Thanksgiving

We started November with a tree trunk and bare branches on the pantry door and filled it up with fall colored leaves as the month went on.  Each morning after reading scriptures we would each fill in a leaf and put it on the tree.

My personal favorite was one of Justin's:

I can't help but appreciate the early morning, smart-alec sarcasm of a groggy teenager.

Kate and Kara brought their kids to help us celebrate on Thanksgiving Day.  To me, Thanksgiving is best prepared and celebrated with sisters in the kitchen.  Of course, we prepared way too much food, especially the "salads" (which should really be called desserts) but we fixed everything the kids requested, knowing that it would all be eaten over the next few days.

Derek was so thrilled to see all that food in one place that he couldn't wait.

Hyrum had a writing assignment in class that left me wondering if I need to spend some time with him teaching how 

to care for a pet or how to properly cook a turkey.

"If I could keep a turkey as a pet I would... 

I will burn it to death.  I will eat it when it is done.  It will be great. So great to me.  I will love it."

I'm thankful for my teen/adult children that are so good at entertaining the younger siblings and cousins.  I'm often asked if it is difficult having such an age span in the family but it really balances well. It's fun to see our little flock of boys stick together as they go from one person or activity to the next.

They all seemed in awe of Derek as he played Nathan in chess.  

They don't ever wrestle with Derek, probably because he appears giant to their little eyes.

With Levi they full on attack.  He takes it, gives it, and usually he can tell when it needs to stop so that it ends with laughter instead of tears.  If Levi isn't around, they attack Justin but he tends to makes a game of tag out of it, racing around the house trying to get away from their grabby hugs and hands or dodging their Nerf darts as they chase him.

Erika plays both sides.  They will cuddle with her or play games when they are calm and wrestle with her when they're feeling aggressive.  Daymia even got some of the cousin attention this year.  

And, then there is LeRoy.  The not-so-adult adult of the family.  He thrilled them with dynamite and just as he did on the 4th of July, he brought out their best squeals and hollers as he blew up pumpkins with them.  Each time he lights a wick he yells out "fire in the hole" so that everyone runs back a little further.  The kids have done this enough now that they also yell "fire in the hole".  

They wandered the yard with him after the explosions to see how far out the pieces flew. We fondly consider him our Destructive Pied Piper.

I love to feed people so I putter around the kitchen filling little cups with milk and providing snacks and meals.  I also enjoy providing crafty things for them to do and occasionally I selfishly sneak in a project that I get to keep for years to come.  This year I had them each do colored fingerprints to fill in a fall tree on canvas. 

I was unprepared for the personality lesson that I would witness doing this.  Logan did a perfect job of pouncing his finger in multiple colors with no thought for pattern or fear of doing it wrong, providing what I think are perfect, beautiful fingerprint leaves and he would have filled the whole canvas if I'd let him.  Nathan was worried about doing it just right and criticized each one that he did.  Hyrum was annoyed to have his play interrupted but quickly did it to humor me, blobbing his finger in the thickest section of paint and smearing it on the canvas.  Korben hesitated at first but then caught me off guard when he dabbed his finger in one color, plopped it on the canvas and wiped his jeans trying to get the paint off.  Max wanted an explanation of why we were doing this before he would agree to it and then proceeded to give me a full explanation of how to properly mix the paints and how important it is to not touch his clothes with the paint and how he needed to wash his hands with soap.  Zane pulled a shy act and hid in the stuffed animals and I didn't even approach Brooklyn this year, not wanting to interrupt her focused play with Anna and Elsa.  We can always add Zane and Brooklyn fingerprints next year. 

The canvas was then set aside to dry, other activities came up, the month passed and Christmas came and I have yet to decide how to finish the canvas.  I want to do a border on it and possibly the year but I have until next fall to figure it out. 

The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad

Wait a minute . . . that's not right . . . 

November was wonderful!

On my birthday eve I ventured to Logan, Utah to hang out with Derek.  The real purpose of my visit was to be at a doctors appointment with him but we turned it into a mini-party complete with dinner at Pizza Pie Cafe, goofing off at Wal-Mart, cruising Main Street and late night visiting.  I so enjoy that boys company!  Staying at his apartment was cozy and comfortable.  Just spending time with him was a gift.

