Thankful 3

 I am thankful for a donor family, one who saw hope in the midst of their own tragedy and sorrow.

I am thankful for medical doctors who worked to save a life when common sense seemed to say there was no hope.

I am thankful for a heart surgeon who was willing to take a case with a less than perfect size match and perform with confidence a life-saving surgery.

I am thankful for the team of doctors, nurses, therapists,  and many others who worked, thought, and prayed for a miracle.

I am thankful for God, that he worked through amazing people to give us our little girl, for however long in this life.

I am thankful for Eliana, her smiles, cuddles, and excitement about life.  

Thankful 2

 I am thankful for my talents to create, and for my sewing machine.   It allows me to have a change and do something that stays done.  I am grateful for my family who endures my creativity.

Thankful 1

 Today, I am thankful for a warm home.  I am also thankful for easy access to food and the ability to be prepared.

PREPAREDNESS MATTERS

My Dear Sisters,

In just over a week, my family will be residents of another state.  Moving to Utah was not what I was preparing for, but it seems this is to be part of the plan.  The transition hasn't been easy, I never expected it to take 3 house-hunting trips and 6 home offers to secure a place to live, but such is the housing market right now.  I am grateful not to be homeless.

Over the last 3+ years I have encouraged you to be prepared.  I hope some of the things I have shared have helped you and your family in some small way.

Being prepared is important.  No one knows what the future holds.  The events of the last few months have shown us that!  Follow the Prophet, remember what has been taught concerning preparedness, it still applies!

Remember the 7 areas of Provident Living.  These are Education, Emergency Preparedness, Employment, Finances, Food Storage, Gardening, and Physical Health.  I hope you will make goals in these areas.  Feel free to peruse my blog at any point, I have saved all the Provident Living posts I have written in this little spot. 

If there is one thing I have learned from having this calling, it is that preparedness is not something that just happens.  We need to be mindful about being prepared.  It is a bit of a lifestyle change, too.  It is impossible to be prepared for every scenario that comes our way, but through faith and action, we can rise to handle a lot of what comes our way.

On a side (and more personal) note.  I want to thank each of you for the love and strength you have given me and our family.  I have felt the prayers you have offered on behalf of Eliana and felt the love that shines forth from each one of you.  It is difficult not to be able to say "Goodbye" in person, but such is the world we live in.  The Fallbrook 5th Ward will forever hold a special place in our hearts.  Thank you.

Much Love,

RaeLyn

BINDER-A-LONG PART 5

As the daughter (and granddaughter) of an insurance agent, I feel like I know more than the average person about insurance.  Goodness, it is kind of a pain, especially when those premiums roll around.  My grandma used to say that insurance is like an umbrella, it is not fun to carry around all the time, but when it rains, you are glad you have it.  My dad's saying is, "Insurance stinks, until you need it."  Well, like it or not, insurance is a part of our world. 

The next section of our Emergency Binder is Insurance.  In sheet protectors, have the following in your binder (you may see a theme here):

• Auto Insurance Policy
• Recreational Vehicle Insurance Policy
• Homeowners/Renters Insurance Policy
• Health Insurance Policy (and/or copy of ID Cards)
• Umbrella Insurance Policy
• Disability Insurance Policy
• Life Insurance Policy
• Long Term  Care Insurance Policy
• Medicare/Medi-gap/Medicaid
• Travel Insurance Policy
• Other Insurance Policies 

You can find previous Binder-A-Long Posts Here:

• Part 1 Gathering Supplies
• Part 2 Organizing and Emergency Lists
• Part 3 Family
• Part 4 Medical Records

BINDER-A-LONG PART 4

It used to make me laugh when I would read things that said, "Talk to your doctor."  Especially since moving to California, I rarely felt like I had a big relationship with any doctor, or even saw them often enough to feel like I could talk through any health concerns.  And it probably is because our health concerns were very minimal.  Sure, there was the stretches of prenatal visits before a birth or other short-term issues.  In the last eight years, we also haven't had a doctor that we stayed with for very long.  Either they moved or I was looking for someone else.  Fast forward to now...with a medically complex kid I suddenly have whole health teams on my phone contacts.  I talk with Eliana's transplant Nurse Practitioners at least once every 3 to 4 weeks, and this is stretched out a lot longer than it used to be.

This week's Binder-a-long challenge has to to with Medical Records.  For me, this suddenly is super important.  Even if you do not have a family member with health issues, it is a good idea to gather some info.

• Business cards for all doctors, dentists, specialists.  These fit perfectly in the 9 pocket pages. (If you do not have this information, consider including a page wtih names, phone number, addresses, email, fax, and phone numbers for each health care professional.
• Health, dental, vision, prescription insurance cards (copy front and back)
• Immunization Records
• List of blood types for each family member
• Medical history for each family member
• Medical records, test results for any family member with a serious health issue.
• Prescription Medication names, doses, and pharmacy information.
• Medical Power of Attorney

I challenge you to keep going with your Emergency Binder.  Get caught up if you are not, and start if you haven't!  I promise some day you will want this information all in one place!

USING FOOD STORAGE

How is everyone holding up?  These are surely interesting times!  If you are like us, we are trying to go to the grocery store as little as possible.  It has been about a month since our last big Costco run and though the fridge is almost empty, we are trying to stretch it out a bit further.  I am learning what I wish I had stocked up more on (tomato sauce and ground beef) and we are getting creative with what we have.  I sadly admit that I did not have a 3 month supply--according to my organizational standards--but we do have quite a bit of long-term storage that is getting used!

