! 

I love being this girls' mama!

The view from our hotel. 

On the road up to the hotel these signs were posted all over the place. I love businesses with a sense of humor! 

These guys are some of the best around! They're definitely family here for us. Thanks for the trip Ashley and Ryan! 

  

Mt. McKinley, or by it's true name, Denali, is hard to catch a glimpse of, the whole thing anyway. It is the tallest mountain in the United States and is beautiful! I've see it a few times but don't think I've ever gotten a clear picture of the whole thing. The first picture is what it looked like on this trip. The second is from a trip to Talkeetna last August. 

I am so blessed to live in a beautiful place, have incredible friends, and enjoy my days with the best and brightest little girl! (And husband when he can come. We missed you, Justin!)