prepared, not scared

Our stake has been emphasizing preparedness this year. I've had multiple quiet promptings the last few months to get prepared. I've been slowing stocking up on water and extra food storage, but haven't done much more than that.

With the recent earthquake that happened near us in Centerville, it was another prompting to get into gear. The day after, I went to the store and got all the stuff we needed for 72-hour food kits. I adjusted the menu to make it a bit more healthy and things that we would eat. (As in no spam!)

I would still like to find better containers to fit it all in and I need to keep working on the rest of our 72-hour kits, but at least it's a start. I'm feeling much better. And much more prepared.

Here's the menu:
(I may add in some oatmeal packets and switch out other things, but I went for sale items. I figure we'll be rotating these every 6 months or so I can watch for good deals)

Day 1:
Breakfast: Hot chocolate + Raisins + Protein Bar
Lunch: Applesauce + Ramen + Capri Sun
Dinner: PB crackers + V8 juice + fruit roll-up
Snack: raisins + protein bar

Day 2:
Breakfast: Hot chocolate + protein bar
Lunch: Ramen + raisins + fruit roll up
Dinner: Chili + Capri Sun
Snack: applesauce + V8

Day 3:
Breakfast: Hot chocolate + protein bar
Lunch: Ramen + fruit roll up
Dinner: Canned turkey + capri sun + raisins
Snack: applesauce, raisin + cookie and nutella packets

sochi 2014 olympics

The Olympics ended today. I was certain I would watch them non-stop. I absolutely LOVE the Olympics. But for some reason (maybe because life happens or because I'm not very good at just relaxing), I didn't watch near as much as I thought I would.

At least we had a celebration during the Opening Ceremonies.  It was just our little family. Perfect. Since Brandon served his mission in Russia, he taught us all how to make Pilmini.

Here's how he did it: (with our help here and there). And he even documented it.

1. Make a nice, soft dough.

2.  Make a mixture of onions, pork, and beef. 

3. Roll out the dough. Cut it in small circles and fill each one with meat mixture. 

4. Freeze for 20 minutes. 

5. Boil for 20 minutes. Eat with sour cream or ketchup. 

In other cool news, Brandon was asked to come up with Olympic-themed Russian words for a "Word-Of-The-Day" that ABC-4 Utah (local news channel) wanted to air during the Olympics. So each day during the Olympics, we would watch a clip of him sharing the Russian word for that day. He did really well and he was grateful for the opportunity to get to use his Russian.

the little things: january

I want to remember more of the little things. Because it's the little things that make life the most meaningful sometimes. My sister told me about a cool photo-a-day calendar, so I tried it out. One month down, 11 to go. Let's see if I can keep it up! 

happy new year | bundled up for YW | wheat bread | blocks tower with dad | grandma's birthday | thrifted Sunday dress | visit to trader joes | blake sporting a BYU outfit brandon wore | my sick baby boy | loving the mirror | 14" of snow | well-below freezing temps | no sweeets | cozy socks one month before V-day | my hoodlums | kitchen sink bath | carts aren't cool anymore | temple date | superman!| snacking away | hamburgers for the holiday | mouth full of bread | out-of-control desktop | midnight french toast | donut day! | thick, thick fog | sippy cup sippin'| launch of So-Festive.Com | YW invites | giveaway!| comfy night

lately

brunch with chef Sarah | Bake meets Elle! | playing with Dad 

Blake sporting a Russian shopka | National Pancake Day

the last bit of august

Hollie's last visit to Blake | homemade spaghetti sauce with our garden tomatoes | 6 month shots | farewell to Sister King

random photos of life lately

It's a good thing I don't have an iPhone or I would be hooked to the all the nifty photo-ish things you can do with it. I waste  spend enough time as it is on electronic devices, that I don't want one more thing pulling for my attention. With that said, I do really love being able to capture a quick moment that would otherwise go undocumented. I was scrolling through the photos from B's iPhone and fell in love with all these random pics from the last little while. I'm going to try and do a better job posting these more regularly!

sick day | 2 month shots | a striped sleeper | working on websites 

lots of unmade beds | summer sandals | cute little toes | naps with mom

take me out to the ball game | ready to fish with grandpa | flag day baby legs

over the weekend

Brandon coached his last soccer game with his best friend Tadd.

While he will miss coaching, he won't miss all the driving he has been doing to Layton each Tuesday and Saturday.

 

We had a picnic with all my family that is in Utah. There aren't very many of us these days, so we enjoy the time we do get when we can be together.

favorite baby items

Just so I don't forget for the next time around, these are some products that have been life-savers around our house lately...(thanks to lots of you who recommended them!)

1.Oxi Clean-without fail, Blake has blow-outs every Monday. But with this amazing spray, getting those poop stains out doesn't require that much effort. Plus, I can't complain that he is already on-board with my laundry schedule (and a reminder that I probably shouldn't eat so many treats over the weekend :)
2.Adan + Anais swaddle blankets- these are the perfect weight and size to swaddle the little guy without him getting to hot.
3.Munchkin bottle brush-since he takes Zantac for acid reflux twice a day, we go through lots of bottles filled with breast milk and his medicine. I feel like such a sneeky mom. It's like hiding spinach in lasagne.
4.Wubba Nub- when we first received this as a gift, I thought it was the strangest thing and nearly cut the binki off. However, it has become the BEST thing. First, it makes it so when the binki drops, it doesn't bounce to some hard-to-reach place. Second, we never lose the binki. Third, and probably the cutest thing is that Blake will move around his hands a little to push the binki back into his mouth by pushing on the dog. It's got to be good for his motor skill development. And it rests perfectly on his chest helping it to stay in his mouth. Okay, you get the point. Like I said, such a great invention. I'm a fan. (And maybe I should get a royalty for hyping it up so much!)
5.Boppy-I haven't used this too much for nursing, but Blake loves chilling in it; also great to keep him up after he eats.
6.Bibs-can never have too many. We go through several a day.
7.Gentle Naturals Tummy Soother- even though he doesn't have colic, sometimes I can tell his tummy is just a little upset. This helps get rid of the hiccups and uncomfortableness. Love that its au-naturale.

my definition of a successful day

In my short time being a mom, I have quickly learned that there just isn't enough time in the day to do everything I want or "should". That is why I have redefined what my "successful" day is. 

I hope to make time for these 5 S's and anything beyond that will just be a bonus.

why these 5 S's will define a "successful" day: 

scriptures: my days are always better when I read them. period.

shower: even if I can't do my hair all pretty, a quick shower makes a world of difference

sunshine: fresh air makes me happy; this can also include workout time

supper: when we have a good dinner, we are both happier. hope to be better at meal planning.

service: most of my time is going to be focused on blake. having this on my "to-do" list 

won't make me feel bad if I don't get anything else done besides take care of his needs.

the start of love week

I have been inspired from this blog and this one who do love week each year before Valentine's Day and I think it is such a great idea. I figured I would try it out this year so we can share some of the things we have loved lately. Plus this may be the only festive thing we do this year if the baby decides to come before V-day.

First up: We love turkey sandwiches!

We've been working hard to finish our baby bucket list and cooking a turkey was on it.

We finally we did it (and by we I mean Brandon) and have been loving all the turkey sandwiches from it!