All State Jazz Auditions

Julia is doing a taped audition for the All State Jazz Choir today! We won't hear about call backs until November. She has been taking Jazz voice lessons and has fallen in love with this genre. I love to hear her practice!

Good luck Jewlz!!! Sing your heart out!

Additional 72 hour kit items

My sister recommended the following items to include in your car kit or your individual backpack in addition to what I had on the list a few days ago -

Sunscreen (we keep ours in our car anyway ... living in a sunny state, you need sunscreen in the winter as well! - Check the expiration dates!)


Can opener (if you receive humanitarian help, you will need a can opener to open the cans they give you). Our can opener is multifunctional - it can also pierce a can for pouring juice.


Asprin to reduce inflamation (Advil and Aleeve do that as well)


Sudafed - decongestant/allergy ... Benadryl Allergy might be handy as well just in case you have a severe allergy emergency without any close medical help. I had to use it on Kendall when he was a baby and showed difficulties breathing with a rash after being exposed to latex and egg. The Doctor told me to give him Benadryl Allergy immediately and head to the ER or their office. His breathing got better by the time I reached them. It is good to keep in your home regardless!


Tummy trouble medicine - Immodium AD, etc...


Make sure you have first aid ointment in your first aid kit (In our car kit).

Her answer ...

While chatting with Kyle, he told us about his neighbors. Two little boys who like to shoot nerf pellets at his front window and love to come over and talk.

When we pulled up to Kyle's house we saw two little boys running back and forth shooting their nerf guns. We immediately started laughing.

And they are friendly boys too. They came up and started talking ... and then helping!


SORT OF!




After seeing the boys writing "No No No" all over the driveway, Julia had to tell them to write "YES" instead!


"NO DYING NECESSARY!" with a HUGE YES on the main driveway.

And the final answer .....


This was a lot of fun! Thanks Gavin and Tyler for helping!!!

Asked to Homecoming!

Julia was asked yesterday to attend Homecoming with her friend Kyle.

He had a friend draw an outline of his body (like a crime scene outline of a "victim") and wrote: "I'd die to go to homecoming with you!" (Kerst wrote in the bottom left corner - do it Daeia!! From Kerst.

Stay tuned for the answer!!!

Items in 72 Hour Kit

As per request of one of my favoritest people ... Beutiful ;o) ... hope this helps! *** If you have any suggestions of items to add, please post in the comments!

The post from yesterday showed pictures of our 72 hour kits ... take a look to see what I'm talking about when reading this SUPER LOOOOONG POST!

Here are the items in our 72 hour kit along with some of my thoughts.

72 Hour Kit items:

Backpack: Clear Vinyl from Wal-Mart $10 (I love that it is clear so that I can see the “owner” is without trying to remember what color each person has). When our kids go off to college, we will send it with them. Hopefully there won’t be a need to use it when they come home to visit and leave it at school ;o)

I packed each bag the same. The girl bags have feminine products – even if they aren’t of puberty age … that way I don’t need to remember to add it years down the road. All kids regardless of age have deodorant … once again so I don’t forget to add it!

Clothing: *With the younger kids, I put in clothing a size of two larger so I wouldn’t need to keep rotating. A little large is much better than too small!
2 pairs socks
2 pairs underwear
1 short sleeve shirt
1 sweat shirt
1 pair sweat pants *Suggested you can cut them into shorts if it warm outside
Gloves (should put in a hat) … super cheap at Target! 1.50 for 2 pairs of one size fits all knit gloves in Women’s Department. Might be small on a large man.

Food:
I followed a list a list from Foodstoragemadeeasy.net

1 Wing Stove located at shelfreliance.com here
3 packages of fuel pellets for wing stove
3+ spoons
Matches (strike anywhere would be best!) – waterproof container if desired
4 servings of drink mix (PowerAde and another sport drink in individual tiny packets)
2 packets of instant oatmeal
2 granola bars or energy/power bars
2 packets of cocoa mix
Single serving of stew or pasta with a “pop top” lid (John got 2)
10 sticks gum
9 jolly ranchers or mints (mints are great to settle upset stomachs)
Beanie Weenies with “pop top” lid – by the pork and beans section *This can is key to have as it will be used over and over to heat items on your “wing stove”. The can fits perfectly on it.
3 packages of fruit roll-ups/fruit snacks
2 envelopes of single serving Lipton Noodles
1 package of 1 oz box raisins
2 packages of 1 oz beef jerky (or Beef Sticks to total 2 oz)
1 Water bottle

