My Little Cutie Pies

I just want to do a quick post and tell you all that I love my little boys. Last week was pretty rough and I questioned my abilities as a mother quite a few times. I'm sure every mother has her moments but mine seemed pretty abundant last week. This week has been a lot better and today my boys were little angels. As I am writing this post they are playing in the backyard together in the sandbox that Adam built for them. I can see them through the back door and it makes me so happy to see them love each other and help each other. I just took some pictures to put up here too so you can see the cuteness that I'm talking about. In the first picture, I came out and said "hi" and Bridger is waving back and he said "hi" back. It is one of his few words.

Brody is amazing me with all of his new vocabulary. He is speaking in long sentences and a lot of funny words. He is even starting to correct all the words he first learned that he has always pronounced wrong. He finally says "truck" instead of "guck" and "fireman" instead of "wa-man". Also, we have a new exchange that makes me smile everytime. I say "I love my Brody" and he says "I love my mommy!" I like it.

Anyway, I love my boys and am grateful to be their mom.

Our Night Out

On Saturday our church put on a dance for all the adults in the stake so Adam and I got a babysitter for the kids and got dressed up to go out. The dinner was good (although we were still hungry when our food was gone) and we had really fun people at our table. After dinner there was a LONG presentation of musical numbers from each ward, during which a few of us decided to leave and go to a movie. We stayed for dessert even though the dessert server was a dessert Nazi who threatened to hit or bite- I can't remember which- one of our friends. When the dancing started, it was time for us to leave in time to catch our movie so we didn't get to dance but that's okay with me. I have no coordination so I would have looked like an idiot anyway.

So onto the movie. My sister Eliza and I had talked about movies Saturday morning and she was telling me about "Be Kind Rewind" with Jack Black and how it sounded really funny. I suggested it to our friends and so we went. It was lame. There were a few funny parts but I sure did fall asleep and take a 30 minute nap during the movie because it was so boring. Just to clarify, though, I talked to Eliza the next day and she had gone to see the movie and hated it even more than I did so you can still trust her taste in movies.

It was still a fun night. It was nice to get away with Adam- and not the boys- for a night of yummy food and great conversation.

Building a Year's Food Supply

I'm not sure why but I've been thinking about food storage a lot lately. Maybe it's because I am very aware of the fact that if some disaster came to our area right now we would not be prepared. We have really good 72- hour kits and a shelf full of food storage, but it wouldn't last us very long. We have been counseled by the leaders of our church to have a year's supply of food stored up in case of any type of emergency, whether it be natural disaster or just losing your income. We are supposed to be able to be self-reliant. It is really overwhelming for me to think about getting a year's supply of food, so I was really excited when I saw a list of things you can do once a week for a year in order to have a year's supply of food at my friend Rachel's house. I saw it a while ago but it took me forever to get it from her. I have typed it all out and am going to start the next time I go to the grocery store. For any of you who are interested, here it is:

A WEEKLY GUIDE TO A YEAR’S SUPPLY

Week 1: Fill those water jugs- 14 gallon per family member for 2 week supply. Buy water purification tablets or bleach (1 gallon per family member).

Week 2: Flour- buy an extra 10 lbs. for a small family, 25 lbs. for a large family. Purchase 100 lbs. of hard white wheat, preferably in plastic storage buckets with tight fitting lids.

Week 3: Salt-iodized (5 lbs. per person).

Week 4: Sweeteners- honey (20 lbs.), sugar (25 lbs.) and any additional sweeteners that you can find on sale such as brown or powdered sugar, corn syrup, maple syrup or flavoring to make your own.

Week 5: Powdered milk- 40 oz. will make five gallons. Buy at least (3) more #10 cans of powdered milk this week…more if you can.

Week 6: Sugar- buy another 25 pounds.

Week 7: Peanut Butter- add some jams/jellies. Buy (3) more #10 cans of powdered milk.

Week 8: Pasta- buy at least 5 lbs. Select a variety.

Week 9: Canned meats- tuna, chicken, turkey, ham, spam, dried beef, etc. (10 cans).

Week 10: Condensed soup- also add boxes of favorite crackers.’

Week 11: Laundry items: detergent, bleach, fabric softener, ammonia, disinfectant.

Week 12: Canned milk, flour (25 lbs.)

Week 13: Toothpaste, floss, razors, shaving cream.

Week 14: Baking powder, baking soda, cornstarch. Purchase at least (5 lbs.) of yeast.

Week 15: Raisins and other dried fruits. Dried apple from Dry Pack, fruit leather.

Week 16: Oats- rolled, quick, cornmeal, Cream of Wheat, etc.

Week 17: Treats for baking- chocolate chips, coconuts, baking cocoa.

