18 Years

I have so many thoughts and emotions that have been swirling around my head this past month. They could never properly be expressed. But to record just a few:

Where has the time gone?

How did this happen?

How could something so amazing come from my parenting? (extreme inadequacies abound!)

Have I enjoyed him enough?

18 years ago I couldn't wait for May to arrive, this year I've been so anxious to stop time!

Have we taught him enough?

Will I still be part of his life even though he is quiet and independent?

His birthday celebration:

We had to celebrate his birthday on the 28th, because his band, The Narwhales, were picked as one of the bands to play at Cavestock on Friday. That made it a fun day for him. He left for school in the morning and we didn't see him at home again until midnight. We did sneak over to watch his performance. That was fun to see him in action. We'd only heard about him being able to play the bass guitar. He was 100% self-taught and learned on a borrowed instrument.

For his birthday, we sent him on a scavenger hunt to friends' homes for his gifts. They were just a bunch of simple things he'll need for college: stapler, scissors, flash drive, towel etc. The clues were definitions from the dictionary that were similar to his friend's names. (Megan's was the definition of 'mega', Brooklyn's was the definition of 'brook', etc.) So he had to figure out what word it was to figure out who to visit next. I think he had fun. Then when he came home we had Lime Cilantro Shrimp for dinner.

Just a few random tidbits for his birthday post:

When he was 3 years old we were driving down the road and he started say, "1, 3, 5, 7, 9. . . " all the way to 19. I was dumbfounded since I had been working on that with my 1st graders and he had figured it out himself. I said to him, "Cache, you just said your odd numbers!" About a week went by and he came to me and said, "A, C, E, G. . . " saying every other letter. Then he said, "I know my odd letters too!" He's always been a thinker.

He is very creative. Just one photo example--His zucchini boat not only floated but it lit up the night too. There's always an added touch added to make things a little different.

He came home with this Utah-shaped trophy the other day. Pretty cool. (By the way, Cache dressed up in a suit and tie the day he took the ACT, he has learned that you are more successful when you are better dressed.)

This is another reason he has been so successful---he is very organized. It is a true gift---definitely not something he learned from me. This is a to do list from a few years ago--now he types them. In one corner (the furthest) is his list for school assignments, the bottom left is a merit badge to-do list and the bottom right are church/family things that need to be done. (I tried to make it big enough to read a little; don't know how successful I was. . . )

He's been a kid who is not easily influenced by peers. When he has decided what he wants or how to live, friends have had little sway on him. A very good trait (mostly, see below).

He's also VERY conservative financially. He often won't eat when he goes out for treats with his friends because he doesn't want to spend the money. He's also extremely conservative with our money. He doesn't want many things and goes without---without any complaint. Presently he is unwilling to let us pay for a gold cord for graduation. (See point above as to why it wouldn't be unwise for me to spend my $10 on a cord---he's decided he won't wear one.)

He wants little attention. Blending into the woodwork is his preference.

I love you, Cache. You are a great young man! Good luck with all your endeavors!

Caleb's Medals

Caleb came walking into the house last week jingling these cool medals.

The gold is for the 9th grade team taking 1st at Alpine Days track meet.

The bronze is for AF's sweep in the two mile, taking 1st, 2nd and 3rd. (It was the sweep that got the medal, not the 3rd place, otherwise he would have been wearing 3 more medals because he placed 3rd in all of his events.)

In the meet he also set 3 new PRs for himself: 4:53 mile; a 10:51 2 mile and a 2:12 800m.

Good job, Caleb!

He's enjoying a little break just before cross country starts up again next week.

Great Grandma Bingham

Took a quick trip to Preston for Memorial Day. Got to spend just a little time with Grandma. The girls loved sitting on her lap at the cemetery. Not only was it a way to stay dry, but it connected these three a little. We had to really coax them to leave her snuggles. She told me she hopes to live a few more years so she can keep doing things like this. . . we hope so too.

Click, Clack, Cache; A Boy That Types

Mrs. Waddoups has a problem. Her son likes to type. Everyday she hears:

Click, clack, Cache,

Click, clack, Cache,

Clickety, clack, Cache.

