Camp trip list updated, Wal-mart run, groceries packed, Chadd loads the gear and checks the vehicle, I pack the clothes, kitchen stuff, and amenities. We're getting our camp trip packing day down to a decent science. But this was our first RV trip as a family. I should have brought the Vitamix...! :) Chadd takes the wheel and I get to chill laying flat, that's my way to travel. RV's are awesome!! A clean, dry, cozy spot to cook, sleep, crank on the AC (which we actually wanted, in Alaska!), and watch a movie after a long days work and fun. My employer, MatSu Midwifery, has a company RV that they lend to employees! Yes, I am so blessed! I have thanked my God many many times. My dear friend Heidi once told me when I was crying in her arms, "someday you'll have a job that you will love, and where you'll be treated better than you can imagine." It has come to pass!
RV capitol, I've never seen so many RVs as in Alaska.
We drove a few hours through Anchorage and on to stop for the night at a secluded pull off near Hope, Alaska. Then on to an RV park in the Kenai Penninsula, "Alaska's Playground," for our hand at salmon dip netting.
The evenings were gorgeous, full moon hovering over the inlet,
cool enough to enjoy a fire. This picture was about 11pm.
Kids swim in the chilly water,
quite refreshing from the nice warmth up to 81 that Monday.
But quite fishy, fish heads and guts might be floating next to them...
Alaska residents, (defined as one year after moving to Alaska and no continuing residence in another state,) get the privilege to dipnet for 25 salmon per head of household and 10 for each family member. That's 55 for us thanks to Darius! Dipnetting is much more efficient that rod and reel. Though you may think, as I did, that you can fill your net with one swoop. It's actually considered lucky to get even two at once, though I have heard of someone coming up with four. You don't move you net when dipnetting at the mouth of the Kenai River. You stand on the shore of the cook inlet in waders along with the hundreds of other hopeful Alaskans gripping a 15 to 20 ft. long pole with a 5 ft wide net designed just for the job. Then, you wait. You wear sunglasses, most likely a hat, and hopefully sunscreen. Though the sun sleeps much in the winter, when it's out, it's hot. Chadd got his lips burned causing it to crack and bleed. The more amiable folk strike up a friendly chat with neighboring fishers. Some just stand. All try to avoid getting a wave caused by the un-liked commercial fishing boats to soak inside their waders. The smarter ones had on raincoats to prevent this. Chadd just put on his neoprene waders cut a hole in the foot to match the hole in the other, and went nearly swimming, up to his neck, further than all the others. He struck up company with a couple other limit-pushing guys and waited for hours catching nothing. Until suddenly, they hit...
The view from our great RV spot
This is an Alaska beach: coolers, nets, tents, personal
fish cleaning stations...it's a working playing beach. An out-
of-state ministry group had a bouncy house and served
free hot dogs and lemonade.
"This one's almost as big as you, Cyrus!"
"I GOT ONE!!"
"It's such an exhilarating feeling when one hits your net, BAM!" says Chadd, who is splendidly addicted to it, through the hours of waiting, soaked, sunburnt, and cold. But his persistence sure paid off. When they hit, it's a blast. One after another the fishers drag in their long nets to the shore, whack the flopping fish on the head with a wooden dowel, untangled it from their net, toss them into a cooler, and head back in. Chadd on the other hand, figured out how to do all of that without leaving the water. When he did come in he had a stringer so full of fish a stranger asked to take a picture of it. Unfortunately I was napping with the boys. But that day he brought in 38 fish.We brought in 50 "reds" or sockeye salmon, in two days, and the remaining 5 the next, with one net. I did catch 5, but mostly enjoyed being mom and achieving an actual tan, in Alaska! "We got our limit," that weekend, as Cyrus freely informs both friends and strangers. Again, a grand blessing from above.
