FHE Emergency Kits!

A few weeks ago I was in a training called the "7 Habits of Highly Effective People" and we were talking about living in the Q2(the preparation phase).  Our facilitator, the amazing Steve Woolley, was applauded by the company CEO for astounding preparation for any situation placed in his car.  Steve has everything you could think of in the back of his car.  He could survive for over three months in his car if he had too.  So we were inspired a decided to make these emergency kits for our car for Family Home Evening.  We decided that we would't spend more than $75 for each kit. Below is a list of all the things that are in them. I encourage you to make your own kit so you will always be prepared no matter what happens.  We plan to continue to build onto ours every six months for different seasons and circumstances.

1. Small gas tank.  This is a size that would get you to a gas station and would not be too heavy to carry back to your car if you had to walk a ways.
2. Water  We put three large bottle each.  
3. Flashlight We just bought the dollar ones at Walmart.
4. Sunscreen We found extra bottles at home.  I would recommend looking around your home for items before you start shopping so you don't spend money on things you have and aren't currently using.
5. Batteries I would go with the batteries that would fit in the flashlight.  This was one of the more expensive items but I hate the dark so maybe one day it will be worth it.  
6. Toilet Paper 
7. Feminen Products I put some in my husbands kit as well just in case
8. Scissors 
9. Table Cloth We thought this would be good in case you have to eat on a gross table or the ground
10. Extra Clothes We just grabbed a T-shirt a pair of sweats from home
11. First Aid Kit We found five dollar ones at Walmart.  They would take care of scrapes, cuts, stings but nothing crazy.
12. Food We did granola bars (this is one we plan to build on)
13. Pen and Paper This would be good if you plan to leave your car to find help but you could leave a note if someone found your car. 
14. Bug Spray 
15. Medicine I have way too big of a medicine cabinet so we just threw it all on the ground and picked out a few of each to put in a plastic bag.  Make sure whatever you put in the bag can be determined.  Most medicines have on the back of them what they are.
1. Tylenol
2. Dramamine
3. Mydol
4. Benydryll
5. Theraflu
6. Emergen-C
7. Claritin
8. Sleeping Pills
9. Motrin
16. Hand and Foot Warmers  Even for just a skiing trip and having these could be a life saver
17. Lighter Get one that you can operate.  My husband wanted to get a flint but there is not way I would want to try my hand at that in an emergency.
18. Hand Sanitizer  Go to the area with the small traveling items to get these for less than a dollar
19. Wipes 
20. Whistle The cheapest one we found also had a compass on it which was a bonus
21. Duct Tape Look for a little while for the most basic brand and you will find that you don't have to spend near as much for the ones you see all over with the funky designs
22. Pocket Knife
23. Emergency Triangles If you have to pull over with kids in the car and can't get out these are a must
24. Tools The best way to do this is to go to the buckets and buy a few tools individually.  The packs are way to expensive and lets be honest I wouldn't know how to use half of whats in them.
25. Extra Cash
26. Emergency Contact Information I laminated our and put it in the front of the car so if we were in an accident it would be easier to find.
27. Blanket We used an extra one from home
28. Rags They have ones in the car area that are super cheap and come with ten or so
29. Trash Bags Took a few from home
30. Plastic Bag
31. Tissues 
32. Glow Sticks We figured these would come in handy if for someone reason the flashlight broke (and they cost nothing and would keeps kids entertained)
33. Chapstick
34. Battery Powered Fan
35. Jumper Cables We already had these in our cars
36. Deck of Cards Had these around the house as well
37. Tire Guage 
38. Sting Ointment This has come in super handy already with mosquito bites
39. Panchos
40. Disinfecting Alcohol 

All of this for only $75, and that is including the tote we put everything in!  So skip the already put together ones that cost a fortune and make your own. Please share with us anything that we may have missed!

What I have learned in 5 months of marriage

This is a list of things that I never expected in marriage.  Maybe you have or have not experienced some of these things but from my experience this is it!

1.  My husband doesn't like to talk when he is upset.  He would rather be by himself and just get over it in his mind.  This use to drive me crazy but I have since learned that some time to yourself can ease over many conflicts.

2. Coupons are great! Before moving into a real place (not student housing) I had never received a full newspaper of coupons.  Now we get them once a day.  Though they sometimes drive me crazy because we have so many it really helps save money.

3. You now get to make lives decisions together. As your lives become one your dreams must become one. I have learned the only way to do this is through prayer and an open mind.  

4. Relief society takes a lot more effort in a family ward than a single or married student ward.  There are so many different age ranges you have to be open to making all kinds of friends instead of just close girlfriends.  

5. There is nothing better than going back to the temple together and doing sealings.

6. I have to watch Keeping up with the Kardashians and the Bachelorette when Kyle isn't home or else my meditation time is disturbed by sarcastic comments.

7. Things that I use to pay for are now taken care of by my Mr. Fixit.  The sink drain, the laundry machine, patching holes, scaling the side of the building to clean windows.  Its super attractive and free!

8. You get to double your family size.  It is really up to you now what your relationship with your family will be like.  I have learned that making visits and establishing a good relationship will always be worth your while. Especially when you get cute neices and nephews. 

9. You do laundry twice as often as you use to.  It's never ending.

10. You have to constrain some of your favorites. For instance I love pasta and could eat it everyday, but my husband would go nuts. He loves to have his back tickled but my arm would fall off  if he made me tickle his back for the entire movie.  

11. Being apart over night are the longest nights ever and it sucks not having your warrior to check all the rooms in the house before bed.

12. I have all new pet peeves like hair being on the sink but I also have all new favorites like long hugs after a long day and having your best friend to see the world with.

Though there are so many more things I could add to this list these are the ones that definitely stand out. If you are about to get married it is the best.  So much in life has changed but I wouldn't change it for the world!   --Devin