Fire Bomb

Kim here- We went out to our friend's house last night to have a bonfire, but it really turned out to be a fire bomb (see video below).  A whole can of gas had been poured onto the wood and it exploded as it lit and the shock wave shook all of us watching, including the camera.  It was pretty interesting, I don't think I've ever seen a fire bomb before. 

They say in Alaska, you create Alaska family- who are people you rely on during the winter, who also rely on you.  People you can go to when things break, holidays happen, people you are busy with because- to not be busy in the winter, you may just loose your mind.  Last winter, we acquired 2 such families.  It was heart breaking to find out in the end of July that one of the families decided to move back to the lower 48 at the end of September.  Having 2 months, knowing that they were going to leave, felt like a band aide slowly getting removed...always wondering, is this the last time we are going to hang out, having to say good bye over and over- it was really hard.  The bon fire really was the last time we got to hang out with the May's and having to say good bye, yet again...very sad feelings all over again.  =(

Alaska (Fairbanks especially) is rather transient in population.  Lots of military (2 bases here in town), a large college population, so it seems people come and go very often, and people who have lived in Alaska a lifetime say that you just get used to people leaving and then it gets easier.  But when you share your heart and life with people to make it through winter- how does that get easier?   I'm reminded of Bible Camp, I always loved their bonfires too and on the last night, the closing song seemed so fitting and was always true- The Benediction, "My friends, may you grow in grace, and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior...and if the Lord should bring us back together, maybe we be in His arms until then." 

Practice

Kim here- So when my little brother was born, I was given "George", a lifelike preemie size doll that is complete with tied off belly button and looks like a human baby, full of wrinkles and such.   With our baby coming, I asked my mom to mail us George so that we (Mike included) can practice diapering and swaddling.

 This is George, Mike posed him to look happy.

 Then there is my fake, "OH NO" face, Mike was having fun after we were done diapering.

I'm ok with this as long as he doesn't try to make the baby fit into the shower curtain on the wall behind the changing table.

 Or turn our baby into some mad climbing machine.

4 weeks left to go/ thoughts on fatherhood

   Hey all. Mike here trying out my hand at blogging! Well, here we are, in Alaska, with winter coming, and getting ready to have a baby. Scary and exciting all at the same time. Here in a couple of weeks, the first snow will fly, and it will be May again (or later) before the snow leaves. We have our car ready for the winter, and thanks to some generous gifts from friends and family (thanks especially to my dad and Jo for the car seat fleece cover), our baby will be ready also. It is neat to see Kim changing in great ways, nesting, and preparing for this new journey!

   As for me, I have been getting ready in my own ways. I have been busier then I have been since coming to Alaska! Doing ALPHA on Wednesday nights, working hard, marketing, etc... And it is hard to have some of our best friends (the May's) leaving. But, I have still found time to read some good books, and to try to prepare mentally for the task ahead. No new parent (I'm assuming) feels ready, and we don't completely feel ready either, but that is where God does His best work! So I'm reading books, becoming an expert in swaddling and diaper changing, and becoming mentally prepared for what is to come! Exciting stuff!

   As for the rest of life, things are good. I'm excited to see the beautiful (but brief) fall colors. I had the joy of having a patient give me a quarter of a moose in a bloody game bag at work! Only in Alaska. So, my friend Dennis and I cleaned it up over two days (with help from our wonderful wives), and now we have some awesome meat for winter! I also went to the Copper River with Dennis, and got some fish from the fish wheel (20 each)... so we will be eating salmon every week for the next 9 months or so lol. Wilding it in Alaska. I never imagined living like this, but I like it! And yes, we have a real home, not an igloo :D More to come later, constant reader, keep track of our wild and exciting life!

   Mike

Labor nightmares have begun

Hi, Kim here.  For a while, Mike and I have talked about starting a blog as facebook becomes more and more sold out to ads and lack of privacy.  So here we are, one month and 9 days away from my official due date and I have more then enough time on my hands to try and get this thing up and started. 
Both Mike and I have starting having nightmares about labor.  I think no matter how much you read about a subject, it may have to be one of those things that the not knowing what it is like until you experience it, makes it seem really daunting.  The latest nightmare I have had was about a moose attacking me and then I went into labor and I couldn't get to the hospital and no one was home to help me.  Mike's nightmare was about me going into labor and us ignoring it and having the baby just pop out while I was walking around at home.  Today, my job is to get the birth bag ready, minus the snacks which I'll buy closer to the due date.  Maybe that will ease some of my/our subconscious anxiety about labor.