Tokyo Earthquake

I have been awake for 30 hours at this moment.  I am utterly exhausted!  However, today was a pretty big day and I would like to document my feelings/emotions while they are still fresh and not clouded by sleep or the day to day happenings of life. 

This may be a familiar picture to you if you have been watching the news.  This is a picture I found of the earthquake that happened Friday, March 11th at 3:46 Japanese time.  It measured as an 8.9 on the rictor scale.  According to CNN, it is the 7th largest earthquake since records started being kept.

Well, if you haven't already seen, I was there.  Shelby and I were getting the kids out of the car at the 100 Yen store.  This was our last stop as we headed to the base to get me checked in and hopefully on the plane.  Things started to shake.  I was trying to wake Maggie up so she could shop (her favorite thing to do) and everything started moving.  At first, Shelby thought that the car next to us thought we were to close so it started sending shock waves.  I thought the car had started bouncing.  This goes to show you that you don't always think rational thoughts in the middle of something like this is.  We finally came to terms with what was going on and just looked at each other like what are we going to do next.  It felt like it lasted forever.  People came running out of the store.  Kids were crying and parents were trying to figure out what was going on.

I still wasn't sure what was going on, but I knew that we needed to keep the kids close.  (Sidenote: this was hard to do.  Kennie & Justin were excited to go spend their Yen and Nate didn't have his meds so he was bouncing off the wall.)    We tried to keep ourselves calm (which I think we did really good) !!  It ended, and the kids wanted to go in.  So we did.  We were in and out in less than 20 minutes to get to the base.  As we were driving, the first aftershock hit.  It registered at a 7.1.  2 women in a van with 6 kids and no ability to call out because all of the lines were jammed.  I said a silent prayer that Shelby and I would stay calm.  We both posted a quick funny message on facebook, not realizing how big of a deal it was.  (Which I am very grateful we did.)

We got to the base and inside.  Did roll call, checked bags, stamped out of the country and paid for meals.  Said our (very difficult) goodbyes to Shelby, Sol and Hazel and went through the terminal check point.  Tears streaming down Sol, Shelby, Hazel and my cheeks.  (Hazel was tired.)  I wasn't ready to go.  I still had thing to do and I was enjoying having company other than my 4 rugrats.

It wasn't until we settled waiting for them to load us on the bus that we (all 35 passengers) realized how much devastation was caused.  The severity of the situation and the thousands of people that were being effected right that minute.  People tried calling out, I tried calling my ride home from the airport, but still, all phone lines were jammed.  I tried logging onto wifi to message friends and my mom, but the wifi was down.  I literally had no contact with anyone outside of that terminal.  It was then that the message and truth of the gospel comforted me.  I knew that whatever happened, I would be together again with my husband.  We would be a family.  I could see my husband smile at me and tell me that I was doing great, even though I wasn't. 

I know that Aaron trusts me and my ability to act in stressful situations.  For the most part, I keep a clear head and am able to know the things I should and shouldn't do.  I kept the kids calm and was able to prepare for the 7 hour flight in front of us.  I carried 2 back packs, my carry on bag, my purse, a food/drink bag, 2 pillow pets and 2 coats (and myself) to the bus and to the plane.  Then back to the bus and back to the terminal. 

Folks, I wish this was the end of my story.  About 20 minutes after take off, I started smell gas fumes.  I mentioned it to the Air Force guy in charge (don't know his title, sorry) and he realized it was gas fumes.  They started looking around as it got worse and realized that some of the cargo on board was leaking.  They cleaned up the line of gas going towards the back of the bus and it stopped, so they didn't worry about it.  They handed out meals.  My kids ate then all laid down for sleep time.  About 2 hours later, they announced overhead that they were going to drop the oxygen masks and that it wasn't required, but if we were sitting in our chairs, it would be smart to put it on.  The fumes were still there but not really changing. 

