For He's a Jolly Good Fellow....Seriously

Paul took a little trip earlier this December (over my birthday) and came back with a huge certificate stating he was officially a FSA (for those of you not fluent in the language of actuaries, that is a Fellow in the Society of Actuaries)...(for those of you not having a clue what a Fellow in the Society of Actuaries is, just know, I am a happy happy happy wife)!!!

He can even sign his name with little letters following it.

Paul, FSA, MAAA

FSA meaning, of course, that he's a fellow....MAAA meaning, well actually I have no idea. That's just what his work emails say. Honestly, up until a few years ago, I had no idea that anyone besides doctors had little letters following their name. One day, Paul brought me home this financial guys business card. It said something like this.

Bob Smith, LMA, CERA, JJU, FJS, JA, BS, LB, TLC, BLT, BCB, PTW, TSD, JLA, FJS

Really, I'm not exaggerating. Do the little letters even mean anything if there are a hundred following your name?

Anyway, I am so proud of Paul and his great accomplishment and so relieved and happy that he is finally done with those darn actuary tests!! I have only one request, if any of you need to send us a formal invitation, please address the envelope to:

Fellow and Mrs. Paul ***



Good job Paul. I love you!!!

Signing out,

Rachel, WIFE, MOM

Modesty

It is "Let's see what mom does when we do this..." month at our house. "This..." could be any number of things.The following is just a sampling of the list the two have compiled over the past week. Let E out of the house when mom is upstairs changing her clothes and then pretend like we have no idea where she went...get out of bed 37 times during quiet time to "use the bathroom"...grab ornament off of Christmas tree (that no longer has any ornaments on the bottom of it) while mom is upstairs and crush in our hands just to see what happens...go outside to play in the snow and come in every 5 minutes, tracking snow, mud, and leaves all over each time, just to check if mom has changed her mind and E can come outside now...give E a piece of chocolate off the counter and watch with glee the mess that unfolds...eat lotion...steal mascara from mom's bathroom and proceed to paint cheeks and carpet...while walking around the house, pretend like you are looking around, and very nonchalantly bump into your little sister knocking her over (do this 1000 times ever hour)etc...The list could go on and on.

It was a particularly hard morning this last week that I was at my wits end. I had used time out, distracting, taking away privileges, and every one of the other tried and true mothering techniques, but to no avail. Finally, in a spurt of inspiration, I took my sweet little boy in my arms and pointed at a picture on the wall. "Do you know who that is?" "Yes, it's Jesus." "Do you love Jesus and want to make Him happy?" "Yes." "Did you know that Jesus is watching us and when we are nice and good, it makes Him very happy?" Still feeling a little rebellious, he replied, "Well he can't see me now. The blinds are closed." Like a good mother, I didn't let this affect me. I went on to have a heart to heart conversation about making Jesus happy by making good choices, being obedient and being nice to our little sister. (We have had this conversation before, but this was the first time I talked about Jesus watching us and how he knows what we are doing even if the blinds are closed). He was so sweet and I was feeling happy because I felt like it really clicked in his mind. I finished getting ready to the sounds of two little children playing happily and laughing together (as opposed to one screaming and the other laughing maniacally as he teases relentlessly). Needless to say, I was quite pleased. It wasn't too much later that I asked Peyt to go change out of his pajamas into his clothes. A strange look came over his face and I could see his mind working at lightning speed. Finally, he looked at me and said, "But mom, I can't...I don't want Jesus to see me naked. That would not be modest."

At least he was listening...

The short version...

We were so lucky to get to spend Thanksgiving this year in the land of dreams - Southern California. We even got to go where all your dreams come true - Disneyland! It was so so fun. I realize that trip logs can get quite long so I decided to do a short version for those that just want a quick showcase of how our trip went, and a long version so I can remember some of the details.

Our trip to CA was fun and exciting!! (and we had to wear coats and long pants at the beach)

One year old children really do need their daily allowance of naps if you want to enjoy being around them!

Throwing things can be very fun, but watching your children have fun is the most fun of all!!!




One year old children that do not get their daily allowance of naps still have the ability to be dang cute!!

Driving a boat can be very intense for a three year old. Peyton told me, "I do not want to be a pirate when I grow up...I just want to be an adult that drives a boat."

We loved our trip!! Thanks so much Rick and Kay!!

A Warning!!

