Ready Or Not!

If you know Southeast Texas you know that when it comes to hurricanes it's not a matter of if but when the hurricane will strike.  We survived Hurricane Ike in 2008 (the link takes you to my posts from 2008--just scroll through to Sept. 2008 until you see some posts about the hurricane).  We only had to endure two weeks without power.  Yes, it was somewhat uncomfortable, but definitely doable.   We learned a few things that year showing us that we weren't as prepared as we thought. 

So, for the first time ever, our family attended the annual Hurricane Preparedness Workshop here in Houston, TX.  Why did it take us so long to get there?  I can give two reasons:  (1) Our schedules never allowed us to attend before and (2) Our teenage boys took advantage of the Boy Scout Emergency Preparedness Merit Badge workshop (something that would have never been on our radar in previous years). 

One of five t-shirts that we "caught" throughout the day

My husband was quite fascinated with barometric pressure and why it's so significant in hurricane development.  While listening to some of the presentations, my oldest was interested in the actual position of Director of the National Hurricane Center, who spoke to us today.  There was a time when his dream job was to be the director of the NHC.  When he was younger weather (hurricanes in particular) were quite fascinating to him.  

Our middle child was thrilled to get "stabbed" in the neck with a piece of glass as he allowed them to create mock emergency situations.  We quickly learned that even the sight of "fake" blood makes him nauseaus.

Can you see the "wound" on his neck?

I learned all about the Wonder Oven and even purchased one of my own.  I'm sure it'll be one of those things I learn how to cook with as I work on a particular provident living plan coming up in Unit #4 of my class ;-).

We also learned how to make an A/C unit with a bag of ice, an old cooler, a fan, PVC pipe, and a battery.  It really was quite chilly to stand next to it.  

You can't see them, but our boys are participating in the Emergency Preparedness Merit Badge Workshop

Taking a break at the Emergency Response Team Ambulance

While we didn't win any of the 30 giveaway prizes (we never win anything), we walked away with a trunk full of reusable bags that were loaded with information, first aid kits, rain gauges, snacks, ponchos, flashlights, T-shirts . . . and the list goes on!  

We felt uplifted and reenergized to get better prepared for emergencies.  This was definitely a family activity that "involved the mind" and helped us "develop skill" together. 

We finished the night by eating dinner and just hanging out with my twin brother and his family.  We enjoyed outdoor recreation, playing video games, and just catching up.  It made for a long, productive, and fun Saturday for us.

Our youngest with her two cousins

WRA, REL200, Post 5

Memorial Day Weekend

Every year, our Memorial Day holiday weekend includes a weekend at Grandma's house--or the home I grew up in.  Grandma lives in the countryside on Lake Livingston in Southeast, TX.  It's a time for our family to really enjoy some rest and recreation with aunts, uncles, in-laws and cousins.  There is never a shortage of things to do.  If you're bored . . . well, that's your own fault ;-P

This year was complete with a few firsts:

1.  Our six-year old really tried some "serious" swimming in the lake (which was higher and dirtier than usual thanks to lots of rain this spring).  Her dear cousin showed her how to "swing her arms" for freestyle.

2.  We spent the actual Memorial Day at the Houston National Cemetery.  Attending this very well-known and sacred service was a bit out of our comfort zone, but we knew it would be an uplifting experience.  The small Children's Choir that I accompany for performed during this particular Memorial Day Service.  It was our frst performance ever!  The link provided is the news coverage of the services.  When the author mentions that "We heard children sing patriotic songs "--it's our group that he was speaking of.  If you watch the news video, I'm actually in it about 10 seconds in (for a split second) standing on the left of the screen wearing a blue shirt--yep, mommy's little moment of fame :-P

Not having a military ancestry, participating in such services in not something we normally do or even think of.  But, we all agree that it was a unique experience to be able to rub shoulders with not only many veterans and soldiers but also many members of our local and state governments.  It provided us with the opportunity to remember what Memorial Day is all about.

