In a snapshot, Fablehaven is a fantasy/thriller series that follows siblings Kendra and Seth Sorenson as they are introduced to a preserve that is home to magical creatures. The characters are very well developed and work through many complicated issues and choices. There are many real-world examples from the decisions they make.
I highly recommend these books and I can’t wait for the fifth and final book to be released — next year!
]]>The Cost Breakdown
Phone Line 1 700 minutes $70/month
Phone Line 2 -- $10/month
Taxes and Fees -- $10-20/month
Messaging 250 messages $5/month + airtime
Video -- $15 + $3-10 premium content
Music Per song $2/song + airtime
TV Shows -- $15/month
Ringtones 100 limit $1/month, $2/tone/year + content
Games -- $10/game + airtime
Parental Watch -- $10/month/phone
GPS Navigation -- $10/month + $3/day + airtime
Extended Warranty -- $6/month
Roadside Help -- $3/month + airtime
Address Backup -- $2/month + airtime
Detailed Billing -- $2/month/line
Mobile Web -- $5/month + airtime
Int'l Calls -- $4/month + 9ยข/minute + airtime
Int'l Roaming -- $1-2/minute + airtime
Int'l Messaging -- (fees apply)
Account Info via Phone FREE!
So, if with my two-phone plan, if I added messaging, video downloads, music, a couple custom ringtones, a game or two, and the extra features, my monthly fee would be:
$188/month
Yikes! I think, for now, we will stick with just phone calls.
]]>The results:
Height: 70”
Weight: 164 lbs.
Push-ups: 60 (82 points)
Sit-ups: 70 (87 points)
2-mile Run: 15:34 (75 points)
Score: 244
For the run, I was aiming for under 15 minutes, and I know I could do much better than 15:30. I tend to run on nerves for the first three laps and then my body starts to calm down and I can get into a rhythm.
I am in the 27-31 age bracket, which has the highest standards. You can see the current APFT chart on the Army’s website.
]]>Episode #007 of our infamous podcast. Listen Now.
]]>NOTE: This podcast is encoded in MPEG-4 (a.k.a. AAC) which can be viewed in iTunes or Quicktime. I could encode in MP3, but our podcast really isn’t worth it. Plus, our podcast is “enhanced” with URLs and photos! So, get on the bandwagon and download iTunes…
You can also subscribe to our podcast in iTunes:
http://www.derekandmelissa.com/podcast.xml )Elise guided me to what she wanted, and with particular detail, she outlined what we would be eating, including “root beer, salad, and hamburgers.” Elise felt it would be important to have this meal so “Mommy wouldn’t have to cook dinner and could have a break.” I sat down with Elise to write down a list of ingredients we would need. We modified the menu a little and decided on using the Dutch oven to create something “easy.”
I drove Elise down to the grocery store where we bought almost everything on our list (we couldn’t find any rolls), and then sped back to get started. By this time, Isaac was back from his adventure (a friend’s birthday party), and so he helped me chop carrots, potatoes, and start the charcoal.
In the Dutch oven, we cooked a roast, potatoes, and carrots, all bubbling in a stew of water and spices. It actually turned out great, but Melissa suggested next time not adding so much water and let the veggies cook in the fat. Sounds good to me!
Isaac suggested that our next Dutch oven dinner be lasagna.
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It came as somewhat of a surprise, but on 1 March, I was awarded the Army Achievement Medal for my duties related to the public affairs office. What really made the day, however, was when Melissa, Isaac, and Dayton arrived to see the ceremony. I was certainly not the only one getting an award that day, but I sure felt singled out with my wonderful family cheering me on.
]]>I have this as version 6. Much simpler than previous designs. I’m trying to go with less markup to make future updates easier.
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Half-way into our Sacrament meeting at Church, it started to snow pretty heavy. Snow had dusted the area during the night, but not enough to cause much panic. But as we left the first meeting and began Sunday School, the snow became thick and when Bro. Jeniak came into the Primary room, it could mean only one thing: Church had been cancelled for the rest of the day.
Panic ensued. The children somehow knew that nothing could hold them or keep them quiet.
The roads were actually pretty bad, but we made it home safely. The real fun was shoveling the walks and clearing the snow for tomorrow.
Inside, we built a roaring fire in the stove, something we hadn’t done since we moved. The fire, along with a few cups of hot chocolate, made for a pleasent afternoon.
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Once upon a time…
There was a fairy that lived in the North. And by the fairy was a little sneaky person that lived right by. And one day, he sneaked in the house and took away the roses. Once when he stealed it, the roses had little baby fairies, which he didn’t want to keep so he gave them back. He looked around for something his mother would like. He tried to steal the crown. He touched the heart and it stung. Everywhere the crown stinged.
by Elise
]]>Thankfully, Melissa had purchased a few “snap” mouse traps the day before and so I baited them and set them in the back room. Then, we all huddled together, half scared, half in excitement as we watched this gladiatorial spectacle. We saw the mouse dart from different corners and I moved the trap as if to anticipate his move. In a shocking climax, we witnessed as the mouse climbed on top of the trap and within seconds become trapped, struggle momentarily, and die.
I was actually sad at this moment, but it was what we had to do to keep our home safe and clean.
We set the rest of our traps and within two days we had trapped six mice.
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