Warning: If your head makes up about a third of your body size and almost half your body weight, do not lean over the edge of the sidewalk to look at a leaf in the gutter (even if it is a really great leaf). You may tip right over and earn yourself the nickname - "The Little Boxer."... If you are already known by this nickname and you ignore this warning, you may forever be stuck with it.....If you enjoy being known for bumps and bruises on your head, or you just don't care, go ahead...check out the leaf...it probably is cooler than the millions scattered under your feet and all over the lawn...noses heal pretty quickly anyway.

Minnie Mouse, a shiny Astronaut, and one Handsome Pirate

Happy Halloween!!!

That man makes a HANDSOME pirate!!

My mom has a theory that we ate candy in heaven. I think I believe her after this Halloween. My kids came into this world LOVING candy and knowing all about it without ever having been exposed to it.

Buenos Aires

The last of my six brothers, Braden, left a couple weeks ago to begin his LDS mission. He will be in Provo for a couple of months and then head down to Argentina - a full fledged spanish speaking missionary (or at least a full fledged english speaking with two months of spanish learning missionary). I am going to miss him so much!! Saying good bye for two years is hard.

No more germs!!

The scene: The Anderton Kitchen Saturday Afternoon
(Peyton and Josh (his cousin) are sitting at the bar eating a piece of toast that we cut in half for them to share. Josh finishes all of his quickly and watches Peyton carefully eat every crumb except for the crust of the bread. Peyton says he "hates the crunchy part.")
Josh: Peyton, are you going to eat that?
Peyton: No
Josh: Why?
Peyton: I don't like the crunchy part.
Josh: I like it. Can I have it?
Peyton: No.
Josh: Why?
Peyton: I'm a little bit sick. I have a little runny nose and you will get my germs.
Josh: That's okay. I'm a little bit sick too.
Peyton: No Josh, you will get my germs and I'm a little bit sick.
Josh: That's okay.
Josh picks up the crust and begins to eat it. Peyton begins crying a little bit.
Peyton: Dad, Josh is eating my toast.
Dad: That's okay Peyt. You said you weren't going to eat it.
Peyton begins crying more.
Peyton: Dad, Josh is going to eat all my germs and then I won't have any left. That's not fair!!!

Uhhhhh....okay. That makes a lot of sense. The great thing is, Peyton has been eating the crusts of his bread lately. I guess he's afraid someone is going to come along and eat them along with all his germs and he won't have any left.

HUNDREDS!!

We awoke on Sunday morning to the first snowfall of the winter season...yuck for me...YEA for Peyt.

Our poor trees...Paul went out to try and rescue them, but they are still pretty saggy. P wanted to build "lots of snowmans all over the whole yard", so Paul built him two and called it good. In between building snowman #1 and snowman #2, P asked Paul if they could have a "snowflake fight." That sounds like my kind of fun. I've always been scared of getting pegged by an icey snowball, but a snowflake to the head doesn't sound so bad.During lunch, it started to snow again. I was sitting with my back to the window.

P yelling at the top of his lung: HUNDREDS!! HUNDREDS MAMA!!

Me: Hundreds of what?

P (still yelling with absolute joy): HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF SNOWFLAKES.

Me: Oh you're right. That's great.

Me (thinking in my head): Hundreds? Where did he get that from? We have a hard time counting to twenty without skipping any numbers around here.

I'm going to need another shoulder...

Going from no kids to one definitely had its challenges and joys. Going from one child to two brought new and different challenges, along with happiness never before imagined. I am starting to wonder how on earth anybody deals with three children. Peyt and The Little Boxer always have to have exactly the same things - same size - same amount - same time - or it's the end of the world for one of them.

