In Awe of the Birds

This past summer I've been starting to get into digital scrapbooking- given that scrapping for real has become all but impossible :). Stephen is always asking when he can see some of my stuff, so this one is for him.

October Winter

After hearing there was a winter storm watch for our area and getting brief flutters of snow on Friday, we woke up on Saturday morning to winter! Cooper stood on the couch at the window and kept pointing out at it to us- so cute to see him discovering snow and the whiteness!

After snowing hard all day Saturday and into the night, this is what this morning looked like:

We've been hearing this winter is supposed to be a big one and boy, we believe it! Makes me even morso want to be prepared. We love the white and the change in seasons, but were hoping to mow our lawn really short and get our yard more ready for snow that it is now! Through today it melted quite a bit and no doubt won't last long. Just a little prep for what is to come I guess...

Tomorrow is Columbus Day and a holiday, so Cooper and I will spend the day together before going back to the grind of work and the babysitter again on Tuesday. Only a few weeks left though until I'll be home to help him discover snowmen, mittens, the smells of pine and cinnamon, twinkle lights, sleds, and (lukewarm) hot cocoa. Clearly jumping in leaves is an unknown. :)

Conference and Flying

Whenever Cooper goes outside, he turns and gives me a kiss (this is his puckered lips) through the screen, then waves bye-bye. He melts my heart. :)

This weekend was pretty much all about conference. We were happy to have both the boys at home. They are awesome with Cooper and he loves having them here. They all got outside to play between sessions and hung around the house too. They each had a Conference Booklet that I printed off and worked on it during the sessions- kind of a fun way to keep them focused.

Like I knew I would be, I was regenerated by conference. Stephen and I both loved Elder Holland's talk. I actually thought we would hear them be more urgent and serious, but it seemed like the message was rather of hope and faith. I'm too often pessimistic and feel strengthened to be more positive and faithful.


This is Taron's jack train that he made Saturday morning. Pretty creative. It's fun taking pics of the little accomplishments that show who they are. :)

On Sunday, our friends Jackson and Trish came over with thier kids, Jacks and Ceci. They all played Conference Bingo during the morning session and then we had a yummy brunch in between. Thanks to Jackson, we've decided grits are a new breakfast favorite. :)

Last night Cooper and I actually joined Stephen on his flight with the birds. He drives out in the field across from our house to fly his two birds, so it's not too far or long. Cooper loves anything to do with the birds and says "bur" constantly! Love this pic- he's looking up at his Daddy like he hung the moon.

Ten Random Thoughts

1) This last week I had somewhat of an epiphany about food storage. I've always pictured in my head that we'd need to use our storage in the instance of a natural disaster. But I've decided we might just need it for the times that there's still food on the shelves at the store and it's all too overpriced to afford. When our income will never be enough for what we need- that may be why we need to be prepared.

2) Taron and Keaton are such good big brothers. They are so helpful with Cooper and I love watching them with him. Tonight Keaton did show Cooper how to pick his nose with his thumb though... :)

3) I love the feeling of making dinner. I know that sounds dumb since it's a task that can get really old, but I still get a little zing of pride when we all sit down to eat a meal that I put some thought and effort into.

4) I love Sugardoodle.net. If you are a church teacher or parent, this is an awesome website! It has really improved my Young Women lessons. :)

5) This year for Christmas my family drew names and decided that the gifts had to be homeade. I've been thinking about what to make ever since.

6) Brothers can be horrible to each other. Today Keaton and Taron had a bout of literally trying to hurt one another in a fight. Then on the other hand, I know that they are each other's best friend. So true that the ones you love are the ones you have the ability to hurt the most.

7) I miss scrapbooking. I never get to sit down and scrap anymore with Cooper in the picture. Not to say I would trade it for anything, but I have ideas and projects in my head and even all the pieces just waiting to be put together, but it's impossible with Cooper insisting that what I'm doing is the funnest thing in the house at that moment.

8) I really like our ward. This last week I actually went to enrichment for the first time in forever and it was really a good time. I usually have too much social anxiety to let myself dive into things, but I really enjoy those times that I do.

9) I have a hard time with the fact that our school here has all day kindergarten. Not too long ago it occurred to me that my kids will spend more time over the course of thier lives with someone else than they will with us. Made my heart sad and made me want to prepare to home school (not anytime soon, obviously).

10) I'm excited for Conference tomorrow and Sunday. I really want to hear what our General Authorities will say in light of where things are economically right now. I remember how comforted I felt by President Hinckley right after 9/11 and know that I will feel that way again this weekend. Happy Conference watching all!

Focused on Preparedness-Weekend Goings On

We spent this last weekend at home and had Keaton with us for the first time in quite a while. Taron stayed in Pocatello so he could go to his football team's end of season party. We're looking forward to having them both for a long weekend this next one. On Saturday morning, Stephen worked on filling up our water storage barrels while the boys played around the yard and I finished the pears I had been canning...

Along this line, I've decided yet again that when I grow up I want to be my Mom. She came over last week for a day to help me with the pears and I ended up having to leave before we got very far. She did nine quarts in an hour and a half. I then spent the following two evenings and did only 13 quarts! Everything she does, she does well. Someday I hope I'm like that, or at least a little closer to it than I am now! I sure appreciate you Mom. :)

I've been really nervous about needing to be prepared for tough times- it's getting pretty clear that the need for home storage is imminent. I think it would be the worst feeling in the world to have the shelves at the stores be empty and look in my own pantry and know that I'm not prepared, or to look out across our property and not have planted a garden (that's our next big project to plan for), all when we had the time, the resources and the warning. So, at any rate, it felt good to get our water barrels ready and such.

Coop has been loving this little play mower lately- he pushes and pulls it all over the place. I love him in cute winter hats and it was just cool enough to need it during the morning. Also gotta laugh at the hat hair afterwards!

For the rest of the day Saturday, Stephen and Keaton went into the South Hills to do some sage grouse hunting, while Cooper and I stayed home and napped/ attempted to scrapbook/ made dinner. I love the feeling of days like that- I love being home. Hope all of our friends and family had a good weekend too!