Girl's Camp Departure!

This morning the gals loaded up the suburban and off they went to YW Girl's Camp. They were nervous, yet excited to go to camp! They were calling it something like "nervited"!

Ron and my father are the Priesthood leaders at camp today through Wednesday morning and then, someone else will come in for the rest of the week. Oh, I wonder if they know what they have gotten themselves into. I hope they are ready to possibly be teased and pranked. ;)

Here are some pics of loading and leaving this morning.

Father's Day!

Yesterday the girls celebrated Father's Day with Ron. We had a nice pot roast dinner, dessert and of course they each gave them homemade cards, two new ties and a little pampering.

Graduated from Primary!

Caitlin and Courtney meet with the Primary President and the Bishop yesterday and got their Faith in God books signed. They are so excited to leave Primary and move onto Young Women's!

Our Mini Market...AKA Food Storage!

Our Emergency Preparedness Closet has been a long process. But, it is finally finished (well, is it really ever finished? No, it's a work in progress.)

When we were looking for a home a few years ago, I specifically looked for closets or rooms that could be a Food Storage/Emergency Preparedness storage. That was one thing I really liked about this home, it had two master bedroom walk-in closets.

I am happy to say, that I finally finished the closet this month. It is difficult to see in the photos, but it is a large walk in closet in the master bathroom. It is an interior room of the house, under the stairs. As you walk into the closet on the right I have two large metal shelves, where I will store 3 months worth of groceries, hygiene, and laundry needs. (I do not have even close to 3 months but I am slowly adding to it weekly. It won't be long until I have the 3 months). I chose foods for these shelves that are every day groceries, that I can use to cook a breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Here is an idea for those of you looking to begin your 3 month grocery storage. I make a grocery shopping list every two weeks. I shop for two weeks worth of food for my family. At the end of the two weeks, before I go shopping again, I clear out of my pantry any meals we did not use over the two weeks. (we either went out for dinner, we were invited to someones home for dinner or I changed my menu and made something else.)

Say there are three meals left over, I clear those out of the pantry and put them into the food storage closet. So, instead of setting aside money each month to purchase food storage, I am doing it backwards, and putting in storage what I didn't use...and there is always something I didn't use. (I must add, I do purchase cases of canned fruit, vegetables and other items at Costco and toss them itno the storage frequently) My kids are even getting into storage. They will look in the pantry and say,"mom, we didn't open this box of cereal! Can it go into storage!" Why, yes it can! I love getting to the end of the two weeks and clearing the pantry and filling up shelf space in the food storage closet! :)

Onto the next pictures. Looking straight into the closet, I have on those shelves, lanterns, flash lights, batteries, two way radios, a hand crank radio, wheat grinder (electric and hand) and the generator. (grinder and generator on the floor)

To the left as you walk into the closet is the 72 hour kits. We have a piece of small rolling luggage, and inside that are all of the backpacks. We also have pillows, sleeping bags, portable 72 hour kit food and water, matches, candles, first aid kits, card games, etc. in this area. It is all packed and ready to go if an emergency should arise.

Up on the shelves above the 3 month groceries (near the ceiling) is TP and paper plates, paper bowls, paper cups, napkins and plasticware. I have kept these in stock since Hurricane Ike hit us last Fall. When you don't have electricity for 14 days, doing the dishes by hand and by lantern light, get's old real fast.

Surrounding the walls of the closet are boxes and boxes of #10 size canned food. I call it our foundation foods. Wheat, rice, all assortment of beans, salt, oil, white and wheat flour, sugar (brown and white), oats, pasta, powdered milk and dehydrated foods.

Dehydrated foods I store:
TPV meats- Beef, chicken, ham, sausage, bacon, taco, BBQ Beef, sloppy joes.
Vegetables - Green beans, peas, corn, carrots, potatoes, veggie mix.
Fruit - Banana chips, apples, peaches, strawberries.
Powder Eggs, powder butter & margarine, powder cheese.
Cornstarch
Baking soda
Baking Powder
Tomato powder
Soup Mixes: (just add water) cream soups and broth soups (all varieties).

Water storage. I plan to purchase 20 case of bottled water and keep in the storage room. Out in the garage I have (7) 50 gallon drums of water (with pump) and several 10 gallon jugs of water.

I have to say, I feel at peace.

If anyone would like to come over and take a tour, you are more than welcome. These pictures don't show the room very well.




(I promise that is Martinelli's sparkling cider on the shelf. Nothing else! :)

YW Girls Camp...Here we come!!

There is a lot of excitement in the air around our house! Victoria, Courtney and Caitlin are almost packed (have been for 2 weeks) and are ready to go to Girls Camp this Monday morning! They will be at camp for one week. Courtney is a little nervous about being away from home, but I am sure once the activities begin at camp, she won't even remember home!

