Wesley received his itinerary for his NREL interview Monday afternoon; he left Monday evening. What we anticipated would be an all-day event turned out only to be two-and-a-half hours: his presentation for an hour plus three half-hour meetings. He used the extra time to go on a run through our familiar Golden, eat lunch with one of Dr. Henze’s grad students (Dr. Henza works at CU-Boulder and is on Wesley’s committee), and catch up on necessary other stuff. Wesley says that the interview itself couldn’t have been much better. He talked too fast for the first 10 minutes of his presentation—but otherwise he did his best and is satisfied. Two Director’s Fellowship awards will be given. Hopefully we we’ll know the results by the end of January. Even if he doesn’t get the Director’s Fellowship, there is a possibility of post-docing with the energy group at NREL. Oh the possibilities!

We learned today that Wesley is not returning to the Teacher’s Quorum. Instead he’ll be the Sunday School teacher for the 16-year-olds. It took him three hours to realize that there will be girls in there. “How do I teach girls?”

Yesterday was the first day in months that we didn’t have anything planned. Wesley didn’t even work! Weird. I took a nap which transformed me from the Grinch ready to put all of the Christmas stuff away and be done into a slightly-crazy-human again. (Wesley: “I can tell you’re related to our children…” hehe! It’s been about a month that almost everyone wakes up during the night, at least once, so my nap rested me more than most nights.) The boys drew names earlier in the week so we took them to the store, split up, and helped them buy presents for each other. So fun! (Lincoln chose a dinosaur whose skin peels off to reveal the skeleton for Levi, Levi chose a set of three bulky cars for Keller, and Keller chose a flashlight that looks like a pen for Lincoln). Since it was sunny and in the sixties, we picked a new park/greenbelt to explore. The area had flooded, so we saw the water-stained trees and rocks, the uprooted trees and plants, and slid all over in the mud. Mostly Lincoln slid because he ran down the hills in his flip-flops in slick mud. A runner passed us with her tiny dog. Levi and Lincoln panicked then took off screaming. This didn’t work because the lady couldn’t get beyond them and their noise excited the dog. If they weren’t so scared, it would have been really funny. We had to take their muddy clothes off to reload into the car. I’m sure we provided a lot of entertainment for passersby. Hurrah for days off! We all needed a mini-vacation.

Our van started shaking and the check-engine light turned on Thursday night. We took it in the shop on Friday, so we’ve been packing into the car (with only three working doors!) for the last couple of days. It’s pretty cozy and entertaining to be so close. Our car alarm has only gone off twice since this; we count that as a major blessing.

Friday night we went to a pot-luck. What a party! Six of the larger families of the ward were there. We enjoyed getting to know people more and having a way to share our Danish Puff (and not eat it all on our own).

Levi appointed himself the principal of Lincoln’s high school. They brought “school supplies” up to their room, lined up their cars, and he instructed Lincoln, who instructed the rest of the students. Later, Levi lined up all of the foam letters. “Lincoln, which letter does your name start with? L, C, or W?” he patiently repeated his question four times while Lincoln ignored him. On the fifth time Lincoln shouted out, “3!” And ran off to teach his students about football. Silly boys. For the last six months or so, Levi has been opposed to poultry of all kind. Thankfully he’s very good at trying at least one bite of anything, so he always tries it. After his bite of apricot chicken this week, he became silent until he asked for second and third helpings. Success! Every afternoon he requests to “sword fight” with the brooms. We built cardboard shields to protect us. His shield has a mouth with teeth that reaches out and eats his enemies. Talk about protection. He led the pretend camping expedition which included loading two huge moving boxes full of pillows, blankets, underpants, clothes, and a myriad of other items to cook and clean with because, “We’re camping for two days. There’s a burn ban so we can’t use fire, but we need to cook. So we brought a stove.” That explains it!

Lincoln has been running away. He’s finally feeling better. I think his spirit has been a little cooped up in the gunkiness. He ran away in the library and out the door with the librarian soon after him. He ran away on our hike yesterday (into the mud). He ran away at church. He ran away before our walk today—and our neighbor took off after him. Good thing there are so many angels—seen and unseen—helping us! Logically he understands the need to stay close. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak, I guess. He ran off again, another neighbor ran out to help Wesley, so he came inside: bawling. When we met up with Laurie, Eli, and Olivia at the park Levi and Lincoln buried themselves in the rocks to go to “sleep.” We needed to leave. They wouldn’t budge. I told them they could sleep-walk. Lincoln took me very literally, deciding to run with his eyes closed. Of course he biffed it on the sidewalk. His poor little knees! “Please don’t wash my owies, Mommy!” he asked in the bathtub while dancing away from me. We told the story of our first Christmas in Texas for bedtime last night. “And Lincoln and Keller were in Heaven,” Lincoln told us (probably wrestling). “Does Heaven have frog blankies?” Pause to snuggle his blanket. “I brought this from Heaven.” He brought a lot of things from Heaven.

Keller totters everywhere. Up and down, back and forth. Up the stairs, down the stairs. To the piano, through the toy room…usually carrying a pen or a tool. On one of our extremely warm days we washed the van in the driveway. He poured the bucket all over himself then sat in the mud puddle—extremely happy. The new love of the week is head-wear. He wore a bike helmet all over the house one day. He put on a baseball cap backwards, climbed on Levi’s bed and tried to jump. Ambitious and almost successful. He loves Christmastime because he loves the sweets; good thing he also loves his toothbrush! Most RS teachers pass out treats (don’t ask my opinion on this). Keller knows to wait for the treat before singing too loudly. The blessing of smart children!

          

 On our hike...

 At the parade last week

We’ve had meetings or something every night this week. I stayed at the church until almost 11 on Thursday doing VT stuff. That night our friend had to go to the ER for a while, so we(s) watched their son until 9:30. Traveling, mutual, parties…We keep talking about going to bed early (before 11:30!). Perhaps this week will be the one! We’re so blessed we can share each day! I read part of the 1978 conference this week. Here’s a quote from Elder Backman that seems to summarize our life so well:

         

          I have felt the Lord’s guiding hand leading me and protecting me, sometimes protecting me from  

           myself. I’ve enjoyed such rich experiences as I’ve grown up and matured. As each one has come  

           along, I’ve questioned, “Why me? Why has the Lord given me such rich opportunities to grow and   

           to develop? Why has he provided such opportunities to give service?” I thank him from the bottom 

           of my heart for the richness of my life, the happiness which I’ve enjoyed. All of my life it seems that 

           I’ve been surrounded by people who have built me and caused me to be better than myself…

And so we try to give it all back, to share it somehow, to give thanks. Every moment is such a gift.