Our Little Adventure

Shep and I went kayaking yesterday.  We've had our kayak for a week now and have had three adventures on our Jordan River.  This one was a "good" one though.  We set out from our house at 700 S and headed downstream.  We went about two miles and then turned around.  I was pooped already and Shep was tired and hungry but we didn't have a choice, we had to paddle upstream to get back.  Or hitchhike from some random strangers, which I was seriously considering.  Then one other option presented itself...

Backing up a second, on the way downstream, we went through a canoe chute.  It was a very narrow section under a bridge that was designed only for canoes/kayaks.  The rest of the river had a big 4 foot drop off, not suited for water craft.  We navigated through the chute and had a blast and got all wet!  But the problem was on the way back.  There is no way to get back up stream; we had to portage around the chute.  And the one kayaker who past us just a few minutes prior stated, "It is possible to portage, albeit very difficult with a little one.  And there are lots of homeless camps in the area. But, yea, it is possible."  In hind sight, it is NOT possible.  But since that was our only option, we had to try.  So I tossed Shep onto the super steep bank and started the ascent up the river bank with the kayak.  I managed to stabilize the kayak and carried Shep up the bank and then went back down for the kayak.  It had to be a 80 degree slope!  Shep started freaking out about the paddle and, yup, low and behold the paddle was indeed in the river-floating away!  I could only focus on getting up the bank with the 60 lb kayak and not start freaking out myself about the paddle.  So I did get Shep and the kayak up safely, despite some cactus scrapes all over my legs.  But, as I summitted the bank, I realized that we were locked inside the power plant gates!  There were very tall barbed wire fences all around us and lots of signs that mentioned the high voltage area.  An old-school padlocked gate  was on the north end and railroad tracks on the outside of the south end.  No homeless camps though.  I thought of calling a friend to come help us, however they would not have been able to get us out of the fence or walk Shep and the kayak down the railroad tracks even if we could get out on that end.  So I called the Non-emergency SLC Police Dept.  Within a few minutes, three big fire engines came to our rescue!  Out of their 50 keys, none worked on the north gate, so we settled on getting the good 'ole fire engine ladder and climbing over the fence.  Then second thought, they brought a raft and paddle and suggested Shep and I get back into the water in our kayak and use their paddle to meet up with them downstream past the power plant.  But then, the power company chief came with the appropriate key and simply unlocked the gate-a bit anticlimactic :)  Shep and I buckled into the big fire engine and they took us to our truck where we loaded the kayak and drove the two blocks home.  Phew, I didn't have to paddle upstream anymore AND Shep's wildest dreams came true...getting to ride in a fire truck!  They were kind enough to offer to take a photo with Shep in front of the big engine with the lights flashing.  Jesus is the one who truly rescues and sometimes he sends firemen to rescue pregnant, stranded, locked in kayakers :)  Thank you Rose Park E7!

Baby Girl

We are having a baby girl join us in October!  Although she has already been a part of our lives since January 26th as we pray for her growth and development on the inside.  We got to find out earlier than usual that Gergie is a girl from a new maternal genetic blood test. Since I'm "advanced maternal age" which puts her at a slightly increased risk of having a genetic disorder, the insurance will cover it.  So we got to find out, without a doubt, that she is a girl and does not have any if the common genetic abnormalities! Praise the Lord.  So now she is almost 16 weeks along and I can expect to start feeling some kicks any day. 

 We've had above average fear with this pregnancy due to losing Pandi last year. But with each passing week and pregnancy milestone, we are getting more and more connected with her and excited for her arrival. That's why I'm looking forward to feeling those kicks; so that I will connect more with the tiny human growing inside me. This living child who is a part of me, but yet completely her own, knitted together by her Maker. Deeply loved. 

