Car Inspection

I have been worrying about getting my car inspected since the beginning of the year. I even calendared in to take it to a mechanic in March because I was sure that it would take at least a month to get the car up to snuff for the April inspection. What with life happening, the car checkup did not happen and the month of April is almost over.

Daniel, knowing of my worry, for the car and for the budget, decided to try his hand at fixing the car. I've had the indicator light on for my backup lights for some time. He did some research and after getting past a couple of layers of grime, was able to find the connector that needed to be checked. No luck with the indicator light, but the connector is now cleaner.

He then checked the wiring through my trunk and discovered that I needed new lights for my license plate. The indicator light was still on but only came on with a change in gears.

So, having determined that all my lights are in working order he did some further investigation to see why my indicator wasn't off. Apparently, any voltage change of the back lights causes it to go off if there is resistance in the wires. Hence, he had to do some re-wiring.

Daniel took my car to get it inspected today. It passed. Yippeee!

I am SO grateful to have a husband that can fix my car. I love that! I admit I was skeptical in the beginning when he said he would try to fix it, since earlier last year my dad tried unsuccessfully. Imagine my amazement and hero-worship that Daniel was able to fix it, especially when Daddy is one of the best mechanics I know. In addition to fixing it, Daniel did it all for under six dollars. Wow! Go Daniel!

Spring has arrived

It was much too nice of a day to stay indoors. James and I took a walk. It was hot and there was a nice steady breeze. James was happy to be out and so was I.
He wasn't too sure about the feel of grass on his feet and decided to survey the land from the comfort of my lap. This was fine by me. We relaxed, watched the wind blow the water, saw some birds, and explored the area around us in the shade. We even had some yummy apple sauce.
It was a idyllic.

Happy 1st Birthday, James!

We celebrated James first birthday today. I am so happy we have him. Here are some pictures from his special day.

I showed James two cake mixes and he picked the Devil's Food Cake. Nice choice. I baked it and cut out a stencil to dust the top with cocoa powder.

We tried to pose for a family picture, but James was eying the cake the whole time. In this picture James is checking for done-ness. "Ok," I said, "we know that is your side of the cake now."
James's birthday dinner was one of his favorites, mac and cheese. He has recently started to use the spoon, but not necessarily for transporting food from the bowl to his mouth. Rather he bludgeons his dinner to make sure it is nice and tender (or dead) before he has to chew it.

Wearing a new shirt with a little less mac and cheese on it, James investigates his presents. We got a surprise package from Grandma and Grandpa Howell in the mail. Josie and Ben and Grandma Chapin also sent packages. James even got a gift from our Sister Missionaries. James sure knows how to work the crowds!

James is teaching Mama out of his book he got from Aunt Josie and Uncle Ben.

Wow! These toys are so cool!


We sang to James and gave him his cake. At first James sampled the frosting to make sure it was of the highest quality. He then began beating the cake with his palms (which we interpret as acceptance of our offering).

What is cake without milk? James showed us his approval by beating the cake with his milk bottle too.
After he caked his clothes with cake, James got a birthday suit bath. He is our little angel and we love him so much!

Happy Birthday James. I have to go clean the cake off the floor now.

The Easter Bunny Delivers

The Easter Bunny sent us a box this year. It contained goodies like chocolate, fabric, and books. We got it in the mail a few days early because I'm sure the Easter Bunny didn't want to forget and miss our house.

James loved his chocolate bunny. He shared most of it with Daddy. Mama didn't share hers. Except with the baby, of course.

We have a tradition to rise and watch the sunrise on Easter morning, to remember the Savior, and to contemplate. This year we woke just in time to step on the balcony and see the rays of the sun touch the flag that stands outside our complex.

What a beautiful morning and a wonderful opportunity to remember the Savior. We are grateful to be a family and to know that death has been overcome in Christ's resurrection. We hope that each of you also enjoyed your Easter; chocolate, family, and the sweet remembrance of the goodness of the Lord.

The best...

