So much to think about...

Last week our family got together for an extensive family home evening on food storage and preparation. Scott's sister Patti invited a friend of hers to come and educate us on food storage and emergency preparedness. Although she focused more on the "pandemic" that is supposed to come not "if" but "when," (as if the economy isn't bad enough news,) It was very useful to learn some ways to keep your family safe, warm, and fed.

As I (i.e grandma and Scott) keep up on the day to day economy and stimulus this and socialist that, the hyper inflation that is supposed to come this year, the percentage of foreclosures going up, job loss is at it's highest, Obama throwing money to bail out everyone which will only make the dollar go down in value, the recession, the next depression? Who knows what the outcome will be. All I know is I have actually had a strong feeling to get my food storage and my home in order. That way I can rest at night knowing that if something is going to go down, me and my family are prepared.

So we as a family have decided to encourage each other by getting together monthly and reporting our progress. Our first task is to make sure everyone in our families has a 72 hour kit.

Although I used to think food storage was something I would do later in life, I thank my family for caring enough about all of us to come together and plan, because hey, if we are prepared, we shouldn't fear right? Plus, it is just good to be prepared in these very uncertain times.

Crazy Fun

Caysi my sister needed someone to watch her kids last weekend for her since her and her husband both had to work. Kind gesture on my part, I know. So they flew them up. I just have to say, I now know why I only have a child every eight years. I cooked, got drinks, did laundry, played referee, did hair, got baths, changed diapers, made bottles....Wow, I really got my mothering workout on. I guess I have a new respect for moms with lots of kids!

I also had my volleyball tournament this week, and we played for the championship. However after two very hard games, we took 2nd. But hey, we got a t-shirt! We actually had played the team before and beat them, but we both are pretty equal, so it was a toss up. We have never made it that far in this tournament before so we were really happy. Thanks to all my volleyball friends, it was fun.

Two months gone by...

Yes, I am a loser blogger!  Or slacker or procrastinator...or maybe just boring and have nothing to report. Actually, I can't believe it's been 2 months since I last posted. Well, Let me give an update.  

Scott just passed his real estate exam, he is an official realtor. I know what your thinking, in this economy?  Don't worry, my husband is really good.  He can sell a catsup popsicle to a girl in white gloves (Tommy Boy).  Good job!

Me,  Volleyball, Volleyball, and more Volleyball!  Been playing city league since October and tonight I am playing in a tournament and then we are done for the season, so sad.

Briaunna is in her second semester of her junior year!  She also just had Major surgery on her finger...it's amazing how a little hang nail can turn into a blown up finger with an infection, gross I know, but we are so glad she is doing a lot better, we were SO worried! (haha)  Of course her boy takes up her time as well.  

Maddie is busy practicing for her piano festival in March.  She is growing so fast.  Her favorite thing is Mommy/daughter dates to the movies or the mall without Georgia.  She got to do the cheer camp at the high school and perform at the basketball game.

Georgia is 10 months now.  She is officially rolling over finally!  She can sit up almost without support.  She also says mama, dada, nana.   She's 18 pds and 28 inches long, so tiny!  I love it!  She is very content and happy.

Well, that's all for now!  

Older, Gifted, Wetter, and Blessed

Maddie turned Eight this year.  She was so excited because she wanted to have a horse party...Horse Party?  OK!  So we had about ten of her friends, yes, ten rowdy eight year olds over to our house for some birthday fun.  We had a horse cake, horse decorations, pin the tail on the horsey, a horse pinata, some pizza, cake, and presents!  So much fun!  Then after the party was over I arranged a surprise visit from my good friend Janet.  She brought one of her pony's down for a pony ride!  Maddie was so excited.  It was quit a birthday!  

Georgia was excited for Maddie too!

Three days later, we headed up to Uncle Jason's house for our annual Lindsay Christmas Eve Party.  We ate, had an ugly sweater contest (very funny), did a talent show-our family busted out our supreme dance skills, did the gift exchange- the kids draw names and the adults do white elephant, and finally the pajamas!  It was great fun as always.  Christmas day was pretty calm.  Our kids got up around 8 am.  We opened presents and Scott made breakfast.  It was great!

