The Earthquake

Last night Justin and I had one of the weirdest moments in our parenting experience. The girls were asleep, so we thought, and I was doing dishes. Kalena was in our bed and I heard her come out of our room. She stood in the hall way. I told her to go get back in bed because it's "night night" time. I went back to doing dishes, wondering if she was going to obey me, when I heard her start crying. It wasn't just the normal "i don't want to go to bed" whine like she does occasionally, it was a real cry. Justin and I both went to her and he picked her up and we asked what was wrong. She just cried and said "something bad is going to happen" over and over again. Justin and I looked curiously at each other and didn't quite know what to do. We asked her what was going to happen along with other questions to try to figure out what was going on and what she was scared of. We didn't get anywhere, none of her answers made sense to us. We went back in our bedroom and asked her if she was scared of different things in the room. She answered yes when we asked if she was scared of the clock that was slightly lit, so we turned it off. Several times she has heard the alarm on the clock go off and that has scared her, so that's what we figured it was. We both laid down with her for a few minuets on the bed. Just then the entire room began to shake. Justin and I braced, and as it continued we took Kalena and went towards Sara's room. It only lasted about 10 seconds. It wasn't really big enough for Kalena to even realize what was going on, but the lamp on the dresser was swaying and we heard several car alarms. After it was over Justin and I laughed at the weird coincidence of the situation. We joked about Kalena being able to tell the future or having special mutant powers. However, we believe that what God has written in the Bible is the only way to know anything about the future, and this was just a very weird coincidence.

It made me ponder for the rest of the night about what we do know about the future and about how Jesus will one day return. We do have specifics on the disastrous fate of our planet and the people separated from Jesus Christ. How often I fail to warn those around me of the future which will be coming soon, probably sooner than we think. Justin had a professor during seminary who was teaching on the end times. This professor, after all his extensive research on the "end times" said... "I am confident that while I may not live to see the rapture... but most of you in this room will. (pointing around to all the younger men) This thought humbles me, challenges me, and gives me a burning desire to more diligently serve the Lord with extreme sacrifice.

It turns out it was a 4.7 earthquake in Santa Monica, just big enough for us to feel in N. Hollywood. There were only reports of minor damage and injuries. Kalena slept soundly in her bed for the rest of the night.

Sara's Milestones Thus Far

Sara has some new developments in the past several weeks. Our favorite for sure are her sweet kisses. Now when you ask her for a kiss, Sara will open her mouth wide and head full throttle for your face (anywhere). It is amazingly cute to get such a sweet wet slobbery kiss from this little one who is just trying to figure it all out.

Sara also will hold any small electronic device or remote up to her hear (or the back of her head ??) and talk into it like a cell phone and she takes her shoes and puts them to her feet. She says "mamma, dadda, and ba ba" (for bottle)


She also says "Ohhhhh" and makes a face when she sees something she likes.

On her birthday this week she has finally mastered the popsickle. We are so proud of our little Sara Bear!!

Mommy's Bad Attitude

Kalena likes to stand on her stool in the kitchen and help me wash the dishes. Today, while she was washing, I was preparing a fish for dinner. With the raw fish in my hands out of the package and ready to rinse, I said rushed and sternly "Kalena move.. scoot over so I can wash the fish.. don't touch it.. "etc. When I was finished washing it I noticed she had stopped what she was doing and was frowning at me (a scowl really). She asked "Are you talking to me with a bad attitude?" Immediately I realized I had not been "polite" and I asked.. "Oh was Mommy having a bad attitude?" She replied "You should have said 'excuse me please'" She was right. I should have. I apologized to my sweet 2 year old, who has better manners than I do!!

Sara's First Birthday!

What a wonderful day we had on Sara's first birthday. The girls and I played out in the sun for most of the day while Daddy worked on building the loft beds for the guys who will be renting our house. Sara was hilarious with the sprinkler, she thought it was greatest thing to catch the water from the sprinkler in her mouth.










After that we headed over to our favorite little Indian restaurant in Burbank. We ate until we couldn't anymore then they brought out some Mango ice cream with a candle and sang "happy birthday" to Sara. She was the hit of the restaurant! Our waiter was particularly taken by her and couldn't stop talking to her. It was so cute!!

Kalena's First Teeth Cleaning!

Partly because I want Kalena to know what it feels like to be at the dentist so she won't be scared when she goes, and partly because we don't have dental insurance right now... I have taken to once in a while scraping the plaque off her teeth myself with a little kit I bought. Justin thought this was cute and funny until I assured him that he was next.

Just like Barack Obama

This has been an extremely hard first trimester for me. I am learning to trust in God like never before and being challenged daily to lean on the Lord for strength. One morning at the breakfast table, I leaned my head down on my arm as Kalena and I sat talking and eating our cereal. She sweetly exclaimed "Oh Mommy, are you tired?" "yea, mommy is tired" I said, then she asked, "Mommy, why are you tired?" and I answered "Because mommy is pregnant" I said, knowing she has only heard that word several times. "Oh" she exclaimed knowingly "just like Barack Obama" she said with confidence, going back to another bite of cereal. In my sleepiness I sat up and looked at her. What did she mean by this... it had to make sense in some way to her little brain because she was so sure of her statement. Then it hit me. Barack Obama is president, and mommy is Pregnant. Words anyone could confuse :) I giggled at the connection she had made and explained to her the meaning of the two words, and that Barack Obama is not pregnant. :)

Lyon Cub #3!!

We are so excited to announce that we have a third Lyon cub on the way! We can't wait to find out more about our next little one. The Dr. apt reviled a strong heart beat and a due date of November 23! Just in time for Thanksgiving!! What a thankful time it will be.
I have explained the idea that a new baby is inside mommy to Kalena (now 2 1/2 years old) and she seems to understand. One night while we were cuddling before bed I asked her if we could come up with a name for the new baby. First this is what she informed me of "I am going to ask Jesus for 5 babies. One for mommy, one for daddy, one for Sara and one for me.." I then showed her with my fingers that that was only 4... and asked who the last baby would be for and she exclaimed "Oh that one is for me too." Next we embarked on the task of giving the baby a name. Kalena has not named any of her dolls or stuffed animals at this point in her development. We encourage her too but she just calls them "baby doll" or "teddy." For naming the baby, she went through all the names of everyone in the family "Grammy?" I said "no we already have a 'Grammy'" and we went on this way though the entire family and extended family. I was about to give up when she exclaimed "Pops!" She looked at me for approval. I looked questioningly and said... well what else, pops is nice. Then she said "how about ants" "ummmm maybe Pops is better" I said so we stuck with pops. Now she loves to rub my belly and talk to pops, often saying "Oh pops, your sooo cute, little one" with a high pitched voice. Priceless!