Well, for Pete's sake! Hey, does anybody know who Pete is??? lol I get fussed at for not posting in a long time and when I do, nobody notices. Oh well....I guess I'll just post anyway.

School is progressing. Ashley is taking a welding course this year. She loves it!!!! And she's good at it!!! I guess some of the mechanical talent from her daddy rubbed off. He says if she keeps it up she'll be a better welder than he is. lol She graduates this May and is looking forward to a little bit of freedom from school. We'll see how this all goes.

Arianna is in 10th grade and is struggling with English. She is very much like her father and has dyslexia just like him. The apple didn't fall far from the tree. And yet she LOVES to read and reads constantly. I have to keep an eye out for here because she keeps disappearing on me to sneak off and read some more. LOL At least they are Christian books.

Allison is our crafter. She loves to sew and make things. Of course, she's best at making messes. Now to just teach her to clean them up automatically without having to be told. Oh me! She's in the 7th grade and is enjoying just about all her classes.

Art's new job is a challenge for him. Due to his dyslexia he has never attempted any job where he has to work on the computer. Thank God for spell check/grammar checks. That makes it possible for someone with any reading/language disability to function in our world today. So, he's learning to use the computer. It's about time!!!! He sends emails, albeit short ones, as needed. I keep telling him he's moving up in the world.

I am doing well. My health is stable for now. I am thankful for God's continuing mercies. Mobility is still a treasure I don't take for granted, as I'm sure there is a day coming when it will be seriously hampered. Hopefully it will be later rather than sooner.

Thanks for checking in at my blog. Feel free to drop me a line. If you drop your email, and I know you, I will write back.
Love,
Angela

This is my precious Grandbaby, Braeden, at 10 1/2 months. Isn't he a cutie!!!

Well, the month is passing all too quickly. Art is enjoying his new job. He's learning all about the computer. He's always left that up to me, so this is definitely a little out of his comfort zone. However, he can do anything, so I'm sure in no time the computer will be just another mechanical process in his mind and it will be a cinch for him. That's the way it always is. I'm better at something because he never did it before. He studies it, sees it as a mechanical process and then he's better at it that I could ever be. Makes me mad as a hornet, and yet I'm proud of him anyway. lol It's wonderful to be able to be proud of your husband.

Well, Arianna survived the chicken pox. I think Ashley may have them now. She has several spots, but as yet they don't have the blistery looking place on them. We're watching her.

School is in session. I am still short some of the curriculum, especially for Arianna. I ordered it the first week of July, but due to some staff being out of state for a few weeks and other things it has been delayed. So we have been

waiting for over 3 weeks. Hopefully it will come in soon. They are doing what they have so far. Ashley is loving her welding class. She seems to have a real knack for it. Art said she welds better than he does. That's saying something coming from him.

Adam is interested in taking lost of free college courses. He wants to try and get some education during the next three years. I'm proud of him. He hasn't given up on learning. Our grandbaby is growing by leaps and bounds. He will be one before we know it. This whole year has passed so quickly that sometimes I feel like I am passing myself going out the door while I am coming in. But that's life, isn't it.

I think that's all the "new" news in the Roberts household. I'll try to update more later.

Good Grief! I didn't realize it had been so long since I posted anything. Our summer is moving along. Art's parents are up to visit. They have been here about 2 weeks and will be here another week. His sister, Rebekah was here also with her fiance Keith. They left a week ago headed for home. Bec's two youngest boys, Alex (16) and Zachary (13) are here as well and are going home with Art's parents. We have had a great visit.

It's almost time for school to start. I love this time of year. I love to buy school supplies!!!!! I haven't done that this year. Money is tight for now. Art just started a new job and it will be a time before we get caught up on everything. But I had tons of pencils, paper and notebooks left over from last year. I have put in the order for their text books but they aren't in yet. I have Allison's year of work half way done. She does well with it all spelled out for her. I have a couple of Ashley's classes done. Arianna will be the last one to have her assignments all done as it's mostly her books that aren't in. Pray that they come. Ashley will graduate this coming May. Yippee! Arianna is going into the 10th grade and Allison is in the 7th.

Adam is doing well. My parents just bought him a car so that he had wheels to get back and forth to work. He is so thrilled. His son, Braeden is just adorable. I still haven't seen him in person. Arianna and I hope to fly out before too long for a long visit between Adam and his family and my parents.

Well, that's all for now. Oh yeah, we had 7 gorgeous puppies. We have sold all of them. It's a sad day when the last one leaves and yet a glad day (no more piddle puddles or presents left for us to clean). We enjoyed them while we had them.