Week 18: Garden seeds- look for seeds that are NON-hybrid. That way you can use the seeds from the plants you grow to grow a garden the next season. A good price for them is about $18-$20 per can with about 10 varieties per can. Buy a lot of vegetable seeds. In times of emergency, our spirits need brightening too! Don’t forget fertilizer.

Week 19: Spices- cinnamon, nutmeg, oregano, dried onions, pepper, etc.

Week 20: Whole wheat flour, wheat, and other germs.

Week 21: Paper towels, aluminum foil, wax paper, garbage bags, freezer bags, etc.

Week 22: Graham crackers, 200 lbs. of wheat, 25 lbs. of rice.

Week 23: Personal products- bar soap, deodorant, shampoo, lotion, feminine products.

Week 24: Canned fruits- buy some or can your own.

Week 25: Jello-O and pudding mixes (3) #10 cans of powdered milk.

Week 26: Vitamins- multi-vitamins, vitamin C, etc.

Week 27: Canned potatoes, potato pearls from the dry pack, dried potato slices.

Week 28: Canning supplies- jars, lids, Sure-Jell, paraffin, rings.

Week 29: Kleenex and toilet paper.

Week 30: Water storage- check your water supply. Purchase another 55 gallon drum and fill it with water. Water is your most important item!

Week 31: Ketchup, mustard, salad dressing, mayo, pickles.

Week 32: Gallon of vinegar- good for cleaning, cooking, and medicinal.

Week 33: Candles, matches- put where you can get to in the dark. Hurricane lamps and oil (Note: you should have on hand 1,000-2,000 matches).

Week 34: Tomato products- juices, sauces, pastes, whole, spaghetti sauce.

Week 35: Juices- avoid watered products, buy 100% juice, lemon, orange, fruit drink.

Week 36: Mixes- cake, muffin, Bisquick, etc. Purchase or make your own.

Week 37: First Aid supplies- Band-Aids, calamine, Neosporin, etc.

Week 38: Other medicines- Pepto Bismol, Vicks, cough syrup/drops, etc.

Week 39: Nuts- Nuts are a good source of vitamins and minerals. Dry roasted store best. Try freezing them.

Week 40: Sewing supplies: thread, buttons, snaps, zippers, fabric, etc.

Week 41: More First Aid- gauze pads, swabs, cotton balls, tape, burn ointment.

Week 42: Dry soup mixes- remember to store enough extra water.

Week 43: Dried whole eggs (buy 2 cans and keep in a cool, dry place), (2) boxes of Rennet (used making cottage cheese and other dairy products from dry milk).

Week 44: Lighting supplies- flashlights and batteries (dated), 50-hour candles.

Week 45: Favorite family food- stress foods like hard candy, popcorn, snack foods.

Week 46: Shortening (2 cans), oil (1 gallon) preferably Canola or Olive Oil.

Week 47: Beans, split peas, lentils, etc.

Week 48: Heating supplies- firewood, kerosene, propane for BBQ grill, charcoal.

Week 49: Rice- 10, 15 or 20 lbs.

Week 50: Canned vegetables- corn, peas, string beans, creamed corn, etc.

Week 51: Margarine powder (#10 can), (2) large cans of fruit juice powder.

Week 52: Congratulations- You have just given yourself and your family the greatest gift of all…SECURITY!!! Now, take your inventory of your storage, assess your family’s needs and start a new year of staying prepared.

It is vital to get WATER STORGE. If you don’t have water, you will not be able to use many of the goods you have that are dehydrated or require water to cook. Many times in natural disasters, the electricity goes down and you will not be able to access your water. Sometimes the water is contaminated from flooding and cross-contaminations from sewage. You should have enough water on hand to last you two weeks.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Adam and Jessica
March 11, 2000

I was tagged by my friend Heather and today is a perfect day to blog about Adam and me.

What is his name? Adam (sometimes I call him Ad).
How long have we been together? Who knows- I've been in love with him since I was 13. We have been married for 5 1/2 years.
How old is he? 27 years old.
Who eats more? Me- especially when we are talking sweets and more especially when we are talking cinnamon rolls.
Who said I love you first? He did.
Who is taller? Adam (only by an inch and a half, though).
Who sings better? Considering the fact that I sound like a horse when I sing, he does.
Who is smarter? He is more logical and efficient but I am better at math. We both have our strengths.
Who does laundry? It's supposed to be me but Adam picks up my slack when I don't get it done.
Who pays the bills? Me.
Who sleeps on the right side? Adam- except for when I'm pregnant because the right side is closer to the bathroom.
Who mows the lawn? Adam SO mows the lawn. I don't do that nor have I since I was like 10. If Adam gets deployed, our lawn will just get out of control because I refuse to use a lawnmower.
Who cooks dinner? I usually do but if Adam gets home and I am too exhausted, he'll do it.
Who drives? We both do- if I am feeling anxious, I drive.
Who has the better record??? I did until about 2 months ago when I got 2 tickets in a month (and I hadn't gotten a ticket before that since I was 16).
Who is more stubborn? Me. I don't think Adam has a stubborn bone in his body.
Who kissed who first? We both kissed each other I think. He is the only one I've ever kissed.
Who proposed? Adam (10 days after he got home from his mission).
Who has more friends? I do.
Who is more sensitive? I am.
Who has more siblings? We both have 5 siblings.

