Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity-Jig

Just wanted to update you all.  They lifted the evacuation in our area last night.  But they suggested that those with asthma stay away until today.  So we are back home now.  They are still recommending that those with asthma stay indoors for the next few days, so we are trying to keep Charly entertained until they get the fire under control.  There are some pretty big wind gusts this afternoon that have blown the fire back in our direction, but because it was mostly sage brush, there aren't a lot of hot spots on our side of the mountain.  Hopefully things will stay calm here and they will get it put out soon.

Thanks again for all of the calls and texts.

We're All Alright!

Okay, if you haven't heard by now, crawl out from under your rock!  No, just kidding.
In all seriousness, the mountain by Mom's house started on fire yesterday afternoon.  By the time we got home from the family dinner at Rebecca's around 8 last night, they were evacuating homes to the south of us.  We got to the house and started packing.  Due to Charly's, Mom's, Candace's, and David's asthma, and Aunt Phyl being on oxygen, we thought it best to just get while the gettin' was good.

It's hard packing in a situation like that.  It's hard to decide what you can't live without, knowing that what you leave behind might not be there tomorrow.  What would you pack in a situation like that???  We quickly grabbed the laptop, the hard drive with most of our pictures on it, our scrapbooks, clothes, other necessities, and things that would comfort and entertain the kids.  I strongly suggest investing in a portable hard drive if you don't have one already.  Take the time to scan all of your photos and memorabilia onto it.  Mom and Aunt Phyl had to leave so much behind because they just couldn't fit it all in.  My other suggestion:  GET ORGANIZED!  Make sure you know where all of your important documents are and that you can get to them in a flash.  I am terrible at this.  I keep thinking that I will get it all done tomorrow.  In fact, that was my plan for yesterday's tomorrow.  Instead, I am sitting in my in-laws kitchen, wishing had this and that.  Wishing I knew where the birth certificates were put when we got our new desk.  Wishing I could find some of the presents that I bought for Cheyenne's birthday tomorrow.

It's pretty heart wrenching, looking at your home and thinking of every memory attached to each thing you have collected over the years, and knowing you can't take it with you.  My heart goes out to the families that did loose their homes.  I am amazed at the outpouring of love and support that has come from the community.  Thank you to everyone that called to check on us.  Due to the masses of people trying to make calls to loved ones, the networks were totally jammed.

Mom, Aunt Phyl, Candace, and David ended up at Uncle Bryce's.  Nate, the girls, and I are at his parent's house.  So much ash got in the motor of our car that it died on the way here.  We had to have Nate's dad tow us to his house.  But we made it here safe and sound.  Nate washed the motor out this morning, so the car is back up and running.

We have been told that we are allowed to go back to our houses to check on it, but they recommend we stay away.  The fire is no where near under control at this time, and due to Herriman's lovely winds, they are concerned about how quickly things can change from minute to minute.

Here are some links so that you can stay up to date if you want.
Local news channel
Herriman City-  They also have maps that show the areas that are mandatory evacuation.
Herriman's Twitter Group

Please keep the families that lost their homes, the brave people fighting the fire and volunteering their time to help those effected, and all those whose houses are still in danger in your prayers.

Thanks for all of your love and concern!

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band ---Sang in a choir though
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity--does tithing count?
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo--nope, too chicken
11. Bungee jumped--once again, too chicken
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child--5 as a matter of fact
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty--and it is a LONG climb
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill--we call them mental health days so in a way...
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelos David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted--does the one that Sierra had done count?
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit--well, not a law suit exactly but I was a witness in Nate's court case.
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day-

39 for me. I guess my life is pretty boring but I like it that way.