We hope your summer is going well. Know that you're thought of and prayed for.
Angela

Well, as I sit here, thinking about what to write, I'm not sure what to say. lol I guess I'll start by telling you that we have had some bad news about one of our "boys". Art and I love kids and enjoy working with them. Occasionally we meet one who needs a parent(s) and we are able to fill in the gap. There have been three particular boys that have become our own children, even though we never adopted them or gave birth to them. Mark, you have already seen on my blog. He and my daughter-in-law, Cindy have two beautiful children and are doing very well. Chris I haven't heard from in a while. Last I heard things were not going well. David--well, David committed suicide this weekend. To our knowledge no one knows why he did this. Many things contributed to it, I'm sure. His only son died last year of SIDS. Both his parents died many years ago, which is where Art and I came into the picture. His mother committed suicide as well. His relationship must have been broken in the recent past. Many facts, adding together to create this tragic moment in eternity. David had made a profession of salvation years ago. For this I am thankful. As for Art and I, we are heartbroken to think that he is no longer a part of our lives, even though he hadn't contacted us much since we came to Alaska. It grieves me, as a mother, to think he came down to those last moments and saw no hope for the future. Where did he lose sight of his HOPE? Only God knows that. But the challenge for me is to live my life so sold out for Christ, that the Hope within me just radiates out so that others can see it, like the light at the end of the tunnel, the light from a lighthouse directing ships home. You get the picture. I cannot allow this tragic moment to pass without meaning. Something good must come out of this. I praise the Lord for His upholding hand and grace. I thank Him for allowing David to be a part of our family and our lives for the past 11 years. I love my kids dearly, and he was one of them. Please pray for his brother, Jonathan. I haven't gotten to talk to him yet to see how he's doing. David's grandparents also need prayer. His grandmother had just gotten home from the hospital the day before as she had had a stroke. He was at their house when it happened. Many hurts needing healing. Many souls needing the light of God in their lives. And many opportunities for those of us with a hope to let our light so shine before men.

This little light of mine. I'm going to let it shine.
This little light of mine. I'm going to let it shine.
Let it shine. Let it shine. Let it shine!!

Let it shine till JESUS comes. I'm going to let it shine.
Let it shine till Jesus comes. I'm going ot let it shine.
Let it shine. Let it shine. Let it shine!!

Praise the Lord.
Angela

Good Morning, Everyone!!!

Good Morning! It's a BEAUTIFUL day in Alaska today. The sun is shining brightly. That's a nice change from the gray skies we have a lot during the winter. We are gaining more daylight each day, about 5-6 minutes daily. Doesn't sound like a lot, but it adds up quickly. Won't be long and we'll have mostly daylight again. We have had several little snows lately. Not enough to make things deep, but just enough to cover the dirty snow with fresh white snow. 8) Makes things beautiful again.

Art went to a men's retreat this past weekend. He was really blessed. I'm anxious to see him and hear all about what he heard. Ashley went with him, and no, it wasn't to find herself a man. lol She went to keep the camp director's seven children. Yes, seven and number 8 is on the way. There are 4 girls and 3 boys ages 1-11?. I'm not sure about the oldest girl. Their names are Cheyenne, Dakota, Sierra, Montana, Sequoia, Larado, and Savannah. If things go as normal this next one should be a boy. Ashley had a wonderful time getting to know the kids better. They are the most well disciplined children we have ever seen. And yes, Ashley learned that a house with that many people can be kept clean, organized, and well run. lol Best lesson she could ever learn. She's a great babysitter. I'm glad she has all the opportunities she has had this year. She loves kids and is always excited to watch them.

Arianna and Allison are sitting at the table doing school work. Why is sitting at the table and being nice while doing schoolwork so difficult for some people??? Wait until they have kids of their own. I'm going to be sitting back and enjoying the squabbles and phone calls I get when their own kids just can't seem to get along. I'll try to refrain from the "I Told You So's". 8)

Well, that's about all for now. Take care and have a wonderful day.

Here's another old pic of the family. This one would be around early 1998. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Good evening! It's been a long day and I am headed to bed shortly. I just wanted to share an OLD pic of the Roberts Clan. This was taken when Allison was one so that would make it late 1997.

Here's the most recent pics of Braeden that I have. I can't wait to actually see him in person. Hopefully it won't be too long.

