It's Time To Start

"We encourage Church members worldwide to prepare for adversity in life by having a basic supply of food and water and some money in savings.
"We ask that you be wise as you store food and water and build your savings. Do not go to extremes; it is not prudent, for example, to go into debt to establish your food storage all at once. With careful planning, you can, over time, establish a home storage supply and a financial reserve."—The First Presidency

This has been on my mind a lot lately. After many years of hearing that we need to have a food storage and a financial reserve, Jason and I are finally getting started. We have been putting it off long enough. This last weekend I took the opportunity to go to the cannery with our ward. It was my first experience ever, so I didn't know what to expect. It felt so good to be there. We are so blessed to have this at our fingertips. (quote and pictures from www.providentliving.org)

We are definitely starting out slowly. I came away with one box, while everyone else had ten or so. This one box has six cans of: white rice, quick oats, carrots, white flour, potato flakes, and dried apples. The amazing thing about canning now is that the food stays good longer. For example, white rice is good for 30+ years.

Now that we know how easy it is, we are going to go back again and again.

Hope you all are doing the same, but I'm sure you all are doing a lot better than we have been.

Future Lawn Co. Employee?

Catherine, Anne, and Stephanie

About four years ago I was an employee at The Lawn Company in Boise, Idaho. Each summer break during my college career I'd return to my spot as a crew member, which consisted of two to three people. I'm not the only one in my family that worked there. Stephanie was hired there first, then my other sister Anne, followed by me, and finally Jason. I guess it doesn't end there, Jason's sister Elaine also worked there for a short period of time.

My days consisted of mowing, trimming, edging and blowing off the sidewalk, and pulling weeds at residential and commercial properties. It was a rewarding job because there was always an improvement after each lawn was finished. I often find myself looking back and for a split second wishing that I was doing it again. But then, all the memories come flashing back...hot weather, my hair getting caught in tree branches, rocks flipping up and hitting my legs, wet grass clogging up the mower, being green from head to toe after cleaning out the clogged mower, getting my leg weed-"whacked" by Stephanie, getting the lawn mower stuck in a pond, breaking Mrs. Robertson's light, breaking the tetherball pole (which I didn't do Dan)...the list goes on and on. Surprisingly, these are all good memories now, and I would do it all over again.

Lawn Co.'s future employee? She seems to know how to run the equipment and she looks very content...

Jason, Lauren, and I stopped by Lawn Co. the last time we were down in Boise. Stephanie and Dan, the owner of Lawn Co., only wanted to see Lauren, not me and Jason.
Truthfully, Lawn Co. is the #1 lawn company in Boise! This is turning into an advertisement, so Dan, I better be getting a check in the mail.

Happiness

Lauren is in nursery now. Unbelievable! The time has gone by slowly, but yet, so fast. She started last week and it seemed to go pretty well. However, a little boy started crying; therefore, Lauren started crying and she wouldn't stop until she was back with me. This week I was a little nervous. She has become somewhat shy and has started to cling to my legs when other people are around. After sacrament, I took her hand, which I still have to bend down to hold because she is so short, and we started down the hall through the crowd of people. The nursery door was open and other children were already inside. Immediately, Lauren dropped her hand from mine, and practically ran right in. I was out of there in a flash in case she changed her mind. I'm not sure how she did in there today. I think there was some crying, but no one came and got me. So I got to sit through about two hours of church...without interruptions. It has been 18 months of walking out in the hall at some point during church, to finally having one day of pure silence, relaxation, and the chance to really listen to the lessons in their entirety.
I took these pictures of Jason and Lauren after church today. I am so happy and grateful for them both.

"Happiness is the object and design of our existence, and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and that path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God...If we seek first the kingdom of God, all good things will be added."
-Joseph Smith

Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

We went on a great trip this past weekend to Mount Vernon, WA, for the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. At this festival there are many fields of tulips, daffodils, and irises. The festival also has all kinds of events for children and adults, but we didn't participate in any because of the short time we had. We left Pasco Friday morning and came back Saturday afternoon. "We" consisted of Jason, myself, Lauren, Brenda, Elaine, and Elaine's dog Scout. It was snowing really hard in Seattle when we drove through. Throughout the time we were there we experienced more snow, more rain, and little sunshine. Our luck with little sunshine came Friday evening, so we took advantage of it and went and walked around some tulip fields. Then Saturday morning it was just overcast while we were at Tulip Town. It was definitely colder than we had hoped, but not miserable.
I am so impressed with that area of Washington. When I played basketball at the University of Alaska Anchorage, we'd just pass through to Bellingham and up into Canada for our games, and then back down to Seattle. I remember thinking how beautiful it was, but I didn't fully know until now. I can't wait to go again next year.

Aunts

I have gotten a little behind on my blogging. A few weeks ago Lauren and I went down to Idaho to spend some time with family. We stayed with my parents for a week and had a great time; although, the weather was horrible most days. On our way back to Pasco, Lauren and I got to stay with Stephanie in Boise, and spend some time with Brenda and Elaine as well. We went to some parks and out to eat. Lauren enjoys being around all her aunts because she is always the center of attention.
Aunt Stephanie and Lauren at the park.
Aunt Brenda and Lauren making fish faces.