Glory at Last!!

Here are pics of Carter's winning pinewood derby car. Carter found the design online, and I shaped it with the bandsaw, spindle sander, and router. 10 coats of spray shellac in the 12 hours before the race gave it a really glossy finish, but it was still wet come racetime, and touching it left permanent fingerprints on the not fully cured finish. This is our last pinewood derby and it feels good to go out on top after so many mediocre finishes!

You heard it straight from here...

I have read the Book of Mormon many many times. But last night, I learned something new. I've never noticed before. Last night's scripture study...2 Nephi 9:51

"...let your soul delight in fatness."

Does the context matter? I think not. I knew my extra subcutaneous layer would be good sometime in my life:)

A typical afternoon/evening

You know how much I like to be smothered, right? So, I got home from school at 4:45. Only Carter was here. Nana had sent me a package, so I called to thank her. Within a couple minutes, the troops descended upon me. By that, I mean, Malia came in and started jumping up and down and asking me if I missed her, Carter was asking me if I could make some sweet and sour sauce (for the eggrolls I made for dinner), and Rick was asking me if he should mail a check or not and if I had stamps. I WAS ON THE PHONE PEOPLE! I ended that phone call and proceeded with dinner...EVERYONE WAS IN THE KITCHEN asking me 1000 questions until I finally said, "EVERYBODY OUT!" Within 15 minutes, dinner was ready. It was gluten full, so I served everyone and then sat down to work on homework. Within minutes, Bella sat down between the pillow and the computer in the 6 inches of free space available and started asking questions and Malia brought a stack of books and moved my binders and such onto the floor so she could sit RIGHT NEXT TO ME and read outloud. Have you ever tried to take a test on respiratory function and listened to Curious George and Santa Mouse at the same time? Just sayin'. SPACE people, SPACE! I sent Bella to get Rick's noise cancelling headphones so i could concentrate but Malia protested, saying she would read quieter. Fantastic. QUIET reading out LOUD Pinkalicious while I'm taking a respiratory exam. It's no wonder I covet my two days off when I am ALL BY MYSELF!

21 days...

On January 1, we started reading the Book of Mormon, out loud, as a family. As you can expect, we have attempted this many times before and have failed miserably. As of today, we have read it 23 nights in a row...which is 2 days past 21..the number of days it takes to create a habit. Here's hoping we really have created a habit.

Malia

I am going to try and update more often...a snippet from tonight. I told Malia it was time for bed. For some reason, she threw more of a fit than usual. I pretty much ignored it while she cried in her bed. Then, when I walked by her room, she got up, and threw a bowl at my feet (the I think I might throw up bowl from last night...which she DID NOT USE!). I ignore it and continue doing what I'm doing. A minute later, she came in my room where I was and chucked it at my feet again. Do you think she was trying to get a reaction? Pretty sure she was...but I prevailed! No reaction...and she didn't throw it at me again:)

Memories ...

I came across these photos the today. Was Carter not the cutest 4 year old you've ever seen?

And here's one of Carter at 2 years of age.