Cache

An hour or so after arriving home from his mission, Cache asked for a notepad so he could make a list of things he needed to do. (And here, I naively thought he'd have nothing to do and would be happy to tackle my big projects. . .)  I'm not sure of everything he put on that list but I know much of it included getting his mind ready to back to BYU.  He procured a few calculus text books and gave himself assignments.  I would find him downstairs working out complicated problems on his white board.  He read his college text books from his first year.  He also looked at every. single. class offered at BYU (no small feat) and made a master list of those he would like to take at some point and those he would like to teach himself.  I mentioned to him something to the effect that most college students don't even think about doing such a thing.  He said "I don't know why not.  I'm not even paying for my college. If I were, I would approach it even more rigorously because I would need to make sure I was getting my money's worth."  He loves learning!

Anyway, we LOVED having him home for the summer.  I was a bit concerned that the adjustment would be difficult for him, but it didn't seem to be.  He jumped right in where he left off and was so great to have around.

Now he's back at BYU and in his element.  He is a planner and he plans his time very carefully and fits lots in.  I learn a lot from him.  He decided not to work this semester but to spend that time giving service instead.  He's got himself involved in tutoring as a service.  He still likes to cook and makes bread once a week, he calls and asks about recipes and other aspects about cooking. (He calls about other things too, but I love to have the cooking connection with him.)  One time we were on the phone and Tom came in and asked Chandler who I was talking to.  Chandler said, "Cache and they are talking about food."  Tom said, "Surprise, surprise."  Last week he mentioned he made a Roasted Grape with Goat Cheese on Sweet Potatoes.  I can't be too sure, but there are probably not too many college students eating that!

Before he left for BYU, he gave me a reading assignment:  Naked Economics.  He thought since it is a major he is considering, I should know a bit more about it than I do.  It has been a great and informative read that has actually helped me in the parenting department and thinking about other household management items.  He still hasn't narrowed down a major yet, but is loving his math and economics classes.  Time will tell what he ends up doing.  But I have a hunch it might be some type of university life:  teaching, researching, writing, helping others. . . .all the things he loves now.

At my Grandma's funeral it was mentioned that she used to make copies for her calling with a concoction involving gelatin and a cookie sheet.  Cache was interested so he looked up how to do it.  The Internet is amazing and told him what to do.  Last week he texted me saying he was trying it out.  I don't believe it ended up working well because he didn't have the right kind of ink, but doing that type of thing is definitely up his alley.  He joked that he is going to use that method to send Christmas cards.  I hope he does and I hope I am on his mailing list!

A mission did great things for him and I'm glad to have him back home!

Chandler

Chandler is a walking encyclopedia on golf and he lives to play it. If he's not practicing it, he's watching tutorials online on how to improve his game, studying clubs, balls, reading golf magazines and even play golf video games.  He's pretty much got a one tracked mind.  So it's not really surprising that he made the golf team this year.  He's loved having others to discuss and play the game with.  It hasn't been as good as a season as he's hoped, but he's changed a lot on his strokes and swings that have given him very steep learning curves.  But still at age 14 shooting an average of 41, his best score a 38, is not too bad.  He'll only improve.

Chandler's Eagle court of honor was procrastinated.  It took us six months to buckle down and get it done.  Part of that had to do with my long lists of things at the end of the Primary year and Christmas, the other part was because Chan doesn't like being the center of attention so when I could actually address it, he avoided it.  Anyway, we finally got it done in March.  It was a simple just the way he wanted it.  He gave Caleb his mentor pin.  We enjoyed family coming that day for a bit and a simple evening honoring Chandler.  He's a great kid.

Even with so much time and energy spent on golf, Chandler still makes time for his household jobs, school and scripture reading.  His favorite class in school is easily seminary, he reports.  He is getting so he is making great contributions to our family scripture study so he seems to really be enjoying that fabulous aspect of life.  He's a great and easy going kid to have around.  So thankful for him!