Birthday Boy

Shep turned two.  I can hardly believe it!  Seems like yesterday I was crooning my neck, all hunched over, breastfeeding my little 8 pounder in newborn diapers and onesies.  Now he has opinions, and lots of them!  And oh dear, the emotions!  He turned two and immediately we are experiencing the "terrible two's" which so far are not too terrible.  Thankfully, both Eddie and I recognize that he is "individuating" meaning he's trying to figure himself out and trying to find the words to express what he wants and feels.  In reality, what this means is that he laughing one minute and the next he is screaming and then back to laughing.  It's intense when he is tired.  We just try to ride the wave and take deep breaths.  For the majority of the time, Shep is still adorable and a blast to participate in these growing up days.  He treats us with deep belly laughs when tickled or herded by Willie.  He has become quite the cuddler and loves to sit on my lap during mealtimes and snuggle under the blanket during story time.  He still loves his fruit and is an adventurous eater.  In fact, he is quite the mooch, stealing food from other people's plates.  He is learning how to play with other kids his age.  He loves playing with choo-choos, watching choo-choos on TV, crossing choo-choo tracks, and yelling, "All aboard!"  He is quite the character and just so much fun.  Of course we are so thankful for him and pray daily for God's protection and wisdom and direction in his life.  I regularly have to rededicate him because I know that God is a good father who loves Shep more than I ever could imagine.  And although, I think I can control and protect him from all the harm in the world, God is bigger and better at this than me.

Shep at the bonfire during the Stone Soup Party

For his birthday, we continued the tradition of Stone Soup.  We had about 20 people show up. We  celebrated community and friendships and thanked them for being the "village" that helps us raise Shepherd together.

Some Dreams Do Come True!

Hawaii, y'all, HAWAII!

For Christmas, I impulsively bought Eddie a trip to Kauai.  He had been with his siblings back when we first starting dating in 2009 and had been longing to go back ever since.  And we wanted to take advantage of Shep's last free flight status of not quite being two yet and get there before Feb 20th.  So when I got an email for flights less than the cost of a flight to Indy, I had to book it.  And then we found a VRBO condo for less than $100/night (unheard of in Kauai) and a cheap rental car!  So off we went.  Shep was of course a champ on the flights.  There were all night flights which he slept through.

The first day, we hiked the famed Na Pali Coast.  It has been rated the most beautiful coast/beach in the world several times.  I can now see why.  We hiked the 8 miles to the waterfall and back.  I carried Shep on the way up and Eddie carried him most of the way back down until the last 2 miles when Shep wanted to walk.  This part was brutal for me, since I was so tired and we had long since run out of water and Shep kept falling and it was steep, and did I mention that I was so tired?  But we were patient and let Shep walk as much as possible (read: as much as he demanded) those last two miles with only a few bonks and bruises.  I was so proud of all of us!  We hadn't hiked that far in a really long time, if ever, with Shep on our backs.  He's been refusing the backpack lately and demanding to walk which means that we can hike for a max of 1 mile.  So when we actually did the 8 miles and reached our destination, I was thrilled!  And what a hike it was!  The hike ended at the famous Ke'e Beach so we had to take a dip and cool off.

Na Pali Coast

Kalalau Trail

Hiking!

River Crossings

Christmas Photo!

Such a Boy! Throwing Rocks

Cairn

Day Two:
We were told to explore on the south side of the island and try to find a secret beautiful beach called Muhalpeu.  Of course, we had to try!  So we drove down to Poipu and then continued onto a mile long stretch of the biggest potholes I have ever attempted to cross. As if we weren't sore already from the hike the day before!  The road ended at the most glorious beach that we had almost to ourselves.  Shep slept through the entire potholing event and then continued to sleep for another hour after we arrived at the beach.  He was within earshot so Ed and I sat on the beach while Shep napped in the car.  When people say they sit and relax on the beach, I now know what they are talking about.  Eddie and I read magazines, I snorkeled, we ate lunch, and then read magazines again.  The life.  Then Shep woke up and we hiked along the rocky ridge of the coast for about 1/4 mile.  It felt like we were discovering uncharted territory!  We crested the ridge and below us was a beautiful perfect beach.  We walked down onto that white sand and straight into that crystal blue water.  We splashed around and body surfed; Eddie lost his sunglasses and then found them! We felt like we could stay forever on this stretch of God's beautiful meeting of sea and land, but well, the adventurers in all of us grabbed hold and we needed to explore more areas of the island.  So we hiked back and caught a glimpse of a whale flicking its tail! We survived the pothole road and went into Poipu to play at the playground, snorkel and eat shave ice.  Sometimes when I see something really spectacular and unlikely, like a blooming flower in the desert or a little boy named Shepherd, I feel like God wants to show me how deep his love is for me- like a gift just for me.  When I was snorkeling, I saw all the different colors and shapes of fish swimming so freely and thought that it must be a gift just for me. They truly were spectacular there in the reef just off the shore.

