Self Sufficient

I was sick earlier this week with both a cold and pink eye (thanks kids!). So I had a lot of time at home that I wasn't doing a lot other than blog surfing and pinterest (Is anyone else addicted to this website?). I cam across THIS blog. It's all about this families challenge to use only their food storage for 3 months straight. Honestly it's not the best written blog but it was inspiring to see how they ate and made it work. It made me think what am I doing and what can we be doing better at?

We've had definite financial difficulties in our short 6 years of marriage. When we've had to tighten our belts we've done it. Lately though we've been much looser. I want to tighten up again. If I'm ever going to be able to stay home with my kids even part time we need to learn how to not only budget but stick to our budget. Looking at all the bills we have to pay each month the only thing that I think we can cut back on is groceries. This is hard because I'm wanting us to eat mostly organic and natural foods which are more expensive and usually there aren't coupons. So what I've decided is that we should start using the food storage that we do have while still stocking up on free or nearly free items.

So I decided rather than buying bread this weekend, I'd make it! It's the first time I've made bread probably since 5th grade science project that I think my Mom basically did. I'm hoping that I can improve the bread's look and taste each time until we have bread that's even better than store-bought. I feel good because we're using the food we already have rather than spending $$$ for even more food. Oh yeah - I also made freezer jam with all my strawberries. Another first! It taste good but it's a lot runnier than I was expecting. Is that normal for freezer jam?

I'm hoping for us to be a self sufficient family so when an emergency happens, either disaster or financial, we'll be ready.

Who loves celery?

I'm not an adventurous eater. However, if there is some nutritional benefit I can muscle my way past the gag reflex. I've been trying so hard to get my kids to be better eaters than me. One thing I will not eat - celery.
Guess who loves celery?

Mikaela's a Pro

Mikaela has a little tricycle. Forever she would just scoot around using her feet on the ground. She figured out how to pedal in the last few weeks. Since she is such a good Mommy she has to bring her baby Jessica with her. 

There's a place to stand on the back and she would just put her baby laying face down on the back. I suggested we get her car seat out that she got for Christmas. Ben got a carabiner to attach the car seat to the bike and voila! Kaela and baby Jessica can zoom around the driveway!

(P.S. The other day Tafton and Kaela were playing house and baby Jessica was the baby obviously. Not so obviously, Kaela says, "I don't know who the baby's Daddy is." It was really funny but let's hope that never comes true!)

I Like Lemons!

My Kiddos

I've been going to the gym in the early mornings (like 5:15 am!) the last few months. Because of this I try to go to bed right when my kids go to bed. A couple of times this has meant that I fall asleep and they're actually still awake messing around. 

One night while I was catching Zzz's Tafton and Mikaela went to the kitchen and ate all the grapes! and believe me it was a lot of grapes. It was one of those Costco sized containers of grapes!

Another night when Ben got home from work around midnight, the kids had their little elephant light on. Ben thought that kids must still be awake but when he went in there they were both sleeping on Tafton's bed spooning surrounded by books! While I was just sleeping away!

I love my kids and I love that they are friends!

Tafton's 4th Birthday

Tafton turned 4 of April 28th! It's weird to think he is so old and will be in school next year. How did he get so big?! Tafton is very into Superheroes so we had a superhero party. We didn't take a lot of pics of the party. We do have a long video but I don't know if it will load on here. Anyway, it was a fun party with friends and family. Tafton got a TON of superhero stuff and I think it was a success. Mikaela can't wait for her party in August now!

Fall Family Pictures

I was talking to my sister Charissa yesterday and she mentioned that she had never seen our last Family pictures. So I thought I'd share them here!

 We took these last Fall I think in the end of September at the MTC park in Ogden, UT. They turned out super cute! It's weird that almost a year has gone by and Mikaela probably more than Tafton looks different. Well enjoy!