Changes. Ian left his job with my dad at the beginning of 2013 to work as a curriculum developer and instructor at the local college. Two months later, our precious Abigail was born after a homebirth transfer and placental abruption. Thankfully, God blessed us with excellent care- the right doctor at the right time, and a good friend as a recovery nurse who left me in peace after my unexpected hospital delivery ;), and Abigail is wonderfully healthy. Two months later, Ian accepted a job in Alaska. We packed everything up and drove away from home on June 30, 2014.
We drove across country to enjoy as many sights as we could on our drive. We stopped the first night at the Gateway Arch and took a ride to the top. The kids LOVED it and I can't believe how tiny those cars are to the top! We drove on and stopped at the Badlands, Wall, SD, Mt. Rushmore, Yellowstone, and Glacier National Park. The boys loved the Badlands and enjoyed climbing rocks all afternoon. The kids did the Jr. Ranger Program at every stop. We spent the 4th of July at Yellowstone and watched Old Faithful erupt and bison wading in bubbling mud. We spent the night in a beautiful old lodge at Glacier. We took the buses on the Going to the Sun road and hiked out in the snow at Logan Pass for a picnic. We drove through Canada at a quicker place, but we saw moose, bison, elk, and big horn sheep. We stopped at Liard River hot springs on the longest day. The kids splashed and played under the thickest cloud of mosquitoes I've ever seen. Even Abigail enjoyed the hot springs. We hit a snow/ice storm in early July in the Yukon- Ian pumped gas in shorts and sandals in the snow and whined like a baby ;) We ran through a parking lot in the snow to get dinner- all dressed in Georgia summer clothes carrying poor baby bundled in all the blankets we could find. The next day we stopped for gas in Destruction Bay and learned 50+ year old pumps still work and outhouses can be much worse than I ever thought!
Just a few days later we arrived at our yet unseen home in Eagle River. We moved in with camp chairs and suitcases. We were greeted minutes later by our new friend Kelly F. who rode up on her bike to welcome us, invite us to church, and teach my kids moose and bear safety. Since that beautiful, sunny July day- I believe their warmest on record- we have been welcomed by many friends and been so grateful for God's guidance and blessing on our life.
We have been in this home for eight months, and Abigail is now a whole year old. She is walking and playing with the children. She loves to see that all seven of us are looking at her.
Ian's new job is good place for him. It is full of challenges and is pushing him to grow in new ways. This is a good place for us as well. Ian is able to spend more time with us at home daily, has a shorter commute, and is more involved in our weekly schedule.
We all miss our home, our family, and our friends, but we are content. God has been gracious to us. We are so thankful, and I look forward to see how He continues to work in our lives.
