Jaworski Chronicles

Little Trooper

2011-10-24T14:20:00.003-05:00

Our Little Trooper-

“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4

During August, while playing at the Cress’ house, Nate was called to the truck. He came running at full canter down a slope in the yard toward his daddy’s awaiting arms. Unfortunately, his legs got ahead of him and he slipped on the grass. His body turned sideways and his downhill leg went out from under him, while the up-hill leg pronated inward and rotated. The effect was a loud, sickening “pop” that resulted in all the parents present to run to his aid. Later after some late night x-rays we found out that he had a double break with a spiral fracture of the left femur. The on-call ER doctor splinted his leg and told us the orthopedist would be there to see him first thing in the morning. Since I was weeks away from delivering and having contractions, Jeff stayed the night with Nate while I returned home with Leif for a few hours of sleep.

As I lay awake in the wee hours of that night, I replayed the incident trying to figure out how it all could have turned out differently. I also agonized over the initial prognosis. Even though my body needed the rest, my mind couldn’t escape the pain I had left my little boy enduring. Every time he would drift off to sleep those first few nights he would jerk awake and shriek in pain due to his muscles twitching as they relaxed.

Nate was placed in a hip-spica cast, which runs the length of the broken leg, to the knee on the opposite leg, up to the middle of the chest and held together by a 1 inch dowel across his thighs. He was in the cast for six weeks. Three and half weeks into his casting I delivered our third Kathryn via c-section. Thankfully, both of our moms came from Texas to help for nearly a month. If they hadn’t come to Alaska, I might have been committed to the loony bin.

On the night he first figured out how to "scoot"...

Three weeks “post-cast” Nate and I walked out to the storage cabin behind our house to retrieve some toys. Nate had been walking about ten days and was still a little shaky. He clung tightly to my hand as we painstakingly traversed the uneven, muddy ground. Normally, our trek would have taken about ten minutes; this day it took a little under an hour. As we slowly walked I admired the Alaskan fall beauty that surrounded us and tried not to cry over my son’s struggle. His broken leg had healed nearly a half inch shorter and I wondered if his severe limp would ever go away. My mind worried ahead to possible future athletic disappointments, lifelong physical pain, and social stigma. As if he was reading my mind, Nate said, “Momma, I want to run.”

“Okay, let’s give it a try…” I replied uncertainly.

“Not yet, not today…I can’t…but I will run, momma. I will,” he emphatically stated as he trudged ever so slowly onward.

His “declaration of overcoming” hit me squarely between the eyes. No matter the outcome of his accident, God was already training his heart and mine.

The passage in John 4 encourages us to be aware of false prophesies, but can also stand as a reminder to be aware of Satan’s schemes. He wants nothing more than for God’s children to worry about tomorrow and to doubt the power of Him who resides in us. Satan and his workers are also seeking to make us forget that God has already overcome our greatest problem (death) and through him WE are OVERCOMERS as well. God is bigger than any problem we might face in this world, even the gut-wrenching, heart-rending pain of seeing your child suffer. In fact, he understands better than anyone.

May and June Happenings...

2011-07-01T17:37:00.006-05:00

In mid-May, Jeff was looking out the window above the kitchen sink when a beautiful, white pigeon flew into the yard looking somewhat injured. He went outside and the bird didn't fly off.

Pigeons are very rare in Alaska, if ever seen at all. So, we assumed the bird was a domesticated carrier pigeon. We figured out the bird wasn't injured, just exhausted. It allowed Jeff to catch it, so we put it into a dog kennel outside with some food and water. Initially, it enjoyed tortillas. Locally, we have a daily radio program that advertises lost pets called, "Dog Gone News". Jeff called and advertised the bird to no avail. After a few days of feeding and obvious recuperation, we figured it was time to let the bird go.

Jeff opened the door to the kennel and the bird flew out, landing nearby on the roof of the station, and then off into the "wild blue yonder". We assumed that was the last we would see of "Polly". We took the kennel out of the boy's play house and refilled the water and food. Later that day Jeff was preparing the garden and Polly showed up again, roosted in the boy's play house and officially adopted Jeff.

This bird is crazy! It follows him EVERYWHERE...to work in the morning, back home, on walks with the boys. If it could stay on top of the car when he leaves the house, it would. Just like the dog, Polly cheerfully greets us when we get home.

The other day I looked outside as Jeff was grinding and welding and the bird was just a few feet away from him watching his every move. Polly is here to stay. Funny thing is, Jeff is just as attached to her as she is to him. We wonder if she will migrate in the fall.

Polly....

At the beginning of June we had a great visit from an old friend and coworker, Erin (Baldwin) Day, her husband Heath and their precious kids.

Leif and Nate loved making friends with Charyse and Trace.

I love the progression of these photos...

....and they're done.

Later in June we loaded up the new 5th wheel, the canoe and kayak for a family camping trip with the Cress clan.

Post camping stop at a cafe in Kasilof...we had fun fishing for lake trout, canoeing , kayaking, and playing in the water at Centennial Lake.

I love how Leif and Auden are wearing the same expression.

I think they're a little "fried".

Best Buddies...

We completed the month with Leif's first visit to the dentist. He did a great job having his teeth cleaned and x-rayed. He had a good report and has become a fanatical 2:00 minute brusher (complete with a timer).

Easter '11

2011-04-25T01:03:00.004-05:00

This year's Easter egg hunt was a little on the muddy side.

All the kids really enjoyed themselves especially with all the puddles around.

Nate kept finding the eggs and then asking his daddy to get them for him.

They are the sweetest boys....

Our Leif. He is a great big brother.

Nate is growing up to be such a big boy.

The Best Ski Ever!

2011-03-19T19:11:00.009-05:00

Today was a gorgeous 38 degrees with warm sun and no wind...so, we went out for a family cross-country ski.

Jeff pulled Nate and I had Leif for a while...

Then because of this growing bump ;) and my lack of stamina; Daddy made the 'Kidlet Train' and pulled both of the boys.

Overall, it was a gorgeous day! Thank you, God for such beautiful weather.

It's Been Too Long...

2011-03-16T02:03:00.003-05:00

After a rather long hiatus from the ol' blog I thought I might begin anew. A run down of the last year seems rather necessary:

The boys are doing great and enjoying the sunshine and snow of Alaska. Nate just celebrated his second birthday and astounds us daily with new verbal revelations. Leif is a great big brother and enjoys his role of protector and chief fun organizer. They really do play well together (for the most part).

However, I came in today to break up a skirmish when I realized Nate was screaming, "Let me kiss you, PLEASE!!!" Leif was nursing a wounded forehead that he explained was inflicted on him by Nate "running him over and hitting his head on the train track." I asked Nate if he ran over his brother on purpose and he said, "Yeah, but I want to kiss it." What are you gonna do?!!

Jeff and I celebrated our 11th anniversary in January and found out we were expecting again. Lord willing we will meet this new little one the first of September. I am still working at the Bay Club teaching water aerobics and swimming lessons. I also began coaching for the Kachemak Swim Club this last fall and loooove it!

Jeff is both working for World Christian Broadcasting and preaching at our local congregation; and enjoying the outdoors every chance he gets.

Fun Happenings

2010-02-09T17:07:00.005-06:00

Yes, our little monkey made it to the top!

An Alaskan momma's work out!

Sledding Fun with the Family

A Proud Moment: My Son's 1st Imaginary Friend

2010-01-27T18:07:00.005-06:00

I typically gag inwardly anytime I read a Christmas letter or talk with a mom that blatantly extols the wonders of her perfect children. My kids are just as awesome as any others, I just like to keep most of their accomplishments "in house" if you know what I mean. Don't get me wrong I will sit you down to let you know just how much I love my children and how blessed they make me feel, I just hope I don't venture too far into the field of "brag-adocia".

With that being said, my oldest son is a rock star. I am so super pumped! He told me the most amazing thing today: he has an imaginary friend!!!! Can you believe it?!!

He was sitting at the lunch table eating a burrito and he looks up at me and says,
"Momma, do you see that rabbit?"

"Where, son?" I ask.

"Right there!" he says as he points to a spot on the floor.

"Oh, that rabbit. Yes, I see him," I respond.

"She is named Buzz. She is lellow," He tells me.

He then went on to introduce his imaginary rabbit to our dog, Red. I didn't have the heart to tell him, but Red is a viscous rabbit killer and impressed my husband this summer by bringing him the head of a snowshoe hare.

Here is a picture of Buzz:

I will keep you posted if she survives the week. Maybe Buzz and Pawna can hang out sometime.

The Dark Side...

2010-01-14T02:03:00.011-06:00

If it weren't for sunsets like this one and the family walk we had today, I think I might run for the border.

I am not one apt to complain, but I have to admit this is my first "winter of (occasional) discontent". This discontent is due largely to the fact that this is the longest amount of time I have ever been out of the state of Texas. Our last visit was the fall of '08. It has been more than a year since a dove met its demise at the end of my shotgun, or a "Oaxaca Tacqueria" burrito has crossed my lips, or my favorite Tony Llama boots graced the sweltering hot asphalt of Abilene, Texas...or Anywhere, Texas! Yes, folks I am ho0000mesick.

Due to the wind blowing mach 10 for the last few weeks most of our nice, ski-able, snow machinable, and sled-able snow has blown away. When the wind has done its work you are left with roads and parking lots of glare ice and the general feel of the dark side of the moon. Thankfully the darkness is slowly ebbing away and 4-5 minutes of increased sunlight is gifted to us each day.

Today the temperature broke into the 20s, the wind laid down, and the sun shone brilliantly. About 11:45am, Leif was beginning to remind me of a pan of jiffy pop right as it nears the moment of explosion. If it weren't for our bi-weekly trips to the gym and community volleyball (one of us plays while the other chases the kids up and down the halls of our local elementary school) one night a week, I would be right there with him.

I called Jeff and asked if he could come home early for lunch and take a family walk with us. I didn't think I could singularly handle pushing the stroller and Leif on his bike, while trying to stay upright on the ice. At the mention of a walk, Leif was determined to take his bike. I told him it might not go on the ice, but he said,

"It will if I peddle it."

At that, I had to let him try. After bundling myself and the kids up in 40 layers we took off.

Leif actually did ride his bike...quite well...as long as he stayed on the "crunchy" parts. Occasionally we would look up and he would be stuck in a slick rut, peddling madly away. We didn't rush to rescue him, as I figured this was a good way for him to burn off some that "Jiffy Pop" energy.

After a nice walk in the sunshine we returned home to warm robes, hot chocolate, soup and sandwiches for lunch. I cleaned the kitchen and put the boys down for a nap (they actually slept from having worn off some of their energy) with a better attitude. It is amazing what a little Vitamin D and a reminder from your 3 year old: "you can even ride a bike on glare ice if you peddle hard enough" can do for one's attitude.

The Baby

2010-01-08T19:16:00.008-06:00

I know, I know, some of you may not want to hear a mom go on and on about their child. So, if you are one of those people: stop reading.

I am in love with this kid. Nate has to be one of the coolest kids on the planet, and I love a lot of kids. Spending time with him is like warm brie on a cracker, or the perfect cup of soup after a cold afternoon working outdoors. He is such a comforter and a blessing to our family. His goofy grin is enough to make the Grinch crack a smile.

He is beginning to get a real personality. As previously mentioned, the kid loves to chow down. He can eat. If I am a little slow in preparing his food (or even in between bites) he lets me know of his displeasure by slamming his hands down on his tray and sounding off. When I turn to him and let him know that is not appropriate and to chill out, he cocks his head to the side and grins.

One of my favorite things to watch is how much he adores his daddy and brother. He can sit and stare at Leif in sheer wonderment. You can see the love and adoration in his eyes. It is as if he is saying, "Wow, you are so cool!" He especially gets this look when he watches Leif and his daddy wrestle.

"Thank you, God for these boys. They are yours...what an awesome God you are for letting us raise them these fleeting years."

Ten Years of Pure Awesomeness!