Our weekend was also spent making pizzas, building puzzles, playing games, celebrating birthdays, swimming, fishing, watching movies, enjoying the outdoors, cleaning out my parents' garage,  and just enjoying the time together as family.

Preparing for a cousin's birthday celebration

 Chit-chatting with cousins

On the rope swing

Playing with water balloons in the water

(always more fun when there's more water)

Playing ping pong

Attempting a game of badminton 

(which is really interesting with a 6-year old)

 Brother-in-laws enjoying the outdoors together

So, why is this considered "wholesome recreational activity?"  This gave us the opportunity to exemplify many of the activities described in Widmer's definition that included developing skills and learning.

Develop skill and learn:  My daughter learning how to swim (and fish), learning a new game, building a puzzle, playing piano for the children's singing group
Build relationships:  Relationships were particularly developed between cousins and older siblings (like my siblings and I).

Elder Oaks defintions included activities that have the ability to inspire.  Attending and participating in the Memorial Day services was certainly inspiring and uplifting.

WRA, REL200, Post 3

Inks Lake and Enchanted Rock

Keeping with our annual tradition of camping over Spring Break, this year we headed to the "other side" of Austin to Inks Lake and Enchanted Rock State Parks.  And, this time the whole Texas clan came along.

Trying out our new hammocks.

Going fishing...don't confuse that with catching fish.

 Beginning our ascent to the top of Enchanted Rock.

Still going ...

Robyn loved every bit of it!

Still going up to the summit.

At the top!  

Just love this picture of my mother and us three sisters.  We were trying to get a group picture and the wind wasn't cooperating!

On the other side is a cluster of caves (who knows how many there really are...we didn't explore all the crevices). 

I hiked down into one of them and couldn't get out becaue of the people blocking the entrance.   So, I waited...this is me looking up out of one of the crevices.  Jaren tried to convince me to climb up but we decided that I was too short to reach the hand or foot holds.

 Splashing in Spring Creek back at Inks Lake

All the cousins with Grandma!

 To anybody wondering of young children can hike Enchanted Rock.  Yes, they can.  Though, some may come down looking like this:

 Yes, she slept pretty much during the whole descent.

I've gone mental...

With some of this:

Wood Badge 13-2 here I come.  I was a participant on Course 1023 back in 2010.  This year, I'm on staff as a Troop Guide.  I'm very much a greenie at this voluntary assignment (yep, I know...I'm a little crazy).  It's a whole new experience, I tell ya.  But worth it for all the life lessons.

And more of this:

Yep, I went back to school this year.  Obviously, I'm not on campus at BYU-I in Rexburg.  I started their online Pathway program about seven weeks ago en route to finish my BA.  

Oh my...it has changed my life!  

 And LOTS of this:

Still my favorite part...being surrounded by this particular support group.  

Someone once asked me how I was juggling everything.  Well, my brain hurts all the time.  I haven't exercised it like this in years.  Other than that, it's not all that stressful since we significantly downsized the amount of extracurricular stuff we had going on.  I have to admit that life is just getting better and better each and everyday.

  

I've been pretty terrible at posting on my blog.  Life was busy before...now--just as busy. 

Halloween 2011

I know this post seems "just a bit" late but I've had several people ask me about my kids' costumes last year after posting our Halloween pics this year.  So, for your enjoyment!

C.L.U. from Tron: Legacy

(there is nothing fun about cutting, placing and ironing reflective tape but it turned out pretty awesome)

Little Chicken

(and she went around the entire night saying "Cluck, Cluck!")

Young Anakin Skywalker 

(age nine--just like the little boy in the costume)  

Green Belt Status

This is totally Hunter (in the middle of one of his forms).

Started the day as a yellow/green belt.  

Ended the day by joining the ranks of Green Belt.

Happy Hallowen

This is just a quick post with the Fort costumes.  The kids will pretty much come up with the idea themselves and then I go to work creating whatever it is they want to be.  I'm always amazed at how the costume they choose really does represent each one of them.  Heck, I amazed myself for being able to take their ideas and make it a wearable costume.  This was lot of work, some stress and some the-house-is-falling-apart feelings BUT it was also a lot of fun!

