Agua Caliente

I got a new lens!!!  I had a perfect day to try it out.  We went to this neat park I found online.  Reviews said that they didn't even feel like they were in Tucson anymore.  I feel the same.  This was the first time I saw grass since we moved here:)  There was a little pond with ducks, tons of palm trees, it was beautiful.  I think I found a new place to take family pictures if I ever get back into it here.  It's hard to build a client base from scratch. 

The kids had so much fun exploring and feeding the ducks.

Yes Hazel was there too!

On our drive home the sun was bouncing off this mountain, I thought it was so neat!  Wish we weren't driving when I took this pic but oh well--still go a saguaro cactus!

Here was our view as we pulled into our neighborhood.  Our dessert home can be pretty too:)

This was another night I went to check the mail, I just couldn't get over these colors!!  I didn't edit this picture at all that is straight out of my camera!  Amazing right?  Arizona sunsets are beautiful!

When this smarty is at school...

 

 ...learning to read and write!! (She made this sentence all by herself while I was making dinner.  She was so proud to read it to me!  I was also one proud momma.)

 

The rest of us are chilling at home:)

blowing raspberries!

Or playing trains without pants on...

TEETH

Her smile gets bigger every day! 

She had 2 teeth come through in October!

These faces..

 

They make me laugh!!:)

Keeping them busy

When I tell people I have 3 kids 5 years and under they usually say "I bet you have your hands full!!"  And honestly I do, but its not as bad as they think.  Sure there are moments when I go crazy!  But most of the time things are great.  I love being a mom, I know that I was blessed for this purpose.  Also I know my kids are only little for a short time.  A few months ago I was talking to some friends about having more children.  I surprised myself when I said it will only be crazy for a few short years but they will be mine for eternity!  Why would I only want 3 kids coming home at Christmas, only 3 kids having grand kids for me to love, only 3 kids to spend eternity with?  I don't want to go wild and have 11 kids or anything.  But honestly a few short years of babies and its over.  I want a house full of children to love and be loved.  They also make me a better person, they are teaching me love, patience, selflessness, charity, service, humor, joy, etc. 

Here are some ways I stay sane!  Keeping them buys is always a challenge.  I found a way to keep Hazel entertained while I make dinner... water!  I just pour a little on her tray and she plays for a bit.

Nap time... I just couldn't resist taking a picture.

Food is also a great entertainer.  Hazel is sucking on a carrot stick while I cook.

Gracin will occasionally do some art to keep buys.  Paint is usually a fun thing for him.

Eating sister's homework can keep Hazel busy for a while.

Emergency preparedness

Recent events have gotten me thinking about emergency preparedness.  I often get all excited and make list and plan then get over whelmed and don't get very far.  I also had to get rid of most of our food storage and water storage containers when we moved to Oregon!  I feel so unprepared.  I found something on Pinterest that caught me eye...*who doesn't!* 

The idea was in case of a disaster, I need to have 3 days of meals ready to make without heat and little water.  You never know when the power is going to go out.  When we lived in Mississippi, our power was out once for 2 days and I really had a hard time feeding my family without going out to eat.  So I am determined to come up with a 72 hour kit to feed my family.  The food needs to last about 6 months before rotating. I want every thing I would need in one place.

Here are my ideas, thought this might help someone.  Also if you have another idea please leave it in a comment so we can all see it!

Day 1
Break: Cereal & powdered milk, canned fruit, water-for powdered milk
Lunch: V-8 juice, Canned tuna, relish, mayo, crackers
Dinner: Juice boxes, Peanut butter, honey, crackers, apple sauce
1 gallon of water per person

Day 2
Break: instant oatmeal with brown sugar, powdered milk, water
Lunch: Canned fruit, nutella, crackers, raisins
Dinner: Juice box, apple sauce, Tuna, relish, mayo, crackers
1 gallon of water per person

Day 3
Break: Cereal & powdered milk, water, apple sauce
Lunch: V-8 juice,  re-fried beans, crackers, canned fruit, salsa
Dinner: Juice box, peanut butter honey, crackers, raisins
1 gallon of water per person

Snacks: granola bars, dry cereal, fruit snacks, beef jerky,
Baby: Baby food, formula, lots of water,
Paper plates, cups, and utensils so you don't waste water washing them.