First Day of School

August 2012

Another school year.  I was not ready!  I wanted at least another three months of summer break.  I did not want to turn my boys over to the school district for ten months.  I want them to be mine.  But, I also want them to learn and be successful so another first day of school . . . here we go.

I have four boys going to school.  Four boys who leave at four different times, take four different routes in four different vehicles and get home at four different times.  After doing the schedule for a couple of weeks now, I find that I actually like it this way.  It gives me personal time with each boy as he gets home from school to really focus on him, his feelings, his homework, and his day.

Derek chose to do early morning seminary (not early-morning like real early-morning seminary, but zero hour) so that he could get more credits in and take the Environment Solutions class that he wanted.
So, Derek warms up the teenager car and leaves at 7am.

As a junior this year he is excited about the new changes.  He drives, he dates, he has great friends, he loves his tough classes, he jams on the cello, he quotes scripture from seminary and he just seems really confident and happy with this school year.  After doing two weeks of school he came home on a Friday and whined, "why do I have to wait two whole days before I can go back?"  I just stared at him.  I had no comeback for that.


Justin is not as thrilled about 8th grade as Derek is about high school but he was still happy to return to school.  Mostly for the social life and the fact that it meant a daily gymnastics schedule to go with it.  He does well in school, he just doesn't love it.  He's always quick to get his assignments done and it comes fairly easy to him and he maintains good grades but
his passion is at the gym.

He leaves at 8:15, taking the bus.  Some mornings he finds it quite unfair that he has to be up at 6:15 for scriptures but he doesn't complain about it when he is dishing up his breakfast or when he gets to go back to bed for another thirty minutes, which still gives him enough time to do his violin and shower before school.

Doing a handstand while waiting for the bus.


Nathan spent most of the summer counting down the days until first grade by marking off the days on his calendar.  He couldn't wait to go all day and have lunch at the school and ride the bus to and from school.

Our neighborhood has a back-to-school breakfast where each family contributes food, drinks or paper products (based on which street we live on) so that all the kids can meet up for breakfast and then get on the bus together.  Nathan wasn't quite awake for it and was a bit emotional simply from being up so early.  His spark of excitement for first grade and the boys that he ate with got him through that first morning.

He wouldn't let me take any individual pictures of him so I did my best to sneak a couple of breakfast shots.

The only thing Nathan wasn't quite ready for was the early hour that his day would have to start.  We tried getting him up for scriptures for a few days but it just didn't work well for him.  Just like Levi, he has to have his sleep.  He would cry at nearly everything, missed a day in the second week and slept almost the whole day.  His emotions are just all over the place when he gets that tired.  Levi struggled in a similar way so it wasn't hard to notice.

On Friday, the third morning of Nathan crying through the morning prayer, I gave him a big hug and offered to again walk him to the bus stop.  After we hugged he looked at me with big tears in his beautiful blue eyes and said, "do you remember the blessing dad gave me last year before I started school?  Maybe that would help me again this year".  I couldn't believe that we had let that slip this year.  We were so focused on getting the stuff ready for Erika's wedding party in the back yard and we were somewhat frazzled as a family after the trip to Colorado with the rush of school starting and playing catch-up with work that we had not even thought about our usual back to school traditions. Before he went back to school on the following Monday, LeRoy gave him a father's blessing.  The things that were said in the blessing prompted us to make a few changes.  I do scriptures with the little boys in the evening, letting Nathan sleep in as long as possible without making the morning too hectic.  We also moved his bedtime to 7:30 and that seems to have helped.  In his own prayers he asks that he will be "awake enough to learn and be happy".  Now that we are a month into school I can say that he loves first grade and he loves his teacher.
Most of all he loves reading. Really reading, all by himself.

Nathan refuses to eat school lunch.  We got a lunch calendar so that he could choose which days he wanted to eat school lunch and which days he would take a lunch but every day he wants a cold lunch.  He probably has the oddest lunches in the whole school but he packs them himself (or at least tells me what he wants and I pack it).  Even on pizza day (he loves pizza!) he will take his own lunch.  Since I'm not overly fond of what the schools serve for lunch, I'm happy to send him a lunch from home and I'm happy that it is so healthy.  He usually has tomatoes or cucumbers or celery, peaches or pears or applesauce, a cheese stick, a sandwich or quesadilla and always water.  He informed me (and I got a note from the teacher) about one of his classmates who has a severe peanut allergy.  Nathan always checks to make sure there is nothing with peanuts in his lunch.  No peanut butter sandwich, peanut butter crackers peanut butter on celery and not even trail mix.  He is afraid that it will kill his friend. I'm so proud of him for being thoughtful about it instead of complaining that he can't take some of his favorites for lunch.


Hyrum was ready for preschool two years ago when Nathan had it.  Well, he was ready to go, not necessarily ready.  He started a week after the other kids started school and it about drove him (and me) crazy.  He would lay his clothes out each night just like Nathan did.  He would be up, eat his breakfast, get dressed without being told, brush his teeth and be ready to leave at the same time Nathan was.  And then he would pout and sometimes cry when he didn't get to go.  FINALLY, the first day of preschool came!  He was all smiles and so happy to go again the next day. Really big, sobbing tears came when I told him that he only had school on Mondays and Fridays.  Life is just not fair when you are four!

We were so excited for Hyrum to learn the alphabet!

He came home singing the entire alphabet song after two and a half hours of preschool.  I asked him how he learned it so fast because he would NEVER sing it for us, wouldn't even try, would start saying numbers instead of letters.  His reply?  "I always knewd it, I just like trickin' ya".  Little Stinker!