Scarlet Macaw

Robyn's favorite toy right now is a big Scarlet Macaw puppet and her stuffed puppy.  She really wanted me to combine these two favorite animals and make a "puppy with feathers"...ummm...that put an interesting picture in my head.  I convinced her to choose just one.  I probably spent the longest on hers.  Certainly made the biggest mess cutting out all those feathers (and her running around the house with all my scraps).  It didn't turn out at all like I had originally imagined it.  

Nope--it turned out much better!  

Luke, Son of Hermes

Hunter's was probably the easiest to create.  He's totally into this book series.  I love that he always chooses to be a less popular character.  Sometimes you have to think outside of the box a bit before you guess it right.  Though it was simple, I love how the winged shoes turned out!  (And yes, they fit me too!)

Robin Hood

Aidan's really into archery right now so he just wanted any character that uses a bow and arrow. So glad he went with this instead of some modern superhero.  This one was lots of fun to put together (quite the understatement).  It was my first attempt to sew a cloak (or anything for that matter) without a pattern.  It was such a good experience, I made two more (keep reading) and whipped up the rest of his costume.  It's a great feeling when your 11-yr. old declares, "It's the best costume ever."  Better than CLU or Hiccup? (Did I even blog about last year's costumes?)

And then there's my other half.  I made a mighty cloak for him.  Versatile enough for him to turn it into whatever character he wanted.  I think he turned it into a "Rogue Jedi" which is very fitting for him.  They were having a Halloween party at work so he sent me this photo this morning.  For the record--I've never made him a costume until now.  It was certainly an adventure...

But of course, there's no photo of my costume.  I made myself a white cloak.  I made Aidan's first for his costume--it was so much fun and such a hit that mine and Jaren's followed.  So, again, I was pretty amazed with myself.

Our pumpkin carvings...nothing too crazy but we love how they turned out.  We surrounded our trunk with hanging ghosts to match.  Probably the most we've ever done for the Ward Trunk or Treat.  So, we deserve a pat on the back for that, I think.

Have A Safe and Happy Halloween!

Favorite Places, Part 2

From the cold, windy Oregon coast to the dry deserts of Utah...

I know I visited here as a child--6th grade as I recall. Right now, the Visitor's Center for Dinosaur National Monument is closed for renovations until October. I was in the mood for some hiking, so it was fine that there was no Visitor's Center to see all the dinosaur bones along the side of a hill.

We took a bus ride up into the Dinosaur National Monument Area and took the "Fossil Discovery" hike. Not sure how long the hike was--only that there wasn't a single bit of shade. What do you expect when you're hiking in East Utah?

Right off the bat, Hunter took off to be right up front with the Ranger asking all sorts of questions and being very attentive.

I started behind (way behind) and hiked alongside Robyn who was moving at a comfortable, let's-touch-every-rock, kind of pace.

She was a good, little hiker.

The Ranger would constantly ask Robyn questions to which she always enthusiastically replied "YEAH!" (See picture below--you can see the ranger's feet in the upper left corner of the photo) Even though she had no clue...

While the Discovery Trail was an adventure, my favorite part of the day was when we ventured off the beaten path (literally) and drove into the canyon. For a moment there we thought we were lost as we followed the map given to us by the ranger. But, we eventually came to a place called Josie's Cabin.

An oasis in the middle of the desert. Lots of shade trees and picnic tables--perfect for a picnic lunch.

Learning the story of Josie Bassett Morris is quite intriguing! You could take some short hikes into Box Canyon if you wanted while relaxing here and wandering around this old homestead complete with a four room cabin, a chicken coop (pictured), a cellar and livestock (okay, there aren't any livestock here anymore).

So, if you're venturing through this part of Utah I recommend picnicking at Josie's Cabin--a bit off the beaten path but you won't regret it. If you appreciate the desert, the drive is quite scenic.