Herriman Fire

So the Herriman Fire started on Sunday the 19th at Camp Williams during a machine gun exercise. It's sometimes referred to as the "Machine Gun Fire". I don't like that title. Maybe it's because I've thought about the person(s) who accidentally started it and how terrible they must feel. That title is a constant reminder of how it started.

Aaron and I were in NYC when all this was taking place, so these pictures were taken from other sources.

This picture shows the fire coming up over the hill just south of our house:

This is our neighborhood before or during the evacuation:

I had heard a lot of people say that it looked like lava coming down the hill.
This picture shows our stake center in the foreground:

This is taken from the pond in our subdivision.
How scary to see the hill all lit up and the fire coming closer and closer to our homes!


Yikes!


The view from the northeast:


Some lost their homes and their dreams with it.
So sad.

Sunday evening the fire authorities thought they would loose 25-100 homes throughout the night. It wasn't looking good. I can't imagine how scared everyone must have been. Aaron and I weren't sure if we should worry or not. Our house is at the bottom of the subdivision so we thought we would be OK, but reports from friends told us that the fire was coming down the hill on the east side of the subdivision, right where our home sits. So we had reason to worry, but our greatest concern was for our kids and the fear they must have felt. 4,326 acres burned, but only 4 homes were lost. We strongly feel that prayers were answered and miracles happened to save soooo many homes. We are so thankful for the firemen and others that faught to save our homes!

Read THIS for a cool perspective!

The BIG Apple

So, I stepped outside my little quaint small-town box and flew to New York City with da hubbs and baby. It's always hard to leave my kids, but they were in good hands and excited for a weekend without parents :-)

Violet and I had some "firsts"; she flew for the first time on an airplane and I flew for the first time with an infant! On the way there it actually wasn't too bad. Aaron and I handed her back and forth and she even slept for about 45 minutes in my arms. We were genuinely surprised that she did so well...of which we were so grateful. The way back, on the other hand, was another story...but more on that to come.


We were staying in a town about an hour train ride north of Manhattan. We arrived Friday evening, picked up a rental car and drove to our hotel. The next morning we woke up and got ready to explore the CIT-TAY! We rode a train straight into Grand Central Station. There was no indication that we were in the thick of the city until we walked out onto the street. We were hit with CRAZY busy traffic buzzing past, loads of people, and incredible sky scrapers. It was pretty impressive. We walked several blocks to pick up our tickets and hop on a bus. It was like a double-decker bus, without the lower part. I guess you could call it an upper-decker bus :-)

This is Time Square:
(It's even more impressive at night)

We toured Manhattan until we got to Battary Park, where we waited in line FOREVER, went through intense security, and boarded a ferry for Liberty Island.

Violet fell asleep in my arms :-)

I fell in love with Miss. Liberty right away. Imagine what immigrants would have felt when first seeing her on their way to America, where they hoped to have freedom and a new life!

After seeing the Statue of Liberty we took the ferry back to Manhattan and finished our tour aboard the "upper-decker". Manhattan has some amazing architecture. I love old churches and more than that, I love colorful doors.

On Sunday we attended church in Yonkers, then hopped a train back to Manhattan and went to the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA). I know a lot of people don't "get" modern art, but I love it. Well, a big portion of it. I was so excited to see so much of the art that I had studied.

We walked Central Park.

My studly hubbs & Vi:

And Aaron treated me to an early birthday dinner of New York Steak :-)

At about this time we started receiving texts and phone calls from concerned friends. There was a fire burning on the hill behind our house. Our kids and sitter were evacuated. As a mother my biggest worry wasn't about the house or my stuff, but about the kids and their emotional state. I wanted so badly to be there with them to comfort them.

We were concerned and anxious parents so we didn't sleep much that night. Monday we were supposed to shop and play around the city a bit more, but instead we tried to catch up on missed sleep from the worrisome night before, then Aaron dropped Violet and I off at the airport (he had to stay for meetings). I had been dreading the flight home the entire trip. Security was a nightmare as they searched everything in my backpack, took samples of the warm water in a thermos that I needed for a bottle and tested it, waved wands and meticulously searched all my stuff. I didn't go through any of that the way to NY. I hoped upon hope that I would sit next to an understanding mother. But instead I sat beside two MEN, who weren't even fathers. And to make matters worse Violet had TWO blowouts!!! She fussed the whole time and to be honest it was the LONGEST FIVE HOURS OF MY LIFE!

On top of having a fussy baby my anxiety about the kids was running high. I wasn't sure exactly where they were since the person who was going to watch them was also evacuated. And I wasn't sure if we were going to be able to go back to our house that night, and I wasn't sure what state I'd find my house.

Luckily, my house still stands. It was a little smokey but not bad. We were able to go back to the house that night. I was so happy to see my kids again. They were a little freaked out and Rylie had been having bad dreams about the fire. But they all seem to be fine now. Although Rylie begs me not to ever leave again :-(

What a CRAZY trip!