This will be Victoria's second year of camp. Last year she went with our ward to Colorado and on the first day of camp she broke her arm when she was thrown from the horse. Yikes! We told her this year...no horseback riding! (haha)

At this camp there is hiking, swimming (water slide too), archery, crafts, camp certifications, and special programs set up for the girls. They live in air conditioned bunk houses, with running water and electricity and they eat in a cafeteria. I laughed the first time I heard about this. Having attended girls camp at Ensign Ranch in Washington all my YW years, we lived in A frames, had no running water, outhouses (biffys), we lashed our dish washing area and cooked over fires. We floated the river and had such a great time. These girls in Houston have girls camp so easy!! But, then again in Washington there is no heat and humidity, no deadly snakes, and no mosquitoes the size of a suburban and hardly any bugs!

This will be Caitlin and Courtney's first year of camp. They do not turn 12 years old until July 1st, however the Stake has allowed them to come to camp seeing that the cut off date was June 30. Thank you kind Stake leaders for letting these YW go! They are so excited!

I think I may be more excited for my daughters to experience girls camp than they are. But, having worked in the young women's program several times over the past 15 years, I have seen what a testimony builder girl's camp can be. I am excited to see them come back from camp excited about life and with the light of Christ twinkling in their eyes.

Have fun ladies! You ROCK! SHINE IN '09! xoxo

Tiffany's First Hair Cut!

Tiffany got her first hair cut yesterday! It has been so hot and humid, and she swims almost everyday...I finally decided it was time to cut her hair. I really didn't want to. I loved her long blond hair and it curled around her cheek bones so nicely.

I am glad I cut it. She looks cute and all freshened up with the clean bob.

Really...can life get any better than this on a HOT summer day?

This past week, the temps have heated up here in Houston. I heard on the news that with the heat index, yesterday was 104*.

The girls really received a great treat yesterday. The city has been testing the fire hydrants in our subdivision...and they just so happened to be testing the one in front of our home!

At first we didn't know what the loud "whooshing" sound was...then I looked out the front window and called to the girls..."QUICK! Look outside!" After that, all I heard was what sounded like a heard of elephants RUNNING down the stairs and out the front door. They were all say,"WOW!!!" At first the kids stayed far away from the hydrant. They were quite intimidated by it's force. They waded in the gutters and street and were having a great time. Soon, I noticed they were not quite so content, and I watched all of the kids walk a little closer and a little closer to the hydrant. [This experience will make for a great temptation, sin and repentance lesson in FHE this week! :)] It wasn't long until they and the neighbor kids were all soaked! One teenager was even daring enough to ride his rip stick through the gushing water! :)

Last Day of School and the Chore Chart!

Reality began to sink in last night...(sniff. sniff.) I am getting old. Okay, what I mean is...Victoria is going into 8th grade. That just sounds awful. It is a little sad for me to see her growing up and moving through the sequence of life. I know I should be excited for her, but it just seems like yesterday she was in elementary school. I am actually getting choked up as I write this...Ha Ha! See. I am getting old. Must be the sentimental "hormones" kicking in. To all you young mom's out there...enjoy today and make a memory with your child. Hug and squeeze your kids and tell them that you love them. These precious days do not last forever!

Last Day of school photos:

Victoria last day of 7th grade.

Caitlin last day of 5th grade.

Courtney last day of 5th grade.

Brianne last day of 2nd grade.

Oh, what's this next photo? Well, it's my favorite thing about summer...the chore chart lands back on the fridge! (Woot! woot!) I love the summer time because I get my little slaves back! Muu-hahaha!

I love saying that because about mid July, when the kids are hot, cranky and b-o-r-e-d, they say to me..."your just in a good mood Mom, because you have your slaves home!" (hee-hee!)

To give some of you some ideas for chores here is a list of what my kids do...

Monday-Thursday chores:

clean bedroom

Meal dishes

clean kitchen

vacuum

clean game room

wash windows

Dust baseboards

clean back yard

fold laundry

Friday Chores: (these are a little more difficult, but there are less.)

clean toy area of garage

dust living room shelves and photos

clean bathrooms

collect trash throughout home

Dust game room, tv's and computer areas

clean pool and pool area

Memorial Day Fun & End of the School Year Wrap up!

This past weekend was loads of fun! It began with a brisket dinner at a dear friends home on Saturday, I spoke in church on Sunday (Tori came into listen and afterwards she exclaimed,"Mom! you did so good!!" So, I guess I did pretty well. :), we had friends over Sunday evening for games and on Monday we had fun swimming all morning and a BBQ with my parents in the afternoon, along with basketball in the evening! By the time we got home late last night, we were all sunburned and tired. It was difficult prying the girls out of bed this morning. They are so very ready for school to be out next Wednesday, June 3rd.