2010-01-08T18:47:00.013-06:00

For those of you that have seen Kung Fu Panda, the words of Po perfectly describe the last ten years of our marriage.

Home-made Anniversary Cake

Yes, yesterday was our ten year anniversary. I am so blessed to be married to a guy that leads me and our family on many adventures of awesomeness. Even during the challenging times, I love being married to Jeff. I wouldn't want any one else and I am so glad he chose me.

The last ten years feel as if they have flown by. I know the years have passed when I look out at wintry Alaska (we started off in tropical Puerto Rico!), think back on our time in Abilene, and notice my two beautiful boys. (I actually do more than just 'notice' them as they are usually demanding my attention). I am blessed however, to be able to still say how much I love and adore my husband. I look forward to the coming years and adventures together. My favorite person to live life with is still, Jeff. I just hope that in 50 years we have as much spunk as this fun couple.

We celebrated our anniversary by eating a delicious rib-eye dinner and homemade strawberry cake with our friends, Danny and Gail. We then watched the game that "shall-not-be-named". (Our prayers go out to the McCoys...UT's efforts were admirable and inspiring).

Sharing a conciliatory kiss after a bitter defeat...

"Majestical"

2009-12-20T20:03:00.003-06:00

Last night was majestical…there is no word in the English language that articulates what I experienced. So, my husband came up with: ‘majestical’.

At 6:00 pm we received a call that a friend was stuck on our hill in his suburban, with our 16 foot trailer attached. He decided to return the trailer as a bad storm was beginning. Half-way up the hill he started careening backward. He ended up ditching the trailer and then jack-knifing his suburban. Jeff and Leif went down to pull him out.

As I finish off dinner the power kept flashing off and on. The “snow globe” snow that had fallen softly throughout the afternoon turned to a torrential down pour of snow that was rapidly accumulating on the power lines. I was warming some mushroom chicken that I had cooked the previous day, praying the power stayed on long enough.

The chicken, by the way, was a home-grown, Cornish-cross hen raised by our friends, the Cress’. When Sarah and Jesse “off-ed” the 22 meat chickens they raised this summer, we helped out and in return they gifted us some dead fowl. Jeff helped slaughter, dip and pluck and I helped with the inside cleaning and wrapping. I couldn’t eat chicken for a couple of moons and now that I am feeling better about poultry, I decided to give it a go. Killing, preparing and cooking a chicken not purchased in a store is a new experience for this city-reared girl, but it turned out great! I brined the bird overnight in a salt, brown sugar, cayenne pepper solution. I then cut it up (also news on this front: I finally figured out how to cut out that piece that has the wish bone in it. My Gran always fried this piece and it was my favorite. For years I have been trying to figure out how she cut the breast in such a way to get a piece with the wish bone intact…I finally did it!), browned it, and baked it in a mushroom gravy.

When Jeff walked in the door at 6:30, and thankfully sat down to his hot supper, the power went out and stayed out. We ate a romantic meal by candle light and then listened to daddy read Kipling’s, The Jungle Books. It was a great evening spent together without electricity and all of the distractions that come with it.

Shortly after 9:00 pm the power came back on. We put the boys to bed and the snow was continuing to fall. At this point it looked like we had at least six inches of snow fall. Jeff went to work at the station and I settled in for the night. A few hours later, he bounded into the bedroom and said, “You have got to come outside!”

He took me outside to see the most beautiful sight I have yet to see in Alaska. It was a perfectly still full moon night. The wind had lain down and a foot deep, blanket of snow shrouded everything. The snow was soft, voluminous and cloud like. The trees looked like a huge vat of icing had been poured on them. Some of them were so heavy with snow their smaller limbs were breaking. After the raucous storm the world had fallen completely silent. The moon light was bright enough to read by. The blue moon light reflected off of the newly fallen snow to create an ethereal world of winter wonder…it was ‘majestical’. The sight was so spell binding that neither of us could speak for nearly ten full minutes. We stood there and whispered in hushed tones about the beauty we beheld. About the time Jeff turned to head back to work, we looked up to see a cow moose not twenty yards away. She stood soundless and stalwart, staring us down. Looking at us with knowing eyes she seemed to question whether we could truly appreciate the world in which she lives.

"Wife in Awaska"

2009-12-01T18:04:00.008-06:00

"The Fam at Thanksgiving"

In three-year-old vernacular, “wife in Awaska is pretty funny…”

As I write, “snow globe” snow falls gently outside. Winter is here. The studded tires* are installed on the truck. The skis, snow machine, and sleds are dusted off and at the ready. My husband had to plow our road for the first time today.

I love winter time. Once the snow piles up, Alaska is a pretty fun…and funny place to live. It never fails to bowl me over at how industrious Alaskans are in the winter. Summers may be filled with fishing, gardening, canning, and hunting, but winters are far from sedate. When I want to crawl in for a long winter’s nap and “layer up” with chocolate cake every day, these crazy folks are rearing and ready!

The day after Thanksgiving we went up to Kenai to catch their winter carnival. The Cress family invited us to attend with them. They told us we needed to get our parking place early for the light parade. At 6:00 we lined up with well over 200 cars to watch as Christmas-lit floats drove by slowly at 6:30. As we waited I marveled at the families lining the street. We warm-blooded Texans were waiting in the truck, meanwhile the crazy ones stood, sipping hot cocoa and watching their kids throw snowballs at each other. From young to old, entire families clad in all manner of cold-weather gear stood outside awaiting the parade.

"Leif and friends at Thanksgiving..."

The first to come down the street was the high school band. They oom-pah-pahed with great effort and sounded pretty good…at least well enough to send me mentally on vacation to a Friday night football game. (Hmmm...I used to think I was cold at some of those games.) While watching them shuffle past in their plumed hats and unprotected ears, I thought of many family members and friends alike that bemoaned their marching days.

“These kids are hosses,” Jeff said!

I tend to agree. We watched as they marched a good two miles, lips pressed against freezing cold instruments, in their uniforms, without coats.

After the parade, we drove over to the baseball field to watch the fire works; again, more waiting with the Alaskans playing out in the snow and the Texans in the truck. When we got there the Cresses joined up with their extended family. Jesse (dad Cress) came over to our truck and invited Jeff to go have a “fireball”. Where we come from fireballs are hot, cinnamon flavored jaw breakers. However, in Alaska the word “fire ball” actually involves fire and a ball. I looked over and saw a group of men huddled in a dark circle, with a flame that kept leaping up from among them. Occasionally, the flame would die out only to be re-lit and tossed about again. A few minutes later, Jeff runs back to the truck stating, “I think I caught Craig’s beard on fire!”

As he explained they were tossing a lit, tennis ball soaked in lighter fluid. The key was to keep the ball moving around the circle as long as it would stay lit; kind of like hackey-sack, only with fire…and a little stupidity. Luckily, the children were at a safe distance eating snow and playing in the sub-zero temperatures.

The night ended with an amazing fire work display. I love fire works…they are my favorite. You can’t watch fire works without smiling. It is impossible. Try it. These were especially good and especially close. It felt like we were right under them. I didn’t realize how much I had missed a good firework show.

The Fourth of July is my favorite holiday after Thanksgiving. I like Thanksgiving because it is all of the food and fellowship without the stress of presents. I like the Fourth of July because it is all of the food and explosives!

However, the Fourth of July is rather anticlimactic here because the sun never goes down, thus no fireworks (or ones that you can see, anyway). Kenai saves their display for the day after Thanksgiving and New Years. We will most definitely be back again. Leif has yet to stop talking about his fun day. Maybe, next time I’ll remember the hot cocoa and brave the elements like one of the crazy folks.

You know it is chilly when the poor dog's toy freezes up into a block of ice.

*Studded tires are siped, all-weather tires, covered in 200 1/8" steel, studs.

Two Steps Forward And...Two Steps Back

2009-11-18T13:42:00.009-06:00

You know winter is upon you when you have to put on the fleece-lined car seat cover. The high for yesterday was 9. I think we might break double digits today, though.

Nate is now among the mobile ankle biters. He is crawling! Backwards. He can really move across a room...just in reverse. If you give him lots of encouragement he will take a few paces forward, stop, and then go into a three point stance and try to stand up.

This is his preferred way of sucking his pacifier. Why stay with the status quo? Upside down, backwards...it's just the way he rolls.

He is also eating like a little bear. He loves carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, peaches, apple sauce, and pears. I noticed he was getting a little "yellow" around the gills, so I started trying to incorporate more green into his diet via some strained peas. Bless his heart, he gagged. I can't blame him. I don't like peas either! Mash them up and it makes them even more gross. I am going to try green beans today. Wish us luck!

Foot Prints In My Dust

2009-11-13T18:55:00.005-06:00

Look closely and you can see the foot print...

The other night I was sitting in the recliner talking with my husband about the day’s events. As I glanced over at the end table between us I noticed a thin layer of dust in the lamp light. "Well," I thought, "another task to add to tomorrow’s list”.

However, as I listened to Jeff I noticed an impression in the dust. It was a foot print…a rather small foot print…and the toes were pointed toward the window. It dawned on me that it was our three-year-old, Leif’s foot print. Suddenly the irksome dust turned into a memory recording medium.

I considered how such a foot print could have been made. I remembered the previous day’s excitement at daddy’s arrival from work. Leif was in the kitchen playing as I prepared supper. Upon hearing our truck pull into the drive he ran into the living room and leaped up onto the end table to peer out of the window. Jeff opened the front door to Leif’s squeals of delight and a hearty, “Welcome home, Daddy!”

It is an awesome blessing to have a three year old to show me life through his perspective. At his eye level the world looks different. A daddy coming home is the equivalent to winning the Publisher’s Clearing House. The arrival of winter’s first snow, gives you a reason to dance. Time spent wrestling with your parents after dinner is better than a day at an amusement park. A bed-time story is more exciting than a trip to the movie theater. A bowl of ice cream is a complete escape, a new toy a marvelous delight. A kind word of encouragement is not only heard but it is taken to heart and recorded in the annals of his mind, and displayed in the ear to ear expression of emotion on his face.

Tubula Rasa…blank slate. We all start out this way. We come from our mother’s wombs meeting life with awe and wonder. Somewhere along the way we become jaded and affected. We are hurt and wounded by other’s words. We are tempted, enticed and lured away by our own desires. Where do those desires come from? We are not born with a sinful nature, yet as our exposure to this fallen world lengthens day by day, so does our aptitude to sin. Somewhat like the chances of skin cancer increase with every bad sunburn. Like the Roman writer so aptly says,

“So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!”

Thanks be to Jesus. He had that three-year-old perspective of life and urged others to have it as well. He said that, “whoever humbles himself like a child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” It is by him and through him that we can regain this child like perspective. We can once again meet this life with awe and wonder.

Jeff reminds me often that God gave us parents to rear us and children to finish the job. I know he is right when I am taught such a beautiful lesson as this.

Interview with Leif

2009-11-10T13:46:00.004-06:00

I recently caught up with one of our country’s little heart-breakers, Leif Jaworski. He was in Anchorage, Alaska having dropped off his friends Jay Don, Debora and Jaylee Poindexter at the airport.

His family was doing some winter supply shopping when I met him in front of a Walmart.

As he was scampering toward the store front I heard his mom say, “Leif, let’s skip!”

He turned his cute little face up and said, “I can’t.”

Thinking that she might instruct him on how to skip they stopped short, but Leif’s masculinity is already in place as he firmly replied, “Momma, boys run.”

After a chuckle I followed him into the store and we sat down at the McDonalds while his dad went to be fitted for glasses.

Dressed like a little Gap model, he was wearing hiking boots, blue cords, a hooded sweater and a lined green canvas vest with a ball cap perched on his cute little crew cut.

“May we get started?” I asked. “What do you normally eat for lunch?”

“I like ham, cheese, ginger, and eggs,” he responded.

“Oh, you are on the protein-ginger diet?” I ask.