It wasn't all fun and glory. Cyrus had a couple of breakdowns due to the crazy schedule of sleep, more sun than he's ever had, and walking up and down that huge bank several times a day that one of the pictures above is overlooking. I spent most of the second day after we got back either awfully cranky or lying around with a decent fever, body aches, and a yucky cough resulting staying up till 4am processing fish with no real recovery time. But all in all it was a fun vacation.
Hard working husband, midnight and just getting started...
After vacuum sealing and salt-icing our INCREDIBLY heavy giant cooler of fish (which actually freezes the fish, amazing!), we continued our family vacation to Seward, AK. Seward (pronqounced "SOO-rd"), is a quaint and touristy fishing village nestled in the midst of snowy mountains. The brilliant teal colored water holds boats of all sizes with inquisitive names painted decoratively on the side. We took a walk downtown, enjoyed an actual hand dipped ice-cream cone on a hot day, watched some fish processing from a tour boat catch, and struck out on a hike up a raging creek.
Have you ever ordered the expensive delicacy of halibut
at a fancy restaurant and enjoyed the tiny piece of white meat
in special sauce? Well, this is what you were eating. It is one of
the most disturbing fish I've ever seen. Their left eye actually migrates
to the other side of their head at 6 months old, when they switch to swimming
flat on the ocean floor. On top of that, when this guy kneeled on the massive
fish to cut it up, it jiggled like blubber.
These are lingcod. Equally ugly.
A chubby sea otter gave us a show as he chowed down
on one dead bait fish after another. Who needs to pay $17 for
the sea life center otter exhibit ;)
Click on the title to see it full screen in youtube
Isn't that a gorgeous site.
Back home to our fairly normal life in a neighborhood through the week. I work Tuesday and Thursdays. Chadd's employed job has some days without work but he has more side jobs and work to do on our house than he has time for. His skilled time is always in high demand. The exterior on our house is nearly finished, excluding one face board and a never ending pile of rocks... Our street gets a lot of traffic to the gas station on the corner and people cutting the poorly planned blinking red light that backs up for over a mile at times. We regularly have a car stop and say, "We LOVE what you have done with this house!" Just today I was out mowing the lawn with Darius on my back and Cyrus running around (don't worry family there's bag on the lawnmower), and I was wonderfully interrupted by both of our elderly neighbors across the road, twice each, a car stopping to comment that she absolutely loves the color and a couple walking by told me all about how their 21 yr old daughter used to have slumber party's in this house and it was so run down and now it looks incredible. It's rewarding to Chadd to hear how much the community appreciates what sometimes just feels like work.
Fresh salad greens from our garden patch
with daikon radishes from one of those
lovely visiting neighbors today
Now of I have the delightful task of exploring 101 ways to make salmon. Actually, I guarantee you I can come up with more. A friend of Chadd's retorted, "there's no way you can eat 60 fish in a year." And he confidently replied, "you don't know my wife." :oD
Smoked Salmon Zucchini Boats
And now for a tutorial for our viewing pleasure. Click on the title to see it full screen in youtube
The long wait was over, at 41 weeks and 6 days, Darius Li Yoder finally entered this world through the same route as his older brother. When people say "God works in mysterious ways" what they really mean is: "God will usually do it different than we anticipate." Just as three years ago, I prayed for a wonderful birth. Many of you kindly prayed with me. A friend heard from God that this delivery would bring restoration of the wound left from 3 years ago not on my body but on my soul. Of course I thought that would mean a successful VBAC, though in preparation I told myself that if I had another c-section I would have to be ok with it. But when it came down to the last appointment, with no labor after caster oil, four-wheeler riding, even an accidental fall on my butt on the stairs, and STILL no labor, expecting the doctor to pull the plug and schedule a c-section, I cried. I just wanted a chance. My doctor surprised me and scheduled an induction for that day instead. We hoped for the best. And so began the typical hospital cascade: Cook catheter, slow-dose pitocin, no progress, AROM, more pit (that's for my midwife friends) ..and...--**PAIN** --I completely underestimated the power of pitocin. I've heard many women describe pitocin contractions, but until you experience something yourself you might always think secretly that you could do it. Well, feeling- -WITH NO EXAGGERATION-- like a truck was crushing my pelvis, and THEN after almost an hour, "I'm sorry, no progress"!!! I asked for the epidural too. Somewhere in the middle of pelvis crushing pain, clinging to the strength of my loving husband, I said to myself, "I am totally ok if I never do this again!" That was the moment. The moment that God nudged my heart.
