2014 in Review

Abraham Lincoln said, "In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." Well, I for one can say that 2014 has been one of those 'full life' years....

One of those years that you always have dreamed of but sneaks up on you unexpectedly, and even while it's happening, you're quite sure you must be dreaming.... It's been one of those years... To put it simply, it just hasn't been that simple. :D But then, at the same time, it has.

January found me serving the Belizean people for 2 weeks with a mission team from our church--how incredible that was!!! Only to come home to a spin of activity when I helped my childhood best friend of 15 years marry my cousin!! (What an awesome way to keep her for keepers!!) :)

February was the craziest month... Kinda funny when you find yourself talking to a guy (okay, not just any guy ;p) about how many kids you want (on Valentines), with no idea that he's been talking to your dad for weeks about you...and then to be told while skiing together the next week that he's interested in you, and searching that out together for a few days before saying goodbye for a month while you travel Europe with your family. With an unspoken 'Let's not communicate' rule between you for most of the trip.

Tasha took the balloon pictures on Valentines of us, and that black and white photo (thanks to Kellie?), is unfortunately the only photo I have of Alex and I on February 21st. :)

March was memorable--flying half-way around the world (not even sure if you're going to make your flights), and visiting 9 countries, seeing 10: a layover in Holland; visiting the Pinkerton valley in Scotland; walking the Putney Commons in England (my maternal grandmother's name); 12 hours in Paris, where you try to fit all the sight seeing in you possibly can, and then minutes from the time your train leaves, you snap a group picture in front of the Eiffel Tower, only to have the 2 taxis get separated, and no form of communication (or payment) with the other taxi to figure out where everyone is, and then on top of that, having to grab your baggage and run to a different train station--all with minutes left before you're stranded;
experiencing a sleeping car on the way to Germany, where you walk the ghastly remains of Dachau, and visit the quaint, gorgeous countryside of old-time Bavaria; driving through the edge of Austria; and seeing the palace lights of Liechtenstein; arriving in Switzerland and beholding the incredible mountain beauty and breathing the fresh air, and skiing the alps of Zermatt (what an opportunity of a lifetime!), receiving a 2nd degree burn to remember it by, not to mention calling your sweetheart long-distance and his enjoying trying to make out what you're saying because the connection is bad (all because he asked you too--weeks before);
traveling through the Italian countryside and exploring Venice, Italy and all the amazing canals, architecture, and gelato (mmm!!!); traveling to Monaco and hiking the 7+ miles of it's borders in 5 hours, all the time wishing that your sweetie was there with you...your Man-Monaco; day trips back to French villages where you explored and zip lined; all the while trying to remember the many different courtesies you learned for each country you visited, and using them correctly with the correct people; missing Alex so much that his sister gives it away and he emails you the sweetest poem ever, and you start communicating again.
And...serving on your first Jury Duty (a domestic battery case) all the way to the end!!
That was March. And it was beautiful.

Top Row: Little Pinkerton & Pinkerton Barony, Scotland; Windsor Castle, and Lincoln Statue
2nd Row: Girls in Paris; (2) Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria, Germany; Austria
3rd Row: Zermatt, Switzerland; Venecian Gelato and 2nd Degree Sunburns; Monacoan Inlet
4th Row: Overlooking Monaco, Monaco ;); Biking & Ziplining in France

Oh...one more photo.. (It's SO weird thinking I can post all of these photos now!!!) :D

This was Alex and my first ever official photo...priceless moments. :)

April was full of readjusted to home life, babysitting my siblings while my parents visited China, babysitting a few times overnight for friends, getting back into the work routine, figuring out how a relationship works and still trying to keep it quiet,  while slowing down your decisive heads so that your father can finish his heart-searching of your young man.