Just this morning, Peyt was eating his cold cereal. I was making a piece of toast for The Little Boxer, and we were almost late for preschool. I'm running around like a chicken with its head cut off (never actually seen this) responding to the requests of my children while trying to gather up the keys, Peyt's backpack (which is pretty much pointless for preschool, but again, it is the end of the world if we don't take it). P wants a drink of milk...get milk for P...run upstairs and grab P's shoes...The LB sees P's milk and wants her own...get clean sippy cup out of drawer and fill with milk and give to LB...the toast is done...put butter on it and give to LB, who by this time is crying watching P eat cereal and starving for her own food...realize P didn't get socks on like I'd asked him to...run upstairs to get socks while yelling over and over "hurry, we're going to be late. we don't want to be late for preschool. take a bite of your cereal. stop staring outside and eat. leave LB alone!! get off her highchair. eat your cereal. we don't want to be late! take another bite of your cereal"...P starts crying because in the midst of me running upstairs to get socks and yelling about how we are going to be late for preschool, I didn't hear him tell me that he wanted a piece of toast just like LB..."stop crying and ask nicely and I'll get you some"...I rip LB's toast in half (I can make her more when we get home from taking P to preschool)...give half to P...run upstairs to put on my own shoes and socks...P comes after me..."Why mama (this is what he calls me these days, I don't know why), why did you give LB the bigger piece. Her toast is bigger than mine. That is not fair. That is not fair. That is not fair!"..(We've been teaching about sharing and being fair. Why do well meant lessons always backfire? It seems like everything is "not fair" around our house these days.)...I deal with this unfairness in the best way I know..."LB is smaller than you so she needs more food, and we are going to be late for preschool."..(This argument also works very well in reverse - "I get more ice cream or a bigger cookie because I am bigger" - The only problem with this is then I get told how that is not a nice thing to say. I am being very mean and I need to say I'm sorry and not say that anymore. Whenever P used to have friends over to play, he would bombard them with statements of "I'm bigger than you...I'm older than you...my feet are bigger than yours" which would cause the "friend" to retaliate, "no, I'm bigger than you...I'm older than you...my feet are the biggest" and inevitably someone ends up crying. I've been trying to teach him to say things like "I'm big...I'm old..my feet are big." He figured it out, but like I said, all well-meant lessons backfire. Now if I say anything about something or someone being bigger or older than something else, (i.e. that cookie is bigger than that cookie), I am not being very nice and get a lecture from my three year old.) Anyway, to make this impossibly long story a little shorter, I'll summarize by saying, we got in the car, I brought LB's blanket because she was still in her jammies and didn't have a coat on. P cried because we didn't bring his blanket. I gave him a book that we had in the car to pacify him for the 23 second drive to preschool. LB started to cry because she wanted a book - at least that is what I am assuming as she can't yet talk. We dropped P off at preschool and I went back to the life of one child for just a few hours. I gave LB both the book and the blanket and another piece of toast with absolutely no calls of "UNFAIR," and finally sat down to eat my own breakfast.

And again, I seem to have gone way overboard in the explanation of one simple picture. Besides battles over food and treats and toys and clothes and shoes and books and vacuums and brooms, every day is also a battle of who gets to sit on mommy's lap and lay on mommy's shoulder. At least for now, we have figured out a compromise that sort of works. After all, I have two shoulders and two legs. Aside from LB shoving P in the face every few minutes to try to get him away so she can have mommy all to herself, it is the most wonderful feeling in the world to have these two little angels fight over me and eventually be happy with their own shoulder. This is one of the those moments I never imagined could bring so much joy. I just don't know how it's going to work if I have another baby.

"P, I promise, my knee is just as soft as my shoulder."

What does random mean?

I usually avoid this whole talking about my 'special' qualities or filling out surveys or responding to tags where I have to answer searching questions about myself. Anyone that knows me also knows that I dislike being the center of attention (a lot), but in this case, I feel I must acquiesce. My beautiful cousin Catherine specifically wrote in my comments that I must respond (and then also sent a message to me on Facebook). It is not just something I can pretend I didn't see. I'm supposed to write 7 random things about myself, but I hardly know 7 non-random things about myself, so this will have to suffice.



1- Calculus was my favorite class ever. English - I hated!! I wish I would have paid more attention in English, I never realized how powerful writing can be.



2- I get scared very easily. Scary movies and books are not allowed into my house, I frighten myself enough as it is. Anyway, for the times when I get really scared and I am alone, I have mastered the ability to sing a Primary song (usually "I Love to See the Temple"), read a book, and say a prayer all at the same time. It pretty much works for me 99.8% of the time.



3- I have the best, most amazing, loving husband in the whole world who puts up with a lot from me. I have a huge fear of natural disasters, fire, and snow. He helps me cope with them all. When I can't sleep at night because I am too scared of an earthquake, I wake Paul up from his deep sleep, and he'll try to tell me a love story - one of Our love stories. These are the easiest for him to tell as he has to do it a lot and he can say them when he is still half asleep. It takes my mind off of planning what to do, what child to grab first and second, and where to hide. I can just fall asleep thinking of "true love." When I can't sleep at night because I hear sounds like a fire, I wake him up, and he'll go downstairs and make sure there is no fire (even though he already knows there isn't). He even checks the closets for me. And lastly, Paul knows I don't like going anywhere in the car when it is snowing. He bought chains for our little car and promises me we couldn't slip even if we wanted to. Paul used to be a VERY DEEP sleeper. It would take an army crashing through his bed in the middle of the night to wake him up, but no longer. He is not even that grumpy when I wake him up anymore, just alert and ready to help. (Just for the record, this really does not happen too often for those worrying about my poor husband and his lack of sleep as well as my sanity.)

