Shopping for the 4th of July

Last year we weren't able to celebrate the Fourth of July as we were on our way up to Canada to attend our Hornberger Family Reunion.  While we love attending our family reunions, we sure missed celebrating the birth of our great nation.  The Big Guy Lowe wasn't going to let that happen this year though, and we were going to get our supplies for the big celebration!  In the past this has been a Big Guy Lowe activity with the boys, but this year we expanded it to include our friends Sue and Gary!

It was amazing seeing all the fireworks for sale. 

 

Then it was even more amazing seeing all the fireworks The Big Guy Lowe was putting into our cart!

But this place wasn't just about the fireworks.  They made sure they had things for the kids too.  We headed outside to the jumphouses!

All three of the boys went inside!  It was hilarious!

We all had a good time.

Oh the joys of living in a state where cool fireworks are still legal!

A whole year's worth!

Well, we've fiinally accomplished it!  We feel prepared!

Recently, The Big Guy Lowe and I have been feeling pretty impressed to make sure we are as self-reliant as we can be.  In our church, we are taught the importance of being self-reliant.    Recently, Julie Beck, the president of the church's organization for women has said "We become self-reliant through obtaining sufficient knowledge, education and literacy; by managing money and resources wisely, being spiritually strong, preparing for emergencies and eventualities; and by having physical health and emotional well-being."  I love this because it makes so much sense!  So, we have been taking account of our lives and trying to make sure we are being wise throughout each aspect of our lives...well, as wise as we can be in an ever-changing world!!  To read more information about being self-reliant go to www.lds.org/topic/self-reliance  or click here.

A little over a month ago, we went through each of our 72 hour emergency packs.  I was a little embarrassed to see that we hadn't updated them since we only had one child and he wore size 3T!  I took about two days getting clothes that would fit each of us and then dividing necessities that would be required if we were to be evacuated from our home with short notice.  Now, while I hope this will never happen, I believe strongly in the counsel found in scriptures that teaches "if ye are prepared, ye shall not fear."  In fact, I have this quote framed hanging just to the side of our front door.

After our 72 hour emergency kits were completed (I really should have taken a picture of the mess I made when I was sorting through everything!!!), The Big Guy Lowe and I decided on a company to purchase a year's supply of food for a family of six.  Nope, no announcements being made, just a family of three boys will eat a lot at some point!!  After much research, we selected a company that had great ratings, good food that we will eat, and an impressive shelf-life.

We now have that food stored in our media room closet.

I'm impressed just looking at the pictures!

I would like to send out a big "Thank You" to our wonderful friend Sue who helped me bring a pallet's worth of boxes up to the garage when the shipping company said they couldn't get it up our driveway.  I wasn't too worried at the time and just started carrying boxes into the garage.  Just like our wonderful friend, she saw me out there and soon headed over with a wagon and helped me get the rest of the boxes safely stored into the garage before it started raining.  The Big Guy Lowe was very impressed by the speed with which we moved those boxes.  It was just a few days later that he and I hefted those same boxes upstairs to our planned storage location!  I'll just quickly say that the next day we felt it!

There's quite a sense of security and accomplishment to be prepared.

Brothers, a bike and Sue!

Today the boys learned something new...thanks to our good friend and neighbor Sue!

Before I continue with the day, I just have to comment on how grateful we are to have such wonderful neighbors.  I appreciate the friendship I have with Sue and love that she comfortably enjoys being a part of our little family's life.  She and Gary are people that we would choose to be our neighbors if given the chance.  We just love them!!

Okay, back to the day!

For whatever reason, our son D, has decided he still doesn't want to ride his two wheeler!  No matter how much coaxing or imploring, the answer recently has been "NO".  He still wants to ride a bike though, so he gets out the tricycle he was given for a past birthday.  He's pretty big for the tricycle, but he does have it mastered!!  :)  Today we headed out for a ride/walk.  Our youngest and I can walk just fine when D is on a tricycle!

As we were heading out today, Sue came out to chat for a bit.  She always is involved with the boys when they are around and today was no exception.  In fact, she introduced a new way of traveling for our youngest son--standing on the back of his brother's tricycle!

The boys were both pretty excited about this new adventure and Sue stayed right with them to make sure they were safe--giving me the chance to take a few pictures!

Do you think the boys had fun??

Yep, I think so too!  Thanks Sue!

After school activities with Sue

I am a big believer in routines. As a mother I've reinforced this belief while at the same time recognizing that all routines will be foiled at one time or another. Rain is generally the culprit, but that's a given, considering where we have chosen to put roots down.

I digress, back to routines.

One routine that has become a favorite mid-day activity of ours is visiting our good friend Sue, her husband and their cat.


I'm glad that they like our visits, because I think it would be hard to break the boys of this routine. This is generally how it goes...

The little boys and I head to the bus stop to pick up their big brother from Kindergarten. As we walk to the bus stop, our 2 1/2 year old starts asking to go to Sue's house; our neighbor who lives across the street from us. I reassure him that we will stop by after we get his brother off the bus. He acquiesces and we continue. After being reunited with our 6 year old, we talk and walk until we get about a block away from our home.

Then the competition begins.

Our middle son starts running as he wants to get to Sue's house first. That doesn't last long as our oldest son is very competitive and has longer legs.

They turn the corner and keep running.

Sue has become so well acquainted with our family visits that she has the door ready and welcomes the boys in, leaving the door open for me as I am usually a bit behind them.

Once inside, the boys head over to their cat.

Sometimes we have to ask the boys to remember that the cat needs space to breathe too!

Sue has nicely reassured me that their cat would leave if he didn't like the attention. But sometimes I think I hear a sigh of relief as the boys begin to leave...
Then there is the excitement of "Mystery Days"; special days that Sue chooses to share fun things with the boys such as animal crackers, Hot Wheels cars, puzzles. One day she even gave them each a Sacagawea dollar. Our middle son was so excited about getting a "penny" that he has chosen to ask for them as often as he thinks of them--Sorry Sue! We're trying to teach them how to be polite!!

Thank you Sue for letting us be a part of your day and for being such a wonderful friend and neighbor! We love you and are so happy that we get to be your neighbor!!