Legos

James was given a 28 piece lego car for his birthday and the obsession has only intensified since then. Probably doesn't help that Lego happens to be Mike's #1 favorite childhood toy and that both of his parents kind of enjoy them. In fact, after Mike and I got home from our date Friday night and put the boys to boys to bed, we busted open the boxes and built some new cars ourselves. Both boys have been surprisingly careful, able, and patient in working with them. Sure is a fun project when it's too cold to spend much time outside.

Random:
-I am now in my 3rd trimester, am starting to feel big, and am in no hurry for #3's arrival.
-We went to the library a few days ago and discovered the Trucktown series by Jon Scieszka. Apparently there are a ton of books in this series and I'm a little embarrassed to admit that we just now learned about them. How did we ever live without Dumper Dan and the gang? I'm just glad we know about them now.
-January is the time to make a decision on preschool for the fall and we've decided to keep the boys home rather than send them. I think it comes down to the facts that 1) the boys LOVE to be and prefer to be at home playing with toys and each other, 2) we're not ready to start the busy schedule of driving to and from school 3 days a week, 3) we'd rather put that money into a college/ mission fund, and 4) I'm not ready to share my boys! I LOVE having them home with me and being a teacher I'm enjoying teaching them on my own and according to their interests. They're plenty social in the neighborhood and will be off to school soon enough.
I can't believe how big they are getting. Just tonight I looked at this picture on our wall and am amazed at how much has changed in 18 months. They're not babies anymore:

Quote of the Week paraphrased from our combined Priesthood/ Relief Society meeting on the influence a Righteous Father can have on his Daughters:

Self Esteem comes from making a difference in someones else's life. 

There is no competition in service--meaning, no one's going to be comparing the service rendered in someone else's behalf. It's all appreciated and welcomed-- especially when it's a parent doing their best. A Father who's trying to connect with his teenage daughter even though he doesn't have a clue what's going on in her hormonal head, a grandparent taking care of a newborn so the parents can rest, a friend bringing over dinner even if it's from Schwann's man.