He still loves to spend time doing his own hair and I could not refuse him on a school morning.  He was so proud of  his mohawk and yes, I let him wear it to school.  Not only did his hair stay up for school but it stayed up the entire day.  I have no idea what product he used on it since there is only gel and hair spray in that bathroom but whatever the combination (or amount), it worked. 

When Mom Is Away . . .

June 2012

After being in Hawaii for almost a week, Disneyland for a week, Colorado for a quick weekend, and Utah multiple times I was beginning to miss hanging out with my little boys.  Derek and Justin are amazing to take on the mommy responsibilities when I am gone and everyone is always healthy and happy when I get back.  Still, I sometimes wonder what really goes on when I'm not here.

During my first day back from Hawaii I went into the kitchen to make lunch for the little boys.  I assumed they were still outside playing because it was quiet in the house.  In the kitchen I found them donned in aprons and in serious conversation proudly making their own lunches.

They informed me that Justin had taught them how to make their own lunches. And then they proceeded to give me the past weeks lunch menu.  I was very impressed with Justin's training and their food choices.  Their recipe for lunch included a main dish (sandwich of either honey, PB&J or turkey), a finger food from the pantry (chips, crackers, pretzels or raisins), and something from the fridge (cheese stick, tomatoes, carrots).   The real special lunch was when Justin taught Nathan how to cook a corn dog in the microwave.  Oh, was Nathan proud to show me that (and a little disappointed that I wouldn't eat his final product).

Though they might be fending for themselves and eating on the floor, at least I know that as long as I leave plenty of bread and finger foods my children do not starve when I am gone.

The boys also became a little attached to my aprons that week.  When the church had a final lost-and-found day with all the left overs going to the DI, they quickly grabbed the unclaimed umbrellas.

LeRoy was a bit disgusted with the feminine colors and look of their dancing outfits, and especially the twirling and ballet style dance they were doing, but I found it adorable and therefore took plenty of pictures.  I find nothing wrong with a boy wearing an apron or wearing purple.

Scout Camps - August 2012

Justin attended two different camps this year.  One was with the ward at the week long scout camp in Island Park and the second was a scout youth leadership training called Cedar Badge, also held for a week in Island Park.

He worked on and completed several merit badges at scout camp and found that he is a better swimmer than he thought he was.  He came home exhausted but happy having spent a week without a shower, playing  and sleeping in the woods and pulling pranks with the other boys in his troop.

At Cedar Badge he only knew two other kids and those kids weren't even in his troop. He was a little nervous about it when he left but came home with new friends and many new jokes, silly songs and even sillier stories.  

Justin isn't afraid to pull a pose now and then.  This was the moment I could tell that he was comfortable with his new buddies.  In group settings he can come across somewhat reserved but when he starts posing and doing hand stands, all is well.

While we were waiting for the graduation ceremony to start, Nathan and Hyrum entertained themselves by trying to throw pine cones in a can and climbing the trees.  According to Nathan, the branches on the trees were perfect for his size and just like a ladder.  Hyrum didn't want to go very high but was so proud that he could go up and down all by himself.

After the graduation we waited for Justin to get all of his stuff from the tent to the van.  We took our time walking, knowing that he would be a while saying goodbye and gathering his stuff.  Again, Nathan and Hyrum made up their own forest games as they balanced along the trail logs and stood tall on the stumps along the way.  I was glad they had their matching Tigger hats on so that I could keep track of them in the crowd.

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Derek was signed up for Cedar Badge and was excited to be on staff this year but when we got the youth calendar for the month of August he was bummed that the High Adventure camp with the Priests in our ward was going to be the same week.  We gave him the choice of which one to do and he took the High Adventure.

They had been told that they would be riding bikes for almost 50 miles but that it would mostly be downhill.  Funny, you have to get UP the hill before you can go down.  And it was closer to 70 miles but after 30 who's counting?  Derek's knees hurt from all that peddling and from his bike not quite being tall enough for his long legs, even with the seat raised as high as it would go.  That didn't stop him from having a good time.

He loved the old train tunnel that has been converted to part of the trail. He was a little freaked out in the pitch black, mile long tunnel where he couldn't see a light at the end and had to depend on his helmet lamp to guide him but that was part of what made it so exciting.   He had quite a rush on the down hill stretches and all the boys were thrilled to have their picture taken in front of the Nudist sign.  The bishop mumbled "yeah, just think of all the sixty-somethings with their saggy everythings".  The boys were immediately grossed out and the bishop chuckled, "just wanted to clear out any inappropriate thoughts you might have had".  

I'm so glad that Derek and Justin both have these opportunities to be with other good young men, burning off some of their need for excitement and adrenalin activities in their lives.  Though I worry about them each time they leave for a week with no intentions of showering, brushing their teeth or thinking of safety first, I'm glad they have a great way to have their adventures.

The Tooth Fairy

August 2012

After missing out on putting a sticker on the tooth chart in kindergarten Nathan was determined that any tooth close to loose was going to get pulled in the first grade.  

He patiently wiggled in front of the mirror

He was very brave (or scared) and wouldn't let anyone else touch it so for a while it hung in his mouth in very odd angles.

He went outside to play and after about an hour Hyrum informed him that his tooth was gone.  It was so loose that he didn't even notice when it fell out.  

