Big News, Great Opportuinities! Embracing the Unexpected :)

4 months ago I got a call about this job and found myself out here within 10 days. 

I had no idea of the joy and experiences coming my way, nor the amazing opportunities that would be presented.

As many of you know I have always wanted to be a veterinarian and was originally rejected by the first few schools I applied to last year. Well guess where a brand new vet school is starting up in August 2015... Fairbanks, AK! 

Deedee has been nudging me and encouraging me to try again for vet school, not just any school but the one out here. She has offered for me and my dogs to stay here for the summer, work for her again next winter all in hopes that these experiences will enhance my application and help me get in. I had the chance to meet with the program director of the new vet school already, and will be going up for a campus tour in April.  I'm hoping to work at a moose rescue this summer or a vet clinic to continue to gain more experience. I have also started studying for my GRE again to try and boost that score even more.  

All said and done, I never ever thought I would be saying, I'm moving to Alaska! Life is funny sometimes and full of surprises, I am so incredibly blessed and grateful for all of these opportunities out here. Though, I may be a bit nervous, I am a firm believer in things happen for a reason and I am right where I am suppose to be right now.  

Huge thank you to all my wonderful friends and family who have expressed how happy they are for me. The support and encouragement truly makes this so much better.  Love you all!

So here is the plan, I'll be home late April in time to finish coaching the girls high school rugby team for the season.  I will be driving back out to AK in the beginning or end of June (this is job dependent). Chase and Lucy will stay here in AK with Deedee while I go home and return with more stuff. As of now I will be back in Wisconsin for October to coach the girls in the fall. Still looking for more coaching support. 

So excited to start this new adventure! Remember Skype is an amazing thing! :) If you ever want to visit Alaska just let me know :)

Some have asked if there is anything they can do to help. Well here is a list of things I could use some help with:

1) Looking for more coaches for the girls rugby team. I will still be handling all the paperwork, just need some willing volunteers to be at practices and games to coach. Have a few girls that may be am to help out for now. ( late August-October, then some once a week winter training and next march April)

2) Since it is very crucial I get residency in Alaska I need to be careful about how much I work in Wisconsin and how long I am there. So if anyone has sides jobs, cleaning, babysitting, yard work, construction clean up etc please let me know. 

3) I am going to have a yard sale and try to get rid of a lot of my old things to help get enough money for the drive back out here. So college friends anyone looking for furniture and clothes keep a look out for when I post about that ( late may)

4) If anyone has tv shows/ movies that can be share to an external hard-drive please let me know. With the poor internet and power outages I have here it would be nice to have movies to watch for next winter.

5) I want to see as many of you as I can so stay in touch so we can meet up one way or another!

6) and as you have all done throughout this trip I really appreciate all the encouragement, support and love. Thank you :)

Here are some pictures I have been trying to get up of the puppies doing their first few runs! I took out a 6 and 8 dog team last week.  The next few weeks will be busier with all the cleaning and organizing of things coming back from the Iditarod trail.  If anyone wants a poster signed by Deedee she is more than willing to do so just let me know :)

My first 8 dog team! Omnistar and Gengar in lead, Scrabble and Tuli (puppy) in swing, Then the rest are puppies: Dominator and Gladiator, Prissy and Belena in wheel. it was their 2nd time out.

This cutie is Kaltag, Dee rented him for the season. Totally fell in love with this boy so sweet.

More Puppies! Leaders: Peekachoo and Dratini, Swing: Dominator and Gladiator, Wheel: Prissy and Belena

Beauty in the Pain

Deedee and I going through Anchorage March 1st! Photo by:Antonia

Hello,
As many of you many have heard or seen, Deedee did have to scratch from the Iditarod this year about 2 days into the race.  As far as I know she crashed hit her head hurt her knee and lost her team 3 times.  She stated in an interview that she scratch to keep her team safe.  Deedee and all 16 dogs came back Wednesday night, all the dogs are in great condition and healthy.  I am truly proud of her to make such a tough decision and so happy they all came back safe. If you go to Iditarod.com and sign up as an Insider (free) then you can watch some videos of the race.  Check out Jeff Kings GoPro video and you will see how bad part of the trail got.  So far I have heard of a broken hand, broken leg, dislocated knee, torn acl, concussion, multiple broken sleds, on dog with a broken leg.... so all things considered very happy Dee and the dogs made it back in one piece!
I believe Deedee will be doing a short 120 miles race this coming weekend. I will keep you posted.