Potty-Training: Accomplished (mostly)

The time finally came to do the thing that most parents dread: Potty-Training. I had put it off for a long time because I didn't want to regret doing it too early and I didn't think Brody was ready. Last week I decided he was old enough to go for it so we did and I'm so glad!

For any of you who aren't into potty talk (I mean little people potty talk, nothing unclean) you may want to skip over this post...it's all about diapers and underwear and little people potty stuff.

Last Saturday we went to Wal-Mart and let Brody pick out his very own big boy underwear. He chose Diego and Mickey Mouse and was really excited about it. Monday morning came and it was go time. We put his new exciting big boy underwear on, set the timer, and every 25 minutes we put him on the potty. Sometimes he liked it, sometimes he didn't, but he still sat there whenever the timer went off. He had a few accidents the first day. Tuesday we started with the timer but he started coming to me when he needed to go. Today is Friday and he is doing really well. We aren't accident-free yet (although Wednesday was accident-free) and he is still wearing a diaper to bed. I am really proud of him. I downloaded an e-book written by a lady who has potty-trained over 300 kids and she guaranteed to have my child potty-trained in 3 days. I really didn't believe her but it actually happened. Brody tells me when he has to go, and then goes to the bathroom, takes care of it, washes his hands all by himself, and then comes and says, "Me get MM?" I love it. Anyone who wants the info I read, let me know and I can send it to you.

It has been so beautiful here the last few days. Yesterday we spent a few hours outside playing and Brody got to ride his bike around for a while.

The boys also got haircuts yesterday. Bridger was in desperate need of one. He was starting to look like Frank from Everybody Loves Raymond (only with hair on top too). Brody wanted to join in the fun, so he got a haircut too.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Sunday was my 25th birthday. Since we usually spend a good amount of time at church Sundays, we decided to celebrate it on Saturday. Adam went out of his way to make BOTH days really great for me. Saturday morning he made me breakfast and we spent the morning just hanging out and going to the store as a family. After the boys' naps, we went to a place called Monkey Joe's with a few of our favorite families. It's a huge building with all kinds of inflatable slides, jump houses, crawly spaces, obstacle courses and other fun things. There is a parent's place with high speed internet, big screen tv's and recliners so parents can do their thing while their kids play. There are referees who keep all the kids in line who look like they are 12. We went on a Saturday so the place was chaotic. I'm guessing there were about 200 kids there, plus parents, plus referees plus a loud speaker with loud music playing. We played with our kids for a few hours and I got to take the boys down some slides and crawl around with them. We had a lot of fun but were really glad to get out of that place before we had mental breakdowns. We then went back to our house and had pizza, cake and ice cream with our friends. Adam made me a pink crown cake- impressive, huh?

I also want to thank you all for your phone calls, text messages, emails, cards and voicemails. I felt really loved on my birthday.

My True Color

What is your true color?
Here's my result:



You're green, the color of growth and vigor. Good-hearted and giving, you have a knack for finding and bringing out the best in people. Green is the most down-to-earth color in the spectrum — reliable and trustworthy. People know they can count on you to be around in times of need, since your concern for people is genuine and sincere. You take pride in being a good friend. For you, success is measured in terms of personal achievement and growth, not by status or position. Rare as emeralds, greens are wonderful, natural people. It truly is your color!

Find out what color you are! (Thanks Jenn!)
Color Test

Adam, your true color is Brown!

You're brown, a credible, stable color that's reminiscent of fine wood, rich leather, and wistful melancholy. Most likely, you're a logical, practical person ruled more by your head than your heart. With your inquisitive mind and insatiable curiosity, you're probably a great problem solver. And you always gather all of the facts before coming to a timely, informed decision. Easily intrigued, you're constantly finding new ways to challenge your mind, whether it's by reading the newspaper, playing a trivia game, or composing a piece of music. Brown is an impartial, neutral color, which means you tend to see the difference between fact and opinion easily and are open to many points of view. Trustworthy and steady, you really are a brown at heart.