Fishy Muck and Cookie Dough

This week we have had much needed rain. With rain comes bad Internet service...hmmm... which is more important Rain or communicating with the world.... Tough choice...okay it has to be rain the world needs water and so do I.

We had a great lesson in FHE about repentance and forgiveness by Sam, Complete with wipe board graphics. Skip and I were a little confused at first with where he was going with his story about a ring , his primary teacher and Blake, but don't the pictures tell the story.

Then Jack treated us to chocolate chip edible cookie dough for desert. You use vanilla pudding instead of eggs. It was a little to sweet for me and Skip took a pass on it. Jack really wanted to experiment with the recipe so we decided to cook them to see how they would taste...they were okay, a little spongy texture.

Sam had The Rain Gutter Regatta at cub scouts and he loved it. We all did. He is begging us to buy some rain gutters and set them up in the garage for our own races or better yet he says we should build a pine wood derby race track in the garage. Of course you know Skip jumped all over this! HA!HA!

Claire went to her first two birthday parties this week. She is a party girl. Just mention the word party and she throws her hands up in the air and exclaims WHOO! HOO! She does bust me up constantly. I love that she is so observant. At one of the parties my friend had some decorative hearts hanging on the wall and Claire commented to her," Those are lovely hearts you have on that wall." really how nice thanks..?

With the rain comes power outages. With power outages comes {sometimes} Fish tank aquarium flooding...you know there is no amount of self talk that can help me when I wake from a dead sleep, to the sound of water pouring out on to my wood somewhat warped floor. { It flooded while we were at the beach...ARGGGGG} i mean you sit straight up in bed, tell Skip to hurry and get up because the tank is over flowing . It is pitch dark in the house, the emergency flash lights that I thought I had so cleverly hidden were gone of course...I can't imagine WHO could of taken them...elves, pixies..maybe trolls... You bumble to the linen closet to find old towels fast in the dark and down the stairs at 3 something in the morning and clean up water that is pouring over the sides, while Skip tries to stop it. The light come back on while we are cleaning it up ,everything settles down and back into bed, then BAM! Right as you are about to enter into that deep restful sleep it happens again... Skip you are on your own. I don't want to be responsible for the demise of any fish. I promise YOU THAT IS MY STATE OF MIND AT 4 SOMETHING IN THE MORNING WHEN THE EMERGENCY INVOLVES A SALT WATER FISH TANK.

Sam

Tonight Sam had A Cub Scout activity. They met at a pool to work on their swimming belt loop. Sam had already earned his and did not know why he should go{ he is so by the book and he thinks so linear.} He did go and got pretty excited about it as I drove him over to the pool.

I walked him up to the pool and watched as he walked all alone into the pool. Something inside me said follow him. I did not listen. I am with my kids allot and I am trying to give them experiences without me. I thought this would be a good one.

They had the boys jump into the deep end and swim 20 feet, touch and then back. I know Sam can do this, as he did it in Utah for his swim teacher. He panicked and got out . After telling his Cub Master his head hurt he sat down and there he sat for the next hour and a half. He told me he asked if he could call me , but they told him I would be there at the same time regardless of the call so they did not have him call me. I was sitting five minutes away in the pool parking lot.

I came in the pool looking for a boy that I would have to drag out. Scouring the pool I saw many boys splashing and having fun, but no Sam. Finally after chatting with another mom for a couple of minutes, I saw out of the corner of my eye Sam walking toward me dry and head hung low. It had been a miserable time for him. I could see tears well up in his eyes, but they did not fall.{Sam is not one to show tears, he will hold a dam back with his sheer will} I was sad for him.

He wanted to play his game boy , but I said turn it off so we can talk. I asked him about his feelings and how he could have made different choices. He said all the boys were going off the diving board and the water slide and he is not comfortable enough yet for either. I told him that he had gone down several slides that were bigger than the one there and he was fine with it. He seemed to cheer up a little, realizing that he had many success in the water this summer.