It was getting alpacas ready to market, and correcting and sewing up a friends's ewe's prolapsed uterus with the best helper in the world - Alex ;), and volunteering as a victim with the Coeur d'Alene Disaster Drill with your bestie as a young, hysterical 32-wk. pregnant woman with multiple injuries.
It was taking a road trip down to Texas with your family and friends for a homeschool conference (by way Grand Canyon, Carlsbad Caverns, and Zion National Park), where you led 6 girls, ages 12-15 in crafts and heart-searching on what it means to be a daughter of the King, where you don't have to believe the lies and fears Satan tries to feed you. It was wonderful catching up with dear friends there too!

Park time, Selah & I  as victims, Open Arms Fundraiser, my Southern girl pose in TX, Zion Natn'l Park, Carlsbad Caverns, Grand Canyon, & my COMMIT girls

May was greeted by alpacas being born, shearing day, birthdays to celebrate, relatives visiting, watching another friend get married, and starting to sell more alpacas from our herd of 50+, and of course lots of working at the Firm too. We broke ground for our very own PRS office (We've rented all these years), and are looking forward to moving in sometime in mid-2015. A bunch of us 'older people' went and watched The Lego Movie (hilarious, but not for kids), and what fun memories that made! Alex also painted his car, and so my brothers and I went over to help...and of course, when asked to dress like a minion, who can resist?? ;)

Gru and Minion (aka painting Alex's car), 33 days worth of shredding at work, Lego Movie with friends, our first cria for the year-Ballad, Esther's hair, Shearing, Breaking ground for PRS' New Office, & Wedding memories (with Tasha and Hank!)

June was full of company....really a blur: my grandma, aunt, and cousin stayed for a couple weeks at our home (and more cousins after that), leaving just before we incorporated 5 missionary kids for a jolly month's stay while their parents traveled. We had lots of fun outings, and Alex and I tried to 'unfriend eachother' at church for a {terrible} month, while he wrapped up what he needed to finish before becoming 'official'. Rachel and I traveled to western Washington for a friends' graduation, visiting the amazing Thorp's Fruit Stand and Antique Mall on the way.

Park Visits, First Hair cut given, visiting his parents and relatives, detailing his car (unknown to me, that was the day he asked my dad to court me officially =D), more park visits and Father's Day, our visit to the Pattersons in WA, Alex likes doing my hair, Murillo and cousins' visit, and adorable Hank and Tasha. :D

July was a turning point in my life for many reasons: I turned 21 on the 1st, and was thoroughly surprised by a huge surprise princess birthday party (thanks to Alex's distractions ;P). On July 11th, my dad and Alex planned an outing where Alex officially asked to court me at the Melting Pot, which officially began/continued a wild, amazing ride that we're still on. :D

We had a wonderful family reunion in late July (where almost everyone pitched in to work on securing my quilt, which I embroidered in my teens, so I can quilt it). It was so wonderful seeing family members again that I haven't seen in ages! :) Also, Alex, David, and I went to help video a wedding up north - it was gorgeous and made more wonderful memories. I love how easily Alex and I work together as a team.

Family Photos, Officially courting, My surprise birthday party, July 4th, stabilizing my quilt, wedding video team, our Family Reunion

August was started pretty quick with our annual Client Appreciation Banquet, where Samuel and Rebekah sang a patriotic song, and I played piano for a majority of the time as background music. I also made a record on how many alpacas I've ever sold, and by September, had downscaled our herd of 50+, down to 26. It was a slower month for me, with at one point me being the only one home with mom, as everyone else was either traveling, or as was Daniel's case- in college (as he moved to WSU to finish his last 2 years of pre-med).

Client Appreciation Banquet, the boys' Alert Cadet fishing trip in Hells' Canyon,  helping Daniel settle into WSU, and a photo David took of Eagle River, Alaska where he and Rachel were born.

