The first snow...and our baby girl!

     On Friday, October 12, we had our first snow. It did not snow at our house, but Ryan and Jon got snow at their house, which is literally three miles from me. They are right beside a mountain and that street gets colder than most because of that mountain. The picture I have posted is actually some of the "termination dust" on the mountains at the Mendenhall Glacier, which is just down the road from us all. For the next two days, Juneau is predicted to get snow showers and I am crossing my fingers and toes that we see some over here at our house. Ryan and Jon really enjoyed their first snow and Ryan even came and got her brother so he could see it, too. Ryan is a good sister...in fact, Caleb adores his Sissy...that is what he calls her. Always has, always will...One of the main reasons Ryan decided at the last minute to move with us to Alaska was she couldn't stand the thought of her baby brother growing up without her. She helped raise him. She rolled him around in his wagon when he was stuck in those horrid casts on his legs. She would make over 100 passes daily in that wagon, all around the house. It kept him happy and he loved the motion. There are just some things that I will never forget about his early years (which were very difficult for our family) and the wagon rolling is one of them. Ryan is the best daughter EVER. She makes her daddy and me proud every day of her life. What sunshine and roses she brings to us all. We are blessed to have her, and I can't imagine our life without her. She came with us to Alaska with the blind trust she has always had with us...if her daddy and I think it was a good move, she felt like it would be a good move for her, too.
     How extremely blessed we are that she and Jon came with us...we are all looking forward to a great time in Las Vegas in March as we celebrate the wedding of our angel and Jon. Jon is the best thing to ever happen to Ryan...he makes her laugh and keeps her grounded, and he is just the nicest guy you would ever meet. James and I are so glad he is a part of our family. God has blessed us all.
     So get ready for some snow pictures very soon, and when you get sick of seeing them, let me know. Maybe by then I will have new things to show you. We can't wait for the Northern Lights to appear...
Love to you all, and a hug, too...I miss my family and friends, but as Mom said today when I talked to her, "We miss you, but know you are happy following your dream and that makes it better." You are right, Mama...we are so happy up here. Our life has changed so much in the past three months, and through God's grace, we are living our dream.