Just another day...

Yes, on Tuesday we had an earthquake. Centered in Chino Hills measuring a 5.4. The kids and I were at home playing when the shaking started. Dillan got unusually quiet and said, "What was that?" I felt a jolt at first and then I swear I could hear a rumbling before everything started shaking. I grabbed the kids and we scrambled to the nearest doorway. Sesame Street was on the entire time, so the power never went out. I gave Dillan a brief rundown of what an earthquake was. He didn't seem too interested or worried and quickly went back to Elmo. Chris called a few minutes later, "Did you feel that?" "Why didn't you get in the bathtub?" What do you think? I told him next time to run far away from the wall of TVs at his store and find a desk to crawl under. Oh, and the bathtub thing I think is for tornadoes. Utard.

Anyway, then the next step was to survey the house, step outside and take a look, then turn on the news to find out all the details. All I've been hearing is how we should be prepared for "The Big One" that is to come. You know what? I've been hearing that since I was a child. The Big One is coming, The Big One is coming! In junior high, 7th grade science class, they showed us the scariest movie I've ever seen. Parts of it I may have exaggerated in my own mind or they are engraven there from the countless nightmares I experienced after seeing it. The most memorable actually took place at our church building where the ground split apart and I watched every person I care about falling into the chasm and I can't help them! The movie essentially showed all the many ways you can die in an earthquake. Lovely. I remember I was always worried about my dad being at work and getting stuck in an elevator. Come to think of it, I have not watched that movie since. I wonder if I'd appreciate it more now...uh NO! I pray my kids will never see it.

But it's true, earthquakes are real. I know the First Presidency is aware of that fact because all we hear about is getting our affairs in order, including food storage. I've gotten better at my food storage, but of course need to do better. Chris and I spent most of Wednesday cleaning and reorganizing our garage (the only storage we have). My fabulous mother was able to find us two 50+ gallon barrels for dirt cheap! We found a comfy place for those babies and filled them up! My goal is to have an entire shelf unit full floor-to-ceiling with food storage. I even got around to updating our 72-hour kits in our cars with clothes for the baby and clothes that fit Dillan. Really, you can't ever be too prepared. I worry about our neighbors and what I could possibly do for them. Oh yeah! Share my knowledge...duh!

Presenting...Our Family

Create your own family sticker graphic at pYzam.com

My search still continues for some cute stickers for our new family mini-van. I have found millions online and have sent endless emails to various websites trying to come up with a unique design that they can put together for me.

Yes, they're silly, but I still want them!

Chats with Dillan

I've come to the realization that I will never remember all the things that my kids do while they are young, so I better write them down. Dillan has become quite the sponge. I say sponge because many pediatricians, grandparents, advice givers, and so on will always tell you how so like sponges little minds are. They pick up everything and are constantly filling their minds with whatever is out there. Lately, everything Dillan has picked up has come out again, this time with his own flavor.

Dillan: Mommy, I want to go to college.
Mommy: (elated) Great! Mommy wants you to go to college too.
Dillan: I will go tomorrow when I wake up.
Mommy: Hmmm, you need to go to preschool first.
Dillan: Okay, after preschool I can go to college.
Mommy: Sounds good.

Mommy: Dillan, what do you want to do when you get bigger?
Dillan: Maybe I will be a doctor. (thanks, Sesame Street.)
Mommy: That's a great idea.
Dillan: And I will be a cooker, like Papa.
Mommy: Will you cook for me?
Dillan: Yes, I will cook broccoli. I will take Baby Sister with me.
Mommy: But you can't go too far away or I will miss you.
Dillan: Okay, when you're sick you can visit me.

Dillan: What's Baby Sister's name?
Mommy: Leah
Dillan: I will call her Leeks.
Mommy: Why?
Dillan: That's just her name.
(He actually stuck to that nickname for about a month!)

(Dillan's new-found-love is trucks with hitches, boats-in-tow, and motorhomes...thanks Papa)
Dillan: (looking out the window) Mommy! There's a hitch on that truck!
Mommy: (no enthusiasm) That's good Dillan.
Dillan: We gotta get a trailer and a boat for that truck.
Mommy: It's not our truck.
Dillan: Can I go see? I think it is ours.

The Days of Shaver

Another Shaver Week has come and gone. I absolutely love all the anticipation that leads up to the trip, it kind of keeps me going all year. I'm not sure what it is and I don't expect anyone else to understand. Maybe it's the crisp mountain air or the enormous pine trees that regulate the area. They have such an immense presence, you feel like an intruder to their territory. You can stand in the lake and actually see your feet below. It's not even cold! The water is beautiful, even with all the boats and waverunners zipping in every direction. Hey, even we thinking/dreamers in nature can't sit still too long! Early-morning wakeboarding, swim races across the cove, being whipped on a tube (because you asked for it!), jumping off the rock (when deep enough), horseshoe tournaments, noisy dinners, late-night games, and the worst cravings for sleep even with painful muscles and sunburn...just to muster up the energy to start again the next day!

