Life is Fragile

We had a very scary and unreal experience this weekend. It has caused us to be very reflective this weekend, which if you know us, is often amazing! Brad and I got a babysitter on Friday night and went to Herriman to support my sister at her first ever boutique. She is a great baker and has started to sell her delicious cookies. We headed for home around 8:00 p.m. While traveling south on I-15, 1 mile before Lindon exit, we saw a car ahead of us begin to swerve. The car pulled sharply to the left and then went immediately to the right and then began to fishtail as though she were sliding on ice. The car was surrounded by other vehicles, including a semi-truck pulling a flatbed trailer behind it. We were maybe a half block behind, and had time to hit the brakes and the hazard lights. As this was all happening, there was a huge puff of smoke and sparks flew everywhere. The rear of the semi-truck trailer pulled to the right and then the driver started to pull off of the road. As we drove by we saw that the car had driven into the trailer and the rear wheels of the trailer had driven over the car. The car was pinned underneath the wheels but someone was moving inside the car.

We pulled in front of the truck and Brad ran back to the driver. Wendy and I called 911. Several people ran past us back to the vehicle. When the dispatcher began asking for specific details about the driver in the car, I had to go back and get the information. It was an unbelievable scene. Brad was kneeling on the ground by a young girl, holding her hand. She was pinned on her right side and both her legs. The car was flat on the ground and the semitruck's tires had completely flattened the passenger side of the car. All that remained in tact was the driver's side and she was inches away from the tires.

We stayed until the ambulance arrived and then the police asked us for a statement. Brad told them that the driver had told him twice that there were no other passengers. He had also searched as much as he could to verify that it was true. After completing our statement, we returned to the police and Brad asked if she was okay. The officer told us, "We have 1 deceased and 1 in stable condition." Brad said, "I thought there was no passenger?" The officer replied, "There was in the front, she is deceased." We had not seen her. She was entirely covered by the car and the truck's wheels.

We were a bit shaken and somber as we resumed our drive home. They had shut down the freeway and the helicopter came to take her to the U of U hospital. We found out the next morning that it was the driver's sister, 16 yrs old, that had died. The driver herself is only 18. They believe that there was some kind of mechanical failure that caused the accident.

We have been thinking a lot about this experience. The whole thing literally took seconds. In a few seconds, so many lives were changed. There were some heros in this situation. The truck driver was amazing the way he handled it, because it could have been so much worse. He was surrounded by cars and there was no other vehicle involved. I am so proud of Brad. He seems so quiet to everyone else and perhaps a bit reserved. But he has an incredible quiet strength and an ability to stay calm under a pressure filled situation like this one. He kept his head on straight and I am so happy that this girl had someone like Brad to hold her hand and stay with her until help arrived.

I love my children, my family and my friends. I realize that I don't take every opportunity to tell them this, always thinking that I will see them again or tell them later. My thoughts this weekend were that I need to stop being so consumed with my day and everything I have to get done, and make sure that if I were to go today, my children know that I think they are the most beautiful, smart, funny, loving children in the world and that their mom loves them more than anything and would do anything for them! I certainly need to be better at telling my husband how grateful I am for him and his hard work. His constant affection and devotion even when I am a little less (or a lot less) than kind and loving. My mom and dad for teaching me how to love and how to be a good person. Their constant example of sacrifice and giving is amazing to me! How grateful I am for the time they spent teaching me the gospel. What blessings my testimony has brought in to my life! My brothers and sisters who I think are the funnest people in the whole world! I would rather spend my free time with my family than anybody else in the world! I don't often take the chance to tell them how much I love them! My good friends, who stick by me and love me even when we only talk every once in a while!

I know this is a rambling email, and is probably therapeutic for me. I just want us all to remember how fragile life can be and every day needs to be lived to its fullest! Take advantage of every opportunity and make sure that everything you do helps you to focus on the most important thing in your life. For me, that's my family! I love you all!

A Little Moonlight, please!

I found out about this great thing at Sundance! Moonlight Tram Rides! We always take the kids on a tram ride when the leaves start to change. It is fun and beautiful. There are some great hikes at the top as well! So this year when we went, we heard about their Moonlight Tram Rides and decided it would be a great date! They only do it when the moon is full and this would be their last one of the season. We got a babysitter and took off! We gave my mom tickets for her birthday, so she and my dad went also. Now, thoughts of a tram ride in the dark stir up different images and ideas for different people. I am thinking, "Cold night, warm blankie, beautiful scenery, no children, hot chocolate!" Brad was thinking, "..." Well, we just won't go there! Suffice it to say he was a little jealous of all the people riding past us smooching, as I proclaimed how disgusting (the ones with the sound effects really were gross) they were! May I suggest that the earlier ride is much more G rated than the later rides!

We did take the camera and tried to snap a few pictures, but Brad and I both agreed they were most unbecoming. Especially the one with Brad with my pretty scarf wrapped around his head to protect his ears. He looked a bit like a kid with the mumps! So you will just have to imagine a glamorous couple on a beautiful night, sharing hot chocolate under a full moon!

The scenery was gorgeous, with the moonlight bouncing off of the snow on the back side of Timpanogos, or as Turner calls it "Tickanogos" The moon was bright and full. I realized how much I love this place! After I made Brad promise he would never make me leave my beautiful mountains (unless it was for lots of money!:)) I did give him a kiss. I don't want anyone feeling bad for him!

Cheap date, tons of fun, gorgeous views. Love the mountains!

What's a Wordle?

Here is my wordle! Cool Huh?




http://wordle.net/ - click here it make your own!

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The Sun Always Rises

So, why does it seem like every blog post starts with an apology for my lazy blogkeeping? So much has happened, I feel bad that we haven't kept everyone "posted", but we will try to catch up. Here are a few highlights from our summer:

1. Carson's Baptism. What a great kid! So proud of him!

2. Colton's baseball team, the Mariners, took 2nd place. Colton was awarded the game ball for a great hit! Way to go Colton!

3. The twins, Turner and Garrett, turned 4 and started preschool! Life just keeps getting better and better!

4. Brad started his new job at Salem Hills High School coaching girls basketball and teaching woodworking. He is in love with teaching!

5. Had a great trip to Bear Lake for Labor Day Weekend!

6. Brad's surprise trip to see his MOST FAVORITE band (not), "The Osmond's"

Finally, here is a sweet story about my little Turner. He has become obsessed with the sunrise. Every morning he goes out around 7:15 am and sits on the swing to watch the sun rise. The time he has to wait has obviously gotten longer and longer and he waits for over an hour. He wakes up, puts on his jacket and takes out a blanket to snuggle up in. He sneaks out and waits and waits and waits. When the sun finally comes up, he runs around the yard squeeling with delight! It makes him so happy! It just reminded me of the simple pleasures that life affords us. Try to enjoy the simple things as they come around each day! And remember when something great happens, to run around the yard squeeling with delight!