Tender Mercies

Eight days. Eight girls. Eight medals. A lifetime of memories. I had a wonderful opportunity to be one of two coaches for the Alaska Figure Skating Team during the 2014 Arctic Winter Games, held March 15-22 in our lovely city of Fairbanks.  I never expected to have an international coaching experience, and although this wasn't the Olympics or anything, it sure was fun competing against Russia, Alberta North, Northwest Territories, and Yukon. The other contingents at the Games were Sapmi, Greenland, Quebec, and Nunavut. It would take a book to write all of my experiences and such, so I will post pictures and let them do the talking.  I would have loved to get more pictures, but as one of only two coaches responsible for our skaters, I didn't have all the time to do so. On top of these I have posted here, if you go over to SmugMug , there are lots of professional pictures from AWG that really show the fun we had. I can't post them directly here due to copyright laws, bu...

This picture makes me so happy. Don't ask me why. Maybe it's because I am make-up free, except for the Alaskan Mascara. Normal people sleep in on Saturdays. I'm not normal, and was up before 6 am this past Saturday.   There is something very peaceful about waking up before the rest of the world. The air is still and my mind is more clear. Marshall and I decided to wake up and go on a little 3 mile run in before Conference began at 8am. We got a little Vitamin D therapy, some endorphins going, and quality time together.  All before 7am.  I had not run outside since September because I am taking a break from running, but this felt good. We ran out along the ski trails in Creamer's Field, through the trees, and watched the sun rise. The quiet solitude was priceless.  Plus, I got my Alaska mascara fix. Be jealous.   It's all smiles after our run at 7am on Saturday Morning. Temp: 18 degrees F After our run, I did what I have wanted to do all winter...

It has been a long journey these past two years. Throughout the experiences of many doctor visits, lab tests, ultrasounds, and a surgical procedure, I have been very grateful for health insurance. I cannot complain about being in the Army and the ability to just go to the hospital and get lab work done without paying anything for it. But there came a point when we exhausted our resources here in Fairbanks, and had to chose between putting our family on hold or paying out-of-pocket to see a fertility specialist in town (there is no Army fertility specialist in Alaska).  At first, my Army gynecologist said I would be able to get the initial consultation with the specialist paid for by our health coverage. But after the referral was denied, she said that because fertility is an elective procedure, nothing would be covered.  This is why we have savings, no? After a few weeks of praying and thinking about it with Marshall, we decided it was time to go forward and make t...