About an hour later, they came back on again and explained that the fumes were getting stronger so it was now required to put the mask on.  (Realize, I had not gotten any sleep at this point.)  So, I got Kennie up and in the chair.  In his seat belt and his mask on.  He went back to sleep.  Did the same with Nate.  Justin was harder to get up and in his chair, but he eventually made it there.  I then picked up Maggie and there was no way she was going to wake up.  So, she laid on my lap.  Put the oxygen masks on everyone, gave Justin permission to play his DSi (he couldn't go back to sleep) and closed my eyes for a few minutes,  I slept for just shy of 45 minutes.  We wore the oxygen masks all the way to Anchorage.  Got ourselves off the plane, to the terminal, discharged by the medical staff and all 7 checked bags, 4 backpacks, my purse, my carry on, 3 pillow pets and 4 coats to the car.  (Okay, we left my purse and Nate's backpack at the terminal) and got in Stacie's car.

That was 12 hours ago.  I still haven't slept.  I am at 31 hours with no sleep.  I am D-E-A-D on my feet.  My eyes kill, my legs ache and my emotions are all over the board.  I can't wait to crawl into MY bed and sleep.  Hoping that tomorrow I will wake up to see this is only a nightmare.

I am realistic though.  Thousands of people's lives have been changed in a matter of moments.  I feel almost as helpless as I did 9-11 except I was there.  I felt the earth shake and the buildings move.  I selfishly said a prayer that our van would be kept safe.  My prayer was answered.  Thousands of others are not so fortunate.  My heart is so full of gratitude for my knowledge of our plan here on Earth and trust in our Heavenly Father that he and only he knows what will happen and giving us the tools of comfort and inspiration to help us get through those very trying and scary times. 

I am SO thankful I was with Shelby.  She is someone I can talk to.  She knows me and my thoughts without me even expressing them.  I trust her and I know she trusts me.  We made it through together.  Thank you Shelby!!  Thank you to all of those who were concerned for us and prayed for us.  Prayer is a very powerful tool and I know it works!  I am humbled that we were given this opportunity to learn and grow.  I have really realized what is important.  Not that I didn't already know.  I guess I was just reminded!

It's giveaway time -- Our Best Bites

****This giveaway is now closed****

Seeing that I'm playing in Japan with Shelby - it only feels right to do this giveaway.  Shelby is the one who introduced me to our best bites.  It's where I have gotten several recipes that I love.  Especially White Chocolate Pumpkin Cheesecake with Pecan Ginger Crust.  Super yummy and scored lots of $$ for our young women/young men. 

Our Best Bites has produced a cookbook.  Super excited to get mine!!  My favorite recipe of theirs I had when I stayed with Shelby in D.C. in July.  It's their Garlic Rosemary Potatoes.  We doubled the sauce and covered a pork loin with the sauce and cooked it until almost done then put the potatoes to cook with it.  Seriously, divine!!

So, to win the giveaway - it's simple.  Just share your favorite recipe.  You can blog about it and link it back to here.  Publish a note on facebook and link it here or just type the recipe in the comments.  I will put the beginning and end numbers in random.org and it will determine a winner.  If we have enough participants, I will purchase another one and give that one away too! I am loving some of the recipe blogs I am finding.  I have some super yummy recipes to try when we get home!  My favorite - Homemade Gronola and Homemade Hot Chocolate!! 
So, lets go!  Give me some yummy recipes!!

Japan – part 3 – Odaiba

In Tokyo, there is a man made island.  They call it the island of the future.  Odaiba.  We headed here Saturday, February 26th.

 

 

We took the train.  The kids had a blast being on the train.  Although, the hour long train line was more than they expected. 

 

We got there, ate lunch (Gyudon – super yummy!) then went exploring.  Maggie found pure heaven.  A store that is 100% pink.  Take a look!

 

Yes, that is me surrounded by pink.  I had a headache before we left.  Each of the kids had 100o Yen to spend how ever they choose.  Maggie choose to play with Sol in the playland in the Hello Kitty store.  Here are my favorite pictures!

The boys all choose to do the same thing with their Yen.  I think this should be introduced at State Fairs in the states.  They would make a ton of money!

                                 Nate                                                            All 3 boys trying to stand up!

                               Justin                                                                          Kennie

 

I am tired, so part 3 will be continued soon!