After searching the grass, the playhouse, the garage and anywhere else he could remember being, he came to me with big tears in his eyes.  I had been through this scenario with Justin at about the same age and hoped that Nathan would accept my suggestion as willingly as Justin had.

He wrote a note explaining how hard he worked to find his tooth.

The next morning he had a "golden dollar" under his pillow. (Sacajawea Coin)

"The tooth fairy is so nice"

Hawaii

June 2012

In June of 2011 LeRoy was informed of an incentive bonus that could get us to Maui, Hawaii.  He is totally fueled by these kinds of things so off he went.  He had already been going at it full force because we need to set up a career to replace the electrical within the next few years but this gave him even more of a push.  He became one of the top producers for the west and we were in the running for an all expense paid trip for six days to Hawaii.  In March 2012 we received a phone call informing us that we would be going to Hawaii in June and within the next few days an itinerary, complete with flight, shuttle and hotel information, was e-mailed to us.  We have decided this is definitely the way to travel.  Someone else paid for everything (we actually had to splurge to use all of the credit up) and someone else arranged the flights and all we had to do was show up and have a great time.

We traveled with the other two qualifying Idaho couples from the Idaho Falls airport all the way to Maui.

The island was hidden by clouds as we began to land on the island.  Once we could see I was extremely disappointed.  It looked like the vast nothing of Wyoming.  There wasn't a palm tree to be seen and it was cloudy and windy.  We must have looked disappointed because the shuttle driver taking us to the hotel told us not to worry; that the weather was sunny, warm and beautiful 45 minutes away in Lahaina where the resort was.  Evidently, Maui has several micro climates on the island and the driver was correct.  Lahaina was gorgeous.

Day 1

We left early on Wednesday morning and were checked into our hotel by 11 am.  We had the rest of the day to explore and arrange the site seeing tours we would want to do, all included in our "all expense paid" portion of the trip.  The grounds at the hotel were amazing!  Penguins, flamingos, parrots, the ocean just outside the grounds, palm trees and tiki torches everywhere.  Dinner was fabulous at Basil Tomatoes.  We did laugh while we sat in Hawaii at an Italian Grille but we knew we would be getting plenty of Polynesian food throughout the week.

During our walk along the beach we saw crabs, creatures, nuts, shells and beautiful ocean waves. The kukui nuts that washed up on shore added to the sound of the rolling waves and made for a painful walk along the water's edge.  LeRoy had bruises and cuts on his ankles from the nuts crashing against him in the waves because of all the extra time he spent in the water that first afternoon.  Throughout the week we saw the beauty that those painful nuts could create with all the leis that were for sale in each shop.  We even saw a woman along the shore collecting the best nuts to paint and make leis that she would then sell at a stand not too far away.

LeRoy wanted to continue walking along the rocks to find more creatures and I took a little quiet time sitting in a tree watching and listening to the ocean, boats and birds.

As I looked back through the pictures when we got home I saw this picture and realized that it defined my fear of water.  I am terrified of water.  I don't like watching the kids swim in a pool; I HATE being splashed in the face; I can't stick my face in the water; I can't swim; I have nightmares involving water.  As I looked at this picture I was surprised to have a peaceful memory with it.  It was then that I realized that with all my fear of water I love to hear waves, waterfalls, or trickling water as it covers up the sounds of the rest of the world around me.  I am mesmerized when watching water, not in a fearful way but in a day dreamy, calm way.  So, now my fear is defined: water is beautiful to my ear and eye but it better not touch me!

Day 2

The only thing required during the trip was a one hour meeting for recognition and awards.  After that was over we spent the day taking buses and touring the shops along the seashore. We walked for miles, took pictures, ate, and at the end of the day enjoyed a beautiful sunset.  People kept telling us to be sure and be on the beach for the sunset, adamant that it would be more beautiful than any sunset we had ever seen.  I was skeptical but the sky did not disappoint.  

It must have had something to do with the reflection of the water and the light breeze and the sailboat in the shadows and the palm trees and sound of water coming up on the beach and rocks.  It was spectacular.  While we were spending the hour watching the sun go down we were entertained by the sand crabs that would play peek-a-boo with the waves.

Day 3

By the third day we knew our way around with the help of the trolley and bus system.  LeRoy loved looking in the shops and meeting people but I was more intrigued by the many kinds of trees we came across. Every hala tree that we saw amazed me (pictured below).  The way the roots set down and change the shape of the tree made each one unique and beautiful in it's own way.

The fruit trees were everywhere.  Bananas growing upside down, papaya growing in bunches way up high, pineapples in all stages of growth, mangoes, passions fruit . . . I couldn't help but wish that I had a grove that included all of them. 

We ended the day in full Polynesian style with a luau sponsored by Legal Shield.  We were taught the art of cooking the Kalua Pig in the underground pit, LeRoy learned how to sway his hips to the rhythm of the hookie lau song and we were give a lesson on Maui history through the hour long performance of hula dancers and music performers.  The food at the luau was unlike any I had ever had before.  Though I wasn't too impressed with the kalua pork I found the fruits to be near addicting.  I couldn't get enough of the papaya!

Day 4

I could not begin to summarize all that took place on our twelve hour Road to Hana tour around the island.  From the rain forest side of the island through the rain storm and thick vegetation to the dry Wyoming looking side of the island covered in dried out trees, dusty brush and roaming wild animals, we enjoyed every moment of the tour.  The old road around the island was bumpy, narrow and linked together with 59 bridges, 46 of them being one lane bridges which made for interesting travel on a bus.  Once again, our differing personalities came out and LeRoy spent most of the trip talking with others and though I had comfortable conversation with our group I really enjoyed the nature and history part of the tour.

