Friday, December 17, 2010

The Christmas Program: A Holiday Tradition


Thursday was the night of our school's Christmas program.  It happened to be the first one in which Harold was a participant.  He and all the students did a wonderful job of singing and entertaining their families.

For most of you, multiple photos and videos would be as enjoyable as pulling teeth.  Grandmas and grandpas, on the other hand, can watch videos to their hearts content here and here*. 

I would, however, recommend watching the video below.  It was put together by a couple of the high school teachers and ended up being an impressive production.  It's a fun glimpse into the life of our school. 


*and if all that wasn't enough for you, there's more on the school's blog as well.


~AnnMarie

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Christmas Quilt 2010

Our 6th annual Christmas quilt.
The kids fabric paint a quilt square,
I sew it together,
names are placed in a hat,
and one of these little cuties takes it home.

~AnnMarie

Monday, December 6, 2010

Now You See It, Now You Don't

11:58 a.m.


 
 3:57 p.m.

We are still 15 days short of the winter solstice.
Our days will continue to get shorter by about 5 minutes per day until then.

~AnnMarie

Sunday, December 5, 2010

We Traveled South of the Tree Line For This

 This being the first time we have had a real Christmas tree, we were lacking a tree stand.  C.O. got resourceful and made our stand from an old cable spool.  We're unsure if one would call this recycling or upcycling as we are not up on our trendy speak around here.

 Harold is at the perfect age for decorating.  He carefully analyzes each ornament before placing it on the tree.  I realize, sadly, that one day he will not be quite so enthused about such things.  So for now, I will appreciate these moments.

Don't you love how children decorate the tree?  
You can't see them all here, but there are six ornaments all hanging on one branch.


Leave it to my mother to find an Eskimo nativity set.  (Love you mom!)

So many ornaments tell a story.  This angel brings back memories of a Russian missionary who flew to Brevig Mission to sell trinkets and raise money.  The poor thing barely spoke a lick of English.  She came around carrying a binder with a written description of why she was raising money.  She was all alone, didn't have a place to stay and was being followed by a pack of curious children.  I don't know who put her up to this but they apparently didn't realize her trip could in no way be profitable.  We took pity on her and bought an ornament.

Bring on the Christmas season!

~AnnMarie

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Santa Came Early (I think I'm in love)


I have been longing for a for a camera of quality for ages!  Finally my wish has materialized.  Santa (my husband) picked out this fancy Canon Rebel with interchangeable lenses, HD video, other features I don't understand and so much more!

I really don't have any idea what I'm doing to be honest.  I have dreams of being able to take amazing photos and then to edit them all artsy and cute.  *sigh*  My goal is to just pick it up daily and spend a little quality time together with my Canon.  We'll see what becomes of it.   Hopefully the blog's photo quality will be kicked up a notch.

Here's a couple of my favorite photos so far, amateur I know . . .

Harold's Feet

Ernie's Laugh
~AnnMarie

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Tough Times Too

Life in Brevig Mission is good, our lives are happy and blessed.  This blog has become a place to share and record those good times and unique experiences.

It would be inaccurate, however, if we gave the impression that life is all lollipops and ponies around here.  The past few years has brought greater sadness and shock than I ever thought I would experience.

We love our lifestyle and know without a doubt that Brevig Mission is where we are meant to be.  We hope to be supportive and a light to all those around us, just as people here support and teach us.   But it's not always easy, we have had a particularly difficult past few weeks.  Multiple tragedies have left many with great loss and unimaginable heartache.  Many prayers are needed for our little town.

October's Loss
November's Loss
December's Loss

~AnnMarie


God hath not promised skies always blue,
Flower strewn pathways all our lives through;
God hath not promised sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.
 
But God hath promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labor, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing sympathy, undying love.

God hath not promised we shall not know
Toil and temptation, trouble and woe;
He hath not told us we shall not bear
Many a burden, many a care.

But God hath promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labor, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing sympathy, undying love.
 
God hath not promised smooth roads and wide,
Swift, easy travel, needing no guide;
Never a mountain rocky and steep,
Never a river turbid and deep.

But God hath promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labor, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing sympathy, undying love.