What would you do?

So there's just been an 7.2 earthquake, homes have been destroyed and people are hurt and panicking. If your plan of action is to grab your diet coke so it doesn't spill and turn up the TV cos the sirens are so loud, then you weren't at the mock disaster training this morning, which took place throughout our whole city.
We grabbed our 72 hour kits, one of which had all it's food replaced by mice droppings (seriously) and headed to the command center to find classes, prizes, games and tons of very useful info.

I learned so much, it was well worth the couple of hours to see how organized and prepared our area is. I learned how to gather resources and the ladder of commands to pool excess to send out or more likely needs to draw in.
There were a couple of hundred people there.
I learned the reality of how unprepared most of us are.

I am grateful there are people dedicated to this. Education is the greatest tool. I have added to my resources over the years and feel a little more peaceful about the whole thing but we can always do better.


Oh, and we got 3 MP3 players and a can of pancake mix.
Thanks everyone .

Helping a friend

I love to hear about an awesome family, winning a battle so encourage you to check out this blog post and help if you can.

Follow this link for more information if you're interested. http://web.me.com/aaronshamy/Spiderman_Fights_Cancer/Daily_Updates_Blog/Entries/2009/2/16_ESCAPE_FROM_ALCATRAZ_~_A_CALL_FOR_HELP.html

Happy Birthday Ronan.

We just love this kid!! Ronan is the most mellow kid I've ever met, his extreme excitement is shown in a raised eyebrow or quick huff.Today he turns 10 and the loud happy sounds coming from his boy party are so fun to witness.
I love being Mum to so many boys, each one so unique.





Ronan has the whole world in his fingertips, he is so awesome.

'cos I can.

Today I got to hang out with Jordan and his buds as they went on a field trip to the state capitol. I'm so impressed with all these kids, tomorrows leaders. They were all quite and respectful and we got to hear a little of what goes in the house of representatives. Cool stuff. I feel pretty lucky that I can be available to do stuff like this with my chillins.

A fond farewell

It's been a week since I got back from England and to be frank it's taken me that long to get my head back in the game, it's pretty hard to say goodbye to your family and not know how long it'll be til you meet again.
So for all those who think I'm a spoiled jetsetter....I am :) but actually this trip was for a final farewell to my Nan "connie"

She is my Grandma, my Dad's Mum. She was so much fun growing up. She's feisty lady that I think invented "telling it like it is" much to the offense of everyone, but for some reason, I was never offended by her. She taught us to play cards and Bingo, still my favorite game, she was happy to dance alone and always won the raffle. She loved life, always thought she was young and loved her 3 boys who could do no wrong. What a great lady. I'm glad she gets to rest a while now after a hard slog these last few years but I'm sure her rest will be short lived and the party will soon be in full swing in Heaven.

So Nana...til we meet again

Rockin the uniform

I ran into these lads in town (Aylesbury) and just thought how cool they looked in there uniform. Every school has uniform in England and I love the sense of belonging you get when you see someone in your colors. Like when I see someone in scrubs I feel grateful, fireman, I feel flustered, police I feel guilty (why is that?) someone in pj's and an ugly tshirt I think SAH mom :)
I was impressed at how these "super cool" chaps let me take a snap or 2.
I really am a fan of school uniform, it saves on money and decisions.

A blast from the past.

What a day! I have had a great day! We started out at a mission fairwell for my good friend Jo Ellens son Matt. He's headed to Conneticut. I have known her since I first moved to Utah. She could see past my extremely strange style of dress and funky hair and thick accent which caused Boyd to need to translate half the time and we became good buds. Kids grow and lives change and we have stayed there for each other, celebrating and sometimes supporting. She inspires me, she has met many challenges head on and keeps ploughing.
Then we had dinner with some other friends, Whit and Lauren. He was a missionary in London when I left and threw me a going away party, we were right there waiting when he returned from his mission along with Lauren who is also from England and they are happily married with 3 awesome, fun kids. I am so impressed that despite Whit's crazy, wacky childhood, he is a stellar man and takes great care of his family.
I got home, feeling blessed and relieved that i have happy friends when so many of mine are not and then had a chat with 2 more of my nearest and dearest. Jen from England, my sister, my rock and Sherry my Scottish bud who tells it like it is too. Both really struggling yet ploughing through also.
I just hoped on facebook and saw all these comments from people who love there family and who appreciate the good things around them
I feel so lucky to have so many solid people in my life. People who live by principles, people who take whats thrown at them and do there best, people who work hard to be better and don't blame anyone else for there lives.
I love them and feel better because I know them.