  

I fell in love with fruits that I won't be able to find once I get home. 

I enjoyed the rain and company and ride.  It was a perfect vacation tour.

I loved the beauty and sound of the waterfalls.

 

Unfortunately, the wind would not calm down and just as our guide took our picture LeRoy leaned back because my hair was whipping him in the face.  When I saw the imperfection of our only waterfall, together picture I thought of the old film cameras.  You get what you get.  We were just grateful we had the picture and a tour guide willing to take it.

Day 5

We were prepared to walk the mile and a half to church but as we were walking along the main four lane freeway a car stopped in the middle of the 55mph traffic and asked if we were LDS and would like a ride.  She was taking her thirteen year old son to help set up chairs and during the short ride to the building she also offered to take us back to the hotel.  I was amazed to feel such an immediate connection to someone that I had only known for one mile but it was like visiting with an old ward member that I hadn't seen in a long time.     The whole ward was like that.  They were used to having visitors from the hotels come to their ward and actually depended on visitors to add to their weekly worship.

The only difference that I found visiting the ward in Hawaii was the greeting, "Aloha".  Not only was is used by the bishop as he opened the meeting but it was used by each speaker.  We had learned on the tour the day before that Aloha actually has several different meanings and can be used anytime to describe a positive expression.  As the speakers were announced the bishop told us that one of the youth speakers was speaking for the first time.  When the young man got up to speak he started with "brothers and sisters, aloha".  The congregation responded back with an enthusiastic, "aloha".  In that moment I felt that the young man was asking the their support to calm his nerves and as they responded he received that support.  I hope he felt the love that I believe their "aloha" intended.

Well, okay, so there was another difference.  Men in skirts.  They wore white shirts and ties with their Polynesian skirts wrapped around them. It didn't look weird at all and they actually looked more comfortable than those wearing full suits. 

Throughout the three hour meeting we realized that there were eight couples who were also with Legal Shield that had come to church as well.  We were from Idaho, Utah, Minnesota, Colorado and  Arizona.  One of the women traveling with us actually substituted in Primary that day.  The bishop taught the combined lesson for Priesthood and Relief Society.  It was one of the best meetings I have been to in a long time and I really came to admire the youth and families in Lahaina.

After we got back to our hotel we called the kids and took the rest of the afternoon spending a calm, quiet day along the beach.

Day 6

I had been trying throughout the whole week to convince LeRoy to go para sailing but he was convinced that it would cost too much money and that we wouldn't be able to pay for it with our room credit provided by Legal Shield. It's not usually his nature to assume that something isn't going to work, he usually finds a way to make it work if he really wants it.  So, I wondered if he wanted to go but didn't.  As we were walking along the beach Sunday night we saw a stand provided by the hotel offering para sailing AND we could charge it to our room credit.  LeRoy signed up for the 8am trip out and I agreed to go as an observer on the boat.

When we checked in we were told that winds were too high and that we probably wouldn't be able to go para sailing.  They were willing to take us out on the boat and if the weather cleared he could go up, if not they would take us back to shore and not charge us. Along with us were two other couples that agreed to go out on the water.  Bouncing along on the water I realized that I loved riding in the boat but each time the waves from the boat splashed up on the sides I panicked a little.  I just don't like water touching me.

We were cleared to sail so the first couple went up.  Once I saw how easy it was to get up in the air and that  I wouldn't have to touch the water at all I started to consider going up with LeRoy.  By the time the second couple went up I knew that if I didn't tell LeRoy that I would go I would chicken out.  Right there on a boat in Hawaii he started to cry.  He explained to the captain, and everyone else on board, my fear of water and that he was so excited that I would go with him and proud that I would set my fear aside to do it.  I was embarrassed by that but, oh well, we'd never see these people again.

I LOVED IT!!!

I loved it that I didn't have to actually get wet to do it.

I loved the name of our boat.

I loved our captain for not dipping me down in the water like he had the other couples.

I loved the breeze on my face as I hung over the ocean with the island in our view.

I loved the peace and calm of being in the sky.

I would do it again in a heartbeat.

After our fly in the sky we went back to the hotel and got all of our stuff packed up for our evening flight.  We walked one more time around the hotel grounds, made one last trip to Whaler's village for a kukui nut lei for LeRoy, and headed to the airport.  Our nighttime flights went by rather fast and soon we were back in Idaho.  I completely enjoyed the time with LeRoy and touring Maui but nothing compares to walking back in my own house after a week and being bombarded with hugs from my kids.  I have always tried not to be a  Hawaii worshipper.  I didn't want to believe in all the hype of a tropical island paradise and couldn't understand how I could enjoy a trip that was centered around water.  In the end, I adore Maui.  

The Men In My Life

LeRoy has been gone for six days.  I usually don't have a hard time when he leaves (I see it as an opportunity to catch up on crafts and party with the kids) but for some reason this past week has been hard.  Without LeRoy here I have found myself confused about what to do with my day.  Not that he dominates my schedule but I do base what and when I get things done by when he pops in between jobs and businesses and what he needs done. I try to make sure that things with the kids are in order and that meals are planned so that I can accommodate his crazy schedule the best that I can.  It sounds like a lot more work than it actually is because it's really easier when I have it all worked out than when I fumble around.  This week I have fumbled.

