So Let's Do it!!!

OK, so I am currently the Enrichment Counselor in Relief Society. We were to have Enrichment tomorrow night, but since we didn't have church Sunday and it wasn't all set yet, we (okay so I) kinda decided that we wouldn't have it. Then I talked with a few other sisters and all of us stated that we would love to help the disaster victims but just didn't know what we could do. SO, one totally awesome Sister (Maureen Stuckey), says, "Well, at least we could put together some Hygiene kits like the church puts together." Lightbulb! Of Course! We can send them with our guys that head over there in the work crews. So Tomorrow night we will be assembling them. And should you want info on how YOU can help disaster victims... Check it out. How you can help. The men are heading over Sat. Sunday and Monday to assist.

A Sad Sad Day

Oh the News images are just devastating. My Heart goes out to the people most effected by this storm. Families quite literally that were torn from each others arms in the storm. There is so much devastation.
Close friends of ours have family (parents and Aunts and Uncles) that did not evacuate. It is so hard just not knowing. The communications are non existant at this point. There is no way to know how they have weathered the storm. I remember the stressful period we had after Ivan with little or no communications. Being away from it is difficult the not knowing is probably harder than knowing because when you know what you are up against you can begin to cope. Without knowing all you have are What if's.

Yesterday we were without power for several hours. The Winds blew all day and some in the evening. It rained for most of Sunday night and the morning of Monday. Between 11:30ish and 6pm we had little rain but strong winds. Then in the evening/night rain bands came through again. Some bridges are out but it won't be too long before they are sured up and reopened. I10 bridge to Pensacola is out again but should reopen in a few days. We are sooo fortunate that we were spared the worst of the storm.

Trying to create a more normal day again. Today we did have school for a few hours. Talking about places in the world. We are studying Geography this year and so we created "Passports" today. We also talked about number lines and Ordinal and Cardinal numbers. Mostly still just reviewing and getting in the habit of school before our steady curriculm begins next week.

The Storm Chaser in Me

The Storm chaser in me woke up several times last night to take a peek at Hurricane Katrina's Progress. She came onto land as a Catagory 4. Early this morning, around 6am central time. So far if is pretty much like windy thunderstorms here. Not much more than we get when a tropical storm blows through. There are tornado sitings in our county. I went outside earlier this morning in between rain showers. Just to feel the winds blow around me. Very Cool. I just love nature. Storms have beauty and power all their own. The winds have had the power to lift our little shed up a good foot off of the ground. I put some logs at the base to help it stay put. We still haven't attached it to the foundation since Dennis came through.. uh.. Suppose we better do that! :P

So today is my 27th Birthday. That is a real grow up huh? Yuck! :P My sweet husband made me my favorite breakfast (French Toast) and I ate it in my Bed. We have read a chapter from our current family book, "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe." Jeffy says he wants to read 4 chapters today. Made me just laugh. I told him we were going to read a hang out and stay in all day! :)
Just thought I'd share the latest storm track from weather.com. Have a great day!

whew... and EeeekkK!

OK... So we are in the safe zone for Katrina.. But oh! New Orleans will never be the same! I certainly hope it slows down a bit to help the people of New Orleans. They are gonna need so much help. It would be better for it to come here than the devastation it will cause there. Don't get me wrong. I want my home and Family safe. (Okay well perhaps the home can go... Just Kidding!!! ) But Our area has been through so much. But good comes from the struggles of these too. Our community is stronger than ever before. Ivan last year made everyone get to know their neighbors and then Dennis last Month again helped to keep us from withdrawing again. We are prepared for it to come.
The reports expect us to get some hurricane gusts and all but mostly the rains from Katrina. We went to Navarre Beach today and it was blocked for all but homeowner but even the Santa Rosa sound was already Choppy.
My prayers go out to all those in the direct path of this huge storm. Know that in all struggles our Heavenly Father will work them for our good.

A Hurricane a'comin'???

Welp, we are in the wait and see mode. Hurricane Katrina is out there pitchin herself into a big ol fit. The gas stations are out of gas right now. The were all running out yesterday. In our area, the people don't mess around. They just want to be prepared. I think we are gonna wait it out. Right now they are projecting it more to the west of us. Glad because I don't want our poor community to struggle with things, but in a way I am disappointed. I love natures fury. It is a beautiful and terrible thing to see the strength in nature. I have always loved a good storm. I'll keep ya posted as it goes on...

