April Update

April 28th, 2009

Well, it's been some time since I wrote. I have flown home to Idaho and back and have surgery scheduled for May 12th.

David and I are busy looking for a teaching job for him and a place we want to live for the next few years. We are not coming back to Alaska. We have found it very expensive. We are both saddened by how much we will miss the kids here. I am having withdrawals already. I will be leaving here next week and David will follow on the 23rd of May when school is done.

I have had such a wonderful experience here with the people and especially the kids. I love them so much. They have helped me get through the missing of my grandkids. I have spoiled them rotten but that's my job and they pay me for it!!!!

The snow here is finally melting and the river should be breaking up this week or next. When that starts, there are big chunks of ice that flow and they have ice jams and sometimes flooding.

We are hearing the birds sing and the geese and ducks are making their way home here again.

Love to all of you.

Snow

Snow
Almost buried

Spring Break

March 14-March 22

We have been officially on Spring Break now for 5 days. It has been wonderful. Last Friday night we stayed up until late watching "Lost" the first season. David has seen it before but I hadn't seen all of it. The last three nights we have stayed up until 3:00 AM watching movies and more "Lost". We sleep in until around 9:30 or until we want to get up. It is positively decadent to lie in bed that long.

The weather has been beautiful and sunny with temps around -15 degrees for the last week. I can handle it now, but when it gets down to -40 that's when I balk. David loves it<>

The school windows are just about covered with snow now after all the snow came down off the roof a few weeks ago when we had a warm spell in the 30's. The high school boys have been digging out the windows so we can see out.

Rick is leaving tomorrow for a few days and David and I will be home alone for the end of Spring Break. What a nice thought. Sitting up with him alone and watching movies has been a precursor to what it will be like to have our own place. I can't wait to play house with him.

We have come to realize how much our family means to us, more and more, as we have been so far away. What a joy to have family and people that love you. We know our kids adore us and miss us more than we miss them.....but they have endured it well, having us gone. They have restrained themselves admirably with limiting writing to a few times a month, calls to once a month and they are so good to keep us in the loop of their lives. ( I'm just kidding you guys...don't get your bloomers in a wad).

We feel very blessed by our Father in Heaven for each other and this wonderful group of children he has bless us both with. Oh and don't forget the gift of those little grandchildren. I miss you little "stinkers".

February 26th, 2009

Well today I'm 55 and still feeling young. All week long, my dear husband has been sending me cards. Some reminded me jokingly of how old I am getting, but most were romantic and I am enclosing a poem that he wrote for me.

Sunshine

You brighten my day,
Since the day we met,
I just smile and say,
I love you, my pet.

Each day is brighter,
Than the day before,
New ways to make lighter,
Ways to love you more.

My life just gets better,
Challenges are small,
As time doesn't fetter,
My love grows tall.

Longer and deeper,
Stronger and wide,
You are a keeper,
Like the incoming tide.

Forever and ever,
Until time never bends,
Our love a lever,
Time never ends.

david ~ 2009


I had a wonderful Birthday with a call first thing from Gina. Then, I got emails from Holly, Mandy, and my brother Tim. The children here sang to me, and the older boys made cards for me. I loved it. I had planned ahead a few months ago, to make cheesecakes for the kids for my birthday so that's what is pictured here. It was a hit.

David got me an electric fondue pot and an Elvis CD. Amazing since he doesn't like to compete with Elvis for my affections. :)

He also lit candles, and we watched a movie and had an amazing evening together. He really is a romantic. All in all it was a lovely day.

Birthday

Birthday
Cheesecake

In Stony River

In Stony River
David

Me

Me
Outside in Stony

We are doing well.

Today is a beautiful sun shinny day and it feels wonderful. Temps are -5 degrees, but it is so beautiful. This is in front of the school and shows my wonderful husband and the snow built up around the school.