4 - One time my mom and I thought it would be so funny to gather up all leftover hotdogs and ribs from the fridge. We put them in a bag and began our walk very nonchalantly along the Boulevard (a much traversed double sidewalk near our house). Carefully, we would drop a hotdog or rib on the sidewalk when no one was around and then stumble away laughing hysterically as we imagined some poor person walking their dog and trying to keep them on the leash as the dog found a trail of hot dogs. The placing of the hotdogs was actually much more fun than the actual dog finding. Unbeknownst to us and probably to many of you, most dogs do not get all that excited when they come across a hot dog on a sidewalk, or their owners have trained them to ignore them. We were basing our "experiment" on the reactions of Oscar (our dog) who usually goes CRAZY if a carrot is dropped on the ground. You should see him if there is even meat in the same room as him. My mom is the best friend ever. She is so much fun! (Don't worry, we picked up the hotdogs and other stuff before we went home.)

5- I LOVE musicals or actually any movie that has singing in it - "Ella Enchanted" - "Mulan" - "High School Musical" - "Enchanted" are just a few of my favorites. I used to think that the creators of Disney's "The Little Mermaid" had come into my house and 'stolen' my voice to use as Ariel's voice. I realized that didn't really happen a little while ago.

6- Gardening is one of my favorite things in the whole world. On the nights that I am not planning my families escape from the raging inferno of our house, I am planning what flowers and plants I want to get next spring and where to put them. I love it!

7- I am always very nice to survey takers on the phone and try to take the survey. I had the privilege of having that dreadful job in college and realized they are people too.

Exercise by Proxy...

Do you still burn calories if it is your children doing your exercise videos? If so, soon I am going to one skinny little lady...

I'm AMAZING!!

Hola. Me llamo Rachel. Me gusta HELADO!!

I am fascinated by other languages and have always wanted to learn another one. Unfortunately, I've been stuck with the high school method of teaching Spanish.

"Okay, clase. Now we are going to sing our Spanish speaking countries song...directly after we play BINGO only speaking in Spanish. Begin - 'Mexico D.F. Mexico, Guatemala, Guatemala, Tegucigalpa, Honduras, San Salvador, El Salvado, Managua, Nicaragua..."

I really learned a lot and am almost fluent as long as someone only wants me to sing the names of the countries that speak Spanish in Central America or play BINGO with them. Kind of a sad thing for me. Well, I realized the other day that I shall be sad no longer...I will rejoice, for motherhood has given me one more thing to be grateful for. I am now "multi-lingual."

The Little Boxer (which shall now be her new name as Marc, my brother calls her, stemming from the fact that she almost always has some sort of bruise or scrape on her head (from a very unsteady running/walking gait)) stands near the fridge and shrieks. I come running..."oh, you want your milk." She begins panting..."do you see an animal somewhere?" More shrieking..."let me carry you down the stairs." She has me well trained. The other day, my mom was over for lunch and watched the conversation between the Little Boxer and I. "How on earth do you always know what she wants?" Me: "I guess I'm just multi-lingual." (I didn't really say this, but this was when the realization came).

I also 'dimember', 'degot', 'digive', get 'cuck', pick up 'gicks', and love 'gogs'. (remember, forgot, forgive, get stuck, pick up sticks, and love dogs). Like I said, I am multi-lingual...just another of the WONDERFUL gifts of motherhood.

The Genius Wheat Grinder Man

One of my favorite quotes that I think of often as I am scarfing down the last of the 9X13 pan of brownies that I made that very morning is, "I'd rather die young and happy, then old and miserable." Meaning, "I think that treats and unhealthy food is the only way to be happy and since we all know that eating this way causes you to die early...oh well...I guess I'm dying young." Unfortunately, I know that it probably is not a 100% accurate statement! It is still not movtivation enough for me to give up the ice cream and chocolate and whatever else is in sight. But, I went to an Enrichment activity this week at our church where a man in the wheat grinder business spoke to us about food storage and wheat and other healthy practices. I was enjoying it, thinking "Oh, maybe someday, I'll get around to that whole grain stuff...being healthy and all" when suddenly, the genius man whipped out 'the quote.' He must have known he was talking to a bunch of young mothers. "It is a sobering thought when we realize, as mothers, that the health and well-being of our beloved family depends nearly entirely upon our knowledge and loving care." GUILT GUILT GUILT