At first she couldn't believe her ears. A perfectionist using a typewriter? Impossible!

Click, clack, Cache,

Click, clack, Cache,

Clickety, clack, Cache.

Then she couldn't believe her eyes. School assignments typewritten and turned in. Scholarship thank you letters typed and mailed in. It was bad enough that Cache wanted to type all day in his bedroom, but now he wanted to take his typewriter to the library to type his speech for graduation? No way! (Actually it was entirely okay!)

Click, clack, Cache,

Click, clack, Cache,

Clickety, clack, Cache.

And then Mrs. Waddoups got a memo:

It's 2011! Where does one get ribbon for a 1957 typewriter?

Mrs. Waddoups got out her own typewriter (a computer equipped with Internet).

Ebay decided this was a good deal and sold typewriter ribbon to Mrs. Waddoups for only $9.75! (and probably wished she would have bought more!)

USPS was a neutral party and delivered the ribbon to Mrs. Waddoups in a few days. The next day Mrs. Waddoups got a note:

Click, clack, Cache,

Click, clack, Cache,

Clickety, clack, Cache.

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PS. . .story slightly twisted to fit the book pattern, but it is essentially correct.

Real Life

My home often looks like this in the evenings. Most days I'm okay with it, but if I've got two or three demands a minute coming at me or if I'm trying to get kids out the door by a certain time and I'm running behind, I get can get uptight quite quickly.

President Monson tells me I should be enjoying it (see here).

Sister Beck reminds me “Heavenly Father loves His daughters, and because the reward at the end [of this life] is so glorious, we do not get a pass from the responsibilities we were given. We cannot give them away. They are our sacred duties, and we fulfill them under covenant.” (See here.) She also says that by cooking a meal, I'm creating a reason to gather and that is an important role I play. (See here.)

Those are good reasons to keep at it. . .keep loving. . .keep trying to do better each day. Life is good and this cute family I've been given is forming me and shaping me and helping me become what I need to become. Happiness is a daily, conscious choice and one that I need to make sure I make consistently. What I'm doing is important. Just reminding myself. . . .

More Play!

Just for record keeping sake. . .

I gave Tess all the ingredients (premeasured) for pancakes. Then I let her go. She even cracked the egg perfectly! Then she got to cook them and eat them all by herself. Very good learning experience for her. I'll definitely do it again.
I saw an activity online where you put a piece of Ivory soap in the microwave for 45 seconds and watch what happens. Even my teenagers were intrigued--just no one as much as Greta. (love the shadow of her little top pony tail on the microwave!)
Then you take the puffed up soap and put it in a tub of warm water, add some toilet paper if you'd like (not necessary for fun, but it adds to the sensory experience). I put a few treasures in and had the girls fish them out. I also added a little food coloring (should have done more) and let the girls go at it. Unfortunately, it wasn't loved as much as I had hoped. Greta didn't like it at all and Tess had to be coaxed to finish pulling out treasures. If I do it again, I'll use warmer water, more of it so it seems more like a sudsy water play instead of mud and definitely more food coloring.

I've also been saving recycling items and giving a them to Tess with a glue gun. Other than having a little difficulty using the glue gun (I think I need a new one), she has loved this.

This is a flying car, she tells me. You put sugar in the little container and when you eat it, it gives it power and it flies. Of course I oblige (a couple of times at least!) because it buys me another 20 minutes of Tessa independence!I read an article about the value of white glue in a preschool classroom. One teacher said that he has a glue table where the kids have free reign of white glue and whatever they want to bring to school to glue to the table, they can. Over the years it has become a sculpture. The theory behind it is white glue is cheap and giving free reign with it, gets that sort of play out of the kids' systems and they do better all around. So I bought myself a gallon of glue! It is amazing how much fun that stuff is! Before this session ended, Tess had the glue lathered all the way up both arms and on parts of her legs. Another lovely feature of the glue is that it is water soluble so I don't worry about the clothes or the table or the skin or the hair! It all washes out! Truth be told, she has been different since I've allowed this freedom.
This picture is from another session. There is (nearly) an entire small bottle of glue on the paper plate. She stirred in food coloring, dried beans and popcorn. She also put glue in the egg carton and put in beans and popcorn for a 'tool box'. The Popsicle sticks glued to the table came off quite easily too. I'm definitely seeing the value of white glue!!

