Random Thought

One Car - One Car = No Car

Camping is S-cool!

Last week we went on our ward camp out. In preparation for the weekend MY LB got Friday off so we could go up early. You know, because we home school and we can do those sort of things.

Your kids can just do work in the car on the way up right?

That would be nice to just take days off whenever you want.

Are you aloud to do that?

You all know me so you know that things like this don't bother me. I will actually laugh with you if it is funny enough. As a matter of fact, all of the questions and comments really got me thinking. I have come to the conclusion that camping is actually one of the best places to learn. You need proof? OK!

1. Behavioral studies: Patience; Are we there yet? How much longer? They learn that we are almost there means, please quit asking.

2. Science: They learn that after four children women need to stop more frequently when traveling.

3. Math: How many bags does it take to pick up a stink load of litter left behind by uncaring individuals? The answer is two big bags.

4. Science: How long was the stinky squirrel decomposing in the baggie before Matthew (we drew straws, just kidding we used the good old parental dominant species law) had to pick it up and it put it in the garbage bag. There was also an optional lesson of counting the different species of bugs that infected it.

5. History: Old creepy abandoned cabins get the brain stirring and wondering about who lived there? We found out later that it was built in the 1880's for a cattle drive. It also provided good Literature, we learned lots of new words and now we know for a fact that Jon loves Jan.

6. Language: We learned the proper use for the words and phrases; sharp, not sharp, dad's knife is better, blood circle, thank you, pocket knife, hunting knife, and of course your knife is bigger than mine. Maybe we learned how to use the phrase, Not Fair, too.

7. Science: Stinky mud holes have all kinds of Science waiting to be explored. Do you know what a sink hole is? Do you know how to identify dry mud from wet mud? We also found out that it is easier to catch frogs with your hands than a cup, which was not what we predicted.

8. Behavioral: Hygiene; Stinky mud makes you stink. Stay out of stinky mud when you do not have running water readily available.

9. Science: The zip line was so much fun! We did a little Science experiment to see if an adult, or rather me, would zip down the line faster or slower than the crazy kids. My prediction is that my weight would carry me faster, I was wrong. Spencer made an excellent Scientific observation that I was the only adult that was using the zip line. He also observed that I should be quite embarrassed. I wasn't!

10. History: Pirates may have been quite disappointed to not find the booty! Or they could be even more disappointed to find out that the booty was a table ware trade. But alas we felt the sweet joy of success when we found real plastic gold. ARRGH, we love treasure!

11. PE: What better way to work out your legs and bruise your behind then to go rock climbing.

12. Economics: Do you know what a Smoke Jumper does? After talking to the ranger in the look out tower, Matthew has decided that if being a Scientist doesn't work out, he is going to smoke jump. I am not putting a lot of stock in his decision though. When he was three all he wanted to be when he got older was a "Paper Maker", yeah we don't know either.

Seriously, really I am going to be serious.

We had an excellent time with our friends and it did turn out to be an educational trip. We were able to find many things to reinforce the things the children have been learning. With the GPS we looked for Geo Cache and Maggie helped us with our cardinal directions and Matthew and Spencer helped out with our intermediate direction. The cabin became a fun starting point for a writing assignment in which together we wrote about what we thought life was like in the cabin in 1880. It also helped Maggie understand how historians used artifacts and clues to sort out history. We also visited a look out tower and the ranger gave us a grand tour. He talked to Spencer about weather and asked him some questions that he answered like a genius (mom bragging, sorry).

So you see even if you are not a home school family, any and every time you go camping you are entering a world that is super, S-cool.

8 Is Great

Spencer had a very special day on Saturday. I say Spencer but it was really a special day for our entire family. Choices and decisions like this put us closer and closer to our goal of becoming a "Forever Family".

MY LB and I are so proud of Spencer and the choice he made to be baptized. He is such a special spirit and has worked hard to increase his faith and testimony leading up to this great decision. I love him for allowing his dad and I to truly use our testimonies and knowledge to lead him and guide him. Along with support from the missionaries, grandparents, and his brother Matthew.

Spencer is an incredible person and we are so blessed to know him and be the ones chosen to raise him in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

It was a very special day....

Spencer and his dad played I Am A Child Of God together. Spencer had been
practicing so hard and MY LB had been working overtime to get his String Bass fixed so he could play with him. Their hard work payed off and it was a beautiful performance that brought the Spirit.

A picture of the String Bass under construction in my front room (I called it "FrankenBass"). I am still in awe that this LB of mine is so talented.

Spencer had two great grandpas attend his baptism. What a great blessing to have your two great grandpas be witnesses to one of the greatest moments of your life.

I love this kid!


I will forever cherish this picture and the example that Matthew is for his younger brother.


MY LB and I also shared an anniversary on this day. I was so happy to share this experience with MY LB on our twelfth anniversary. That evening we were discussing what our favorite memories have been and we both agreed that our most cherished moments come from our Savior. The birth of our children, being Sealed in the Temple, and the baptism of our sons. We look forward to what the future brings and many more cherished moments together.

The Going Ons of Cub Scouts

Here is a little look at our old Cub Scouter and our brand new Cub Scouter.

We are so proud of our Cubbies!

