Whistler, the Highest Highs and Lowest Lows

On the road between Vancouver and Whistler

Going out of the country wasn't anything new for our kids.  However, crossing a border easily and stress-free, was!  The borders of African countries are anything but easy, so as we approached the Canadian border, our kids anticipated hours and hours of stressful paperwork, questioning, and waiting for approval to enter. I was thankful we could show them a peaceful, organized, stress-free border crossing!

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Putting the AutoSocks on, trying to get into the campground.

The drive from Vancouver to Whistler was so breath-takingly beautiful! Despite the winding roads, the kids loved looking out over the water and at the islands and oooooing and aaaahhhing over God's wonderful creation.  We had already booked campground near the mountain, so we had planned for a quick pull in and unpacking before Erik was to head to the mountain for a meeting.  The meeting was with a race team he joined for Whistler's famous Peak to Valley Race.  This race is the longest GS team race in the world and Erik was excited to participate.  Our plans were slightly altered when we got stuck trying to just get up the road into the campground!  Even though they knew of our arrival, the park hadn't prepared the road at all.  It was a bit frustrating and time consuming, but we eventually made it up with the help of some sand, which Erik shoveled by hand all the way up the road.  The RV park overlooked the mountains, with lots of beautiful trees.  The kids appreciated all the snow and immediately headed outside to make a snow fort.

our cute little campground

We were originally heading to Whistler for an Emergency Medicine conference, but went a couple days early for Erik to race.  So the first two days were full of race-time activities.  Two of Erik's teammates raced on day one and Erik raced on day two.

Whistler tree house

The kids and I enjoyed a full day of skiing the first day while Erik helped carry coats and other things for the racers.  That night Erik turned the RV into a ski waxing center to get his skis waxed and edges sharpened perfectly for the race the next day! 

Ski waxing in the RV!

All of us were up early and headed to the mountain with high hopes of seeing Erik place well in the race, even against the Olympians he was racing against!  Klaasen slipped the course with Erik in the morning, they went for a fun run while I skied with the three other kiddos, and then we met back at the coffee shop for a quick hot chocolate before escorting Erik to the top of the race.  

All ready for the big race!

He was number 130, so when we left him at the top and racer number 119 was just going down, we knew we had only a certain amount of time to get spaced out on the course.  When we got to a good position to watch a little over halfway to the bottom, racer number 125 went by.  So, I quickly sent Maida and Klaasen to the finish line to wait for Erik there.  I got my camera out and the video in the on position, ready to hit record.  Racer 127 and racer 128 went by.  When racer 129 went by, we were all anticipating he'd be next (in fact, I was surprised he didn't pass 129 yet, since the course is over 7 minutes long!!).  As number 131 came around the nearest gate, I gasped, knowing something had to of happened.  Racer 132 came by and racer 133.  Then my phone rang - it was Erik - calling from the ski patrol's sled.

Unfortunately, Erik's ski season ended that day with a torn ACL.  In disbelief and disappointment, we reconsidered the rest of our trip.  With Squaw Valley, Lake Tahoe, Mammoth, Hoover Dam, the Grand Canyon, Telluride, Vail, Aspen, and Taos still on the agenda for the following three weeks, we had no idea what to do.  After much prayer and discussion, and advice from the surgeon (who happened to be one of Erik's friends from medical school), we decided that it would be better to get his knee fixed sooner rather than later.  Erik finished out his medical conference while the kids and I took full advantage of Whistler Blackcomb mountains.  I was worn out after skiing two full days with these kids!  It was lots of fun, but they never get tired, and want to go, go, go (sounds like someone else I know...).

During our last few days, we tried to find a few things Erik could join us for.  He did so well on his leg with the brace that we were able to go shopping, walk around Whistler Village, play on the Olympic village playground and sledding hill, and take a ride on the Peak to Peak gondola!

First ski day without Daddy  :(

Daddy met us at the top for lunch!

On the glass bottom Peak to Peak Gondola!

So happy Erik could ride the gondola with us!

So much snow!!!

Biggest flakes I've ever seen.

Tim Hortons donuts after a great day of skiing!

As I write this, we're on the way home.  Erik's MRI is scheduled on Friday and surgery on Monday.  One of our good friends is doing the surgery, which is comforting, and we're hoping that Erik will come right out of surgery and start on the road to healing pretty quickly.  The Skimobile is definitely not over, yet, and even though we're short a ski team member, our ski season isn't over yet, either.  Our travels haven't been perfect and there have been plenty of learning moments, especially with the RV, but I feel so blessed to have had this winter season to spend with my kids and make memories of a lifetime.  I know there aren't very many people who have this opportunity to drop everything in life and do something like this and I'm seriously so thankful.

