Be Prepared

So here I sit...early in the morning and I can't go back to sleep. Jed already left for work and since he left, I've just been tossing and turning in bed. My mind keeps wondering back to a blog that I read last night. It pretty much puts into reality the importance of being prepared for everything and anything. I ask myself, "Are we prepared?"...I think not!

While I was home a few weekend ago, I attended Relief Socitey with my mom. I had to laugh because everytime I do, they are always doing some activity with food storage. I had mentioned to my mom and dad that the R.S. activities in this ward would drive me crazy after awhile. But they did do something that I thought was extremely helpful. The food storage person gave out a handout that had a list of about 6-8 items on it you should buy in the month of February. I really liked this idea because it included items like hand soap and laundry detergent. Those kind of items I never think about because it's called food storage. Buying everything on the list would have been between 10-15 dollars...not to shabby!

Sometimes I feel that the subject can be beaten to death, but my dad brought up something that I hadn't thought about. He said "being prepared is a principle of the gospel, just like paying your tithing. As leaders (he's in the bishopric) in the church we're suppose to teach the correct principles, but than the people are free to govern themselves. Just because we know how important it is to pay tithing doesn't mean we write the check out for those who don't. They have to choose to do it." The same would apply to those of us who have slacked in the area of being prepared! It's overwhelming when someone tells you how much wheat and rice you need for every person. We do owe a big thanks to Jed's parents because when they moved, they gave us their food storage. We have quite a bit now...especially wheat. The only problem is that I haven't got a clue what to do with it. Apparently I need to get a grinder! For Christmas they also gave us a nice 72 hour kit for Jed & I and one for Lucas. Paulette is the Emergency Prepardness Coordinator for Southwest Utah. She has always said that it is not if but when the Bird Flu gets here. There are only so many stages that the virus has to go through before humans can contract it. I don't remember the exact number, but it is definitely coming closer to reaching that point. The scary thing is that there is nothing you can do about. Some people will be able to fight the virus on there own, but lots will die from it. I was looking at her website and I found these checklists for anyone who is interested.

This brings me to my new coupon system. With the help of coupons and the website you can stock up on regular food such as spaghetti sauce, noodles, refried beans, pizzas, etc. when they are at a really good price. You'll slowly build up a supply of food that will allow you to mix some good food with the canned food and have a decent meal...when the time should come. My other worry is our water supply...which is at zero! What I thought I would start doing is buying bottled water when it's really cheap. Last week, Macey's had 24 for 2.99 which worked out to 12 cents a bottle. I figured I'd start storing it like this until we figure out another system.

So today I resolve to be better at preparing our little family for the worst. It's not something I like to think about, but by thinking about it, maybe I'll be able accomplish this huge task!

Count My Blessings...

I've had a bit of an emotional weekend and needed to write down my feelings. On Saturday was Carter Sperry's birthday party. He turned one. He is such a doll! The party was held at a condo clubhouse down by UVSC. While we were all sitting around one of the side doors got opened. One of the people standing by the door told us that our boy had gone out the door. I hurried out the door to get him. By the time I turned the corner he had already ran down the side walk and was standing at the edge of the road. I started screaming at him to stop and started running after him. I then tripped on the sidewalk and fell. I quickly got up and saw that he had also fallen in the road. I ran and picked him up and as I was walking back to the sidewalk, I mouthed "Thank You" to the Black SUV who had stopped for him. Pretty soon Jed came out the door and I started sobbing as I told him what had happened. I was crying because I was scared for what could have happened. I was crying because I was still holding my little boy in my harms and thankful that it wasn't worse. And I was crying because I was in so much pain. When I had fallen, I had scrapped up the left side of my body...my elbow, hip, knee, and I couldn't stand on my right leg because that knee was in lots of pain. Jed wanted to take me to the dr., but I figured it was just bruised. Eventually I was able to hobble around. I'm feeling better today although it still hurts a lot to stand up and go up and down stairs.