Then comes stadol, epidural, nausea, zofran.. I had more medication in that hospital than I ever had in my life. When our baby's heart rate took a long dip after hours of little progress Chadd and I looked at each other and nodded. That was the one non-negotiable. And so c-section prep began. But this time I was awake, Chadd got to come and hold my hand. I joked with the anesthesiologist. The emergent environment and uncontrollable disappointment of the first OR experience was gone. And the most amazing moment of all was the sound of immense emotion in my husband's voice when he looked over the sheet and exclaimed in bursting joy and shock, "IT'S A...BOY!!!" I will never forget that sound.
God did redeem my first c-section, the frustration, anger, disappointment, and confusion that we all walk through as Christians in the trials of maturity when prayers are not answered, when bad things happen to good people, when we wonder what's the point of praying if it doesn't happen... and if we come out on the downhill side we never pray again. But if on the uphill, we mature as believers with a faith that supersedes naive presumption. We learn that we aren't entitled to any blessings or favors. That God does work in mysterious ways. "For He bruises, but He binds up; He wounds, but His hands make whole" (Job 5:18). And our reliance on our Savior's ever present Spirit in each and every day grows independent of the outcome of situations or even our prayers. Not a defeated "accept whatever comes our way with limp trudging along," but tenacious knowing that God's got something better. He's purposes are not the exterior but the growth of our spirit closer to Him and His kingdom. A faith that still prays for miracles when it's been years, knowing that we are adding to the bowl of intercession and one day the "and suddenly" may just tip it over bring the long awaited desire.
We have been blessed with my Mom for 3 weeks, Chadd's mom for 1 week, and my father from L.A. ("Ada" to Cyrus) for 4 weeks. Our church lovingly brought delicious meals. After only one year we have many friends and feel so surrounded and supported by community. Cyrus got a chance to fly back with my mom for a week in PA with doting family and cousins while Chadd and I had a quiet house with Darius, then fly back with Chadd's mom. Along with a new sibling taking mommy's attention and 9 consecutive weeks of grandparents, we've been addressing some more behavior challenges. But Cyrus adores his brother. And Darius already has a connection with big brother. I see him trailing along wanting to do everything Cyrus does. He loves him, unless he's being squashed or bumped or bounced a bit too hard...That's why younger siblings are so much tougher (wink wink to my siblings). See video below...
Our housing remodel has finally reached the exterior! Before and after pictures coming soon. Chadd painted the front and finished the porch this week. (I'll those pics after the final trim is completed). We've had a handful of strangers stop as they drive by just to say how great it looks. And our two elderly neighbors across the street enjoy the progress as my skilled husband turns this street's eyesore into the prettiest house on the block.
Pictures of our spring:
Magic show by Ada for a pizza party
at our home with all our friends
Cyrus' stage charisma being told to smile for the crowd.
Cyrus helping paint trim in the bathroom
remodel
Our little dirty mountain climber. Age 3,
climbed up 900ft elevation gain,
3 mile round trip on the Bodenburg Butte
Trail. A trail runner past us on the way down,
Cyrus watched, then dropped his water bottle
and took of after him!
The 360 view from the top of the Butte hike Ada and Chyrel,
a visiting friend from New Hampshire
Saturday morning activities
Ada storytelling time
My little cool dude 3 yr old teenager
Took our spunky neighbor girl Maia to a sunny day at the park.
Cousins!