Not gaining a response I pressed on with, “What is your favorite thing to eat these days?”

“Hamburgers!” he yelled. I guess that is why we are at a McDonalds. His mom says he is allowed a piece of crystallized ginger if he eats all of his lunch. He gets ginger in place of candy. He thinks it is a real treat evidently. I turn the conversation to something any kid would like to talk about: toys.

“Leif, tell me about your favorite toys,” I said.

“I like trains,” He states. “James, Percy and Thomas.” I thought he looked like a Thomas-the-train fan.

"Reading to Red"

“What is your favorite place to play?” I ask.

“Auden and Brahm’s,” he replies. I had heard that he was still close with his friend since the cradle, Auden Cress. A loyal friend, she is five months his senior and Brahm his junior just having turned two.

“Who is your best friend?” I ask.

“Jaylee,” He responds. When pressed as to why, he says that she reads to him and plays with him and his toys. Jaylee Poindexter, age 8 just spent two weeks with Leif. Her family came to Anchor Point to vacation and for her dad to teach a gospel meeting and preacher’s conference. I can tell they made a bond for life.

“Your mom tells me you are reading some words and love to have books read to you. What is your favorite book?” I ask next.

“Polar Express,” he replies. I spy a knowing grin on his mom’s face that says, ‘Yes, we read the Polar Express year round.’ This boy really is crazy about trains.

Seeing that Leif’s attention is waning, I bring the conversation around to the upcoming Halloween holiday. “If you could dress up as anyone or anything what would you be, Leif?” I ask.

He ponders this question for a moment and then confidently says, “Jesus!”

It is good to know his hero is the one and only Savior of the free world. His mom says that he actually is going to be a farmer and his little brother, Nate is going to dress up as an ear of corn. They have a friend’s party to attend and then will go to a neighbor’s house for dinner.

Leif and his mom graciously thanked me for the interview and departed. I told them the pleasure was all mine.

Recent Happenings...

2009-11-05T14:32:00.003-06:00

On a walk home from the Firth's last week, we spotted this rainbow behind the antennas...what a beautiful reminder of God's promises.

Leif recently picked out this outfit, put it on all by himself and even buttoned his own buttons. He was so excited...and so was momma!

Nate and Jaylee Poindexter

Pictures of the boys...

2009-11-05T14:21:00.004-06:00

"You can pick your nose and you can pick your corn, but you can't pick your friend's corn."

We have a new addition!

2009-09-11T17:48:00.001-05:00

For those of you that don’t know we lost our dog Link. Last fall while we were gone to Texas and Madagascar respectively, Link decided to heed the call of the wild. Interestingly, Link came into our lives seven years ago about the time I started asking to have children. Initially Jeff thought he could stave off the ticking of the biological clock by giving me a puppy to look after. Many years and two kids later, Link decided to leave. After a lengthy period of mourning we decided that it was time to get a new dog. This decision also came due in large part to Leif acting like a puppy. He started getting bowls out of the cabinet and asking for his juice to be put on the floor so he could lap it up. The first few times this was cute…then it got plain weird. He began talking about dogs and puppies incessantly. Things got so bad we had to cut him off from watching Clifford.

Danny and Gail Presley, our good friends knew we were looking for a dog. They have quite a menagerie themselves, made up of schnauzers, cows, horses, Australian shepherds, chickens, and a few cats. So, when Gail called me from Anchorage saying she had found us a dog I wasn’t as skeptical as I normally would have been. This is my first dog that someone else has picked out. She said over the phone that her daughter, who works at an animal shelter, had a four month old Australian Shepherd/Border Collie mix female. I asked Jeff what he thought and the next thing I knew we had dog being delivered via Danny’s airplane in a few days time.

As soon as Leif heard we were getting a dog he fell deathly silent and looked down at the floor. His dad didn’t know what to make of this. Leif looked up and had tears in his eyes as he said, “Really?” Then a grin the size of Alaska spread across his face. “That’s awesome!” he exclaimed. This of course made us cry as well.

Then the name game began. Leif wanted to name the dog Clifford when he overheard his daddy talking to Gail on the phone. Gail told us she was red, blonde and white. Leif heard ‘red’ and thought he was getting a big red dog that needed to be named Clifford. It took us a while to explain that our dog was going to be a girl and Clifford was a boy’s name. He then wanted to name the dog, ‘Auden’ after his best friend. It took some convincing but we finally settled on just plain, ‘Red’.

Red ended up being too big to fit in the plane so her arrival was delayed a few days, but when she finally arrived Leif was ecstatic. He brought her in the house and showed her around. After a few minutes of running and chasing, Leif stopped and breathlessly exclaimed to the dog, “Red, I wuuuuv you!”

She is a great dog. Aside from the normal jumping up, she is pretty gentle with the boys. Very smart and attentive…I think she speaks English. When kenneled she initially began to whine, so I told her, “Red, we aren’t going to whine.” She gave one last whimper and then stopped. The other night she began barking so I let her out. She was barking because she heard a new vehicle in the driveway. She stood guard on the front porch while looking out at Jeff in the plow truck. “That is your daddy, no need to bark,” I told her. She immediately settled down and started wagging her tail.

Like adding the perfect garnish to make a dish complete, so is having a dog for a young family. Red is just the garnish we needed to make life pleasant. Not to mention, she makes me feel less outnumbered.

I Killed My First Moose

2009-09-03T18:15:00.002-05:00

For those that know me well, know that I like to hunt. Since my career as a momma began, hunting has taken a short hiatus, except for the occasional evening dove hunt when in Texas. The main reason for the hiatus is due to the nature of hunting big game in Alaska. Here hunting moose typically involves a week at what people call “moose camp”. One gets to moose camp by many hours atop a four-wheeler or horse. This is quite impossible with an infant. However, who needs a week at moose camp with a 30.06 when you can easily off one with an F250?

Last night as I was driving home from the movies I noticed that it was the time of day when moose might be out. It was dusky dark (about 9:30 pm). Just as I flipped on my high beams I saw a wall of hide ahead of me. A large cow and her two yearling twins were crossing the road at a quick clip. I jammed on the brakes sending my bowl of left over popcorn flying (at the movie theater here you bring your own bowl and they fill it up for a dollar, needless to say you end up with ample left over popcorn). I swerved and missed the momma and the first calf. I nailed the third one square in the back right hind quarter. This yearling calf’s back was a few inches taller than the hood of our F250. Luckily the west Texas manufactured “cow catcher” of a grill saved both me and the truck.

I pulled over and looking into my rear view mirror noticed that the calf’s back was broken, but it was struggling to get up with its front legs. In a panic I called Jeff to see where the “truck pistol” was. Unfortunately, he had taken it out. He told me to call the troopers. When I called the troopers the dispatcher first asked if I was okay and then if the animal was still alive. I said ‘yes’ and that an angry looking cow was standing sentry by the road. I have heard of irate momma cows charging both man and vehicle in defense of a dying calf. I wasn’t about to get out of the truck alone. She asked if I could “dispatch the animal and drag it off of the road.” “Dispatch!” I thought… is she really asking me to shoot this calf? What kind of back woods crazy place do I live in?!!! As she is giving me instructions I look in the rearview mirror and the poor thing has finally expired. I tell her, “No need, it just died.” “Well, then please drag the moose off of the road, set a flare out and we will call the next person on the road kill list. What mile are you at?” she asks. “Here is your case number for you to fill out your participant accident form,” she informs me. I grab a napkin and write down the case number.

I hang up and notice I am shaking. How am I going to drag this 200 lb. “baby” off of the road I think to myself? About then I see car headlights approaching from the rear and the south bound lane. The car pulls up behind me and a lady about my age gets out. “You okay?” she asks. About then the other car has pulled over and a man is getting out. The gal informs me she is an EMT and he is a first responder. We get some rope and they drag the calf off the road while I get the flare. I slay my first moose and take off for home in a matter of minutes.

The very large pipe bumper and grill were completely bent back unto the hood of the truck, but the truck runs fine (I never get the courage to go over 45 mph) as I complete my journey home. The next day Jeff uses a neighbor’s bull dozer to put the bumper back in place. The only damage was a superficial 2 inch crinkle in the hood, some cracked plastic on the grill, and a serious decrease in the blood lust that once defined me. I don’t know if it is having two babies of my own or the fact that I annihilated a goofy yet beautiful animal with a two ton truck, but I cried the whole way home with only the conciliation of the momma having had twins.

Midnight with Boudreaux

2009-08-10T02:19:00.005-05:00

The other night Jeff went to Kenai to pick up my dad and granddad from the airport. Unfortunately, their plane was delayed and they didn't end up getting into Kenai until 10:45 pm and Anchor Point until 12:20 am.

Generally speaking daddy is an essential ingredient to our bedtime routine. Typically we wind the evening down around 8:45 and end the day with what we call "home church". Home church began as practice runs for Leif to get the hang of sitting still at actual worship. What began as a teaching tool has now become an essential end to the day. We sing a few songs, read some scripture and then have a prayer. It isn't complicated, but it is really special. Leif occasionally gives us a sermon (as seen in the picture) and usually prays.

The night of craziness began during home church. Since dad wasn't around it was just Leif and I along with Nate. Being the multi-tasking mom that I am I was nursing while singing. Leif didn't like having my attention divided and began asking to nurse himself. I am sure there are many moms that have had a similar discussion with their three year old...this was my first. I tried distracting him with a story from his bible...that didn't work. I tried singing his favorite song...that didn't work. I offered chocolate milk...didn't work. He was becoming more insistent as I was becoming more exasperated. Finally, I told him that big boys with teeth get to chew gum and he could have a piece of gum right before bed. He thought that was pretty cool.

After a few minutes of minty chewing I finally got him into bed and went back to our living room to finish nursing. I hear Leif's door open and then the linen closet door open right outside his bedroom. "You get back in that bed!" I boomed back to the rear of the house. I didn't hear any more. Around 11 pm I went through the hallway to my bedroom and heard Leif still up. The little stinker had opened the linen closet door so that I couldn't see light coming from the crack in his door. I rush into his room and found a blood shot, bleary eyed three year old listlessly playing with toys on his bed. "I scited (excited) to see Pop Pop, momma," he said as I put him back to bed, turned off the light and waited another hour until Jeff returned with dad (aka Pop Pop) and granddad.

Well after midnight after everyone is settled in for the night I lay down next to Jeff and who do I hear, but Leif still awake. Jeff gets out of bed and goes to deal with the energizer bunny we have for a son. The next thing I hear is uproarious laughter coming from the next room. I run in and find Jeff bent over laughing as Leif is sitting on the edge of his bed with his palms upturned on his lap. I notice his hands are white and think, "what is going on..." as he lifts his red, blinking eyes upward. He has covered every exposed surface in Boudreaux's Butt Paste zinc oxide. He looks like a NYC street performer at the end of a very long day of miming. His hair is covered in white zinc oxide and poking out in all directions like Calvin ready for his school picture. His face, neck and hands are completely white. He looks at us with utter desperation and a look that says, "this stuff just won't rub in!"

All you can do in a situation such as this is laugh. He said, "Momma I need soap..." "Ya' think so, son?!!!" I wanted to say. Needless to say, we wiped him down and got him in bed around 1:30 am. The next morning he was exhausted but no worse for wear, and he finally got to see his Pop Pop.

Blessings...

2009-08-04T17:58:00.007-05:00

My gran used to say that if you were feeling down it was a good idea to take stock of your blessings. I am not feeling particularly down, but rather blessed. I thought I might share a few with you...

I am blessed to be the mother of two beautiful boys. I love raising them and training them. At times this can be a trialsome chore, but at the end of the day a true blessing.

I love being at home with them and participating in every facet of their lives. I am thankful my husband affords me this opportunity.

I am blessed to have a husband that is a great daddy. He loves being a father and considers it to be both a fun and high calling. He is so good at patiently teaching Leif. He loves to have Leif participate in what he is doing, whether it is fixing something around the house or an outside chore.