September, I threw a bridal shower for Tasha (Alex's sister), with the help of some awesome people! It was a wonderful, rich time of fellowship and fun, followed a few weeks later by a girls' party her sisters-in-law-to-be threw. I also got to hang out with Tasha and prepare the BBQ with Alex later in the month while all the guys threw a surprise party for Hank and did some shooting... :) So much fun.
I kept really busy with work, helping out at the Henkoski's, and sewing Alex's and my matching outfits for Tasha's wedding too...plus, I took Esther to babysit some friend's kids over the weekend too (and was able to bring my sewing machine to get some work done too! :D)

October was wonderful, glorious, crazy, but amazing. Not only did I get to watch Tasha and Hank's marriage, but I got to assist Alex with his directing, MC'ing, and filming it too. It was so much fun spending time & getting to know most of their relatives too, and even got a couple of them to our place! I was also glad to be home to be a support during all of life's transitions too.
Alex and I also got to film the last 2 shows of Rockin B' Ranch's 20th Anniversary Dinner Shows. What an honor that was!! (And we got to spend our courtship anniversary together, for the first time up to date). Alex also got a new winter vehicle, and we got to celebrate much venison put into our freezer, thanks to my siblings! :)
I also started working 4 days a week at the end of the month, which actually was a crazy idea, but I survived (praise God!). :) Actually, work is to blame for my falling behind on all of life and blogging...sorry guys!

November, God reminded me again (though it took a while), that His grace is sufficient..actually, that was the theme of my Autumn and Winter. In some ways, it was a little more relaxed than the previous couple months, yet, in other ways, it was just as crazy--especially work-wise. Thanksgiving week was amazing, with Alex spending a few days and relatives coming here for the holidays. It was nice to have Daniel home for a bit too.
My parents celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary, and Alex and I - our 4th official courtship anniversary. Also, we had a father/daughter / mother/son weekend after Thanksgiving-awesome memories!

December didn't have enough snow, but even so, we got some good sledding in, and even had a skiff for Christmas. I took an extended time off from work over the holidays to recoup and get my brain on straight again (it's a pretty mentally taxing job, though incredible atmosphere!!!), and enjoyed spending more time with family and friends than I had in a good while. We enjoyed lots of festivities and company too. The Hogans came at the end of December, and of course, with a household of 23, there's bound to be fun!

Looking back over the year, it was a year of transition (even with my blog). At times it was really rough--mentally, emotionally, even physically (especially with my arm injury in the Spring)...however, God proved to be faithful, and above all else, was and is everything I need. I'm so not perfect, and I've made a lot of mistakes and had to make a lot of attitude adjustments, but through  all that, I learned so much--about me, about God, about what a blessing it is to have parents like mine, and how blessed I am to have Alex (though I've known how special he is for years--even before I really knew him).

I'm looking forward to 2015, and all that it will hold for me. I'm looking forward to posting hopefully a little more regularly, and getting back into some of the old habits I used to have with posting, and maybe adding some new ones too...

Above all, I have learned more this last year what Psalms 4, 5, & 7a mean:

"Delight thyself also in the LORD; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass. Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for....him." ;)

May Remembrances

I can hardly believe it is June! The past few months have whizzed by... Beware young people, the years truly do go by faster the older you get! (Scary thought, when it's going by so fast already!)

May was a busy month for us... Shearing, alpaca sales, gardening, having my grandma, aunt, and cousin stay with us for a month (which was awesome!), spending time with friends, work (and more work....), nannying my 'favorite kids', witnessing friends' marriages and graduations, and officially starting the building process for our new office!!
On top of that, Daniel turned 23 and Samuel turned a big 16!!!

Here's just a few photos recapping the month...

Shearing our 53 alpacas

This year was Esther's turn to help me with all the medical stuff..so she started getting comfortable giving shots! Great job Esther! You were indispensible!

Esther and I with our newest addition - Velvet

The 2014 Shearing Team...thanks to all those extra hands who came and helped!

3.5 days worth of work at PRS...just waiting for the shredder...it was an awesome feeling!

Our latest family photo....celebrating the Groundbreaking for the new PRS office, coming (Lord-willing) in Spring 2015!!

God is teaching me so much...about who I am in Him, and who I need to be in Him as well. I love this verse.... What a comfort it is to have a Saviour who knows even numbers of hairs we have on our heads!!!

Not Kidding...Triplets!

Just had to throw the pun in there.... 

Last Saturday night-February 1st, our goat Ninya had triplets - 2 bucklings and a doeling. Talk about perfect timing--right before the cold snap really hit!!

