The Past Week

Mario got his braces off. He also pinned on Lt. Colonel. Hooray for the pay raise! He says it's weird to be called Colonel. He puts a note on his phone at work with his rank so he remembers to answer the phone properly.

I have been sewing up a storm with my new machine. Mario and I decided our living room and family room were too dark with the dark wood and our dark couches so we are making changes to pillows and curtains. I've been sewing a lot. Plus I finished a quilt and gave it to Erin.

Speaking of Erin, she's doing awesome on her quilt. She appliquéd the Temple onto it. It looks great with the blanket stitch, another good reason for the new sewing machine. My last one didn't have that stitch.

I am so impressed with Nate and his braces. He has all his dental stuff organized and he's taking very good care of his teeth.
Nathan "won" the opportunity to take home his class lizard. I'm really excited, can you tell. His teacher told me I had I buy crickets at pet store because the ones out in the yard have been exposed to pesticides. Wow, I wonder how the lizards survive out in the wild.

Zach did a bunch of chores on my new commission chart one week. He earned like $25 (the only other kid to pick chores and earn money was Nate and he earned a whole 50 cents). With his money, he bought a set of drums (we are all excited about that purchase) and a brand new basketball game that I found brand new at yard sale for $30. He talked the guy down to $20 because that's all he had left after buying the drums from Erin's friend, Savannah. We all do really love the basketball game though.

Lastly, Mario sold his Acura. While praying one night, he felt prompted to sell it. I felt bad for him because he's never had a nice car. But we have learned to follow promptings no matter how hard they may be. So he is back to driving the pickup truck that he bought from Charlie last summer. Actually he drove the truck all summer and then again when we got Eric the car. The SUV was pretty much just used for date night. So it was waste anyway. Now we've are able to really put a lot of money into kids' mission accounts.
Not much news to report on Eric except his grades are higher than ever despite him having 2 AP classes and 3 honors plus debate. He barely does any homework and I'm not sure he studies for anything but Spanish class. Sure wish I had his brains.
I feel very blessed. I'm very excited for General Conference this weekend. I can't believe I used to dread all the sessions. Now I can't get enough.
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