Addiction

I've become addicted to Pad Thai from a restaurant close-by.  We went there for our anniversary, with Paul's parents when they came for graduation, and last week with friend for lunch (which I was so excited about I had a hard time sleeping the night before).  After the most recent visit I decided it was time to try making it myself.  After finding a recipe at the library and a date at Fiesta with the worker who showed me where the products were, I gave it a shot.

Elizabeth wasn't sure;  a close-up was essential.

I warned her it was spicy and doubted she would try it since she's the Davis anomaly, but she tried the noodles...and asked for more, given she had milk to wash it down.   The verdict: after the first bite Paul could taste that a certain sweetness was missing.  After drizzling honey over the top and mixing it in he gave it two thumbs up.  Me, too.  Now I can sleep at night.

And for dessert we had sticky rice with coconut milk and fresh mangoes. I told the kids how lucky they are to have such a variety of fruits since I had to wait 'til my mission to eat mangoes.  Even there they were a real treat and one of my most memorable appointments was when the lady we taught peeled and cut a whole mountain of them just for us.Mmm, mmm!

Extra, Extra! Read all about it!

Leah started a blog; if you want to see it we  can send you an invite.
She loves comments (hint, hint!)

Ha-Ha (his nickname)

Sunday

Benjamin: Mom, can Indians be members of the church?
Me: Of course!
Benjamin (in a sing-song voice running away into the other room):Anything's possible, even for a man to have a baby!

Monday

Some nights Benjamin wants me to say his personal prayers for him. When I asked him what was the best way for him to be close to Heavenly Father and feel his love he told me "prayer." But he still wanted me to say it. I asked him to think of one thing he was thankful for: "I'm glad that I get to live on earth." Then I asked him what was one thing he'd like help with: "I want to get along better with Isaac."
And so he began his prayer. It was simple and sincere. It helped me see his little seven-year-old heart the way the Lord sees it: pure and wanting to be good. It made me feel close to him and increased my love for him. It can't be easy for anyone with that much energy and personality to be good all the time;  I love when I get to peek through a window into his heart-of-hearts.

Bargain Brag

When something in the house starts bugging me and I can no longer stand looking at it, I put the old stuff on craigslist and use the money to re-do the room. It usually takes awhile because my challenge it to stay within the budget from what I sold. So....a few months ago Paul said he was tired of the bed with high posts. His comment rubbed off and me and I was ready for a change.
Here's the breakdown:
sleigh bed from CL:$130
set of two nightstands from Goodwill: $50
nearly new mattress and box spring from a garage sale: $25
(the lady didn't like how firm it was)
cream quilted bedspread and shams from garage sale: $5
sage coverlet from a friend: free! (Thanks, Liz.)
chocolate curtains, rod and clips from garage sale: $5
white sheer curtains from Pennywise: $2
set of two lamps from garage sale: $7
green wreath from garage sale: a buck
decorative pillow covers from Wal-Mart's fabric clearance: $2
coordinating shower curtain, rod and hooks from garage sale: $5

I love coming into our bedroom now (Cleaning it out for my in-law's visit helped, too...)

May Day Race

We carbed up last night for today's mile run at Katy's stake center!  For the past two weeks we've been getting out as often as possible to run around the block and time ourselves.  The kids looked forward to it and it went swimmingly  each night as long as Isaac won.  I'll spare the details about the night his lil' sister beat him.
On the way to the event this morning Isaac and Leah shared their strategies for blowing away the competition.  Isaac's was going to breath through his nose, Leah planned on pumping her arms fast and Benjamin was not going to wait up for Dad (per Paul's suggestion).

After the start  Elizabeth and I waited but couldn't see much until we saw a figure coming along the trail.

Finishing in all prime numbers (firstborn is a number- lover) Isaac finished first overall, Leah was the first girl (third overall) and Benjamin was fifth.  It's all in the strategies, I guess.  Paul was passed by some kid who turned around and rubbed it in by sticking his tongue out at him.  Paul got him back by passing him later (too much huffing and puffing to get revenge).