negotiations...

Kimberly and I have been BEYOND stressed out lately... our future is up in the air right now. Cynthia and Dale have inquired to us about staying up here another year. It has put us in a tough place. We love Tanana, and the people... to think we know about 300 people that one year ago didnt know at all. Then to think that by June there is a possibility that we may never see them again. On the other hand its hard to think about being here another year away from friends and family and PARTS STORES. Our trip home has had me so excited to get a car again and the sad reality that it wont be anything like what i had before is driving me crazy.

We sent our first negotiation attempt to Cynthia and Dale this afternoon. Its the first time we have done anything to communicate about our future up here since the question was popped by Dale weeks ago. Ill refrain from details but it would make it a lot more worth spending another year away from our friends and family and would include trips home.

As I mentioned our stress is through the roof... the other day i found myself breaking down and crying right after work. I have regularly found myself having a hard time when the store gets crazy with my motor movements, my vision gets hard to control and slow and my brain just shuts down much like an overloaded computer. We just need to talk about our terms and I think everything will clear up.

Don't be afraid for us... we just need to give it some time, and everything will start clicking... We appreciate the support we are getting. We love you all!

As for an update on Alaska though... its light for just over 18 hours now, most of the snow has melted, and in less than 2 weeks the river is supposed to break up. Everything is just SUPER SUPER muddy. You have to choose your steps wisely because you may drown in the mud. We have had the quads out and gotten VERY wet in the small lakes the melting snow has created. Today was REALLY sunny and beautiful.

We love ya and miss you all. We cannot wait to see you!

-Andrew