mom's point of view!

Well lots has happened since our last blog. Whitney and I did a lot of unpacking, cleaning and rearranging; Which was a challenge with two little ones. the first day unpacking ap&t turned off the power for about 2 hours, a challenge all in its own. When Dean got home That night he was shocked by the amount of trash; he took some to the dumpster but didn't  want to fill it up so a lot stayed inside. after getting a little organized we had dinner and relaxed, finally.
 Thursday morning we got up extremely early in order to conquer the bedroom. We emptied their closet, unpacked more boxes, went through more stuff, and started our reorganization. We kicked BUTT!! The room got done and it was all coming together.
Whitney decided to go take her Written test for an Alaska license, she also thought she would see if the stuff had arrived from the barge. We both were excited to get the other to boxes too, do to it being mostly new stuff. So off she went while I stayed home to put a few more things away. A bit later whitney called, she had just picked up boxes from the barge, but had to go back for more so needed help.
once Whitney had gotten home she started bringing in two jumbo zip bags while I am getting shoes on. (Kolby had been walking in and out watching whitney and me.) All of a sudden  I hear a scream and Kolby starts crying. I run to the door and see Whitney on the ground in mud, she couldnt get up, so after 20 min of wondering what  we sgould do; i called 911.
upon them answering they asked for our address ,  which neither of us knew.  Luckily a van happened to stop by and told the 911 operator we were across from some lodge in town; ) lucky we live in a small town, they quickly found us. They took Whitney to  the hospital in kalwock, i  however, stayed with the boys and got kolby calmed down.
After about a hour the gentleman from the ambulance came back  to let me know where she was.  He said it is broken, bad; I was scared and worried. About that time Dean's bosses wife stopped by, (small town) She asked how I was and I just started crying; Great first impression. She was really great, all they guys work with were. Another guy, Doug brought his daughter to watch boys and ran me to the hospital to meet dean and whit.
The plan was to life flight Whitney to Ketchikan, unfortunately the weather made different Plans. So they sent her home with pain meds and directions to be at the ferry by 7 am.

Well small town to a bit bigger; but not much. We entered the ER and went straight  back to a very small room. The drs and nurses were asking questions, trying to find vein, the disc we brought with xrays on them didnt ,so back to X ray we went.  Still no IV or pain meds on board, whitney was screaming in pain. Finally they gave her a shot  of pain meds and someone else to get the iv started; plus a bigger room. We saw a doctor soon after who informed us it was broke in not 1, not 2, but 3 places. She was going to need major surgery to put the ankle back together.
They talked about sending her home and coming back due to there being so much swelling and  having to 7wait for surgery. I looked at the Dr and said admit her, she in pain and it is a 3 hour ferry back home. So he did.
Now here we are in the Ketchikan hospital where if they fill up and need to put another patient in Whitneys room I have to leave. The cafeteria is only open for 2 hours. And the gift shop is not open at all on the weekends. On the other side, the view is amazing, the sun has been out, and the people are so so kind.
It has been a adventure moving to Alaska, and now the town knows that Dean's wife broke a bone. Great way to meet people.
At times I wish we were in Seattle, but Dr is kind and very informative.

Big ferry ride

Well folks today was the day!
Mom and I got up at 3 to get everything organized and loaded up! We got to the car and the car seats were soaked, so were our seats. Luckily we had purchased garbage bags the night before as well as tarps, so we covered everything; a little white trash but it worked.
Once we got the boys loaded up mom and I were ready to head to our first ferry; however my car wouldn't start. I wanted to cry it was 430 in the morning who was going to help us? While I sat in the car with the boys mom went inside to see if anyone could help. Luckily there was a few guys across the street eating breakfast who were willing to help. After 20 min of him jumping us my car still wouldn't start; the front desk called the ferry and said we had til 6 to check in. All i could do was cry , this can't be happening, not now.
Unfortunately the guy helping us had to get to work, however we were extremely lucky that his son was a police officer. He Gave Him A Call And Had Him Come Over To Help us. As soon as he left my car started! I was extatic! I was still concerned we wouldn't make it, so with a police escort we headed to the ferry; and made it.

I let my car run and recharge while I got tickets and made it through customs. We loaded up and headed to our room. I was shocked, the room was huge! Double bunk beds, A bathroom and window. It was a perfect place for the kids to play and sleep. An added bonus was that right down the hall was a play area.