Seven days later, Maddie was baptized with her best friend Shaur'y!  Shaur'y turned eight back in September but she decided to wait for Maddie.  Grandma Karen flew down and played piano, and Scott baptized and confirmed both girls.  Briaunna and Grandma Lindsay gave great talks.  Shaur'ys family did the prayers.  All in all, a very special day for both of them.

The next day, Georgia's Blessing.  So exciting!  Although it almost didn't happen due to Grandma Karen's trip to the emergency room 2 hours before!  She is OK, had a little mishap with her contact lense sticking to her eyeball....anyway, got her some medical attention and she was good to go.  She had to miss the blessing, but she is doing much better!  

Thanks to Grandma Lindsay who prepared all the food prior and kept things afloat while I tended to the other Grandma.  We ended up making it back home on time to get ready and attend the baby blessing.  Georgia thought it would be funny to grab the microphone cord as dad was blessing her, but they made it through.  All in all,  we had a busy, fun filled, birthday, holiday, baptism, blessing, kind of season!  We hope all our friends and family had a wonderful holiday!!

Glad it's only once a year...

It officially looks like Christmas at our house!  I just have to say for the record, I love Christmas.  

BUT, I spent a whole day decorating, unloading boxes from storage, retrieving the christmas trees from the garage, vacuuming and vacuuming, cleaning, rearranging furniture, all just so in 3 weeks I can retrieve all the empty boxes, and repack it all to put it away only to do it all over again next year! 

Is is worth it?  Well, the smile on my daughters face as we decorated "the family tree,"  which is downstairs, with all the homemade and school ornaments, along with an ornament from all the places we have been, listening to her questions about how will Santa will fit down our gas fireplace, and how she can't wait for Christmas to get here (the innocence of children) I have to say Ok, it was worth it, but the exhaustion I felt by the end of the day, I have to say, I am glad it only comes once a year. 

Turkey In Cali

I always love going to California for a vacation or holiday.  It is always so much fun.  My brothers Brent and Brad always make sure we have nothing short of a fun, interesting, and sometimes even shocking good time.  When we come down, all of their friends they've had since high school make it a point to come see and hang out with us. They even call my mom "mom." Mike Pulley comes over and makes us shrimp tacos, and we always have to visit Victoria Gardens(which is the coolest mall ever), not to mention "The Hat" which has the best pastrami sandwiches. We also try and visit at least one of our many friends we have down in Cali.  One of my best friends from high school Stef and her family drove down to visit us.  It is always good catching up with her.  Since everyone has kids around the same age, they all get together and play.  They consider themselves all cousins.  It also is pretty much a tradition for everyone to get together for a good game of poker, mostly the guys, and the girls sit and chat.  Briaunna would have come with us but she had so much homework to do.  We missed her!

All in all, Thanksgiving was a great success!  I am very thankful for family and friends!  We love you all and look forward to next time! 

Stef, me, Hailey, mom, McKenzie and Noah

Brent and Scott doing Oh...what they pretty much did the whole time.

Me and Shannon(Brad's Girlfriend).  We both went from blonde to brown!

And the poker game... usually the shocking part of the trip...

my cute brothers and my mom

It's Final....

On November 12 2008, we finalized our adoption of Georgia.  I really didn't think it would be very emotional, but I really had to hold back the tears a few times during the questions.  It was pretty intimidating I must say, being in front of a judge having them question you as parents.  It was simply a neat experience.  Afterwards we met the judge, he even held Georgia, he also walked up to Scott's sister Stephanie and said "you must be the grandma" (sorry Steph), Just to make you feel better, I took her up to Scott's office and one of the girl's asked if she was our grandchild, yes, we will be 60 when she graduates from high school, but that is what we have Briaunna for right? Our built in mom just in case Scott and I kick the bucket.  I am just so grateful for all my daughters.  As Maddie would say "Mom, don't you think it is interesting that you have 3 kids and have only been pregnant once, and their not triplets?" All I can say is I wouldn't trade my life for anything and I am so grateful everyday for the joy and love I get to feel being a mom.  I knew we would have another child, I didn't know when or how, but I knew we would, and we did.  Heavenly Father has a plan for everyone and when we are patient, we are blessed.  We have been blessed.  She is ours through and through and we can't imagine life without her.  She has been such a blessing.  We thank everyone for coming and enjoying this great day with us!  We love you!

Of course we have to involve food in all things, so we went to Joe Vera's for dinner afterwards.