For the Mathie/Mills Family Reunion we held a mock emergency evaluation. We were given a bag with family shirts inside and a set of instructions. On the appointed day we were called sometime in the morning hours and told to "activate". The majority of the family had no idea what we were doing, just that we would get a phone call and be told to open our bag and follow the instructions inside. When we got our call, our instructions told us that there had been severe weather throughout the night and that there were now flash floods in our area. Which was very convincing since the entire night it had rained and stormed outside, in fact it rained the entire day. We had 30 minutes to evacuate and meet with the rest of the family at Nate's brother Larry's house in West Haven. Every family got a different emergency. Since Nate and Ethan were gone to a Merit Badge Midway that morning, the task to evacuate fell to me and the three younger kids.
What an experience. I was the only one who knew that this was a drill. Ally was already up milling around with me, but Ryland and Evie were still asleep. I was so proud of Ally. I calmly but firmly told her the news and explained what I needed her to do. She got right to it. I went downstairs and woke Ryland. I immediately told him we needed to evacuate and what to grab. He almost immediately went into a panic. I felt so bad. I calmed him down and got him to focus on what I needed him to do. He got right to it. Those two were just awesome. They did everything I asked and more. Ally started grabbing food for them all to eat for breakfast, she grabbed things that she knew Ethan would want to save. I woke up Evie and got her ready and proceeded to load the car. We got all of the 72 hour kits, emergency toilet, etc. I grabbed our photo discs, family videos, my journals, the jewelry that Nate has given to me, etc. It was interesting those last few minutes before we left. The van was loaded, the kids were buckled and I walked through the house one last time. I scanned each room to make sure there wasn't anything I would regret not grabbing. It was a strange feeling. I knew it wasn't real, I knew I would be back later in the day and yet, I had a strange detachment to everything left. Like it really didn't matter. Which it really doesn't, in the grand scheme of things. The kids had only needed a little guidance in what kinds of things they should grab, it was interesting to see the things that they deemed important.
Almost the entire time the kids were nagging me to grab our cats. I kept putting them off, telling them we would get to them. Of course if it were a real emergency I would round up the cats, but I knew this wasn't real and I DID NOT want to take them all day to West Haven. They would have had to stay in their crate all day, and I was afraid if we let them out to go potty they would run off. I wanted this to be as real to them as possible so I finally had them grab the cats and we loaded some food and their crate into the van. When they weren't looking I tried to pull it out. I got caught, so I made up some lame excuse of something I needed to do with it. I carried it out of sight and let the cats out. I was hoping they would stay out of sight til we got out of there. Of course they are cats and did whatever they wanted to. As we were backing out of the drive they saw the cats. Hysterics ensued. I figured at this point it was okay to let them in on what was going on. It was funny because Ally said she had been wondering why none of the other neighbors were leaving!
The entire drive there we discussed our adventure. It was an awesome learning experience. I asked them if it was all worth it, knowing that now if a disaster occurred we would feel more prepared. Ryland was the only resounding "NO!" in the entire group.
We arrived right on time. We then spent a good portion of the day talking about emergency preparedness, both with the kids and without. It was a cool experience and very enlightening.
Ryland, Larissa and
Trevin F.
Sydney M., Ally,
Lauralea F. and Kevin B.
Everyone that could make it that day. Nate and Ethan arrived at the tail end of it. For the rest of the family that lived at the southern end of the state they did the same thing within their group at the same time.
Evelyn and Anya M.
Kelsey, Mandy,
Jayden and
Jarod M. family,
Nate's parents, and Anya,
Jaicia, Jen and
Kendree M. family
Our family, Cody, Dale,
LaRay and Kevin B. family, Sydney, Daniel,
Mya and Jen M. family
Later on that night I found Ethan and Evelyn doing this in the great room. He had dragged her all the way down the hall to her room by her socks. He then laid down and had her drag him all the way back to the kitchen by his socks. It's a good thing we have slippery hardwood floors and he is a lightweight. I asked him what they were doing. His answer, "Mom, this is good practice! What if I am knocked out or something and Evie has to get me out of the house!" I laughed and secretly hoped that would never be the case.
A few days later Nate was trying to take a nap on the couch. Evie busied herself by taking care of his "
owies". I think we are getting prepared!
Are YOU prepared?
Grandma and Grandpa Burke with Ryland
Grandma and Grandpa Mathie with Ryland
Great Grandma and Grandpa Jackman with Ryland
Unfortunately my Mom and her husband Bob, Grandma and Grandpa Hale, weren't able to come. They are Logan Temple workers and have the Saturday shift. They were definitely there in spirit though and will be blessed for their service and sacrifice I am sure!
It was a crazy, busy, wonderfully blessed day! We love you Chub and are so proud of you and the choices you are making!
