BIG NEWS!!!!

We're going to have a BABY!!

We've already told our family and closest friends and now it's time to let the rest of the world in on our exciting news. I'm pregnant and due September 23rd. We are both very excited, but also a little nervous. I'm busy researching baby equipment and ideas on how to decorate a nursery while Bob is busy trying to plan for finances and always coming up with more baby name options.



Bob was actually away in Anchorage when I took the home pregnancy test. He had a whole week left after I told him before he came home. So, when he came home, he wrapped up a little baby gift to give me as a congratulations. This was the gift! What a sweet thing. It was the first thing that made the whole situation seem real. He told me later, I was not allowed to shop at Babies R Us and that he would not shop there with me. I laughed and asked why (but it was already clear)? He said, there are too many options and things are way too expensive. He clearly went there to shop around a bit and quickly became overwhelmed by bottle and diaper choices and all the other equipment options. For someone who lives in the bush and doesn't have access to shopping, I'm SURE that store can be overwhelming. Will I feel the same way? We'll see....when I finally am able to get out and shop! For now, I'm relegated to the internet and reading online reviews of cribs and carseats etc. Even that is overwhelming!

Finally, this is the scariest picture of all!

We hope this isn't any sign of the future...ha ha! We will have a scary little eskimo if he/she turns out to look like this! ha ha!

Bob's mom sent us a little "cozy cover" for a baby carrier. Bob couldn't resist demonstrating the product. Life with baby, could be scary if it's anything like life with Bob! I'll have to stay on my toes just to survive and as always, have a good sense of humor!

Lunch Lady

You're going to have to use your imagination for this one. I don't have any photos to go along with the story.....thank goodness!

Two times in the last two weeks, our poor cook at school has had to work in the kitchen all by herself. Her name is Mary and she is a wonderfully sweet mother who puts all her energy and love into her lunches for all the students of the school, the staff and even the village elders and a few random community members who stop by for some healthy food. So, needless to say, Mary, oftentimes, has her hands full!

So, when Mary and I work in close proximity to each other, we have been able to get to know each other fairly well. You see, our gym doubles as our cafeteria. As I am conducting PE classes all morning, we have a difficult time staving off hunger as we smell her delicious baked goods like blueberry muffins and chocolate cake and barbecued chicken. I'd have to say, she's one of the best school cooks I've ever known. I eat her lunches everyday I work! She even enjoys taking a break when she can and steps out of the kitchen for a bit to cheer on the teams as they compete in sports. She's always laughing and clapping as she wishes them well in their games.

Well, Mary's helper, was selected to substitute in a few classes over the last few weeks, leaving Mary in a bit of a jam at lunch time. As I usually monitor the first lunch, I noticed an extra long line form for one of her most famous meals. My job is to check off each person's name who gets a lunch as they go through the line and then make sure there are no problems throughout the rest of the lunch time. But the line was moving rather slow as I peeked into the kitchen to see Mary struggling to keep up with the demand. So.....I asked her if she wanted my help. Of course she said yes, but then came the requirements......

She told me I HAD to put on a hair net and wear some gloves. (Bob would certainly have agreed with the hair net as he says I shed more than a dog! ha ha!) So I donned my hair net and gloves as fast as I could in order to jump into line with her and start scooping out the food for the hungry kids. Although, I quickly discovered earrings and hair nets are not friendly. They don't work together very well. My earrings got caught in the little holes of the net and my hair kept falling out of the net! I tried to fix it as best as possible, but it was definitely a mess and my looks were sure to collect comments, but there was no time to fuss about it! There was a long line and Mary needed some relief from the never ending hungry line of students.

I jumped in front of Mary and stood right at the window where the students receive their tray. Mary dished out the main course while I scooped out the veggies, fruit and dessert. I was amazed at how quickly my arm got tired in the assembly line. Maybe we need to lift more weights in PE just so I can have more endurance for being a lunch lady substitute!

It wasn't long before the comments started flying...."Nice Net Mrs. Minnick." "Your earings are all messed up Mrs. Minnick." "You have a TRIPLE CHIN Mrs. Minnick." WHAT? Who said that? I will NOT accept any comments today that don't have to do with my hair net! These kids are a challenge. I don't think I can go one day without one of them commenting on a gray hair on my head or any other flaw that might be noticeable. They tell it like it is and I really don't like it! Today, I was told I had a gray eyelash! Seriously!

My experience as lunch lady was hard work, but gave me a different perspective on SERVING the students at school. Mary puts her heart and soul into her job and she really does a great job taking care of everyone. We even had a few laughs together at all the comments. And....even though the kids can be harsh at times, I heard many thanks to Mary from them as I handed them their tray for the day. In fact, it is quite common for some of them to come back for seconds and as they dump their tray and silverware, to thank Mary again for a good meal.

Have you thanked your local lunch lady today? Think about those who serve you at your place of business or school or even home (your mom) and take a minute to tell them how much you appreciate their hard work and good food! Being a lunch lady is tough work!!