In the past week, we have resurrected a very old cookbook.  It is called New Ideas for Cooking With Basic Food Storage.  It is just a small 19-page cardstock-cover book that has no publishing info, just a date of May 1997.  I bought it for a dollar in the early 2000s from our church cannery in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.  We have a few staple recipes that we used for years, then gradually stopped using them.  When we pulled it out, my kids were pleasantly surprised at how yummy some of the items are!  I also was surprised when I thumbed through it again and remembered just how many great ideas are in this little book!  (We had the 'Delicious Oatmeal Pancakes' for lunch today, my kids loved them!)

So, for this week, here are some ideas for using that long-term storage.  Hopefully you find a few favorites!

BLENDER WHEAT PANCAKES
Makes 6 to 8 pancakes

1 c. milk (use pwd milk if needed)
2 eggs
2 t baking powder
1 1/2 t salt
1 c. uncooked whole wheat
2 T oil
2 T honey or sugar

Put milk and wheat in blender.  Blend on highest speed for four or five minutes or until batter is smooth.  Add and blend on low, egs, oil, baking powder, honey, and salt.  Bake on hot griddle.  (Our family loves these with honey!)

DELICIOUS OATMEAL PANCAKES
Makes 8 to 10 pancakes

1/2 c. whole wheat flour
1/4 t. sale
1/3 c. nonfat powdered milk
1 c. water
1 cup rolled oats
2 t. baking powder
2 T sugar
2 eggs, separated
3 T vegetable oil

In medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, and powdered milk, stir until well blended.  In small bowl, beat egg whites until stiff, set aside.  In large mixing bowl, combine egg yolks, wate, oil, and oats, beat slightly and allow to stand 5 minutes, the beat until blended.  Mix in dry ingredients, then fold in beaten egg whites.  For small pancakes, drop 2 T batter onto griddle, or pour 1/4 measuring cup full, if larger pancakes are desired.

Bake until cakes are full of bubbles on top and undersides are lightly browned.  Turn with spatula and brown other side.  Serve with applesauce or jam and butter and maple syrup.

USING LEAVENING AGENTS
Everlasting Yeast
1 quart warm potato water
1 tsp salt, 2 T sugar
2 cups white or wheat flour
1/2  yeast cake or 1/2 T dry yeast

stir all ingredients together.  Place mixture in a warm place to rise until ready to mix for baking.  Leave a small amount of everlasting yeast for a start for next time.  Between uses, keep in covered jar in refrigerator until a few hours before ready to use again.

Add same ingredients, except yeast to the everlasting yeast start for the next baking.  By keeping the everlasting yeast start and remaking some each time, yeast can be kept on hand indefinitely.

Egg Substitute (for baking)
Before starting recipe for cookines, cake, etc., combine 2 tsp unflavored gelatin with 3 T cold water and 2T plus 1t boiling water.  This mixture will substitute for 1 egg in a recipe.

USING DRY (POWDERED) MILK

Foods made with powdered milk will have fewer calories and less cholesterol than those made from whole milk.  Adding additional milk to the recipe will enhance the nutritive value of the recipe.

In any recipe calling for milk, simply add the dry milk to other dry ingredients.  Sift to blend, then add water for the milk called for in the recipe.

Whole Milk
1 c. water
1/3 c. powdered milk

Evaporated Milk
1 c. water
2/3 c. powdered milk

Whipped Evaporated Milk
Makes 3 cups

1 c. evaporated milk
2 T lemon junice

Thoroughly chill evaporated milk.  Add lemon juice and whip until stiff
Sweeten and flavor as desired.

Condensed Milk
1/2 c. hot water
1 c. powdered milk
1 c. sugar

Blend thoroughly in blender.  Can be stored in refrigerator or frozen

"Eagle Brand" Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 c. hot water
4 c. powdered milk
2 c. sugar
1/4 c. butter

Blend in blender very well. Can be stored in the refrigerator or fozen

Buttermilk or Sour Milk
1 c. water
1 T vinegar or lemon juice
1/3 c. powdered milk

Drinkable Powdered Milk
To improve the flavor of powdered milk, mix it half and half with whole or 2% milk.  Another suggestion would be to try adding a little sugar or vanilla to enhance the flavor.  Let it chill several hours before drinking.

SLIM CREAM SOUP MIX
2 c. dry milk
1 c. cornstarch
3T chicken granules
2T dried onion
1/2 t thyme
1/4 t pepper

Mix all ingredients and store in airtight container.  Reconstitute 1/3 c mix with 1 1/4 c water.  This equals one can of "Cream of" soup.


USING RICE

Cook rice in beef or chicken broth instead of water.

Mix cooked rice with a variety of things--sliced mushrooms, sauteed onions, crumbled pieces of bacon, slivered almonds or grated cheese.

Try sour cream and chives mixed into cooked rice.

Add one of the following herbs to the cooking water when preparing rice (amounts are per cup):
1/4 tsp dried thyme, oregano, sage rosemary, basil or savory
1/2 tsp celery seed or dried dill
Seasoned salt instead of salt
3/4 tsp dried marjoram
1 small bay leaf

COOKING BEANS
Soaking and cooking beans before mixing with other recipe ingredients helps to get the right tenderness and can minimize final cooking time.

Overnight Soaking
For each 1 pound beans, dissolve 2 tsp salt in 6 cups of water.  Wash bens, add to salted water, and soak overnight.

Quick Soaking
For each 2 pound beans, bring 8 cups of water to boiling, wash beans, add to boiling water, boil for 2 minutes.  Remove from heat, cover and soak 1 hour.

To Cook Soaked Beans
For each 1 pound beans, dissolve 2 tsp salt in 6 cups hot water; bring to boiling.  Add soaked beans, boil gently, uncovered, adding water if needed to keep beans overed, until tender.  Yield 6 to 7 cups.

