We have a 16 yr-old!

Derrek FINALLY had his 16th birthday, yesterday. It has been an interesting week for him because we (me and my neighbor who is his YM leader) have been trying to help him get his Duty to God for the Teachers done. But, there were some big things on there that he hadn't done and we can't do them for him, and won't. If he isn't willing to put in the effort, then it doesn't benefit him at all. So, this week, he had to read from Alma to the end of the Book of Mormon for one of his requirements and then he also had to do a service project. We helped him map out how many pages he would have to read each night and then explained the benefits if he took on this challenge. He had mentioned that he felt that we would be mad at him if he didn't do this and then we explained again that we are only rooting for him to do this because one, it is a big challenge and when we get done with hard things we feel very accomplished, and two because we know how it can change his life. He just had to accomplish it all before he met with the bishop (of all people, his own father...and he isn't easy on him!). So, he is meeting with him right now and has proudly accomplished all he set out to do this week. I must say, it wasn't easy. Especially when he had to make the choice of going out with friends or reading the Book of Mormon. But, he did it and I know he feels what we knew he would feel.

For his birthday, he got to have it for two days! Friday, Grandpa took him and his friends out skiing. They were the only boat on the lake until about 10:00 am. It was just after a storm and so the water was glass and perfect for skiing. It was so perfect that Grandpa asked Derrek to pull him! Then we had pie and ice cream later that evening. We only had one candle and so we were going to light it 16 times and have him blow it out, but that got old fast and we said "that's good enough" around the 10th time. The next day (his actual birthday), he went up to Brianhead Ski resort to mountain bike with his friend and family. That was their gift to him. He had a lot of fun and said he got in four really good runs. Then he came back and headed out on his first group date. They went and saw GI Joe and went and had pizza. He was actually home by 11:00 pm, even though I told him he could be out until 12:00. We'll see how that goes once he can drive! He still can't get his license yet because the instructor has people before him that still have to drive with the instructor. But, it will come soon and then he will be happy.

As for the rest of us, it was a calm week. Just trying to figure out how to help keep grades up and staying on top of all that. I have decided I really hate 6th grade. Every child of mine has really struggled with 6th grade. We are now on to the 4th child. Only one more after him!!! We have also been trying to help the girl that has been living with us ready to go to boot camp tomorrow. It's time for her to move on, but we have learned many valuable lessons and our kids have been able to give more of themselves than they would normally have the chance to. It might have been a lot to ask of them, but we plan on bringing it all home for them in FHE tomorrow night. She leaves tomorrow around noon. I have heard people say that I am too nice, but I really feel that it is one of those gifts that I was given, because I know that not everyone could bring a stranger into their home. But, the Lord knows us and protects us while we help...for that I am sure. And knowing it is not forever, helps too. But, if I can be that event in that person's life to help them get back on track, then that is how I want to be used. I know it's not for everyone and we are probably crazy, but it is what it is.

This last week, during FHE, we had a fun time playing a game that Scott played when he was younger. The boys really loved it and there was flour everywhere. Thank goodness for vacuums!

Two Down...

This week Alec celebrated his 15th Birthday! I can't believe he is really this old. We asked when he was going to get his permit, and he had no response. I am still trying to recover from Derrek! Thankfully I have Scott that sees this as no big deal and takes them for the first few runs before I have to venture out with them in the van! Poor Alec (and Scott) had to have their birthday on a Wednesday...which is the worst night for us as far as being busy. All the Church stuff happens on that night. Scott was only able to come home from work to change into his suit and go do interviews and such. He didn't get home until 11:00 or 11:30 that evening (I went to bed...I was exhausted). Alec was a trooper, though. We had cake and ice cream after and then in the morning he went to IHOP for breakfast and then later on in the day, Grandpa took him and his friend skiing (with a couple brothers, too). So...what is normally supposed to be one day became two!

Scott didn't care about his birthday. I really have never met anyone that truly does not care about his birthday. But, I think I have found that person. Between Scott and Alec (two peas in a pod!), I go crazy trying to figure out something to make it semi-special because they could both care less. I asked Alec what he wanted...cake? pie? ice cream? bowl of mashed potatoes? (my brother Geoff actually had that one year for his "cake"). He couldn't decide on anything. So finally he said "okay, okay...a cake". Then I asked what he wanted on it. He couldn't come up with anything. I was going to do a princess cake, but the kit was like $10.00 so I opted for bubble gum (no...we didn't have bubble gum ice cream. It makes me sick and so it never even entered into my mind). Derrek already has a list of his birthday and how it is going to go. They are complete opposites! Oh well...

This is a picture of Alec watching t.v. and being ever so productive by seeing how many pieces of bubblegum he can fit into his mouth at one time before he gags. He got in 101 pieces. Then he tried it again and was gagging by 96.

Speaking of boredom...the kids are so bored today that Calvin and Derrek decided to shave! Derrek claims he "had to shave" and Calvin found "two black hairs" and said he "needed the practice" and "the aftershave smells delicious". Good times.

Goin' Fishin'

This week has been calm compared to weeks past. We are all starting to get used to the schedules and such. Calvin started football this past Monday. He is having growing pains and so his knees were giving out on him. I can't tell how much is real and how much is milked. But...whatever...he does have some degree of pain in his knees. He was just doing conditioning this week (where they wear helmets only to get their necks used to carrying the helmets). He was doing drills and one was the "bear crawl" and because his neck wasn't used to the helmet weight, he would end up doing basically a somersault. It was pretty funny. He didn't like that the other guys were laughing and I had to say, "now if you were the one in line and you saw another kid doing the same thing, you can't tell me that you wouldn't laugh". He said "I know, but...it's different (while smiling)". But, the rest of the week went well for him.

Just one funny story and picture to share. Yep! You guessed it...Alec!!!

The kids were bored (the homework hasn't piled on yet, and actually Alec finished his at school and he said that he had been feeling weird and I said that it was the feeling of not having the stress of something hanging over you and that you were free to do what you wanted...he liked that feeling!). Anyway, he and Calvin decided to go fishing at 7:00 p.m. Scott told him it was fine and he would pick them up when it started to get dark. So, around 8:30 p.m., Scott went to go pick them up. I was here, working on things at my desk, and Alec comes in and says "hey mom, I hooked myself", as if it was no big deal. I thought he was joking because he likes reactions and stages things like this...but no, this one was real! He had thrown a hook into his head (you can click on the picture and see it up close!!!). Come to find out, they weren't catching any fish and so they saw bats flying overhead and heard that you could catch them with a fishing pole and hook. So, they (he and Calvin) were casting the hooks straight up and down trying to catch bats (what they were going to do with them if they caught one...Heaven only knows!). So, Scott looked at it and said, "there are only two ways to get this out. One, I yank it out, and two, I push it through creating another hole." Alec was debating and while he was doing that, Scott just yanked it! No blood...and Alec went and showered and then it became a thing of the past.

Have fun with your week! We have Birthdays starting this week. It's Alec and Scott's on Wednesday! Alec will be 15 years old. Scott will be 38. I am glad Alec isn't as persistant as Derrek in getting his permit. I haven't recovered from Derrek, yet.

Oh, I keep forgetting...for those of you who are not my siblings...my sister, Jenette, is trying to get a cookie business started. She is working on getting legalized, but if you want to look at some of her work, her blog is: sugaryums.blogspot.com. She is still working on packaging and pricing, so if you have any suggestions on what you make you want to purchase something like this, your feedback would be appreciated!!!