It's only just Begun

When Aaron was a kid his favorite thing to do was ride his bike off ramps that he had built. He has been SEVERELY hurt by these ramps. Yet I walk outside today and see this- granted it's only like a foot off the ground- but that besides the point, he has now put the bug in his little body and now all he wants to do is jump the ramp. Not long from now he will be building his own, and I will have to soak him in a bath of peroxide because he was so badly cut up. yeah.

WE bought him this motorcycly bike that he just HAD to have, yet if you notice he is riding BraeLynn's old pink and blue bike. He says that BraeLynn's bike has better shocks

Wonderful Gospel

This weekend was one of much needed spiritual uplifting. Bonnie Parkins came to speak at our RS stake meeting. She gave a great message - Women in Happy Ways- A quote I will forever live by now is " just step up to the  plate, and be happy about it!"

And Sunday our ward had a visit from Elder Bednar and his wife. Now there is so much to share as to the messages he gave. They spoke all three hours. All I can say is that my testimony of the Savour and his apostles have been strengthened. Elder Bednar didn't come for the purpose of speaking in our ward. They were here on personal matters. Yet being the Representative of the savour that he is, he acted just as Jesus would this weekend. 

How many times did the Lord simply just want to go to the market, or go home and he was stopped by the people. Healing them, teaching them, touching them. So selfless. Elder Bednar stopped to heal some of our hearts, taught us, and touched us with his love and testimony. 

I sat at the foot of a prophet and was edified. What more is there to say?

I love to learn

 I have had a hard time coming back to the world of blogging. I am sure most of my blog readers know that KY was out of power for quite some time. My neighborhood was out 5 days. It was an experience to say the least. At first it was glorified camping. Kids were out of school- fun fun. 

The past year Aaron and I have been trying to follow the council of our priesthood leaders and truly LIVE the preparedness plan. I used to think that this food storage thing we were all asked to do was simply a purchase- things to buy so we would have when we need. Not so. I have learned that this -being prepared thing- isn't a purchase, it's a life style. I have been amazed once again at the wisdom of the Lord. By actually living these principles, I have also realized that by doing so I am yet again doing what I have been taught and that's to live within my means. Making a menu and buying only whats on my list alone has been a blessing to our pockets!

I guess my point is I am grateful for the wisdom of the Lord and the Leaders who are enforcing it. 

After this week Aaron and I are even more motivated to become prepared in all the ways we have been counseled to do so. Some little things I noticed and am grateful for after this week. 

GENERATOR!!!

This really was my sanity. And we found out just how powerful this thing really is as we were to power four houses all together with this thing! Because we were trying to accommodate the other households, happily, we ended up leaving the generator on more than we would have if it was just powering our house, and we went through under 20 gal of gasoline for 5 days. So I now will have a total of 4 five gallon tanks in our storage for the generator which should go a long way. 

Grill- I will for sure have an extra propane tank in my storage. Brian and Mira did all kinds of experimenting on their grill and everything turned out great. I only did a couple things since I have a gas stove but it's  a must in my storage now!

Food-

 It was so funny because the first couple of days that the power went off I was all excited because I felt prepared with my 4 month food storage. We were coming up with all kinds of meals and making powdered milk (which we drink anyway) and making bread. Then Mira and I started laughing because we realized that we CAN go to the store! But, I felt confident that if the store had been without power for too long we WOULD have had to use our storage!

But things I will add to my pantry are :

More re fried beans-  We did a lot with these and they were a great protein sub.

Cereal- I didn't have this in my storage and It was nice to serve cereal without going to the grill all the time for a meal. Plus Aaron has to have it. 

Diapers- I did not have enough diapers, this is when I was glad the store was open!

That's really about it- yeah!

Solar Radio-

I bought this, and it was delivered the day before the outage! ha. I loved it! No batteries powered by the sun, it was great to not only have it for updates, but was so nice to have playing while I did dishes (all by hand remember- no dishwasher :( )  Listening to the radio was a treat. We all huddled together and listened to the Louisville game, so fun. 

A must in my storage!

I took more naps, really- it was great! We went to bed early- got up early (hmmmm, isn't their a scripture about that?)

And TV- granted I hardly watch TV these days, and the kids didn't miss it. I did hook up the computer to the generator and let them watch a DVD one night. It was such a great thing because t was so  "rare".

So I guess all in all it was an experience that one can only take away much learning, after all, our outage was nothing to those effected in Texas. We were spoiled.

Long Live the Queen!

So, this is my great Aunt Marian. Today she turned 95- I had to post her because, well first of all she looks nothing like 95- but second, I have such a love for this woman, I admire her life and how she chose to live it. The older I get, I see so much of myself in both Marian and my grandmother. It's amazing how much self worth comes from knowing where I came from, not only before this life, but my heritage in this life. I am blessed to have come from the line of many wonderful women- And this one has set the bar!

By the way- this is her trying not to laugh face- she is giggling under her breath here- so funny.

