One of my callings is to write an article for the Relief Society newsletter each month on food storage. Not really a big deal considering I've spent a large amount of time over the past 21 years of marriage making sure we had sufficient for our needs, and how to use what we have.

That said, I also like to share books. The downside to sharing books is that I never seem to remember who I loaned a particular book to when I need it. Seriously, I go blank when I am racking my brain for who I loaned it to. Well, I think I have loaned one of my most valuable books out; need it now and have no idea in the world who may have it!

I've put together a binder for emergency preparedness that has a variety of information that I thought would be useful and could really help me now with the article I have to write tomorrow. It even has my food storage inventory list in it and IT IS NOWHERE TO BE FOUND!!

So in all kindness, I'm asking- Have you seen it? Could I have loaned it out to you? Do I have any books of yours that I've forgotten to return? Would you tell me if I do?

Thank you. There is love.

Family Home Evening...At our house!

Family Home Evening is something we try to do in our family each Monday night. Monday Night Football gets paused, phone calls go unanswered and we shut out the world for the night. Just the 4 of us.

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It is like a visit to the zoo.

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We gather around and the family room turns into the monkey house. Kids with more wiggles than they can control are all over the place! Sitting upside-down on the couch, jumping up with each answer to a question-complete with arm reaching to the sky and sould effects like "ooohh, ooohh, I know it!"

Tonight went like this:

For our activity, we made cookies. While the cookies were in the oven we ran upstairs to do a quick speed clean up of the play room before the timer went off. More toys were played with than put away.

Next, we gathered in the family room (see monkey house above) for the lesson given by Honey. We talked about prayer. It was a good lesson and reminded us that praying is a great way to show Heavenly Father our gratitude for all we have been given.

Then we were magically transported to the bear den at the zoo. Our cubs were all over the place again, only more like all-star wrestling than anything else. The funny part was whenever we asked them a question to see if they were listening, they got it right!

Tonight, we wrapped it up with a song: "Called to Serve". It was just like we were in a parade on the 24th of July!

I didn't have any cookies tonight, instead I ate the kids. I love their bellies and chewing on their cheeks is the best treat ever!

We aren't the most reverent, but hopefully when they get older they'll look back on our Family Home Evenings with fond memories and a little smile on their faces.

Each week, Honey and I just look at each other and say "Well, at least we tried."