Deedee and I took out some of the puppies to break them in and they did so well! so much fun to see them all hooked up for the first time!

Having my dad here was so much fun! I'm so thankful he was able to come up and enjoy this experience with me.  I took him out on a sled and we took a drive down Seward Hwy as well.

Things are slow around here now, just getting things cleaned and organized as they come in from the trail.  We also get to take dogs out when ever we'd like to now so I'm hoping to run those puppies a bit more.

Moose count is at 20

Here are some pictures to catch up on: 

My dad running a 4 dog team!

Grizzlies enjoying dinner at the conservation center

Caution falling rocks!  Actually saw some fall right in front on me while driving

Along Seward hwy

Wildlife conservation center off the Seward hwy

This is an example of many trees that died in the earthquake years ago because it sunk into sea water...

This was rough going to see Alyeska Ski Resort and not actually get to ski...

Sunset form Seward hwy

Enjoyed a 30 second bonfire at Jaimee and Justin's after the start of the Iditarod. ( buh-bye Christmas tree)

So sorry these post are coming through so late my internet has been down a lot.  Congratulations though to Martin Buser getting 6th, and Matt Failor coming in 15th!  Still waiting to see how Lisbet Norris and Elliot Anderson (from WI too) finish up.  As of right now Elliot still has 15 dogs which is awesome, go rookies!


I will post more soon! Keep finding your dreams :)

An Unreal, Rewarding, and Dream Come True Weekend! The Iditarod!

The Iditarod has started!!!!
So much to tell you all, expect lots of blog updates this week with how Deedee is doing!

Alright so last Thursday was the Iditarod banquet and number draw.  So we all loaded up early drove down to Anchorage, picked up my Dad, and headed to the banquet.  I don't think I really realized how loved Deedee is by fan until the moment when I could barely get to our table to put my coat down because the line for her autograph was so long!  Crazy to see that and to see how great she is with all of her fans, she barely had time to eat dinner.  Deedee drew number 16 for the start of the race.
While at the banquet I had a chance to stop by Sarah Palin's table (skipped the whole line hehe) and introduce my dad to Todd and Sarah.  Unreal just got to walk up and say hi :)

Friday was an early day as well cleaning up for all her sponsors to stop by and see the kennel and get sled rides.We also had lots of packing up to do for the ceremonial start in Anchorage the next day.  Definitely put my dad to work on making necklines and feeding all the dogs. 

Had to have some fun while doing rehab for the dogs

Had to get our Polito's picture while we were here

Volt and I

Last minute sewing for her sled bag

Saturday was the ceremonial start for the Iditarod in Anchorage down 4th street. 7 miles through the city.  I got to drive the tag sled behind Deedee for it!!!!!!!!  Honestly a dream come true I have spent 17 years wanting to see the Iditarod start and I had the best seat in the house! It was amazing!

Picture from Alaska dispatch

Coral waiting to get get going

Riding the tag sled

Sunday was the official start on Willow Lake.

Loading dogs up

Getting her 200lb sled down from the truck

Me with viking and Jaimee with Willow the leads at the start line

Finally saw a state trooper!

This is basically what we do to get to the start line, not sure what team this is though

start line in the distance

Overall it was an amazing weekend couldn't have asked for a better experience! More picture will be coming in and I'll post those.  Here is a link of Dee and I going through Anchorage:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALd7PbKw5Lc&feature=youtube_gdata_player