"MOM! Will You Please Roll Up Your Window Before That Mamma Moose Attacks Us?!"

Chugach Range - March 2015 at 9:00 p.m.

Chalk the title of today's post among those quotes I never thought I'd hear any of my children say to me!  Perhaps it's the relaxed atmosphere that this part of the world offers...perhaps it's the untold beauty that can never be adequately expressed using our "mere" words...perhaps it's because we're "prepared and packing" all of the time.  Who knows? Whatever the reason, we all seem a bit braver as we run into the "wild" neighbors with whom we share this great space.  We are cautious, not careless; but the comment from our little Ethan reminded me that even adults need a warning now and then about "getting too close" to those things which could potentially cause us harm.

With the days growing longer and longer and Spring Having Sprung here, our encounter with Mamma Moose and her two calves on our way home from church Wednesday was not as welcome as you might think.  Twilight cast heavy dark shadows in the forest leading to our home, and as we approached the final leg of our journey, all I noticed first were a pair of eerie yellow eyes, reflecting our headlights right back at us.  I whispered to Ethan, "Eyes. eyes."  As he peered into the growing darkness ahead, he replied, "MOM! That's a moose!"  Only when we got closer did we realize it was a baby...and mother was not in sight.  Now we've seen enough Alaskan/Canadian "reality" shows and the real thing in our own backyard to know that if baby is near, mamma is nearer.   Thank goodness there weren't any other vehicles on our road.  As we edged closer, baby scooted into the woods.  I rolled down my window to try to take a picture, and that's when we saw the second baby.  And then we heard mamma deeper in the woods, and barely made out her head, poised in our direction with ears perched.  For those of you still reading...this is the part of that scary movie where you are screaming at the people on screen to stop being stupid and get to some place safe!  I can even hear some of you now in my head (yes, I hear your voices...ooohhhh) saying, "Roll that window up and get on home, Girl!"

I couldn't help it...I was so mesmerized watching the babies and listening to mamma crash through the underbrush.  Twigs were snapping, branches breaking, boughs rocking, and Ethan...our brave little Ethan yelling, "MOM! Will you P-L-E-A-S-E roll up your window...?!" Like rolling up the window would "save" us from imminent danger. Bahaha! So I rolled up the window and we headed on home.  With a great sigh of relief, Ethan said, "I don't ever want to have to tell you that again!"  He's growing up so fast, and learning all of the great parenting quotes! Who says homeschooling doesn't teach what we need it to teach. :)

Tuesday Night Sunset -- from our backyard after our walk

Our weather has been amazing this week, and while we all love the snow, having warmer temperatures and sunshine has been a nice diversion.  We've been able to get out and slog through the neighborhood on evening walks (we take Daddy and his big gun with us for those).  We're doing that under the auspices of "exercise," but really Ethan and I are secretly mapping out a dog-walking route for the puppy we don't own yet.  Ahtna is the new puppy's name, and it isn't too much of a secret because Daddy is the one calling the breeders - haha! No new puppies yet, but we remain hopeful that a new addition will join us later this spring.

As an aside, Ethan and I were able to have a 2:00 a.m. science lesson -- observing the Auroras for nearly an hour out our front living room window.  I really need to learn how to take pictures in the dark!  So far this week I've missed a moose and the Northern Lights.

Ethan continues to do well in his art classes and will be moving into an intermediate art class with older students following his teacher's encouragement that his skill level warrants such a move.  He was very surprised about that recommendation and also very humbled.  He thanks the Lord daily for his ability and wants to use it for the Lord's glory.  Please pray with us about how he can best do that.

Ethan's Acrylic of a Popular Screensaver

Alexander has been selected for a full-time position at MTA, so he is navigating changes in his part-time work schedule.  He will be transitioning out of his tutoring role over the next couple of weeks so he will have ample time for the new job and his school work.  He's excited about the move since it includes "benefits" and we know that is an additional step closer to full independence.  Wow!

Andrew just finished up Spring Break and a portion of a huge project at Lee.  He's working to secure scholarships for next school year and looking forward to Easter Break in North Carolina.  Please continue to pray for him as he studies and makes decisions about his future.  We thank you all for your continued support and prayers for our family.  It is hard to be away from you, but knowing you are thinking of and praying for us helps the distance not seem so far.

We are preparing for our next set of visitors in April -- and we look so forward to welcoming the File Family then!  Our home is open...and Alaska is ready when you are!

We love you all!!!

Hatcher's Pass - 9:00 p.m. March 2015

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord,
thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Jeremiah 29:11