Random Thought

Oh my own bed! Sweet release!

Do you know that feeling after a long trip? Your own bed beckons to you from far distances with the promise of a good nights sleep. Your head and pillow yearn to reunite. The familiar feel of being wrapped up in your favorite sheets as you reconnect with your empty mattress. Oh my own bed! Sweet release!

After five nights away we came home to a broken upstairs AC and a fuming 95 degrees. We camped out down stairs on sofas and cots.

AIN'T LIFE FUNNY!!

Recycle Renew Reuse RE-ALLY

I sat down at my sewing machine on Saturday, it was the first time in a very long time. I recycled little girl tank tops into little girl skirts. I tried to recycle my finger too, not sure what I was trying to create but I really ended up with a mess.

This extremely wonderful idea came to me while I was searching through clothes at the Goodwill hunting down skirts for a two year old that refuses to wear pants or shorts. I couldn't find anything that I loved so I moved on. While I was browsing through the shirts the idea clicked. I can cut the tops of these shirts off and make skirts. ONLY, after looking around I noticed that the tank tops on this beautiful 50% off Saturday were only 99 cents. I picked out about six that I liked, found a couple of bags of different colored threads for 50% off, and bought some elastic at Walmart. I came home cut the tops off of the tank tops, set them next to my sewing machine and there they have sat for about two months.

Saturday I sat down at my sewing machine in the mood for a little crafting. Next to my sewing machine I found, unfinished recycle projects, unfinished dresses for Kendal, mending that needed to be done, and a Cub Scout shirt in need of patches. I was busy doing something that I loved and once I am finished with the wonderful stack of things to sew I plan on making a new stack. This time some aprons for the kids, hair bows for the girls, and a little something recycled for me.

Here is the break down for the Tank Top to a skirt project.

First you need to find tank tops or regular shirts will work too that flare out a little and are pretty long. The length of the tank and how long you need the skirt to be is going to be the deciding factor, it was easy to find tanks long enough for Kendal but it was a little difficult to find some long enough for Maggie. I checked out the women's section but I didn't really see anything I liked, but that is definitely an option for longer skirts. You may already have something in your closet, baby doll shirts work great!

To Make:

1. Place the shirt on a cutting surface. Using a straight edge find a spot just under the arms or straps of the shirt where you can cut a straight line. Rotary blades work great but scissors will do the job too.


2. You can throw away the top of the shirt or get creative and use it to embellish the skirt with ruffles or maybe even a matching flower for her hair.


3. Hope you know sewing terms. Now all you have to do is make a casing at the top for an elastic band.


4. Insert the elastic; Tip: Fasten a safety pin on one end to make it easier to insert the elastic. Sew the ends of your elastic together.


5. Sew your casing closed.


VIOLA!! No hems! WOO HOO! Already has ruffles and embellishments! YES!


Very easy project and each skirt only ended up costing a little over $1.00 each, that's cheaper than fabric. To recycle all six skirts only took me a little over an hour.

Sorry no before pictures, you will just have to trust me that at one time all of these skirts used to be shirts.

I can't wait to tell you my no brainer, brainiac idea for bloomers! Next time.

Happy Sewing!

Holiday Weekend

We had a fantastic holiday weekend filled with the beautiful outdoors, food, family, and fun.

Saturday we went to the lake with daddy's family and we were able to spend time with Aunt Kosette, Matt, Uncle Philip, Grandpa, and Uncle Jonathan's family. As always being on the lake with family was a blast!

Sunday we traveled north to visit with mommy's family. We went to church with one of my greatest eternal friends Trista, it was so good to see her. I sat in on her Young Women's lesson and it reminded just how wonderful she is and how much I miss being around her.

After church we went to the lake for a picnic. It was just the six of us and we had a wonderful peaceful time. The weather was amazing, the kids were well behaved, the mood at the lake was calm and it was very relaxing.

After our picnic we met family at my sister Jennifer's house (she is the best hostess EVER). We had a hot dog and marshmallow roast prior to watching the 4th of July explode into the air. We had a great time with all of the aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and of course Me-ma and Pa-pa.

Monday we hit the lake for some good old fashioned fishing. This is definitely the one thing I miss most about living at home, the spontaneous fishing trips. My mom is the best fisher lady I know and I have so many great memories of family and fun wrapped up in the art of fishing. I was excited to see her helping the kids and teaching them her mad fishing skills. The fishing was not great, just little cat fish and some trout, but there were a lot of them and the kids were able to catch lots of fish.

We ended our weekend with one final trip to Aunt Jennifer's house so Maggie could swim with her cousin David. Maggie loves her cousin and they play so great together. She was able to spend a week playing with him while we were in Chicago and she missed him lots.

The weekend was filled with so many great things. Matthew was able to work on some Cub Scout achievements, MY LB and I were able to spend time with our families, and our little Out Numbered family made more lasting memories that hit the book of time, never to be forgotten.

Happy 4th of July

Back to the basics, how long has it been since you have read it? It has been a long time for me. In church on Sunday someone encouraged us to read the Constitution and find direction in our forefathers. What wonderful advice!

Thank you to all of the men and women that sacrifice for the freedom of our country and a thank you to their families for their great sacrifices. God Bless America!