Frozen Pipes!

Over a week ago, I tried to post about our frozen pipes, but we’ve been experiencing Internet woes again, so I’ll share it now! Someone broke into the pump house (if that’s what you call it?) and deliberately turned off the valve that allows water to continually circulate through the pipes in the village, serving the very important function of keeping the water from freezing in the pipes. At 19 below, it didn’t take long for the whole system to freeze up. We were able to get water from only one tank and it was rapidly being used up. For 3 days, we were told to strictly conserve water…no showers, no washing, only flushing at very necessary times. The third evening, I received the call that the water level had dropped to 2 feet and they had no idea when they would be able to solve the problem. Uncle Sivoy joined us for dinner that night and as I was closing the prayer before we ate, he said, “The water!” I said, “Oh right…And God please help us to enjoy the last drops of water that come out of our faucet. Amen.” When I opened my eyes, Sivoy was nearly doubled over laughing. It wasn’t until that moment that I realized Sivoy was probably expecting me to pray for a miracle. I said, “Sivoy. The lines are frozen solid. God could very well do a miracle, but look at the grace He’s shown us already…we’re surrounded by snow! I don’t really expect water to come out of this faucet again until spring.” That night, we filled up every container we could find in the house with tap water before it ran out sometime in the night. Then, we cleaned the toilets, gave them one last flush, taped them closed, and prepared our honey buckets. We went to bed excited to take the sled out the next day to gather snow to melt for our washing needs. I was wrong! We awoke to water flowing out of our faucet. Miraculously, sometime in the night, the line was cleared! :)

Sunday Story #4

Jacob likes to refer to me as the “right hand wonder” on the piano. This isn’t totally fair anymore, as over the past year, I have graduated to playing hymns with both hands with minimal blunders…but it does require practice, especially if the song has a faster tempo than say, “Amazing Grace”. :) I awoke a little groggy this Sunday morning because we had some friends over Saturday night and ended up visiting until 2:30am. I realized I hadn’t practiced the songs this week, so I utilized my 10 free minutes before the service to run through the songs. Jacob was out of town last Sunday, so the girl who preached chose the songs for last Sunday. As I looked at the bulletin on the piano and played through the first song, I laughed and was relieved that Jacob chose one of the same songs as last week. Then I played through the second song, “How funny,” I thought. “This one’s the same too!” It wasn’t until I noticed that the last song was also the same that it occurred to me that I was looking at last week’s bulletin! Whoa! I blame the fatigue Too late…my practice time was up. As I was struggling through the songs during the service, I realized Jacob chose some of the most difficult ones in our hymnal, but still, by the second or third verse I generally added my left hand to the melody. As I was beginning the second verse of “Oh the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus” and was contemplating adding my left hand, I caught Logan out of the corner of my eye. He clearly had something that he wanted to give me. I extended my left hand; he paused, had a curious look on his face, and then placed “something from his nose” in my hand. Yuck! But, thank you Logan for giving me a legitimate excuse for only playing with my right hand!

3yr Old Conversations

As the boys grow older, their conversations become more and more entertaining! Sometimes, I find myself just standing outside the door so I can listen in on their conversations because they're so hilarious:) The first story lets you in on my current stage of life...potty training my children! Logan, just recently, figured it all out and is totally trained...finally...I hope!:) Owen, my more independently-minded and stubborn child, still refuses to "poo-poo" in the toilet. I told Logan that he should encourage his brother. He said, "Okay Mama" and then I overheard this dialogue, L-"Owen, you should poo-poo in the potty stool." O-"No, Logan. Me no like to." "Owen, you should because you get chocolate." "Mmmmm...no." And this was my favorite statement. Logan said, "I actually really love going poo poo now." I'm so glad it's such a good experience for him:)

Today, I made the boys some milkshakes to drink in our 60 degree house while they looked out the window at the -15 degree day with the -50 degree windchill! I overheard Owen say, "Logan. My milkshake is colding me up." I always wondered what was the opposite of warming:)

Starving Logan?

Owen was so excited about the meal that I placed before him tonight that he said he was going to throw it in the trash! Jacob gave him the 3-year old level lecture on being grateful and finished it off asking him if we should give his dinner to some starving children...to which Logan replied, "Yah...Give it to me."

As a side note, I posted some snow photos the other day and noticed that they posted down a ways, so scroll down if you're interested...I just posted some ivory carving ones as well...not sure where they will turn up.

