Pinewood Derby

Is it a crime if I admit to heaving a huge sigh of relief Tuesday night after Djeryd's LAST pinewood derby? The next time he participates in any way will be as a father with his own son. Sean and I get to enjoy a two year hiatis (Erik is 6). Yippee, hooray!

I have observed a distinct arc of interest over the past three years. Djeryd's first race was very exciting for all of us. We planned, prepared, bought a cool skin for the car (camoflauge), wieghted and prepped the car days, if not a week, in advance. It was all quite thrilling. Year two was all about improving on the year before and Djeryd felt very "experienced" - he know how it all worked. This year was just a race to get through. Maybe it was the new baby and all the chaos and busyness surrounding our lives, but I don't think so. Where in previous years Djeryd couldn't wait to work on his car, this year he just didn't care. As Sean was frantically weighing the car 15 minutes before we were supposed to be at the church, Djeryd kept saying, "Dad, stop stressing; it's no big deal." (I really don't think Sean appreciated that. ("You're a good man, Charlie Brown."))

I think the high point of the evening for me was Erik actually sitting on my lap, for however brief a time. The picture below is one in a million for our photo album. It makes me so happy. (You will note my father to the left in the picture in full scout uniform - what a cool guy.)

In a Nutshell

I would love to post some big long posts with lots of pictures and intelligent thoughts. That is not a possibility. So this is what you all get: some one-liners on what's been swimming around my brain these past few weeks.

:: We watched Stand and Deliver in honor of Mr. Escalanta's death last week - man, we lead an easy life.

:: Fevers and fevers and fevers, oh my!

:: I have consumed more Advil over the past three weeks than I have over my entire life combined - times ten - I jest not.

:: I can feel the control I used to wield every day evaporating from my life - I think I like it better this way.

:: General Conference was AMAZING - virtually every talk was written just for me.

:: We bought a wii - finally - and borrowed a separate TV to hook it up to. I am desperately praying we will not regret the decision (we have not had a television for over 10 years - this is uncharted territory).

:: A daily shower is priceless.

:: Any daddy who gets up with his baby in the middle of the night so his wife can sleep is a saint - Sean, you have a very shiny halo.

:: I realized I am not going to get any decent pictures of my spring blooms because I am too tired to go outside and snap the shots - and I really don't care - there's always next year.

:: Disneyland is only a year and half away - yea!!!!

:: I LOVE having four kids - life is seriously good.

:: My baby is so very scrumptious!

Things I'm Loving

:: cooking, crafting, and cleaning hip-to-hip with my sweet Annabelle

:: pancakes for breakfast (instead of for dinner, for a change)

:: every single one of these people

:: my amazing, wonderful, gorgeous husband - you have no idea how good he is to me

:: daffodils blooming, and primroses, and camillias, and hyacinth, and . . .

:: the comfort of knowing there will be plenty of projects to work on once we adjust to our new life

:: the marvelous, glorious prospect of this little person finally coming into being

:: and most importantly - redemption - through my Savior, Jesus Christ

Happy Cub Scout Birthday!

Last night was Djeryd's Blue and Gold banquet for Cub Scouts. Scouting is celebrating 100 years this year, which is really kind of cool. All of the boys and their dads were supposed to decorate the cakes for refreshments. I baked the cake (carrot), made the frosting (cream cheese) and then shut my mouth. It was so hard not to say anything. I think they did a pretty good job for having virtually NO cake-decorating experience under their belts.

Because he is Djeryd, the cake had Lego Cub Scouts at a picnic table with a campfire.

Sean did a good job letting Djeryd design the cake and supporting him however he could (like slicing up those yummy chocolate fire logs).

I hope they do it again next year.

The Ugly Winner

I had to get this post up before Christmas because I just don't think it would be as funny or as festive after December 25th. Last weekend we were invited to an "Ugly Christmas Sweater Party". We had not completely decided to go until the day of the party because I had not been feeling well for the previous two weeks (feeling much better now, thank you). So, as great as Sean's costume turned out, I could have made it so much more hideous had I been fully engaged in the costuming earlier in the planning phase.

As it was, my horridly dressed husband won the prize for "Ugliest Ensemble". Please note the high-water pants. (I would have killed for some red socks to go with those!) The glasses are mine, and do not look in any way silly when they are resting on my nose. We were ridiculously proud (seems fitting, since he looked ridiculous). It was so much fun to put all those finely-honed costuming skills to work in the midst of my child-rearing sabbatical.

Dustin, you should know that you were our complete inspiration and I was kicking myself all night for not getting out to a thrift store and rounding up a nice women's snowman vest to go with that striped turtleneck (maternity wear - gotta love having a current wardrobe that my husband can actually wear - not that he does - at least - I mean - unless it's for a prize).

Merry Christmas to all! Have a wonderful holiday!