Well, probably needless to say, I went and bought a wheat grinder and Bosch mixer today and made my very first whole grain wheat bread. It was very expensive bread!!! The only thing I am trying to figure out is - Is it really more healthy to eat a whole loaf of fresh wheat bread with dinner followed by a couple slices as a bed time snack or just eat one little slice of store bought wheat bread for breakfast? I guess we should add "depends nearly entirely upon our knowledge and loving care, and self control" to the quote.

Here's to learning self control............I'd do anything for these little guys (and big guy)!!

Holes, Tails, Tears, and TROUBLE

I have a little girl that is obsessed with climbing into and on top of things. Any little hole that is anywhere, I find her down it. Any little ledge, I find her on it. Any little basket, I find her in it. Peyton never climbed out of his crib and we finally ended up just moving him to a big boy bed when he was three. I used to think it was because I was such a good mom, but I've realized, as I have with most everything else, that that is probably not the case. He just wasn't a CLIMBER!! Ellie is...and I'm just waiting for the day when she launches herself out of her crib at the age of one. Anyway, here are a few of her FAVORITE places around our house.

One of my friends has a little girl that is about 7 years old whose hair is always done perfectly and beautifully. I aksed her a couple months after Ellie was born how she does it and how she gets her little girl to hold still while she does it. She said, "well, I think you just have to start from Day 1 doing their hair and then they don't really know any different. If you don't start right from the beginning, I think they have a hard time all of the sudden being expected to hold still." AAAAAHHH!! Ellie was already 2 months old and she hardly had any hair anyway! I was way past "Day 1." I thought I was going to have problems with her for the rest of my life (not that it really matters all that much if they even get their hair done when they are little). I started from that day trying to do her hair. I got teased a little bit about the tiny clips...people asking if I glued them in, but guess what...I did pigtails (sort of) in her hair today and she even kind of held still while I did it. So cute!!

Peyton started his first day of preschool today. So sad to have him gone for a couple of hours...so happy to have him gone for a couple of hours. I talked to my mom this morning after he left. I was feeling a little emotional and she said I better get used to it. Motherhood is full of feeling opposite feelings. You don't want them to grow up, but you do want them to grow up. You don't want to send them to kindergarten, but you're so happy when they go to kindergarten. You don't want them to go on a mission, but you do want them to go desperately. You want them to get married, but you don't want them to get married. Anyway, I'm so happy that he is in preschool, but I'm so sad that he is old enough to go to preschool.

Lastly, I have a tendency to say dumb things a lot...i.e. "Holy smokes" or "Oh my gosh." Peyton used to say these same things sometimes, and it was a little bit funny. Well, in the last day or two, he has suddenly combined the two and says "Holy gosh" about EVERYTHING. He sees a bird on a tree, "holy gosh mom, there's a bird on that tree...holy gosh, that hurt...holy gosh, I had so much fun at preschool." I feel so mortified every time he says it...it just seems little irreverent, but the more I draw attention to it, the more he says it!! I'm trying to plant other statements in his head like "WOOHOO Peyton, there is a bird in that tree...HOT DOG, I love to eat ice cream...ZIPPADEEDOODAH, what a great day!", but he hasn't quite picked up on those yet.

Stuff for sale...

Does anybody want a carrot? Only one bite has been taken out of each one....what made me ever think that a three year old can operate with restraint to have a full bag of carrots in front of him at lunch time. I'm sure the carrot train would have continued had I not intervened. I guess at least he is eating his vegetables.
For those of you searching for a good price on toilet paper. I have plenty to spare. It has not been used (at least not in the conventional manner) and you can buy it pre-wadded. Peyton has gained an obsession with toilet paper. It seems like I am finding it everywhere - in the hall, under the beds, in the toys baskets, outside, lots in the garbage, and most especially, stuffed down the pants along with various other sundries (like Ellie's "my little ponies" or a matchbox car or a spoon).