Bedtime Routine

Our bedtime routine has evolved over the years. If nothing else, our family sleep journey, since August 8, 2006, seems to make people erupt into so much laughter that they are brought to tears:) I'm sure it is true that had we just left the boys in their cribs "to cry it out" in those early months, we would have been much better rested, but our nights would have missed out on so many entertaining stories to share for years to come! Up until maybe last May, the boys would fall asleep with me in the big bed and then I would transfer them to their cribs. Realizing that they were growing bigger everyday, it occured to me that it may not be so feasible to transfer them to their own beds when they reach their tenth birthday (in case you're concerned...I'm kidding!) So, I began the process of having them fall asleep in their own beds. They took to this quite well. I explained the reasons, they said, "Okay, Mama" and fell asleep while staring at their new glow-in-the-dark stars on the ceiling and each holding one of my hands until they had drifted off. I enjoyed this immensely, but on those nights when sleep did not overcome them for an hour or more, I tended to grow a bit restless. We added a new dimension to our routine, which brings us upto the current one. Jacob and I read and pray with the boys. They have a drink of water and then cuddle with their warm rice bags (we live in the frozen north!) in their beds. We say our goodnights and then Jacob leaves while I turn on some lullabies and sit with the boys for the first song. At this point, Owen whispers, "No hug me Mama! Goodnight." And Logan whispers, "My arms are out of my covers Mama. Me ready to hug you." (I like to ponder the two distinct personalities of children raised in the seemingly same environment!) Logan gives me a hug and a kiss, during which he says, "Hug...kiss...(and ever since New Year's Eve/7 nights now!)...Happy New Year's, Mama...Go watch the fireworks." And with this, I retreat under the covers of our big bed in the closet and read by flashlight until they are passed out. That's the part that currently gets people laughing, but my other friend, who has heard our entire sleep journey to this point, is quick to point out, "No...you don't understand. They have come so far!" I don't see what the problem is...I think reading a good book under the covers is a great way to unwind from a busy day:)

Sunday Story #3

The boys are beginning to sit in church quietly without being bribed/pacified with snacks, me reading to them, etc. For the most part, they sit there and “read” or play with stickers or a sewing card and are quite happy. I’ve noticed that they are beginning to listen as well. A few times while Jacob was telling a story during his sermon, they laughed or looked up to pay attention. They have also started following the “commands” within the service…”Please stand”, “You may be seated”, etc. While I was at the piano playing the first song, Logan and Owen were standing on the first bench “singing along” when Logan leaned forward towards me and started saying in the loudest whisper humanly possible, “Mama…Mama…Mama…You’re wearing your slippers.” A quick look down confirmed that I was in fact wearing my slippers in church…again…oops…and thank you Logan for alerting me and most of the congregation to that fact:)

Happy New Year 2010!

New Years and July 4th seem to be the biggest holidays in Savoonga. On both occasions, the community spends the entire afternoon and evening doing relay games, tug-o-war, etc. and then finishing off the event with a Native Dance. The different community organizations put the event on and most everyone in Savoonga shows up and participates. They give out monetary prizes and huge door prizes throughout the event and provide free “refreshments” (lunch) as well. Last year, Jacob won the event for his age…being the first to cross half-court while balancing a book on his head and holding a ball between his knees. We were all crying we were laughing so hard as people shouted, “Go Pastor! Pastor’s winning!” This year, the boys agreed to compete in the 3-year old foot race. Shocking for my boys! Before they began, I said, “Okay, when they say `Go’, run as fast as you can across that line.” Logan said, “Me rather walk, Mama.” And that is just what they did. Even after the other kids had dashed across the finish line, Logan and Owen took their own sweet time…but they finished! :) Ah…my independently minded children:) I just laugh because we are living in a culture where they talk about “native time” and so many people have asked me if time is really pretty relative to the people here. I find that most people are more laid back about being somewhere “on time” or even indicating a time for an event to start or end, but at the same time, those individuals who have jobs are very prompt to the clock…so, it’s not an issue of laziness, it’s just a different understanding of time. But, I laugh because those who have this concept of “native time” are constantly commenting on how my children never seem to be in a hurry. This is generally true! Ahhh…grant me patience:)

Random Events

I had some random photos that didn't really fit anywhere.


The other day the boys were fighting over the stroller. I told them to share...thinking they would take turns. I turned around to find them each holding a handle and hands with each other and pushing the stroller around the house:)


Owen was helping Steph (from YWAM) get a splinter out of her foot. (That's a flashlight he's holding.)


Somehow and for some reason, it seems that at some point during having people stay with us, Jacob ends up doing strength building exercises with them to see who's the strongest??? I don't know...but it's pretty entertaining:) This is Jacob with Melanie (YWAM).