AH the dreaded Dish Detail

Children everywhere for all know ages of time have hated to do dishes. I hated dishes, my friends hated dishes, and I am sure that my parents hated dishes when they were kids. My father tells the story of the dishwater in the home he grew up in, it was SO HOT that the only way you could stand it was to plunge both hands in and wait until they numbed and then begin washing. In my house growing up, 9 people ate every meal and whatever didn't fit in the dishwasher was washed by hand. If some evil sibling had not caught up the dishes before passing the chore onto you, You inherited 2 sinkfulls to begin the agonizing week it would remain your chore. The dishes must be done multiple times a day in that house in order to not get behind.

But now My child has caught the dreaded virus. Dishes are no longer a fun time in the kitchen. It is a harrowing ordeal to be survived.... And I have the role as the evil troll, the unyielding parent. How could I think of turning off Jimmy Neutron in order to make sure the dishwasher was emptied???
Somewhere along the way I became the bad guy. My son is in my place and I remember how wretched it was to SLAVE over dishes. (Of course it was much worst in my house.) Now Jeffrey doesn't even have to reload the dishwasher- he just empties the clean ones.

but the true secret is... I still hate dishes and am happy to pass on the dreaded chore.. hahahahha~ (an evil cackle) It builds character, right?

And see I am not the only one either.... http://www.simplyfamily.com/display.cfm?articleID=000914_magic_sink.cfm

SO Smart - My Boy!

AHHH>>> Today was our much anticipated first day on homeschool. And may I just say as a COMPLETELY unbiased person, I have the smartest children!! :P Jeffrey was great through the morning... We did Math testing first which he felt like was play. Then we had a lesson on shapes (for Jessa mostly) and talked about abc's. Then we talked about where we live- world continent- country- state- county- city
Then we had snack (ants on a log) - then we read from Alma where Moroni makes the flag... He dictated the story to me after and then I had him write it out. (see Photo)
Oh and we also did a lil thing about the date/ month/ year etc... I was very happy overall.

Bear in There-

So a couple of friends of mine showed me this "effer dare" that was out on 2peas. The dare was to use a Shel Silverstein Poem on a Scrapbook layout. Well, I actually had one in mind to do after I had run across a poem a few months ago. It was just one of those sittin in the idea book in my mind. But the challenge made me actually want to create it. This is the finished result. :) I used that cool new Fastenator for the Large staples (which are actually silver.) I sanded the edges of photos and the paper itself to make it look a lil blustery.... :)

It's A Tea Party!

Ok so maybe not really... But we call it that. It consists of Large quantities of dishes for the plate, the cup and saucer, the serving plate etc. The drink is never tea, usually juice, milk or water. And cookies for the treats. But we have them a couple of times a week at our house. Monday morning we actually had a tea party around 7:30 am. (Yeah, I was real lively at that one!) But it is fun for them. This particular picture was taken back in July at a tea party with our friends Delaney and Brady (AKA hembowie).

A Gossip Weed

Let me explain to start, A couple of months ago there was a story in "The Friend" magazine about a boy and the Rumor weed He spread rumors and the weeds grew and took over the yard or something to that effect.
Anyhow, We had FHE last week and the missionaries came with our friend Anita. We played a board game about choices and consequences. One of the cards said something like you gossiped about a friend go back 3 spaces. When we asked Jeffy if he understood what gossip was and his reply was,
"If you talk to a weed, and it grows, that's probably bad."
I suppose he sorta got it. Chuckle... :)

A SUN BEEP!!!

So Jessa Loves to sing... She sings with the radio, in church, to her dollies, to the birds, and around the house in general. Everynight before family prayer we sing a hymn or primary song to quiet everyone down. 90% of the time we end up with "Jesus wants me for a Sunbeam" as well as the other chosen song. Her favorite song is the "SunBeep Song" She is so cute as she throws her spread fingers in front of her and loudly says sun- BEEP!

The Child is a Mess--- Literally!

So Yesterday is Sunday, We are happily getting ready for church. Mom has Dressed Jessalyn, Jeffrey has his hair combed. Daddy is in the Bathroom shaving and mom decides to take a minute and print out her Relief Society lesson she prepared the night before.... Daddy walks down the hallway to ask, "Do you know where Jessa is?" Mom says, " Of course, I just dressed her she is in Jeffy's room Playing."
ummmm..... NO she isn't. She has found her own toys in the large box of detergent in the laundry room. Yep that's her all dressed for church and now covered in laundry soap to boot. At least she smells clean!
(And Just a side Note... It was 7 CUps of Detergent I swept up...)

THey're home!

So they actually got home Tuesday evening... I am just slow gettin around to sharin the news. They had alot of fun. The kids of course charmed the airline attendants and were given a tour of the cockpit of the plane while on the ground. It sounds like they enjoyed themselves but all are glad to be home again. :) Jeff took some great pics so I will be sure to get some posted in the next couple of days.