Am I Obsessed? You tell me...

I guess that I have an obsession, but I hope that it is a good one. I am obsessed with getting food storage for my family. I might have told some of you that over a year ago. I had reoccurring dreams about getting my food storage taken care of and in order. We had a really good start to having about a year's supply of staples, long term items that would sustain life if needed. That brought us comfort and so it went on the back burner for a while.
I kept on having the strongest impression that it wasn't enough. I went to a bread making class that was taught by a woman in my stake at church and she talked about making sure that we had our houses in order as far as making sure that we have enough food for our family. It really hit home for me and I now consider it an obsession. I want to have my family be prepared for the time when we can't always run to the store because we are out of this or that. I don't want to have my children look up at me and tell me that they are starving and need something to eat. I know that there must be balance in you life, but I started looking at where I was and where I needed to be, and I decided to make that commitment to help my family be prepared.
I started clipping coupons, looking more closely at the sales and deciding what was most important to our family at this time. It is hard work, but I look at it like my job. I am CEO of this household during the day and I am for the majority responsible for the nurturing and well-being of my family. It takes work to do this, but when I look back and see the results and feel the security that having a well stocked pantry brings to me and my family. It is all worth the time, effort, and penny-pinching in the end.
We are even having to expand our good sized pantry to accommodate our growing supply. I am so grateful for the counsel that a modern day prophet has given us to use the time of plenty in our land to create a surplus in our home that will provide for our family's well-being. I know that by following his counsel, even if we never have to rely on it solely, we have been blessed by being obedient.
When I was younger, I remember my family having to eat their food storage because my dad lost his job. We relied on that supply to sustain us until we could again provide for ourselves. I am so grateful that my parents listened to a prophet's counsel. I hope one day that my children will have a testimony of this principle of self-reliance.
Here is an update from my shopping trip. I went to the store today armed with coupons and the ads and hit a store that was having a sale on cereal. I was able to get 9 boxes of cereal and a package of nut clusters for under $10. Here is a picture of what I got. As my friend Kristin would say... not too shabby!!!

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9 Months Old Already??

Sarah has hit that nine month mark last week. I can hardly believe it. I am heading to the doctor tomorrow for her check up. She is sitting up and is starting to push up and can sometimes get up on all fours for a few seconds. She is still not babbling very much and sometimes on a rare occasion she blows raspberries. She enjoys baths and really liked going to the pool when we were able to go. She is a chow hound. I am constantly amazed that she can eat so much she has one healthy appetite. I have started making her baby food at home, because it was breaking my baby budget trying to buy baby food for her. Sarah also has two teeth and her eyes look like they have lightened up a bit. I am still crossing my fingers for darker thicker eyelashes like her big brother and Daddy. She is such a sweetheart. I am so blessed to have her in our family. Here are a few pictures of her. We love you Sarah. I will update this entry later with her stats.
After visiting the doctor's office here are her stats:
Weight: 19 lbs 4 oz (50%-75%)
Height: 28 1/2 inches (75%-90%)
Head circumference 45 cm (75%)

We have one healthy girl on our hands.

Announcing the Newest Member of our Extended Family...

I have some exciting news to share. My sister had her baby boy yesterday morning around 11 am. He was 7 lbs. and some ounces... not exactly sure the correct poundage. I was too caught up in the excitement to remember. They decided on a name... Zachary Ethan Miller. Mom and baby are doing well. My nephew said when he saw his new baby brother, "They got him out!" Very cute. I am excited to see some pictures when they get some posted. Congrats Karen, Ryan, Brianna, and Brayden.
We love you guys!