Responding to Uncertain Times

This morning my mom had one of her articles in Meridian Magazine (for those of you who didn't know, she writes articles for the magazine every two weeks). Today's article was one that resonates with a lot of people right now. Jed and I continue to work on preparing our family for emergency situations. If this is something that you and your family are concerned about or are working on too, check out her article at the following:

http://www.meridianmagazine.com/emergency/080430uncertain.html
or her blog at: blog.totallyready.com

I may be biased, but I think she has some really great tips and step by step ideas as to how we all can become better prepared on her blog. Feel free to share them with your friends, families, church groups, co-workers, etc.

What an AMAZING Dad!

I just have to boast for a minute here (I figure that I can since it is my blog after all)...I think that I am married to one of the World's Most Amazing Dads! I love to watch Jed with our kids and feel that I am the luckiest girl on earth. On Sunday Jed and the boys built this amazing fort out of blankets and sheets in the boy's room. They have had loads of spy adventures already and have informed me that it is NEVER coming down.

Then yesterday Jed wasn't seeing any patients so we took the kids hiking. Just after we got on the trail the boys told Jed that they wanted to see a lizard. A few feet later Owen says, "Stop Guys. I think I heard something" (this is a classic imitation of Jed). Lo and behold, he had in fact heard a lizard moving in the brush and Jed caught him. He was HUGE! What a find. Then Davis says, "Dad, I want to find a frog". No kidding two minutes later Jed was holding a frog. Owen kept saying, "This is such a fun day!" Unfortunately Davis was very disappointed that his Dad never could find the bunny he was asking for, but the 6 lizards, the fire ants and the frog helped to ease his pain.

Side Note: Check out Owen's outfit. Jed kept laughing about it, saying that he looks like he is going on a major fishing expedition. I thought it was cute.

Ships and Snails and Fire Engine Bells!

Yesterday our friend/2nd cousin (?), Eli, celebrated his 4th birthday and invited our family to join him. We had a personal tour of the fire station, including the chance to sit in the BIG hook and ladder truck. It was a dream come true for Eli and our boys were not far from paradise themselves. The highlight for everyone, however, was the chance to spray the big fire hose. Davis was a bit timid at first, but soon joined in the fun. Thanks for a fun day Eli! We love you!

10 Months Old!

Kate is 10 months olds today! I can hardly believe it! We love you baby girl!!!!

Bring it on!

Bring on the Spring! I can't seem to say it enough...we love the sunshine. I just wanted to post a few pics of the kiddos playing with some of their friends. It seems we have entered a new phase in our house and bike riding is going to be bigger this Spring and Summer than ever before. Bring it on!

Whoa! That was loud!

This week has been pretty uneventful, filled with the usual laundry, music class, trips to the park, shopping at Costco, laundry, scoping out preschools (I think we finally found one that is a good fit for Owen--Yipee!!!) and then of course, more laundry. Can you tell that I still have a love/hate relationship with laundry? Actually, there really is no love in the equation, except for the fact that I do love to wear clean clothes. What's a girl to do? Anyway, one highlight of the week was that we took the boys to see "Horton Hears a Who". It was Davis' first experience at the movie theater (outside of his Papa's house he will tell you) and it was really fun. We didn't tell the boys where we were going. We just dropped Kate off at a friend's (thank you Beth!) and headed to the show. It was really fun to watch their eyes light up when we pulled into the theater parking lot. This reminds me, I have a story about Davis that I have been wanting to write down...

Several weeks ago Owen decided that he is old enough now that he does NOT need to use any plastic plates, cups, bowls, etc. and will only use the glass dishes that Jed and I use. When he wants to be, he is actually a very careful kid and has adjusted well to treating his dishes in a softer manner. After dinner he takes his plate to the counter and sets it next to the sink, rather than throwing it in the sink as he used to do. One day Davis decided that he too was big enough and was ready for a glass plate, so after dinner I told him, "Make sure you do not throw your plate in the sink or it will break. Set it gently on the counter." "O.K. Mom!" He says with a smile and a flash of his dimples. What was I thinking?!?! He walks over to the sink, throws the plate in and says, "Whao! That was loud!" Then he skips happily way. Not even realizing that the plate had shattered into hundreds of pieces, which had flown all over the kitchen. Davis still uses plastic plates. :)

It's Blossom Time Again!

When I was a little girl we looked forward to the Almond Blossom Festival. For us it meant that we would be able to be involved in the parade, with our family's almond business, and that summer was just around the corner. Maybe it is for this same reason that every spring (since we have lived in this house that is) I make my kids pose for me in the blossoms around our house. I'll admit that I even had the thought, when I found out that I was expecting Kate, "Yea! It will be so fun to take pictures of a little girl in the pink blossoms!" Of course, as fate would have it, she did not want ANY part of my pink blossom photo shoot. Don't worry Kate, there is always next year!

Fun in California!

Last week Jed had a convention to attend, so as soon as I heard that my sister, Amy, was headed to my parent's for Spring Break, I knew that we couldn't miss out on the fun. The kids and I made the trek and it was worth the hours in the car. Owen, Davis and Kate LOVED the time with Hunter, Emma, Hannah and Sabrina. They played and played and played. I loved to watch them interact and to see them explore the home and yard where I grew up. Nana and Papa loved having all the little ones around and I am sure that they now have a new appreciation for a quiet moment. We also enjoyed visiting my Grandpa's homestead where they loved throwing rocks, chasing bunnies and eating Aunt Amy's birthday cake! We sure love our family and wish we lived closer to all of you! Thanks for the fun memories...now I need a nap. :)