Japan part 2 – Hakone

On Friday, February 25th, we piled in the car and headed for Hakone.  Public baths are big in Japan.  I was not about to be walking around in my birthday suit, so we picked a hot springs place that had a swim suit section.  Holy Moly!!  Totally in love. 

 

We stopped at a Combini (7-11) for lunch.  We had hungry kids.  They had hot dogs on a stick.  The kids loved it.  Justin got Japanese food.  He loves it.  Nikuman is his favorite.  It’s a roll with meat inside.  He has had it several times, and still asks for more.

We finished the drive to Hakone.  I got super car sick.  Can I tell you how much I had getting motion sick!

 

 

We checked in and got ready to go! 

 

Nate & Sol could touch the bottom and Maggie was pretty close.  It would suffice to say that the kids all loved it.  There was a big pool that you see above.  There was a kids pool with a pirate ship that Maggie & Hazel loved!

We did the water slides!

They had specialty pools.  They were awesome!!

The chocolate pool.  HEAVEN!!

The green tea pool.  This one was awesome because even Hazel could touch the bottom.

The sake bath.  (alcohol)

The flower bath.

The wine bath.  This one is my favorite.  Hello, purple water! 

The waterfall pool!

The coffee bath.  Seriously, smelled SO good!

This was the craziest part of the whole day.  This was the fish bath.  we sat down and put our feet in the water and fish (that have no teeth) come up and nibble on your feet.  We all thought that it was weird!  But, it was an experience.

 

All in all, it was a great day.  We lost all 6 kids in the car on the way home.  Put them to bed when we got home to prepare for our big day on Saturday!

Japan part 1 – Flight to Japan

So, I lied.  We are doing so much and I have some down time, so I am going to start doing some blog posts to update you on what we are doing.  We left Alaska Sunday – February 20th.    i got up at 6 am to get ready (after going to bed at 1:30!).  Got ready then got the kids up, the car loaded, picked up Stacie and was at the terminal at 8:11.  Not to shabby for a “single” mom with 4 kids. 

We got there, checked in, said goodbye to Stacie and then waited.  We were boarded on a big van and taken to the C-17 that was going to take us to Yakoda AFB.  We sat there for 2 hours.  Side note: a C-17 is very load.  Even with the engines off!  After 2 hours, the informed us that the engines were not working properly and the flight wasn’t going to be leaving.  So, I asked if they were coming to get us quickly so we could get on the plane that was scheduled to leave only 1 hour after the first flight.  He said he’d check. 

He came back about 20 minutes later and said that plane was having engine problems as well, but that they projected finishing the repairs in 1 ½ hours.  So, the sent a van out to get us to take us back to the terminal.  10 minutes later, we were informed that the van coming to get us was stuck in the snow and they were sending another van to dig that van out.  Then they would be up to get us.  All I could think was that was just my luck!

Thankfully, Andrew Hansen saved us and delivered Burger King to some tired and hungry people.  He saved the day for sure!  We sat in the terminal until 1 when they finally loaded us on the bus with 2 other families and took us to the plane.  I was never so happy to have a plane take off!  I requested no peanut butter in our meals (they cost $5.85.  FYI.) because of Justin’s peanut allergy.  So, one of the other families got Turkey sandwiches, the other family got chicken sandwiches and we got peanut butter & Jelly Uncrustables.  All I could think again is it’s just my luck!  Thankfully one of the families ordered an extra and we just traded them for Justin’s.

The ride was pretty uneventful.  We got our food when we hit cruising altitude and I gave the kids some Benadryl.  We ate and all laid down for a nap.  Kennie and I slept for an hour and the other 3 slept for 2.  Not bad for a loud C-17!  The boys enjoyed playing DSi’s and Star Wars with the other boys their age on the flight.  Maggie made friends with a little 6 year old girl who just adored Maggie.  Maggie also adored  the 4 month old little boy on the plane.  We got to Japan at 5:45 pm Monday night.  We lost a whole day on the flight. 

