Not counting sheep

 Have you ever been so tired that you can't sleep. Your body is so sluggish and your mind is tired but wired. You can't shut it off. Eventually I'll force myself to lay down. I remember old timers saying that if you count sheep. You'd put yourself to sleep.  I tried that for awhile and then my mind drifted to Thanksgiving and I started thinking about blessings that I have and so I started counting them.  And counting them. I fell asleep counting them and woke up so very happy. I know I'm blessed and so very Thankful.

Sweet dreams Sampson

 As I ended my night last night, Sampson kept doing circles around me. I stopped to pet him, but he still kept at it and maintained some eye contact so I surmised that an ear scratching just wasn't going to make him happy. I reached down and picked him up and held him like you would hold a baby that needed to burp. He instantly snuggled next to my neck and just calmed down. Most of the time, Sampson prefers to be by himself or chasing something/someone.  I held him and sang a song and I remembered how his sweet mama loved to be held that way and I sang another song and held him a little longer. He might not have needed that second song, but I did and it felt so good knowing that my hug had so much value. I put him down and he escorted me to bed and we fell fast asleep. Me snuggled into my pillow and Sampson in the curve of my back. Sweet dreams Sampson-hope you get all the balls. 

Rock-a-bye Baby

 Everyone knows that you sing to babies while you rock them to sleep. If you're lucky (like me) the baby will sometimes sing to you. And after you pat his back for a while, he might reach over and pat yours too. 

But nothing in the world can prepare you for the amount of love you will feel holding that sweet baby. You wonder if your heart might burst and then you feel even more love. I don't have to wonder about heaven and what it will be like. I think I already know. 

Momma Magic

I got a text that read "Mom call me asap. I'm alright" and sure enough she was alright but not really. She was having a horrific day. She needed a friend.  Someone to tell her that things would get better and make her believe it. She needed to know that someone had her back and that someone believed in her. So I did my best to reassure her and I smiled a little to myself remembering my mom and how it felt to be loved by her.  Some moms make you feel like you can move mountains. Call it Momma Magic.

Alaska Day 11

 Spent the day in Palmer. Went to the reindeer farm where they had two moose, Highland cows, elk (including a baby), polish chickens, turkeys, and pigs. Very informative.  

This turkey was so friendly and loved being held.

Then it was on to the Musk Ox farm:

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   Musk Ox toys seen above.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Then we went Independence Gold mine. Then Dwight picked wild blueberries and let me soak my injured foot in a glacier water.
   
   This is near Hatcher's Pass.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Alaska Day 10

 Said goodbye to sea lions in Valdez and saw five eagles near the beach. Another rainy day, but we took pictures in Keystone Canyon. Check out Horsetail Falls:

This is Thompson Pass.

This is Horsetail falls. 

Spending the night in Palmer.

Alaska Day 9

 Stayed two nights at the Hotel Glacier in Valdez. Went to Solomon Gulch Fish hatchery and watched sea lions, ate at The Fat Mermaid,  went to a museum.