Hours old - Cutie in front, Tommy and Jack in back

I'm a stickler on names...I love names, and love to name EVERYTHING....even in Belize, all creatures got names... However, I can also be weird when it comes to names-- think unique and creative...
So, when the kids (*cough, the other ones) started calling the boys 'Tommy' and 'Jack', I was not impressed...Those are complete people names! However, somehow they stuck...

Tommy

In the past, we've had some awesome names (always including their lineage) like:
JJ Lite Saber and Merry Savory Sader - born on Good Friday
Fantine and Robert' - born after we watched the 1952 Les Mis {awesome movie!}
Mercy and Justice: after one of my favorite songs
Garnet and Jasper
Millie and Mudgey (from our doe-Mouse) - a tribute to our local author
Finale Knighted and Finale Squeaked Thru (out of Finale.. ;P)
Kiera and St. Patrick's Merriment

Jack

Yes, I know, I have too much fun... But, Aha!! At least their registered names are still awesome...  Since they're out of Diminuendo out of Creshendoe out of Tenudoe, their names are (respectively--since that word seems to make all the difference in the world ;P) Valentin-O Forte, Cutie Pi-O Legato, and Februari-O Presto. (Thanks to the 'kids' for the demanded musical term endings.)
Unfortunately, Cutie was born pretty selenium deficient, and so we ended up bringing her in the house, where she {was spoiled rotten} and lived for the 5 days of her wonderful, short life. Never do you see animals so spoiled as this...sleeping on our beds, walking on our white carpet, wearing our baby diapers, getting as much love and attention as anything--and yes, it was a wonderful distraction for the kids from school.... ;)

Eventually though, from different issues, Cutie finally died last night, but the moments spent with her were cherished, and well worth every second!! (Including the midnight feedings....)

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die;....a time to weep, and a time to laugh;...A time to get, and a time to lose.

He hath made every thing beautiful in His time: also He hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end."

~ Ecclesiastes 3:1-2a, 4a, 6a, 11 ~

Mental Note: This was a wonderful reminder of what life will be like with a newborn infant!! Waking up every little bit from his murmurs and cries....praise God for natural milk supplies...who'd ever want to get up every few hours and warm fake milk up, when you can just roll over and nurse your baby, while going back to sleep??

Sorry guys, just had to insert my little midwifery advertisement...

Regional Spelling Bee

After hours upon hours of studying and coaching by Papa, Rebekah (age 12) and Esther (11) competed in the Regional Spelling Bee today, along with 45 other 4th-8th grade spellers from North Idaho. It's neat to watch the bee, because every year, there is more competition, and more spellers who have really been studying, as was VERY evident this year...

Esther did a fantastic job, and made it to the 3rd round, missing the word 'ambivalent' with an 'o'.

After 4 hours and 40 grueling rounds (making a record by 15 rounds), Rebekah took 2nd place (runner up) on the word "prosciutto", spelling it "proschuitto", which is an "Italian ham cured by drying and typically served in very thin slices" The winner, an 8th grader-Sarah-Jessica Sedy won on the word "keeshond" which is "a dog of a Dutch breed with long thick gray hair resembling a large Pomeranian".

Sarah and Rebekah were the only 2 contestants left after the 26th round, which shows how tough the competition was and how much studying both girls put into the studying, spelling words like "asthmogenic", "balalaika", "rejoneador", "bobbejaan", "verboten", "trepak", "embarcadero", "kielbasa", "ingenue", "comandante", "tanha", "fantoccini", and "tchotchke".

In a way, it is a bit of relief for us that Kiekah didn't go to Nationals this year, because of our already busy Spring schedule, and all the even more intense studying she'd be doing in the next two months. Also, this is Sarah's last year, and Rebekah has 2 more years, so all in all, it was a blessing in disguise. Praise God for His infinite Wisdom!!!

And, as Rebekah said: "I hope to make it (to Nationals) next year, and (not going) gives me more time to study the National Spelling Bee material, so I can hopefully make it past the Written Test next year!"

