Bye-Bye Kitty

Josh's sister April took one of the kitties home tonight. Now we have just two left.........

Blessing Gracie

Tonight we had a small family gathering and blessed Gracie. Josh, his dad, my dad, my grandfather, my cousin's husband and my uncle participated in the blessing. It was a wonderful blessing with a great spirit felt. (Sorry my camera didn't take great pictures!) Josh's mom (Meemaw) made her dress.

Josh and Gracie

Josh, His Dad (Pawpaw) and Gracie
Us three (I'm lookin' a little rough)
And one of my sweet boy

Happy Earth Day! (yesterday)

To celebrate Earth Day we went the entire day without electricity. (no TV, no computer, no lights, no washing machine and no dishwasher) We did, however, use the fridge and the running water.

Here is a picture of Rae washing dishes by hand.
And here is Jack helping Raelyn.
We washed a load of clothes in the bathtub - here is the load 'agitating'.
And this is during the 'rinse cycle'.


For dinner we cooked over a fire. Everyone made their own tinfoil dinner.

Read to me....

Just had to share a website we're loving right now. www.storynory.com They have recorded fairytales and other stories for the kiddos. My girls will gladly sit for 20 minutes for a story- and listening without having pictures is very good for children. Normally after the story is over we discuss but sometimes we don't. We listen at least once a day (sometimes during breakfast or sometimes during chores) at a time where I can't read aloud because I'm busy as well.

There is also http://librivox.org/. It has some my children enjoy but also some for adults.

Both of these websites allow download on your computer (or to your Ipod or the like).

Take a break and relax while listening to a good story. Enjoy!

72 Hour Kits

I've had several folks ask me about my 72hour kits. So here's a post...........

Everyone in the family has a backpack that we use for their 72 hour kit. Most of the backpacks I purchased at clearance sales after the back-to-school time at Target.

Each backpack has a laminated tag with the 'owner's' name on it and some reminders. Josh's says: Have shoes?, Turn off utilites?, Get camping gear?.....I would also be getting my midwifery stuff- if it really is a HUGE disaster many women will go into labor from the stress.
And here they all are in their cozy little home in the hall closet. (Thrown on top of each other very sloppily.) The lack of organization here drives me crazy but I don't know how else to do it.

So here is a list of what's in them. (well, there are a few more misc. things in MINE that aren't on the list- a dog leash, and a sewing kit)

*Bag to hold it all – backpack works well
*Water
*Adequate Food-I recommend MREs- they're pricey but it's nice not to worry for 7 years
*Pocket Knife
*Insect Repellant
*Sunscreen
*Money –bills and coins
*Phone Card
*Coloring Book/Crayons
*Permanent Marker
*Paper/Pen
*Mini First Aid Kit- I have a list for what to go in this if you need it
*Eating Utensils
*Poncho
*Emergency Blanket
*Batteries
*Copies of SS Cards, Birth Certificates, Insurance Info
*Current pictures of everyone in family
*Plan list of who to call (NOT in state) if something happens AND where to meet – have two places- one local and one not- depending on why needed
*Map of Winston-Salem –or other local city
*Latex Household Gloves
*Duct Tape
*Toiletries Kit- toothbrush, soap, toothpaste, brush, lotion, etc.
*Tampons/Pads for mama or teen girls
*Diapers for kiddos- I suggest cheap cloth- washes easily and can be used for longer than 72hrs if needed
*Matches
*Whistle
*Toilet Paper – with the roll taken out and smushed down – store in Ziploc bag
*Flashlight
*Trashbags
*Ziploc Bags
*Emergency Stove
*Mini-Shovel
*Radio
*Nylon Rope
*Clothespins
*Hatchet
*Change of Clothes/Undies/Socks
*Scriptures


Update clothes/food/insurance info,etc. 2 times a year. (April & Oct)

Girl's Night In

The boys (Josh and Jack) went camping last night so us girls hung out. We went to Target, got smoothies and bought a few goodies. We came home after that and hung out. Looks like we partied too hard because this is where I found Raelyn when I went up to give them kisses at 2am.

Just a few pictures from today

One of our Gracie girl......

and one of her smiling....it's superhard to get her to smile AND take the picture at the same time- plus she has a thing where she closes her eyes while smiling!
And for those loyal readers wondering about the kittens.....here is Pumpkin.
And as a size reference- here is Raelyn bending over Pumpkin.
And this is to show off my fashionista daughter (Raelyn) who informed me today that it was 'way cool' to wear a dress/long shirt over capris.