Redemption

Neal has been plagued for many years by a childhood trauma that only he and his brother Eric can fully relate to. This painful memory occurred when he was ten years old and involves the infamous......pinewood derby.

As a young boyscout, Neal relished in the thought of building the fastest car in the pack. Together with his Dad, Neal assembled his car in high hopes it would sweep the competition victoriously. Neal, Erik, and his Dad thought it would be a great idea to polish their car with lacquer to give their cars an irresistible shine. This would be the perfect finishing touch.

The night of the competition arrived and Neal and Erik anxiously awaited for their Father to come home from work and take them to scouts. It was around this time that the boys examined their cars only to discover that the lacquer was still a sticky wet sludge. Panic stricken, Erik and Neal looked to their Dad to remedy the situation who in turn decided that the situation called for a BLOW TORCH. Slowly the lacquer began to melt off....along with the brilliant paint job that was painstakingly and lovingly applied. Erick and Neal stood there gazing at the offensive impostor that once resembled a car destined to win the derby. Hoping that all was not lost, they scrambled to spray paint both cars in an attempt to cover the torched burns and prayed that all would go well on the track. Sadly, Neal and Erik's cars not only didn't win the race, but they both failed to even cross the finish line!

Neal left scouts that night with feelings of shame and embarrassment. He still vividly recalls walking home alone that night with tears plunging down his cheeks. Not only had Neal lost the race but he lost his pride as well. Perhaps the only solace that Neal found was through one word that seemed to echo in his head:

REDEMPTION!

Neal vowed that one day he would be made whole again....through his son.

Last month Britton entered the scouting program and was given a block of wood to shape into a race car. Hours were spent researching the best designs together and talking on the phone with Neal's brother, Erik, who has since redeemed this boyhood trauma himself through his own sons. The secrets were uncovered and Britton and Neal set out to accomplish their mission of building the fastest pinewood derby ever known to race. Neal even felt it necessary to buy a $100 scroll saw to achieve the best design possible. Britton and Devin eagerly assisted Neal as he labored over carving an ordinary block of wood into a fleeting force to be reckoned with. The kids and I left for Utah for a couple weeks and Neal continued to spend many nights laboring over this fine piece of workmanship even taking it to the dental lab at work. Neal continued on his mission of drilling, melting, carving, measuring and weighing and sanding the race car during our absence.

We returned the day before the race with still much to accomplish. The axles hadn't been put on and the wheels had yet to receive a graphite coating. Neal had a 12 hour surgery the next day and raced home with only 20 minutes to spare before we had to leave for the derby. This scene unfolded with an eerie resemblance to Neal's experience 25 years prior as we were pushed for time. Like the previous experience we had no other choice but to throw some spray paint on Britton's car. The paint was drying as we rushed to the church with Neal's pockets full of emergency supplies for any possible scenario. Britton weighed in his car at exactly 5 ounces. Perfect! (Neal actually took the car to the grocery store the night before to check the weight on a produce scale.) While applying the axles at just the right angle, Neal pressed a little too hard and a chunk of wood broke off. Ahhhh! Britton looked at me as I tried to mask my panic and replied "Don't worry Mama. Daddy ain't no dummy!" This is a family phrase that Neal and Britton frequently exchange. Sure enough, Neal whipped out his emergency stash of super glue and all was well.

The races began. Each scout got to race his car a total of six times so that each car was raced on every track against every boyscout. This measure was taken to guarantee total fairness. It was so exciting to look at Britton's face....and then Neal's face as his/their car took first place every single time! Britton won six first place ribbons in all with each run down the track at less than two seconds. Britton couldn't be more proud and Neal was practically giddy! The awards were handed out and Britton absolutely beamed as he received the "Fastest car in the pack" award. This was such a fun experience for the whole family. Who would have thought that 25 years later Neal would finally know what it feels like to receive the "Fastest car in the pack" award. Needless to say Neal went to bed with a huge smile on his face. Oh, and so did Britton.

Neal fine tuning the car just minutes before the race.

Going for a test run.

Still trying to perfect things...