We adjusted to Japan time pretty quick.  It has been so much fun.  It’s nice to not be alone.  Company is something I didn’t realize I would miss so much!!  I am so thankful for Shelby and Johnny letting us come stay here!  It’s time to get ready for church, so I have to run, but I’ll post more later tonight!  We gave done some super fun things.  I get sad at times that we are doing all of this without Aaron.  Especially since he served his mission in Tokyo.  Sayonara!

Help Please!

I need your opinion!  There is a few pictures below.  Will you pick your favorite and then vote on the Right Hand side of the blog?  I'm going to leave this up the entire time I am in Japan (yay!!)  Please help out.  I am going to blow it up really big and can't decide which one to do!

Photo #1

Photo #2

Photo #3



Let's get real!!

Okay, removing comment, because I am going to be honest and blunt. This is going to be very real. It will be hard with me because I will share a lot of personal information. Some of it is not a pretty picture, however, from where I sit now, it is crucial to understanding the base principles. Some people don’t like that and if you are one of those, then stop reading right now!

Also, this is not directed at one person. I have heard quite a bit over the last little bit and I just want to address it with my thoughts. These are in no way scientific or can be backed by proof. This is my experience and insights. So, take it or leave it, it’s up to you.
Exercise and Diet. 2 very dreaded words. At least to most people. When we moved to Alaska July 21st, 2009, I saw pictures of myself that were taken as part of a family photo shoot with the Burnsides. To this day, I have not displayed a single picture with me in it. It was a big reality check for me. So, the next day, I bought a scale, signed up for Weight Watchers Online and did the dreaded first weigh in to have my beginning weight. The number staring back at me was the heaviest I have ever been. I could not believe it. But, if I am honest with you, I could believe it. I had just let myself go. So, the number staring back in my face was 175 lbs. I am 5’2” and that is VERY unhealthy for my height. So, I entered my number and off I went.

Over the course of the next 12 weeks, I worked out a total of 6 times. Yep. you read that right. Most of the changes I made were to my diet. I lost 27 lbs in 12 weeks. I was amazed/shocked/embarrassed by what I was putting in my mouth and not even thinking twice about it. America has gotten so used to fast food, easy food and big portion sizes. Some small modifications made a HUGE difference. 27 lbs. Once I hit that point, it was harder to get the work off, but I had made a huge step and was very pleased with the results. I would never let myself get back to that point. So, after 12 weeks, I was at 148 lbs. Since that time, I have lost 7 more pounds. I am down to 141. The computer system says that for my height, the ideal weight is 115 lbs. Let’s be honest people. There isn’t a SNOWBALLS prayer that I will ever reach 115. I am realistic. Crazy but realistic.

Why do I tell you all of this? As stated in a few earlier posts, I have started training for a 5K. I had never in my life run before and in November I started. As of today, I could do a 5K in 33 minutes. A 5K is 3.1 miles. Not to shabby if you ask me. As I have been posting my progress, I have had several comments that people wish they had an accountability buddy. Someone to help them stay on the path. The more I have thought about this, the more I think it’s just an excuse. Yep, I just said it! :)

When all else is done and gone, at the end of the day, you are left with yourself. If you can’t be accountable to yourself, there is no point to start. From the beginning, I have done this all by myself. Something clicked in me and this time, I was doing it for me. It was my face staring back at me in the mirror. I won’t lie – it’s nice to have a buddy. It makes working out more fun. Today, Stacie and I ran together. We didn’t talk. We didn’t record that both of us were there. She started doing the training for a 5K a few days ago for herself. It is fine to be inspired by someone, but if you are only doing it because you are accountable to someone, you are doing it for the wrong reasons. When it boils down to it, your exercise and changes will be a fading memory when life gets in the way.

However, if you do it for you and only you. You make the change. You are the one that gets up in the morning and makes the workout happen. Is it easy? NO!!! But, I force myself. If I can’t go running, I do one of my exercise videos or the Wii Fit. I do something. If the kids are using the TV, I do laps up and down the stairs. I do something. Now, that I am at the place where I currently stand, I know that I got here. Me and ONLY me! I don’t have to attribute my success to anyone else. It is something that I have shown to myself is important. Do I have off days? YES! Today, I had Carls Jr. for lunch. (It was SO yummy!)