It's 7:56am and it's as dark as midnight outside. LOL Our days are getting longer, but it still doesn't get daylight until around 9am or later. Yesterday was a beautiful, sunny day. Those are rare. It's getting colder. We went from 50 degrees to 4 degrees. We've had a 80 degree change over the past month. The temp was -30, jumped to 30 above then to 50. Now we're back down to 4 degrees. Hard to keep up somedays.

I've been asked how we live in this cold weather. It's called layer dressing. You dress for the weather and it isn't so bad. On cold days I wear a tank top, a long sleeve shirt, a sweat shirt, flannel pants, jeans, and two pairs of socks. As it warms up, you just take off one piece at a time until you're comfortable again, keeping them handy to put back on as it gets colder again. At home I often just wear the tank top or short sleeve shirt and the jeans. We almost always wear slippers. My biggest aggravation is boots. I really don't like wearing big, klunky boots, but they are a necessity up here. Then, when you get where you're going, you change to regular shoes. That's a pain. I just keep a pair of shoes at church so that I can just change and not have to carry a spare pair every time I go. LOL And you never wear shoes in people's houses. You leave your shoes by the door. Ugh! Nothing like walking around in socks in someone else's house. You just hope your socks look clean. lol My daughter, Ashley, says someday she hopes to have enough money to wear a new pair of socks every day. She loves new socks. So, if anyone ever wants to give her a gift, you don't need to ask what she would like. New socks, and the champion brand are her favorites. LOL I don't expect you to send her any. I just threw that in for fun.

Well, it's a new week, a new opportunity to bring God glory. I have literally TONS to accomplish this week, and that's just for my family. Pray I can be motivated to get the job done. Flylady is going to be doing overtime for me this week. Now just to follow her like I should.

Hope each of you has a wonderful week. I'll post some new pics of Braeden later.

Love you!
Ange

Good Morning, World! It's a lovely day in Alaska. I hope it's a lovely day wherever you are. I am finally feeling like I might live. LOL My cold is getting better. Art made me take garlic cloves 2-3 times a day. Yuck! I never realized garlic was so spicy hot. And I DON'T like it by itself. lol Oh well, it does help, and is better than going to the doctor and having to buy antibiotics.

Pray for Art's business. They are making money but this month is going to be tight. Many people are having financial problems and have to fit in paying the bill to the guys for the work they have done. Otherwise the business is going well. They have lots of work, but they need time to create the inventions they are working on. They are so busy making heating repairs to pay the bills that they don't have time for creating.

The girls are doing well. It's exciting to see them grow into lovely ladies for the Lord.

I guess that's all for today. Hope it's filled with blessings from the Lord for all.
ange

More pics of my grandbaby. He's a keeper.

Here are a few more pics. There's one of Braeden smiling. One of Adam, Christina, and Braeden. One of my other "son". He's not our birth son but the son of our hearts, Mark-his wife Cindy, and their children Callie and Brock. There are a few others as well. Hope you enjoy them.
Love you!
Ange

I'm baaaaccccccckkkkkkkkk!!!!!

Good Heavens! I'm way behind on the blog stuff. Hello everyone. Long time no write! Sorry for that. I just get busy and truthfully--forget. The old gray mare ain't what she used to be.

My grandbaby arrived on election day. He is doing beautifully. I'm so proud of him. He is starting to smile and is absolutely precious. But then, you can see that for yourself. We feel so blessed. Our daughter-in-law, Christina, is back at work and adjusting to taking Braeden to daycare. Christina works in the medical division of the Air Force Base where they are stationed. Adam is still working in the nuclear division and is making a name for himself as senior airman. We are proud of him.

The girls are continuing in homeschool. Like last year we find ourselves a little behind and running to catch up. Praise the Lord for the school we are registered through who has been such a wonderful support for us. Arianna dislocated her knee on December 22, 2008. Needless to say, that made for an interesting Christmas for us. God blessed us with a good Christmas and we were all healthy and together. What better gift could we have asked for.

My mother has retired. After many year in the banking system she is now able to stay at home again. I'm sure that after she gets caught up on all her housework she will need to find a new hobby. LOL You all probably know about having to do that. I know my daddy is thrilled to have her at home with him.

Art has started his new business with a fellow christian. They are called Intelligent Design, LLC. They make machinery to fit the needs of companies. At present they are doing lots of heat repairs and installations. Tis the season. That is keeping food on the table and bills paid. They desire to serve the Lord with their business and the profits that are made. Pray for them as they work hard to build this company and bring God much glory in the process.

I think that's about all that's new. We wish each of you a wonderful 2009. May God bless you and make Himself known to each of you in a new way every day.