I hate this part of parenting. I just want my kids to be normal kids. Have fun and enjoy life. I feel sometimes that I haven't given them all the opportunities I should have. I know they have to fall to get stronger, it is just tough watching it. Sam seemed Okay when we arrived home. I think he takes his bumps in stride. It is me that doesn't.

Working on Tender Foot

On Thursday Jack had Scouts. They were short on leaders so the kids and I stood in to make the two deep leadership that they needed. Sam, Blake and Claire were very happy to go. This particular meeting was the Tender Foot "physical challenge". Jack was up to the challenge. They had done this challenge a month before and they were trying to see if they could beat the last record and best themselves. Jack was able to improve all feats of skill except the ever elusive pull up.

Claire, Blake and Sam wanted to get into the act. I thought,"Yes, please run as much as you want. Just don't fall." They had a great time running laps in the church parking lot. They all needed a little water after.

Today Jack and I went for a "Fit Kids" class at our new gym. He is planning on working on building his muscles, so the ever elusive pull up, will be possible next time. We rode these cool bikes that were interactive. Jack was very excited about them because he saw them on a show,"Beyond Tomorrow" on the science channel. He loved that he was able to try something else that he saw on that show. He also has been able to ride on the smooth sailing "Segway" several times.

I have been able to go to water aerobics and I love it! Thanks Mom for getting me hooked.

Day Camp

Sam and I attended 'Cub Scout Day Camp' together. When I woke at 5:30 am I was secretly hoping Sam would say he was to tired to go. He was a little disoriented, but when I told him where we were going he was up like a shot. I had to show my enthusiasm and off we went.

It was freezing up in the mountains. We didn't bring enough layers. Sam was shivering all morning. When I offered my jacket, which I did because you have to do that if your a good Mom , right?... He refused it. He wouldn't say why at the time, but when I questioned him later, he just told me it wouldn't be fair to have me be cold, especially since I was wearing a short sleeve shirt.{ I didn't listen to my mom and now my kids are suffering the NATURAL consequences. Did you ever try to find a sweat shirt in the stores in June? It's not gonna happen.} It is cold here in Utah.{tomorrow's high is going to be 65. }




Sam Had a great time and I am so glad I went. He did all sorts of fun activities; Sling shot, boat racing, sword fighting, BB gun and Archery. I loved watching, as the weather warmed up, so did his smile. He did knot tying and flag folding. Even though he knew no one , Sam is the kind of kid that just rolls with whomever is there.

We were buddies through the whole day. We ate lunch together and went to the trading post together. We talked about what we should buy. Sam wanted a sling shot, but they didn't have the kind they used on the range, so we went to Wal Mart after to buy two sling shots. { My Mom wasn't to happy with this purchase choice.... They are dangerous, she is right, but I thought it was fun. Jack told Grandpa when he got home from work,"Mom bought Sling shots for us, but it freaked grandma out."} Sam also purchased some Skittles and a bullet from some sort of gun. I don't know which. They had them on necklaces and Sam did not want a necklace. He also picked up some used BB's off the ground.

We were both pretty happy when he camp was over and we went to the closing flag ceremony. You can imagine 112 cub scouts all crowded together around the pole, talking and laughing, yelling and screaming with excitement. The moment the flag ceremony started all was quiet except for the birds and the wind. It was awesome. These boys were learning reverence for our flag. I loved it. All at attention, with the scout salute.