Lastly, I have a little extra vaseline. Not really used, I just had to scrape it off of my little girls bed and clothes and hair and face. She reached through the bars of her crib to the changing table to get the vaseline. I should have known something was up when I hear her laughing in her bed after her nap. She was having the time of her life!! (By the way, vaseline does not come out of hair easily and for a few days, people kept thinking I had a very sweaty, wet baby)

A Life Well Lived

My cousin, Craig Decker, passed away in an accident a couple weeks ago. We had the privilege of attending his funeral this past weekend to pay tribute to a life well lived and a man well loved. It has been difficult dealing with the death of a loved one and someone so young and vibrant, but also a wonderful time to reflect on life and the things that really do matter. I have always been impressed by Craig and his wonderful smile and positive attitude, but I have been truly inspired as I have learned more about him and those that he touched. He has made me want to be a better person through the way that he lived his life. The following is written by him on his Youtube page (captaindanger384).

"I haven't always been left handed. In fact, I still get weirded out when I look down at the stub where my right hand used to be! Christmas vacation last year took me on a road trip to Mexico. Question: Where can you buy better quality fireworks than in Mexico? (Answer: ANYWHERE!) On New Year's Eve I lit a harmless looking firework at midnight, and a moment later I looked down and realized that my hand took the early bus back to heaven!All joking aside, I have learned some powerful lessons through that experience. (Surprisingly, most of them have very little to do with firework safety!) Although what occurred was tragic, I believe what I have learned has made me a better person and will continue to bless the lives of many people.

1. Don't buy fireworks in Mexico!

2. There are some things in life that we simply cannot control. (If I hadn't blown off my hand, some other poor sap would have!) It's okay. As we let go of those things quickly and completely, we become free.

3. "Men are that they might have joy"! Life is good. Laughter heals. Life is funny. There are funny things that happen every day even in the worst of situations. Bad days make good stories. There is a time to laugh and a time to cry. It's funny that laughter and tears come together so easily.

4. The atonement of Christ brings peace and healing "that surpass all understanding". We come to know ourselves and we come to know God through our trials. We are surrounded by miracles. When we trade self pity for humility, our eyes are opened to see them.

5. There is so much life to live! Why waste time worrying and stressing about inconsequential things? Spend time doing what matters most—the things that bring the most light and joy to life. Enjoy the ride.

6. Challenges make us stronger and better. With creativity and patience, we are capable of much more than we ever imagined. Our perspective determines our reality. (There is nothing that quite compares with the feeling of accomplishment gained from tying your shoes with one hand for the first time!)

7. We can always lift others, no matter how bad of a situation we are in. It is a divine gift. The only true and lasting joy comes from forgetting ourselves and helping those around us."

We'll miss you Craig!!

For more about Craig, you can visit www.craig-decker.com

AT LAST!!!

After over two years of working in the yard every second of every day (except for the hours and hours that Paul was studying), we are finally done! We just finished building our deck and steps out of the house after not having any for over a year. YEA!! I honestly never thought we would finish. We have been teased a lot by friends and family wondering if we have a life besides working in our yard. Well, we haven't really, but to tell the truth, it has been so much fun working together. Peyton thinks that is what families do for fun - work in the backyard.

Thanks so much to everyone who helped. We couldn't have done it without you.

And now for the unveiling...drum roll please...I just wish I had taken better pictures to document "the before". Like I've said, photography has never been one of my talents. I have no pictures of what our yard was like before we began, and only a few documenting our progress. Let's just say, a quarter of our already TINY yard was completely unusable.

BEFORE

Sorry about the behind shot, Mom. It just shows what a hard worker you are!!

My wonderful brothers - hard at work. (Just a side note...each of those blocks weigh about 90 pounds. I couldn't even lift them - I know, surprising, considering how ripped I am. We had 6 full pallets of them delivered on our front driveway. Paul spent many nights carrying them one by one around the house. One day, our neighbors, two women in their 40s, showed up with aprons and gloves on. "Where do we put the blocks?" Those amazing women carried back 1 and 1/2 pallets all by themselves. People are SO awesome.)

The walls eventually got done, but then there were truckloads and truckloads of dirt to get rid of. Luckily, one of our neighbors needed dirt, so we were able to load it in the truck and just drive it around the corner to unload it. I can't even guess on how many wheelbarrows of dirt we shoveled. (Peyton really was an amazing little helper. There was one time he filled a whole wheelbarrow by himself. He was just barely 2 years old.)

This was taken the night before we had our concrete poured.

And now finally, two years after we started our "little" project. We got the deck done and we are finished!! ...well, maybe...I'm getting some new ideas of what I want to do next.

PS - Sorry for the major over abundance of pictures. I'm just real happy and quite shocked that we actually are finished.