I still have these boys to feed but I have struggled making meals.  My brain has a hard time putting together a healthy menu when the boys are happy with cereal for breakfast; Raman, corn dogs and waffles for dinner. (Though they were very excited that I made a "real" dinner for Sunday and they have requested a "healthy" breakfast for tomorrow.)

I still need to pay bills and do the office stuff but I feel like a very lost secretary without my boss here.

I still need to do laundry and usually have a daily routine that keeps me caught up on it.  Here I sit with piles of laundry staring at me and little motivation to face them.

I should still shower every morning but Hyrum's expectations are only to have a playmate, not one that has changed out of pajamas, showered, done hair and makeup.

I still need to get kids to gymnastics, school study groups, and karate but I totally forgot about karate and Justin was late for gymnastics twice.  I cannot remember my schedule without LeRoy's schedule running at the same time.

I still need to go to bed at a decent time but I haven't been to bed once before midnight since he left.  I sleep GREAT when he is gone.  That sounds terrible but it's only because he tosses and turns so much from back pain and he talks in his sleep at least twice a week.  That's not the ideal sleeping situation for a light sleeper like me.  Most nights I go to bed before LeRoy because I do better if I fall asleep before he starts his night time tossing.  But even with the opportunity to get a good night sleep and the habit of going to bed first, I still wander around the quiet, dark house subconsciously confused about how to go to bed without bedtime prayers with LeRoy.

My saving grace during the last week has been my five boys.  Levi, Derek, Justin, Nathan and Hyrum are the best I could ask for!  I adore each one in a way specific to my relationship with them.  I can't imagine my life without them and the thoughts of all of them someday having their own homes and not living with me leaves me sad and a little anxious.  It's a good thing I will grow into the empty nest stage slowly with at least 15 good years of boy noise in my home.

Levi has been home the last three nights and for about an hour one night we sat on his bed and talked like old friends.  It's good to have one on one time with him and to feel that he enjoys being part of our family again.  He always makes me feel special and compliments me for the little things that most don't seem to notice.  His hugs and smile still melt my heart.  That boy has always had a way of tugging at my heart strings. He is kind, tenderhearted, loving, and just really, really good.

Derek is (and always has been) my cuddle boy.  He's a little big to sit on my lap but he still seems to give cuddles in other ways.  He is always asking for a "real" hug (not just at bedtime but also before school, after school, when dinner is ready or any time that he wants one). He takes my hand in church and gives it a squeeze when I'm emotional; he puts his hand on my shoulder and gets eye contact when he says thanks; he sends me a "hey mom, how are ya" text when he's bored at school.  He lights up my life. He shines with compassion.  As I watch him interact with his brothers and his friends I am amazed at how kind he is.

Justin is my energy.  When I try to keep up with Justin I do better.  His is also very dependable.  I can depend on him to get his brothers to bed without me asking him to if I'm out somewhere at bedtime.  I can depend on him to do a good job cleaning the kitchen and to take forever doing it.  I can depend on him to make me laugh.  I can depend on him to sit with me in the quiet of the house when the little boys are asleep and Derek and Levi are gone.  When the three older kids were in elementary school, and before Nathan and Hyrum were born, Justin and I were best buddies.  We made fun lunches together, took naps together, took field trips to the library and Idaho Falls together, waited together on the porch for the older kids to get home, we did everything together.  It seems that we are having more together moments again.  I make the daily trip into town for gymnastics drop-off and pick-up and that four mile drive is almost like a mini date.  I get to hear about his day and classes and friends without any interruptions.  Many nights, after the little boys are in bed, it's just the two of us and I am privileged to listen to him practice the violin or sit in the family room with him while we both read.  It's good to have my Buddy Justin again.

Nathan is the spiritual backbone of our family.  His prayers comfort and teach.  His desire to choose the right and to be like Jesus is a huge example to all of us.  His tender hugs and concern for me often take my breath away.  I want to do better knowing that Nathan is watching. Sure, he has hit a whiny stage and his lack of sleep from getting on the bus so early and missing nap time has taken a toll on him but it's his desire to do and be good that shines.

Hyrum is the heart of our family.  He is at the center of our laughter and smiles. His personality radiates joy.  I cannot imagine days without my shadow.  I love having him fill in the empty moments in the day with spouts of random medieval trivia.  I smile watching him wrestle with the cat.  I tear up as he cuddles next to me on days that a nap is required, knowing that those cuddle days are coming to an end as he grows older. I am so thankful to be blessed with my Baby Hyrum.

This week the boys have been really, really good.  Not just to me but to each other.  Nathan and Hyrum usually play well together but for the last three days they have been the best of friends.  There has been extra sharing, extra caring, more laughs, more games, more real together time.  Justin and Derek have been more patient with the younger boys. During the last few days they have seemed to be a little more aware of home.  More aware of what their brothers are doing, more aware of what mom might need or want, more protective of home.  Even Levi seems to have had a home and family focus this week.  I don't know if they have all felt a need to "be the man of the house" while dad was away but they have all been exceptionally thoughtful young men this week.

During church Derek leaned back against a wall and something cut him.  He started bleeding through his shirt and his shirt was drying to the cut.  After Sunday School he came home to change but then realized he would need to interrupt his priesthood class when he got back and that kind of attention makes him quite shy.  Instead, he stayed home, emptied and filled the dishwasher, set the table for dinner (even with place settings and napkins!) and made a batch of no-bake cookies.  By the time we got home he had the kitchen looking spotless and smelling yummy.  He stood there beaming.  I was so proud of him for spending his sluffing hour serving instead of playing his iPod or sleeping.