To cook old hard beans
Wash and sort to remove any discolored beans or foreign material.  For each cup of dry beans, add 2 1/2 cups of hot tap water and 2 tsp of baking soda and soak overnight.  Drain and rinse two times, then add water to cover and cook until tender and soft, about two hours, adding more water as needed.

Adding a T of oil will cut down on foam as beans.  cook.  Stored beans should be rotated regularly.  They continue to lose moisture and will not reconstituted satisfactorily if kept too long.

WORK ENOUGH TO DO (AND BINDER-A-LONG PART 3)

My kids love the Disney Legends movie and they love the songs.  We have adopted Johnny Appleseed's theme song.  Often you can hear us singing "there's a lot of work for us to do..." at which point everyone erupts into coyote yelps and laughter.   But yes, Johnny, there is a lot of work to do.

How is everyone holding up with the COVID-19 quarantine?  I'm guessing that most everyone is falling into one of two camps: (1)  My kids are home all the time and it takes all my energy to keep them busy and engaged in good things. Or (2)  I find myself at home with some extra time, what shall I do?  I keep daydreaming of what I would do if I were in group 2, the list is endless!  Then I drag myself back to group 1 trying to focus on the next activity.   Wherever you fall, find a way to do good.

I also encourage you to keep 2 lists.  Keep one list of things you felt prepared for during this whole deal.  What have you done well?  What have you been glad that you had in order to limit trips to the store?  What is working as you are pretty much on your own? On the other list, write down what you wish you had prepared for better.  Do you want to keep more toilet paper in the house?  Learn how to make bread? Have a better food storage of everyday items? Know more about teaching your kids at home?  This is a fantastic time to review how prepared you are, and to jot down thoughts on how to be better prepared in the future.  If you wait until "later" to think of these things, it will never happen, just keep a simple list somewhere where you will see it often.

I challenge you to take a preparedness inventory.  We are going to get through this, and though life will change a bit, it will not last forever.  I bet there is work all of us can to to be a little more prepared.  Think of ways you will work to be more self-reliant.

(You can visit my blog at byesboos.blogspot.com where I have archived over 100 preparedness posts.  Maybe these will help you in the areas you are lacking. If you still have questions, contact me, that's what I'm here for!)

Now for the BINDER-A-LONG...

If you still have not started, it is not too late!
Previous topics include
Gathering Supplies
Organizing and Emergency Lists

Today's part is FAMILY.

You want together everything that can prove you are you and your kids belong to you!

• Recent photo of each family member
• Birth, marriage, and death (if recent) certificates
• Adoption Records
• Divorce and child custody agreements
• Drivers License (copy)
• Military ID (copy)
• Social Security Card (copy)
• Passport (copy)
• Child ID kits
• Church membership #s and certificates (copy)
• Military Record of Service 
• Voter Registration card (copy)
• Citizenship Documents
• Genealogy Information 
• List of usernames and passwords
• ID cards (copy) from work, school, associations, organizations, etc.

Again, not all of these will apply to you. 

I suggest copying your cards, front side down on cardstock, then flip them all over to copy the backside on another sheet of cardstock.  Cut out and glue the corresponding sides back to back and insert cards into one of your divided sheet protectors.

You may want to organize this by family member, or you can have all of the same type of documents together.  There is no wrong way!

I challenge you to get all these pertinent items in your binder within 2 weeks!

EDUCATION--IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT SCHOOLWORK

Whew!  Can the events of the last 10 days be any more crazy!  I hope you are all safe and healthy.  My post today is to help you teach your children.  Now that they are home it is up to you to help them learn.  But before you get overwhelmed, take a deep breath.

Welcome to Homeschooling!

I realize many of you are not choosing this course, but whether you feel ready or not, here we are.  I do not know what the school districts are doing during this time, but I want to give you resources and ideas for you and your children to succeed.

I have been homeschooling for almost 20 years, and though it is not always fantastic and easy, I have learned a few things that I want to share with you!  I have some ideas, free resources, some not so free (but nonetheless less fabulous) resources.  And, since no one homeschools the same way (Read:  there is no wrong way to do this), I have reached out to some other homeschool moms that I respect and love for ideas and wisdom.  So, though this may be a bit lengthy, there are many jewels to be found.

Neither I, or any of those I quote receive any compensation for any products or ideas listed.   What we recommend are things we have tried and love.