Goodbye, Whistler!

Snowbasin, Utah

Anyone else out there absolutely love the P&G mom commercials during Olympics time?  They get me every year.  This year's commercial was especially on my mind while we were skiing in Snowbasin, Utah.  As I followed my boys down the Olympic course, I couldn't help but think about the Olympians that skied that course in 2002, and how they once skied with their mamas just like this!

We rode the extra tram and made it to the top of the Olympic course!  When I saw the "expert only" signs and heard the warnings from the tram operator, I was almost regretting going up, but when I saw the views, it was sooooo worth it!

at the top of the men's course

the men's start gate

the women's start gate

ripping up the Olympic course

So beautiful!

Snowbasin was the site for the 2002 Olypmic men's and women's downhill, super G, and combined races.  This was the third Olympic ski resort that I have visited s, but for some reason this one touched me the most.  The views from the top were breath-taking.  Lucky for me, I almost didn't go all the way to the top, but my boys talked me into it and the Olympic course was one of my favorite runs all season.  I'm so thankful I went!!

                                         

(You probably have to click the link to YouTube)

Chasing Adventure

I'm currently sitting at my new dining room table.  My new dining room table is very different than a typical dining room table.  It's collapsable and mobile because unlike most, we have chosen to chase our adventure in a 45 foot RV motorcoach. Despite our ignorance of driving and living in a motorhome, we confidently jumpmed into our dream and there's no turning back!

Just over two months ago, we returned from a six-month-long mission trip to Zimbabwe, Africa.  So many people generously supported us on the life-changing journey as we dedicated almost every waking minute to the people of Nhowe Mission (and many waking minutes when you aren't supposed to be awake!).  As our family dove into the African culture, we saw things in a new light, and discovered what's really important in life.  First, and most importantly, is our relationship with Jesus Christ.  Second, is our relationship with our family.  Third, our relationships with others. And forth, to live life everyday with a sense of belonging, a spice of adventure, and with no regrets.  What we discovered is that many Zimbabweans live one day at a time and don't plan for the distant future because there is so much uncertainty and instability in their lives, economy, politics, even life or death of family members or themselves.  It does provoke a much more God-reliant outlook on life!

So when we entered back onto American soil, we had a new perspective and a new set of priorities.  Maybe it was the poverty and corruption we witnessed - and the compassion we developed for the Zimbabwean people as they lived without complaint, full of love and happiness.  Perhaps it was the love of new friends we made at Nhowe Mission and their importance to our survival in a country and culture we had never lived in before.  Was it the days and days we went without electricity and water that gave us time to reflect on life and on the necessities of daily living?  Maybe it was all the times we couldn't do things by our own power, but through calling on God and His immediate, immaculate answers to prayer.  Whatever the source of our inspiration, and it is definitely a combination of numerous experiences, this new perspective has had a big impact on our immediate life decisions.

Moving into this small living space with four kids is only the beginning (unfortunately, we left the dogs at home).  Everything from here on out is a blank slate.  Writing our own journey, living purposefully, fully relying on God, making memories, seeing old friends and making new ones.  Our adventure around the United States in our "Skimobile" - and down as many ski runs as possible - is awaiting.  Please join us!

Maida and Skogen's first ski race!!!

Maida and Skogen were both excited and nervous for their very first race.  We had no idea what to expect.  It all went pretty smoothly with the help of Bumpa and Grandma  who stayed in the lodge with the littles and also helped serve as a "home base" for Maida and Skogen between runs.

Although a little unsure of what was going on, Maida did amazing! I loved watching my her navigate the race course. After her last run of the day, her eyes found me in the crowd at the finish line and with tears running down my cheeks, I mouthed, "Wow!!!" Her speed was a surprise to me!

Skogen was living his dream out there on the racecourse!  I could tell he was a little nervous because he cried when his mitten wouldn't zip all the way between runs, but he lives for skiing and you could tell by his smile that he was loving it!  All four times he passed the finish line, he would stop and yell into the crowd, "MOM, DID YOU SEE HOW FAST I WENT?!?!!!" I will always treasure that precious memory of my sweet  and speedy boy.

It wasn't until the awards ceremony that we found out Skogen got 4th place!  We had NO idea he would get on the podium and had never actually even talked about awards or ribbons with our kids because winning isn't our number one goal.  Maida got 11th place, one place shy of making the podium, but she was so happy that she did so well.  She actually had better times than Skogen did, but she was competing in the older age group.