Last but not least, we were the last to leave camp. Sam thought he forgot something, which we later found in the car. So I started up Maryann's and Shane's Suburban and off we went down the mountain. Mountain roads are a little narrow and I have a bit of a lead foot....YES, I WAS PULLED OVER AGAIN!!!! I was only going 45, but the speed limit was 25. I saw the Sheriff pass me and I knew I was busted. I hadn't seen any of the speed limit signs. I promise. You just know, deep in your gut when you are in trouble. I watched in my rear view mirror as the sheriff turned around and turned on his lights. The kicker was when he asked me if I knew the speed limit and I said no, that I was just visiting from VA and then handed him my CO drivers license....NICE...I was also driving a UT car. The sheriff did comment on all of this, with a smile. He saw Sam in his uniform in the back and ask if we were coming from day camp. I said yes. He told me to pull over where we would not be in the way of traffic and I thought for sure I was busted. He came to the window , I had all the right ID and info for him. He said put it away. I was shocked {No, I did not have bight red lipstick on} He just wanted to talk to my boy. He told Sam that he was officially deputising him and that he was the deputy in charge of making sure our family was safe, including seat belts and MAKING SURE YOUR MOM DOESN'T SPEED... OK, I get it. I will try to slow down. Sam thought it was cool. He got a sheriffs star.

Do Over

There is this little singing show called 'American Idol', heard of it? Well, I was never a fan. I am not a fan of the TV in general. {that is another discussion} Skip's parents came to visit and they hooked us on this show {for this season only, I mean you become a slave to this show, two nights a week, It's crazy} Anyway I digress, The thing is, this girl on the show, I will call her Brook, started singing this song and then stopped, because she forgot the words. She started back up again and sang the whole song this time. There was this huge controversy as to whether you should be able to have a "Do Over" when you are performing in front of a live audience. Some said yes, arguing that this is your one chance to show the world what you can do and if you have to try again you should. Some no absolutely not, you should be able to move through the mistake, find your bearings and move on. Some people felt she will for ever be known as the contestant that stopped and started over on national TV. Is there some sort of redemption here? After singing the whole song can't she be remembered instead for a wonderful performance or will her mistake forever follow her?

The real question for me out of this whole fiasco is a little different and happened on a smaller more obscure stage. The stage of Laurene and Sam's life. And I am wondering is there redemption for me as a Mother. We all make mistakes and sometimes I think we are allowed a"Do Over", hopefully.

First of all, I feel like Sam is continually getting the short end of the stick. He is quite steady, so most things roll off his back and he resumes life with a smile. Last night Sam had Cub Scouts. I had a Relief Society presidency meeting. We scheduled the meeting at this time because I would have to be at the church anyway. Sam and I walked into the building { we were three minutes late} I noticed several of the ladies were in the room starting the meeting. I felt I needed to hurry, but I wanted to walk Sam to his meeting to make sure he was comfortable and safe. As we walked down the hall I noticed the scouts were in the gym. They were having a pack meeting. Usually the pack meetings are on the fourth Wed night of the month. This had been changed. Sam was supposed to receive his 'Bobcat', the first big award for a cub scout. At the previous meeting he was supposed to get it, but the leaders forgot about him. Before the meeting we had spent a lot of time talking about how great it was going to be and how proud we were of him and then, he didn't get it. He was very disappointed. I told him don't worry next month we will get it and it will be great. When I say we I mean as the mother every time your scout gets an award of rank, you go up and your son pins an award on you for helping him. My kids always have a big smile and look of satisfaction. They give you a big kiss and a hug, it is a big deal.

I pondered as to what I should do,I thought well, I will just go back to my meeting tell them what has happened, and then go to the pack meeting. I would hustle back to the Pres. meeting after 'Pack'. It didn't quite happen that way and I ended up staying in my meeting too long. By the time I got back to the Pack meeting it was over. {25 min later} I missed Sam getting his Award. He had no family there. They asked him to bring up his mom so he could pin my award on me. He explained that I wasn't there and then they said what about your dad. Not here either.{ Usually the whole family comes, but we didn't know} They gave him his first award all by himself. I missed it. I knew immediately when I walked in the gym and they were putting the chairs away. My heart sunk. Sam's face was all I needed to see. I almost started to cry {I rarely do} I told Sam I was so sorry I missed it. He said he was upset, but now he was OK. UPSET, I guess so. I went back to finish out my meeting. Sam sat in silence.

