Dear Gabby

I've been thinking about the importance of getting our house in order. I've got about 6 weeks supply of food at my house in Monticello, which does us no good. I've collected about 2 weeks worth of food here. We already have our 72 hour emergency kits so that's done. Also been saving a few coins each week for quite a few months now. However the food/water/fuel/non-food items is where I fail miserably. When there is an opportunity to get to the cannery I put it off. When i do have some extra time--between 8:30-10pm-when the kids are finally down, the cannery is closed. When I can get away during the day without any kids, which is rarely ever, the last place I want to be as at the cannery!

So here's my question. How do you keep yourself motivated to keep up on food storage?

The kids made a slide with one of the blow up mattresses. I'm sure the neighbors downstairs are devising a plan to get rid of us. The boys can't stop stomping around! Aleah laugh's so hard when they do this.

Our first week in our new place

We are finally settled into our new place. We are big mushes and couldn't bare the thought of the family separating (me and kids staying in Monticello and he leaving) so at the last minute we found a place to rent. Last Thursday I called the bishop to see if we could get some help unloading our vehicles. We had been going non-stop since we got back from our trip, so I wanted to surprise Shane and have help already there for him. When we pulled in the bishop was at our place, as well as 5 teenage boys, ready to help us unload. It went fast! Then on Sunday they read our records and welcomed us as new members of the ward. We were very surprised to say the least. They really got on it! It was fast & testimony meeting. Shane jokingly prodded at me to go up and bear my testimony. After the hectic week I wasn't feeling up to it. I was happy we found the building and content staying seated. Before testimony meeting came to a close, Shane stood up and walked towards the pulpit. (Our ward is huge so we ended up having to sit in the gym). I thought he was pulling my leg and would walk out the chapel doors but he just kept walking towards the pulpit. He introduced our family, thanked the bishop for helping us move in and bore his testimony. I don't get to hear him bear his testimony often enough and I always get excited when he does. Well several couples shook our hands and introduced themselves. We've even had a few phone calls from members wanting to come over and meet us. We are excited to be here and the kids have enjoyed the trips to walmart to get puzzles and toys!

Shane & Laura sing at the Blue Mountain Entertainment talent show

Shane's mother finally talked him into singing with her. He is musically talented. He even received a college scholarship to UVSC for playing the trumpet (sorry I had to brag a little ;). I did a terrible job recording. It was pitch black and Laura and Shane were standing just far enough apart that it was hard to capture both of them at the same time. Anyway, here they are singing together at the City's Blue Mountain Entertaiment show. They did a great job!

Florida Trip 2008

We went on vacation to the Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort in Miami, Florida. We relaxed and had a blast with our good friends at Farm Bureau. The weather was perfecto! And, of course, none of this would have been possible for us to do without my parents. They took all three kids for 10 days. That was so generous of them. The kids had a great time and are still talking about it!

If you're wondering what happened to my previous post well this is what happened. My mother made a funny comment that I'm certain would have had everyone laughing. Yes, everyone BUT ME, so I erased the whole darn thing and tried to forget I ever wrote it. Thanks a lot mom. J/k, Thanks for keeping me in line, I love you!