From RaeLyn (that's me):
DON'T panic.  You got this!  You are your child's best teacher!  You know them better than anyone else and Heavenly Father has blessed you with unique tools to be able to help your kids like no one else.
DON'T go crazy and spend a ton of money thinking you have to find tons of books and materials to teach your kids or keep them entertained.
DON'T try to recreate public school at home.  It will not work.  This is an adventure for everyone! Think differently!
DON'T beat yourself up. Yes, this journey is fun, but it is also hard.  Really hard, like Mom needs a timeout hard.  But remember that if you didn't care so much,  you wouldn't be feeling it so strongly.  As long as you are doing your very best, it is enough. (Oh, and don't  yell...you'll regret it every time)
DO pray, pray, pray.  You will be able to know how to teach your children, Heavenly Father cares so much about you and them!  I promise, he will never leave you stranded and will answer your questions.
DO make a schedule.  You don't have to stick to in rigidly, but it helps everyone know what to expect as the day begins. It helps to change activities often to keep everyone engaged.  This also prevents the chaos that makes most moms say, "I can't wait until my kids are back in school."  I have said the same thing after a long break.  It's not sending the kids away to school we need...it's a schedule.
DO read!  Reading as a family is amazing!  Remember your favorite books as a kid and read to your children, read with your children, and have them read to you!  For ideas of great books (you know those ones that always teach you something and leave you better than you were before?), check out this list.
DO have your kids help you with your "normal chores."  Teach them to do laundry, cook meals, clean the home, help with yardwork.  Even the little ones are more capable than you can imagine.
DO teach life skills.  This is a great opportunity to teach so many things that we don't normally have time for: gardening, typing, sewing, quilting (shameless plug for my favorite hobby, great idea found here), needlecrafts, family history, scrapbooking, etc.
DO remember, Life is school!  We all learn from experiences.  It does not have to fall under the categories of "Math, Reading, Science or History" to learn from it.  Even learning how to change a diaper or make a schedule is learning!
DO spend time outside.  Run, play games, do sports as a family, etc.
DO give time for kids to do "whatever they want."  But not too much time where everyone begins to get grumpy.  I usually give my kiddos about an hour a day.
DO reward.   Whether a chart with stickers, a promise of a game, or a little bit of screen time at the end of the day, let them help you choose a reward for things accomplished.
DO include your kids in decisions.  They will be excited if they know they have a say.  I have seen miracles from parents who ask their kids to pray with them to find educational answers.
DO start out slow.  Slamming your kids with a full load of learning all at once is hard and discouraging.  Pick a focus subject for each kid and let them succeed with that before adding other things.  You will know where the balance is (remember that prayer thing?  That comes in handy here too).
DO use this time to pick something specific to work on.  Does your child need extra help with math facts, reading, exercise, etc?
DO include Dad.  He has some great ideas, helps, and can provide stability and assistance.  Even if he is not able to be in the trenches, he also receives inspiration for your kids, and their education.
DO strive to be happy.  This may be the hardest thing you have ever done, and not every moment will be rosy and joy-filled.  Fake it if you have to, but your kids will pick up on your attitude (and will most often copy it).
DO see this as an adventure!  It will have its ups and downs,  but keep praying and look for the blessings along the way.
DO take a bit of time every day to be by yourself.  Pray, read your scriptures, etc.  Make sure your kids know that it's Mom's time.  (give all the little angels something to do so they stay busy during this time).  It will help you rejuvenate.
DO keep praying, every step of the way.  And then pray some more.

I seriously could write pages about almost all of the above topics.  If you would like to hear more on any of these, let me know.  I can expand.

There are several groups offering free teaching resources.  This list is not at all exhaustive,  but it will give you a place to start. (some of these I am seeing for the first time myself!)
     Latter-Day Saint Home Educator Association has great webinars (be sure to check out the one by Marlene Peterson)
     Happy Homeschooling is a great resource that will answer a ton of questions and help you be motivated.  Diane also has some great ideas.
     The Good and the Beautiful.  Language Arts Curriculum is free for levels 1-5.  They also have a free Marine Biology Science Unit.
     Khan Academy is great for Math practice, and many other subjects!
     Raising Wonder is giving free daily art lessons (and they have so many other fantastic ideas!)
     Easy Peasy Homeschool.   Oh my,  so much to peruse!
     Scholastic is currently offering free online courses.
     DuoLingohttps://www.duolingo.com/.  Learn a new language.
     American Heritage Family School is offering their LDS based curriculum free until June.
     Homeschoolshare.comhttps://www.homeschoolshare.com/.  Free literature-based unit studies for all ages.
     artbarblog.com

     bedtimemath.com     typingclub.com     bravewriter.com     smash, boom, best (podcast)
     youtube: vi hart, periodic videos,
     amblesideonline.org,
     school house rock, skip counting or times tables songs

     Brains on podcast

     If you need some TV time, consider using YouTube to show your kids recordings of Shakespearean plays, classic ballet like swan lake or Jane Austin.

For not-free, but awesome consider looking at:

     The Good and the Beautiful.  History, Science, Language Arts, Books, Typing, oh so much.  I use many of these materials in my homeschool.  They teach great principles and are in an easy "open and go" format.  They are also very affordable.

     Teaching textbooks math. Not free, but affordable, thorough, easy on the parent, and fun for kids.

And, I really could go on and on here as there are so much fantastic curricula out there.  But, if you need help tailoring things to your kiddo and family, I am happy to help you.  Please reach out to me! (raelynstoddard(at)hotmail(dot)com)

OK, on to ideas from other experienced mamas.  I love that some things repeat, but that will give you an idea of things that really work well.

From our ward:  DaNell Friebe  (also is available to help you if needed)

     Let go and have fun. Connect to their interests! Ask each of your kids what they would like to learn about. What they want to do. Then build around their ideas. Do they want to make bread? Plant a garden? Build something? Paint their room? Learn a language? Learn an instrument? Rebuild an engine? Give them a chance to find resources online that can assist them and work together as a family or one on one to do something they are interested in. This is a rare opportunity to connect to them and their passions and do things you might not have had the time to do before. 

Play games together! So much learning can be done through games. There is lots of math in Monopoly, strategy in Clue, vocabulary in Scrabble and Password. 

Read together! Pick up a good family read and enjoy a delightful journey together. Read outside, have a picnic, make a blanket fort, turn out the lights and use a flashlight, find the place you are reading about on a map, draw pictures, build with legos, etc.

You got this moms! 

From Kim Kunz, a fun mom with super fun kids in the Fallbrook 1st Ward:

My 2 cents...I've been homeschooling for 5 years. 

1. Homeschool is NOT school at home. They are not the same in any way. That means all lesson plans have to be flexible! And can branch out whenever needed. So if your'e doing science and your kid asks a question off topic, dive in! Its so fun.

2. Embrace the chaos. Especially if you have more than one kid. They are experiencing so much change to their world right now! Usually when someone pulls out of public and goes to homeschool, i tell them to "deschool" for at least a week! Play games, read books, dig into anything they want to  learn about! Let them start to trust you as a source of so much knowledge! That usually means there are some messes and some unfinished chores. But it will be better in the long run if you can give them that time now. 

