Friday, June 29, 2012

When There's Smoke

“I feel like we’re camping,” I told Spence this morning as I woke up in the hotel and put back on yesterdays clothes trying to ignore the fact that I didn’t have an overnight bag with deodorant, toothbrush or fresh underwear. The air outside only intensifies the camping atmosphere. It’s thick, and dry, and smells just like campfire.

We were evacuated from our house around 3:30 yesterday afternoon.

I was inside nursing Marlee while Brynlee and Jace were outside playing in the sprinklers. I noticed the sky turn orange as I watched the kids out the window. And then I smelt the smoke. It was a faint aroma at first. So I checked on the kids, saw no sign of fire, and went back to nursing Marlee.

The phone rang. I ignored it. Then it rang again, and again. I assumed it was my mom since she does that sort of thing - calls time and time again when you don’t answer. {hi mom! love ya.} By the forth missed call I stopped nursing and answered my phone.

It was Spencer telling us he had just got a phone call from the police department and we needed to evacuate our home. The same recorded message was on my voicemail: The sheriff’s office is requesting that all residents evacuate their homes immediately due to a fast moving fire.

Funny thing, earlier that day I had heard of other evacuations in Colorado and Utah and had questioned myself - what things would I take with me in such a situation. 

In such a situation, I bring nothing. Apparently.                 

No valuables. No change of clothes. Or clean underwear. No toothbrushes. No wipes and diapers for my newborn baby. Or nursing pads for her nursing mama.

Truth be told, I panicked. The kids were in the backyard in their swimming suits and Marlee was laying on the couch – crying, since I had ended her feeding before she was ready. I told the kids to run upstairs and get their clothes on. I grabbed shoes for the gang, my purse, cell phone and computer and we loaded in the van and left the house.

As I left the house I could see the fire rolling down the hills toward the golf course. It was like something you see on the evening news, not something you expect to see in your backyard.

The rest of the day was spent watching the local news, texting friends and neighbors for detail and updating family. The rumors spread faster than the fire itself. Every story exploding into something different. Everybody speculating on whose house had been consumed by the flames. People assuming and then spreading. And so it goes, I guess.

So far the official count is at 66 houses and 29 outbuildings and 1,038 acres burned.

****

Last night we stayed in a hotel wondering of what was to happen.

Tonight we are among the lucky. We are home. And although our house smells of potent campfire smoke and our deck, lawn and flowers are dusted in ash, our house and neighborhood was unharmed. Everything in our house is just as we left it {including the dough I had rising on the kitchen counter for last night’s dinner. yikes}. However, if you stand at the corner of our neighborhood and look out you see nothing but black ruins – skeletons of trees and houses that used to be. Power companies trying to restore power lines, fire crews still fighting, media sources trying to get the inside scoop.

We are so grateful. So thankful. So appreciative. We are also aware, concerned and prayerful for those who weren’t as lucky as us. For the friends, neighbors and ward and stake members that may have lost everything. Our thoughts are with them.

****

Although we are home and power has now been restored in our neighborhood we are still without gas, hot water, internet access etc. Right now we are at my little sisters house showering and quickly updating the blog. Fire pictures will be posted when I am able. As well as updated pictures of my sweet baby Marlee. Oh how we love her.

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Our Life Unedited: Party of Five

Introducing our sweet baby girl.

Marlee Danielle
Born June 12, 2012 at 10:08 am.
7 pounds 8 ounces. 21 inches. And absolutely perfect.





big brother jace took this photo - and gave her the tiny baby to snuggle
We are all so proud. And completely smitten.
More pictures and a special 12 on the 12th {Marlee’s birthday edition} to be posted soon. Our house has been a constant flow of houseguests, visitors and well wishers {and even the sweetest surprise package in the mail. Megan, you are so dang cool}.
We are oh so blessed.
But, when life slows a little {um, right!} I’ll be posting more. But for now we are celebrating new life. There isn’t anything more precious.

Oh and we’re celebrating fathers too! Happy Fathers Day, Dad. I love you! And Spencer, you are my everything.

Thursday, June 7, 2012

A Few Snapshots

Since the kids are in bed, the house is clean, the dishes are done and Spence is watching some boy show.

But mainly because I’ve efficiently nested for one month straight and I have absolutely nothing else to do.
And also because I’m not busy having a baby. Thanks for asking.









P.S. Happy Birthday to you {yesterday} Beth! I remembered. And even have a little something for you sitting on my kitchen counter that never got delievered. Because I'm cool like that.

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

A Peak Inside: Jace's Room

And finally, the superhero’s domain.

I think my favorite part of this room is the homemade telephone booth.  I originally bought this old door at DI to make an oversized photo frame like this one, but decided late one night {when I couldn’t sleep} that it would make a perfect telephone booth for Jace’s room. The decorative topper comes from my neighbors wood shed. She brought it over one day after some spring cleaning for me to “be creative with”. She thought it was part of an old headboard, but couldn’t remember for sure.


A second favorite is the superhero artwork that Spencer and I handcrafted. I drew the images and Spencer cut them out with the jigsaw. They are actually quite large and take up an entire wall. Probably about 2 ½ feet by 2 ½ feet.

Jace’s favorite part is definitely the framed comic book covers. I had to buy him a brighter nightlight because he wouldn’t go to sleep at night unless he could see his superhero.


My lil’ superhero boy, I love him. Really, really love him.

Sunday, June 3, 2012

A Peak Inside: Brynlee's Room

When I asked Brynlee if she wanted to give her room to her new little sister and make the guest bedroom her new room she was super excited. She only had two requests. She wanted the room to be blue {no pink!} and she wanted stuff to hang from her ceiling like it had in her old room.

Easy enough.

And in return she had to agree that her room would also serve as the guest bedroom. Meaning that when guests came to stay or at least the guests we liked {kidding} {kinda} she had to willingly give up her bed. So far there hasn’t been a single complaint. In fact, I think she secretly likes to have a slumber party in any room of her choice when guests are at our house.
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...