Twenty-Seven

Yes, he DID win the pot! Second place was his honey :D

Ocean's Eleven?

Casino Royale, baby!

Cupcake tower :)

I sure do love my friends... they get my humor, and I get theirs! :P

And the gag gifts keep on coming!

Glacier Brewhouse with some of my city gals for some DELICIOUS peanut butter pie!

Celebrating 27 years of life!

Money, money... yea!

"Life dealt us a good hand."

So, this is the second year that I have celebrated my birthday while in Chevak. For the other two years, I happened to be in the city for one reason or another. I am all about celebrating birthdays-- usually I even have a countdown (got it from my mama)! :P Since it is SO expensive for me to fly back out of the village to Anchorage, I have decided that I most likely won't be walking for my graduation. Instead, some family and friends are planning on celebrating with me in Vegas after the school year is over! This being the case, and the fact that I LOVE themed parties, I decided to have a casino-themed bday party for my 27th! It was SUCH a good time. Lots of laughter, despite the fact that I didn't win the poker game... darn Kings!

As I was thinking of this new year of life, I was thinking of all the life lessons that I have had thus far and how thankful I am for them. Some people have been in my life that have truly blessed me, others I believe were put there to be my sandpaper and help polish me up. Regardless, I really am thankful. I feel so fortunate that the good Lord has given me eyes of discernment, a heart of compassion, a desire to learn, and so many longings that I seek on a daily basis.

I am imperfect. I am not always approachable. I don't always understand why people can't see things the way I see them. I can be quick to speak. I could probably go on (and, maybe you could, too!)  ;) But, the awesome thing is that the great man upstairs has a plan for me and always has. The older I get, the more I learn to take time to reflect, to absorb, to seek a deeper answer, and to find out how I can be a better me today than I was yesterday. This alone is a true gift... I couldn't ask for much more.

Today, I am so glad for where I am. Even more so, I am super grateful for the people in my life who have cheered me on to get where I am today, and who encourage me to keep going after my heart's desires. I am one blessed young lady. Thank you for being a part of my life-- if you are reading this, I thank you! Here's to year #27!

"The Beat of the Drum is the Beat of the Heart"

Beautiful view from the hotel room.

Seward, AK

Pow Wow style

Southeast representation

Native American drumming w/ Buzz Daney

Pamyua

The gorgeous drive back to ANC. This drive is always special to me.

Love, love, love the fall. 

3rd Graders Attend the Opera!

A couple of weeks ago, we were studying "Performances" in our Treasures reading program. We talked about the many different kinds of performances-- figure skating, yuraqing, acting/plays, instrumental (symphonies)... and, the opera :) News got to me that our new superintendent's wife has experience with singing in operas. I don't know her at all, but I am all about giving my kiddos as many opportunities as possible. I just happened to pass by Mrs. Pine on my way home from school one day, and was so thankful that she agreed to perform for my class. My partner teacher, John, and I transformed my room into a theater and prepped the students on performance etiquette. We ALL enjoyed it so very much. For a moment, it felt as though we were truly sitting in Anchorage's Performing Arts Center! Our kids were really engaged and curious about this "opera" thing (not to be confused with "Oprah"! :). Their questions were inquisitive and appropriate, they got to experience something new, and we are all hoping for another performance in the future :) Thank you, Tricia! I love seeing the wonder and appreciation in their young, bright eyes.

The chairs were lined up and numbered.

We created a program and welcome sign for the students.

They were given a ticket with their assigned seat number.

My partner teacher and I were the chaperones/ushers.

Our class was so entranced with the performance!

Quyana, Calista Corporation!

I received a FB message from a family member last month, informing me that my students and I were featured in the professional First Alaskans magazine! The Murkowski staff sent in our picture from her visit here last spring when my students yuraqed for the Senator. It was a very neat surprise. After I showed my students, I knew I just HAD to get them each a copy. I sent an email to First Alaskans magazine, and before I knew it-- I received an email from Calista Corporation letting me know that they would be donating enough copies for each of my students and then some! What a blessing-- QUYANA, CALISTA CORPORATION! Before we knew it, Murkowski's office sent each of my kiddos a signed copy of the special photo. This reminds me of a quote that I have really embraced in the past couple of years: "You never know unless you ask." Truly, we are thankful for the generous donation. It is so good to know that people are willing to support and make a difference in the life of my Chevak kiddos. Just look at all those smiles! :D

Planking in Chevak

On a fall evening, John and I decided that it was a good night for a fall fire. We headed to the store to get some snacks, but I warned him that I'd be bringing my camera... we were going to plank along the way :)

My coat got pretty darn dirty from this one! 

And, he caved.

Determined.

Planking... sometimes, you just have to do things out of the ordinary...

The Rose- Lyrics

Goodbye, Alaska's Rose

October has always been my favorite month... my birthday, Halloween, Grandma Rose's birthday, opals, dividends, the feel of fall in the air... I didn't anticipate going home prior to December this school year, but God had another plan...

On October 3, Grandma Rose turned 82. On October 5, she went to be with the Lord. As my sister stated at the service, "Grandma Rose lead a pretty full and good life." She was very strong. When my mom and stepdad met, Rose and Bud took us in as their own biological grandchildren. Some of my most vivid memories with Grandma Rose were: Christmas Eve opening gifts at their house downstairs (Christmas music playing, lots of wrapping paper and gift bags, laughter, love, bags of loot, family and friends, etc); going with Grandma Rose after school and working diligently on my spelling packets with her help (PS I am a pretty darn good speller these days ;); special "days off" from school to buy a special outfit and have a special one-on-one lunch with her; and, let's not forget my 3rd grade haircut (had to go to Grandma Rose's hair salon... :)

We knew that Grandma Rose was sick and had been fighting illnesses for awhile. Though we are sad to see her go, as the deacon said, "It's time to allow her to go." There seemed to be a common theme from the people who spoke at the service-- Grandma Rose had a purpose to help and to serve others.  She really has a neat life story, having had served in the USAF as a nurse. She met Grandpa Bud while in Athens, Greece, they were engaged in Italy, and had a civil service in Switzerland! :) Feel free to read Rose's obituary below and thank you for your love and support. RIP, "Gma."

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/adn/obituary.aspx?n=rosemary-irwin&pid=153991224&fhid=10410

http://youtu.be/HfUWub8xjdY