Catching Up on the Last Few Weeks

Grace was so excited to help make Tuff's birthday muffins.  He turned 31 on January 23.

 It was a big family gathering.

Happy Birthday song for Tuff in video below:



Cuzzies watching lion king together on birthday night.

A few days later we attended baby Addeleigh's dedication at church.  Addeleigh belongs to Donnie and Kassia.

Grace and Addeleigh are 16 months apart.

This is what happens when you put a baby in charge of holding a baby...

January 28th Grace and I made the journey east to Minnesota to attend my Grandpa's funeral.

Best picture I could get of her morning of funeral.

Playing Mr. Potato Head with Uncle Greg.

Posing with Auntie Cydy.

The funeral was amazing.  Beautiful in every way.  We decided to make a trip out of it so stayed an extra few days.  While in Minnesota we watched Beck at the school-wide spelling bee.  The week previous he won the bee for his grade (5th).  Beck is in the checkered shirt.

In the video below Beck is challenged to spell the word 'wee.'  I was almost certain he would spell it Wii.  Jk.



Time at the town coffee shop with Oma and Auntie Sandy.

We also squeezed Sacred Heart School Carnival in.  Grace and Cyd playing Plinko.

Beautiful picture of Cyd and Grace.

We also attended a few hockey games of Finn, Beck and Bo and this is how Grace reacted...

We flew in and out of Fargo for the funeral.  Almost one year ago in May 2013 we made the same journey.  I took advantage of recreating the photo by the big Bison.

Back in Billings and lots of cute opportunities for photos at the dinner table.

The bib in the photo below was made by Beck one year ago.  It reads, "My mom and dad are grizzlies."

Although today is 50 degrees we have no lack for snow.  Perfect conditions for playing outside!

Just a few days earlier when it wasn't so warm.

February 7th and 8th our non-profit, One Heart Apsaalooke, had a board retreat.  Below is a picture of our board and the retreat facilitator.

A taste of our board bio photos.

Some board retreat presentations.

Taking a break.  It was like going back to school.  The first day  of the retreat was 8am-5pm and some intensive thinking required.

At the end of day two we presented Jack with a Crow design beaded bolo tie.

As a result of the board retreat we are more focused on a starting purpose to strengthen Native Christian leaders, whether pastors, heads of ministries or individuals.  We're working toward submitting paperwork for 5013c and a launch date.  The building process is long but worth it.

On another note I'm 17.5 weeks pregnant now and my sister Dana is 20 weeks along!

And Now For the Christmas 2013 Update

Finally a Christmas update.  We traveled to Minnesota this year to spend Christmas with my family.  Its about a 10.5 hour drive with no kids and tack on a bit with kids.  We stopped the first night in Bismarck to make the journey east a little more enjoyable.

Winter travels.

Baby traveling.

We made it a few days before the festivities and got plenty of family time.  But first I made a quick trip to Detroit Lakes to hang out with the Rachels.  These beautiful ladies are my high school friends and stood with me at my wedding as bridesmaids.

Now on to Staples, MN with the family.  Sledding time.

Cousin Bo and Grace.

Video of Grace going down the hill alone:



One of the twins...no I can't tell the difference all bundled up in snow gear.

The other twin.

Cousins Finn and Soren getting ready to use the old toboggan.

Mari (my sister in law, mother to Soren and the twins, Lukas and Bjorn).

Cousin Beck.

Sled dog Tuff pulling Bo in the video below:



Now reverse rolls and Bo and Soren sled dog:



Warming up inside with the cousins and a game of catch the fish.

The next day we were out again on the slopes.

My brother Derek and I.

Tuff's snowman Olaf.

We watched Finn, Beck and Bo play some hockey.  Finn is #15 below.

Duff on the time.  At this stage its all parent volunteers, including transportation to all games.

Between periods and the Zamboni comes out.

In another game Beck and Bo, in the photo below (Beck in center and Bo camera right).

Grace loving the between whistle music in the video below:



Post hockey Tower Pizza stop with Aunty Cydy.



Christmas Eve morning we hung out with our friends the Anderson family.  In the picture below is Sara and Gabe, Tuff and Mary.  I graduated high school with Gabe and then we hung out when we lived in Nashville, as he resides there.

Christmas Eve at Grandma Rach's house, Rachin' Around the Christmas Tree.  There were around 60 family members in attendance.

First cousins.  Not all in attendance but a good showing.

 Some more family, Christy and Mari.

Some of Grandma Rach's great grandchildren.

Goodie all dressed up.

Christmas Day feast at my parents home with immediate family and Grandma Rach, Uncle Joe and Aunt Barb.

The family photo.

 And a goofy one of course.

Grandma Rach.

Did we mention it was wicked cold while we were in Minnesota?  Check out Tuff throwing boiling water into the air in the video below:



Some sisterly love watching the Vikings play their last game in the Metrodome.

Road trip back to Montana and Tuff woke me up to the smoke and flames as seen in the photo below.

It was the train derailment in Cassleton, North Dakota.  We approached it from interstate 94 just minutes after the first few explosions occurred.

We are uncertain of the next step, but we are certain of God

My friend Kacia posted an excerpt from My Utmost for His Highest on her facebook today that was an encouragement to me as our family goes through this stage in life.  "We are uncertain of the next step, but we are certain of God."  We haven't updated the past two years on what we are doing because we have nothing concrete to report.  And today I was encouraged that nothing concrete is ok.  But I'll let you all know that we are starting a non-profit, One Heart Apsaalooke.  Our mission:  One Heart Apsaalooke exists to restore complete health to the Crow people through education, leadership development, discipleship training, while partnering with the body of Christ to fulfill what the word of God commissions.  

It is now two years beyond the call that God put on Tuff's and our family's lives to pursue a specific vision.  It is through this non-profit that part of the vision can come to fruition.  I have held back from sharing anything because there was not 100% certainty with exactly what we were doing, and what, who and when the non-profit will serve.   We haven't officially launched to the public yet but we are anticipating a launch this spring, shortly following our board retreat in February.  Thank you Kacia for giving me the courage to speak out in uncertainty.  We are right where we are supposed to be.  

Just two days ago my Grandpa Reuben passed away peacefully at the age of 90.  The picture above is from summer 2012 with just a few of Grandpa's legacy of great grand children.  He brought a smile to everyone and the kids loved him.  I miss him very much already, and even sending this blog update reminds me of him, as he loved reading the updates on his email.  

Give me a few days to update on Christmas.  Our camera is back in our possession and now I need to sift through photos for an update.  Until then...