Christchurch Earthquake, New Zealand

On Tuesday 22nd February, at 12.50pm , while the people of Christchurch were going about their day a 6.1 magnitude earthquake, at a depth of only 5km, changed their lives forever. To date their are 75 people dead, with the death toll expected to rise, 100's of people injured and 100's still missing. Buildings have been flattened, cars crushed under debris. There is still no power or water, to not only the city, but also the outlying suburbs.

This quake has been declared a National Disaster by the New Zealand government, and help has been promised by countries worldwide.

The huge rescue operation has been going on now for two days, rescue crews from New Zealand, Australia, Japan and Taiwan have been working tirelessly rescuing people . More rescue teams are due tonight from the U.S.A. and Britain.  Although there have been a great number of people rescued, the fear is that there will be an even greater number of people who have not survived.

Our  hearts goes out to the people of Christchurch and to the greater Canterbury region.


Kia Kaha..  Forever Strong

Shadow Shot Sunday..

Thanks to Tracy over at Hey Harriet for hosting us, you can visit her over at Shadow Shot Sunday: http://heyharriet.blogspot.com/

My shadow shot this week was taken at our beach, late afternoon....

She climbed for ten minutes from the beach to the top of the cliff with her "chute" packed on her bag. And then floated ever so gently back down to the beach.


Have a great weekend everyone.

New Zealand in My Heart Forever.......

The words Evette wrote in the sand the last morning in New Zealand before the long trip back to Utah.

  

The beach seemed such an appropriate place for Evette, Emma and Lucca to spend a few hours on their last day with us. Emma and Lucca have had so much fun playing in the sea and sand, and for Evette the beach is a huge part of being a "Kiwi" girl. 

After a few hours of non-stop play it was home for lunch, bath, and nap. Before nap time the kids watched  Charlottes Web a favourite movie, Lucca was exhausted not only with all the playing at the beach, but the Summer  heat got to him too. This is how we found him half an hour into the movie.

 

The last seven weeks have gone so quickly, I can't believe they have gone home. Already we miss the chattering, laughing, squabbling and the excitement when we leave for work in the morning and when we get home.  I miss Evette's company, her wonderful cooking and coming home with the house all clean and tidy.Words can't explain how heavy our hearts are, and the sadness we feel with them no longer being here.

Roll on September, when I hope to get to Utah for a few weeks.

Wordless Wednesday..

  Thanks Sarah for hosting   WordlessWednesday