A thought that always enters my mind is the calming feeling of peace one experiences when outdoors. When you are outside, completely surrounded by nature, you are completely surround by The Creation. And since Heavenly Father's Earthly Creation is 100% obedient to Him, we are 100% surrounded by obedience, and that's where the peace comes from.
I love it. I can't get enough of it. If I had the means, I would have a home on that mountain to escape to often. We figured out that my family has been to that mountain 9 times. For myself, I believe it has been 6 or 7. For Chris and I, every year since we were married and for my children, every year since birth. I love knowing that they will have many memories of that place, and I intend to do all I can so they can continue to experience those memories. Speaking of memories, I am very pleased to announce a milestone that occurred while at Shaver Lake 2008. Leah learned to climb not just up the stairs but also down the stairs (safely!) She had successfully scaled our stairs at home and so continued her training in our cabin. She figured out how to reach the top and then began the descent down! Impressive? For me, yes!

Maybe it's because all the family makes every effort possible to be there that gives the trip such a feeling of warmth. We totaled 42. An impressive 4 generations of families were present. Grandkids ranging in age from 30 to 11 months plus 7 great-grandkids and 1 on the way!
We have our grandparents to thank for bringing us all together. Even with all the noise that is ever-present, we love being all together and that's the most important thing.
Presenting my first attempt at making a slideshow/video...
...drumroll please...

Let's Go!

So this Shaver Lake trip is planned a year in advance. Most of my extended family makes plans to attend, and throughout the year everyone makes necessary preparations. My parents rent a vacation home for my family, my sister's family, my still-single brother, and themselves. Every year they always say how nice it is up there and that's where they should plan to retire. It is so fun being all together! The other families all get homes on the same street. Everyone takes a turn serving dinner one night during the week. Really, I don't have to do a thing, my parents are the champions at taking it all upon themselves! Days are spent boating, swimming, wakeboarding, digging in the sand, napping, eating, laughing, whatever you want! It seems that every year has a story tied to it, some good, some not-so-good, but all of them memorable. For me, I always get carsick the last 30 minutes of the trip when we speed through the switchbacks up the mountains. I was pregnant last year and threw up in our mostly-empty ice chest. This year I'll be sure to bring a bucket so I don't mess up my new van.
And today is finally here! We're leaving this afternoon and I have so much to keep myself busy that I won't have time to count down the hours! It will be so nice to write about when I return...til then!
A few pictures of Shaver Lake Past...

Happy Birthday Daddy!

YeeHaw! Daddy is finally getting older (he's got to catch up to me)! I've heard so many stories about Chris as a baby and little boy. I've also been told the story about the day he was born-pretty quick and the doctor almost didn't make it in time! Chris' mother had had 4 babies previously, all quick deliveries...no fair, I say! Anyway, he was the baby growing up and just a perfect little angel from what I've been told. Never gave his parents any worries or grief. What a sweetheart!
These are a few pictures I pulled from his album. He normally doesn't read the blog unless I ask him, so he may never know they're here! My favorite is the saggy diaper.


Anyway, we're grateful for him and all that he does for our family. Between working full-time, school, and his EQ Presidency church calling...he always has time for us. He has been a great strength and support to me over the years, as well as my best friend. I love how much we have grown up, but I also love the moments where our immaturity kicks into gear and we can be childish (in a good way.) We're great competitors but also the best of teammates. Sometimes he drives me crazy with how much he tells me he loves me (I know, I know, ridiculous!) He puts up with me, even when he doesn't have to, and always makes me feel beautiful,even when I'm not. He's a great example of unconditional love and loyalty. I admire so many of his Christ-like qualities.


Dillan ADORES him, Leah has a laugh only for him. He's the most important person in my life and I hope to become his ultimate TrophyWife and be more deserving of him.
Happy Birthday Stinky! I love you!

Family * Food * Fireworks * Fun

We spent the 4th of July and surrounding days submerged in swimming pools and BBQs. We had a great time seeing family members and eating to our hearts' content. Dillan has finally overcome his fear of the water that has been present since May. He's finally comfortable and asks to go swimming all the time. I opted to keep him out of swim lessons because I wanted to avoid any confrontation with him. Maybe after our trip next week I'll consider it again.
The best part of the weekend was Saturday night. It was the Pechanga Indian tribe's annual Pow Wow at the casino. Saturday night they had an amazing fireworks show. We met my parents and brother at the Sports Complex just across the street. We had our picnic dinner at the soccer fields where there were hundreds of other families. Dillan dribbled up and down that field a dozen times and then we had batting practice. When all the lights went off, we cuddled up under our blankets to watch the fireworks. Dillan has always hated loud noises, so hid his face for the first few minutes. Soon, however, he found the courage to watch and has not stopped talking about it since. Leah had her eyes fixed upon the bright lights in the sky. She was still and totally mesmerized. It was great! We've decided that making memories should be our top priority in our family. Better late than never to start!