Road Trip

Tomorrow we are heading to Phoenix, and we're driving! I was trying to think of some things to keep my kids busy and happy along the way and a friend had some ideas for me.

They were found on a couple of different websites. I downloaded them, printed them on cardstock and had them laminated. I'm emailing you all of the files, in case you ever need them:-). My kids are super excited to get going and playing the games. I got two cookie sheets to set them on and I'm going to get magnets and dry erase markers to use while we play.

Also, the travel bucks you see here can be used for anything. The person that made them suggested buying dollar store items and letting them purchase from you after they earn bucks them along the way. I'm going to trade them for money in the end and let them buy something in Phoenix.

Also, if you are road-tripping anytime soon you may want to check out Target's dollar isle right now. All kinds of things for the kids.

Happy travels:-).

!Emergency Preparedness

Ever since I have started having children I have felt the need to be prepared for an emergency. I was not as inclined to worry about it, until I had innocent children depending on me for their care and safety. When I was pregnant with Sadie, I ordered a 72-hour kit for 4 with my birthday money. I got it from thereadystore.com and it turned out to be a great deal. I spent $149 and got all of the supplies I would need for four adults (which easily translates into two adults and now almost four children).

Last month our Stake High Council Rep. came to our ward to let us know that our stake president has asked that each family in the stake be prepared with a few things by the end of this year. I thought it was a good reminder that we should be prepared at all times, especially with children. Here is what our Stake President recommends for each family:

-15 gallons of water/person (I started picking up a couple of the 5 gallon boxes each time I go to Costco, $4/each- easy)!
-3 months supply of food (always a work in progress).

-72 hour kit for each person (with adding a few things to mine, I think the 4 person kit will be plenty for my family-for now).

-A water filtration device for each member of family. Apparently the church endorses the brand Seychelle. They have purchased literally hundreds of thousands of Seychelle filters for missionaries, and for sending to disaster zones around the world. The church has purchased so many that Seychelle will give LDS members 1/2 off of their filters which makes them $16-a great deal compared to other brands and sights(we have our own coupon code). I got on their website today and ordered each person in my family a water bottle. The high councilman also recommended buying a hanging bag from Seychelle- they will filter over 100 gallons of water and they are only $17 for church members.

https://store.seychelle.com/ Here is the website. When you checkout, the coupon code is L8D8S.

Here are some other ideas I had for making our 72 hour kits do-able for me:

-Check and change out clothing/food/etc. every six months on General Conference weekend.

-Buy kids sneakers one size ahead, and keep that pair in 72 hour kit. Same with one outfit/each.

-Rotate snacks my kids will actually eat like granola bars,etc. instead of just MRE's every six months.

-Stake Pres. asked us to remember diapers and some activities for kids in case of emergency. I thought it might be fun to get a few travel games to keep in the bags...just in case!

Anyway, this is what I am doing right now to prepare my family for a disaster. I'm sure you are all ahead of me by far, and I would love to hear any ideas you have!!

Lacey

Watch this.

There is no doubt this video is compelling. It is well made and the story is well told. Some think this video do more harm than good for the people of Uganda. There are even questions about the charity involved - but this video at least makes you think outside of our little sheltered world. Definitely worth watching.

Breckons room.

Why can't I format my stupid posts? I swear I need some serious help with my computer skills. You may want to skip to the bottom, and read that paragraph first.

Kenny painted this old end table, and we found the cute baseball knob on sale for $2 at Hobby Lobby! The baseball frame is also from there...I haven't filled it yet, but I"m going to put the picture of Breckon at the red sox game where he and Kenny caught a fly ball!

Breckon brought this silhouette picture home from school, and Kenny and I both love it...one of the mothers came into their class and drew them!

This old tin sign was at Hobby Lobby...all of their boy stuff was 1/2 off the already cheap price!

Here's a look at most of the room...he loves it and I am proud that it is as decorated as it is. Kenny says if you come over you will see who is the favorite...our poor girls room struggles, we still only have one bed! I'll get to it sometime...

I'm sure you are all aware at how decorating a room/house does not come naturally to me. In fact, while I love a well put-together home, I can't pull it off. But I have been working on Breckon's room for a few months now. We bought his bed/dresser from Kelsey. I found his bedding on clearance at Pottery Barn (the only way I buy things from there)...and I've been gathering the rest since then. We still want to get a framed poster of Fenway park for the wall, and do a few other things, but here are some pictures of what we've got so far...

RS

I'm speaking tomorrow at our Relief Society Birthday Party. They told me the evening is all about celebrating the sisters...for all that they do. It has reminded me that the purpose of Relief Society is so important. With an organization that spends all of its efforts on helping others - what's not to love? 


For my talk, I've gathered several stories about Relief Society sisters around the world, some simple and others that are not. It's amazing to realize how even small acts of kindness or service can really mean a lot to another person.


I won't bore you with my entire talk, but I did want to share with you one portion:

Deb Barry
Kosovo
During the war, one of the first shipments to arrive in Kosovo was the shipment of quilts and hygiene kits. It was wonderful to be able to see so many of those items in the homes of the families who had lost everything. Families were blessed to be able to brush their teeth, wash their hands, and reduce the risk of infections as they worked at rebuilding their homes and burying their dead.

When assembling kits, it seems like such a simple thing. But to see the joy on a persons face when they are able to feel clean and a bit normal is overwhelming. It makes you realize just how important each and every one of those kits are.

The families I knew in Kosova were so excited when news spread that the blankets had come from the church that I belonged to.

As written in the Church News

Months later as Sister Barry was preparing to leave Kosovo two women from Sister Udall's class approached her.

"Will you be going to your church next Sunday?" they asked.

Sister Barry assured them that she would.

"It would be wonderful," one said, "if when you go there, you would thank the people for remembering us in our time of need."

Sister Barry nodded and promised she would. It would be her pleasure to share with her {6 million} sisters that the words, "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," are spoken in Kosovo with love and affection.

In the book, “Daughters of My Kingdom” we read

“During Christ’s time on earth, He told stories of women engaged in ordinary activities. He demonstrated deep familiarity with women’s lives and drew timeless gospel lessons from their everyday experiences. He forgave them. He wept with them. He had compassion on them in their specific circumstances as daughters, wives, homemakers, mothers, and widows. He appreciated them and ennobled them.” (Daughters of my Kindom, pg. 3)

Imagine that, Christ drew lessons from women and their everyday experiences. Often, we may think it’s only the enormous acts of service or the life altering experiences that build up those we serve. However, Christ taught us differently. He cares deeply about the little things - the things that make up our everyday life. The things YOU are doing EVERY DAY!  


Thank you all for being great examples to me & for all that you do. I love you!

Very Jane

I came across this online shop Very Jane awhile back. It's a daily deal site that offers an assortment of homemade products. I haven't bought anything yet, but I have been tempted a few times. I've seen lots of darling bows, necklaces, window panels, shower curtains, t-shirt quilts, jewelry, personalized notepads, announcements ... just to name a few. The prices are good. Check it out.