PACKING THE TRAILER

Our goal today was to pack the trailer - without the boys.💪 We had stored three years of school books with Mom and Dad when we began RVing. This allowed us to stop in and swap books every few months. It also allowed us to stay out more than one year without worrying about buying school books. 📚

We gave our elliptical to Mom a few years ago when we downsized. She gave it back today. We sure need it. 😋 We also had toys, collections,  and such the kids couldn't part with 2 years ago; that they eventually realized they didn't need in the RV....and some stuff for Arielle and Krista in the attic....we quickly realized we'd be able to get it all in and have space..... We called BreZaak and CoRielle to let them know we could take a few  things for them, if they had anything ready to go. 

We found six of these suitcases from our days of international travel.....EVERY BODY KNOWS you CANNOT put six big suitcases into a trailer empty. They wouldn't stack inside each other and we'd already used all our stuffing sort of things repacking school tubs.....Mom took three of them and filled them with things she wanted to have us take up. It will be like Christmas to unpack  and see what ended up in Alaska.

Perhaps some instruction on elliptical use is in order? 😀

 Mom was worn out from packing - when I realized we could send the suitcases to one of the kids and have them pack clothes or such for us to take. BreZaak seemed the perfect choice as we know they'll have clothes Bella has outgrown, or clothes for Gideon to grow into, that can go now. 

And THEN, we remembered the electric piano we had purchased in Japan!!!! I'm not sure how it slipped our minds. BreZaak have been storing it. Dad and Michael went across to retrieve it. We doubt their BBQ will fit in now.....we decided it would be a good time to call it a night - I didn't want to go up in the attic again for the furniture from the girls (coffee tables and end tables), Michael is at the point where he needs all the furniture so he can carefully pack the remaining space.  Lots of room left...but lots of bulks furniture left....an antique settee set from Mom, an elliptical, coffee tables, end tables (given to the girls from Mom G), Arielle's dresser (purchased in Japan), the piano....

We took a packing break to drive Lorri to the train station. She'll visit family in WA and then head on to Palm Springs - a birthday trip from her sister! It was odd saying goodbye, knowing we won't be here when she gets back.

I teared up having ice cream with Mom and Dad and just us three.  I realized it's most likely the last time we'll have ice cream together - you know that "weekly treat" - while we are here.

Michael suggested we play one round of Farkle. It was much quieter and quicker without the boys and Lorri here. Stacia won!

Krista at COT - Happy Birthday

Krista sent some photos. She didn't say a word. 

Krista - 2nd Row, center,short blond hair

I noticed the gentlemen in the front holding a trophy and asked what it was for. Seems their flight (group of 12) won the "Athletic Flight" of the squadron (bigger number of students) AND Athletic Flight of the entire CLASS of COT (Commissioned Officer Training).  

Krista is front row, 2nd from the left

Note the cute shoes! 

 Krista doesn't know why this photo was take - PA requested it. 

Three weeks until COT graduation. Continued prayers for rest, for her and her roommate, as she battles her cough are appreciated.

Happy Birthday, Krista. I believe this is a birthday you will long remember!

The One Where We Question our Plans

Josiah's Alaskan car

These guys are EXCITED to begin their four day Epic Alaskan Hike. We look forward to the stories. Check out Josiah's new Alaskan car! I like it.  I also can't help noting Josiah and Jamin are sporting beards already. 

Jared, Jamin, Nolan, Alex and Josiah - The Gherkin Men - Minus Michael 

We got new tires on the trailer today. Michael and Izaak took the wheels apart and looked at bearings or some such thing.... it was greasy. 😏😋😉 It was a blessing for Michael to have Izaak's help today. They also finished a project Michael had begun for Mom and Dad.

Izaak, Michael, Dad

Michael ducked out for "an hour" to take care of a bit of estate business which needs to be done before we leave town.  He came home 4.5 hours later. Successful!

Bre spent the day with Gideon. She has a ton of videos to watch from the hospital and now that Gideon has no feeding tube, he is feeding on demand. What a great day for her to get with Gideon.

We played with Bella. Bella and I got two walks in today - the weather is stunning - beautiful.

Someone loves to tease! 

 Stacia was surprised to see how artichokes grow so big. This led to googling to see if we can attempt to grow them in the Matsu Valley. 

Bella - ever the clown! 

Mom took a nap, Stacia watched Bella, the men continued working and Lorri and I stole away for a bit of cousin time. I've dearly loved this season of getting to spend time with a real, live COUSIN. This didn't happen in our missionary lifestyle. Lorri leaves tomorrow and we will be gone when she gets back.... I don't want to think about it. So, I won't. 😜 Tonight.

