Fishy Funeral

We managed to kill another beta fish. I'm done, seriously done with fish. I suppose it's true that he lived out his normal life-span, but my sister had a beta that lived freakishly long and now she always makes me feel like a bad fishy-momma. At least Darreck discovered the corpse before I woke up- I don't do well with dead stuff. However, now he wants to replace the stupid thing. I'm not sure what it is with Darreck and aquarium animals, but I think I'm going to have to put my foot down. No more aquarium animals! Seriously, they all die (and not after 20 years like the durable cat). We have a cat, and that's good enough for me. It's going to have to be good enough for Darreck and Max, too!

72-Hour Kits

Tonight's family home evening focused on building our long-overdue 72 hour kit. For any who don't know, this is a kit filled with all the things our family would need to survive in an emergency for 3 days. I put it off and put it off, always saying that we moved too much and didn't have the space in an apartment. However, I realized that I officially lost all my excuses and really needed to get it done. However, I always thought it was a little drastic; something that those 2012-crazed zealots did. It took some humbling to realize I needed to get it done simply because the prophet has asked us to. I strongly believe that, even if we never use the kits, we will always be blessed for following the words of our living prophet.

Once I started doing it, however, I really got into it! Like really into it. Like Darreck's sick of hearing about it :) It feels good to be prepared, and it taps into my obsessively organized side. We've been working on our food storage for awhile, but disaster planning takes so much more attention to detail. It's kinda fun, but once this is done I'm going to have to find a new project. That in and of itself is also sort of exciting, in a nerdy sort of way.

Uplifting Weekend

It was a crazy-busy weekend that's going to lead to a crazy-busy week, but some really neat things happened this weekend that I thought I would share.

First of all, we made an agreement with some friends from church to trade babysitting so we could each go to the temple every other month. They have a son that's three weeks younger than Max, and we knew that they would make great playmates. Yesterday was our day to babysit while they went to Billings, and I must admit I was a little worried about it. I wasn't sure how we'd do with two rambunctious toddler boys, but the day went off fabulously. They got along great and kept each other entertained. They even went down for naps and bed at the same time. It couldn't have been better. It just goes to show that when you're making the temple your priority, you will be blessed. Now, I can't wait for our turn to go next month!

Also yesterday, I had the opportunity to attend a training broadcast for the new church policy manual. The manual is amazing; it's really focused on how we can use our callings to strengthen our families. I love how everything in the gospel comes back around to the family. The family is truly the most important unit of society and the only lasting legacy we have after we die. It makes me want to do even better- be a better wife and mother and look for ways in my calling to strengthen the families in my ward. I'm so thankful to have my amazing little family. They are my first priority and my greatest joy. I look forward everyday to be with them forever.

Lastly, today we had ward conference, and the primary presidency had the chance to meet with the stake primary presidency. I'm so grateful for my calling, the other presidency members, and the teachers. Every time I go to church, I feel like I learn so much. I'm surrounded by great examples of patience and faith, and I know that everyone in my life right now is helping me to become a better person. I just hope that, every once and a while, I can provide inspiration to someone around me. Lifting each other is why we attend church, and I, for one, see every day how much my activity in the church blesses everything about my life.

Promised Pictures

Max wore his suit again today, and I knew I would be in big trouble if I didn't get some pictures. So, here are some pics of my guys. I love that I have two guys! After being in a house of girls, it's still kind of fun and novel to me to have "my boys". hehe. Not to mention that they both look pretty good all dressed up in their suits on Sunday!

Cute Max Stuff

It's been an incredibly boring week, but Max has been providing his usual antics. Here are some of the cute things he's been saying lately:

• He kept pointing out the window and saying "doctor, doctor!". We had no idea what in the world that meant, and that really frustrated the poor little guy. We finally figured out that he was trying to show us the TRACTORS that have been working outside the house. "tractor, tractor!"
• We have wording above our stairs that says "Families are Forever", and after weeks of "what's that" out of Max, he finally got what it said. Now he points at it, shouting "ever, ever, ever", every time we walk down the stairs. Way cute.
• He's figuring out who everyone is- "gramma" (grandma), "kaykay" (Kayla), "bopa" (Grandpa), and, last but not least, "MACT" (Max). He can also identify himself in mirrors and pictures now, as well. I could drone on about what that means developmentally, but bottom line is that he's way ahead and it's pretty cool.

I'm sure I'll think of more, and maybe something more interesting will happen this week. If not, I'll keep watching for cute Max stuff and post more next week.