Hot, Hot, Hot!

Just a few more from yesterday. Watching the helicopters was really cool. They came in about every 30 seconds or so to refill their water "buckets". The fire department had their fire truck hooked up to a fire hydrant which then pumped the water to the pool. As an update, the fire has now burned over 5,000 acres and there were over 550 houses evacuated. Luckily, we were spared evacuation and just spend countless hours watching the fire move slowly across the mountain.

Owlz and a Fire

Another reason to love our Pass of all Passes! Tonight was opening night for the Orem Owlz! I packed up the kids and headed out for a night of baseball! We happened upon our dear friends the Kaufmans while we were parking and decided to hang out together! Ava loved dancing to the music over the loud speakers, Sean relished his churro, one of the Kaufman boys cut his finger when he disected his free snap bracelet and started playing with the metal inside and Lyle and I and Dee and Denise enjoyed the weather and the company!

We actually weren't sure we would be going to the game for awihle. There's been a wildfire here on the mountain just to the east of us and as I watched it the wind started blowing it west...towards us! I kept thinking, "how lame would it be if my house burned down and I wasn't here because I went to a baseball game?" So, I waited until the last second...and decided it would be ok. We got home about 11:15 and I ran for my camera to catch these shots. Luckily, the wind has started moving the fire south, so I think we're safe...for now.

A New Room

I took the leap and switched Ava over to a toddler bed. Sean wasn't transitioned until 3, but it just seemed right for Ava at this time.  So, I went to DI and found a few things to make her room even cuter than the nursery!

I found these three frames at DI for $2/each.  I sanded them down and painted them and then wrapped them with fabric that coordinates with her new comforter!  I made that, too.

I moved her black shelf underneath the large Shakespeare board and moved her square bookshelf as well. I just recently added a $5 lamp that I spray painted white with a light pink lampshade (it's not pictured).

Finally, I spent 5 hours (yes, 5 hours after you include tracing, sewing, cutting and reversing all those petals) making this awesome Dahlia pillow! I bought the pattern from Etsy several months ago; the minute I saw it I knew it would one day grace Ava's bed...and there it now sits! My friend just brought me a new, ornate frame from DI that I have painted a coordinating robin's egg blue, wrapped in chocolate brown damask and white ribbon to make a new hair bow holder; the old one is simply just too small. But, I just barely finished it and didn't take a picture of it. All in all, Sissy's room is gorgeous! I love it and feel my heart skip when I walk in every morning to open her blinds. The chocolate brown, robin's egg blue and rose pink are such beautiful colors together; peaceful yet cheerful!

Follow the Prophet

The Spirit has been gently prodding me lately. Gently as in...none too. I've felt this overwhelming need to get my food storage in check. I don't necessarily think anything bad is coming my way (knock on wood), I just feel soooo disobedient to the prophet in this regard; food storage has always been something I struggle with. I've always had plenty of food in the pantry, and extras of toiletries...but food storage?

Thanks to Macey's awesome case-lot sale and my bank account which is now $200 lighter...I can say I'm on my way to feeling more at peace. I am nowhere near where I should be...but my shelves are overflowing (there are some cases on the floor in the basement) and I will sleep well tonight knowing I'm doing my best to be obedient.

24 cans fancy cut green beans

24 cans whole kernel corn

24 giant cups o' noodles

24 cans red kidney beans

24 cans cream of chicken soup

24 cans diced green chilies

12 cans beef stew

12 cans chili con carne

48 cans tomato sauce

24 cans refried beans

12 bags uncooked pasta

25 boxes macaroni and cheese

12 cake mixes

12 boxes skillet meals

Outside

Finally! A day warm enough to play outside for a few hours.

Remember last month when I started my monthly deep cleaning schedule?   Well, February is here and I decided today was the day I would continue on my plan.  So...I started some laundry, loaded the dishwasher, swept the kitchen floor, scrubbed two bathroom, put Ava down for a nap, and then started on my blinds and curtains. 

I started out using one of those nifty little blind cleaners...but it didn't work so well on the copious amounts of fly excrement, so I had to switch to the hot water and rag method.  It started out clear and clean...

...but I wasn't even finished with one room when I had to empty the bucket and refill it with fresh, clean water!  I couldn't believe how disgusting my blinds were!  Lyle has cleaned our blinds several times since we've lived in this house...so I was surprised how filthy they were still.

Sean's bedroom blinds were by far the worst of the lot, though. At first, I was slightly confused, until I realized that unlike the rest of the windows (which have been cleaned before), Sean's blinds have never been cleaned. Um...gross? That window took me almost an hour. I also took down all the curtains and shook out all the dust (we just washed them all a few months ago). Here I am at 9:20 p.m. and just finishing up the deep cleaning for this month. It's definitely a serious list! So far, each month's selection has taken me pratically all day to complete. I'm slightly hesitant about March...but, I know I'll be pleased with the results!