Central Virginia Earthquake 5.8

Today, we had the shock of our lives!  We live about 30 miles from the epicenter near Mineral, Virginia.  I asked everyone in our little family to share their thoughts, feelings, and story of what happened to them.   These are their stories.

Eli (4 years old) - Watching Winnie the Pooh-Cowboy Pooh, the house started to shake up and down.  My Mom came and picked me up and we woke up Charleigh and hugged each other on the bed in Charleigh's room.  I was brave and did not cry.

Spencer (6 years old) - I was in Art Class when the building started making noise.  Two people began crying.  People started screaming.  I knew it was an earthquake, but nobody else knew.  We went to the big kid playground to line up for the earthquake drill.  It stopped when we got to the big kid playground.  The earthquake shook me a little.  I was brave.  This is non-fiction.

Marchus (7 years old) - Our teacher told us to go in the middle of the room when our schoolhouse trailer shook up and down.  Someone fell down.  Kids started to cry.  I knew it was an earthquake when no one else knew what was happening.  We lined up later and went to the little kid playground.  Since we had an earthquake, we stopped our reading groups and our teacher taught us about earthquakes.

I was in my room and was startled.  I thought the property manager was on the roof cleaning the rain gutters.  After two seconds, I realized what was happening.  I didn't know what was going to happen in the next 30 seconds, I just knew I wanted to hold my babies.  I grabbed Eli and woke Charleigh up and just held them.  I, too, did not cry and didn't think it was all that bad.

Laron was at the UVA Hospital in the cafeteria.  He and his friend casually walked under a beam while continuing their conversation.

The yellow vase was on the shelf above the orange mug.

This yellow vase, the books on the floor and basket on Marchus' headboard are the only things that fell down.

Cell phone lines were down for about an hour.  I wanted to reach out to our extended family to let them know we were okay.  I didn't know if the kids were alright until they came home off the bus at 3:45pm.  I felt peace and knew that no news is good news for a while.  Laron couldn't call until after 5pm.  We have felt aftershocks.  We couldn't all be reunited until 9:30pm when we came home from Mutual.

I thought it would be good for the kids to tell their stories to help them process the event and remember to stay calm and help others in calamities such as this.

I am grateful for eternal families and am daily reminded that our relationships continue after death.

Charleigh's Family Party

Spencer, Eli, and Charleigh stayed home from church today.  Charleigh wanted a BBQ or in the South a "Cook Out".  We realized we were going to have a storm in the afternoon and it would last until Monday.  We had Charleigh's party when Laron and Marchus came home.  We had all of Charleigh's favorite foods. ie. grapes, strawberries, hot dogs, corn on the cob, Coconut Chicken, and chips.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Charleigh!

We went to the Air and Space Museum in Washington DC for Charleigh's birthday.  The boys got to choose where in DC we would visit.  This may sound funny, but Charleigh really loves airplanes.  She has been pointing to planes in the sky for almost a year. I love this museum, both Air and Space Museums, in fact.  The first time I came here I was pregnant with my eldest son, Marchus.  I cried in the museum, knowing I would have a boy who would; hopefully, love airplanes and helicopters as much as I do. Every time we come, we go to different sections of the building.  During the visit, we kept asking the kids which one of them is going to be the pilot in the family, so their parents can fly for free.

Laron and I took turns doing a session at the Washington DC Temple.  The kids love to play at the park near the temple.  This picture is at the pond next to the Visitors Center.  We saw Christmas lights on the trees!   We can't wait until Christmastime.

We ended the long day at Cafe Rio.  The new location in Virginia has been open just a little over a month.

First Day of School 2011!

A picture says a thousand words.  This one; however, says two, "Stinkin' Cute!"  August 9th was Marchus' first day of Second Grade and Spencer's first day of First Grade.  I cried; once again, as they boarded the school bus and drove away.  The boys' friends and girlfriends are not in their new classes.  I  am so excited for their new adventures this year.  They both are going to have to make new friends.  I want them to know, it is easy to make friends wherever you go.   The Lord seems to put us where we are needed and juxtapose to those who need us.

Our Family Is Splitting Up!

According to Spencer, our 6 year old, our family is splitting up!  We are in the last year of my husband's medical residency and are looking forward to where we want to bloom next.  Spencer feels he, Dad, Marchus, and Charleigh need to move to Maine or Alaska.  He is sensitive to others wants and says that Mom and Eli can move to Florida.  (I don't think Charleigh has a say in the matter.)

As crazy as this family situation may seem; while raising our kids, we will stay in the same state.  Our relationships not end here after Earth, but extend through the Eternities.  We believe families are forever!

I caught my first snake today!

I feel kind of exhilarated being able to say I caught a snake while pulling weeds.  I have to call it my first because this may be a new career path I want to pursue.  Now, I think Steve Irwin, Crocodile Hunter, is less weird. 

All morning long we kept finding earthworms, so we decided to put them in the bug catcher.  My four kids were playing in the yard when it happened.  I screamed and screamed, "I caught a snake!  Get the bug house!"  Until I finally grabbed the snake and ran to get the bug house myself.  It was about six inches long, black with a pink belly.  The kids named it Speedy. 

My first instinct was not safety for my family.  I think it was fear for my life!

Later that same evening, Speedy passed away speedily.  I am okay with it.  My kids like to keep pets for a week and let them go back to their mothers.  PETA, we did try to feed Speedy and give him a proper environment.

All I need to do is win the lottery!

I went to the grocery store today.  In the dairy section, I came across a gentleman with a black t-shirt with the words "All I need to do is win the lottery!".  He wore sunglasses in the store with bifocals on the outside of his shades.  This gentleman was in his late seventies; maybe eighties.

I back tracked several times in the store.  You could say at times that I was zig-zagging.  I bumped into this gentleman on a few occasions.  He made me smile because he seemed happy.

Today we are celebrating our veterans, heroes, and supportive family members of our military.  This kind man may have been a veteran and all he wants or needs is to win a lottery.

What many people don't realize is money doesn't solve problems.  Money creates opportunity.  What you do with the opportunities and lots given to you is up to you.

On Memorial Day, I reflect on my younger brother, Marchus, and the simple, obedient life he led.  You are my hero!  I love you, Marchus!