Valentine's Day

Since I don't get to cook very often, I offered to cook a Valentine's Day dinner for David (my husband) and Rick ( our roommate). I had to plan in advance since we don't always have what we want here and there are no stores. When Debi went to Anchorage the end of January, I sent some money and a list and she was able to get most of the stuff I needed. The men wanted ham so I had Debi get two spiral cut hams. One for the dinner and one for Easter.

I had fun fixing dinner but didn't think about taking pictures until it was all over. I fixed the table with red construction paper and put darker red celophane hearts in statigic places. We used white dinnerwear and it looked lovely with the red. We had a spiral cut ham, potatoes and gravy, corn, bread sticks and Debi made a salad. Apple pie and ice cream for dessert. One of the Elders in the village (old men) came over during the day, so I invited him too.

We had a good time and Ianna (the elder) kept saying "this is so fancy" and he loved the gravy more than anything.

David bought me an Elvis collection of love songs for my present and I bought him a collection of Blue Grass music which he hasn't listened to yet, so you can tell how impressed he is with it. He wrapped it in his used valentine napkin and the celephane hearts from the table, becaue he couldn't find anything else to wrap it in. I love this man and his ingenuity. It looked really pretty. Hope you all had as great a time as I did.

BB Tournament

We are off to the boys Basketball Tournament in Chuathabuk down river. David is the coach and I'm going along to help chaparone and have some fun. We have to wear full winter gear, pants, hats, gloves, thermals all that in case we crash somewhere. We didn't crash but it was so cold especially in that little 6 seater plane. When we started out it was -25 degrees and the day we came back it was -40 in Stony so very cold. We had fun except for the sleeping on the floor which we are both big babies about. I'm getting used to the flying around in little airplanes though.

Blessings?

The people here are Russian Orthodox and they celebrate Slavic which is their Christmas celebration. They take this star around to each home and sing and say a blessing on that house,. If it's a home, the people there give out food, or candy to the ones coming in. The kids participate along with the older folks.

Slavic

Slavic
Blessing the School at Slavic

David

David
David digging out his weather station

Snow and more snow

We have had over 100 inches of snow so far this year since October. David is in charge of the weather station.. which measures the snowfall for the national weather service. He has to measure each snowfall. The upper picture he is digging out the station.
In the lower picture, it shows the snow that has fallen off the roof during the last warm trend and actually broke two of the windows on that side of the school as it slide off the metal roof and tilted inward. Hundreds of pounds of snow. It was fun for the kids as those huge chunks broke off and came crashing down making very loud noises during school.

Windows of school

Windows of school
let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

Shots from the airplane

I took several shots from the airplane as we were flying from Anchorage to Aniak. It was beautiful with the sun shining on the mountains. David gave me a new camera for Christmas and so I had to use it.

Alaskan Mountains

Alaskan Mountains
Beautiful

Flying over Alaska

Flying over Alaska
Frozen Wasteland

New Years and New Years Eve

We spent New Years Eve and New Years with Matthew and his family. Mandy and Tony gave us a Chocolate Fountain for Christmas and we tried it out then. It was a big hit and we all had fun with it. Thanks Mandy and Tony. Sorry we didn't get there in time to use it with all of you.

New Year 2009

New Year 2009
David

New Years Eve

New Years Eve
Chocolate Fountain

Thanksgiving, 2008

Today I am contemplating the wonder of being on this earth and the promise of Life Eternal with our Heavenly Father.

I give thanks for the Gospel of Jesus Christ in my life. The guide to that Eternal life that I desire. I fall short sometimes, but I know that I can do better, be better and it's because of the people in my life that encourage me, love me and support me. You are those people.

I specifically give thanks for my parents who gave me my first budding testimony and helped it grow.

For my children who have been there for me throughout the years when we were together as a family, fighting to stay ahead of the wolf at the door and enjoying each other so much. Laughing, crying, loving as a family..

I give thanks for my siblings and their love and support throughout the years and for the examples that they are.

I give thanks for Davids children who have accepted me into their father's life and made me feel welcome and loved.

What about those grandchildren, you ask? Oh, no I wouldn't forget those sweet little monsters. I long to see their little smiling faces, kiss their faces off and hold them in my arms. Both David and mine. They are all so precious to us.