The Sash of Cache

An Ode to the Scout Sash of Cache

(with apologies to Dr. Suess)

By Margot Gardiner

This poem tells the story of a boy named Cache.

He has EVERY merit badge on his long Scout Sash.

The number of badges is One-Hundred-Twenty-Nine!

(I would have given up, if that challenge were mine.)

Sewing all those badges, his mom's fingers must be sore.

She un-stitched and re-sewed them, more times than four!

The cycling badge sent him (face first) into a TREE!

Removing branch pieces from his cheek required TWO surgeries!

He once trained a dog, and learned how to Scuba.

He fixed farm equipment, and learned calls on the Bugle.

He collected stamps and coins, and insects, and dice.

More than 150 miles, he did backpack and hike!

He learned Morse code, and paddled canoes.

He made a geo-cache, and rode horses with shoes.

He ran a business, raised turtles, and caught lots of fish.

Using a pottery wheel, he sculpted a dish.

He WAS almost done, just FOUR badges left to score.

But in 2010, they added EIGHT MORE!

At one point, he created an archeological dig.

Cache worked really hard! His determination was BIG!

He did lots of research on many different topics,

Made a movie, shot guns, and even launched a rocket!

He went to landfills and treatment plants, banks and museums,

When he finished, the Utah Senate gave him STANDING OVATIONS!

The Grand Canyon is wide, carved by rivers of power.

There's the Great Wall of China, and the tall Eiffel Tower.

At Niagara Falls, the water makes a huge splash.

But more impressive than ALL THAT, is the Scout Sash of Cache!

(We LOVED this, Margot!)

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One more thing about all these merit badges . . .a man in our ward signed off one of his last badges. He asked Cache, "So what is it that you like to do now that you've had all of these experiences?" Cache told him he liked earning merit badges. That seems like a strange answer unless you really know Cache. His main love in life is learning. He is truly a scholar by every definition. He is a voracious reader of many topics. He excels in school not to be the top but because he is hungry to learn. He is one kid who is going to LOVE college! (As a side note, some of the badges Cache enjoyed have been scuba, rock climbing, water and snow skiing, archery, model design & building and journalism.)

Mother's Day by Chandler

On Sunday as we were pulling out for church we noticed a manila envelope on the doorstep. I ran up to get it before pulling away. It was official business all the way from Delaware!!

Inside was the documents with my nomination and naming of Mother of the Year!
The nomination letter is as follows:

"Dear Selection Comittee,

If you are on nationwide search for a Mother of the year (you can never be sure if Mrs. Moedl is telling the truth.) I believe my mom should take the prize for a few reasons. The first is she is very helpful. Second is that she is very artistic. Third is that she is a great cook.

My mom helps me a lot, a lot, alot and alot. Earlier this year I had alot of trouble with division. My mom sat me down and for about 30 min my mom made sure I got it. The next day at school I completed a two page division problem.

My mom is very artistic and helps me do my "amazing artwork". In high school she not only made some of her own canvas. She painted a sweet design on it. It is on our wall at home and we enjoy pointing to shapes and saying animal, person or logo they are.

My last reason is that she is a great cook. She makes the most delicous stuff. It usally is healthy. What makes it so good is that she tweaks it. She just puts in what she wants.

That is why my mom should win this contest. She is helpful, shes artistic, and is a good cook."

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Thanks, Chandler, you are the sweetest! And thanks to Mrs. Moedl for providing such a fun writing assignment!

And that leads me to a note. I decided to start a little cooking blog--only for me to record the recipes I try, the outcomes and my notes for next time. I also thought I would enjoy a record of my cooking life right now--as I'm sure it will change in the future as children leave etc. After I made a few posts, I decided that it will be an excellent resource for my leaving-home children to have access to the recipes I use and my notes on recipes. Perhaps some of you might benefit also. It may seem oddly organized (many recipes in one post etc.) but since the original idea for the blog was more of a record of "What we ate", I'm sticking with it at least for now. But hopefully the labels will make it more user friendly if you are so inclined.

