Another Blessing Has Arrived

This is Jun Christine Ichikawa. Newly adopted daughter of Kim (Banton) and Ryu Ichikawa. She was born June 16th weighing in at 5 lbs 3 oz.

Congratulations Kim and Ryu!

the last day

Today was the last day of work. Six years doing something I love. What a blessing.

This has been an strange week of emotions. There have been lots of tears... not something I am used to. But as I get older, they come more easily. My friend Jane and I were discussing this today. I feel like the tears come more often, not becasue I am unhappy, but because as I get older I love more deeply and understand the significance of relationships and experiences. What a rich experience these years in Alaska have been. These experiences and relationships have shaped who I have become.

In Alaska

I am back in Alaska and trying to finish up my job here. But I have been really busy just doing the normal stuff... so actually wrapping up my work hasn't happened. I do have one more week left... but it all seems to be going so quickly.

Socially, this week has been so fun. I have stayed up past midnight almost every night with friends. Bonfires with dear friends, chatting until the wee hours, and just laughing. I am going to miss this. But what a blessing it has been to love and live with these amazing people.

I am planning to head back to Bosie on July 3rd-ish and be back to Alaska on the 12th to prepare for the Gulkana Rafting trip that leaves on the 15th. After the trip I will probably hang out for a few days just to be here and see people and then head down sometime that last week of July. It seems to be going so quickly!

THEY'RE HERE!

This is the first chance I have had to get on the computer so many of you may already have heard that the twins finally arrived.

Friday morning Misty was induced and Katherine Joy was born at 6:07pm. Then Joseph Mathias took his own sweet time coming and arrived at 8:01pm. If you want to see pictures click here to go to their web page. Everyone is doing great. Joseph has a bruise on his head where they had to suction him out the last little bit because Misty just didn't have anything left. They are adorable and we are so glad that they are here.

I spent all day to day with Misty and the babies. What a blessing to get to be here for the excitement of the births and help where I can. Tomorrow I fly back to Alaska to finish up work.

It is a little hard to beleive that this is all happening... Makes me wonder what's next...

Just can't leave...

So I gave in and am staying for the babies. I changed my ticket and now leave on Sunday morning. The babies will probably come on Friday so that gives me a day to love on them before I head out. It was just too hard to leave after being here for almost two weeks and not seeing them.

I will be in Alaska for two weeks and then plan to come back to Boise for 10 days the beginning of July. Then it will be back to Alaska for my last trip with my youth group girls before the final move. At this point I am planning to take my car by ferry after the youth trip. I think I will be down here for good by the beginning of August. Those are the plans... and as we know, they can always change.

Nothing New

The babies are still hanging out. They will probably come on Friday, with the scheduled inducement. And I head back to Alaska Thursday morning. And I was sure that I would get to be here for their arrival... goes to show you that we definately can't plan these things.

Thanks for your words of encouragement and for checking in on things.

And we're still waiting...

Sunday night... I have been here with my sister for a week now. But the babes have yet to show themselves except for the squirming they are doing on the inside. My sis has a belly that looks like a tie-dye swirl and she is so ready for them to come out so she can give her skin a break. There is hope as her contractions kicked up tonight. But we'll just have to wait it out and see.

Life has been a little slower paced around here than my life in Alaska. But it is good in a lot of ways. My parents bought a 23 foot camper and parked it in my sister's back yard so that they will be able to pull it around when they retire. I am the lucky recipeint of that purchase as it is my new temporary home. It is a very nice retreat for me each evening or during nap time. Definately a blessing I hadn't asked for, but needed. It is comforting to know that God has planned out even the little details for me!

Just Waiting

I have been putting off blogging in hopes that I could tell everyone of the babies' arrival. But alas, they are quite comfortable, if not crowded at the moment. Misty is hanging in there at 37 weeks and about 14 lbs of baby. (you can check out her pregnancy picture on the Misty's Amazing Belly link on the right) She is so ready for them to come out. I am just hoping that they come before I leave for Alaska on the 15th. If they haven't come by then the doctor will induce on the 16 or 19th.

It has been fun hanging out with Misty and Elizabeth. We have been playing in the pool, sand pile, and watering the flowers... although it usually becomes a shower for Lizzie. Peter is trying to get a bunch of stuff done at work before the babes show up. Life will change for the little family any day now. And I am just here to help as much as I can.

I hope to up date you soon with bigger news.