I give thanks for all the friends and neighbors over the years, teachers, leaders, coaches, and fellow workmates who have influenced my life.

Last but certainly not the least, ( I saved the best for last) I give thanks for this man at my side, who found me, who loves me, who encourages me, who is patient with me, and sensitive to my needs . Who spoils me in so many ways. David, although not perfect, is so perfect for me. Heavenly Father knows me and knows that I need someone to love me inspite of my failings, my need to have control, my emotional ups and downs. He knew I needed a strong man, who could weather the ups and downs of me. Oh how I love the man he sent to me and life only keeps getting better.

Thanksgiving at the School

I helped the kids here make paper mache turkeys out of the old flour and water paste and balloons. It was certainly messy but fun. I had to wash my clothes every day after work. Before we got the feathers on, they looked like baby dinosaurs or shellless turtles. Oh well, once we got the feathers on, they turned out pretty cute. The kids are so proud of them and had fun making them.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving
Paper Mache Turkeys

Dad

Dad
Charlie Spencer Solomon

Blessings

November 9th, 2008

Happy Birthday DAD (Charlie Spencer Solomon). You have been such a wonderful influence in my life and I miss you so much sometimes.. You are still one of my heros even though David has replaced you as the one closest to me. I know you would approve of that, though.

Today, (our 3 month anniversary) once again, I realized what a blessing the gospel is to us in our life.. As David and I listened to our church meetings via the telephone and then David knelt down and blessed the sacrament right next to me as we held hands, an overwhelming feeling of love and devotion not only to David but to our Heavenly Father washed over me and I felt such gratitude and love to My Heavenly Father for the blessings and opportunities that have come to me in my life.

Of course when I put my hand on David's hair or touch him while he is praying, he tells me " you can't do that during the sacrament" and I say " why not, I love you so much." I do love him so much and thank The Lord for him and his love for me.

We are so grateful for the blessing of our children, their children (our grandchildren) and our extended family. What more can we ask for in our lives, except good friends and neighbors who support us and give us strength to go forward when times seem so tough.

Love to all of you in our lives.

Ginny and David

Grammy

Grammy
Cards and Pictures

I'm so excited-Thank you Braeden, Bronwyn and Julius.

October 21st, 2008

Thank you Mandy for sending the Trail Mix stuff and getting it here just in time.

Thanks to Braeden, Bronwyn and Julius for the cards and pictures the sent to me. David was jealous that he did'nt get any so I shared with him.

We have missed our children and grandchildren so much and can't wait to see all of you at Christmas.

Love Grampa David and Grammy

The Kuskokwin

October 4th, 2008

This is the second largest river in Alaska and our Island sits in the middle of it. I was out taking pictures one day and took these which I thought turned out pretty good.

Today we got our first snow and it was about 28 degrees. Just a skiff of snow really and a tidbit nipply.

Love to all

River

River
Stormy Day

More River

More River
Stormy Skies

The River

The River
Kuskokwin

Mushrooms

Mushrooms
More wonders of Nature

Toadstool

Toadstool
Wetness brings out the wonders of nature

Wonders of Nature

These pictures were taken by "yours truly" Saturday September 20th 2008. It was a beautiful day, rainy at times then sunny. We got some gorgeous pictures of nature here. The pink toadstool is my favorite. Sylvia...doesn't it look like it belongs in a fairy tale? I think so. I love you all.

Us

Married at Last

David Randolph Somerville and Ginny Solomon Kington were married on August 9th, 2008. We honeymooned at Salmon, ID, in a beautiful cabin beside the river for 3 days and then headed to Alaska.

We spent three days in Anchorage just looking around and then flew to Aniak and spent 4 days in inservice for the Kuspuk School District. Then we headed on another flight in a five seater plane to Stony River where we are living now.

I am a classroom aide and help with the elementary classroom.

David

David
David in Alaska

Alaska at last

Well we are here in Alaska and having so much fun. We are seeing the leaves fall and winter won't be far behind.