I can tell it's the end of the school year...they are exhausted. I can't believe the school year is over. Each of the girls have progressed so much this year and have accomplished so many goals. I think Victoria takes home the prize for the most accomplished this year. From beginning junior high, keeping straight A's, making honor society, trying out against 72 girls and make the volleyball team, making the basketball team, and track, throwing shot put and discus and bringing home 1st place awards in the district! WOW! What a year! Way to go Tori! I am looking forward next year already, I can't wait to see what great things you will do.

Caitlin and Courtney also kept A grades this year. They survived their first year of Intermediate school, lockers and all! They survived being in the GT (gifted and talented) classes and also survived being teased daily by the boys! (They were relentless.) They are so excited to begin going to Young Women's this summer and are VERY EXCITED to go to Stake Girls Camp!

Brianne enjoyed 2nd grade this year and her teacher, Mrs. Williamson was so kind to her. She treated her as if she were her own child. :) Brianne's reading improved this year and her piano skills have taken off! It has been neat to watch her begin piano lessons in October and now she can play pretty well. She recently had a recital where she played a piece of music in front of a large audience of about 100 people. She did very well and I was so proud of her. Way to go Bri! :)

Tiffany is and isn't looking forward to her sisters being home next week for the summer! She enjoys watching her pre-school programs on TV and not having to share the TV! She enjoys having Mom's attention all to herself and not having to share Mom during the day. She enjoys a quiet home during nap time and not a lot of noise from big sisters and friends trampling through the house! Over all, she will enjoy having them home. There will always be someone to play with!

As for me, well, I do have mixed emotions about the girls coming home for the summer. I enjoy that I can spend time with them...talking, laughing, and learning. I enjoy baking and cooking with them and teaching them how to make tasty foods! I enjoy that I have babysitters always on hand! I do enjoy the job chart and that everyone pitches in with the housework! However, I do not enjoy the extra laundry (especially the swimming towels!!) and I do not enjoy hearing, "I'm BORED!". :-) All in all, by the time summer ends, I will be sad to see them go back out into the world...I hope this summer will be a time of lessons learned and growing up. I hope, just hope, that they will be stronger and ready to take the world by storm this Fall...my guess is, they will be ready! Watch out world!

Happy Summer yall!

Brianne's Piano Recital

Last weekend Brianne had her first piano recital! She did very well for a beginner. She played a piece that she learned a few months ago. I was proud of her for playing in front of so many people. I'd guess there were about 100 people in the audience. Way to go Brianne! Her teacher told me that she has great rhythm and she has caught on quickly how to read music and play the piano. This is so exciting for me! I have always wanted one of my children to play and now I have one! :O)

Summer Vacation is Almost Here!

My girls have the count down going! They are so excited for school to be out...Ron and I too! What a year it's been driving the kids all over the place. From school, to church, to volleyball, basketball, track and piano. We are all so happy to be able to just sit back and relax! We are excited for Tori, Caitlin and Courtney to all go to girls camp this summer! What an experience that is going to be for each of them. We are still not sure if we will be traveling anywhere this summer. Our plans are still up in the air. :)

District Fine Arts Festival

This weekend we went to the High School to see Brianne dance and see their art work that made it to the district festival. Lots of fun! Brianne's 2nd grade danced and all had a great time...especially Tiffany at the craft tables!



I thought it was lame that Tori's cowboy art didn't make it to the festival. This pot is beautiful and the details are incredible, but I personally don't think this shows her capabilities...she is such a talented artist! So, I will insert her cowboy art below! (I'm just being a proud Mom! hehe! :)




Self portrait by Caitlin (blue hair huh?!)

Brianne: White and pink, heart ceramic pot.

Brianne getting ready to dance. (brown shirt and pig tails. Click on pic to enlarge.)

Mother's Day!

I had a fun weekend celebrating Mother's Day! My best gift? Definitely the Generator (such peace I feel now that I own a generator and Hurricane season begins next month! No more worries, the next time my power goes out for 2 weeks!) and the 24 roses! Then again, dinner, the cards, the kids photos, the new Lily for my garden and emergency preparedness lanterns were delight also! It was all good! :) Thanks Ron for making it so nice!

So, Will you Speak in Church?

The most perplexing thing happened to me today. A Stake High Councilman asked me to speak in another ward in a couple of weeks. A part of me is nervous and a part of me excited. I do like speaking and teaching, and I just found a ton of information on the Internet on the topic given. So, this should be pretty easy right? Then, why do I feel like I am gonna barf? This should be easier speaking to another ward other than my own right? At least if I mess up or something...most likely I won't see these folks again... Can you tell I am still kicking myself for saying,"Yes". What was I thinking? :O) Well, I will step out of my comfort zone and learn something from this I am sure. It's been said, that if you don't step out of your comfort zone, you will never really know what happiness is. So, here it goes...weeeeeeeeeeeeee!