Lest you think I’m always so on top of things… here is our annual family Christmas update – a month late. I finally got a “round tuit.” Ever feel like you just can’t manage to do all that is expected of you? Yeah, me too. It’s called being a part of the “I’m doing the best I can” club. Welcome!

Jacob, age 16 – completed his Eagle Project at Camp Hinckley in Southern California, blazing trails after the devastating forest fires. He made 1st chair trumpet in band at his high school and enjoyed a week with the marching band in Florida, including a performance at the Gator Bowl halftime show. While in Florida, he asked one of the girls at the New Year’s Eve band festivities to dance, and was then interrupted by a man who announced that he was her husband. Oops! He didn’t realize she was one of the leaders. He discovered that she was a 28 year old instructor from Salt Lake City, helping with the Gator Bowl performances. This probably qualifies as one of his most embarrassing moments so far. Jacob also taught himself to play piano in 2008 thanks in part to a few instructional videos on YouTube. Some of the favorites include: “Take a Bow”, “Apologize”, and “Armies of Helaman Medley”. He started dating this last year, too: a few of his first group dating activities included watching “What about Bob” at the park – taking a generator and projecting the movie onto the side of a facilities shed, while roasting marshmallows from camp chairs perched around a Coleman’s Lantern. Making castles out of ice cream blocks. Attending a Jon Schmidt piano concert. In short, loving life!

Nathan, age 13 – has taken a new interest in amateur video editing and production, after being required to create one for science on the laws of Newton (see sample above). He made 1st chair clarinet in band at junior high, still loves tennis and doesn’t get to play it as often as he’d like. Loves social studies and is brilliant at understanding and remembering what he learns on the topic. He has also taken an interest in the piano and keeps the home full of music when Jacob isn’t already on it. Favorite songs to play: “Bad Day”, and “Everything”. Also completed his Eagle Project at Camp Hinckley at the same time. (He and Jacob took different ends of the trail and met in the middle.) It was a dream for me to knock both Eagle projects out at the same time!! (Aside from having to return to the site a second time – 6 hours away – to go measure and map the new trail a few weeks later.)

Kayli, age 10 – still loves horses and spends time with them whenever she can. This is Kayli visiting “Jack” – our friend’s neighbor’s horse. She started a family trend among the kids blogging. She loves to cook and can follow any recipe… goodies are her favorite thing to make. She still plays the violin even though we missed an entire semester. Learned to play most of “Maple Leaf Rag” and “Bad Day” on the Piano. Learned how to curl her own hair. Discovered a few new movie favorites: “Singing in the Rain” and “Anne of Green Gables”.

Jared, age 9 – loves to play on the computer creating pixel art. He took first place in water color for 3rd grade at the Arizona State Fair. Has taken a real interest and demonstrates quite a talent in all sorts of art. He creates shadows and dimensions even when using nothing but Microsoft Paint. He loves the scouting program and loves to go to the science center as a family. Doesn’t like to go for long drives, though. Doesn’t like jumping cactus, nor slippery rocks next to ponds. His blue scripture case with “CTR” (for “choose the right”) embroidered on the front (with scriptures inside) vanished over our July trip to Utah and Idaho and still hasn’t turned up. Anyone seen it? The scriptures have his name engraved on the outer cover…

Nicholas, age 7 – matching socks, which can be quite a chore in our family. He set a goal to learn how to read by Christmas, so that he could finally “read Jackrabbit Factor“. Still waiting to lose a few teeth that look like they’d like to drop out soon. High energy, high volume individual. Packs a powerful punch. He has taken a liking to the piles of Legos Jacob “manifested” eight years ago (as described in Hidden Treasures). Maybe because they are just so much more fun than trying to match piles of socks. Also, Nicholas was excited to get his very own baseball bat at Christmas… still has yet to go use it…

BETHANY’S VIDEO – file conversion issue gave me trouble, couldn’t post it  🙁

Bethany, age 5 – sings original songs, complete with vibrato – melodramatic vibrato, at times. Can get me giggling by merely asking for something and then striking a pose that communicates absolute beggary, with puppy-dog eyes batting and lips pursed sweetly together. I try not to laugh but I can’t help it. And for the record: no, it doesn’t work. Loves to be rewarded with Trident gum when she goes for extended periods of time with a dry thumb. (Yes, it was given up more than 6 months ago, but there have been occasional setbacks.)

Sarah, age 2 – has everyone wrapped around her finger. Loves to spin in her “princess dress” (see sample above). Is talking in full sentences now (when she’s not on camera, at least), and loves her siblings (and all the attention they give her). Rides a little bike with training wheels. Loves Caillou, Baby Songs, and Elmo’s Grouchland Adventure. Has learned to reprimand Charlie the basset hound, but unfortunately Charlie pays no attention to her squeaky, non-authoritative voice. (“Charlie, GO!” “No, Charlie!” …and when he doesn’t obey, she just screams.)

That’s the rundown.  Besides all of that, we spent July on the road for a speaking tour, enjoyed Yellowstone, hiking the “Y” in Provo for July 4th fireworks, visiting friends and family, and Zion’s National Park (almost, that is… the trailer was too long for the mountain switchback roads so we had to turn around.)  In December, I spent a week at my parents’ house in an effort to make significant headway on creating the Jackrabbit Factor sequel.  (Kids voted to knock it out in a short period of time rather than to drag it out over two years like the last time.)

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Leslie Householder

Leslie Householder is the award-winning, international best selling author of The Jackrabbit Factor, Portal to Genius, and Hidden Treasures: Heaven's Astonishing Help With Your Money Matters. Since 2002, she has helped people all over the world discover and apply the Rare Kind of Faith that causes things to happen for powerful life changes. Through story and shifts of perspective, Leslie aims to help her readers crush every challenge, achieve every goal, and vanquish every monster under their beds. Above all, Leslie is a dedicated wife and mother of seven children.

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