The Januarys

This is what we've been doing to avoid getting a major case of "The Januarys" (when the coldness and inversion threaten to overtake your soul). Miles and Evan both took swimming lessons, which were a great success. Miles is doing a great crawl stroke. Evan is mastering "the star fish." It takes a lot of trust for a three-year-old to lay his head on the water. The first few times he just couldn't make all of his limbs straight without wanting to hold on to his teacher's neck. When his teacher would straighten out his arm, he'd curl up his leg...anyway, he figured it out and is feeling comfortable in the water now. We've also been having some fun at the 3D movie, bowling at BYU, Miles has been snowboarding a few times, I've been on an awesome diet where I eat nothing delicious and exercise a lot...oh wait, it's not awesome. Now we are in the last week of January, the sun is shining, and February is a 28-day month, with Spring just around the corner from there.

We also felt our first earthquake this January. Actually Mark felt it, and he woke me up. I was completely disoriented and wondering who was banging around, or if the kids had made a huge thud by falling out of their beds. It was just a 2.9, but the epicenter was a few miles from our house so it made a lot of noise and some shaking. This was probably a week or so before the devastating earthquake in Haiti, which I just can't get off my mind. I just can't imagine the level of fear and devastation there. I am including a couple links to donation sites even though no one reads my blog, and most everyone who wants to donate probably has by now. But, here they are nonetheless.

Red Cross

LDS Philanthropies

The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued the following statement:

"Our hearts are filled with sadness as we have watched the suffering in Haiti in the wake of the devastating earthquake. We turn to the example of Jesus Christ who reached out to “lift up the hands which hang down” and “strengthen the feeble knees.”  We are keenly aware that many in America are dealing with economic challenges caused by the recession. However, we are appealing to members to donate to Church Humanitarian Services as their means allow in order to help our Haitian brothers and sisters.  Many have already contributed and others are anxious to do so.

Money is not the only need in Haiti. People are frightened, bewildered, and wholly uncertain about their future. In addition to what people can do in helping with food, water and shelter, there needs to be a calming influence over that troubled nation. We invite our people everywhere to supplicate God for a spirit of calm and peace among the people as urgent aid and reconstruction efforts continue."