It has been a calm Sabbath with my boys.  They are settling down for bed and I will probably still be up when LeRoy gets home around midnight.  It will be good to have him home again and to start the week off with our normal schedule.  I thought having six days with only half a schedule would be easier but I thrive on the crazy of our busy lives.  I'm so blessed to live this life surrounded by such wonderful men.

Osgood-Schlatter Disease

June -August 2012

That's a really fun way to spray say that Justin has a second knee cap on his right leg and is in pain when  he walks, runs, jumps, kneels or does any kind of movement involving his leg. The medical definition:  

Osgood-Schlatter disease can cause a painful lump below the kneecap in children and adolescents experiencing growth spurts during puberty. Osgood-Schlatter disease occurs most often in children who participate in sports that involve running, jumping and swift changes of direction — such as soccer, basketball, figure skating and ballet and GYMNASTICS (caps added).  Osgood-Schlatter disease typically occurs in boys ages 13 to 14.  The condition usually resolves on its own, once the child's bones stop growing.


Sitting in the office waiting for the doctor.  Still smiling, not knowing what's coming.

It almost looks like he has three knee caps with one on the side. Not a good sign.

The sports therapist informed Justin that he would have to quit gymnastics for 6-8 weeks.  Justin was NOT happy about that and begged to know what he COULD do.  He could do any upper body or ab work but nothing with a run, jump or landing on that leg for at least six weeks.  Then we could check in again to see how he was healing.

He came home and sat down for a bit, thinking over his options.  Then stood, declaring, "I'm going to go crazy" and went out to the trampoline.  I wanted to warn him but left the decision up to him.  As I watched him start jumping, my heart went out to him.  He is good at gymnastics and the energy and motivations for it and he loves it.  Then I noticed he was jumping on one leg.  His love of the sport and determination to continue was not going to slow him down.

He was very careful to not jump or land with his injured leg but it took a lot of focus and was twice the work for the healthy leg.  I was worried about him injuring the healthy leg but because he would get tired so fast he could only do it in short spurts.  This gave him time to rest both legs and more time for reading, his other great love.

He also spent time teaching Nathan and Hyrum how to do flips on the trampoline and handstands in the house.  He found that he actually likes teaching and spotting and would possibly consider a job in that area as he gets older.  The younger boys loved the extra attention from Justin and showing off their new skills to the rest of us.

Some of the upper body training that he came up with was crazy hard.  This technique on the trampoline uses some momentum, some legs, and every ounce of abs he's got.

After six weeks we went back in and he still wasn't cleared 100%.  The therapist tried to emphasize that though he could go back to gym now, there was a chance that he could make the injury worse and even end up needing surgery with the possibility of never doing gymnastics again.  He was trying a bit of a scare tactic because he knew that Justin was not a quitter and was determined to get back.  It's his first year on the competition team and he doesn't want to get behind.  With a band to protect his knee and specific instructions for ice therapy he continued with upper body and was given permission to do trampoline work but still no floor landings.  He tried going back to the gym a couple of times but it was just too difficult to not do what the rest of the class was doing so he kept his training at home.  He was actually a great coach for himself.

After a full three months away from the gym he was a little nervous but extremely excited to go back.  He found that he had actually made considerable improvements on the parallel bars, high bars and rings.  Even though he hadn't actually been on them for three months he had built incredible upper body strength.  He was amazed to see that he could now do 13 rotations on the mushroom (a big, hard piece of equipment that teaches how to do pommel horse circles without the risk of hitting the handles on the pommel) instead of just 3-5.  That was all because of upper body strength and the determination to not be behind the rest of the team.

Altogether, the experience from having the injury and the restricted training has turned out to be a great teaching tool.  Justin is already very health conscious because he wants to be in top shape for competition and he knows that he can't do what he would like to if he's off in nutrition.  He avoids soda and keeps his sugar intake low.  He drinks plenty of water and eats healthy, making sure to get proteins in.  But this experience taught him another part of health.  He learned to listen to his body.  He will need to use the knee band until he is about 15, or basically is done having growth spurts, and will always need to pay attention to soreness and pain and treat it immediately so it doesn't lead to injury.  Even though the injury is one of the most common in gymnasts, and especially kids his age involved in any sports, he has learned to take care of his body so that he can continue to do what he loves and be strong for many years to come. 

4th of July, 2012

LeRoy was very excited to be in the city parade this year.  His BMW (bonus from Legal Shield) was all decked out with the company logo and he had 1000 fliers ready to hand out.  The boys were also excited to participate in the parade.  Nathan and Hyrum would be waving flags out of the sunroof  and Derek and Justin would be walking along the sidewalks on both sides of the street to hand out the fliers.  Erika was at the park watching over the Legal Shield booth until LeRoy could get there after the parade.  Levi and I weren't sure what our responsibilities were and we didn't really want to sit by ourselves to watch the parade so I asked what we could do to help.  We were to look pretty.  It's a good thing Levi does that so well.

The 4th of July is LeRoy's favorite holiday of the whole year and that has rubbed off onto our kids.  Sometimes I wonder if they really understand that we celebrate the freedoms of our country instead of just the freedom to blow things up.  On the night of the 3rd, LeRoy surprised the boys (without letting me know ahead of time) with 3/4 sticks of dynamite that he was given by our employee (I'm thinking reduction in pay if there are any injuries).  Derek and Justin were so excited they looked like little boys at Christmas-time.  When Levi heard about it he ditched the party with his friends (which made me happy that they were going to blow stuff up) and stayed to party with his dad and brothers.  

