Are we going to Alaska?

This is Sydney's favorite sentence of late. For those who haven't heard, we are going to Alaska. Andy just left in fact. We have been searching for a while and although it isn't the job we had originally planned for, we still are going to Alaska. On the very day we had set to decide whether or not we would accept a job at Hageland Aviation where Andy would be away from home for 15 days a month and not be able to attend church, a company called Air Excursions I had randomly applied to several months ago for Andy called. They offered him a job as a mechanic apprentice where he can work toward his A&P Mechanic license and only be on call every third weekend. They said he could start the next day if he wanted without even a personal interview, and after he was fully trained they would love to keep him on at full mechanic pay. (I must write a good cover letter .... jk) Well, I don't really believe in coincidences, especially since we had been praying and trying very hard to decide if Hageland really was a good decision for our family. About 24 hours later the decision was made, and we were moving to Juneau, Alaska in 10 days. I haven't posted sooner because there has been absolutely no time and I still wont feel like I can breath until Andy and Vic get across the Canadian border later tonight. For my journaling purposes, I'm going to continue with our plan and what we know so far... feel free to stop now if its getting boring :). After staying up very late that first night and penciling out a plan and many small changes since, this is how its gonna happen. For the last week Maxine has been coming over every morning and helping me box up everything that doesn't need to go to Alaska. On the two Saturdays we had, Andy worked from morning to night on loading things into storage and boxes that I couldn't go through myself. Sydney has been a really good trooper and watched more TV than she has in her entire life. So much TV that she actually doesn't really like it that much right now. You cannot drive to Juneau without taking several ferries or a plane, but we found out that it is significantly cheaper to get a ferry from Prince Rupert, British Columbia than the much closer port in Belliningham, WA just out of Seattle. So Andy, driving my car and an attached Uhaul trailer, and Vic, driving Andy's car, left today on a 26 hour journey to the ferry in Prince Rupert, BC. Last night Andy started to get sick and run a fever, this morning hiccup after hiccup put Vic and Andy five hours behind on their driving schedule, and Hageland called back to talk to Andy about returning up to Fairbanks for flight training. (He was supposed to be waiting the hear from them when training would start when this all happened) But, they finally left and after they get to the ferry in three days, it takes 32 hours to get to Juneau. They will dock at 4 AM Easter morning. In the meantime, Maxine, Sydney, and I still have a house full of junk and boxes to empty and clean. Our main priority was getting what was going in the trailers and the rest has been left behind... That will be our next three days. On Sunday morning at 3 AM, the three of us, six suitcases, and a cat will load up in Maxine's SUV and drive to Pasco, WA where we will catch a 6 AM flight to Seattle and then another flight into Juneau. We will be in Juneau by 1230 pm on Easter. Housing in Juneau is a nightmare and no one wants to let us rent a place without seeing it first, but I do have one good lead that even though it is very small, we will probably lock down just to have a place to sleep and unload the absolute basics when we get there and still have help. Papa Shinsel will fly back to Seattle on Sunday, the same day we get there, and Maxine leaves early Tuesday morning. I think the moral of the story is that despite all the chaos and stress, if something is right, the important things really fall into place. Its strange how when something is supposed to happen, despite all the hiccups along the way, it happens and doors open. For those who have commented about us not even seeming sad, I don't typically wear my emotions on my sleeve,  and I am sad to leave La Grande and nervous about the unknown, however I am 100% positive that this is what we are supposed to do and so even though I feel nervous about losing all our friends and going to somewhere where I have no family, no friends, no network and no idea about anything... walking around being sad would only make doing what we know is best harder. So here's to taking risks, facing the unknown, and an ever stronger testimony that the Lord really does have a plan for us even if we can't really see what it is. I will miss La Grande, the friendships, Sydney's favorite places, and the security of what I know and cant say enough how much I will miss the constant love and help of Mama and Papa Shinsel. They have been there 100% of the way and supported every decision we have made and helped us in anything we needed, even though I know it hurts them the most to see us leave. We love you Mama and Papa Shinsel and are excited to stretch out our wings a little bit further and fly on our own.

Outside

Last week we spent quite a bit of time outside with it getting warmer. Sydney loves bubbles and playing with sticks. The bubble gun we've had for a long time is suddenly one of her favorite toys. I just have to share some of the cute pics I took with my phone real quick. She loves loves loves the camera and with the first pic wasn't prompted at all. She backed up to the slide and said, "Mama take a picture." Apparently she knows she's cute :)

Birthdays

Our family's birthdays are all really close together. This last weekend we celebrated my birthday on Friday and Andy's on Monday. We had family parties for both, went on a date on my bday, and had a friend party the evening of Andy's. We both enjoyed our birthdays and liked our gifts. Andy always tries to make something special for my birthday since I'm kind of picky about dessert. This year he made an almond brickle layered cake with almond frosting and homemade almond ice cream. It was very almond and very yummy! (Almond is the closest to amaretto, my favorite flavor in the world) Thanks to everyone for all the birthday wishes. Our friends Emily, Brock, and Wyatt were able to join us for Andy's bday dinner as well and that was fun! I think my favorite part was seeing Sydney learn about birthdays and get excited about the presents, blowing out candles, and especially the balloons. : ) I also have to give a shout out to Maxine's fabulous wrapping skills (see below)... which had to be preserved in picture for proof ;)