Super glue to the rescue! (Boyscouts are always prepared, right?)

Yet another test run. (Everything must be just right.)

Britton feeling pretty confident about the race.

Britton wins the race!

Britton's car is on the right. He's whippin' them all! Wahoooo!

Winning sure feels good!

Neal is reveling in the glory of first place!

Britton's car takes first place again!

Livy cheering on her brother! Gooooo Britton!!!

Britton eagerly collects another 1st place win!

Devin and Livy eagerly watch the races.

Another win for Britton!

Britton on cloud 9!

Britt admiring his first place ribbons.

And the winner for fastest car in the pack goes to...... BRITTON CURTIS!!!

Britton can hardly believe his eyes as he gazes at his new trophy.

Congratulations Neal! You've waited 25 years for this moment! xoxox

My two Champs!

Photo op with the winners.

Devin clearly had more important things on his mind. We love our Dev!♥

PARTY TIME!!!

So a couple weeks ago was my birthday which usually goes down without much excitement. This year, I must say, was a pleasant surprise. I assumed Neal was taking me out to dinner because he was acting kind of fishy so I anxiously awaited his arrival. Truth be told, I anxiously anticipate his arrival every night and actually count down the hours. I know, isn't that pathetic? But what can I say--he's my Baby♥ So about ten minutes after Neal got home I hear a pounding on my door and it's my friends Emily an Jeannette with a rediculously huge birthday hat. I shuddered at the possibility that I might have to wear that thing in public. Luckily, I only had to wear it behind closed doors. ha! Anyway, we went out to dinner at Olive Garden with several friends and then back to Jeannette's house to watch "The Bachelor." The absolute sweetest thing ever was that Jeannette had baked me a cake which was the very first cake she had ever made in her entire life. I guess she was a little nervous and hesitant because she knows I'm BIG into desserts and pride myself on my chocolate cake which literally makes your eyes roll to the back of your head. At any rate, Jeannette did an awesome job and it tasted wonderful. I am so thankful for such great friends!

Another incredibly sweet gesture was from my boys. I'll never forget how kindred it was to see Britton lean over and whisper in Devin's ear, run over to the keyboard, select the birthday song, and then both stand ever so humbly in front of me singing "Happy Birthday." Devin and Britton both seemed to take this tribute very seriously as they sang their absolute best. That was truly one of those moments that I just stopped and thought "Gosh, I am so lucky to be a Mom!" Heaven knows it's not easy but it really is sooo worth it. I also received a couple gifts including a tiny potted tree (hopefully it will live longer than a month) and a Wii Fit which took Neal almost a year to find.

Very quickly I have to tell you about Devin. Devin is the A-B-S-O-L-U-T-E worst when it comes to surprises. He literally cannot keep a secret because it drives him absolutely crazy. When he gets something on his mind that he's excited about (money, presents) he dwells and obsesses over it to the point where he almost loses function. If Devin happens to have a dollar, he MUST go to the dollar store now and hounds me hundreds of times. It almost seems as though he's experiencing actual discomfort or pain--it's that intense. Some instances aren't quite as intense but still illustrate his inability to keep a secret such as when we play hide 'n go seek. Finding Devin is always extremely easy because he just sits there and giggles and giggles and giggles and giggles. (You get the point.) One time I found him and Britton hiding in the coat closet and both Devin and Britton had their hands piled over Devin's mouth to keep down the inevitable giggles. You just can't help but love Devy. Anyway, Devin painted several ceramic animals and bought me my two favorite candies to give as my birthday present. Not being able to withstand the excitement/anticipation/secret, he insisted that I open the present several days before my birthday. I then had to rewrap and reopen the same gift on my birthday acting completely surprised so he could feel all proud of himself again. God bless little children~

We also attended a super fun ♥Valentine's Day♥ party at our church. A member in our ward is a DJ on the side so we (I mean I) had the best time ever dancing with the kids. (Neal had a fun time observing-haha!) Livy loved to dance but was mostly preoccupied with the dessert table. What a sweet tooth that child is! (I wonder where she got that from? Hmmm...)

This was one of 50 attempts Livy made at raiding the dessert table.