We enjoyed dinner....Michael and Izaak kept working. We got home at 10 p.m. It was a long day....we are at 3 days and a wake up before our trip commences! We have much to do.

Michael would like to start loading the trailer tomorrow.....and now we realize the flaw in the plan to get things loaded and pick the boys up on the way through Portland.....we will SORELY (pun intended) miss the boys as we pull things from the attic and load the trailer. I have HUGE TUBS of school books!  We have started wondering if we should go get the boys, spend a day packing, and postpone starting out for four days.

Stay tuned! Who knows......😏

GRAND Blessings!

First, it is NOT a blessing for Gideon to have been born early and to have been in a fight to learn to breathe and eat on his own. I know that. Believe me. 

However, it is second nature to find the blessing - to look for the joy....and spending lots of Bella time has been a joy!  There is no doubt this time before we hit the AlCan is BUSY....if there weren't a REASON, I know I wouldn't have so many peaceful and contented hours with Bella this week.  Thinking of how fun it will be to live around Bella and Gideon and Baby Squires makes it a tad bit easier to pick up and move.  

Another blessing? Gideon will be over 2 months old when they fly to Alaska. This is actually a relief. 

Today, we pulled up a chair for Bella to play on Uncle Bill/Bre's piano.  Of course you KNOW how long she stayed seated while playing....

Our little man continues to charm us. Today - 12 days after birth - he is tube free! Completely. The feeding tube is gone and he is now being fed on demand. We are praying he will be home before the end of the weekend.

Smiles and dimples too! 

Appointments, Bella Time, Epic Hikes

This post should be labeled, "Wednesday that feels like Monday." 😉 We were up and moving early this a.m.  I'm not 100% sure what Michael and the kids were doing. I know it had to do with trip prep.....the boys left tonight to fly to Anchorage for the long-planned "Epic Alaskan Hike" with the three older brothers. 

Mom and I had two appointments, stopped by Safeway to pick up some lunch fixings and then went over to BreZaak's to play with Bella for the afternoon.  Bella and GG (Great Grandma) had a lot of fun playing together. 

Mom had brought her calendar - the idea is we'd make sure we got everything on to it from the various appointments. We discovered Bella LOVES calendars.  Of course, big pages, bright colorful pictures and boxes to write in.

Bella LOVES GG's calendar 

BreZaak got home with just enough time for me to drop Mom off and meet up with Michael and the kids. We headed a couple of hours up the road to get the boys to their flight.

Through security with only one minor incident.....Alex had packed his Gerber in his carry on. The run back through the airport to security and the chance to watch them go through again was sort of exhilarating. 

Alex texted Stacia a photo 

JaRissa's living room has turned into a staging camp. 

We had considered driving up to Alaska this week....but the boys really want to do the AlCan with us.  We really want Nolan's help driving as we'll have two vehicles on the trip - Uchi pulling the trailer and Nimo - loaded to the gills. The hike was planned before the move to AK became apparent.  We are happy to have another week to prep here in Oregon. We are thrilled the boys are getting to enjoy this time and hike with their older brothers.

We are a bit peeved at Parkinson's, which has made it so Michael can't go on the long hike with them.

Tuesday that Feels Like Monday

Tuesday and the long weekend is over. I've begun receiving questions and realize we left everyone hanging with the house inspection.  The inspector did a great job and came back (as they always do) with a list of needed repairs. A few were on the big side, and there were many on the small side. We discussed the results of the home inspection with our realtor. We followed his advice and are in discussion with the sellers as to whom will handle which repairs.  

We are going ahead and moving to AK before it's time to close - our thoughts are several. We WANT to be there to close early - we'd like to make it to Krista's COT graduation the end of the month.  IF this house does not close, we'll be nearby to pursue our other two choices - which are still on the market. 

Today - the men continued to work on the trailer. Yes, it's time consuming but they are saving us at least $2500. 

Meanwhile, Mom had an appointment at radiology and then Stacia and I watched Bella so BreZaak could visit with Gideon.

Turkeys as we left campus 

 Gideon's beautiful smile....we continue to pray, watch and wait for Gideon's homecoming! 

Shew - Tuesdays that look and feel like Mondays have got to be  some kind of psychological warfare tool.

We Have a Trailer

Craigslist finally came through and we purchased a used 6 x 10 trailer.  It was delivered to my folks' today and Michael and the boys promptly began working on it. They removed some caulk and re-caulked, they hooked up lights (not sure how it's been used without the lights being hooked up LOL), they discovered brake lines and are working to get the brakes hooked up and working and everything in "ship shape" for the trip.  It doesn't match Uchi but it is "Duck Green." LOL

We plan to leave Oregon the 6th. We have much to do.