We checked a book out from the library a few weeks ago. It was called 'The Fast Food Fix'. It gives recipes for fast food and tips on how to make it at home for less, (healthier too if you wish). We do.
Daniel made a $6 Big Mac Meal with a homemade Strawberry MilkShake. It was the best. He even cut fresh potatoes (they were oven baked), shredded pickles for the relish in the sauce, sliced tomatoes, hand made the patties, and toasted the buns. Wow.

My chapped lips cracked as I opened wide to take this bite. So good!

Thanks, Daniel.

Half-Way Baby Bump

4 months, three weeks, and two days along.

So I have 4 months, three weeks, and 3 days left. Woo hoo!

Oh boy, oh boy...

So if you have been wondering, or even if you haven't, now you know.

After being prodded and trying not to giggle all over the ultrasound table, I discovered why I endured when I saw my baby for the first time. A definite baby boy. We are very excited to finally get to see him. He has been kicking and squirming for the last month and helping his brother keep me up at nights. They take turns already. :)

This time Daniel couldn't come into the ultrasound room until the end because this office has different polices than the last one we went to. So we were a little disgruntled. But I forgave the technician when she said 'Ooooo, what a cute profile' and took this picture. Daniel was kept busy during this time getting his exercise.....chasing James up and down the office halls. He did get to see the little guy kick and move around at the end, when the technician had finished with her measurements and invited him in.

We celebrated by getting, and sharing, some powdered donuts and vegetable sushi. Sounds good, huh?

James wanted to share his donut with his little brother.

April Conference 2009

Conference has been spiritually uplifiting. The messages were of hope and faithfulness to me. I particularly liked Elder Holland's talk. He spoke of the Savior, what the Savior went through to understand our darkest moments, and how because of Him we do not have to face our trials alone. I also will remember Pres. Monson's talk where he shared examples of faithful endurance. The German mother will remind me what is truly important and what is not in the struggle of life. Elder Perry spoke on being good shepherds and offering the gospel to those we know. From all of these I have been instructed and edified.

How can I be better? These talks point to faithfulness, patience, and endurance with the small things; scripture study, prayer, magnifying my callings, and sharing the truths that give happiness, to name a few. As Pres. Uchtdorf said (paraphrased), exaltation is not reached in a sprint, it is a race of endurance and continued effort. - Charity

I have noticed a pattern of council from Presidents Uchtdorf and Packer in the General Priesthood Meeting. President Packer advised us to not immerse ourselves in gaining technical skills so much that we neglect optaining practical ones. President Uchtdorf also talked about doing what matters most. This is wise council for me as I try to figure out what I need to do in terms of education and skills so that the needs of the family are fully met. It also makes sense in light of the many comments on putting our faith in the Lord even when our socio-economic conditions may change and we have to do with less. -Daniel

For my newest niece

After a few false starts, I finished a baby quilt I've been thinking about since we heard the good news. Since my niece will be born in the year of the ox, and is part Chinese, I had Daniel draw me up a cute ox. We printed it out, ironed it to fabric, and I sewed it to the back. I think it turned out well. Her parents were born in the year of the monkey and in the year of the dragon. Hence the adorable monkey and dragon watching over their new baby ox.

We are really excited to meet the newest addition to the Howell family.

Furniture from Heaven

We have received some more blessings recently... in the form of furniture. We found a bed frame and table top near the dumpster outstide our apartment complex. Soon after that, one of the guys from work was looking to get rid of some of his furniture he no longer had room for. We gladly helped him with his problem. What altruism.

Dan impressed him by fitting all of it in and on his Subaru, which was no mean feat. In addition to proving his manliness by securing and then hauling this load, he was happy have a use for some of his Scout knots. Then we arranged and rearranged the apartment to fit the following:

A bookshelf. We now have more room for our books near the nightstand. A bed for James to grow into or for a guest to use.A new desk (aka fabric cutting and ironing station). This table top had only two legs when we found it but the filing cabinet is a perfect stand-in for the two missing legs. A bookshelf and toy nook for James. And a dresser (not pictured) for his clothes at some future time.

We will soon be at the point that 'there shall not be room enough to receive' anymore of these blessings. Guess we had better get a house.