Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I haven’t written in so long that I feel regretful, apologetic and rough around the blogging edges.

Where to begin?

We are thriving in Hoonah. I realize “thriving” is a relative term that many of you may take issue with, but from my perspective the spiritual growth is compounding in ways I could never imagine and God is staying true to his promise to work all things for good for those that love Him.

Steve is busier than ever. He pulled off an extraordinary school budget turn-around and has gained board support for many of his ideas. This combination makes for an intense and crucial time of growth, change and expectation. To say he is working over-time would be an understatement. His drive comes from an urgent place to save children from tragic abuse, poverty, and waste of potential. He works everyday to help children reach the destiny they deserve. He has incredible faith in authentic learning and the element of responsibility. He dedicates himself with diligence to creating a system that will help children for generations. I believe in him greatly and am so thrilled that Andrew has Steve as a role model to follow.

Steve still eats way too much butter, saves exercise for when he has saved the world and has taken to getting up at 4 am to work….other than that my sweet husband is thriving.

Andrew is doing amazingly well. He is growing so quickly, his legs appear longer and longer each day. He loves school and is succeeding in every subject.

Mr. Foreman, the new music teacher, after watching Andrew’s enthusiamsim in music class, has asked that Andrew learn the trumpet. This is an honor as most students have to wait until 6^th grade to play an instrument at school. Andrew was thrilled by this idea and has enjoyed every part of this new journey. After three lessons, Andrew has started to write his own melodies and figure out, on his own, how to play the first part of Amazing Grace. He loves showcasing his progress by calling Grandma and his Dad to give them over-the-phone concert. Andrew continues to play the piano as well, and his teacher gave him a lovely Bach prelude that fills the house with beautiful music.

Andrew was also asked to be in the Lego Robotics Club. This too was an honor, as members have to be 9 years old to participate and Andrew is just 8. They met twice a week to work on a specific challenge set by the state Lego Robotics League. Last weekend the team traveled to Juneau and competed against other teams in the Southeast. They did a great job and learned a lot. This is the Lego code of ethics….

Now that I am working full time, Andrew has experienced a new awareness of responsibility…little things like making his own healthy lunch, showering in the morning rather than long lengthy baths at night, chores done promptly, homework done by himself without prodding or assistance and a goodly amount of time after school to play with his friends on the playground or in the gym – without Mom watching every moves he makes.

This has been a good transition for both of us, but probably harder for me than for him. It has been of benefit for Andrew to see me contributing to the school and our financial situation, helping and caring for other children in addition to him and allowing him some space for him to succeed and fail on his own. He is a Godly boy and wants to do what is right. The sweetest time is in the evening when he bares his heart in prayer…sometimes it is only a prayer for a goodnight’s sleep but most often he selfishlessly asks for God to give to others because we have so much. He prays for his Grandma to not feel afraid because she lives alone or he asks God for a peaceful world where no child is hungry.

He still loves to cuddle, get piggyback rides down the stairs, throw snowballs and our evening reading time in sacred is his mind. He gets grounded now and then, he still bites his fingernails and oddly enough, I have to remind him to use soap in the shower, but he is an ever-changing miracle to me and a blessing in our lives. Andrew is definitely thriving.

Am I thriving?….some days I wonder…but in the quiet times of the morning or even in the quick momentum of a project, I have the deep inner sense that I am right where I am supposed to be.

I am working full-time: 7:30 to 5 or later, depending on if Andrew is in Karate class or not. Working full time on a set schedule is a foreign concept to me. I grew up with parents that owned their own businesses and worked according to their own schedule. As a child I just remember them always being home, though always being very busy. Before now, I have lived most of my life accordingly; on my own schedule and busy.

I was officially hired as a grant writer/fund-developer and interim Title 1 grant manager. Well, there were some growing pains in the beginning; long bouts of crying, singing opera solos at full voice in the office and the inability to separate myself from every school problem that arose. I have stopped crying and belting out in the office…but I still struggle with the last one.

One thing…ok, a few things I have learned about myself: 1. I want to fix everything and right now 2. I need an organized work environment to function (that means the entire school needs to be cleaned before I can work) 3. I possibly could be ADD 4. I deal mainly in crisis mode and in a school environment just wait a few seconds and somewhere there will be a crisis and 5. I think that communication can solve every problem.

