Earthquake 5.4

We all had fun experiencing our first mid-sized earthquake since moving to southern CA this morning at 11:42. We felt the shaking, rolling, and then swaying as it moved on. The kids and I were building a fort in the living room when it started and it took a while for me to realize what was happening (sometimes when a large moving/delivery truck or a car with LOUD music drives by our windows rattle). Once I realized what it was I got the kids and ducked into our hallway, distributing them into various doorways. While huddled there with the kids I made a mental note not to choose that place again - we have a lot of picture frames throughout the hallway and in a bigger earthquake they might fall on us or crash on our wood floors, creating a large mess of glass.
Once the shaking stopped we made our way to the couch and turned on the TV to get info. Hillary got in touch with Sean at work and let him know we were safe, and vice versa. The kids were still scared, so we read the last three chapters of Helaman to help us feel better. Our goal was to help them feel better, but those chapters happen to coincide with Samuel's prophecies of the signs of Christ's death so....another mental note: pick happier chapters to read!
And James slept through it all!

Alex's Owie

On Friday, 11 July I noticed that Alex's wrist was swollen with a bug bite/sting that had a red streak traveling all the way up his elbow! Immediately upon showing Sean he was taken to the emergency room (as it was 10pm when we first saw it) where he was administered a HUGE shot in the bum full of antibiotics, and given a prescription of more to take for the next couple of weeks. He was so good during the whole procedure and Sean let him watch "Meet the Robinsons" on his IPOD to keep him entertained at the hospital and while waiting at the pharmacy. The following Monday our regular doctor was not pleased with the results of the original prescription, so he ordered some more. This new medication cleared up the streak in just 3 days! We were very pleased with the progress, but a week later the original bite was still there, red and swollen. So on a return trip to the Dr. we were told there might still be a stinger or something lodged into his arm. The doctor numbed his arm so he could go digging for "treasure" and found a little "foreign object" that was sent to the lab. He then cauterized the area, gauzed it up and sent us home telling us all would be well. It is now, a week later, finally starting to go away completely, with most of the redness and swelling gone. We are all so very thankful that we saw Alex's arm before we sent him to bed that Friday night. We are fully aware that the Lord is looking out for our family and blessing us daily.

James

James, too cute here amidst blocks and cars, is enjoying his challenge of life each and every day. He now boasts 3 bottom teeth, 0 top, and a new found ability to eat Cheerios. He is a VERY patient baby who puts up with his older siblings' over abundant love with ease. He smiles often, even when cranky, and only becomes fussy when teething, tired, hungry, or in the need of a new diaper. He is happy to play on the floor by himself now that he can sit up alone, or in his highchair. His favorite toy is the set of IKEA stacking blocks. He is really good at chewing up paper and books and anything with a tag, and I love it when he gives me hugs and kisses!

Goodbye Crystal!

We all gathered at BJ's for dinner to say, "Goodbye" to Crystal and wish her luck on her new journey in life in Spokane, WA. I'm absolutely jealous of her achievement to arrive in the Evergreen State, but reali ze it's just not our time...yet! We had a blast sending her off, though. From L to R: Gretchen, me, Cindy, Rebecca, Rebecca, Crystal, Traesa, Shauna.

Baptism details

Becky's baptism was beautiful. We were all so excited to have to much family in attendance, including Hillary's Aunt Kathy who lives in Carlsbad, CA. Wakes flew in on a return trip from Ecuador, and Monroes who were in town came as well. We all felt very blessed to have so much familial support, and Becky felt so wonderful. She told Hillary after the baptism that she felt "so good inside!" It was all done and overwith so quickly that Hillary hardly had time to get emotional, but has since had time to reflect and realizes that it's all just the beginning. Soon dating, marriage, grandchildren....I know it really is quite a few years down the road, but so was her baptism when she was born, and now look where we are! These past 8 years has flown, so I'm sure that the next decade will, too. Jane and Alex are counting down the time for their turn! It's all going to come too quickly!

Becky's Baptism Day!

We were all very excited to support Becky in her decision to be baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Stanford Building, Cerritos, CA. She was baptized by her father on Sunday 6 July 2008 at 3pm with her Uncles Dustin M. and Rob W. as witnesses. Prayers were said by Grandma/Grandpa Monroe, talks given by Uncle Brad Wake/Gammie Wake, and a special musical number by Devon Mathews.

Not moving...

We had to remove our house from the sellers' market on June 30th, as we hadn't sold yet and Sean had to let BUSD know his intentions to either stay or leave. Since then Sean was offered and accepted a new job at the Bellflower Unified School district in which he would basically be teaching other teachers how to teach math. He is very excited about this new opportunity; as is Hillary, because it would mean he no longer will be staying up until 11/midnight grading papers and doing lessons, and a slew of other reasons in which stress is relieved. Since we were unable to sell our house and move up to WA this summer, we feel very blessed that the Lord saw fit to improve our situation a bit while we wait for next year and, hopefully, a better housing market.