As we settled in for the 6 hour ferry ride I started getting really sick. So mom took kolby to find something to eat and play while kyler and I rested. Every time I tried to get up I had to run to the bathroom. Thank goodness for mom being there or I don't know what I would have done. 

Once we made it to ketchikan we took the boys to find food and walk around the 'mall'!  :) we wasted about 10 min lol. By that time we were ready to load back up and head to the next ferry. 

Once on the ferry we got the boys some toys to play with, this ferry had a few more kids and kolby quickly made friends! Kyler was a little fussy but fell fast asleep :) Once again I was really sick do mom took kolby out back to see the sea and look for whales! He loved it, I'm glad mom took him out, I think I would have been a nervous reck lol.

Once we reached hollis I was so excited! Mom and I attempted to load the kids back in the car; however kolby took off for daddy. We caught him but it was a heart stopping moment. Once we got everyone loaded up we drove off the ferry to meet dean. He brought me a beautiful bouquet of flowers and switched me cars! Mom and I enjoyed our quite ride into craig, where we stopped and had pizza.

After dinner we finally made it home. Dean unloaded everything while mom and I got the kids ready for bed. It was a little difficult with kolby; he was so excited to see all his toys again. After getting them all out I think he was a little overwhelmed and just wanted to cuddle. So we all decided it was time to go to bed, as a family finally :)
This trip has been long and at times I wanted to turn around and give up, but having my family all together again has made it all worth it! Dean goes to work, he comes home and kolby knows when that door opens it's going to be daddy :) our new lives in this new place will be amazing and I can't wait to share it with you all :)
But for now...unpack :)

2 days in one

We made it!!... to prince rupert at least :)
On Sunday day morning while mom and I were checking out of the hotel the lady was telling us about this motion sickness medicine for kids called gravel. (Which at the time mom thought she meant actual gravel) She said it would work wonders for the boys while driving.  Well after Saturdays nightmare we figured anything would help. All I can say is thank you to the man who made that stuff!
Mom and made it 4 hours before the boys wanted out. We were just pulling into a town that had a huge play toy, so we pulled over the let kolby run, run and run some more! The weather was cold but not raining so that was a huge plus!

After about an hour at the park we got back on the road! The kids fell back to sleep and we were cruising! However The closer we got to the ocean the more rain that fell and the wind really picked up, slowing us down a bit. It was a gorgeous drive but white knuckle all the way! 

After only 8 hours we made it to prince rupert! I was extremely excited to be done driving! Once we got here we had some struggles checking into our hotel.  All i could do was cry, not again, please lord not again! However I was very lucky the lady completely understood and allowed us to check in and stay. I got our key and a cart and started unloading the car! 

Once we got settled mom took our first load over to get it washed, while she was there she heard there was suppose to be a record amount of rain to fall that night. We were both concerned about the stuff on the roof, so she went and got garbage bags to cover it for the night. These guys were really nice and stopped to help. 

Unfortunately when she went out this morning the straps that are holding it down to my car; which are tied to the handles on the inside, were soaked and they were dripping into my car. So while I stayed at the hotel with the boys mom went and founnd tarps!  We were really lucky that a local automotive shop did all the work and made sure it was nice and tight for no fee! We got $1 shower curtains for our seats and the car seats in hopes they will dry out a bit. 

In the midst of all that we finished laundry, repacked bags and organized a bag we can take on the ferry! Loaded a little more in the car In hopes to get a little rest before our early morning ferry.

All and all yesterday and today have been ok! The hotel is really nice and comfortable, plus The lobby  has a stuffed bear and eagle that kolby loves; so we are down there a lot. It's still pouring and the wind is really blowing! We catch the ferry in the morning at 5 am and despite the early wake, up I am so excited to finally be heading home to my husband! :) 

I will say that although this has been an extremely long trip, it has been an adventure! The drive was long but beautiful, the people are mostly nice, and I have the dream life waiting for me in alaska! If we ever do it again, it will be with Dean, he will be driving and i will be sight seeing, oh and of course bring gravel :) but for now I can say I Drove 1023 miles with two kids under 2 and my mom all to be with the man I love! 

If you ever find yourself making this trip as well, know that the roads are small, scary and curve. If your anything like me,  and white knuckle it the whole way, making an appointment for a Massage wouldn't be a bad idea! 

Tomorrow I will share pictures and adventures of our first ferry ride :) 

learned something new...