3. Everyone will have bad days. Like throw books and get frustrated. It doesn't mean you are doing something wrong. It just means someone needs a break.  Or a day off. Don't worry about fitting it all in or doing it all in one day. Just do what you can. And remember. At the end of the day your relationship with your kid will always be more important than the facts they learn. :)

Also...us homeschoolers are also used to being able to get out! Libraries, zoos, parks...those are a huge part of our classroom. So we are ALL adjusting to this. If you get cabin fever, we are there with you! Its totally normal and does NOT make you incapable of teaching your children. Haha

Chores. Assign chores. Anything they CAN do (which is more than you think) have them do! Sweep. Dishes. Laundry. Lunches. It will make a world of difference if they help! And you won't hate them because you are following them around cleaning ;) 

One more thing...if you are like my family, use MUSIC! i find when everyone is melting down, turning on background music helps! Classical is great. Sometimes we have a quick break dance party and then back to work. It is such a detox for us! 

From Juventa Vezzani, a great friend I visit taught years ago in Manassas, VA

Make it fun.
Hands on science.
Make a cloud - boiling water, bag of ice on top, and match. If you’re lucky it will rain in the jar. Read “A Single Drop of Water” and learn about the water cycle.
Paper clips aluminum foil boats - see whose boat will stay afloat the longest
Metamorphic pancakes (study of metamorphic rocks). Make fun pancakes with fillings. Heat, pressure, and chemical reaction
Two cups different colors in water. Cold water and hot water. Mix together and see what happens.
Grow sugar crystal rock candy
Living books - read, read, read
Play games
Pandemic - save the world from the outbreaks
Boggle
Bananagrams
Quirkle - colors and shapes
Set - patterns, colors, shapes
Quiddler (regular or jr) word game
Jacks - math
Vocabulary bingo/hangman
Story cubes
Viking day - dress up like Vikings, make Viking bread, reenact a battle, read stories.
Any history reenactment and time period food party.
Learn about Family history. Matching game with printed photos.
Virtual field trips.
Nature walks
Art study - monet paintings in nature.
Investigator. Have a photo. Describe it to kids. Have them draw what you describe. See who draws it the best.
Guess what’s in the box. Yes/no questions.
Movie time. Family time. Enjoy it!!!!
Campfire s’mores in the backyard.

From Kelsey Eastburn, a fun friend in the Vista 9th Ward.

Encourage people to have a rough schedule: breakfast, chores, "school time", lunch, outside play, rest quietly in bed, help make dinner, play with daddy, go to bed. But BE FLEXIBLE! Go outside to play as often as necessary!

Activities:

-Read, read, read, read, read!!! Fiction, picture books, poetry, plays, biographies, animal fact books, science fact books, classics, silly books, comic books, ANYTHING!!

-help your child make play dough and discuss measurements and ratios then play with alphabet cookie cutters

-build a blanket fort inside or outside to sit and read in

-head to the library and grab any books you can about awesome, or less than awesome people from history (Marie Curie, Joan of Arc, George Washington, Galileo, etc.) Read as much as your kids can stand about those people (while the kids play play dough, color do puzzles, play with legos or any other quiet activity) and then print a picture of that person and hang it on a ribbon on the wall to form a timeline along with pictures of many other people.

-sudoku puzzles (free printables online)

-mad libs

-word searches

-crossword puzzles

-brain teasers and riddles

-printable coloring pages

-print out a chart of asl alphabet signs and try only speaking to each other by "sign-spelling" 

-buy a bunch of postage stamps and some cheap stationary from Dollar Tree or Walmart and write letters to people who could use a lift. Ideas include: family members who live far away, older people who are stuck inside, military service people, missionaries, senators (good lesson opportunity on writing your local politician with concerns), church leaders, etc.

-make a "mailbox" that sits on the counter or somewhere visible. Encourage everyone to drop love notes for each other in the mailbox throughout the day and check the box every morning. Let them use that cheap stationary to write letters to each other as well to send in the mail

-Teach the kids how to send an email and let them email grandparents and loved ones

-Type up a story that your child makes up and dictates to you

-Cook together! Teach your child how to read a recipe, crack an egg, measure, stir, scramble, boil and chop...there's lots that can be chopped using a butter knife!

-get a cheap journal or sketch book and make it your "nature journal". Go outside every day and sit quietly; sketch what you see or describe it or collect leaves/feathers/anything and glue it into your journal

-have a "nature shelf" somewhere in your house where the kids can display the beautiful nature things they find like a museum display (snail shells, heart-shaped rocks, flower petals, pine cones, etc.)

-Try your best to enjoy this time with your kiddos and don't stress about doing anything "right". When in doubt, just snuggle!

From Rachel Young, a dear friend who recently moved to Oklahoma.

Consistent routine helps us the most. Start off with a morning opening where you do a song, prayer, the pledge, scripture study, memory work (like the family proclamation), then break off for academic work.

“Star charts” for good behavior—the purpose is for the parent to call out the good. Examples: clearing their dish, making their bed without being asked, sharing with a sibling, having a good attitude about an assignment that was hard, brushing their teeth without being asked, etc. When everyone fills out their chart with stars then the whole family gets to have a treat.

From Jennifer McLaughlin, a fantastic Temecula mama I had the opportunity to teach a class with last year.

My first thought, and one that I have already shared with some looking for where to start is to begin a good read-aloud as a family. The kids can engage their hands in a quiet activity if desired, or just snuggle on the couch... but I think having a read aloud is a great way to learn together and to pass some time!!! It can prompt some great discussions about character and life lessons. I usually recommend a couple of older classics like Little Britches or Swiss Family Robinson... and also a couple more recent ones like Wonder or Frindle... so they can find something that would appeal to their family. We are reading Tom Sawyer as a family right now... and I recently purchased Pax that we'll be reading together next (I haven't read that one before!).