I miss all my children and grandchildren so much, but being here with David is like a dream come true after waiting so long to have a companion.

Today we attended church via the phone. David had Priesthood at 0900 and then we had Sacrament Meeting. David blessed the Sacrament and passed it to me and him. It was so nice to see him perform that function. We dress pretty casual and I miss going to a regular meeting house and dressing up. After Sacrament meeting we have Sunday School and then I have Relief Society. I am done about 1230. It is a new experience but the saints here are wonderful although we don't get to see them.

The children here in the school are so precious and I love them already. I am working specifically with Sophia, a 11 yr old autistic girl who is so bright but just can't get out the thoughts that she has. She is progressing so well though.

We love you all and pray for you each and every day.

Ginny

Ginny
Fall Day in Alaska

School

School
Elementary Room

Debbie

Debbie
Elementary Teacher

Debbie

Debbie Rubera is from Oregon and is teaching the elementary classes. She is working on a Doctorate and Special Education is her specialty.

She is very good and treats me like an equal and we make a good team. She lives in our building in the only other apartment in the villiage.

Fall Colors

Fall Colors
Brilliant Colors

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Spring is coming

David and I continue to work toward bringing our lives together. He will be coming home to Great Falls, MT the 19th of May and I will spend Memorial Weekend with him and meet some of his children there.

We continue to work toward a date to marry and all the endless stuff we have to do before that. We are exploring possibilities in several different area's and hope to have some plans made when he gets home.

I am busy trying to finish up teaching this semester and then will start the summer term in May until July. Then I have a break for a month.

Sam, our missionary is doing so well, but cracked his head open this last week, jumping through a short doorway and bled all over and had to have several stiches. He will be fine and is doing such a great job for the Lord in Brazil. We have such wonderful children and feel blessed for that.

1 comment:

mandbrid said...

Lots of luck to you pulling it all together...keep your chins up!
Love you!

Ginny

Ginny
I hate the windblown look

The Wind

The Wind

The wind is an element of nature,
But why does it have to blow,
It dries the earth,
And wildly blows the snow!

The force is so terrific,
The particles that fly,
My hair will never be the same,
It makes me wanna cry!

When walking outside,
It blows you off your feet,
It whips your skirt up over your head,
and makes your heart just leap!

It clears the air,
Mister Somerville remarks,
But I don't think it's worth it,
It makes me wanna barf!

By Ginny Kington

My New Life with David

David and I started writing to each other in December 2007 after he sent me a Christmas Card. We became reaquainted after about 30 years, two years ago. Our families were best friends while growing up and I saw him alot, but he didn't give me the time of day. His sister Peggy has always been one of my best friends and I told her I always wanted to marry one of her brothers. Now my dream has come true. He is so darn cute and hasnt' changed much at all. His smile lights up my life.

Can you tell I'm in love and all that romantic stuff. David is the man I have been waiting for all my life. We have so much in common and when he came to visit last week, for spring break, we had such a great time. I thought I would throw-up while waiting in the airport, I was so nervous, but luckily that didn't happen and the tendency passed. When I saw him coming down the escalator, I knew he was he one and I just hugged him and when he put his arms around me, everything just seemed nature and right. And it still does.......

My love

My love
My love David

David and Ginny

David and Ginny
Here we are

roses for Valentines Day

roses for Valentines Day
Roses for Valentines Day

Roses

David sent me a dozen Red Roses, diamond earrings, and candy for Valentines day. What a nice surprise. I haven't had any luck with presents for 20 years except from my sister and my children. He's a keeper for sure. He has showered presents on me. For my Birthday he gave me a birthstone necklace and earrings.
He is such a giving person and I could take advantage, but.....I guess I won't. It's not in me to take unfair advantage of such a sweet man.

Spencer is born

Spencer is born
Spencer 02/25/08

Spencer

Spencer was born the day before my birthday. He is so darling and such a good baby. What a nice birthday present to have my 8th grandchild.