The Move to McPhoo

July 21-23

Did you think something happened to us? It's been three days and this has been my first chance to catch up. On Tuesday, we did alot of running around, laundry, packing things up, and had a delicious meal with Ike and Michele. We got so much done, that by 11 pm, Ike and Michele suggested ,"Why don't we just get on the road?" So just like that we left.

We said goodbye to Vern and we were on our way. We drove half an hour out of town to the Gwich'in Territorial Campground and camped beside beautiful Campbell Lake under a brilliant orange and pink sunset. Bronwyn and Mackenzie slept in Ike and Michele's trailer, as they've been doing since the Johannsons got here. Estelle sat on the bed, just staring out the window. I think she was enthralled by the beautiful view herself.

We woke up on the 22nd and Ike and Michele and our two girls were already gone. We hit the road and arrived in McPhoo at 3 pm. It was so good to see Lynn and all the kids. Some of the siding is on the church now and the Mennonite crew had stayed up until 5 am to finish installing the kitchen cabinets before they left. Over 15 people have left in the last 2 days. The crew is getting a little lean, and it's good that Ike is back, I think. From my vantage point, Ike appears to be putting the remainder of the siding on himself. More people are working on the interior. Michele is back working her magic in the kitchen.

Kurt and I tried to get organized, figuring out where to park the trailer. Right now, we are parked next to the daycare, beside Ike and Michele, and the owner was gracious enough to allow us access to the water and bathroom. All the girls, save Estelle, and Ezra are going to sleep there. What a blessing! A copious amount of available water is a comfort, considering all the unforeseen spills and accidents that are sure to come. We ate supper with everyone and during the sing-along time, Kurt and the kids did a few numbers-except for Naomi, who just wasn't in the mood. Kurt packed his bag for his next job and the day was quickly over.

This morning, we got up early. REALLY! We were up at 7 am, and Kurt and I left the kids sleeping and headed to the school so Kurt could catch a ride with Paul back to Inuvik. Kurt is headed for Tuk, then back to Banks Island, until mid-August. We might see him briefly then, or it could be a long two months before he returns. I hope it's the former. Keegan was an early bird too, and moved 24 sheets of drywall.

I watched the small Hanthorn children this morning. Bronwyn got involved, too, and two of the men lowered her into a water tank so she could clean it. Mackenzie is itching to do something big and important, but the children are not allowed in the kitchen, so she is being helpful wherever she can. She entertained alot of kids today.

After lunch, I took Ezra, Naomi, Diana, and Josiah swimming with 3 of Lynn's kids, and another lady, Cara Lee (imagine that, Cara!), brought hers. The pool here is tiny. The building is not heated and the water is only 3 feet deep from end to end. Ezra was frazzled because he couldn't touch the bottom anywhere, and despite Josiah's best efforts to soothe him and encourage him, and Ezra's best efforts to remain calm, I decided he had had enough.

The kids played at the Hanthorns' while I tried to do some tidying. Estelle was fussing, so Lynn 'pushed' me out the door so I could give Estelle a nap in the trailer. She slept for two hours. She had a horrible coughing fit at supper last night, and I think a few people were fearful for her recovery.

The Kure kids and the Hanthorns are having a great time together. Josiah biked around with Jesse and Judah-Ben, Keegan played a strategy game with Ruth, Bronwyn went with Annah and Sarah to watch Joel's buddy do a flip in the lake (on a bike?), Jadynn adores Estelle, and all of them have been running around and playing games in the gym. I think the kids love it here already. I might need a little more time to adjust to the change- new location, absent husband, and trying to keep tabs on my kids. But then, when have I ever accepted change quickly and gracefully? Well, here's my chance.