I am blessed by the many green tomatoes on the vine at my bedroom window. I have been working on these tomatoes since April. I believe we have eaten a total of ten. As you can see the vine is nearly to the ceiling. Here in Alaska home grown tomatoes are so difficult to grow Guy Clark might die of a stroke from a lack of lycopene if he had to live here. I can't wait to bite into number eleven!

I am blessed by family, both those adopted and bloodkin. Since the birth of the baby, we have had an influx of visitors. It is a real pleasure to entertain those that you love. My mom came for the birth and the following week, Jeff's parents after that for two weeks and then my sister for three weeks. My mom came again for a month and my dad and granddad are about to visit for two weeks. They say that in Alaska you have two seasons: Winter and Company.

I am blessed by Winter....just kidding. Actually, I do love winters here. The snow transforms our world into wonderland of fun and beauty. It will be neat to introduce Nate to snow. Leif loves riding the snow machine with his daddy, sledding and building snow men. I am looking forward to getting out the skis and exploring the muskegs.

There's a bobber in my bread crumbs!

2009-08-04T17:29:00.003-05:00

Yesterday my mom was leaving after a month long stay. In an effort to send her off right, I made her a fancy halibut lunch. The recipe calls for marinating the halibut steaks in white wine and then dredging them in Italian bread crumbs. You place the breaded halibut in a casserole dish and schemer a yummy mixture of sour cream, butter, mayonnaise, scallions, garlic and cayenne pepper over the whole dish. Bake it and then serve it with angel hair pasta .... it tastes pretty good.

As I went to retrieve my large container of bread crumbs from the back of a lower cabinet (that is latched with a childproof latch), I was met with quite a surprise as I opened the container. Inside I had about two cups of bread crumbs with a small red and white bobber and a whiffle golf ball sitting on top. I couldn't help but laugh. How my three year old got into the "child proof" cabinet I will never know, but also quite remarkable is why he thought I needed a bobber and a whiffle golf ball?!

I love having boys! They are so awesome! This small gift reminded me yet again how much I have to be thankful for. Leif and Nate are growing like the beautiful fire weed that covers my back yard. Each day is filled with new discoveries as they blossom and grow. Just this morning we spent time at an imaginary pool made of blue blankets on the floor. Leif put his swim suit on over his sweats and grabbed his pool toys. After a while he grew tired of swimming and decided that his pool float was really a boat on the bay. He fished for salmon and halibut for over an hour (with yet another bobber fastened to an undone and partially limp balloon animal). Life doesn't get much better.

Field of Diamonds in the Sky

2008-03-31T18:28:00.001-05:00

The other night my husband proved the depth of his love and his insanity. We have a small cabin about 400 feet behind our home that quarters a second freezer and most of our moose. I had asked him earlier in the day to collect for me a few packages of hot moose sausage. I wanted to use the sausage to make a crock pot of cowboy stew for Lionel Haakenson’s memorial the following day. After a day of skiing and sledding, and cooking coconut shrimp for dinner we forgot about the sausage until around 10:30. As I looked at the clock and my husband in his bathrobe and I began devising plan b. However, Jeff wasn’t hearing of it. He threw on his cap, headlamp, and gloves and took off on his cross country skis. After a good laugh at his appearance I went outside to enjoy the view of him skiing through the dark in his bathrobe. That was when I saw something amazing…

One of my favorite things in Alaska is the snow. In Texas, snow mainly comes in cones or falls at crazy times like Easter and then melts within 48 hours. After living in Alaska for two and half years, I am just now beginning to understand the many facets of snow. As I watched my husband’s back disappear into the darkness, I looked out across our yard and noticed the moon light and how it cast a cool yet warming glow across the snow. When my eyes adjusted to the light, the glow grew warmer until it revealed a white blanket of diamonds.

We are at the tale end of the winter season. The weather warms to the upper 30s during the day, which causes a slow melt. At night the temperature falls back down below freezing and the snow refreezes. The night air cools the outer surface of the snow banks more than the inside. This causes the water to evaporate on the inside and then reform in a layer of frost. Sometimes the frost grains can grow so large they are called hoar frost. This “diamond” effect or hoar frost occurs in areas wherever it is cold outside and there is an ample source of water vapor. Living on the Kachemak Bay, we are in a perfect place for beautiful hoar frost to grow. At times I have seen frost flakes the size of quarters. These hexagonal prisms reflect light so they appear as fields of brilliantly cut gems.

Waiting for my husband’s return I sat thankful for the diamonds laid before me rather than on me. I looked up to also see a sky full of glimmering stars. I basked in a field of diamonds both above and below. The scene reminded me of the apropos words of the late and great Johnny Cash, “it was silent beauty shining high.”

To Mock a Dying Bird

2008-03-18T17:19:00.005-05:00

A few weeks ago our congregation lost one of its most treasured patriarchs, Lionel Haakenson. The following is a piece I wrote for the local paper:

“Thank you, Dana.” These words were issued with a smile from a man that I admire and respect. Less than ten minutes before he had lain in a recliner, dozing with his left hand limp at his side with a thin line of drool trailing down his lip. It had been months since he called me by or remembered my name, so I thought. I had assumed that his most recent stroke had left him with little of his memory or the ability to produce cogent thoughts. These three words from a dying, 93 year old stroke victim struck a cord with me, helping me realize how wrong I was about many things.

I am used to hearing of families that would put an aging parent, like this gentleman, in a nursing home. In fact, this is the norm more than the exception down in the lower 48. From a young age, my family has volunteered at nursing homes. I have witnessed the wearing down and death of both young and old. Nursing homes are not just filled with the elderly. I have known a man in his forties with AIDS, a 50-year-old former college professor with a brain injury, and a retired rodeo queen. The one consistent between these varied acquaintances is that for the most part, they are forgotten. They are forgotten by their families, forgotten by their friends, and forgotten by society at large. They are a grouping of the forgotten, the disposal of the dying. You see, aging isn’t pretty. It isn’t glamorous, and taking care of those that are in the twilight years isn’t glamorous either.

Now that I am a mother raising a toddler, I see the similarities between the beginning and the ending of life. Babies cry and are very emotional. They have a hard time putting words together to express their feelings. They need to be fed, clothed, diapered, and most importantly loved. The aging at different stages may have some of these same needs. Life is fragile in all its stages, in fact we all have needs that must be met. These needs may change depending on which life season we are in, but needs are still there. Those of us that are in the prime of our lives may delude ourselves into believing that we have it all under control and are completely self sustained. Why does our culture so easily mock the weak or the dying? I myself have been guilty of saying things like, “I don’t want to ‘go out’ that way” or “if, I ever get that bad off just ship me down the river.” It is easy for us in our youth, to ‘mock the dying bird.’ We have been sold the idea that the only way to “live” is in a blaze of glory…taking names and kicking butt. This message can be seen through movies like the academy award winning, Million Dollar Baby. As the young girl lay paralyzed from a tragic boxing accident, she begs her trainer to take her life. The message is clear: if I can’t live like I did before then life is not worth living.

This last week, as I heard my name from my nigonerian friend, I realized that life isn’t just about “living large”. In fact sometimes, life is just barely hanging on. However strong or fragile life is, life is beautiful and amazing. On the wall next to where this man lay was a framed photo of one of his proudest moments. At the age of 78 he confidently stands 6’2”, a muscular 200 pounds, with a slight smile on his face and an outstretched arm next to a 368 pound halibut. I look at the same man, in a much weaker frame, and I can’t help but smile. Our culture today might say, “How pitiful that this great man would die this way.” Yet, there is no need to pity this man. Instead I see joy in his eyes, a smile on his lips and appreciation for all that is done for him. He isn’t downtrodden in his last days or resentful of his condition. He takes delight in a song, truly feels the warmth in a hug, and finds comfort from a warm bowl of soup. I also look around and see his family and friends banding together to take care of his every need. I observe granddaughters coming to hold his hand, grandsons dressing him for bed, and friends from his church stopping by with food and lending hands. He is definitely not forgotten.

Just like a new mother cuddles, cares for and instructs her baby into childhood, and eventually adulthood; so we have the opportunity to aid the aging into life beyond this world. And through this work we can learn something. Society tells us that if you’re not young, lean, wealthy and good looking not only will you not win the latest episode of Survivor, but your life is not really worth living. What I learned from my time with Lionel is that life is worth living just simply because it is life. He also taught me that true strength isn’t being ashamed of weakness or bound by pride, but boldly stepping through the doors of life, even the door that leads us home.

Alaskan Woman's Day at the Spa

2007-10-15T14:41:00.000-05:00

Coming from the land of nail salons on every corner, day spas, and standing appointments with your “stylist”, it is quite an adjustment for me to move to bush Alaska. In my former life I had my hair cut, highlighted and styled every six weeks to the day. I left my appointment with Wayne feeling like a million bucks. Every month I went with my mom to have a pedicure and my brows waxed. For really special occasions I had my nails done and was even known to purchase all of my hair products at the salon versus the drug store.

Moving to Alaska has been quite the “detox” for this diva (and to think I was known as a tom-boy in my former neck-of-the-woods). However, I have risen to the challenge and adjusted well…I think. I now find pleasure in what I like to call the “low-tide exfoliating salt water soak”. You can experience this treatment by putting on your grungiest clothes, grabbing a few five gallon buckets, your clam shovel and driving your four wheel drive down the beach. This spa treatment to the “stars” occurs by quickly forcing your hands into freezing cold sand, scooping out handfuls until your bare arm is immersed up to the arm pit, then grasping the sharp shell of a razor clam, and gently coaxing this clam up through the sand. While kneeling over the clam hole you are exfoliating your knees (which are digging down into the sand), and allowing the salt air to blow through your hair resulting in a nice curl. Not only do you end this ritual with dinner in hand, but your skin is smooth and rosy, pores tight, and if you do this enough times it will even file your nails down.

I have also found a way to put up produce for the winter while giving myself a “steaming mud facial” at the same time. First, you get a five gallon bucket and proceed to your vegetable garden. As you are pulling the garden produce of your choice, you will inevitably rub dirt from the back of your gloves onto your face. Then as you are blanching your vegetables this mud will form into a nice mask that will both open and detoxify the pores. Next, hold your face over the sink as you pour out the boiling water. To complete the process, plunge your face into the ice bath for pore closure. Then place your veggies in the bath with your face. By placing your vegetables in the ice bath this both ceases the cooking process and releases complex “bio-phyto-minerals” into the water and thus your skin. Depending on your vegetable, you might have a slight discoloration to your skin. For that sun kissed look, I recommend putting up carrots. Make sure you don’t put up broccoli before a date as the slight tinge of green is not very becoming.

Yesterday, I enjoyed a new spa treatment while processing moose. We were blessed to enjoy the processing with Danny and Gail Presley. Gail shared her famous moose sausage recipe and in the process I discovered the “deep moisturizing tallow therapy” for the forearms and hands. You begin by taking the trimmings of the butchering process along with other tough pieces of meat. Run these pieces through the meat grinder while combining 5 pounds of either pork or beef tallow (otherwise known as fat) to every 20 pounds of moose meat. Once the meat has been ground you put it into five gallon buckets. This is where the fun and moisturizing begins! You then pour 16 oz. worth of various spices onto this meat while mixing and kneading the spice into the meat…by hand. You must use your entire arm to ensure proper mixing. Once this procedure is complete you end up with a bucket o’ good meat and moisturized arms and hands.

Like any girl I want to look pretty and feel pampered, (and no, I have not turned into a wooly mammoth with dreds) but I have learned that beauty comes not from the dollars you drop at the salon, tanning bed or gym. The Alaskan women I have befriended have never heard of spending several hundred dollars on a purse or buying a pair of shoes to go with just one outfit, but they are some of the happiest and prettiest gals I know. They also know an inordinate amount of uses for a five gallon bucket!

Home from Hunting

2007-09-18T13:20:00.000-05:00

The great hunter has returned.

