We're home, we're safe, we're alive

(Name that movie for a chance to win....nothing)

OK. So I realize it's been awhile since I've reported on our doings and happenings. But believe me, it's not because there are no doings and happenings. So let's begin.
We continue to make microscopic progress on the installation of our new fireplace. I would show you pictures, but I don't have the camera with me.
Chris, Keaton and the camera are at the Klondike Derby this weekend. For those of you who don't know what that is, you're not alone. I don't know either. I think secretely they're spending the weekend at Hooter's. Just kidding. It's a Boy Scout camp out in the snow. Wonder why I'm not there? I don't. I can't imagine anything more miserable. But hopefully they're having fun and we'll share pictures sometime in the next year or so.
Carson started his basketball season a couple of weeks ago. So Saturday mornings are spent watching practice and games. I love the program he's in because they practice for 45 minutes then play a 45 minute game and then we're done for the week. No mid-week practices or anything. And they're nice enough to schedule team pictures during practice too. This program must be run by a mom! And she's a woman after my own heart. I have recently realized that Carson is a runt. I knew he was a little bit small for his age, but I look out on the basketball court and he's the smallest one out there. But it doesn't stop him. He still does great and his football team as well as his basketball team (same group of kids) is undefeated so far.
Daniel finally got his cast off this week and now only has to wear a removable brace for about another week. He was so excited to give his arm and hand a good scrub and to take a shower without a plastic bag on his arm. He also really missed playing his guitar and cello. We can hear him strumming away for hours at a time downstairs. He also is going to be in the spring musical at the high school, "The Pirates of Penzance." Did I spell that right? Probably not. Anyways, he's really enjoying it.
Jantzen is still loving preschool and especially loved her Valentines day party. She spent many hours admiring all of her little valentines and memorized which kid gave her which card. It was amazing, considering that she has about 20 kids in her class. We kept quizzing her just for fun. She's such a sweetie and such a turkey. She is so excited to read and usually at bedtime she wants to repeat everything I read to her so that she can pretend she's reading. She's sounding out simple words and is working on memorizing all her story books so that she can "read" them. This girl has some seriously crazy memorization skills and one day I'll figure out what to do with them.
This is really starting to feel like one of those Christmas letters where you go through the family one person at a time and highlight their year. But...oh well, no excuses. I'm lame and I know it.
Chris has just had eight days off of work and I'm not sure what he did. Just kidding! He's been working on the fireplace, but since he's learning as he goes, we've run into lots of delays. We've spent a week waiting for some vent pipe to come in and he couldn't really do anything on it until that was here. So my feet are still cold and we have a huge hole in our ceiling but life's good. We're gearing up for a big kitchen remodel and I'm excited but dreading it. I know that nothing will go as planned and everything will be more difficult and expensive than we thought. I'm not being a pessimist, it's just the reality. I've lived through remodels before and that's just the way it goes. But when it's done it will be so worth it.
I just returned from Boise last night. I was at Scentsy Director Boot Camp and it was so amazing! I learned so much and met tons of great people. I love this company I'm working with and the growing potential is so huge. It's already growing at a rate of about 400%, even when the rest of the economy is tanking. The company is totally debt free and the owners are amazingly humble and down to earth. The product sells itself, all I do is share it with people. I was talking to the owner, Orville Thompson, and he told me that people who have been Scentsy Consultants for four or more years are consistently making $200,000 per year or more. Of course it takes work. You can't just sign up then do nothing. But it's not that hard, either. Believe me. I don't work that hard! So here's my pitch to you. If you hate your job or don't make enough money, give it some thought. It's only $99 to get started and you can easily make that back at your first party. In less than one year my team grew from one person to 20 people and I'm making money off of other people's work. How great is that? At that rate, I'll be paying off my house a lot sooner than 30 years from now. And I've met tons of great people and made lots of new friends. It's definitely been a win-win.
In other news about me, I've signed up for another half-marathon and so will soon be torturing you with details about my grueling runs. This year I talked my good friend Heather into doing it with me and I know it's gonna be so fun. It is, after all, the Girlfriend's Half Marathon. We'll definitely be shopping for matching running outfits to wear on the big day. Pink, of course. If there's anyone else out there crazy enough to join us, let me know.
Well, I think that's about all the news and weather in the Wrathall household. Thanks for reading all the way to the end. Your eyes are probably tired by now.