From Rowena Greenwood, a veteran homeschooler  in the Vista 8th ward.  

Wow, there is really so much.  And some would depend on the ages of the children.

At this time I would try playing games especially math games, memory games, and discussing current events.  How about reading all those books you've been putting off.  Pick a book to read aloud as a family.

Yard work when it's not raining of course.

Cooking together.

Sewing projects.

There are great things online as well such as nature documentaries, science, history. 

And, because you the parent are teaching you can point out "undoctrines".

From my sweet friend Emily Gleason in the VIsta 8th ward:

If your child is complaining and doesn’t want to complete their school work, stop what you are doing and try something fun, but educational instead like a fun science project, or reading a chapter book aloud, gardening, cooking etc.
Do math first thing. I feel like my kids’ little brains do better at math in the morning.
Don’t turn on the tv or electronics until after school is over. There will be zero focusing on school work if you do.
Stick to a schedule and your kids will know what to expect. They’ll stop complaining about having to do school after a while and just get going with what’s expected of them.
Take advantage of having them with you! Cuddles on the couch with a good book is a better education than anything I can think of!
Use the scriptures for learning how to read and write and you’ll find that gospel discussions will flow easily and testimonies will grow! (As well as the added benefit of helping them read and write like champs!)
Our kids grow up so fast. Enjoy this precious time you have together. ️

 ------------

Whew!  If you made it this far, hurrah!  I hope you can refer back to this amazing list often.  I know I have learned a few things!

Remember:  You are not in this alone.  Some of us are just a little farther on the "home education" path, but we are here to help each other!  

And remember...Have Fun and Pray often!

BINDER-A-LONG PART 2: ORGANIZING AND EMERGENCY LISTS

Ok, hopefully you have your supplies and are ready to start making this binder functional!

(If you missed the beginning, here is the link to the post)
     PART 1: GATHERING

Grab your binder(s), tabs, pockets, envelopes, etc.  The first step is to organize.

Remember, this is your binder.  If you want to do something a little different, place things in different sections, have a different order, or even have different sections than me, please do so!  Also remember that every situation is different.  You may not have all the recomended items, or you may have other scenarios in your life that you need to include.  This is a basic outline to help you think of everything.

I identified 12 sections I want my binder to have.  I am giving a pocket tab for each of these sections.  (My apologies, I should have told you to get 2 sets of tabs...it's not too late, just add it to your shopping list).  These sections are
   1.  Emergency
   2.  Family
   3.  Medical
   4.  Insurance
   5.  Financial
   6.  Auto
   7.  Housing
   8.  Education
   9.  Employment
   10. Life Planning
   11. Pets
   12. Other

Label your tabs and place in your binder.
Put a few page protectors behind each tab.
Decide which sections  you probably want pouches in.
Put some blank lined paper behind the "other" tab.
Put a pen and a mechanical pencil in a pouch.
Make a cover sheet for your binder(s).  I will be including a current  family photo on the cover of mine with the words "Stoddard Emergency Binder" or something similar.
Make a binder spine insert. (I find they  are a little easier to insert if they are made with cardstock).

Section 1:  Emergency
This is the section where you want all important information at your fingertips.  Consider Including:

     Emergency Contacts: Family & Friends addresses and phone numbers, Phone Tree Contacts, Kids' School and Daycare Centers, Important business associates, Doctors, Dentists, and local hospitals/clinics, Business work numbers and contacts, Neighbor Contact info, Local non-emergency numbers for police, fire, ambulance, City and Utilities.

         Your emergency plan
         Evacuation Checklist, including a list of things to quickly grab if you need to leave your home
         Maps (GPS may not be working)
         List of vital websites and Passwords.  (If you are worried about privacy, make up a code such as all numbers are listed 2 higher than in reality)
         Keys to vehicles, home, and storage spaces.  (These fit great in a 9 pocket page protector--secure the top of each pocket with tape so nothing falls out)
         Emergency ID cards
         List of Local and regional hotels
         CASH (In a pouch)
       
Put all papers in page Protectors and along with your Cash pouch, put these in your binder under the first tab.

Pat yourself on the back, that was a lot of information to pull together.

I challenge you to start your Emergency Binder and include what your family needs in case of an emergency.  Get this much done in less than 2 weeks.

I will be working on my binder!  Remember to check in by commenting for some accountability and let me know when you have finished part 2.

COVID-19 AND A 3-MONTH SUPPLY

After it was apparant that Eliana's life could only be saved with a heart transplant, we quickly moved through the steps to get her on the list.   A big part of that was the Transplant Evaluation.  We met with the Transplant Doctor and NP,  the Social Worker, Pharmacist, Surgeon, and the Nutritionist.   Talking with the Nutritionist was interesting as she covered the importance of cooking meats thoroughly, making sure food prep surfaces were not cross-contaminated, avoiding buffet lines of any kind, putting food directly in the fridge and not leaving anything out, honoring expiration dates, etc.  That's when it really started to set in that having an immunosuppressed kid is a big deal.  After we came home from the hospital, I added hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes to my Amazon Subscribe & Save, along with my diapers and wipes.  In the last year I have officially become a germaphobe. 

With the spread of the Coronavirus, and especially watching the church make big decisions (like not inviting the public to General Conference and modifying how missionary work is done) and the WHO declaring a pandemic, it is easy to wonder what to do.

I do not know what to expect from all of this.  I do worry, especially with our heart transplant baby and an older daughter who sees cheap airfare as her chance to travel the world.  But I do know what we have been taught:  Be self reliant, and prepare.