It was ridiculous!!!  Ridiculously loud, ridiculously destructive, ridiculously messy, and ridiculously exciting for the boys.  The higher stuff flew in the air and the further it spread across the yard the more the boys cheered. They had to hide behind the work trailer and shed so that they wouldn't get hit but they would put their hands in life threatening danger by peeking their iPods and cell phones out to video it.  Even though they were at the very back corner of our one acre lot,  my heart and ears couldn't handle the extremely loud boom of each stick so I went to the furthest, most hidden away corner of the house and it still sounded like someone was shooting a rifle next to me and the window rattled so close to shattering that I moved to the other side of the room.  The important thing is that the boys had a good time.  The next day the important thing was that they get all the metal, plastic, wood and glass scraps out of the yard.  I could not believe how much stuff they had blown up.

A couple of days later LeRoy was putting new light fixtures in for one of our neighbors and they got talking about the fireworks during the week.  The neighbor told LeRoy that the night of the 3rd he had to give his dogs sedatives because of the fireworks, which he thought sounded more like dynamite, going on.  These two dogs are more the size of polar bears than dogs so I'm sure that wasn't easy.  When he found out that it was us, and that it was dynamite not fireworks, he told LeRoy that next year we should give him a heads up so he can sedate the dogs without them going crazy first and that we should invite him over for the fun.  

Luckily, we didn't hear from any of our other neighbors.  I'm pretty sure there were some who were a little frustrated with us.  

On the night of the 4th they had a more traditional (less dangerous) night of basic fireworks with the little boys.  It worries me how comfortable my boys are with fire but they have a good time.  The 5th of July is the only morning of the entire year that the little boys sleep in.  During the summer it doesn't get dark here until almost 10pm and the whole subdivision is going until at least 12:30 so it's a pretty late night for them.

And on the 5th of July I had my yearly sigh of relief and prayer of gratitude that no one lost a finger or eye and that we didn't burn anything down. 

Derek's Sweet 16

June 25, 2012

It was not hard to come up with a theme for Derek's birthday party.  He has been collecting and even building his own Rubik's cubes for over a year now and he can solve every one of them.   His collection has been growing to the point that he is actually building a display for all of them.  When he packed to go to Disneyland his biggest concern was which cubes would get to go along with him and how would he fit them all in his backpack.

The table and food were done in bright "cube" colors (almost, the food didn't quite measure up to my expectations, especially the blueberry yogurt) and the gifts were wrapped in those same colors with graph paper letters to spell out his name.  He was very excited to come upstairs to the smell of chimichangas (which had nothing to do with the Rubik's theme but happens to be one of his favorite meals) and all of the side foods creating an edible "cube".

The cake had to fit the theme but this is where my lack of Rubik's knowledge became so obvious.  To be honest, even holding a Rubik's cube makes me anxious.  As I was putting the colored squares onto the white fondant (white instead of black because he thinks the cubes with the white background are "sweet"), Justin came in and watched for only a second before stating, you have two blue centers.  So?  Um, yeah, so there is only supposed to be one center of each color and each color needs 9 squares.  I had calculated six. . . three across and three down.  I am not mentally equipped for such a challenge and I forgot to check Rubik's for Dummies out of the library before taking on such a challenge.  Justin and I had a good laugh at my expense and then named the cake the IBC Cake.  Impossible Birthday Cube Cake.  Not only can it not be solved because it is a cake but even if he could pick up  his birthday cake, snap in the piece that had popped out, rotate all those colors and attempt to solve it, well, it's impossible.

After we all enjoyed dinner and attempting to mix up cubes well enough that Derek couldn't solve them, we headed to the basement for our activity.

We had sixteen balloons blown up and taped up on a board in a 4x4 cube.  Each balloon had 1-3 items (coins, $1 bills, candy).  We took turns with blowing darts (yes, we have those on hand at our house) popping the balloons.  When the items fell out of the balloon that was popped, the person who popped it would tell Derek that many things that they like about him.  It was a fun combination of competition, weaponry, kind words and laughter (mostly at Erika and I who had a hard time getting the blow darts to actually pop a balloon compared to Nathan who popped one every time it was his turn).  It has been fun to watch back over the videos and to hear the kind things said about Derek.

Derek could not decide what gift he liked the best: the whales from Vivien, the Dremel from LeRoy or the random cubes (80's key chain cube, sudoku cube, weird shaped cubes) from the rest of us.  Derek spent that evening, and many days following, sitting in the chair with his whales and cubes.

Now he is planning for his first date, which by tradition will be with his mommy.  Happy Sweet Sixteen, Derek!!

Things we like about Derek (list taken from balloon activity):
creative
hard working
is good at cooking
makes everyone feel included
builds cool things
smile
is amazing at the cello
sweet laugh
can reach really high things
strange dancing
pretty cool
extremely handy to have around, can do anything
good at Rubik's cubes
fun to play with
sexy deep voice
good at Wackee Six
always up for an adventure

Derek now stand a very tall 6' 3.75".  LeRoy is so convinced that Derek grows every week that at least every other week he convinces Derek to stand again the door frame so that he can check.

His growth marks are there for the last two years.  From age 14 to age 15 Derek grew a full three inches which left stretch marks along his back that look like whip marks and many nights of painful growth spurts.