So just imagine me as an employee…I clean rooms that aren’t mine. I am in everyone’s business. I want immediate results. I go from one unfinished emergency project to the next and I talk a lot!

Poor Steve.

But being the resourceful boss that he is, my job is slowly morphing to fit my strengths. There is a new Title 1 grant manger. I am still Grant writing but I am also in charge of many of the communication avenues and community laison duties. On the side I am going to drive the organization of five general use spaces and am looking into starting an afterschool children’s choir program and doing the yearbook.

I am learning so much about myself, my husband and about life. I wish I was singing more, writing more and working as a National Geographic photographer but who knows what will happen in the future.

I am currently in a play called, “Uh-Oh Here’s Christmas.” It is fun community theater experience and I have a beautiful song I am performing. I am sending my resume and headshot to Juneau Light Opera this week and look! I am writing an updated blog post. Progress.

I feel that we are on a remarkable journey and yesterday when Steve asked me what I was most grateful for, my gratitude stems from two concepts – consciousness and willingness. Without those two divine gifts I would never have the capacity to know true purpose, joy, love, faith, hope and the abundance of the life that I have been given. I am most grateful for consciousness and willingness.

From eating too much butter, to biting fingernails to talking too much, the Alaska Pines’ may struggle, but in God’s love and purpose, I believe we are right on track; growing closer to Him through our faults and learning of our spiritual potential through our meager attempts at worldly service.

During this Thanksgiving holiday we wish you all the best and we are very thankful for your friendship and love. Until next time…

Love Tricia, Steve and Andrew

Greetings!

Greetings! Here is my favorite picture of the week, just taken yesterday morning after the first frost.

I was out taking photos of the ice tipped leaves when I heard these two beauties screeching. I followed the calls to find them perched on a autumn tree branch. They are so beautiful.

Thanks for your patience as to the delay in my postings...working full time has put a bit of cramp in my writing. Any free time I have, I spend it living, so at least I have something to write about :)

I hope you enjoy this week's postings. I bring you up-to-date on Mom, Andrew and Steve as well as the next three days of our journey to Alaska.

Next week I'll share more fun photos to with you....grizzly bears, eagles and, of course,my precious family...

I'll close with a sunset. Thanks for reading!

Andrew's Update

Andrew had a busy and fun-filled three weeks. Here are some highlights...

He and his class mates dissected sterilized owl pellets and this is what they found! Sterilized owl pellets? It is the regurgitate fur, feathers, bones and stuff that the owl can't digest. Yum! Isn't science fun! They took what they found and reconstructed the skeleton of the eaten animal.

The leader of the Lego Robotic Club, Hoonah science guru, Ben McLuckie made a special concession and allowed Andrew to be in the club even though the ages are 9-12. They meet twice a week, after school to work on their "challenge." He won’t be able to participate in the competition in Juneau, but he does not care - Andrew is so on fire for Legos, he loves to help out any way he can.

Over the weekend we went blueberry picking with the Big Brothers/Big Sisters group. It was pouring down rain but we were all smiles despite the deluge :)

And last week his class entertained audiences with their version of the Titanic in Reader’s Theater.

Andrew and his class went on an outdoor field trip to the park to look for birds and the signs they leave behind on the ground.

And had lots of fun playing games with Grandma Leines....

Next week I'll have pictures of open house, grandparents day, the band concert and Andrew's new hobby.

Mom's Update

Mom has a nice cozy spot by the window...meaning table, chair, lamp and lots of room for her to spread out her paperwork. She has an awesome view of the harbor where she watches the eagles, whales, ravens and neighbors. She waves at all the tourists and locals as they walk by our picture window.

Mom is working through her piles of projects checking off her "To Do" list one by one. Aside from taking frequent naps on the couch, playing cards and cutting out magazine articles for me to read, she is perfecting her gift of gab. Mom has gone over her cell phone minutes five times since she has been here. Some how Mom is able to persuade her phone carrier in to giving her more free minutes each time.

