Pay Day

Richard has been working really hard.

research, tests, graduate level math problems 

that are more Greek alphabet letters than they are numbers.

online classes,

and changing diapers.

Ever since last September he has been working

to apply for a fellowship grant to continue his schooling.

He took the GRE, wrote essays, sent transcripts...

and then yesterday,

"Secretary of Energy Steven Chur announced more than $47 million in scholarships, fellowships, research grants and university research reactor upgrades to train and educate the next generation of leaders in America's nuclear industry.

"'We must invest in the next generation of American scientists and engineers in order to fulfill our commitment to restarting the America's nuclear industry and making sure that American stays competitive in the 21st century,' said Secretary Chu."

Richard WON a substantial fellowship from the 

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY!

They are paying him to get a PhD!

He is the first student at the University of Idaho to win it.

Only 30 other graduate students in the nation won this same fellowship also.

The smartest, handsomest, and safest guy in Idaho.

The whole time Colette rides on the bike with Daddy she is going, 

"Whooooa! Whooooooooooooaaa!! Whooooa!!!" 

All the neighborhood kids were playing and they went to a big pile of dirt {of course} near our townhouse.

Colette being the smallest got left behind. 

I went to her and said that I would walk over with her to where Parker was playing.

"I don't want Parker," she said.

Confused, I asked her why,

"Parker's a robot," she told me.

"What?! A Robot."

"Yeah, Parker's a robot."

"How do you know?"

"Because he goes like that." 

{no expression on her face}

I can see what she means.

I hope those workers won't be missing their safety cone.

Mostly I can say life is good. 

Two guesses what he is doing right now! 

"Eh?" 

 No, you can't have him!

 Things I have learned the last three months:

1. Newborn boogers should be put into bottles and sold as super glue.

2. Newborns get lint in their palms.

3. Old sweatshirts are the hardest to get rid of and I'm not just saying that because I just watched We Bought a Zoo. I did check all the pockets though.

4. Potties are overrated. Diapers are our friends.

5. Husbands are smart. We should keep them.

6. Paprika is easily confused with cayenne pepper.
7. Hungary is really far away.

8. Unsalted butter is better than salted.

9. Insanity: telling your kids the same thing over and over expecting they might actually listen.

10. The fishtail braid.
11. Folding laundry is no longer a luxurious day I set aside with a movie and Flipz.
12. I have really great friends.

Nine days until our vacation to Texas. 

We've all earned it.