On Monday of last week Jeff got a call from Danny Presley, a local hunter and good friend. Danny invited Jeff on a late season hunt last year, but the moose were run off due to a rapid change in weather and wolves. This year Jeff got another opportunity to go with Danny when his hunting partner had a heart attack the night before their hunt. They left with the horses and four wheeler to hunt a 70" moose that Danny had spotted via his air plane in Willard Canyon.

From Danny's explanation and the viewing of maps, Willard Canyon is a day's ride into the Caribou Hills. This is also a day's ride past all other hunting camps further into the bush. The first evening they called in a 58" male that was traveling with two honeys and was in full rut. They passed on this guy in hopes of seeing the 70" bull Danny had spotted two days prior.The second day in, Jeff spotted a group of moose on his way to the horses early in the morning. They scoped out a 67" male bull that was large bodied. Even though the spread was smaller than the bull they were gunning for, Danny said he was a good looking male with wide palms. To explain to all the non-moose hunters: a legal moose is 50", a good moose is 58-62", with most Boone and Crockett moose beginning around the upper 60s" (depending on many rules, drop tines, points, etc.). Danny is a big time trophy hunter with a half dozen B & C moose in his garage alone. They hiked about a mile and 1/2 down to the moose. Jeff rattled with some moose scapula, Danny cow called and up he came rearing and ready to fight. Danny took the moose on the morning of the 13th. Jeff said he was a fat boy that was still sweet smelling. It took the rest of the day for them to skin out the bull (in the pouring rain), and hack out a trail for the horses. At dark they had to tarp the moose and pray that nothing got him during the night. Jeff took some of the backstrap and fried it up for dinner. He said it was delicious even before it was aged. Back at camp they listened as a pack of wolves sounded like they were having a hey day in the valley below. Resolved that they wouldn't find much the next morning, they took the horses down to the bull. Amazingly, the moose was there all in one piece! They spent the next two days packing him out. The neck alone weighed 75 pounds and one of the back hindquarters weighed almost 200 lbs. Needless to say, Jeff is a little sore.

After 6 days Jeff and Danny returned from the Caribou Hills yesterday. We now have half of 600+ lbs. of meat hanging in a cooler at McNeill Canyon. It is a privilege and honor for Jeff to go on a hunt with such a seasoned hunter. Thank you, Danny! Thank you God for bringing us to such a wonderful place!

Dear Leif

2007-09-14T02:20:00.001-05:00

To my dearest Leif,

As I write this letter the rain falls softly outside. There is a nip in the air as fall is approaching. The leaves of the deciduous trees have all turned yellow and the fireweed is a deep umber. I expect the snow in a month’s time.

Your daddy is out on a moose hunt with Danny Presley. They left on horse back two days ago. I hope to see him in another 2-3 days. I sure do miss him. I guess I don’t realize how he is the center of my universe until he is away. He is a wonderful husband and father. I hope you learn well from him how to love and cherish your wife.

You have grown by leaps and bounds since my last letter. This spring we went to Hawaii with daddy for his military training. It was such fun to get away from the cold weather for a while. You experienced sand, sun and the water. You enjoyed it all after getting used to it. The sand in particular offered you a challenge, but before long you were eating it like it was brown sugar. We went to the island of Oahu and stayed at the Pearl Harbor Naval Base. We particularly loved the North Shore. We love to travel and have adventures and with you in tow it is an added plus. We saw great big monk seals, sea turtles, and lots of fish. We took you to the Dole Pineapple Plantation and went through the world’s largest maze. The day we went it was raining, so we got a coffee and waited for the rain to let up. It never did! So, we put you in your car seat pulled the canopy up to meet the canopy on the stroller and took off in the rain. It was a timed course with stops along the way. We slogged through the puddles and the rain and had a great time. You stayed nice and dry and slept the whole way! We also hiked up Diamond Head with you on daddy's back. It was a beautiful place and you are such a great traveler. You have already been on 6 plane rides and you’re not even two, yet. Daddy had to fly to and from Hawaii on the C-130 and we flew commercially. What an adventure getting through the airport just the two of us. If you can help it son, NEVER let your wife travel alone with the kids. I was very thankful for the helpful individuals that helped us out. You made friends with a man on the plane that had grandkids in the lower 48. He played with you almost the entire 5 hour flight.

On May 19^th you celebrated your first birthday with an applesauce cake and a present of a Tonka dump truck. We had your cake at Sarah and Jesse Cress’s house. Their daughter, Auden (5 months your senior) and you ate your cake with great relish. You were quite neat, barely getting any icing on your face or hands. Auden dove right in, face and all. I also celebrated my 30^th birthday on the 21st. What a special present for me that every year on my birthday I can remember the day we came home from the hospital with you. By your first birthday you had all but 6 of your teeth in, you were running, and just learning to use a fork.

We had many visitors this summer and did many exciting things. In June, Gary Musgrave came for his yearly visit and brought his brother- in- law and nephew. I went halibut fishing with these three men and ended up puking over the side of the boat. I wasn't alone as Dan (the brother-in-law and elder in the church) was right beside me. I am sure you too will someday experience sea sickness. The important thing is that we still all caught our limits.

In July, your Marme came to visit for a month. While she was here we took walks, went dip netting for red salmon, worked in the garden, put up and canned produce from the garden, fished, and went clamming. You enjoy all experiences if they involve being outside. You are so compliant and easy to take along. We put you in a special backpack on our back and you can ride along for hours. You even sit in your backpack while your daddy fly fishes. At the beginning of the summer you were unsure of the green grass. For much of your life the grass has been covered in snow, so the green “stuff” was new to you. You would quickly walk across the parking lot, get right up to the grass and cry for one of us to come and get you. But by the end of the summer you were quite acclimated. In fact yesterday, we were out with the dog. Link was scratching his back and rolling in the grass. You decided that looked fun and lay down to try it out. It was so cute watching you mimic Link.

In August, the Watson family came to visit. You loved playing with Hudson and Hannah Presley. At the first of September, Glenn and Elaine Fischer came to see us a few days before they went on a cruise. With each new guest you adjusted well to your schedule disruptions. You are a real flirt and once you get used to some one you wrinkle your nose, tilt your head and smile…especially to the ladies!

We recently went to the Bracht’s for the annual raspberry picking. You had a great time. This year you were mobile, so you went along following me or your dad, while stealing berries from our buckets. After a while we decided you had enough and told you to stop eating from our buckets. You then discovered you could pick the berries yourself and would escape from our sight and pick and pick. I am surprised you weren’t sick that evening. Your face and hands were stained red for the next two days. I put up 6 batches of jam with Sarah Cress, and then continued making jam and pancake syrup throughout the next week. With each batch of jam came a layer of foam. You loved eating the foam on bread.

This evening we went down to see the Firths. Since it was raining I decided we should take the jeep. I put you over in the passenger seat, but didn’t buckle you up since it is such a short drive. However, as we were pulling out of the drive the jeep lurched forward as I was turning and shifting gears. Automatically, I shot my arm out and put my hand on your chest (just like my mother use to do to me). You looked down at my hand and gently pulled my fingers up one at a time and shook your head ‘no’, as if to say, ‘I am a big boy and don’t need your protecting, thank you.’ Son, you are already independent and confident. Already the end is in sight. You will leave our home one day and start your own life. In the meantime, I cherish every smile, laugh, utterance (so far you say, “Dada, Momma, ‘this’, ‘yes’, and ‘essss’ for “please”), hug and kiss (they come in the open-mouthed slobbery variety). I thank God for blessing us with you. You are special and uniquely made.

I love and adore you son,

Momma

Soul Security

2007-05-01T01:59:00.000-05:00

Today, while opening the mail I received a jolt to my stomach and a wound to my pride. This jolt came in the way of my yearly Social Security statement. As I peered down the column of earnings I noticed that I began working the first year I was able, at the ripe age of 15 in 1993. Impressed that the Social Security Office took such care to “know” my earnings and thus withholdings that long ago gave me a sense of belonging. I next noticed that the earnings (and thus withholdings) took a significant leap with each passing year. I went from earning 4 digits at summer time life guarding to earning 5 as a manager at a Christian university. I was also proud of the fact that not a year passed since ’93 that didn’t have a corresponding evidence of monetary accomplishment. I was feeling pretty self-important when my eyes fell to this last year: 2006. Next to 2006 there was the lowest number of all. Due to my having to quit my job and our move cross country for my husband’s job in ministry, I knew the earnings wouldn’t be much. But nothing would have prepared me for the reality of such a low number. Not even a cool $100, but a lowly $84 I earned while substitute teaching for one day. The one day I was able to work before being put on bed rest for premature labor. I don’t know what hit me. I closed the document in disgust.

I left my husband and baby sitting at the lunch table and retreated to my bedroom. As tears of shame filled my eyes, I knew that I was being silly. However, I still felt lacking. I felt that instead of helping us with our debt, I was contributing to it. I guiltily thought of the list of grocery and personal needs that I had on the kitchen counter. At first I was angry for having to be concerned about the cost of facial lotion and shampoo. Angry that we have to make the sacrifices that we do for my husband to work in ministry, then I was overcome with a wave of sorrow as I remembered the children I have seen in Ghana with their black skin turned white with dust and dryness. They have never heard of exfoliating creams and heavy moisturizers, much less a meal with all five food groups represented. Who am I to think I am mistreated for not being able to buy the latest beauty products? Still the shame of not contributing to our bottom line filled my mind.

About this time my husband came in announcing that he had to go back to work and that I should look at my statement again. He was so proud of himself, he couldn’t help but smile. He said, “See this isn’t a Social Security Statement, but a Soul Security Statement!” He had taken a pen and written over, added and marked out the words until it read something like this:

What Soul Security Means To You:

This Soul Security Statement will help you understand what Soul Security means to you and your family. Soul Security is for people of all ages…It can help you whether you’re young or old, male, Jew, Greek or female. It’s there for you when you more than retire and go to heaven. Soul Security also can provide benefits and help your family when you die. Remember, that Soul Security was never intended to be your only source of salvation. Soul Security can’t do it all, but God can.

Then in the “Soul” Earnings column for this last year he had added hundreds of thousands of dollars to my $84, with a note:

“Please see W2s on:

-Leif Wilder Jaworski and projected effects on the world.

-Subcontract work done through your husband, Jeff Jaworski, who despite being a rock head is working to bring the gospel to the world with your help.

Meanwhile our son, Leif had found his way into the bathroom and was doing his best impression of a porta-potty by playing in the commode.

As I peeled his soggy clothing off and put him into the bathtub, my tears turned to smiles and then laughter. I realized each day is filled with great earnings, as I care for my husband and son. These earnings may not be quantifiable in dollars, but they are treasures laid up in heaven…and that is where my heart is!

Tejano Cheechako

2007-04-21T02:05:00.000-05:00

I used to live in the land of trouser socks, planners, meetings and planners full of meetings. (For those gentlemen that do not know what a trouser sock is, it is somewhere between hosiery and socks ((For those that don’t know what hosiery is, it’s those stretchy, see-through “pants” that your wife burns 40 calories just putting on)). In this land suits were expected. A day at the office meant coming early and leaving very late. To get away from the office, you went on “working” retreats. This land possessed many happy people that loved their lattes, late nights and long meetings, but I was one citizen that had a secret. Secretly, I yearned to be free of my pointy-toed shoes and tailored suits. I wanted to relax! More importantly, I wanted my significance to be based on something other than the affirmations and desires of others. Instead of facing every day with anxiety and apprehension I wanted peace and joy in the simple things. So, when my husband came home one day and said, “How would you like to move to Alaska?” I was initially sceptical, but ultimately thankful.

Now, after living here for the last eighteen months, I feel inspired to share some observations, opines, and orations. The following is a synopsis from this Tejano Cheechako.

On our journey “North to Alaska” we found out unexpectedly that we were “with child” in Whitehorse, Yukon. That at least explained why I was feeling like the guy on the “Road to Tok” Sadowski, Froehlich, and Brown post card. If you haven’t traveled the Alcan with morning sickness, I highly recommend it. It is like several days at a theme park, all for the cost of fuel and the meals you lose along the way.