To say today was long would be an understatement...

Mom and I got up around 530, got the boys fed and ready, loaded the car and hit the road by 7! We had our map in hand and planned on being in Prince George by 4.. I think the planning is where we went so so wrong! 

Once we finally got going the right direction it took the kids about 2 hours before they wanted out, they let us know by both screaming As loud as they could! :) we finally made it to hope where we found a cute little park with wooden carvings, so we all got out to walk around a bit! 

Once back in the car we were determined to make it as far as we could before the screaming started again lol.. it was us against them, they were winning. 

One thing I learned today was that the Canadian speed limit is more of a suggestion,  and most Canadians have their own ideas of speed, and oh my is it fast! 

Second thing I learned today is that when your husband tells you its a two way highway the whole way, please make sure he elaborates! Driving these roads, long drop on one side mountain on the other, tight curves and rushing Canadians.. White knuckle driving the whole way! My arms are on fire and my fingers are numb.. I only wish I was joking lol 

I will say that while driving mom and I did enjoy all the animal crossing signs. Deer, elk, moose, and of course badger. There was also a weird truck one that confused us both! But our favorite was a big blinking sign that said "watch for local traffic", thinking ok maybe we are getting close to a bigger town, nope, it was a town of 4 house lol. If you blink you missed it, there was no traffic. 

Shortly after that a deer decided to jump out from a ditch, swerved and missed him but wow was my heart beating!! Less then a mile later a bird, sadly, wasn't so lucky :( 

Again the boys started screaming, screaming and screaming some more! I was finally able to find a gas station where kolby walked around greeting the customers and kyler eat, he loves food! 

Third thing I learned, rest stops are little pull outs with Porta potties, gas station are preferable.

We finally got both boys back in the car asleep, I was determined to get to prince george! Our 8 hour drive had turned into 10 hours at this point.

We almost made it but we found a Walmart (with a phone booth) and needed a few things. Sadly on this trip kyler has gotten sick and his eczema was getting really bad, so Walmart it was. I would love to tell you my children were angles, but they were "those kids" today, we paid and got out of there! 

We finally made it to prince george exactly 12 hours after leaving langly! I was exhausted and ready to relax however as we pulled up to our hotel it was closed for renovations and no one had called us. A little annoyed we decided to try the next hotel, they wanted $250 on a credit card which have been maxed out due to the move. So I took a deep breath and we went to the next one, she too needed a debt or credit card, however because of the issues dean had I closed our checking account in Washington and only had Canadian cash, which no one would take.

Fourth thing I learned always bring a credit card no matter what!  

At this point the tears came and wouldn't stop, iv been driving for 12 hours  with two cranky kids on roads I would never want to drive on in my life. And now I have no place for my kids to sleep tonight and I don't think I can make it another 12 hours to the next hotel reservation. 

Tears in my eyes I tried one more hotel, she took my cash and got us a room. It's far from nice but both of my boys are asleep in beds and that's all that matters! 

Dean called ahead to our next hotel and fixed my credit card so we should be ok once we get there. But as a mother, not knowing how you are going to put a roof over your child's head Is the worst feeling in this world!

needless to say today has been far from easy. Tears, exhaustion and fear have surrounded today and all I can do is pray through the tears that tomorrow will be better. That things will all work out and we can end tomorrow with a smile.

for those of you reading this please say a small prayer for us, think of us tomorrow! We could use all the help and encouragement! 

Fifth thing I learned have faith, even through the tears stay strong and have faith it's going to be ok 

day one down!!

Well we made it to langley,  BC. After a very long day...