After my meeting I took Sam for a fresh drink and a chocolate bar. I know it doesn't make up for what happened, but I was trying to do something. I told him next pack meeting we will have them give the award again so he can pin my pin on me. A "Do Over"? Is this OK? Will Sam be scarred for life, because stuff like this keeps happening? Will he always remember Scouts and how his mom can't get her priorities straight. Hopefully I can be redeemed next time.

Back from Camp

Jack made it home. He was extremely dirty, very tired, and decidedly happy. Apart from getting no sleep because of some rowdy boys {these are eleven year olds}. He said it was fun. He was the only one that brought stuff for smores {his Idea} and won the popularity contest for most moochers asking for food. Go figure! They tied Knots and did some orienteering , working with maps and compasses. All and all a success.

Camp out Talks Good or Too Much? Let Me know.

Last night as I was driving home from scouts and discussing a camp out with Jack. This will be Jacks first camp out, his first sleepover ever. I decided this would be a good time to talk to Jack about things that can happen on these type of outings. I told him that he would have fun and that he would learn many knew things. Camping I told him is fun and he would be able to get closer to the other boys in the troop as they do different things and pass off their requirements. Then I told him that sometimes things that aren't appropriate get introduced at camp outs and sleepovers. I proceeded to remind him of the talk that Skip and him had about a year and a half ago { Birds and the Bees} . I told him that sometimes boys who are trying to be cool or fit in may talk about, tell jokes or bring pictures of things that are not cool, sometimes they might use swear words. I asked if he understood and he said not really. I am glad for this but, at the same time it makes it harder to explain. So I said sometimes the world takes things that are sacred and makes fun of them, like women's bodies. This is what Satan wants. Our bodies are sacred and should never be joked about or be in pictures that would make us uncomfortable. We talked about David and Bathsheba and also Joseph and Potifers wife and the different choices they made. I told him to flee when temptation is near just like Joseph. I said he could try to change the subject or suggest that they do something different. I told him if he gets teased or called a baby to go with it and say in a laughable way "yes I am a baby so don't swear in front of me" I said you don't need to be self righteous or act better than them, but do stand tall and hold your ground. If you do the holy ghost will always be with you and quicken your mind so you know what to say.

We also talked about practical jokes. Sometimes they are funny and sometimes they are not. You have to decide is the joke on someone weak, would they feel embarrassed or mad. You have to think would you want the joke played on you. Sometimes it is harmless and funny then it is OK. He understood this. I told him, again live by the spirit and you will know.

We also talked about being an instrument in the Lord's hand. That as he is kind and "Christ Like" to others he can lead by example. I told him that in his daily personal scripture study between now and next Friday he can prepare himself for the camp out by praying and searching the scriptures for answers to questions he may have or just to have the right frame of mind to be able to have a good time at the camp out.

This conversation took about 10 minutes. As I was finishing up Jack started to laugh. I wondered why and then I realized Skip had come out of the house to see what were we doing and was staring at us. We came in and I listened to Jacks prayers and tucked him in. Then Skip asked me what were you talking about. I told him I was just scaring the life out of our son. He said great... I asked Jack if he was nervous he said a little but that he was excited at the same time. I think Skip thinks I went over board but, I say I'm supposed to help Jack through life so I am doing what I can to guide him and then let him go and make his own decisions. We will see.

Do My Best

Sam is a Cub Scout. He is so excited. Tonight was his first meeting. He had a smile a mile wide. Afterword in the car he said :"I tried to do everything that the book says. Mom what does the book say that I am supposed to do at the end of our Den meeting? Mom :" Help clean up" Sam : "I did that" Mom :" Pick up all your belongings" Sam :"I did that" Mom Tell your Den leader thank you" Sam: as he hits himself on the head " I knew I missed something. Next week I will remember everything" He says with confidence. Sam is very by the book. I have no doubt that he will remember everything.