Just Because

Sometimes "Just Because" acts of kindness mean the world. Thank you Aaron- I love you too!

Look a Likes

Ok so besides the fact that this kid just will not stay out of the dishwasher- I was taken back by the look on his face I captured. Look at braeLynn when she was younger- They are so much alike!!

Boys Day Out

Aaron took Jaron to a local car show and I don't know who had more fun-  Aaron is just as much of a kid and Jaron when it comes to shiny objects that go vroom vroom.

Piano Recital

Braelynn had her first piano recital tonight .  She did wonderful . She was nervous but I am so impressed how she just plows forward and does it. I never had that much courage. Teri Huckvale does a wonderful job and has more patience than I ever could!!!

Great Job BraeLynn- So happy for you

Guard Duty- Watch Out

So now that mckenna is in upper elementry they have the opportuntiy to beon guard duty. They get to help the kids out of th e cars and well, just look cute, at least mckenna does. I can't believe how big she is!

By, By hair

Well, I let it go for a year but had to cut the wings growing on the side of his head! Cant get rid of the curls on the back yet though! 

Gotta love him

Ok, so the last few months my washing machine has progressively gotten worse. It used to be a good pounding on the lid got it running again. But more and more it would stop in the middle of the cycle and I'd have to come in and sit on it in order for it to work. 

So I tell Aaron what's going on with it. And of course he says " well, at least you have a washing machine", "that's not a priority", "be grateful for what you have", blah,blah, blah

As you may recall I was in California for 5 days. Well when Aaron picked me up from the airport no sooner were we out of the parking garage does he say" what's up with the washing machine, it's driving me crazy!" 

So the very next day he buys me these:

:)

Random

A man and his garage- oh brother! Aaron just loves his garage, his tools to be specific. I think the day after we moved into the house he went to home depot and spent, well lets just say I choked when I saw the bill. But this is his first garage for cryin' out loud. A mans just gotta  have the tools to fill it.(??)  He really has put it to good use, I have benefited greatly from his handiwork! Oh and it really isn't this messy, he had just finished a project. (he made me say that)

A darling little friend of ours babysits the kids sometimes and she was willing to watch them for our anniversary which happened to be her birthday as well. So of course I had to make her a birthday cake.  So mckenna is now in the 5th grade, and well that means lots of things to a 10 yr. old. to mckenna it apparently means that she can talk on the phone for hours at a time. ( no worries mom and dad we will establish limits!) But check out the look, I mean this screams teenager

And Last but not least I have my new jewelry line name- as you can see above- and web site- www.beadsnapod.com- I am hopeful I can stay busy enough to keep up this hobby of mine! I love it. It's my only out these days. But I really do hope people like my designs. It's so scary for me to do this actually. I get so nervouse and worrysome. But thanks to my BFF and her encouragment I am putting myself out there to be , well- out there!

Happy Birthday Jackson!

Oh where does the time go? My baby is 1yr old today, oh how I love him. Birthday party pics to come later! So, Jackson was the only baby I delivered completely natural. I wish I had been more educated with the rest of them because it was the best choice I ever made. Seriously by the time they were ready to take me to recovery I was walking around and ready to run. His birth was the first that Aaron and I really did this together- he was the most involved than any other delivery and I leaned on him more than any other delivery. What a great memory I have of this little guys grand entrance. Now he didn't have to come out sideways, but none the less it was great!

Jackson baby, you are the greatest gift. The joy and light you bring to our family is indescribable. Happy days are sure to continue with you in our life's. We love you little man. 

Californ-I-A

The boys and I went out to Napa California, where I grew up this past week, it was nice to see family and friends. It had been a long time. I loved to see some of my favorite places that have strong memories for me. Here are a few:

This Bakery, ButterCream Bakery, is where my grandmother took me all the time as a little girl. As soon as I walked in the smell brought me way back. My favorite things were the sugar cookie, and signature pink checkered cookies. But being in there made me feel so at home.  These rocks are at downtown Napa, where my grandmother and great aunt used to take me shopping all the time. I would play on these rocks and run up and down the side- Water used to run from them too I think. Napa has changed so much, only a few things left that are the same as when I was young. They even took down the grand clock tower that stood in the center of town because it wasnt sophisticated enough anymore. Dumb winos My great Aunt Marian above and My grandmother below. Marian will be 95 in a couple weeks and my grandma is 90. They are amazing women. I have so much of them in me, they make up a part of who I am. I love that I have had such a close relationship with them all these years.  My grandma and grandpa Pickett, and me and my pop. They are so awesome. Always keeping family first. The older I get the more I realize how much they did, and still do to keep us close. My cousin Jason was married in the Oakland Temple as well on this trip. I had not been there since I was married 12 years ago. It was so nice to walk around the grounds and feel of the wonderful spirit. They don't make temples like this anymore! Such a long trip! we were going non stop and the boys were so pooped out. Jackson has slept all day today!