So, what I am saying is get yourself off the couch. Don’t wait for someone else to tell you that you can do it. When it comes to the end of the day, you are responsible for you. No one else puts the food in your mouth and no one can walk your steps or jog your miles for you. Today I did 6 MILES in 55 miles!!! Did you see that? Yes. I did it. Just me. Stacie was there for 1/2 the time until she had to leave, and I could have stopped, but I had something to prove to myself. So, I did it. Show yourself that you can do it. I KNOW you can! You know you can! Put your mind to it and show yourself what you are really made of.

You think you don't have time? Do you really want to talk to me about that? I have 4 kids, I homeschool 2 of them, and have the other 2 under my feel the whole time. My husband is deployed so I am a 24 hour a day single parent who tries to keep the house cleaned and kids fed. Wanna go there? Let's go! You have time! You have to make time!

Now, I’ll get off my high horse! My weight isn’t much different from the end of my 12 weeks, but I have seen phenomenal results in my inches and pants size. But, more important is my stamina. I did 6 miles today people. In November, I thought I would die because I ran 1 minute. Show yourself that you can do it! Really!!

Colonoscopy – Seriously FUNNY!!

This is one of the funniest things I have ever read. If you ever had a colonoscopy or are planning on one, you can't miss this one!!!

ABOUT THE WRITER

Dave Barry is a Pulitzer Prize-winning humor columnist for the Miami Herald.

Colonoscopy Journal:

I called my friend Andy Sable, a gastroenterologist, to make an appointment for a colonoscopy.

A few days later, in his office, Andy showed me a color diagram of the colon, a lengthy organ that appears to go all over the place, at one point passing briefly through Minneapolis .

Then Andy explained the colonoscopy procedure to me in a thorough, reassuring and patient manner.

I nodded thoughtfully, but I didn't really hear anything he said, because my brain was shrieking, 'HE'S GOING TO STICK A TUBE 17,000 FEET UP YOUR BEHIND!'

I left Andy's office with some written instructions, and a prescription for a product called 'MoviPrep,' which comes in a box large enough to hold a microwave oven. I will discuss MoviPrep in detail later; for now suffice it to say that we must never allow it to fall into the hands of America 's enemies.

I spent the next several days productively sitting around being nervous.

Then, on the day before my colonoscopy, I began my preparation. In accordance with my instructions, I didn't eat any solid food that day; all I had was chicken broth, which is basically water, only with less flavor.

Then, in the evening, I took the MoviPrep. You mix two packets of powder together in a one-liter plastic jug, then you fill it with lukewarm water. (For those unfamiliar with the metric system, a liter is about 32 gallons). Then you have to drink the whole jug. This takes about an hour, because MoviPrep tastes - and here I am being kind - like a mixture of sheetrock and urinal cleanser, with just a hint of lemon..

The instructions for MoviPrep, clearly written by somebody with a great sense of humor, state that after you drink it, 'a loose, watery bowel movement may result.'

This is kind of like saying that after you jump off your roof, you may experience contact with the ground.

MoviPrep is a nuclear laxative. I don't want to be too graphic, here, but, have you ever seen a space-shuttle launch? This is pretty much the MoviPrep experience, with you as the shuttle. There are times when you wish the commode had a seat belt. You spend several hours pretty much confined to the bathroom, spurting violently. You eliminate everything. And then, when you figure you must be totally empty, you have to drink another liter of MoviPrep, at which point, as far as I can tell, your bowels travel into the future and start eliminating food that you have not even eaten yet.

After an action-packed evening, I finally got to sleep.

The next morning my wife drove me to the clinic. I was very nervous. Not only was I worried about the procedure, but I had been experiencing occasional return bouts of MoviPrep spurtage. I was thinking, 'What if I spurt on Andy?' How do you apologize to a friend for something like that? Flowers would not be enough.

At the clinic I had to sign many forms acknowledging that I understood and totally agreed with whatever the heck the forms said. Then they led me to a room full of other colonoscopy people, where I went inside a little curtained space and took off my clothes and put on one of those hospital garments designed by sadist perverts, the kind that, when you put it on, makes you feel even more naked than when you are actually naked..