So today I count my blessings...
1. For the driver of the SUV that was paying attention and stopped.
2. For the cowboy boots that Lucas was wearing. They may have looked funny with his outfit (he put them on himself), but I KNOW they made him trip.
3. That I didn't land on my stomach when I fell and that since the fall, I've still been able to feel the baby move.
4. For a little boy that melts my heart and gives the best hugs and kisses.
5. For a husband who was concerned about me.
6. And most of all...for a Heavenly Father who protected out little family.

And now I ask for advice. How do you teach a two year old that the road is a dangerous place? It's the first place he runs to whenever we're outside.

Finished Product

I know that most of you are tired of hearing about my bag project, but you'll just have to deal with the posts! I finished my bag today. I'm quite impressed with the way it turned out considering the measurements were a trial and error thing. So here's what it looks like...there are a few things I would change the next time around, but all in all...I couldn't be happier! Happy Early B-day Tawn...you said you needed a bigger one!

First Things First...

I have been waiting for Shara to finally post her ultrasound pics so that I could do this post! There are several first that are happening in our life.

This is my first sister to have a baby. Which automatically will make Jed and I an aunt and uncle for the first time in September...which I couldn't be more thrilled about! This will be Lucas (and the new baby's) first cousin on either side. I've been waiting for this day a long time! Hopefully they'll be more on the way in the near future! :)

I have finally been able to feel the baby for the first time these past couple of days. I love that feeling. It's always reassuring when you can finally feel their movements. Our first (and only) ultrasound is coming in about a week and a half. I'm excited. Jed thinks the baby's a boy which automatically makes me think it's a girl. One of us needs to be right!!

I always hear how good "Grey's Anatomy" is, but have never seen an episode. I watched my first (rerun) episode the other night. I enjoyed it, but Jed wasn't sold on the show. The funny part was that while I was talking to Shara today, she told me how much she loves the show and all about the last episode. I just might have to start watching it more often.

I stayed up last night to attempt to make my first bag I was talking about in the previous post. I'm not posting it for everyone to see since I had to make it without any pins (I couldn't find them anywhere) and didn't bother ironing the seams. Needless to say, the bag has some quirks, but everything did turn out how I was thinking...just not very pretty. Maybe I'll try again today with some minor adjustments. I'll first have to go buy some pins!!

While at playgroup this week, a couple of the girls were talking about how much money they save doing the coupon thing. There is a website that you can go to and it tells you the best deals for the week and which coupons to use, etc. I've decided that I'm going to try it. So this will be my first Sunday that I get the newspaper (3 to be exact) with the coupons. I need to go get a tackle box to store them in and than hopefully I can convince the girls in my ward to help me out! Wish me luck!

I think that's all my firsts...

Fabric...

This past summer we (my mom and me) learned how to make these really cute scripture bags. They are the perfect size and sooo cute. We'll...I've decided to venture even more and try to make them larger and more of a diaper bag type thingy. Today I stopped at JoAnne's to look at fabric. They had some really cute ones to choose from, but these just kept popping out at me. Now I know they are a bit girly...but they were too cute to pass up. Besides, if this baby is a girl than that bag will be perfect. If not...oh well...it's me who carries the bag around, and I think it's cute!! Of course, I'm not going to try my new invention on this material until I have it perfected. I have some random fabric that I'm going to use. If it should turn out, I might post a picture for all to see!

Now for something completely off subject. Since we have started eliminating Lucas's daily naps, he's had trouble keeping his eyes open past 6 or 7. It's been kind of nice since we can put him to bed and he falls right asleep. He doesn't even move a muscle. Even though he goes to bed early, he still sleeps until 7 in the morning. On Valentine's Day I could tell he was getting sleepy really early. I finally called Jed around 4:45 and told him that if he didn't hurry home, he wouldn't get to see Lucas. I tried as hard as I could to keep him awake, but he still fell asleep before Jed got home. This is the picture of him that day. We tried to wake him up to have him open his little valentine's gift, but he wouldn't budge. He must have been really tired because he slept clear until 7 the next morning. Maybe it's a growth spurt!!??