I know that the church has asked us for years to have a 3-month supply of food in our homes (see also the All is Safely Gathered In pamphlet).  I gave ideas for getting your 3 month supply the first part of 2018.  You can read about these goals here:
     Plan
     Organize
     Purchase
     Supplement


We have also been taught for years to have a 1 year supply of food in our homes.  In April of 2018, I issued a challenge for every family on our ward to have this year's. Supply by April 2019.  You can also read about the helps I gave to accomplish this here:
     LTS Month 1
     Using Salt
     LTS Month 2
     LTS Month 3
     LTS Month 4
     LTS Month 5
     Using Beans
     LTS Month 6
     Using Sugar and Honey
     LTS Month 7
     Using Dried Milk
   
We have been counseled over and over to pe prepared, but don't go crazy or in to debt to obtain food storage.   But if these are still on your to-do list, please do not wait any longer to start.

A huge part of being prepared is to think ahead of time about scenarios and what you will do when something happens.  I admit, I have been planning more for natural disasters than a worldwide pandemic.  But seriously, what if your family does need to quarantine themselves for a bit (welcome to my world!)?  Are you spiritually prepared so that gospel instruction can happen in your home if we are not able to attend church meetings? What if schools are closed and you need to educate your children from home (I have a little experience with this and can answer some questions if you would like.  I recomend adding printer ink and paper to your basic supplies list)?  Do you have seeds and are able to plant even a small garden of fruits and vegetables so your family can eat fresh food?  Do you have a reserve of money so that if a change in employment status occurs you can keep your family going?

I do not want to portray "doom and gloom, " but I do believe that a little preparedness can go a long way.

I challenge you to look at your food supply and determine what you can do to at least have a good 3 month supply.  Also, think about what a worst-case-scenario pandemic might look like for your family.  Are you ready for what may come?  What can you do today to better prepare for this event.

If you have questions about any of the things I have touched on, please feel free to shoot me an email: raelynstoddard(at)hotmail(dot)com.  I don't profess to know everything, but hopefully I can point you to some good resources to help you on your preparedness journey.

Binder-A-Long The Beginning

I love to make quilts.  I also have my handful of quilty blogs I love to read.  Over the years there have been quilt a longs that I have been dying to join.  The promise of a finished quilt in 12 weeks (or 12 months) sounds amazing!  There is  a catch though, you have to keep up with their schedule.  That's my hang up.  Being on baby time most of the last 20 years usually inhibits me from keeping up with someone else.  I've finally learned to just not join in, after all, I'm still trying to finish my quilt from the quilt a long I started in 2017.  (I just finished month 3!).

But seriously, I am about to start on another step-by-step project, and I hope you will join me!  My schedule will be pretty slow (I'm still on ultra baby time!), I will have something new for you to do every other week. 

For some time I have been wanting to get a preparedness grab-and-go binder together.   This binder will house all my family's pertinent informarion so that in an emergency, I don't have to think about what to gather, because it is already gathered.

I know some will cringe at having all this information on one spot.  Yes, there are risks, but at the risk of not being prepared, I am going to do this anyway.

If you feel like a binder is not for you, feel free to do your preferred method.  For many years, I have kept our important docs in a portable file box, I have heard of some that prefer an expandable file. Do what works and what makes sense for you and your family.  My hope is that I can share ideas that will help you be more prepared than you currently are.

I like to do things step by step, so over the next few months, I will be sharing what steps I am working on and will encourage you to do the same.  If you feel the need to jump in and get your binder together all in one blow, go for it!  There are many great pintetest sites that will give lists and such of what to include.

This week, I am gathering my supplies.  Based on the research I have done and what I want my binder to look like and include, I have a good idea of what to get to be ready.

Since I never leave my house (it's still flu season), I will probably exclusively shop from Amazon.  Other stores will likely have the same materials, so feel free to get it wherever (there's no hard rules here).  Also, packages of page protectors, etc will likely come with more than you need.  Consider joining up with a few friends to split packages.

Ok, here we go.
 
1.  GATHERING SUPPLIES

3-ring binder(s).  I am choosing 2" binders, mostly because I hate anything bigger.  I may need to do 2 for the size of my family.

Pocket dividers.  I am getting the 8 tab so I can have lots of sections.  Pockets give an extra option to contain papers.

Sheet protectors.   To keep my documents organized and semi-waterproof.

Divided Sheet Protectors.  Each pocket is the right size to hold copies of cards.

Pencil Pouch.   I am getting two, one to keep cash, and the other for small items like a pen and mechanical pencil. Consider waterproof options as well.

Thumb Drive.  To keep a photo inventory of my home.  Consider getting two and giving one to your insurance agent.

Binder Envelopes or large pouches may be a good thing if you have odd sized items you want to include, but will fall out of a regular sheet protector. (E.g. passports)

I CHALLENGE YOU to make the decision to get a family emergency binder together.  Join me on my quest to be more prepared for disaster, or to just be more organized in general. 

And, since it's more fun in a group (and to add a bit of accountability) leave me a comment on my blog saying you are in and letting me know when you have completed the challenge!  Ready, Set, GO!

MONEY

I've been thinking about money lately.  It all started with this article I read just after Christmas about doing a "no shopping year."  I am not sure why it resonated so much with me.  Maybe because I have been feeling like I have way more "stuff" than I need (Read: Craft supplies and fabric), but I don't want to get rid of it, because I still love it and that "someday I will have more time" is just right around the corner, I'm sure of it!  So setting rules for myself of what I can and cannot buy in 2019 has really been liberating.  When I see something I love instead of having a "I just can't stop thinking about it until I buy it" moment, I find myself saying instead, "That's really cute, I'm just not buying anything this year, so I don't have to worry about it any  more."  It has been great.