Then a nurse named Eddie put a little needle in a vein in my left hand. Ordinarily I would have fainted, but Eddie was very good, and I was already lying down. Eddie also told me that some people put vodka in their MoviPrep.

At first I was ticked off that I hadn't thought of this, but then I pondered what would happen if you got yourself too tipsy to make it to the bathroom, so you were staggering around in full Fire Hose Mode. You would have no choice but to burn your house.

When everything was ready, Eddie wheeled me into the procedure room, where Andy was waiting with a nurse and an anesthesiologist. I did not see the 17,000-foot tube, but I knew Andy had it hidden around there somewhere.. I was seriously nervous at this point.

Andy had me roll over on my left side, and the anesthesiologist began hooking something up to the needle in my hand.

There was music playing in the room, and I realized that the song was 'Dancing Queen' by ABBA. I remarked to Andy that, of all the songs that could be playing during this particular procedure, 'Dancing Queen' had to be the least appropriate.

'You want me to turn it up?' said Andy, from somewhere behind me.

'Ha ha,' I said. And then it was time, the moment I had been dreading for more than a decade. If you are squeamish, prepare yourself, because I am going to tell you, in explicit detail, exactly what it was like.

I have no idea. Really. I slept through it. One moment, ABBA was yelling 'Dancing Queen, feel the beat of the tambourine,' and the next moment, I was back in the other room, waking up in a very mellow mood.

Andy was looking down at me and asking me how I felt. I felt excellent. I felt even more excellent when Andy told me that IT was all over, and that my colon had passed with flying colors. I have never been prouder of an internal organ

On the subject of Colonoscopies...

Colonoscopies are no joke, but these comments during the exam were quite humorous..... A physician claimed that the following are actual comments made by his patients (predominately male) while he was performing their colonoscopies:

1.. 'Take it easy, Doc. You're boldly going where no man has gone before!'

2.. 'Find Amelia Earhart yet?'

3.. 'Can you hear me NOW?'

4.. 'Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?'

5.. 'You know, in Arkansas , we're now legally married.'

6.. 'Any sign of the trapped miners, Chief?'

7.. 'You put your left hand in, you take your left hand out...'

8.. 'Hey! Now I know how a Muppet feels!'

9.. 'If your hand doesn't fit, you must quit!'

10. 'Hey Doc, let me know if you find my dignity.'

11. 'You used to be an executive at Enron, didn't you?'

12. 'God, now I know why I am not gay.'

And the best one of all:

13.. 'Could you write a note for my wife saying that my head is not up there?'

Pick yourself up off the floor now! 

Running update!

I have been running for a few months now.  I thought I would give you an update.  I have become a runner.  I know, you can pick yourself up off the floor.  I can't believe it either.  Maybe it's just something to focus on.  I love the feeling I have after I finish.  The AHA!  I did it!!!  feeling.  It's a huge rush. 

I went to the gym today.  It's the first time since last Thursday.  I decided to take it slow.  I'd run for a bit then I'd walk, do my weights and then I'd try again tomorrow.  I started running.  I usually bring a coat or something to cover the numbers.  I don't do well when I can see all the numbers.  But, today I forgot.  So, I started running, listening to my workout music and watching The View on TV.  I took a few drinks of water but kept running.  By the time I looked at the numbers, I had run 3/4 of a mile.  I did 2 more songs and ran 1.3 miles.  I walked for a few minutes and then ran for another 2 songs.  Total miles clocked today - 2!  So super excited.  It didn't even phase me to do 2 miles.  I have seriously come so far. 

I recently read a book The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch.  In it he says one of the coolest things I have heard in a very long time.  In talking about brick walls when you are trying to get somewhere or something he said:

 

"The brick walls are there for a reason.  They're not there to keep us out.  The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something."

Can I tell you that I LOVE LOVE LOVE it??  That's exactly what I have done.  When it comes to running, I have had a brick wall up my whole life!  But since November, I have taken that brick wall down one brick at a time.  I can't believe how much I have grown just by running for less than an hour a few times a week!