But I have to say that we feel so blessed and so grateful for good friends and concerned family. We're also so grateful to have a home to come home to.

Little Traveler

On our trip to NYC, Violet not only rode in a car, but she also rode in an airplane, on a ferry, and on a train! She sure gets around for a little 7 month old!

WOW-Wee!

one down...

Rylie lost her first tooth today!
FINALLY
She was so excited to have it out!!!

And Aaron was happy to assist :-)

BIG Preschooler!

Sara started preschool today!
She was so excited and did so well!
And she was so cute about it all!

How did my little Sari get so BIG!

School is COOL!

The kids started school on Tuesday!
They were so excited, and a little nervous.
As we neared the school the chatter in the back seat grew quiet.
I could tell butterflies were building up in their tummies.
(because it's truly rare that my kids are actually quiet :-)
I glanced in the rear view mirror and saw Rylie's eyes as big as quarters.

I asked Sam and Kaeli if they wanted me to walk with them
to their classrooms or if they wanted to walk on their own.
They both assured me that they were fine to walk on their own.

(way too independent for my liking.)

So I hugged them good-bye and off they went.
I walked Rylie to her classroom and she confidently walked in,
found where to hang her back pack and sat in her seat.
I felt a lump build up in my throat, but I fought it back.
Sara, Violet, and I walked past Sam and Kaeli's classes to spy on them any way.
Then we walked past Rylie's class one more time to make sure she was o-kay.
And of course she was fine.

So off to the car my littles and I went.
And I didn't cry
for the very first time EVER.

I missed the kids the whole day.
And the house was oddly quiet,
even with two still at home.

I really looked forward to picking the kids up.
They all had a great day and all love their teachers.

(my camera was broken on the first day of school so the following pictures were taken a few days later w/ Aaron's work camera. I'm sad I didn't get pictures of the kids in their favorite outfits.)

Rylie = BIG first grader!

Kaeli = BIG fourth grader!

Sam = BIG fifth grader!

Delicious!

So our little flower is 6 months old!
Can you believe it?

Isn't she delicious!!!
I nibble and love on her every chance I get!
And who wouldn't?

There's something about babies that brings out
the cannibalism in the best of us!

Beautiful, Sweet & EDIBLE!

Lil' Fishies

Last week we finished up swim lessons.
It's one of those things that we do every summer.
The kids love it!
And I love it!

I still can't believe that our summer is almost over!
School starts back up in a week and a half!
CRAZY!!!

Husband, Children, Home

Sister Hinckley is one of my heroes. I love her! I've been reading a book called, "Glimpses into the Life and Heart of Marjorie Pay Hinckley" This passage really struck me!


"We have a lot to learn about simplifying our lives. We have to decide what is important and then move along at a pace that is comfortable for us. We have to develop the maturity to stop trying to prove anything, to be what we are. With all of these decisions we have three responsibilities.

We have a great responsibility to our husbands. I know it is hard to believe, but almost before you can turn around the children will be gone and you will be alone with him. You had better be sure that you are developing the kind of love and friendship that will be delightful and enduring. Let the children learn from your attitude that he is important. Encourage him. Be kind. It is a rough world, and he, like everyone else, is fighting to survive. Be cheerful. Don't be a whiner.

We have a great responsibility to our children. Find joy in them. Don't over-schedule them or yourself. You may not be able to take them on exotic vacations. It doesn't matter. When the day dawns bright and sunny, take an excursion to the canyon or the park. When it's cloudy and wet, read a book together or make something good to eat. Give them time to explore and learn about the feel of grass and the wiggliness of worms.

Now to our homes. Your home is your own private temple. Keep it clean. Put something beautiful in every room for your family to look at. Create a feeling of order and spirituality. Your home can be beautiful without being elaborate or expensive. I once went tracting with a sister missionary in Hong Kong. We entered the door of a resettlement flat. It was small: four bunk beds, no closets. All the clothes and belongings were stacked neatly on the beds. There was one low table with stools and an ugly black stove that burned oil. And then my eyes fell on a vase of artificial flowers on a high shelf just under the ceiling. I was touched by that woman's desire for beauty.

As you create a home, don't get distracted with a lot of things that have no meaning for either you or your family. Don't dwell on your failures, but think about your successes.

Have joy in your home.

Have joy in your husband.

Have joy in your children.

Be grateful for the journey."

Summer Randomness

What can I say?
It's been hard to find time to blog.
So here's a random synopsis of our summer...so far!

We ladies had a Girls Night Out when the boys went on their
"Father & Sons Campout".
So we feasted at Applebees and topped off our meal
with frosties from Wendys.
Then we watched a movie and had a slumber party!

We've been a little crafty:

Sammy got his braces on!

Sara had some of her favorite friends over for
sprinklers, popsicles, giggles, movie, twinkies, & dress up!

And we've been going to the Herriman Resevoir to cool off!