Once here, our first winter was filled with sights and sounds that were both new and exciting…especially that white stuff that kept falling from the sky. In Texas we only have it in little huts on the road side, and they sell it in things called, snow cones. There certainly is never enough that it must be plowed, shoveled, or blown. We also quickly learned that when you go out in the snow, you wear a hat on your head, not a toboggan. A toboggan is a sled, not a hat. This is a colloquial mystery to me. I have asked many people (all from Texas) what they call the warm, woolen hats worn on one’s head in winter, and the answer is always a sure, “toboggan”. Here, however this verbal slip has afforded others many laughs on my account.

I also learned that “muskeg” is not some large wooly, wild ox of the north, but a marsh-like plain. While difficult to traverse in the warm months, they are fields of enjoyment in the winter. I cross country skied across one for the first time. It was as if I was skiing through a majestic Norman Lowell painting (yet another great discovery). I fell only a few hundred times; this I like to think was due to my center of gravity being off because of my discovery in Whitehorse. I also rode on a jet ski for the snow, known as a snow machine. In Texas we use these vehicles on another form of water, known as a lake. Snow machining offered fun while providing a facial. Heading out across the muskeg with my toboggan tightly tied around my chin, I gave it all she had and ended up with snow cone up my nose, but at least my cheeks were sufficiently exfoliated and rosy!

Another great surprise came when we were asked to help process some road kill. Many of my relatives from Texas or Arkansas shuddered at the thought of their kin eating road kill. The very words, ‘road kill’ conjure images of the Clampetts and Ma fixin’ possum stew for supper. So, when I called to tell them we were feasting on fruit from the freeway, they flipped. Come to find out people in the great state of Alaska actually sign up to be one of the lucky few who are called to field dress and haul off moose that have been hit by the unfortunate driver.

We are now on our second winter and one of the proud members on the road kill list. However, we regrettably have yet to receive a call. When we do, I have my trouser socks ready. I think they will make good clean up rags.

Women Need Men

2006-11-10T01:12:00.000-06:00

WARNING: THIS BLOG IS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART
There are many ways to tell that winter is approaching in Alaska...your Halloween pumpkin is frozen solid, your dog sheds his "summer" coat all over the rug, and there are recommendations on the TV to start plugging in your truck at night. You also have little rodent visitors looking to check in for their winter reservations. No matter how clean you keep your house, if there is a hole anywhere in your house: THEY WILL GET IN!
This last week while Jeff was moose hunting I went mouse hunting. I have always known that I had an abnormal killer instinct for a woman. I am not sure if it comes from my dad making me rip the heads off his dove before I could even shoot a shot gun or watching my great grandmother slaughter many a rattle snake in her garden with merely a hoe, but the killer came out in me this week. Last Tuesday evening as I was kicking back on the couch after putting the baby down, Mickey's cousin Cleotha ran across the living room. Much to my surprise I didn't scream. "Hmmm," I thought, "I need to do something about him tomorrow." Upon awakening the next morning I stumbled to the coffee maker and was abruptly alerted to Cleotha's family of four residing under the big burner on the stove. (Here is where the screaming ensued) Being a sweet little woman all alone in the woods, I called my neighbor (and screamed some more over the phone) for back-up. He promptly sent down his middle and youngest son with two glue traps. By placing my traps in enticing locations I quickly had two takers. Soon I had success and I was dancing a victory jig as I looked over and saw my prey caught...all until I realized they weren't dead. In fact there were large mice that thought they were about to dine on a delicious lunch of peanut butter when they were instead immobilized. Cleotha was none too happy about this arrangment and was letting me know by screaming loudly. Up until this point in my 29 years of living I have fortunately not come into contact with many mice--certainly not any screaming mice. I didn't know they did that?!! Being the mighty huntress and protector of my off-spring (also because Jeff wasn't around) I grabbed up the sticky traps, put them in a shoe box, shook them real good and put them in the trash. "Whew," I thought...I am so glad this is over! I spent the rest of the day taking apart my oven and thoroughly cleaning.
That evening I stopped at the hardware store on the way to church. Just on the off chance I had any more visitors I wanted them to feel welcome. Purchasing four more sticky traps and one more traditional one, I thought I was more than amply prepared. When bedtime approached I put out midnight snack laden traps and went to bed. As my head hit the pillow I heard the first flop..flop..flop of the mouse on a trap. Before the screaming began I quickly disposed of this one by banging it with my iron skillet. I had no idea that Cleotha had such a large family! I nestled back into bed (one that was surrounded with traps) and tried to get my mind off of mice. Right as I am drifting off, here comes another visitor. To sum it all up- "the creatures were stirring" all night long. Four more mice later with dawn approaching I was exhausted and thoroughly grossed out. I cried later that day when Jeff called and said he was coming home early.

I am happy to say a week later (and 8 more dead mice) we have solved the mouse crisis. My husband spent two days under the house cleaning out the mouse resort, and sealing up every crack, cranny and nook. Many people come to Alaska to experience the vast wildlife, wanting to prove their prowess through the taking of a brown bear or a trophy moose...but few can say they have conquered an Alaska rodent invasion of biblical proportions. I am thinking about opening a guide service next year. If you are interested in reserving a slot the deadline is April '07 or perhaps you would like to come view our "wildlife" museum full of mice trophies mounted on my kitchen wall.

Letter to Leif

2006-11-09T02:08:00.000-06:00

I write Leif letters and thought that some of you might enjoy reading one. Occasionally I may put a letter on the blog.
10-19-06

Dear Leif,
Today you are 4 months old! We spent a fun day making jam from the raspberries we picked yesterday. You were so cute dressed in your lamb sweats, hanging out in the snugli. You loved watching momma pick berries and put them in the bucket. By the end of our picking you were covered in raspberry juice.

Melanie Firth, our neighbor and mother of 7 taught momma how to make jam. After three batches, we had a wonderful lunch of fresh baked wheat bread and the foam from the jam. As we sat around the table with the kids enjoying their bread I thought about how joyous the simple things in life are…putting up fruit, baking bread, washing dishes by hand in sudsy water (that you have warmed on the stove, because the Firths do not have running water), and time with family and friends. Son, my prayer is that you never lose sight of the life that is simple. You will no doubt want to explore this world and seek after your own adventures, but I hope you will always appreciate the basics. A home cooked meal is always better than one from a restaurant. Work done by your own two hands is never a waste of time. Time spent outdoors is better than in. A conversation or a book is far more important than any TV show.

Finally, love our Lord and follow his commands. He will never forsake you. As I am writing this I am reminded of the wise words of Lynyrd Skynyrd in the song, “Simple Man” – check it out.

Love,
Momma

It has been a long, long time...

2006-11-01T01:21:00.000-06:00

It’s been a long, long time…

For those of you that have been wondering where my blog entries went, I have been a little busy. Now that Leif is 5 months old and we are settling into this whole parenting gig I have no excuse. So, here is an update on our lives.

I dropped him off in the early morning light. When we turned into the driveway the headlights shone on the horse’s breath as they waited to get on the trailer. Jeff was packed and prepared, literally “loaded for bear”. Jaw set, he put on his hat and squeezed my hand as he got out of the truck. I have never seen him quiet with anticipation…this is a first for him and me. This week Jeff is out living every man’s dream in the wilds of Alaska. There is a gentleman named Danny at church that is a pilot and an avid big game hunter with two Boone and Crocketts to his name. He invited Jeff to come along on a trophy moose hunt. They are leaving this morning after a week of planning, packing and scouting via his Citabria. They are taking six horses on a 9 hour ride into the back country of the Chugiak mountain range between us and Anchorage. They will set up camp tomorrow and be out for a week or so. Poor Jeff has a wearisome journey ahead of him, mainly due to his lack of sleep the last couple of nights because of excitement. I’ll admit I am excited and I don’t even get to go. Jeff hopes to get a black bear as well, while he is out. The moose and bear meat combined will set us up for the winter and then some. What a blessing a full freezer will be!

Meanwhile back at the ranch, Leif and I are hanging out. He is rolling all over the place and working on sitting up. I always thought those baby crazed moms were nuts, but I am starting to understand them more. This baby is amazing! I think we could stare at him for hours. He smiles all the time and makes the funniest faces. He just started wrinkling up his nose in the most adorable way. It is hilarious! Who am I kidding?! I am one of those baby crazed moms! I honestly thought I would be bored out of my gourd with staying home, but this job is the best one I have ever had. I love every minute of it. What a privilege to see Leif growing and learning. I am thankful beyond words for Jeff allowing me this opportunity. Not only do I have every minute with my son, but I get to do fun things like bake bread, pick and make jam from raspberries, clean up the cabin behind our house and prepare for my garden this spring. This is the life! Quiet, still and peaceful. If you are reading this, I encourage you to take a moment this week and go somewhere where there is no noise. No road noise, no airplanes, no distractions and just sit in God’s creation. Alone. If you can’t find a place to do this…come for a visit. We would love to have you! I have a cabin with a wood burning stove ready for you. (It even has indoor plumbing and electricity if you want!)

Only in Alaska..

2005-12-26T23:45:00.000-06:00

On a recent Saturday trip to Safeway I experienced a PA announcement like none I had ever heard before. As I was looking for the best apples I heard over the loud speaker,

“Okay, kids Santa will be here in 10 minutes. Let’s go outside and line up to watch his
helicopter land!”

Wow, I thought! What happened to the reindeer? I finished my shopping and proceeded outside. Drawing near to the front door I hear native drums, a dinging bell and ladies singing ‘Santa Claus is coming to town’ somewhat flat, monotone and in a very slow cadence. A group of ladies dressed in native wear and large Santa hats were gathered around the Salvation Army bucket singing away and beating the drum. Now that is some local entertainment!

We also finished up the “Road Kill” processing. After hanging for two weeks in a cool “meat locker” aka Mark’s shop, the moose was ready. This last Saturday, we went to Don and Ann Bailey’s house for a full evening and night of moose butchering. Boy, was it work! Jeff and I kept looking at each other in disbelief. They said this was a SMALL cow moose… and we ended up with 250-300 pounds of packaged meat. Don and Jeff would take each quarter, clean off the dried outer layer and then carve off large muscle groups. Ann, Suzie (a friend of the families) and I would then further clean the meat and cut it into smaller pieces. Depending on the amount of the sinew and look of the meat we would decide if it was stew, steak, roast or hamburger worthy. Jeff and I were never more thankful for our Boker knives...thanks George. They cut like butter!

We then took the cut pieces into the house and double wrapped them in saran wrap and then gave them a final wrap of butcher paper. I was the butcher paper and label-er. Jeff and Don then ground all of the remaining meat into hamburger and cut up the ribs for the church New Year’s Eve BBQ. The meat was divided three ways and Jeff and I went home with what we normally would have from one white tail deer alone. We ended the evening with ice cream and raspberry topping at about 12:30 am. Amazing! It was so much fun.

The next day I fried some back strap…delicious!!! There is nothing like fried back strap, biscuits and gravy and mashed potatoes. Yummy. Wish you were all here to enjoy. Tonight, I am taking some of the moose hamburger and making stuffed pasta shells with a meat sauce.

I hope everyone had a great Christmas!

Road Kill! Yummy in my tummy...

2005-12-08T16:52:00.000-06:00

Now, many of you from Texas or Arkansas may shudder at the thought of eating road kill. The very words, ‘road kill’ conjure images of the Clampetts and Ma fixin’ possum stew for supper. However, in the great state of Alaska people actually sign up to be on a short Fish and Game road kill list. The lucky few are called to field dress and haul off moose that have been hit by an unfortunate driver. A call may come a couple of times a year for each person on the list. It amazes me to see how much damage one of these moose can do to a car or truck, while the animal remains pretty well clean and undamaged.