Bathroom items: - look in the travel size department at Target/Wal-Mart, etc
Shaver (boy and girl) and shaving cream (boy) (optional, but we had room)
2 Pre-pasted toothbrushes
Brush with a mirror (compact travel size from Target in travel size area)
1 pkg laundry detergent (Target travel size area)
Travel size handcream
Chapstick with spf
Flashlight with batteries (batteries stored separately) … one kit will have a shake operated no battery required flashlight.
1 travel size deodorant
Shampoo
Camping Towel (at Walmart in camping department – small and a shammie)
1 small bar soap
First Aid Kit (in travel sizes at Target and Wal Mart)
Travel size hand sanitizer (longer expiration date than hand wipes)
Camping Toilet Paper roll (in Wal-Mart camping department)
Feminine Products – for girls of all ages (OB tampons are small and compact; Pads work great for bandages)
Medications with a list of what they are and description of pill and how often to take and why
Tylenol or Advil (whichever works best for you)

Other items: (pocket knife ... I have not done that yet)
Poncho (or large trash bag)
Emergency Blanket
2 Hand Warmers (shelfreliance.com has a sale on them. You can get them at Costco and Sam’s in their pharmacy area for back and neck. They are more expensive).
Cash – coins and small bills
Whistle on a chord
Water Purifying Tablets (John and I have these, not the kids – we will eventually put it in their kits)


In the car:
Water and snacks
A couple of mylar emergency blankets
First Aid Kit
Camping Shovel
Scissors
Cash
Cell Phone Chargers – DS game system chargers – IPod chargers – DC to AC car adapter (can plug wall plugs in to operate your computer, etc). We found our DC to AC adapter at Wal-Mart and it works great. Ours gets warm after the computer is plugged in for awhile. We take it out and blow on it. There are expensive ones you can get that have a built in fan. Make sure you purchase one that will support your power need for your equipment. You can find some here and
here

Emergency Flashlight which has a radio (one in John’s car even has a compressor) – solar powered and crank I believe.
Motion Sickness Pills
Tylenol/Advil
Stay Awake Pills
Ward Phone Book
Family Phone Numbers
Jumper Cables
Card games (We haven’t done that yet)

To throw in car (have handy) in case of emergency
Your “red notebook” with important information – keep in fire safe box
Tent
Sleeping bags
Small can of propane with small cooking attachment
Blankets
Water


Emergency Binder “red binder” kept in fire safe box:
Important Information such as:
Birth Certificates
Passports (make sure they stay current!)
Social security cards
Copies of credit front and back
Homeowners Insurance Policy
Auto Insurance Policy
Life Insurance Policy
Bank Statements
Retirement Statements
Internet passwords
Immunization records for each individual
Utility Statements
Tax/Work documents that would be difficult to replace
Cash – a variety of small bills

Information on the back of the paper with their individual photo and family photo FOR PARENT:
Name: xxxx (male)
Birthdate: xxxx
Parents: xxxx
Spouse: xxxx
Address: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Nearest Relative: xxxx
Parents (aka) Gma and Gpa: telephone number
Inlaws (aka)Gma and Gpa: telephone number

Medical Insurance: xxxx
ID number xxxx
Group No. xxxx
Plan Code: xxxx
RX Bin: xxxx
HMO Member Services: xxxx
Urgent Care out of State: xxxx
Dr: xxxx
Dental Insurance: xxxx
Dentist: xxxx
Orthodontist: xxxx

Medical Conditions: xxx
Medication: xxxx
Allergies to Medication: xxxx
Other Allergies: xxxx
Blood Type: xxxx

If (name here) is in need of medical help, we authorize treatment be given to him/her. *sign after this statement

Children: list names and birthdates
Phone Card: Company and 800 number to access card
PIN xxxxxxxxxxxx

Cell Phones of individual family members:

On back of card for children:

Name: xxxxxxx (Male)
Birthdate: xxxxxx
Parents: xxxxxx
Address: xxxxxx
Nearest Relative: xxxxx and phone number
Gma Gpa xxxx: phone number
Gma Gpa xxxx: phone number

Medical Insurance: xxxxxx
ID number xxxxxx
Group No. xxxxxxx
Plan Code: xxx
RX xxxx
HMO Member Services: xxxx
Urgent Care out of your state: xxxxx
Dr: xxxxxx
Dental Insurance: xxxxxx
Dentist: xxxx
Orthodontist: xxxxxx


Medical Conditions: xxxx
Medication: xxxx
Allergies to Medication: IN RED
Other Allergies: xxxxx
Blood Type: xxxx

Siblings: List names and birthdates

If (child's name here) is in need of medical help, we authorize treatment be given to her. *Make sure you sign it!

Phone Card: Company name and 800 to access pin
PIN xxxx

Cell Phones: Cell phone numbers of immediate family members!