When I got home I was showered with birthday love. Nathan made a Lego cake for me "since sugar gives you a headache."  I have to say it was the best birthday cake ever!  I still got to blow out the candle and make a wish but I didn't have to fight myself over not eating any or deal with eater's remorse after eating it.

As I headed to bed later that night I found a card on my night stand.  I laughed through tears as I read and re-read it.

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Justin's orchestra concert was a landmark event . . . for me.  It was the first time in nine years that I had only one kid participating in orchestra.  It was a calm affair rather than the chaotic shuffling of schedules to make sure each kid is at the school at the right time and I'm watching at the right time and the littles had someone at home to watch them at the right time because littles and orchestra combined draws out the ornery in me.  With half of my children no longer living at home I was left with no choice but to take Nathana and Hyrum with me.  They have finally outgrown the constant wiggle and talk stage enough to sit quietly through a concert and as a matter of fact, they were entranced.

After the concert we were joined by Bret, Erika, Levi and Daymia at Kiwi Loco where we stirred up quite a ruckus.  Hanging out with so many unedited personalities leaves plenty of opportunity for stares, glares and giggles galore.

One of these times we should count how many double takes Levi and Justin get from strangers.  Even I get them confused!  Though it appears that Justin is taller (he is by a smidgen) in one photo and much shorter than Levi in another photo (because he is slouching to let Levi be taller), they are actually pretty darn close to the same height, build, hair color, nose shape and even personalities.  It's a good thing Daymia requires Levi to have that facial hair so that she can tell them apart!

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Nathan had his second piano festival and was determined to beat his score from last festival.
 

He nailed it!

He also had his last piano recital with Trish that night.  He is so sad that she is no longer teaching lessons but excited to continue lessons in January with a new teacher.

~~~~~~~~~

I gave up the idea of family Christmas cards a few years ago but I still try to get a family picture in at least once a year.  Until this year.  I just can't get everyone together.  Well, I could.  I just don't want to spend the time deciding what to wear or where to have them taken or bothering someone to take it. And, now that we are in November the thought of outdoor pictures gives me the shivers and I can't think of a place indoors that could make a good backdrop for a nine person shot.

Justin came up with a solution. For family home evening we spent time taking individual pictures and made a collage.

Family Pictures 2014

~~~~~~~~~

I love fall!  I love the colors and the cool air.  I love looking forward to the holidays and the feel of hibernation coming on.  The only problem with fall in Rexburg is the very brief duration.  This year I determined that no matter how short Mother Nature celebrated fall, I was going to have a full two months of it.

I finished up a quilted wall hanging that I had started last year.  The colors blended so well with the leaves and other decorations that I already had.  I've never decorated for Halloween other than for a dinner party so I made the wall hanging to cover October and November through fall and Thanksgiving.  I felt so happy sitting among all the browns, reds, yellows, oranges, pumpkins and pilgrims with the heavenly scent of pumpkin spice banana bread floating from the oven and a cup of apple cider warming my hands and belly.    

Mother Nature took away fall after only a couple of weeks and for Thanksgiving she threw a frozen blanket of white over us.  It seemed to come over night.  We went from wearing light jackets to hoping that school would be cancelled because of the frigid negative temperatures, coupled with blustery winds and winters first snow.

Once the week long winds and bitter temperatures calmed, the boys headed out with the neighbors to build a fort.  The wet snow was so heavy that they had trouble getting their snowballs built into a wall so when I went out to take pictures of them I became "the lifter."  I really do not like being in the wet, cold snow but helping to build the fort brought back memories of building forts with my brothers and sisters so long ago.  After the fort was finished and my hands were sufficiently frozen I went inside.  Just as I got warm I was called outside once again to meet "a new friend"  Using the lingering remnants of slushy snow, Nathan and Hyrum packed and stacked a little Olaf to love.

