Cedar City Flood!

So apparently living at the end of the street, where our thought was that there would be less traffic, to keep the kids safe.....wasn't such a good idea!

This afternoon when church got out, we went to walk to the car, and it was pouring rain. We ran to the car, and drove home. We couldn't drive into the garage, because it is full of fence materials. So we sat in the car, thinking the rain would slow. It didn't let down, and Jordan and I mentioned to each other that the storm drain didn't seem to be working very well at the end of the street. We finally decided to bolt into the garage, just to find out that we were locked out of the house. No windows open, all doors locked, no keys, and pouring outside! Jordan decided the only way to get in was to drill into the door knob. During all of this, it was still raining. By the time Jordan got in our house, it was time to get sandbags! We looked out our front door and down the street at what was coming toward us at the end of the street, and this is what we saw!

This was only the beginning, it got worse from here!

Within minutes we had sandbags, and TONS of help! I was amazed at the generosity, and willingness to help from ward members and neighbors! The water was so deep, between 2 1/2 to 3 feet in the deepest spots. Luckily we finished our retaining wall weeks before, which prevented the water from getting into our home. It did flood half of our front lawn. Our neighbors weren't so lucky, and water got into their house.

This is our neighbors house across the street. Everyone was busy at work! I couldn't believe it....

This white car was almost completely covered, I don't know if it will survive from this! The water was so deep, it picked up the car and moved it a little bit! They had to tow it out of the water.

This is how much water got on our lawn, and this is our 2 foot retaining wall! I guess we won't have to water our lawn for a while!

It was a mess! Eventually the city came with a back hoe, and diverted the flow. The water slowly went down. It was absolutely crazy! I am so thankful for amazing friends and neighbors who helped out. What a blessing! We were all a mess, way dirty, and soaking wet! McKinlee didn't want anything to do with it, she just wanted to watch a movie with her juice. I guess with how big of a mess it was, it could of been worse!

I just found the article in the Cedar City newspaper, so here is the link....

http://www.thespectrum.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080721/NEWS01/807210313&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL

4 YEARS

It was 4 years ago today that my brother Jas passed away. I can't believe how fast time flies, but then remembering things today makes it seem like yesterday. So much has happened in the last 4 years. I was pregnant with McKinlee when Jas died, and now I have 2 kids. I love and miss Jas dearly. I figured since I don't write in my journal very well, I'd share some of my thoughts.....

It amazes me to see how Heavenly Father works, and His plan for us. I never would've thought 4 years ago I would be where I am now. Losing my brother was such a hard thing for me. I lost one of my best friends in high school, and then lost Jas, and I have always had such a hard time with death. But my testimony of the Gospel and the Atonement of Jesus Christ have been my rock, and what have kept me going. I am so thankful that I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and I know that it is the only true church. I know that there is life after death, and I believe in the resurrection, and know that I will see Jas again. What a comfort it is to me to know these things. I am so thankful that my parents were sealed in the Temple, and that we can be an eternal family some day. I have grown so much these past 4 years. I am a stronger person, and I can really say that losing Jas has made me stronger, and a better person. I know how fast life can pass you by. I try to live each day to the fullest, and count by blessings. I am so blessed, and I owe it all to my Heavenly Father. I know that Heavenly Father gives us trials to help us grow, and make us stronger. I know that we can handle anything that is thrown our way, I really believe that. After Jas died, I never thought that I would be able to move on. But life goes on, I'll never forget Jas and miss him dearly, but you can't dwell on that which you have no control. Learn from your trials. I know that serving others helps to forget yourself and your own trials, and realize what you can do to help another person's life.

I love to talk about Jas, I guess you could say that it helps me deal with things. My family called today, and we all reminiced about the past. I'm sad that I am not with you all today. But what an amazing man Jas was. He was so kind and thoughtful, and was always thinking of others. He worked for Gold Cross as an EMT, and loved the medical profession. He loved saving lives, and loved serving others. In fact the night before he died, he saved a girl's life. He was so willing to help those in need. He was so forgiving, and loved to be around people. He loved his wife and 2 kids, they were the world to him. He'd do anything for them. I remember after Jas died, Jason's wife Michelle didn't know how to tell his 2 and 5 year old kids that their daddy had died. Mykell kept asking why everyone was crying, and what was going on. Finally Michelle went outside with her, and told her that Daddy was gone, and was living in Heaven. Mykell calmly told her that she knew, because Jesus had told her. Wow, the knowledge of a child, and how close they are to God. I have felt that same love and comfort these past 4 years. I have truly felt angels around me, holding me up, helping me through trying times.

I love and miss Jas, there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of him. I know I'll see him again, and that's what keeps me going. I love you Jas! Here is the last picture of Jas with his son Luke before Jas died.

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July! I love this holiday, to have a chance to reflect on the freedoms that we have, and the wonderful country that we live in (hopefully that continues with a new president!). We had a great day with family and friends. In the morning we went to the Cedar City parade (by the way Cedar City has a parade for EVERYTHING, so they are all about the same). But we really had fun sitting with our friends. McKinlee brought her princess backpack, ready to fill it with candy. It was kinda funny encouraging McKinlee to be aggressive against the other kids, fighting for the candy. A little opposite from what we usually teach her! She loved the fire trucks, and seeing the horseys. We had to go a little early, hoping to get good seats, but of course people are crazy and get there way early, so we were facing the sun. But I think it was HOT no matter what way we were facing!