Our flower finally bloomed! My mom sent us the seeds last spring.

Gpa Bill and the Eldridges

A week or so before Christmas, we were surprised by receiving a cooler filled with yogurt! The boys knew immediately that it was from Grandpa Bill:) Actually, it was from his daughter, Lisa. Lisa was the camp director at the church camp near Fairbanks where Jacob spoke this summer. She, her parents, and several others stayed with us in Savoonga last March. Lisa has been coming to Savoonga many years. So that is how the connection came about. They are incredibly wonderful and generous people who have blessed our family immensely since meeting them last March. It was during that visit that their group brought yogurt and fresh fruit (2 items that we don't see much in Savoonga). Gpa Bill was never able to eat much because the boys were incredible moochers and Gpa's spoon would soon be directed into their mouths rather than his own! When they flew us to Fairbanks this summer, he blessed us with several bags of groceries...lots of ice cream, fruits, veggies, steak! This Christmas, he told Lisa that for Christmas, he wanted her family to bless another family. They chose us! The following are pictures of the opening experience:)


Owen with his yogurt...the first package.


Logan and Owen opening the second package.


Logan and Jacob


Logan and Owen with the fruit. I love how this picture communicates their excitement over fresh fruit:)


The fun never ends...Logan pushing Owen in the box.

They also sent us another box full of ice cream, a variety of meat, cinnamon rolls, and more. Wow! We were all so very happy to receive these special treats. A couple of days after Christmas we received another frozen box from Gpa Bill...they sent us an extra Christmas turkey:) I think it is so great that what Gpa Bill wanted most for Christmas was not another material possession, but to see the joy that he could bring to the faces of our children...I think blessing another family at Christmas should be a part of everyone's Christmas tradition!

Finally...Some Snow!

We've had snow for awhile, but nothing like last year...yet! We keep having blizzard warnings, but we're not walking level with rooftops and having to duck under telephone wires yet! I found some fun snow photos on our camera and wanted to post them. The first ones are from at least a month ago.

We haven't had a ton of snow, but we have had some good wind to blow the snow we do have around. In the summer, Savoonga is very flat. In the winter, thanks to the incredible drifts, it is very hilly! These are photos from our first day of drifts this year. You can see in the distance, how beautiful they were...before the children reached them:) Owen and Logan had a great time shoveling out a path for us.


Me, at sunset, with the village and mountains behind.


Sunset over the Bering Sea


View of the sunset from our kitchen window (and Owen and Logan at the table!)


Jacob, Owen, and Logan with their snowman.


Jacob pulling a sled full of trash out to the dump 1 1/2 miles away.


Last year someone from Anchorage thought we needed a live/cut Christmas tree, so they flew one out to us! We made a wreath out of it and saved it in the attic for this year. After Christmas, we dismantled it and Levi, Owen, and Logan "planted a forest" outside our window.


Martha (Levi's mom) and I dug mini-snow caves into the snow bank. This is Owen in his.


Logan in his cave.


Levi, Logan, and Owen

The boys have had so much fun playing with Levi this year. We all visit together almost everyday, but Levi (6 months younger than the boys) still has a hard time telling Logan and Owen apart. The other day, Levi and Logan were standing next to me and Owen was playing in Levi's bedroom. Levi said, "Owen took my airplane." I called back to Owen to ask him about his airplane. Levi became a bit flustered and then pointing to Logan said, "No, the other Owen. This one, Kami!" Ah, right. Logan or "the other Owen":)

Ivory Carving

Carving ivory is a longstanding native art form on St. Lawrence Island. The school recently received a grant to buy thousands of dollars worth of carvings from people in Savoonga to display in their showcase. It's wonderful to view the beautiful pieces and see the native people of Savoonga acknowledged and praised for their talent.


Charles Edwards is our neighbor and a very gifted carver. He recently finished this piece for the showcase and invited us over to see it. If you click on the image you can see the detail a little better when it is enlarged. The next picture is a closer up shot. The igloo at the base is carved out of whale bone with a tuft of polar bear fur in the doorway for the snow. The rest is carved out of ivory. All of the black (for eyes, seal spots, etc.) are inlaid baleen...he wasn't quite finished with this when we viewed it. And the black stuff in the middle that looks like hair, is also from the baleen.


This is a close-up of a seal that he carved.



I'm not sure how this photo ended up on the "Ivory Carving" post! I uploaded these awhle ago. Perhaps, I was just so excited to capture a photo with both boys looking at the camera, smiling, and with their eyes open...even if Owen is sitting in a box!:)