We just happened to be down town when the St Patrick's Day parade came by, and so we were able to watch it all pass. We have never experienced it before, and so it was a lot of fun. Leading the Parade was of course the regular Police escort, then a Firefighter Band (in kilts to boot!! ;p), and then a large assortment of dogs (and their owners), Equine 4H'ers all decked out in Green, different campaigning items, trucks, BMX Racers, a Fire Engine, and a collie herding sheep, etc!!! What fun!

Many people don't really know what the real origins of St. Patrick's Day is, but it was made in celebration of a man who loved and served the Lord, helped others, and was a missionary to Ireland, defying the Catholic church back home....to read more about Patrick, click here.

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.

~ Second Timothy 4:7 ~

Rebekah's Going to Nationals!!!

Yesterday, after 3 grueling hours of competition with 45 other spellers, Rebekah won the North Idaho Regional Spelling Bee, on the word 'bezoar', after spelling the word 'inselberg' correctly.

My dad wrote the following to his family:

Mom and Dad and our family spent yesterday morning at the local college for the annual state spelling bee.  Rebekah, our 11 year old 5th grader was competing against about 50 other spellers from around North Idaho, and the competition was stiff, as they set a new record in the amount of rounds they had to endure. 

Finally, in the 21st round, the final two were Rebekah and a 7th grade private school boy.   He misspelled "inselberg", and Rebekah couldn't remember if the correct spelling included "el" or "ol", so she told the Press in her interview that she prayed to God to help her, and the reporter said "then it must have worked, because you won!"  Now we have to decide who will be going back to Washington D.C. with her for the national competition at the end of May.  Rebekah probably worked harder than anyone else towards this goal, and typing 75 wpm has certainly helped her.

 Last week, the Coeur d'Alene Press interviewed both Rebekah & Esther. That article can be found here. (Esther did well for her first year out, but got out in the 4th round, on the word 'castanets'.)

This morning, the Cd'A Press came out with another article. We wish they would have included what Rebekah said about 'praying to God to help her', but they didn't...

The National Spelling Bee will be held May 29th-June 4th, in Washington DC.

I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

~ Jeremiah 17:10 ~

Happy Birthday Esther!!

Today, my baby sister....the littlest girl in the Pinkerton Tribe turned 10!!! How fast they do grow!!

It seems only yesterday, that Papa & Mama got home from having an ultrasound done to see why there was so much fluid in there! Of course, it was the last trimester, & so there was no getting around seeing the gender of the baby...

As a rule, our family has chosen to keep the gender a surprise until the birth, & so the technician wasn't going to tell them which it was...BUT, she slipped & said "she...." OOPS!

Also as a rule, we call all unknown babies "he" until we know the gender, as woman came from man, etc. etc. :D Unfortunately, Mama slipped, & said "she..." too!!! Then of course, came all of us kids asking, "It's a GIRL, isn't it!?!?! We know it's a girl!! YOU said SHE!!!"

Then came the time, that Esther was born early: our first water birth!! The birth was amazing (or so Mama says :D), but she felt cheated, since there was no 'ring of fire' as there usually is. LOL

Josiah & Esther (17 months apart)

I remember this birth especially (besides that it was my 2nd birth to participate in), because Papa had us all vote on what time she would be born. I guessed 4 am, & as she was born at 3:57am, I won!

And who could forget that it took almost a WEEK to find the 'perfect name' for Esther!! (That in itself, is amazing for us Pinkertons...)



Who IS Esther? Esther Elaine Pinkerton was born March 1st, 2001 at 3:57am. Her name means:

'Bright as a Star, with a Spirit of Humility'

Esther is vivacious, bubbly, & content. She loves caring for babies & little kids, & has a knack with them. Esther enjoys life, people, & helping Mommy. She loves cooking, handwork, cleaning, baking, & washing clothes. She also enjoys taking care of her alpacas, & halter training them.

Esther & Rebekah (16 mo. apart)

"Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right."

~ Proverbs 20:11 ~