snow in April...

I got up Monday morning to go to work and I hear an ever so familar sounds outside... scraping of snow shovels. My dad is outside shoveling the driveway b/c there is a fresh 5" covering of SNOW!! This was on April 24th!! I don't know if it's global warming, freezing or just weather schizophrenia, but this is crazy! I keep telling my track kids, when the fields dry up a little we'll be on them...that may not happen until the season is over at this rate. Hard to do hurdles, long jumping and softball throwing when your jumping in SNOW and balls are buried!! Makes for an interesting month and creative training. Gotta love Alaskan weather!

Seward

Last week Friday and Saturday I had the opportunity to go to Seward with two of my closest friends, Carrie and Kari. My old college roommate from MN, Kari, came up for the Easter holiday and following week to visit and hang out. I was a little concerned about the timing with work, track and youth group being so busy right now, but the timing couldn't have been better. I ended up being sick most of the week, but a blessing in disguise b/c I took a couple sick days and was able to lay low and have that time to just talk and catch up with her. Friday the three of us drove down to Seward...through the rain, sleet and yes SNOW. We were pretty fogged in Friday, but Saturday was absolutely BEAUTIFUL!! Clear skies and SUNSHINE!! Thank you Jesus for sun! We toured around the area, walked on the marina, checked out the Sea Life Center and soaked in the scenery. A double blessing of a weekend b/c Carrie (current youth assistant at my church) is moving in June and Kari (my old roommate) got to see more of the beautiful state I live in. I am thankful for that time and memory with both of you!! Thanks for going!

Junior Prom...

Saturday was Colony High's prom and Amanda and I had the honor of helping four of our youth girls get bee-yoo-ti-fied for the great occassion! The festivities started at 9:30 a.m. at Natalie's house. We filled up on homemade chocolate chip sourdough pancakes, compliments of Jinks (her mother), then the curling, toe painting and primping began. Amanda does AMAZING hair styles and fixed Johanna's and Natalie's hair while others of us painted fingers and toes.

Later that afternoon a second round came out to Amanda's...Erin and Elizabeth. Both girls had GREAT hair, perfect for a Pride and Prejudice movie! The second round was a blizt because they had just finished a science olympiad and were heading into Anchorage for the dance shortly after. The day was a blast! A memory that won't be forgotten and a tradition that needs to continue next year! My youth girls are BEAUTIFUL!!

Elizabeth...

Erin...

Natalie...

Johanna...

spring??

We just got another fresh sprinkle 3" of snow yesterday, April 2nd, so I am living "spring" vicariously through my pictures from North Carolina. All the trees and cherry blossoms were in full bloom this past month. It was BEAUTIFUL!!