Ada giving Chadd his two cents
for how to remodel the porch
Canoe ride with Nana at the lake right in our neighborhood.
I am blessed beyond expectation. I have three handsome brilliant men, the best job I've ever had, an increasingly beautiful home, and an awesome home state that we love more each passing month. We are official residents this month and are looking excitedly forward to dipnetting our quota of 55 salmon this year! and and hopefully a moose to fill our freezer and curb these Alaskan grocery prices. Alaska summer's are so incredible. It's hardly dusk from midnight to 3am, though you couldn't quite read a newspaper. I rarely get to bed before 11pm. Those who know me from my single days would be shocked. People actually can change!
Well here we are, at the end of winter. Most of you reading this are enjoying bare feet and butterflies. While we trudge with muckboots through the yard mud puddles and search for a little blue in the cold sky. But it will be all that more of a glorious spring when it comes! It's been a lousy "Alaskan" winter. Very little snow compared to their norm. The residents here all wish for more snow. Maybe next year we'll be able to drive our snowmachine right from our house.
Right now I am currently 3 days past my due date awaiting this kickboxing little brother or sister. I feel like buying one of those T-shirts that says "NO, I have not had my baby yet!" Or at least putting it on my voicemail. Next time I am not informing the public of my due date... Just to let you know, It still could be a whole week or more. We are excited. My mom is here for three weeks and Chadd's mom will come 10 days later. A lot of people waiting to love on your little one!
Both of our jobs are going well. This is the best job I have ever had. Check out my bio: http://www.matsumidwifery.com/content/sabrina-yoder-cnm-anp They treat their employees so wonderfully! And I haven't heard a single word of negativity from one staff about another. Pretty astounding. Chadd has excelled well on different jobs he's lead. That Lancaster County work-ethic isn't common here. His bosses are duly impressed. He also has brought home some nice finds from jobs that they were going to toss in the dumpster, including some waders I'll use this summer, roofing for a future home or cabin or shed, walkie talkies that Cyrus loves, and quality fishing reels.
Our home remodel is coming gradually. In between Chadd grabbing his last chances to snomachine up on the mountain with friends. The new tub is in and our driveway has 2 loads of gravel down. My kitchen cabinets have no doors. It's very convenient. Who decided to put doors on cabinets? I can find everything instantly. So can my guests. Brilliant.
Here's a treat I compiled of some of our winter fun. Next blog will be of our new family of four!
We drove a few hours through Anchorage and on to stop for the night at a secluded pull off near Hope, Alaska. Then on to an RV park in the Kenai Penninsula, "Alaska's Playground," for our hand at salmon dip netting.
Alaska residents, (defined as one year after moving to Alaska and no continuing residence in another state,) get the privilege to dipnet for 25 salmon per head of household and 10 for each family member. That's 55 for us thanks to Darius! Dipnetting is much more efficient that rod and reel. Though you may think, as I did, that you can fill your net with one swoop. It's actually considered lucky to get even two at once, though I have heard of someone coming up with four. You don't move you net when dipnetting at the mouth of the Kenai River. You stand on the shore of the cook inlet in waders along with the hundreds of other hopeful Alaskans gripping a 15 to 20 ft. long pole with a 5 ft wide net designed just for the job. Then, you wait. You wear sunglasses, most likely a hat, and hopefully sunscreen. Though the sun sleeps much in the winter, when it's out, it's hot. Chadd got his lips burned causing it to crack and bleed. The more amiable folk strike up a friendly chat with neighboring fishers. Some just stand. All try to avoid getting a wave caused by the un-liked commercial fishing boats to soak inside their waders. The smarter ones had on raincoats to prevent this. Chadd just put on his neoprene waders cut a hole in the foot to match the hole in the other, and went nearly swimming, up to his neck, further than all the others. He struck up company with a couple other limit-pushing guys and waited for hours catching nothing. Until suddenly, they hit...