The snow melted, the winds....kept coming, and the temperatures warmed after just a few days and fall was back again.  Though many around me were complaining that they wanted a white Christmas, I was very content with jacket weather and the neutral browns of grass and bare trees that took us clear through Christmas Eve.

~~~~~~~~~

During the blustery weather of November my mood began to drop as quickly and as low as the temperature and I knew that it would be a very long winter if I didn't pull myself together.  So, rather than hide under the warm covers with a book I got myself out of bed and poured all of my blue into care packages for Derek and Levi.

I miss Derek.  I miss his laugh and silly faces and the hip shaking dances he would break into.  I miss the way he falls into my chair with a harrumph or wrestles his brothers into the couch (which now happens to have a broken spring because of the wrestling).  I never thought I would miss the smell of a corn dog but I do; it makes me think of Derek. I miss having someone to reach things on the top shelf of the cupboards for me. I really miss hearing him play the cello and I really, really miss his tall hugs.  It seemed very appropriate to send him the "I'm Blue Without You" box.

Even though Levi is only in Idaho Falls and I see him each Sunday, I wanted him to get mail at his apartment.  He had told me that he doesn't really seem to live there because all of his mail still comes here.  I took care of that for him.

I had their boxes all taped up and ready to go on a Saturday night.  I planned on getting to the post office bright and early Monday morning to send them.  Monday came and went.  On Tuesday I was still unmotivated to get them out.  On Wednesday I woke up with a clear thought in my head that they needed to go out TODAY.  On Friday I received a text from a very happy and grateful Levi and a phone call from a teary eyed, emotional Derek.

Derek told me of the few remaining groceries in his fridge, the cost of the repairs of his car that had taken his spending money to a zero balance and of the rent due in only two days and payday wouldn't come for another four days.  Real Life was beating him down.  His box and note gave him just enough hope to hang on, groceries to make do, and his Mom's love to remind him that he is not forgotten.

October

General Conference is considered a holiday around here.  Everyone has their favorite part (food, apostle treat bags, skipping chores on Saturday, hanging out all day in pajamas, skipping church on Sunday . . . ) and though the actual talks don't always run at the top of the list, it does give us time together as a family and there are peaceful, inspirational moments among the celebration of it all.

Carrying on the tradition that I grew up with, we have projects that keep our hands busy while we listen.  For some of my children (Erika and Nathan in particular) this actually helps them to focus.  For others (Levi and Hyrum) it's just a way to endure.  

Nathan captured a few rather quirky moments until Bret turned the camera on him.  Bret and Erika brought their neighbors over to hang out with us.  They fit right in.  Derek came home from the Priesthood Session and promptly finished his hat.

Bret thought the mess was picture worthy.

~~~~~~~~~~

 I was putting off carving pumpkins with the family because our schedule was a little hectic but when we got a call

 from Levi and Daymia the party was a go in a matter of an hour.

Those who know Levi well understand his fettish about having his hands dirty.  Every single year he would grumble about 

gutting his pumpkin.  This year he dug right in like a big boy but his face still gave away his discomfort.

~~~~~~~~~~

I needed a legitimate excuse to try a new caramel recipe so for an afternoon activity we made mummy apple gifts for the boys' primary teachers.  My little trio of missionaries shared a yummy happy message as they went to their combined four teachers and even became 

a little addicted to spreading the love.

  

Instead of keeping their own yummy mummy they begged to deliver them.  They thought carefully about who they 

could share with and I watched humbly as they felt first hand the joy of serving. 

They wanted to "surprise more people and make them happy" so within the next couple of days I created labels, picked up some M&M's and after filling the jars they were off once again sharing sugary love and happy hugs with the music leaders in our primary.  Hyrum leaned over to me during sacrament meeting the following Sunday and suggested we give "marvelous M&M's to the lady leading the songs".  Atta Boy!  He's catching on.

I changed up the label so they could each give a bag of M&M's to their bus driver, thanking her for driving "Miles and Miles" to get them to school.  After school I asked how it went.  "She gave us huuuge hugs and smiled all the way to the school AND she said "thank you, that was so nice" before we got off at our house too!!!"  

~~~~~~~~~~

The highlight of Halloween was visiting Erika at work.  

Each team at Melaleuca decorated in a movie theme and was ready for trick-or-treaters.  