McKinlee and Porter both saying CHEESE!

Cute Hunter (he already needs another haircut!)

The Dodd Family

Our cute Family (can you tell that Jordan loves (hates) getting his picture taken!)

All of the kids waiting for the parade

Jordan says that he is allergic to direct sunlight (he hates the heat), so he went and sat up against the building before the parade started, where the only shade was. Of course that's were the old people sat, so he made some new friends.

I love this picture with their hands on their hearts. It's amazing what a child can teach you!

SO CUTE!

Hunter enjoying the parade!

This shows how hot it was! Look at the sweat on his hair! The stroller was soaking wet! I felt so bad for him!

After the parade, we went to our neighbors and went swimming. McKinlee absolutely loves the water and has no fear. I can't believe how much Hunter loves to swim also. After swimming we decided to host a barbecue in the partially finished backyard. It was lots of fun to have neighbors over, and let the kids play. The day ended with fireworks, and the kids being exhausted. OK so I was pretty exhausted too! (Even the day after!)

SICKNESS!

Oh my goodness, I thought that it was summer, and that you weren't supposed to get sick!! Usually we are sick in the winter, but these past couple weeks have been the pits! McKinlee started out first with a mild fever, then Hunter, then they spread it on to me....and I was miserable! Jordan had to stay home from work and watch the kids, because I could barely function. It was no fun, I don't remember the last time I was that sick. Then a couple days later, Jordan got it. And his lasted forever! Finally I convinced him to go to the doctor because he was so miserable. And he had STREP. So they put him on antibiotics, and we thought that would do the trick, and we would all get over this stinking bug. BUT Saturday, Hunter was so sick. He is the happiest little boy, so I knew he was sick when he was so fussy. So I took him to the instacare, and he had.....an ear infection, pink eye, a viral infection in his throat, and a viral infection in his lungs. POOR BABY! I felt horrible for him. So they put him on 2 different antibiotics, and we are praying that we all get over this! I am ready to quarantine ourselves until we all get better.

BUT despite the fact that we have all been sick, we have made a lot of progress on our backyard. The grass is all laid, the curbing is done, and two sides of our fence is up. Thanks to my Dad, we have a lot of new plants (he split his perennials, and saved us a ton of money!) Jordan has worked so hard, and is an amazing husband! So here are a few updated pictures...

We have had some fun these past couple of weeks, another fishing trip, Nana, came and visited, and Brad and Jena stayed with us. I also want a new look for my blog, so hopefully soon I will get around to updating all of this!

Our backyard

I have to post about the progress that we have made in our backyard! Thanks to my wonderful husband, it is coming along! Saturday we layed half of our sod, and hopefully the rest will be layed this week. It is so weird to look outside and see grass. We even got our curbing done yesterday, and planted some flowers. I can't wait to be able to send McKinlee outside, and not worry about her running around the entire neighborhood. She was a little upset when the dirt mound was gone, she had made a mud slide out of it, I was happy to see it gone. Here are a few pictures of the progress....

McKinlee and Kyle were playing the the dirt, and I caught this picture of them laying in the dirt. Yard work wears it out of you!

First Fishing Trip of the Year

We finally went fishing with our good friends the Zufelt's. I have to admit that it was a lot easier going fishing last year when we only had one kid! But we had a lot of fun, and I was the only one who caught a fish! OK so my fishing consisted of casting out my pole, going over and playing with McKinlee and Hunter in the water, and Jordan yelling to me to come and reel in my pole because I caught one. Did I mention that I make Jordan bait my pole also! What a good husband I have!

Me with the only fish caught (MINE! He He)

Funny story about McKinlee....she has kinda been a wimp about certain things lately, namely bugs. So I took her to the bathroom (outhouse) and she about had a heart attack because there were flies in the outhouse. Jordan said he could hear her crying all the way at the lake. She even played with the worms all day. But when I caught the fish, she had no fear of touching or even kissing the fish.

You'd think that I learned my lesson last year, and would've known that McKinlee would get in the water, no matter how cold it was. Her pants were soaking wet, and of course she was freezing afterwards. So she got in her pajamas a little early. She had lots of fun playing with Kyle. (Leilani was smart to bring Kyle in shorts)

Leilani and Sydney (I don't know what happened with my camera on this!)

Daddy and Hunter fishing

Visiting with more family!

We love to see our family! It's hard not living close to them, but it is a lot of fun when we visit. It was fun to see Mike and Kelly's new baby Cohen, he is so cute. Hunter is about 3 times the size of him, Cohen is just so skinny and little.

Nana loved to have 3 out of 5 grandkids all together.

Kelly and I with our babies (mine's not so little anymore!)

Nana, Hunter, and Cohen (I had to put this picture because I think Hunter's face is so cute!)