Happy Valentine's Day

Yesterday Tawnya and I spent the afternoon making a little something that I saw on Martha Stewart, mini conversation heart cakes. They were a lot more work than I had thought they would be. On TV they make it looks so simple!! Oh well, it was still fun to make them and hopefully they taste good too!

I also want to tell my 2 Valentine boy's how much I love them. They are a real blessing in my life and I'm so glad that we will be a family forever and ever!

I LOVE YOU!

Act Like a Puppy...

While Jed and I were in Salt Lake, Lucas was up in Honeyville. He had so much fun that he didn't want to come home with us. He kept telling us "Bye" instead of grandpa and grandma! Nappy likes to have him play like he's a puppy so that's what the video is. The best is the end though...he's so funny!

Valentine Getaway

Jed and I went on our second annual Valentine vacation to Little America. This year we decided to stay in one of the tower rooms. It was so nice! The rooms are so big and spacious. They had chocolate dipped strawberries and a bottle of grape juice waiting in our room. We also received a key with the date and a yellow rose!

We went to dinner at Z'tejas in the Gateway. Niether Jed nor I had eaten there, but we gave it a try. I was a little nervous since there was nothing normal on the menu. I ended up really liking my dinner and Jed really liked his. Mine was a chicken, artichoke & mushroom stack and Jeds was a pork tenderloin wrapped in sausage. The best part was that we got there just at the right moment. We had about a 10 second wait to be seated. Right after that, there were tons of people who came through the door.

On Saturday we did a session at the Salt Lake Temple. Jed had never been through that temple. It's always such a nice feeling to go to the temple and forget everything that's happening in the world. We also ate breakfast at the Little America buffet. They such a yummy breakfast...we always get really stuffed!

Thanks honey for a wonderful weekend. You are the best and I love you so much!

Hair 'n More

Last night I had my hair cut by my favorite hair stylist, Whitney! She's is Jed's cousin and is going to beauty school at Paul Mitchell. She actually finishes in May, which I am extremely sad about since she hasn't decided what to do after finishing. I can not tell you how much I love it when I finally find some that I LOVE to have cut my hair. She always listen's to me and does exactly what I want. She spends lots of time making sure it looks good, etc. She's the best!

As a little side note...
Jed and I are off (later today) for our second annual Valentine's getaway. Since this is OUR holiday! We don't venture to far, just Salt Lake, but it's still really fun. We stay at the Little America (which has an amazing breakfast buffet) and visit the Gateway and whatever else we feel like doing.
I met my Mom in Bountiful on Wednesday afternoon to drop Lucas off. It worked out nicely since she had to take a couple days off to stay home with Nappy who had her Wisdom Teeth pulled yesterday. Hope your feeling better soon!

All that "Jazz"

Jed and I were able to go to the Utah Jazz game on Wednesday night. Shane & Talease gave Jed tickets for Christmas. We had a great time. They played the Spurs and WON!! It was a really good game and it came pretty close at the end, but it was nice to have the Jazz finally win a close game! Tawnya & Landon watched Lucas for us. Thanks Shane & Talease for our fun date night!
We parked on the very top level of the parking garage, so we of course had to wait quite awhile before we could move. We had a great time watching the different personalities of the drivers. It's so funny how we can all be in the same boat, and yet NO ONE is going to let a car pull in front of them! You can sure tell who you would want as your friend and who you wouldn't!!

Yesterday was our second Dr.'s appointment. The baby seems to be growing and everything looks good. Our ultrasound is scheduled for the first part of March. I am 16 weeks along. I made a deal with myself that I wouldn't wear any maternity clothes until at least my second appointment. Most of my levi's are getting just a little too tight, but my other pants are still okay. Since I have maternity clothes this time, I figured there is really no need to use the rubber band to do up my pants!! Why be uncomfortable...so I'm officially going to wear my maternity pants with pride! The shirts will have to wait...they look more like a tent than a shirt right now!