Tsunami Survival Round 2

So I don't know why people are complaining that, "nothing happened!", honestly they are all idiots. What got me the most was hearing how there were people standing on the beaches at Waikiki, waiting for the wave, Really? Think of those in Japan who WISHED they had TIME to evacuate, to prepare food/water, to make sure loved ones were safe...I'm glad Laie was blessed with time.

watching the channel 2 news after the first Oahu siren rang

I never take emergencies lightly, better safe than sorry...especially since we live next door to the ocean, we have a bride-to-be to marry off in 3 weeks, and a little spirit that needs protection. Thank you to mySELF for packing my hospital bag early, James & I were set with all the essentials that I had stuffed in there! Definitely a time saver. Next: Food & Water [check!] James & I have been very obedient in building our food storage, thanks to WIC, COSTCO & Maika'i Savings Coupons. It's funny how everything I've thrown into our shopping cart on random trips to Walmart, etc., (battling the opposition of James saying, "We can get that next time...") were our smallest but greatest benefits: flashlights, candles, matches, first-aide kit...you know, all the little things you don't get unless you're going camping haha. In a few minutes, our car was packed w/all the necessities needed for 72hrs-plus (with Rose included).

our time-saver hospital bag

  Although some people in TVA just went to the second floor, or to the Cannon Activities Center, I wanted out/away of BYU Campus. Plus I felt safer with my parents since they've lived and gone through many Hawaii natural disasters/warnings and are just ma'a (experienced, familiar?) when it comes to these situations.

my parents & siblings packing the cars before taking off

What I am also very grateful for is the special friendship my brother Eric has with his friends, which are more like brothers to him, brothers to my siblings & hanai sons to my parents. Whenever I've had car trouble, no more car & need ride :), wanted to leave school early, or simply asked if I was doing ok, one of these guys would always seem to be THERE. It is also a blessing now to know their wives, girlfriends and chubby cute babies...

some of them at my reception

Anyways, times like these where no one's sure if disaster will strike, all of our families come together, and we head up to the mountains just past Kahuku, and keep all of our cars together.

Tiana & BJ's SUV, Brenson's truck, Des's truck, Eric's truck....

Benches, chairs, blankets are brought out, food is passed around, conversations start up...its like our own little get-together as we listen to the radio for updates. We have babies bundled up sleeping in their mommy's arms (Tiana is the cutest mommy ever), grandparents resting comfortable in the cars, pregnant wives talking story over a bag of chips and crackers (it was fun laughing w/you Cari), my brother and his friends setting things up, Dad making sure everyone's situated...and yes even our lovely jack-mormon's grabbing some free coffee :) So all in all, we were safe and that's how things turned out in the end, no harm done....except maybe to my attendance the following morning since BYUH was the ONLY school that didn't close, but that's a whole different night of venting :)