We started today with packing and laundry, Ellen was a huge help is trying to load the car. We all had faith it would fit in my mistubishi outlander but we were oh so wrong! After trying every different way possible we decided putting it on the roof was the only option! Luckily we had a thing for that lol! after putting it on upside down we were able to get it right and tight :) we loaded up the back, the diaper bag and the kids and decided why not, let's run errands lol.   After spending some quality time with Kristine and Ellen (running errands and lunch) we had to say a tearful goodbye! I don't know where I would be without them, this past year has been the hardest of my life and it's because of them I am still standing strong! Thank goodness for Skype and phones  :)
Mom and I hit the road around 5, slow and steady, we made one stop for diaper changes around 630, at 645 I had two screaming babys! So we found the nearest McDonald's that had a toy structure and let kolby loose, Kyler just wanted real food :) kolby was doing great until he climbed too high and got stuck :/ luckily there was another family there who's kids jumped up to help him.out :) he made it out with a smile, but I decided it was a good time to go!
Mom took kolby to change his diaper while I loaded kyler and started a new movie, when I looked up mom was coming out in tears. Kolby was asking for aunt po and lj. . He just doesn't understand and it's heart breaking. IV been trying to stay strong but I see myself breaking down here in the hotel while everyone sleeps. For the past year we have lived in a busy house where him and I both knew if we needed anything or anyone they were right there, I know they will still be there but just a little farther and that's the hard part!
But for now we are here in langley BC both boys washed in pj's and fast asleep! Tomorrow will be an early start, get us all ready, feed the boys breakfast then put the puzzle of the car back together :) tomorrow is an 8 hour drive to prince George.
I know the tears will come, sadness and exhaustion but happiness as well; to be starting the next chapter in our lives as a family :)
Goodnight all, until tomorrow :)
        travel tip for those traveling with young ones...small mobile like animal that plays soothing music and lights :)

packing

Moving to an island is a new experience for us, with that getting our stuff up there a has been an adventure itself. Dean took as much as he could with him, however there was a lot of stuff I had to buy and bring up as well as both boys toys and clothes.
As I slowly started packing I started watching the buckets and bags pile higher I wasn't sure exactly how it was all going to fit in my little car. Luckily I was informed from a mom on the island of alaska marine, a barge company that delivers right to craig.
I was able to take everything down to seattle, place everything on a palate and have it placed on the barge saving me stress and time :)
Now to pack for the 4 day trip with two babys :) can't forget the baby food, soy, formula and apple juice. Toys and of course movies :)  wish me luck!

How is started

Well hello blogging world!! I am whitney kerr and I am blogging my family's big move to craig, alaska.
As most of you know my husband and I have been together for 5 years, married for 3 months. We have two handsome boys, Kolby is 2 kyler is 8 months :) we are about to embark on the greatest adventure of our lives!

If you would have asked us a year ago if we would move to alaska we would have said no, but never doubt the future! You see my husband has been a helicopter lineman for the last year, hanging from helicopters fixing power lines, any man's dream job!  The down fall was that he was gone 3 weeks a month, Missing out on our boys growing up! So dean slowly started looking for another apprentice position that would not only allow him to work towards his journeymen but also be home every night.
In late October northwest lineman college (school dean graduated from) posted an apprentice job opening in alaska, so with faith and hope dean applied. However by thanksgiving we still hadn't heard anything, disappointed but happy he still had a job.
Once dean returned to work he received a phone call to set up a phone interview with alaska power and telephone! We didn't want to get our hopes up knowing that over 1,000 people had applied,  we had faith that if it was right it would happen. Dean was offered 3 phone interviews, all which went amazing. During the 3 phone interview they offered to fly him and I up there. Of course we took the offer!
So on January 2 dean and I flew to Ketchikan then to kalwock alaska. We spent 3 days driving around, looking at the island as well as their electrical system. We fell in love, it was gorgeous, small, welcoming and well a mans dream home.
At the end of the 3 day trip they offered dean the job, an apartment to move into and a moving stipend. But best of all being able to come home every night! We were so excited!
We flew back and shared the great news with the family, then started planning for the big move. We were scared, we didn't know how much it would cost Or how to get all our stuff to an island. So after talking to an amazing couple who moved there we decided that a trailer would be best for all our stuff. We weren't sure how to get one but we knew it would work out.
In the mean time we had a lot to get done, dean had to finish up with the Oregon national guard and switch to alaska and I had to get healthy. while at guard deans friend traded him for a trailer. Things seemed to really fall into place.  However as dean was taking the trailer to Idaho it fell to pieces. We were extremely blessed that deans dad bob was able to cosign a lease in order for us to buy one.
Now with a brand new trailer loaded bob and dean drove back to Seattle to load up what I had here at my moms. Then they were off :)
I however, had a lot to do before I could leave. I was really sick and needed a fecal transplant as well as a hysterectomy so we decided it would be smarter for the boys and I to come up once I was healed! Well that day is Friday!
This will be a blog of our trip, the trip my mom, the boys and I will be taking into Canada and off to alaska. 4 days in the car followed by 9 hours on a ferry! It will be an adventure and I hope you all enjoy our adventure with us :).