Recently, one of our new friends, Mark and Kathy, received a call regarding a large cow moose. A young mother and her kids were driving from Homer to Anchor Point one snowy night last week and up from the gully came a cow and her calf. Both were killed and the car totaled. Thankfully, the mother and children were fine. Mark went and was lucky to get the cow. However, Mark and Kathy are going to Idaho this weekend for three weeks to see their newest grandbaby. With the moose not yet finished aging, Jeff and another brother from the congregation are going to process and put up the moose next week. I can’t wait to be a part of this timeless Alaskan tradition: cleanin’ and cookin’ the road kill! I will let you all know how it turns out.

It may be cold outside....

2005-11-29T15:05:00.000-06:00

...but the oven is warm! Yes, the baby and I are now 16 weeks along. I apologize to my readers (all 10 of you) for not writing for a while, but a lot has been going on. In the last two months, our furniture arrived from Texas, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, and I flew home for three weeks, all whilst suffering from morning sickness.

Mom has just come out of her second surgery and is in recovery. Dad says she is doing pretty good. She has had a lumpectomy and the removal of her lymph nodes on her left breast. We are hopeful, in that the cancer hasn't spread. Her liver and bones are clear. This has been a seriously challenging time for our family, but God has been increasingly good. It amazes me how much he loves us! In all interactions with nurses, care takers, friends and family, and even strangers we have seen the love of Christ evidenced. I thank you all for your prayers. They have been working. But, please keep praying. We aren't out of the woods, yet and tough treatments are to come.

On to Alaska news: We had a great thanksgiving, in spite of being far from family. Four different families invited us to share the holiday with them. We only made it to two stops, though. We ate the turkey and all the good fixings. I made my famous sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, Grandmother Becky's yummy dressing, and a pork loin. Jeff said everything was delicious. Since my return from Texas, we have been to the doctor and heard the heart beat again. The baby's heart was beating at a sound 150 beats/minute. The baby has also started to move around...especially at night. Nothing painful or uncomfortable, but definetly moving.

I also cross country skied for the first time yesterday. It was awesome! Here in Alaska there are open fields they call Muskag. In the spring and summer months they are fields of mushy, marshy grass that is kind of a rust colored hue. It is very difficult to traverse these areas in the warmer months, but in the winter they are filled with miles and miles of soft snow...perfect for skiing trails! Yesterday afternoon the Firth kids came down (6 of them at least) with skis and boots for me and Jeff. They had been making trails all day and were very excited about sharing. I only fell down a few times (always into very soft banks of snow and on my back or tush), and got the hang of it pretty quickly. It was as if I was skiing through a majestic painting. The sun was beginning its slow descent while flinging beautiful streaks of color across the gray sky, and the spruce trees were gathered in groups like big families out on the field. What a sight to see!

North to Alaska, Part 2

2005-09-28T14:56:00.000-05:00

Day 8 Friday, September 16th:
West Yellowstone, MT to Lethbridge, AB:
Montana day! By far the prettiest state we have been in, so far. We crossed over the Missouri River several times; saw golden grass topped hills with grazing cattle, and majestic rock formations. Oh, the colors! We began to see aspen trees. I love aspens. They are like the cottonwoods of the north. The wind through a cottonwood’s or aspen’s leaves is the best wind chime ever made.
We made a stop in Helena for gear. First, we ate lunch at a deli. The waitress (kind of a ditzy girl) suggested we go to Bob Erwin’s for gear…after getting turned around (what some would call "getting lost"), we finally found it. We spilled into the store looking for silkies, a parka, Carhartt’s, etc. What we found was over priced under armour and teeny bopper help. Ugh! Luckily, across the street was a Murdoch’s: amazing store! Great prices, great service…we had a woman that acted as our personal shopper. She lined Jeff up with every Carhartt item available in their "fall collection", as well as gloves, and some amazing boots for the both of us. We purchased these water proof pac boots rated up to -50 degrees F for only $49. They go up to my upper calf and with felt insoles added to the existing thermolite liner: they are warm. A little too warm for now, but I know I will appreciate them in the coming months. I feel like a true mountain woman now! I also purchased a Columbia parka (on sale) with three detachable layers.
We rolled into Lethbridge about 8:00 pm to the Howard Johnson: "yes, I do deserve the lowest rate!" Or at least that is what I am supposed to think when I look into one of their mirrors. Pretty good night sleep until the dogs alerted us to would be snoopers/thieves about 4:00 in the morning. We awoke to Link barking like mad and a group of Canadian teenagers cussing up a storm. Jeff rushed out of the room with nothing but shorts on to scare them a second time. I am assuming they were coming home from the bar…when Jeff came out, they were very apologetic to say the least.

Day 9 Saturday, September 17th:
What a great beginning to the day…Dad singing 'Texas, Our Texas' via cell phone. Yes, dad the second verse is the best. We made a pretty long haul to Whitecourt, AB today.
You can’t judge a book by its cover at the Green Gable Inn. Everything along the highway is dusty and "Ponca Motel" looking, but inside reside clean rooms, friendly staff, and usually great restaurants. We had the best meal, yet at our inn. The waitress treated us like celebrities. The restaurant was owned by a Greek. The menu was diverse to say the least. Amy ordered lasagna, I the Chicken Slovakia with a Greek salad, and Jeff the chopped steak with mushroom gravy. Yummy! We had a great night’s sleep, and got on the road early.

Day 10 Sunday, September 18th:
Unfortunately, with only three places of worship to choose from: one Mormon, one Catholic and one Anglican, we attended the "Rusty" church of Christ (aka our truck). We stopped at a pseudo-Walmart parking lot in Grand Prairie while the oil was being changed for some scripture reading, the Lord’s Supper and prayer. Our message was brought to us by Jay Don Poindexter and Rance: thanks guys! Great thoughts!
We drove to Dawson Creek and the beginning of the Alcan. Our true adventure has begun. Who needs Six Flags?!! Just take a drive on the great Alcan! The most astounding views, yet. The beautiful yellow aspen leaves against the green spruce along the roadside, sure puts a smile on this Texan’s face. Around 7:30 pm, we arrived in Ft. Nelson. Checked into a friendly Ramada Inn and ate a hamburger at A&W.

Day 11 Monday, September 19th:
Wow! Wow! Wow! Yes, that is three wows. The day is off to a great start. We started with the best continental breakfast on the continent; made by a rather large and super friendly Canadian. Imagine a portly fellow, with a smile as broad as his nose, clad in plaid and topped with long black hair and leather boonie. Fast with the jokes and jovial jabs, he made great coffee, biscuits with grilled ham and fried eggs, and doled out the hotel missus’ muffins (apricot and peach)…delicious! He even made Belgium waffles upon request, though no one quite had the gumption to ask for one. The hotel residents were all huddled into a small 10 x 15 foot room. A family from North Dakota, a divorcee driving south to North Carolina from Anchorage, a few cool cats from Abilene, and three hunting guides returning to Prince George from a week long elk hunt in the bush. We shared our breakfast and our stories from the road we were all on: the path to the future.
Today we saw the most wildlife, yet. While listening to the tunes of Dizzy Gillispie, Louis Armstrong, Willie Nelson, Wilco, and others, we traveled around majestic mountains, traversed the road teetering trail to look into vast valleys. We drove over emerald green rivers and around Caribbean blue lakes, all the while stumped for words to describe.
When the sign says, "Watch for Wildlife On the Road," they literally mean ON the road. It amazed me to see caribou, moose, mulies, mountain goats, and bison (Amy and Jeff saw these while I was asleep) all copping a squat on the yellow line. I personally think it is a racket. The villages’ chamber of commerce have a deal with the animals so the tourist will come on this crazy road. I can see them brokering the agreement now…"Okay, Mr. Moose, have your people at mile marker 472, center line from 1-5 today, and you will get extra feed this winter." Whether it is all a set up or not, I am sure that I haven’t had such a great experience in my 28 years. Thank you, God for great adventures and great people to go on them with.
One last thing, the divorcee from Anchorage gave us a packet of Moose sausage…good stuff! It is great when people share.

Day 12 Tuesday, September 20th:
We arrived late the previous night in Whitehorse, Yukon. We checked into the Airport Chalet, next door to a man and his family (four kids). They had moved from southern California and were on their way to Alaska. We went and ate the worst Chinese food ever known to man (luckily, the Won Ton soup was good), and settled in for the night.
Today, we got up and on the way to breakfast I threw up. Come to think of it…I have been feeling like crud the whole time! I have a bad cold and figure the drainage got the best of me. I eat my toast and tea and still feel quite nauseated. Just moving stress…has my immune system down. On the way out of town, I ask Jeff to stop at the Wal-Mart. There is no way that I am, you know "with child," but what they hey…it never hurts to check.
I don’t tell Jeff or Amy what I am doing..I just demand to be taken to Wal-Mart! Jeff asks, "Whatever it is, I will go in for you." "No!" I snap, "You can’t do this for me."
I tentatively approach the pharmacy section. Find what I need and proceed to the ‘washroom’, as they call it in Canada/The Yukon. I take the test and low and behold: two lines! No, I had to have done something wrong….this can’t be?! With shaking hands, I proceed to the parking lot. I jump in the truck, grab the nearest water bottle and turn it up. Jeff yells, "What?!" "I have to pee again," I say between gulps. I reluctantly tell them both the news. Jeff grins ear to ear. I am still not buying it…we can’t be pregnant. After the month we have had: no way! All day Jeff and Amy are thinking up baby names, how to tell certain people, etc. I am still not convinced. Besides, this was NOT how it was supposed to happen. In my vision, I was at home, having taken the test early one morning and emotionally gotten myself together, awoken Jeff to a nice breakfast and spelled out "DAD" on his pancake with chocolate chips…or something like that. Not in a Wal-mart parking lot in the Yukon! But, alas it is life’s little surprises that make it all interesting.
When we rolled into Tok, Alaska that night I purchased another test and sure enough: two lines…we are having a baby, folks!

Day 13 Wednesday, September 21st:
This was the worse day of travel for me, yet. After several stops on the side of the road, we made it into Anchorage late afternoon, early evening. I am starting to not keep much down. We are almost there. We can make it. I think we are all at the end of our rope.

Day 14 Thursday, September 22nd:
Just when you think you are at the end: the rope gets longer! Jeff took the truck into the shop and 8 hours later we find out the brakes on the front driver’s side were about to go out and we have a flat in the spare for the trailer.
With everything fixed we proceed to Lowe’s for paint and other materials. Finally, we pull out of town about 8:00 pm. And then, bam: we have a flat on the trailer. We made it over 4,500 miles without one flat and now bad luck strikes. Jeff, the master tire patcher, pulls out his plugs, a can of fix a flat and we are rolling.
We make it ¼ around the Turn Again Arm (imagine, mountain_road____sheer cliff___ and then water). The wind is whipping us around like a rag doll, and the rain is coming down in sheets. We aren’t making it over 45 miles and Jeff is worried about the tire, when I remember our friends in Girdwood!
I was blessed to meet a lovely lady, Mandy Hawes (the cousin of Erin Baldwin) this summer at Erin and Heath’s wedding. We graduated the same year from ACU. Mandy and her husband work at the Aleyeska Prince Hotel in Girdwood. She works in accounting and he as the night manager. I call her to see if she knows of a good place to pull off to change the tire that is out of the rain. She is so very helpful and encouraging. This is a time I am thankful for connections that can only come through Christ. She also offers to put us up at the hotel. As we pull into the gas station, weary and having gone such a short distance, we accept her offer.
We drive into Girdwood and to the hotel…wow! This is not just any hotel. Think Aspen lodge in Alaska. This is one of the premier skiing resorts in the state. It is gorgeous…4 stars at the very least! We gladly hop into our down filled beds and don our complimentary robes and slippers. Whew…this is the life after KOA camping and Ramada Inns. Jeff goes out to check the dogs and comes back in ashen face. He holds out a two inch gnarly looking piece of shiny metal. He says that it was in the front driver side tire. God is so good!! If we had kept going, we would have been in for a horrible night.