Erika spent hours working on that Toothless dragon!  It ended up being fifteen feet long, took two black plastic table clothes to cover it, and is framed with scrap wire, electrical tape and cardboard.  We hardly recognized her when she came out as a sheep (like the ones that are used in the dragon game in the movie) and honestly, it was kind of creepy when she closed her eyes and there were animal eyes looking at us.  She is so creative and clever!

Cramming for Fall

Fall is a very loose term here in Rexburg.  School starts and the summer schedule is gone; the winds change and summer is gone. On a cool summer evening we go to bed only to wake up in the chilly winds of winter.  It is usually during this transition phase called fall that we cram in as much as we possibly can before months of school demands and hibernation set in.

The first frost is our indication that apples have been sweetened to perfection and are ready for picking.  Luckily, the night's frost is melted away into afternoon sun just right for the picking.

Picking turns into preserving! And, ultimately, crazy faces and poses.

Erika Jo bought her own jars this year and spent a couple of evenings making her very own applesauce.  I feel so much satisfaction when I stand back and look at my canning progress but watching Erika achieve her own fruity success was left me oozing with pride!

She also filled twenty four quarts with peaches.  This was not an easy feat with a full time work schedule and only the evenings left for canning but she went right into the late hours with enthusiasm.  She was determined to do it all on her own, following the recipes and directions that I put in her Christmas cookbook last year, asking a couple of questions but not letting me help.  She wanted to practice for next year when she won't have momma close by to help.  I may get a phone call or two next summer (I too call my mom when I forget the minor, once a year details) but she will be able to do it no matter where she lives.

My squirrel-y efforts all shelved together put a smile on my face but those filled jars on the shelf totally make me want to dance or hug someone, or just curl up with a good book, a jar of fruit and a spoon. Peaches, pears, apple sauce, apple crisp filling, apple juice...so much goodness set aside!

~~~~~~~~~~

One of the first things on my summer list is to get the boys in for dental appointments.  Every single summer I put get to the week before the new school year starts and call in a panic trying to get them in before I have to compete with every other parent trying to fit dental appointments around school schedules.

Duck lips are {not} Justin's favorite! No Cavities!!!

~~~~~~~~~~

As the days get shorter and darkness comes on hours sooner than we are used to, the boys snatch their dad right after work
to get in a little baseball time.

LeRoy's back can't handle it for long but he gives his all to throw a few pitches for his boys.  Nathan and Hyrum have never experienced the wrestling, basketball, volleyball, baseball, and flag football with LeRoy that the older four were privy to.  At times, the older kids would opt out of the chance to play because it was so common but Nathan and Hyrum soak up every minute of this precious physical time with dad.

And, then they go beat up their older brothers to make up the difference.

When all energy is gone it's time to cuddle up with a lazy purring cat.

Every once in a while, Zyla (Erika's kitten) will calm down long enough for a nap.

~~~~~~~~~~

LeRoy finished out the summer playing cook for a week long Woodbadge course.

He volunteered to make dutch oven Hawaiin Chicken for the luau and Chicken Cordon Bleu for another night since they are some of his favorites. Little did he know the work that each of those meals involve, especially for 76 people.  His fall back answer when in a tight spot is me.  I went to camp to help on two different days since the three cooks were all first timers in the kitchen and very unsure of what they were doing.  I loved chopping up 20 peppers, 10 onions, mushrooms, 20 pounds of chicken, fruit for a small army, kneading and rolling out a triple batch of rolls and serving it all up from a tiny kitchen with the minimal supplies available. I'm not comfortable in a leader, boss-people-around position but I loved having a staff to direct in the kitchen.  It felt natural and the results were delicious and devoured.

LeRoy also hosted an area dinner party for some of the Legal Shield Associates and their families.  Again, he played chef; serving up a variety of grilled meats to go with the potluck spread provided by the group.

While he slaved over the grill and chatted business with his peeps, the boys and I played in the trees and raced around on
go-carts with the younger family members.

 ~~~~~~~~~~

Our summer finale included some of our favorite people....COUSINS!

Nathan, Hyrum, Max and Zane

September

Ogden Temple Open House

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.

I love these people so much! Eternity is going to be a blast.


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!