We took a mid-week day off to tour the Ogden, Utah Temple. The tour went so fast - a rushed, crowded walk through - with no opportunity to answer the little boys questions or to even stop for a moment. By the time we were shuffled out of the building with our very large group it felt as if the moment for our parental hopes of having a reverent, majestic experience fell a bit flat. However, the time together through our travels, eating out and our brief discussion before family prayer that night made it evident that we had done our part by going and Heavenly Father would do the rest of the teaching to our little army of young men.
Back to School
Justin is the lone Edwards tackling high school for tenth grade.
Nathan and Hyrum are "growing their brains" in third and first grades at Hibbard Elementary.
ALS Ice Bucket Challenge
Erika Jo and several other managers from Melaleuca participated in the challenge and she nominated LeRoy to do it also.
The poor picture quality is due to me taking screen shots from the video that was posted on Facebook. I really wanted a picture because out of all the many videos that I saw of the ice bucket challenge, Erika Jo is the only person I saw throw her hands up in the air and cheer after having a bucket of ice dumped over her head.
LeRoy was so excited to do the challenge. He asked a neighbor if he would be willing to dump a tractor bucket of ice water over him. His 15 year old son, Cody, was thrilled to do it.
Hyrum did not want LeRoy to be left alone in the ice so he volunteered to do it with him. I was ready with a towel, prepared for tears at the shock of how cold it would be.
He stood there silently through the whole thing and then ran around in circles squealing with shock and excitement. Hyrum that is. LeRoy stood there is a frozen shiver with a big grin of accomplishment.
Free Cupcakes For Sale
Chef Hyrum had an afternoon baking itch which he presented with the brilliant idea to take free cupcakes around the neighborhood. When asked what he would say to people when they answered the door he squared his shoulders and in his best salesman voice pitched, "free cupcakes for sale".
Once the cupcakes were cool the boys slathered on an unhealthy helping of frosting, lined their trays with cupcakes and headed around the neighborhood to spread a little sugary cheer.
Before they left I explained the difference between "free" and "for sale" to make sure it was clear when they were on other's doorsteps. Even with that explanation, one little girl Hyrum's age ran off and quickly returned, paying him $1.17 in coins. "She liked my cupcakes so much that she just paid me anyway!"
Life is a Game
that the kids like to play on Sunday afternoons.
They also enjoy Jenga, Stratego, Uno and Wackee Six.
Each game also includes a round of wrestling, laughing, and the occasional tears.
School Spirit
During the week of Homecoming I asked Justin if he was going to dress up for any of the theme days. "Mom, my school spirit is about a -1". I laughed and didn't bring it up again. Two days later he texted from the school and asked if I would mind if he was a cheerleader (all male squad) for the Powder Puff game (girls playing football).
Mind? I'll be there for pictures and video! The boys tried to wear the girls cheer outfits but their manly hips, biceps, and pecks were just not going to let that happen. A couple of the boys sucked it all in to get the tops on but they looked like they were about to bust through the seams with each arm raise.
I've never had a smidgen of desire to have a child be a cheerleader but my mother pride was bursting as I watched him shaking his hips, pumping his fists in the air and interacting with his peers in a positive, entertaining, clean-fun way. At the end of Homecoming week I asked where his school spirit ranked now. "Well, after cheering it was probably a +1 but then I skipped the assembly and the parade so I'm back to -1".
Quips
"I know you're gonna love it 'cause it's from me." ~ Hyrum
He is exactly right. Never have I imagined a crayola display of puppies above my headboard but my heart does a little flutter every time I walk into my room and see Hyrum's hard work taped up for me to enjoy.
"I'm going to save all my golden dollars until I'm a dad 'cause I've figured out that dad is actually the tooth fairy and I need to be prepared for when I'm a dad so I can be the tooth fairy." ~ Nathan
"I'm thinking so fast I'm getting motion sickness!" ~ Derek
"College is kind of fun. Yes, I just said the "C" word." ~ Levi
"I eat so much less now that I have to buy my own groceries!" ~ Derek
Updates
Levi moved to Idaho Falls, is attending Eastern Idaho Technical College majoring in Web Development, and works at Radio Shack. His web development classes are more of a preview for him since he spent the past year doing online tutorials but his psychology class is a challenge he seems to be enjoying. Daymia is living in Rexburg with roommates since her family moved to Mississippi, and just recently started working at Super Cuts. She was glad to get rid of the drive to Idaho Falls every day, and working on Sundays, from her working days at Great Clips in Idaho Falls.
Erika was promoted to supervisor at Melaleuca. She loves working days rather than nights, loves the teams that she works with, loves the paycheck, loves the bonuses and free products each month. Bret is constantly doing homework, tests and projects as he finishes up his last year at BYU-I and also puts in very early morning work hours doing freight at the Dollar Tree. Zyla, a sweet little kitten, recently joined their family.
Vivien is busy with her last year of high school, tutoring English, taking piano lessons, and working at a grocery store. On the 29th she turned the big 20! I've had a hard time arranging for a family picture this year, knowing that there will be a hole without her here. Photoshop? We miss her so much!
Derek has moved to Logan, Utah and is working at Conservice. He spent the first couple of weeks walking the three miles to work and walking again the three miles home. He tried riding his bike to work but was hit by a car which injured his foot and ruined his bike, forcing him to learn the free bus system. Sierra also moved to Logan to attend USU and Jacob went on a mission to Canada. The house is so quiet with so little entertainment! We miss their silliness, smiles, hugs!
Justin is in 10th grade and coaches gymnastics every day after school, adding up to 7-10 hours of work each week. He has learned the names of nearly 100 kids, their skill levels and tricks. It's fun to see kids recognize him at church or around town. Some have run over to do knuckle bumps with him and some give a shy wave from a distance.
Nathan is progressing as quickly in gymnastics as Justin did and he brags about having Justin as his coach. He loves going to Cub Scouts, taking piano lessons and having his two best friends in the neighborhood.
Hyrum's favorite new skill is reading chapter books. He carries a book around with him almost everywhere. He built an "idea wheel" with an aluminum pie plate, a cardboard arrow and a skewer and wrote on it "baking, read a book, cuddle time, build something". When he isn't sure how to entertain himself he spins his idea wheel.
LeRoy is busy, busy, busy. He has so much work he dreams about it, stresses about it, prays in gratitude about it and does his best to keep up. It makes for long days and long nights (especially those in Jackson) but is also making it possible to overcome some of the built up debt from the struggles of the last few years.
Me? I'm in the middle of a mid-life identity crisis. Having half of the kids in my home move out and the other half go back to school leaves this Momma somewhat lost for about seven hours a day. Without all the extra people at mealtime, I've had to learn how to make small meals and the need for goodies in the cupboard has all but disappeared so the baker in me feels a little less than fulfilled. The adjustments are nothing to complain about; life is wonderful!
