the good book

• Today we left Kelowna early and headed out for Calgary.  It was a beautiful day.  We flew down the road, rocking out to our awesome playlist
• Jane, as we entered the Rockies, you were smitten with the clear blue/green water in the rivers.  You asked to stop, so we pulled over near Field.  I set the timer for 20 minutes, so we wouldn't get too distracted.  The water was beautiful, and icy and amazing
• We got back in the van and on our way, when suddenly Katie started screaming, then George started screaming.  All hell broke loose, and I couldn't figure out what was going on.  I looked in the rearview mirror and saw that Lila was clutching her throat and choking.  Oh my gosh.  I slammed on the brakes and pulled over as fast as I could.  By the time I got over to her side of the van, she had swallowed it, but wow, was that ever scary.  We had a long snuggle on the side of the road.  It turned out that she had put a whole bunch of coins in her mouth, then when she tried to spit them all out, one went down instead of out and she choked
• After we recovered a bit, we got back in the van and went to Lake Louise for lunch.  I had wanted to go to Morraine Lake, but it was already full and the parking lot was closed.  I had packed pizza buns for our lunch, so we sat on the rocks and ate and soaked in the beauty.  The Rockies are so incredible.  Lake Louise looks fake.  It's hard to believe that something that pretty exists
• Lila, you were still pretty upset from choking.  We had a contest to see who could make you smile first.  Katie won.  She made some silly faces and you just couldn't help yourself.  She won the grand prize of picking the music for the next hour.  Katie, you were so cute because you ended up picking one of Jane's musicals, just to be nice to her
• We arrived in Calgary without further incident.  We stayed at the Marriot Courtyard hotel.  It was so pretty.  Our room was really cute.  I loved the dandelion wallpaper.  Of course, the first thing you all did was jump on the beds.  Then, without wasting too much time, we got into the pool.  It felt so good to be in the water after driving all day.  Jane and Katie, you kept the babies occupied and I had a nice long soak in the hot tub 
• After our swim, we met Uncle Danny and had some dinner together, then headed back to the hotel and got to meet Heather's family for the first time.  They were so great.  We immediately felt at ease
• Jane, we went back to the hotel room where you found a Book of Mormon.  You've been wanting to read it, so you were quite delighted.  You decided it would be smartest to first read the Bible, then continue onto the Book of Mormon, so you could have the complete picture.  You skipped our evening swim to read.  You crack me up
• After our swim, I tucked you all in, then had the longest hottest shower.  It was amazing.  When I came out of the bathroom, you were all sleeping, so I photographed you all (creepy mommy!!) and then settled into bed and texted daddy
• It wasn't until I was in the stillness of the night that the full terror of Lila's choking incident hit me.  All the what-ifs came one after another and I realized how fortunate we were.  Things could have been so different for us today.  I've been blessed with four healthy, smart, beautiful kids and I continue to be blessed every single day.  I never want to forget that, and I want to be mindful of all the small miracles that happen every day.  I love you guys so much.  I know I tell you all the time, but really, I want to be able to read those words from me to you.  I love you.  Always have.  Always will