Hang Ten!

Day Three:
We went to the Kilauea Lighthouse but got there a little too early before it opened so had to go and get a pastry.  While at the cafe, we perused a bookshelf that was pay by the honor system.  You see, I had agree to join a new book club and the first meeting was the Tuesday that we got back.  The first book was Hinds Feet on High Places- a book I had read at least 15 years ago.  I thought I had it on our bookshelf upstairs and so had procrastinated getting it down until packing for this vacation.  Well, it was the sequel that I had upstairs so I made a few last attempts to acquire it before getting on the plane but to no avail.  So when I found it so randomly sitting there on that shelf, I may have squealed a little bit.  Another one of those unlikely God gifts just for me!  Then we went down to the lighthouse which was cool.  We saw a couple of whales playing and lots of birds.  Then on our way home, we stopped to explore Secret Beach and the Lava Pools.  Because the waves were so rough, the pools were mostly too dangerous to go out to, but we still played in a few small ones.  That night, we drove down to Kapaa to Smith's Family Luau.  We gorged ourselves on meat and then watched the hula dancers put on a show from the different islands that contribute to Hawaii's history and culture.  It was pretty cool.

God's Special Bookshelf

Whale Watching

As you can imagine, our true maturity shone through when we saw Red-footed "Boobies"

Jumping in the Lava Pools

Hula Dancing on Stage

Heart to Heart

Day Four:

We went to Hanalei and went surfing!  Eddie persevered and caught a few big ones!  I also rode one in which was pretty miraculous.  Shep loved jumping over and in the waves.  I have to say selfishly though, that I'd rather go hiking or snorkeling or some sort of activity instead of maintaining Shep's safety on the beach and in the water.  Although cute, that got old faster than I had hoped.  

After nap, we went into Kapaa and rode beach cruiser bikes along the coast trail.  It was so refreshing!  Then that evening was the monthly art walk where the locals mingle.  It was really fun for a while until Shep decided to run through the crowds and come close to the street a few times which quickly became more stressful than enjoyable.  We did get to eat some amazing food truck dinners like fish tacos, pork laulau and shrimp quesadillas.  

Day Five; Final Day

We drove down to the opposite side of the island to see Waimea Canyon.  It supposedly is as deep as the Grand Canyon so we had to see.  It took almost two hours to get to our trailhead and by that time I was ready to call it quits.  Thankfully, we spontaneously chose a different hike a couple miles closer because the drive up the canyon was brutally curvy and we were going to run out of time in order to make our flight.  So we hiked 1.8 miles in to a waterfall and back.  It was beautiful. We could get up close to the 20 foot waterfall but just stand at the top of the 800 foot falls.  Needless to say, Shep and I kept our distance and couldn't actually get a good view of the 800 foot one.  We finished just as it started to drizzle.  And then we fed the chickens which felt a little weird because they are everywhere on the island and there are beautiful greens everywhere for them to snack on, but we had some leftover feed from the luau that we needed to get out of the car.  On our way back to the airport we stopped at the Kauai Island Brewing Co (we just wanted the pint glass, let's be honest.)  We made it back to the airport with plenty of time but it was brutal.  Our hearts were so heavy.  We loved every day on Kauai and could have spent another week there.  We usually are so ready to get home at the end of a vacation, but not this time.  We were so sad to see it end, yet our hearts were so full of thankfulness and rest.  What an adventure!