Prepared

We are officially updated. With the move, our 72 hour kits were strewn about. Plus, they needed to be updated.

The last couple of weeks I have been researching Emergency Preparedness and Food Storage and have been getting our house back in order. Here is a link I recommend using to get your family prepared.

We update the kits yearly (should (: ). General Conference is a great time to do it. October for us. So we are going to start a new tradition ... Saturday and Sunday General Conference Lunches will be our 72 hour kit food. Yum. When I told Jaley, she said (with a twinkle in her eye), "Oh goodie, we get to eat them next month!" Next year. Silly girl.

I love the clear backpacks ($10 at Wal-Mart) - I can see what is in it and see who it belongs to. I made a paper with an individual picture and a family picture on one side and then important information (Dr phone numbers, Gma Gpa names and phone numbers, Closest relative, Allergies, Insurance info, Medications, Blood Type, Permission to treat individual with my signature, sibling/children names with birthdates, cell numbers of immediate family, ATT phone card information, etc). I laminated them and put it in the front pocket - easy to see with a clear backpack! (You get a sneak peak at Kendall's first school picture!)

ABC's by Kendall

Kendall learned all of his abc's and sounds last month. Now he is learning to apply his knowledge to the traditional ABC song.

LMNO was always a confusing part to the song when I was younger. He has added his own twist.

And now we interpret his version as

ABCDEFGHIJ(K) "I have yellow" P (and my girls sing it that way now ... so beware!)

Still Walking

Due to cutbacks, several school bus routes and shuttles were eliminated including Jaley's.

So, we walk. I walk with Jaley. Kendall joins us in the jogging stroller.

I planned on walking Jaley to school the first few days of school so she knew what kind of things to be aware of while crossing the busy intersection. In the back of my mind I thought it would be a great time to get out and get my exercise ... early. It is 1 mile to school; almost 2 miles round trip (I don't go all of the way up to the front doors).

During that first week of school, I saw many frightening things crossing a busy street. Drivers not watching while turning, teenagers driving, crazy kids on bicycles, etc. So I kept walking her to school.

Last week we found out that they added a few routes back. This included Jaley's route.

Jaley told me that she wanted to keep walking with me. That made me feel good. I enjoy my time walking to school with her. I enjoy pushing Kendall and Jaley's backpack. I enjoy the hug and kiss I get from Jaley - in front of all of the kids getting off the bus or walking to school. She made me feel good when she told me she wanted to keep walking.

Thanks Jaley. I love you.

SNOW!

At 9:55 a.m. this morning, I witnessed snow! It is snowing here!!! And it is the first day of Fall!!!

I showed it to Kendall. He wants me to help him make a snowman. The ground is too warm for accumulation (the weather was warm yesterday).

I love Colorado weather!!!

Guess it is time to set up my Christmas Decorations!!!

Most frightening

Julia has her driver's permit ... She passed the written test. She said it was HARD ... it must have been an AP version of the written tests!

We attempted driving in a parking lot and on our slightly deserted street. As she climbed into the driver's seat she asked, "Which one is the brake?" Teasing ... I hope ;o)

I don't think I am going to like this stage of parenting ... too much worry.

Feels like home

Growing up, my Mom had 3 paintings hanging in our home that were painted by her Maternal Grandmother, Edith.

This past year my Mom found someone to make a digital copy of them and then make them into high quality canvas type prints. She gave each of the siblings a set. I am so glad we have this ability to save our family heritage/history via digital format and then share with the family!

I finally found a sale at Hobby Lobby on their ready made frames. I went in yesterday and in 5 minutes, they had the paintings/prints framed!

The autumn scene at the bottom was a prize winner and hung in the Illinois State Capitol. It was then given to my parents as a wedding gift.

National Anthem

Julia told me today that she and her friend, Madeline G. (one of my other daughters ;o) ), will be singing a duet of the National Anthem at the Homecoming Game!!! These two girls have voices that blend like no other ... they make my heart melt when I hear them sing. Way to go girls! I can't wait to hear and tape it!!!

Reverent

Kerst had cub scouts at church on Wednesday night. He came out into the hallway to find me when his activity was over. As soon as he saw me sitting on the couch in the foyer I could see his eyes start to twinkle and his mouth smile his trademark smile. He then started to run.

I reminded him where he was.

He immediately fold his arms ... but kept running.

That kid makes me laugh!

Remembering ...

Finding Hope

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkWc_EKLs4E

Yard work!!!

I never thought I'd say it, but I have really enjoyed working in the yard.