Britton had a blast dancing his heart out. (Notice the red cheeks!)

Livy Lou dancing the night away!

Devin hangin' out with his buddies.

Livy made a new friend and had fun hanging out under the dessert table.

Devy joins Livy and her new friend in the adventure.

Sweet & Sassy

Olivia was recently invited to her first birthday party. The party was held at "Sweet & Sassy" which is a spa for little girls. Each girl gets receives royal treatment as they select a fancy dress, accessories, have their hair and makeup done, dance and then walk the catwalk. Okay, yes, this might seem a bit over the top (Olivia is, after all, barely 2 years old) but it was such a precious sight to behold. I cannot even tell you how much I LOVE having a baby girl-- I LOVE IT, I LOVE IT, I LOOOOOOOOVE IT!!! Of course I adore my boys too but I love being able to relate to Olivia in all the girly aspects. I don't think I could possibly count the times I squealed (literally) that night just watching Lulu get all gussied up and dance with the girls on stage. I must admit that I think she may have some of her Mama in her too. (Ah oh!) After all, Livy seemed to feel very comfortable being front and center stage. She also insisted on staying on stage the entire time and repeatedly climbed up onto the stage after her turn. Little Livy just couldn't get enough....well, until the end when it was clearly her bedtime. And, by the way, I still have yet to be pampered to this extent nor will I probably ever experience this in my life time. Figures.

Olivia realizing for the first time that beauty isn't always comfortable.

Olivia in "Hair and Makeup"

Livy trying to decide which eyeshadow palate to pick.

Livy holding still for the makeup artist.

Olivia making sure she approves of the final outcome.

Olivia attentively receives instructions for the catwalk with the other girls.

Olivia contemplates her approaching debut.

Livy anxiously awaits in the wings...

Livy strutting her stuff with confidence!

Livy striking an appropriate (and predictable) "Livy" pose.
Got to love that thumb! xoxo

Olivia refusing to stay off the stage after her turn.

Mama so proud of her baby girl!!!

Time to dance the night away!

Lulu so excited to see her Daddy. (Notice her toes!)

Clearly it's bedtime and Olivia is in no mood

for group pictures. Time to call it a night.

Olivia contemplates next year's performance...

Still Trying to Catch Up!

I know it's a month after Christmas but I'm still trying to get into a regular habit of updating this thing. Looking back I have realized that there were two fun parties that I failed to include so here goes. The first was a "Wear a dumb Christmas sweater" party with a bunch of my girlfriends. My friend, Emily, threw the party and everyone came dressed in their gayest Christmas sweater. Seriously, nothing dates a woman more than when she's walking around in her "Beary Christmas" sweatshirt, twinkling snowman broach, light bulb earrings and antlers perched on top of her head. Bless their hearts--I know they're just happy to be feeling the Christmas spirit and all but seriously folks... Anyway, not wanting to waste money on an outfit I'd NEVER wear again, I called my elderly neighbor next door and casually asked if she happened to have a festive Christmas sweater I could borrow. Fortunately she did so I showed up--antlers and all.

Then Neal and I attended the annual Resident Christmas Party. We all had to bring a white elephant gift. Neal made a mold of his pointer finger and turned it into an attractive tree ornament. The funniest part about it is that at first glance it clearly resembles something slightly different. Neal's co-resident, Hagen, got our gift and was all too thrilled. We ended up with the Farting Santa. Our boys couldn't have been more amused!

(This is Neal's co-resident, Hagen, who's bleary eyed and drunker than a skunk. I've seriously never met a funnier drunk in all my life. It's quite entertaining actually!)

"Oh Tanenbaum, oh Tanenbaum, how lovely are your branches!"
What the heck is up with the word "tanenbaum" anyway?

(That word really needs to be done away with.)

Me with my Baby

My sweet Devy proud and can be of the gingerbread house he got for Christmas.
(More than anything Devin wished for a real gingerbread house with a real gingerbread man. Unfortunately Santa could only fit this replica in his sleigh.)

Another snowman creation by the one and only Devy. (I know--it looks really possessed.)