Day 15 Friday, September 23rd:
After Jeff made some snappy repairs, we pull ourselves reluctantly away from this "Isle of Lotus Eaters," and get on down the road. We pull into Anchor Point and our new home later that afternoon. I know the "journey should always be the destination", but this is one time that I am sooooo very glad to be "THERE".
Thank you, God for a safe journey, fun and stressful times with Amy and Jeff, and relationships.

North to Alaska, Part 1

2005-09-18T23:56:00.000-05:00

Well, folks without cell service or email for the last several hundred miles, I am just now getting something on the ol' blog...hope you enjoy.

Day 1 Friday, September 9^th:

Woo Hoo! We made it really far today…all the way to Lockney! We finally left at 4:00 in the afternoon. I couldn’t believe how much we accrued since the movers came…all those “last minute items that we will quickly pack up” turned out to be a lot of STUFF! With our 16 foot trailer, loaded with kayak, jeep, welder, bike, air tank, extra gas tanks, mucho luggage, and of course our newly acquired metal bench made by a master welder, we set off…
The dogs were set up in the truck with their doggy condo, water and food. They had no idea what they were getting into, but boy, they were excited.

We pulled into Lockney at 7:00 pm to a lovely fried fish dinner. Debora and Jay Don, the ever willing hosts were ready for us. Jaylee even told me that “her and momma spent ALL DAY cleaning and cleaning.” (Thanks, Deb J) Van, one of their elders and Glenn were also there for dinner. After much talking, praying, and talking, we fell into bed (ours was a lovely princess bed, complete with a net canopy) late that night at 1:00.

Day 2 Saturday, September 10^th:
The next morning, Jeff and Jay Don went hunting while I went to Jay Don’s office to print out our route and research my maps. When I got back to the house, Jaylee let me know that she was sad about not sleeping in her bed. She did clarify though, she was not “serious sad”, but just “sad”. When asked, “what is serious sad?” She told me that “serious sad” was when your favorite doll got eaten by the dog, but “sad” was just “well, feeling sad.” I then gave her all of the change in my pocket as a tip for sharing her room and she was happy again. I am not sure if that was serious happy or just happy, but needless to say I was happy to see one of my favorite four year olds smile.

I called Van to ask about Manuelito Children’s Ranch in Gallup, and he convinced me we should stop and stay there. Every time we go to Lockney someone talks to us about the ranch. I am so glad we did. Amazing people, amazing work and a loving congregation. We got off from Lockney at 3:00 pm. Pulled into Gallup at 11:30 pm.

Wow! Mary Gray has the set up. Thankfully, she was already in bed, but her “guest wing” was ready. We came in very late to a comfortable bed, turned down, a bathroom full of toiletries and fresh towels, and thank you cards with a pen on the desk. Her and Mike had just returned from a weekend church retreat, but were more than happy to have us as guests. A call from elder Van paved the way, I am sure.

Day 3 Sunday, September 11^th:
We awoke to a lovely crisp high desert morning. Absolutely beautiful! Bible class was wonderful. We talked about Colossians 3:21 “Fathers do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.” There was a wise man there named Dick Felts (cool, huh Dad?) that gave some of the most encouraging advise. He said that children need fences (boundaries), but all fences don’t need to be barbed wire.

The congregation was warm and loving. Almost everyone came and introduced themselves and welcomed us. We were greatly blessed by the saints at Gallup. The minister’s wife came and introduced herself. Her name was Razzle. When I questioned to make sure I had heard right, she said, “yeah, like razzle dazzle.” That is awesome! Her name was very fitting. We finished off a great morning of worship with lunch at the Corral, Golden that is.

We then went and spent some time with Merle and Annette and their kids. They are house parents at the ranch. What a couple! Thank you, Lord for people that love others like this couple. Merle is a West Texas cowboy transplanted in northern Mexico. He and his wife have been at the ranch for 14 years. They have loved on and raised countless kids. They reminded Jeff and me of Jim and Gretchen. In fact, I could totally see Jim and Gretchen involved in a ministry like this some day. (Guys, watch out…we started praying).

We got off from Gallup around 1:30 and headed to Moab, UT. We stopped in Shiprock, near the border of NM and CO at a McDonald’s to get a drink and have a bathroom stop. There Jeff met a woman named Carmen who was trying to sell some pottery in order to get gas money to go to Farmington. She had three bright-eyed children with her; two girls and a boy, all under the age of 4. The pottery was made by her husband and her son, Tryston. One pot was decorated by Navajo rain and the other with the bear claw, symbolizing courage. Amy purchased one and I purchased the other. She described the process of making the pots (because of course, Jeff had asked:) and how they get the color to adhere to the clay with a solution of juniper berries and spinach. She seemed anxious and just as I was thinking to ask her if we could pray for her, Jeff asked. I asked her what we could pray for and she became emotional as she told us her problem. She was from one tribe (Navajo) and her husband from another (Acoma). In their ten years of marriage her family had never accepted him. Daily things were progressing to violence and enmity. She was traveling to Farmington on a lead for an apartment. The clan concept that Mike had told us about was poignantly expressed in this woman’s life. The idea of “leaving and cleaving” would have been foreign to her. Jeff prayed a prayer to the Creator of all that we feel and see around us, and described God’s majesty through his creation. Just as I was thinking, I hope he gets around to thanking God for Jesus, he did…he basically told of the gospel through his prayer. Carmen thanked us in tears. Funny, how the Spirit works on people.

We stopped along the way in Colorado to get groceries. Different folks around these parts. In the check-out line, a man behind us overheard Amy telling the checker we were on our way to AK. He took the opportunity to tell us we need to help promote alternative energy systems by helping Alaskans to see the available resource in the dramatic tides. He emphatically told us, the tides rise and fall 10 feet at a time! Good information to know. We then met two Indians in the parking lot. Jeff talked to them for a while and as they were leaving he said, “take it easy…” the Indian remarked, “always.”

We pulled into the Moab KOA a little before 9:00 pm.

Day 4 Monday, September 12^th:
We awoke to an amazing sight: red rock formations surrounding our camp site with rustling cotton woods dispersed throughout the camp ground. We ate breakfast: oatmeal, strawberry bread, and hot tea. We made our way to Arches National Park. Absolutely awe inspiring and breathe taking. With great reverence I looked upon God’s creation. He is so mighty and so creative…the diversity that we have seen in just four states is evidence. We hiked the longest trail, the Double O. We saw the Landscape Arch and the Double O arches, along with countless other formations. Jeff climbed many places he wasn’t supposed to…oh, what a discussion we had! (No, not that kind, Cary) Poor Amy played referee. I was so mad hiking back, I was at a full sprint. It is amazing how much ground you cover when angry. For some reason all the anxiety regarding the move exploded on the dusty terrain of Utah. It was quite cathartic.

We ended the day at the Moab Brewery and Restaurant for a delicious Reuben, hamburger, and some kind of veggie enchiladas (Amy).

Day 5 Tuesday, September 13^th:
We started the day with a larruping breakfast at the Jailhouse Café. One of the best breakfasts I have had in a long time. We finally rolled out at about 11:00 am and proceeded to Hoback Junction, WY. On to Idaho, Idaho, Idaho-ho-ho. Funny thing: as we were leaving Utah, one of the last barns had very organized mormon graffitti. It was blocked off and very colorful. Mine and Amy's favorite quote was, "Goose Elder Jones from down under." We had many theories as to what exactly that meant... but were glad to know that even mormons have a sense of humor.

We got into Hoback after a loooong drive round 11:00 pm. This was after we accidentally left our coolers on the side of the road. L The Hoback Junction KOA is the favorite so far. The cabins overlooked the Snake River. As you fell asleep you heard the rushing river below. This was our first frost. We had to get out the hay for the dogs.

Day 6 Wednesday, September 14^th:
In the morning we arose and drove to Yellowstone, after stopping in Jackson Hole for tire chains and breakfast. In Yellowstone, we stopped at Old Faithful and the Grand Prismatic stream. We saw moose, elk, many bison, mule deer, pronghorn deer, and some kind of weird bird. The Madison River was beautiful. Jeff of course drove very slowly and stopped to take pictures of everything. We stayed the night at West Yellowstone KOA: the world’s largest and most visited KOA. We were in cabin 121. We cooked an amazing dinner of salmon and vegetables. Link was depressed…I think he is tired of being cooped up in the truck. He had a bit of a scare, when we were pulled over on an incline. I told him to get down from the tool box and when he did he fell out of the truck. Startled, I anxiously called for him and he went around the truck into traffic. Luckily the oncoming car was stopping to look at the elk as well.

Day 6 Thursday, September 15^th:
Amy and Jeff took Link for a hike up “Elk poo” mountain. They were looking for a place to hike with Link. So far, all of the national and state parks we have visited don’t allow dogs on the trails. Jeff, the wooer that he is, stopped at a ranch that had a sign posted: “Positively No Trespassing!” He approached the rancher that was splitting logs and said, “We are from Texas, we were wondering if we could trespass and hike your mountain?” The rancher laughed and said, “yes”. I stayed back at the cabin with Scout. At about 4:30 pm they dragged back into camp. Amy and Link looked they had been rode hard and rung out wet. Jeff said Amy kept up well, he was impressed. From the look of their climb, it was straight up. Amy said that Jeff’s idea of a switchback was four feet to the left and three to the right.

The Queen of the Llano

2005-07-26T22:10:00.000-05:00

In an effort to fit as much Texas enjoyment in before heading off to the great white northern, Jeff and I explored three of the prettiest Texas rivers this last weekend. Friday, we went down and floated the Guadalupe with the "rivergaf" himself, Glenn Fischer. The river was low and we drug bottom a few times along the way, but it was still great to feel the cool green water. We also stopped at the Blanco on the way back to our camp site in Fredericksburg. Jeff always laughs at how I can't cross the Blanco w/out reminding him that was the river that my dad learned to swim on.

Saturday it rained, so we hung out in the Admiral Nimitz museum and toured a local winery with Hayley and Jeff. Sunday came with beautiful sunshine, so we decided to detour to Llano to swim.

Now, since the start of our marriage Jeff and I have battled over the best way to unwind. Jeff's definition of relaxation involves an ample portion of physical activity with a heavy dose of risk- taking adventure. My idea of relaxation involves minimal exertion, lounging, and a great meal to end the day. After years of compromising and dissatisfaction on both our parts at times, we arrived at the perfect solution!

With Jeff's recently aquired kayak, and my purchase of an $8 river raft at the nearest Dollar Store, we headed to the river...

As we approached the river, I was thinking "ahhh, what a beautiful body of water to float on..." Jeff was thinking, "Wow! Cool...let's see how far I can paddle upstream!"
Then brilliance struck, as Jeff offered to pull me behind the kayak. There I was, Queen of the Llano, with a rope tied to my ankle, he gently rowed me up and down the river as I read my Reader's Digest...can it get any better than that?!

Overall, the trip was wonderful.

The Beginning

2005-06-27T12:13:00.000-05:00

This is my first entry in our online journal. My hope in having this BLOG is that family and friends can go along with us as we begin the next chapter of our lives. Feel free to respond with comments and questions regarding each entry. Just know that all will be able to read your entry, or if you want to send a private message you can send an email to us. Our email address is jawskiTX@hotmail.com

Currently we are preparing for our move. Packing, planning, and praying. God has blessed us with everything we need. We purchased a great truck, and a trailer...both at a great price.
We will be pulling out of Abilene on Sept. 10th, to move to Anchor Point, AK. The trip is over 4,000 miles...but boy, am I pumped! When we reach the Canadian border we will only be half way. Amy Kay will be going up with us and then flying back home. We plan on heading to the "Four Corners" area first and then up through Utah to Salt Lake City, through Utah, Montana and then up through BC to the "Alcan" (aka the Alaska Highway), which will take us all the way to Alaska.

Please keep checking back for updates. Until then...I pray blessings for you and yours.