I tried back in IL to have a green thumb - inspired by my most amazing neighbor and dearest friend, Ms. Marie. I think it was the wrong climate for me. Too hot and muggy. To freezing. I started an amazing perennial garden along the entire edge of my yard. I loved it. Easy maintenance. But I didn't work in the yard like Marie. Our vegetable garden was more like a weed garden.

Here, the weather is amazing! I really enjoy being in the yard and letting my mind wander.

So, the yard ... Remember last year? We inherited a yard that was in horrible shape. Even our neighbors said that some previous owners had it replaced a couple of times. After they left, the next couple of owners didn't do anything.

Needless to say, it was in sad shape. We only cut the grass 5 times last year. We even had a company come out and fertilize, etc. for us. I thought if we had someone taking care of the outside, we could focus on the inside (kitchen remodel, etc). I didn't see much improvement by the end of their treatment plan so I thought I'd take on the task myself. It couldn't be that hard. This is a picture of our grass last year AFTER I started treating it myself. Before I started doing my own treatments, the grass was mostly brown. I wish I had a before I took over picture. Just imagine it mostly brown.

The spring I over seeded, fertilized and used PatchMaster by Scotts over 1/3 of the backyard (yes, it was in THAT bad of shape). I love patchmaster - by Scotts. It worked like a charm. There is a huge difference in the lawn now! We had to cut the lawn 5 times in the first 3 weeks into the growing season!

I have also been working on the landscape rocks every morning since the kids have gone to school. I just reset the pathway rocks on Saturday. The rocks were almost level with the pathway gravel we added a couple of months ago. I was seeing erosion of the new gravel into the landscape rock and decided I needed to raise the rocks to create more of a barrier.

I added clematis to the fence/wall shielding the hot tub.

I also cleared out a section of rocks along the fence and chopped some bushes out two weeks ago as well. I want to put a small garden along the fence and in the corner next Spring. John helped me dig out the stumps on Labor Day.

Devil's Head

Labor Day morning we headed out early to hike up to Devil's Head. It is the last of the eleven original Front Range lookout towers. It is now on the National Register of Historic Places.

John's family did this on Labor Day when he was a young boy.

We even took a family picture in his traditional spot during the hike up.

We met the Ranger who keeps watch. He lives in the cabin below the tower. He has to walk the 170-something steps every day to his post and not the 1.4 miles one way from the trail head to the steps.

We all received a card that said we hiked to the top of Devil's Head.

People even wrote their names on papers and posted them around the inside of the cabin. There was a note from a 3 year old that hiked it on her own after 2 open heart surgeries. Another note was from a 94 year old woman that hiked it August of this year.

The view at the top is AMAZING and BREATH TAKING!

YouTube video - Fan of Level 42 ... Go Heather!!!

One of my favorite people in HS, Heather B., created this YouTube video to invite her favorite band (Level 42) to do a live concert in the US. Heather was creative, funny and amazing in HS ... she's still the same! Way to go Heather! Thanks for putting a smile on my face ... just like the good ol' days!

Check it out! I knew Heather would be famous one day!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kco6G1X691w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kco6G1X691w
Check her out!!!

*The link should be fixed!

Bibliography - works cited - website - FREE

For those of you with students that are writing papers, here is an amazing website that will help build your bibliography/works cited page http://www.bibme.org/ It will do formating for MLA, APA, Chicago, or Turabian.

PLUS IT IS FREE!

Gotta try it

My hand was forced. We were going to run out of milk before Monday arrived. I have Silk Milk (Soy Milk) on hand for Julia since she is lactose intolerant - not severe though. I decided to crack open our one can of dehydrated milk. My brother and sister-in-law raved about this milk. I had my sister pick up a #10 can of this dehydrated milk for us to try out.

I grew up drinking dehydrated milk aka paint water. YUCK.

When my Bama and Papa would come to visit, they would treat us to "real milk". They still fondly talk about how excited we were when they would walk through the door with the milk jugs in hand. "COW'S MILK!" we would all cry out.

Sunday was the day. I made dehydrated milk.

I tried it. I liked it! Morning Moo's is DE-LISH.

My kids are asking me to make more; they prefer it to "cow's milk". Julia even likes it ... and can drink it. There is less lactose in morning moo's so it makes it easier for those who are lactose intolerant to drink it.

I've ordered the 50 lb bag for our food storage and daily use. It works out to be $1.62 a gallon when you order the 50 lb bag. The kids are demanding that this is what we will be drinking here on out ...

(Oh, and the glass containers - from Wal-Mart - seems to me to keep the milk extra cold!)

Tour

One Saturday in August we enjoyed seeing where John works. Afterwards they had a picnic/BBQ for us!

(Kerst and Kendall are standing on a box ... they are not that tall yet!).