I also have been thinking more about money management lately. Not that I have ever had a problem with it, but just thinking that I can do a little better.

Before Jeff and I got married, my singles' ward bishop gave us a little pamphlet called One for the Money.  20 years later, I still think that this is one of the best financial pieces of literature available.  It is for sure a MUST READ.  I especially love the "debt snowball" he outlines (and this before there was such a term as a "debt snowball").  We followed this in our marriage and it has been amazing. 

Back in 2018, I outlined this little pamphlet in several different Provident Living Posts.  If you would like to read them, they can be found here:

• Sections 1 and 2
• Section 3
• Section 4
• Sections 5, 6, and 7
• Sections 8 and 9
• Sections 10 and 11
• Section 12

I challenge you to prayerfully read One for the Money by yourself or with your spouse and/or family.  Make goals of how to implement the principles taught.  Write down your goals and set concrete dates for completion of goals.  Especially make a goal to pay off debt and save.  I promise you will not be disappointed!

THE HOLY GHOST IS OUR MASTER TEACHER

2019 is over.  It was a big year for us. Not one I want to repeat, but one where we have seen more miracles than we can count.  Life is different.  Some of the "different" is temporary, but some changes are inevitable.

Our little girl turned 1 last week.  Reflections, feelings and emotions hit me like a ton of bricks and even my Amazon photo feed brought back memories when it asked if I wanted to see the pictures from "1 year ago."  Seeing my tiny baby hooked up to more tubes and monitors I could count was hard, but seeing her after her heart transplant was even harder.

It now is difficult to believe that the smiley happy girl who will not hold still is that little baby who laid in her hospital isolettes, warmers, and mini cribs for so long.  I can hardly describe the range of emotions I felt. But through those months and long days, the comfort of the Holy Ghost was amazing--even awe-inspiring.  During those hospital days, I prayed harder and more often than I had ever before it my life.  I physically and emotionally leaned on my Savior to get through moments, let alone days, weeks, and months.  The love, peace, and comfort I felt was indescribable.  I watched Priesthood Blessings and the power of prayer work miracles.  Hospital rooms, halls, and waiting rooms became holy places.

Our Social Worker talked with us this last month when we were back at Rady's for a checkup.  She made the comment that she wants to pray like we do.  I told her that part of it was being prepared for the Lord's will to be done, no matter what the outcome was.  I realize that not everyone sees the miracle of life and being able to bring home their baby like we did.  A big part of what we learned is that the Lord's will is the right thing, and we had to get to a place that had our outcome been different, that was OK too. 

I cannot imagine the pain of losing a child, I know there are some in our ward who have felt that heartache. I do not understand why some of us get the outcome we want, and some do not.  I hope that in both cases, we can look for and find miracles as we are taught by the Holy Ghost.

Our baby's story is awe-inspiring to many.  Rady Children's Hospital CEO asked a few months ago if we would be willing to share Eliana's story in a media event for the hospital board.  It is hard to fit everything into a 4- minute video, but I think people can sense that there was something more that helped her get through it all. 

As our family moves forward into 2020, I am still not quite sure what everything will look like.  But, with faith and preparedness, we will march on.  Eliana has a lifetime of medical needs and challenges ahead of her.  What we learned this last year will help us as we continue to help her in her life, no matter how long that will be.

Preparedness in general is hard.  It is hard to be ready for everything, not knowing what will happen or when.  We often have 72 hour kits that are never used and wheat that lasts for 20 years (or more).  It is almost impossible to be prepared for absolutely everything  We try as we practice general preparedness like keeping our car at least 1/4 full of gas or storing away food for the winter off-season.

I am convinced though, when hard times hit, it is spiritual preparedness that will gets us through. The strength of our testimony and the ability to receive revelation through the Holy Ghost is so essential.

This principle was reiterated to me recently as I read in 1 Nephi and thought about the stark differences between Nephi and Laman & Lemuel's response to Lehi's vision.  The Come Follow Me manual points this out, but I think it is worth thinking about more.

Nephi had a desire to know the truth.  He believed his father, but still had questions.  He humbly asked the Lord in faith if the things in Lehi's vision were true, and wanted to understand their meanings.  As a result, Nephi was able to see the same vision Lehi did, but with much more detail.  He was also able to converse with an angel and see the history of the world.  Wow.

Laman and Lemuel, on the other other hand, also believed their father.  There was much they didn't understand, but they waited for someone to tell them what it all meant.  Lehi and Nephi did the best they could to describe their visions and teach the important lessons, but Nephi's brothers had no desire to find out for themselves and take their own questions to the Lord. 

Sometimes I find myself suffering from Laman and Lemuel-itis.  It is much easier to wait until Sunday when the Sunday School teacher will tell us what I need to know about the previous week's lesson.  Chances are, I may have just skimmed the lesson, or most often, not even read it.  Searching for answers and studying myself is hard, but it brings the power of the Holy Ghost to my study.  I get much more out of the scriptures, Conference talks, and lessons when I actively seek to have the Holy Ghost, the great master teacher, with me as I read and study.

The decisions Nephi and Laman & Lemuel made about how to allow the Holy Ghost into their personal lives not only effected them, but the nations that came after them.

As we get nearer and nearer to the Second Coming, our testimony will have to continually get stronger and stronger.  Some things will not be fantastic to experience and will test every ounce of preparedness we have stored--physically and spiritually--but to really get through the hardships we will be faced with, will require unwavering faith in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

I Challenge You to make 2020 the year that the Holy Ghost teaches you things so that you feel it more than you ever have before.  Invite Jesus Christ into your life to really be your Savior.   Understand the importance of continued watchfulness and studying our life "meticulously and regularly" (to quote President Nelson) in order to be the best we can be, and to know what we need to know to endure to the end.