While Mom loves the wildlife and great views, but what she really wanted to do was visit the Hoonah Thrift Store. Wishes do come true. She scored some hangers, received some valuable bear advice and of course, made new friends.

She dines with Andrew once a week in the cafeteria and after what she has been eating our our house, she is happy to go to school Mom has attended open house, grandparents day and our first band concert of the year.

Mom loves our new Chinese restaurant and orders her usual: "pork fried rice" For some reason she is collecting extra fortune cookies to take home to her friend Dixie...Dixie you may want to ask Mom about this one :)

Our time is slowing coming to a close and soon Mom will be on her way back to the real world..Oregon, I give her back to you rested, refreshed and a few projects and pounds lighter.

Steve's Update

Steve has been very busy with work and is currently on his way home after a three day conference in Anchorage. A great Anchorage bonus was that he went to see the Broadway musical the Lion King on Tuesday night and was blown away! He loved it :)

If I was to make a list of all the things he does in a day…I would never get this posted. Aside from all of his job duties, he goes above and beyond and tries to make everything better. He truly help his students in an authentic and caring way. As one example, he makes time to visit, not only Andrew’s class, but all the classrooms everyday. He sensitively relates to kindergartners, students, staff , parents and community members. He is a problem solver and a super-hero and we are very proud of him.

Here we are at Open House... where Steve was the host of the party!

A Grizzly Experience

It was a bright and sunny Saturday morning when Tina and Chris Fuller called and invited us out for a day of island exploration. It didn’t take me two seconds to reply an enthusiastic, “yes!” We gathered the gear, snacks, and camera for the trip. As I sat in the car, ready to go, I felt like a kid on the way to Disneyland.

Tina is the Kindergarten through 2nd grade teacher. Her husband, Chris, is a retired engineer and has the joy of being a stay-at-home Dad. H spends his day taking care of 10 month old Even and loves every minute of it. Chris also is a great photographer and has captured many amazing shots of Alaskan wildlife and landscapes. Also along with us for the trip, was Renee Hewitt; the recently hired counselor for the school.

Only 30 minutes after the excursion began we were rewarded with an exciting bear sighting. We stood on a small wooden bridge and watched the Grizzly wade trough the water. The stream was full of fish and this beauty was slapping the water with his clawed paws, finding his favorite Coho to gobble. Another gentleman had stopped on the bridge to watch the bear. He had been there for over an hour carefully observing the bear go from one end of the river bed to the other. She showed Andrew the grassy spot where the bear feasted on his kills. The muddy bodies still remain but the fish heads were taken as a bear snack.

The bear sauntered out of sight and we moved hopped back in the truck; all thrilled with seeing our first Grizzly.

This is a view from the roadside, on our way to the next stop.

We arrived at small side road where a little pathway was in view. Chris, carrying his own gun, also armed Steve with a rifle; just in case hostel bear encounter occurred. Tina, Mom and baby Evan stayed behind in the safety of their car. We quietly and slowly walked down the path. Thick huckleberry bushes, fireweed, mushrooms, ferns and tall pines gave adequate refuge for all forest creatures…no matter how big. Chris stepped a few yards ahead of us scouting for smells or signs of a bear. Many of the berry bushes had been picked clean and the evidence of who did the picking was in the bear scat we spotted on the path.

Once we reached the stream, no bear were in sight. Renee was relieved and I was just happy to see a new and beautiful spot of our island.

Our next stop was False Bay. It was lovely. The beach was clean and the water, clear. By the rocky edge of the shore the water gave off a translucent turquoise glow. We lunched and laughed and strained to list on one hand places that were prettier than this.

We ventured next to Wukulook Trail. Supposedly this area is highly populated by bear. We didn’t see a one, but we sure had fun looking.

Our outing was so much fun. I loved seeing the island, the excitement of seeing and looking for bear and being with family and friends, made for a great experience.
I say we do it all again tomorrow….wha'do ya think?

Day Four: Night of Frustration

After the game we hopped on the express bus and made a quick get-a-way back to Issaquah to meet up with Lisa and Mom. (Since Mom didn’t go the game, Jim gave her his snazzy Mariners hat as a keepsake.) Andrew, Mom and I still had to make it to Vancouver BC that night, so under the cover of the Park-n-Ride structure; we said our heartfelt thanks and good-byes.

