Happy Birthday Paniyaaq

Eleven years ago, today, my life was forever changed when my sweet princess was born into this world. Little did I know how amazing she really would be.

Although I didn't teach her to speak my language, and she's never been to the village I grew up in, she's genuinely proud of her culture and who she is. I can't help but think of how joyful my mother would be if she were alive today. My baby girl doesn't follow trends, but sets her own, and most importantly, she is happy with herself.

She is a gentle soul with a huge heart. She reminds me of both my parents.

While sensitive and quite shy, she possesses a lot of inner and outer strength. Something most people, including myself, wish they had.

And of course, I think she's absolutely beautiful and quite perfect. 

Happy Birthday Princess! Words can't express the love I have for you. You are growing into such an amazing young lady. I hope you continue to be your own person and always stand tall and proud of who you are. I know I'm proud of you.

Embracing Autumn

I'm not exactly a huge fan of the dark and cold Alaskan winters anymore so I'm always sad when summer ends, but as the leaves change, I quickly remember how much I love Fall time and the beautiful colors that come with it.

Since I have been totally lacking creativity lately, I decided to gather my older girls up and go for a walk to collect some leaves for a project I have in mind.

Along the way, I talked them into letting me take a couple quick shots of them. 

And of course I had to take pictures of the beautiful colors. When I look at Autumn photos taken in the Lower 48, I have serious color envy.

 Our season is always just so . . . . yellow,  however, in the beginning of the season you can always find the Fireweed and a few other species turn into a beautiful shade of red. 

So we gathered a some leaves.

And I snapped a couple more photos of my girls.

We said goodbye to the few remaining things holding onto to summer and just enjoyed the rest of our walk. Now if I can actually follow through with the leaf project I have in mind, I'll have something to share soon.

Memorial Day Weekend

On our last trip to our cabin last weekend, I realized that summer is definitely over in AK.

Aside from the chilly air, it was quite apparent in the brush along the river.

The girls even had to wear their winter hats.

But the cold didn't stop them from going barefoot in the river and getting dirty on the beach.

Not sure how they did it really, cause the air was CHILLY and the river was COLD.

My younger girls were out in Bethel visiting their Grandma so Taylor got to invite her friend Reilly.

They had a great time.

And Carson, well she's practically family and is pretty much there when we're there so she came along with her dad, who is always a huge help to my husband.

It was a perfect balance of great personalities. So much so that they left me alone while I kicked back, relaxed, and read a couple books on my Kindle. It was perfect Memorial Day weekend.

Baby Warrior Seketl'e

Last month my friend, Torin and his wife, Lena, were blessed with a beautiful baby boy they named Seketl'e.

Soon after his birth, Seketl'e started having breathing complications. Seketl'e was hospitalized and eventually sent to the Seattle Children's Hospital where he was diagnosed with a condition called, hemangioendothelioma. He is now awaiting a liver transplant.

According to his family, in order to be placed on the transplant wait list, Seketl'e's health needed to improve. Being the little warrior that he is, he has made it back on the transplant list!

If you would like to help my friend Torin and his family, there are many ways you can do so. 

Lena & Torin Jr. Photo taken by Oscar Avellaneda

Seketl'e's wonderful big brother, Torin Jr. has selflessly found a way to help his baby brother by selling t-shirts. All proceeds will go to help Seketl'e and his family.  Send an email to Torin if you would like to place a t-shirt order.

Also Alaskan author, Don Rearden, who wrote The Raven's Gift, is holding an auction to help the Jacobs family.  Mr. Rearden is promising a chance to have a character in his next book named after the highest bidder! For more information, please go to Mr. Rearden's auction.

Monetary donations may be made at any Wells Fargo institution under the Seketl'e Jacobs Donation Fund. And last, but not least, please keep Seketl'e and his family in your prayers. For more information on his progress and condition, please visit Love For Seketl'e.

If one feels the need of something grand,

something infinite,

something that makes one feel aware of God,

one need not go far to find it.

I think that I see something deeper,

more infinite,

more eternal than the ocean in the eyes of a little baby when it wakes in the morning and coos or laughs because it sees the sun shining on its little cradle.

-Vincent Van Gogh


***UPDATE***
The following was taken from the Love for Seketl'e blog. Please continue to pray for the Jacobs family as they grieve their little angel.

One day short of his 1 month birthday, Seketl’e Ut’an Jacobs was taken home by our heavenly Father. Requesting continued support to the family through prayers, positive energy, and notes of sympathy, solace, and encouragement.


Seketl'e Ut'an Jacobs
8/13/11 - 9/12/11
You put up a great fight and touched a lot of hearts. May you rest in peace Baby Warrior.