Wildfire in Herriman!

On the way home from California, my husband called and told me that there was a fire on the hill where we live in Herriman, Utah.  At first, he did not seem too concerned, but he called me later and told me that it was moving very fast and that we might have to evacuate! I told him to start loading the car with my big container of negatives and pictures, my Mother's bins of pictures and genealogy and anything else he thought was important. He also knelt down with the girls and offered a prayer.
The original plan was for Mike to meet me at my Dad's house and pick me up, but since we did not know if we were going to evacuate, my Dad drove me home.  I was so anxious and worried and just wanted to get home to my family! I could tell that my Dad was worried also. As we drove over the point of the mountain and into Salt Lake County, we could see the fire.  It was a sight to behold!! My Dad and I could not believe how bad it was! We got even more worried! Then Mike called and told me that I might not be able to get home because of the barricades. So many were evacuating and the police had areas blocked off to keep people from coming in. There was major traffic, and it took us a long time to get to the barricade. When we got there, a police officer told us that we could not go any further! My Dad got really upset and raised his his voice to the officer.  He told him that I had just come back from California and was trying to get to my family. The officer said that was too bad and we had to turn around.  I called Mike and he directed to us to a little known back road to get to my home.  It worked! I was so thankful and relieved to get to my family! My girls were so happy to see me! They had both been crying and were very upset about the fire! I am so thankful for my Dad for bringing me home and the love and concern he showed me!
It ended up that the winds shifted and we only had a voluntary evacuation. Some members in my ward that lived up on the hill, had a mandatory evacuation as the fire came only 150 yards from their homes! We ended up staying home, and stayed in our house because of the smoke and ash.  Only three homes were destroyed by the fire, instead of the 50-100 that they had predicted.  The Governor said it was a miracle, and I truly believe it was.  Prayers were answered and the Lord was watching out for our small community. Mike has told me that he truly thought that we might end up losing our home, but he felt peaceful after the prayer he offered with my girls. What a homecoming it was!!
I just want to thank all of my family and friends who called the next day to see if we were okay.  Thank you to my Dad and Faye, my cousin Jenny, my Mother and Father in law, and my Sister (Cindy) and Brother (Kevin) in law for offering us a place to stay if we had to evacuate, and any help they could give us.  The next day (Monday) I received a lot of calls from concerned family and friends. My Dad called me several times that week and I am truly grateful for his love and support! I also received a call from one of my cousins (Ruth Shaw) that I haven't heard from for a long time, and it was so good to hear from her!  There are many others and I am thankful for all the love and support that we have!!
I did not take any pictures, so I downloaded these from the internet:

Our Church

The fire from across the valley

California and Mary's Wedding

My sisters and I took a quick trip to California to attend our cousin, Mary Sorenson's wedding.  It was so good to see my Aunt Breta and California cousins!! Mary was a breathtaking bride! I am so happy for Mary and Patrick! The sealing in the Los Angeles Temple was very special and spiritual! I know my Mother would have tried to go to the wedding if she had been alive. I am so happy that we were able to go and represent the Wilkerson side of the family.
We also went to Disneyland and the Halloween decoration was up.  I loved Space Mountain with the ghost, but my favorite was the Haunted Mansion Holiday!

Amy, Debbie and Bonnie at Disneyland

Patrick and Mary Mulroney, Breta and Nile Sorenson

Olivia Sorenson and Mary Sorenson Mulroney

The Happy Couple! Mary and Patrick Mulroney

My Yard

 
The end of summer is now upon us.  You can feel the cool in the air as we start fall.  I absolutely love the fall and the leaves changing colors! Although, I am going to soon be missing my favorite hobby of all time! Gardening! I put a lot of love and work into my yard every year.  I thought I would share some pictures of my yard and some of my beautiful plants. These are only a few of many favorites...

The Easter Lily my Bishop gave to me when my Mother died.  It reminds me of the Resurrection, and that I will see my Mother again!!

Our beautiful waterfall.

"Sunrise Sunset" Rose.

"Lady Lucille" Daylily.

"Disneyland" Rose.

"Julia Child" Rose.

"Endless Summer" Hydrangea.

"Limelight" Hydrangea.

"Sweet Fragrance" Rose.

"Indian Summer" Rudbeckia.

First Days of School

Ashley started the 5th grade this year.  She is on year round, so she started on August 16th.  Karrie started her Sophomore year at the brand new Herriman High School on August 26th.  Both of my girls are growing up so fast!!

Karrie's 15th Birthday

Karrie Cynthia Jones was born on Thursday, August 24, 1995 at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City.  Karrie was 9 weeks premature and weighed 3 lbs. 13 oz., 16 1/2 inches long.  Karrie had to be in the Newborn ICU for four weeks.  When she came home, she slept with a Bradycardia Monitor. Since she still could not eat on her own, she had to be fed with a tube that her Mom and Dad had to stick down her throat into her stomach!  She is very blessed to have only a mild case of Cerebral Palsy from being so early!
Karrie's middle name "Cynthia" is after her Mother "Bonnie Cynthia" and after her Grandmommy "Cynthia Wilkerson Shaw". She is proud to be named after them both.
Karrie has turned into a beautiful young woman.  She has a strong sense of right and wrong, loves the scriptures, and always strives to do what is right.  She is quiet, sensitive, loyal and compassionate.  We are so proud of who she has become!
On Thursday, August 19th, Karrie chose to go to "Outback Steakhouse" with all of the family for her birthday celebration. Then on her birthday, we had cake and ice cream as a family.  Happy 15th Birthday, Karrie!! We love you!!

 

Braces Off!

Karrie's braces are off!! Mike took her on Friday, August 20th to have them removed. She will be able to start her Sophomore year at High School with no braces!! She looks so good and has a beautiful smile!!

 Before

After

Boise, Idaho

Since we had not been to Debbie and Tims for two years, Mike and I made plans with Debbie to go visit on the July 24th weekend.  Amy, Katelynn and Elizabeth decided to come visit also.  It is always so much fun to spend time with Debbie, Tim and their family.  We always have such a good time with them!  It was good being all together as a family, although we really missed our Mother, who I know would have loved to be with all of her girls and grandchildren! The cousins loved being together and we made some wonderful memories!! I hope we can go visit again soon!!

Karrie and Jacob.  They have always been close.  

All the cousins together. 

Playing the game "Risk".

Tessa and Ashley.

Tessa, Austin, Ashley and Katelynn.

Austin, Tessa and Ashley always had to sit together in the car wherever we went.