We had about a four hour drive ahead of us….or so we thought. We embarked on a section of I-5 that neither Mom nor I had ever traveled. It felt good to slowly transition from the big city to the green unfamiliar farmland and pastures of northern Washington, all the while following the curves and cuts of rivers and streams. It was a beautifully peaceful evening. That soon changed. As we rounded the corner to the Canadian border entrance, I saw one of the most amazing sunsets I had ever seen. Yet I was trapped in my car, with my hands stuck on the steering wheel…no place to park, stop or even stick my head out of the sunroof... I rubber-necked glances, prepared my camera in vein and watched in anguish the elusive picture-perfect sky; pinks, blues, purples and oranges, reflecting in the evening water drift into black. Between looks I was yammering at the injustice of the Canadians for not providing a lookout, a “view” marker…or a “last chance” sign… The looming peace arch was laughable, as I was in too much of a tizzy to appreciate it. To make the mood even better, I was being slyly prodded by my mother to break the law, “to heck with the hundreds of cars behind you and those armed men,…jump out of the car, run across three lanes of traffic, and get your picture…Jeeeez, you’ll never make as a photo journalist if you can’t break a few rules!!!” Getting arrested was not part of the plan and with my luck they would never believe my sunset obsession and confiscate my camera and send me off to some remote place for questioning. This picture is the best I could do: a sliver of the sunset streaming through, over and under cars. Heartbreaking.

Finally we make it to the customs agent. I hand her our appropriate information. She asks about plants, firearms and weapons. I said no but Andrew replied …”What about those fireworks we have in the back?” The Customs lady is probably thinking that we are loaded with explosives…I say, “Aaaaandrew, we have 10 sparklers…fireworks, sparklers are different that fireARMS.” No surprise, next thing she does is ask us to pull up to the “You’re in Trouble” checkpoint and go inside the building. But, before I can drive to our next spot, Mom decides to pull a youuuu – whoooo and chat a bit. Over me and through the open window, Mom made small talk with the border control lady, “Why are there so many people tonight? Is it always this busy? Is the gentleman driving in that car up there…is that a Studebaker…it says Studebaker but they haven’t made those in years. So, darling, how long have you been working here?” At this point I was practically in tears with frustration…finally we said good-bye to the nice customs lady at the window and pulled over to the appointed spot. The heavily armed man asked us to go inside the adjacent building and wait. (As far as Government wastefulness goes…there were 15 uniformed people in that building and I swear all of them were playing games on their computers.) We were the only people in the building…which made me even more nervous. We walked to the counter and I handed the lady our paperwork and passports…when she asked me my name, Mom thought she would add some credibility to our station by informing her, “I was Miss Oregon and 2nd Runner-up to Miss America.” So, if the explosives in the back of car and the Studebaker question didn’t put us on the loony list – me posing as a Miss Oregon with a 7 year-old son was going to get us cuffed for sure!

The lady politely asked us to take a seat while she ran our names through their system. I was relieved when only 15 minutes later she told us we were “all clear” and free to go. Thank God!

We set off very ready to find Vancouver and settle in for the night. This was one section of the trip that I did Map Quest and ….little good that did me. I won’t go into all the details, for fear I might redevelop my tick, but it was an insane evening of disorientation, driving all over “hell and tarnation” and mother and I both resolving, in a fit of anger, that we were not going to let each other navigate anymore! Andrew, bless his heart, slept through the whole thing.

When we finally found our Best Western it was far from best. It was in a crazy part of town and had two inebriated males playing with a bouncy ball in the parking lot. I was ready to leave and go find a place to park and sleep in the car. Mom went in and checked out the rooms. They were nice, although I thought ours smelled like cat litter. The guy at the desk had a thick Indian accent and large gold earring. He was so nice and offered Andrew water, milk or juice five different times while we waited for the elevator to arrive. He expressed to me how classy my mom was and he even told Andrew that I was a little hottie. Andrew just smiled and nodded, as I think he thought he said that I was a little “odd-y,” with which Andrew would agree.