Derek thinks it's quite funny to ask for his bedtime hug and I  walk over to the stairs so that he can step down two steps for his hug or I'll stand on the couch to get the hug.  The Sunday that he was ordained to the office of a Priest we were taking some pictures outside and we all found this picture funny.  He likes to stand behind me and imitate what I'm saying to the person I'm talking too.

Country Livin'

Summer 2012

Having an irrigation ditch at the side of our property also means we have water snakes.  The little boys get so excited when we find them up by the house.  Luckily, that isn't very often.

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Having the kids home from school means that my food budget nearly doubles, especially with Derek's growing appetite.  I got really tired of running out of bread and needing to make special trips into town for a loaf of bread that turned into a full basket of groceries so I searched around until I found a "sandwich bread" recipe.  The boys liked it so much, even for toast and sandwiches, that they came to prefer it over the airy store bought bread.

Nathan wanted to make homemade butter the way he had learned at school so we had homemade sandwich bread with homemade butter and homemade raspberry jam.

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Summer nap time is hard to fit in for Hyrum.  He doesn't want to take the time to slow down for a nap with all the activity going on around him and for the most part I let it go.  There are days though that a nap is a must and it usually means I need to lay down with him for a few minutes until he falls asleep.  This particular day though, I must have needed the nap more than he did.

Nathan was so proud to show me the picture that he took of me when Hyrum quietly left the room and informed him that I had fallen asleep with Harrison.

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Derek was very excited to have a summer job but it only took a few days of moving pipe to realize that it was hard, muddy labor with very little pay.  Though he didn't like it and wanted to quit he stuck with it through the whole summer.  We had to invest in some wading boots for him and we learned the hard way that once wheat hits a certain stage it tears through denim.  Derek got tired of having wet boots from moving morning and night so he quickly found a way to get them dried out before the next move.

Though they are showing their "I can't stand moving pipe" faces they actually came home that morning laughing and cheerful.  The early morning, the cold, and the mud did not stop them from enjoying each others company and the satisfaction that hard work can bring.

The best thing that came from Derek moving pipe was not the paycheck.  I think we put out as much in gas to and from the fields as he earned but the life lessons that he learned were well worth it.

First, he learned how to wake up on his own at a very early hour.  I still got up most mornings to make him breakfast but I didn't need to get him out of bed. It was cold most mornings and extremely hot most evenings and he didn't look forward to it but he usually had a good attitude as he left.

The second and most important thing that he learned was that he does not want to do that kind of work for a living.  I couldn't help but smile the day he came home soaked, muddy, cold and frustrated at the pipes and pumps that weren't working right and stated "I WILL finish college and have a good career".  I never thought that having such a crappy job could motivate him more towards college than any amount of counsel we could give.

The added bonus came during the week that Justin went to work with Derek because the kid that Derek moved pipe with was at scout camp.  Justin hated it!  He didn't have the best attitude about it and he got to where he didn't want to finish the week out no matter how much money he was making.  He did stick with it but was glad when his week was over and also committed to getting the schooling to have a profitable, dry, mud-less career.

Goodbye

June 5th, 2012

This was a very difficult day for our family.  I knew that it was going to be tough taking Vivien to the airport to fly home to Slovakia but I didn't plan on it being heart breaking.  I wanted us all to have a final together memory that would make us smile and laugh so without the kids knowing I took along Wackee Six.  It's our game.  The one that we played the first day that Vivien was with us, the one that we were playing when Derek starting laughing so hard that we had to take him to the hospital, the one that we would play when there was absolutely nothing else to do in frozen Rexburg, the one that Nathan and Hyrum could play with us.

After checking in (which took quite a while because they couldn't find her information - we were hoping that meant she was staying longer), we gathered around in a circle and started playing.  The kids thought I was kidding but quickly joined in and soon we were hollering out "Wackee Six", bantering at each other when someone played the card we were going to and we had an audience of waiting travelers watching us.

Then it was time to say goodbye.  Nathan and Hyrum didn't quite understand that Vivien would not be coming back in a few days so they were anxious to get something to eat.  Derek and Justin didn't quite know how to say goodbye and I kept holding my breath so that I wouldn't cry.  That didn't work for very long and soon Vivien and I were both in tears.

She waited until the very last minute to go through security, waved one last time, and our last view of her was going up the escalator.  I just stood there for a few minutes, resisting the urge to run after her.  

Once we were in the car we didn't really know what to say.  When we got back to the house we were still quiet and didn't quite know what to do with ourselves without Vivien part of our lives anymore.  Then I got an update text from her as soon as she had available wifi for her iPod and felt a little better.  I didn't sleep that night because I was worried about her traveling alone.  I waited all morning for an email telling me that she had arrived safely.  Her dad finally gave me an update and by the next day I had email contact with her again. It certainly isn't the same as having her here but it's better than slow mail or nothing at all.  We did try Skype once but her video wasn't working and our internet is too slow for a good connection so we have just been in contact through email.  I think of her every day.  I miss her laugh and smile and hearing her down in her room.  I miss her company while I cook dinner or while the boys are off doing boy things.  I miss her sarcasm and sense of humor and taking trips into town or to Idaho Falls with her.

The boys also miss her.  They would often disappear and I would find them sitting in her empty room.  I even found myself hanging out down there once in a while.  The room still has her flag and a few pictures on the walls. She is very much still a part of the family and is still included in our family prayers and talked about on a daily basis.  What a blessing it has been to have her as part of our family.  We love you, Vivien!!!