Wow….we are so emotionally exhausted but we are so grateful to have been selected to participate in the Every 15 Minutes experience. I know that all of us are forever changed as individuals and as a family. The whole experience was so amazingly realistic and each of our hearts have been touched in ways we never would have imagined. I honestly believe that I will remember this educational experience and the emotions that go along with it for the rest of my life.

I commend the students, teachers, rescue workers, SJFD, SJPD, the ambulance people, the trauma team people, the morgue lady, and everyone who was involved in putting this together. Thank you all for everything you do everyday to make such a positive impact on our lives and those around us. God bless.

Someone dies from an alcohol related collision. Kaileigh was chosen to participate in the program at her school as one of “the living dead”. When the school contacted us a few weeks ago and asked us to participate, we were both pretty emotional about it then. Less than a week later, our close friend Jon Maxey unexpectedly passed away. This process just became that much more emotional for Jono and I.

We both strongly feel that if Kaileigh’s participation in this event stops just one person from getting behind the wheel after they have been drinking, then the recent emotional rollercoaster we’ve been riding will be all worth it. And we’re kind of on the periphery of it. She was the one who had to be pulled from class today by the Grim Reaper and have her obituary read in front of the class by a police officer. Then she met with the other program participants and really got into the roll with the make-up, blood, etc. Some of the kids were taken to the hospital in “critical condition” and one student was DOA, her parents had to go to the morgue. I don’t know if I could have handled that. The phone call was hard enough….

I thought I would be pretty ok through all of this. I teared up a bit at the parent meeting a few weeks ago, and have been emotional ever since, with Jon’s passing, and then thinking about what would be happening with this and how it would possibly be if something like this ever did happen to our family. Then when the SJPD called me this morning, even though I knew they would, the call just seemed so real. I had to keep it in the back of my mind that we were just acting, that Kaileigh really is ok, she’s still my baby girl. But then not getting to see her until tomorrow, certainly adds to the realism of the whole thing.

This evening we went up to the school to meet with the firemen, paramedics, and the other families who were chosen to participate. On the way to the gym/auditorium, gravestones have been set up to represent each of the students who were involved. A bit shocking to see our daughters tombstone

Tonight I am going to sleep knowing that I am blessed, that my family is safe, and praying that this is the closest I will ever get to having this alternate reality.

So I’m reading Pioneer Woman today and she posts a short tutorial on using Hard Light in Photoshop. Check this out:

Before:

After:

So easy! And that’s all I did with the image was add the Hard Light thing! Amazing!

Aren’t they gorgeous!

My heart is heavy tonight the people of Haiti. We spent a few hours in Northern Haiti enjoying the beautiful beach and delicious food when we docked there during our cruise a couple summers ago. Even at that time, we could see the poverty on the periphery of the private owned beach. I can only imagine the devistation the people of the country are feeling.

I stumbled on this blog by Chris Sacca which lists six ways of helping Haiti during this crisis. I know we are all in a tough economy at the moment, but every little bit helps. If nothing else, please pray, God listens.

Every year, Alanna and Fallon would have lunch and spend a day together in Carmel with Fallon’s mom Michelle. This year, the two girls went on their own. I don’t have all the details, but from the pictures I found on my camera, it looks like they had a great time

I’ve been sifting through our old digital photos, trying to get them sorted into at least some kind of category (like year!) and in one humongous “photos” file, instead of a little in this file, and a little in that file. Anywho, I recently stumbled on some holiday pictures from my first Christmas in 2000 with John and the girls. They were so small!!

Just so I don’t forget

Appetizers

Shrimp with cocktail sauce

Cheese Tree

Pampered Chef Pizza Ring

Olives

Main Course

Santa Maria Steak (JB’s secret recipe)

Honeybaked Ham

Roasted Green Beans with Portobello Mushrooms

Crash Hot Potatoes

Butternut Squash

Dessert

Pumpkin Pie

Red Velvet Cake Balls

mmmmmm, I can hardly wait!

Jono and I took John-John and his friend McKenzie (or should I say “true love” as he says) to see the Nutcracker yesterday in San Jose. It was such a fun and enjoyable day. We picked up McKenzie and headed up to San Jose, parked in the parking garage and crossed a cute little bridge over the creek. Of course the kids had to get up on the railing and check it out!!

Luckily the theater was just on the other side of the bridge so we finished gawking at the non-existent fish, went to the theater and quickly found our seats (which were excellent – thank you Auntie Carol)!

The kids really enjoyed the first half of the play, but I think they were most interested in getting to the souvenir shopping.

After the second half of the play, we walked across the street to check out Christmas in the Park. Luckily it was still early and not very crowded (which was nice). The kids enjoyed the festive displays and Jono and I had fun watching the two of them together, they looked like a little miniature couple – so cute

After our walk around the park, we headed to Johnny Rockets for dinner then home. A fun day, not one John-John is soon to forget!