View of Freedom

The girls in the back yard.

Hadn't seen them for a little bit.

Went out to investigate.

Here is what I found.

At the moment, she is afraid of jumping down that far, but I suspect that won't last for long.

Any suggestions?

A Few Thoughts on Mothers Day

Just a few random thoughts from recent readings that maybe, sort of relate to Mother's day:

"No one of us is less treasured or cherished of God than another. I testify that He loves each of us---insecurities, anxieties, poor self-image, and all. He doesn't measure our talents or our looks; He doesn't measure our professions or our possessions. He cheers on every runner, calling out that the race is against sin, not against each other." Elder Holland from the book Created for Greater Things.

"May we qualify for gifts of love, peace, joy, hope, and contentment, no matter what our situation. May we seek for the faith, the gratitude, and the perspective to do well in every condition in which we might be found. Let us not let a particular circumstance dictate our sense of worth, our happiness, our delight in doing good, or our knowledge of the love and approbation of our Heavenly Father, who loves us so dearly." Mary Ellen Edmunds from the book MEE Speaks.

"I humbly thank our Father in Heaven for His daughters, you who were willing to come to earth to live under uncertain circumstances. Most men could not handle the uncertainties you are asked to live with. Social customs require that you wait to be asked for marriage. You are expected to go with your husband wherever his employment or a calling will take him. Your environment and neighborhood are determined by his ability to provide, meager or not. You place your life in the Lord's hands each time you bear a child. A man makes no such sacrifice. The blessing of nurturing children and caring for a husband often is intermingled with many routine tasks. You do all of these things willingly because you are a woman, a daughter of our Father in Heaven. Generally you have no idea of how truly wonderful and capable you are, how very much appreciated and loved you are or how desperately you are needed." Elder Scott from the book Finding Peace, Happiness, and Joy.

Happy Mother's Day, my wonderful friends.

Things We Do. . .

The following are a few things we do at this stage of our life with little girlies. . . trying to keep them busy, productive, exploring, learning etc.

Face painting. Usually I just paint cheek elements, but she found a full picture in a library book and so we got a little more involved.

Artist Bath Soap. (See here.) My recommendation: follow the recipe, instead of using an entire bar of Ivory just because grating it is so fun! We ended up with WAAAYYY more than we wanted, so we divided them into little containers and made a service project out of it. Tessa was able to deliver them to lots of friends. Also, by the time I was done, my hands were really dry from the Ivory so if we do it again, I'll use a soap with moisturizer. We used food coloring instead of dye with superb results (except the colors with red in them faded over time.) Easy and fun project!

Story time. This has improved since we increased our library visits. I lose Tess after too many rereads.

Kitchen experiments. Usually just safe things Tess can mix together. (At this point I only let her do this while Greta naps---Greta would want to eat!) This day was a bowl of ice, salt and pepper shakers, soda, vinegar, an almost dried glob of play dough and an old tube of yellow decorator frosting. On other occasions I've given her lotions, shampoos, baby powder, decorator sugar, rice, partially dried pancakes from breakfast . . .just whatever I can think of. I also change up the tools I give her each time. She loves this!

Cardboard creations. This one---a little vanity with a drawer. Amazingly I didn't lift this idea and it only took about 1 1/2 hours to make (minus spray paint drying time). Even Tom was impressed!

Looking at all of this makes me feel exhausted (as does the fact that I've still got to keep coming up with more things to keep little Tessie going. . . ) But not doing anything is more exhausting and emotionally draining. Preschool has come to a bit of a stand still. It hasn't been worth the fight so we're taking a new direction for a while. We'll get back to the more formal process after she's ready again. I've done more research and ordered a few more things to throw into the mix so hopefully we can jump back on track again soon. That little 4th child just needs so much direction and attention.

Then just for records sake: the other morning we woke up to a partially eaten bowl of cereal and a warm jug of milk on the counter. Guess who was up in the night taking a snack into her own hands? When we asked her what time she got up she said, "Later".

Cache's Final Court of Honor

I had asked to be given a few minutes to give public thanks tonight at the court of honor where Cache was awarded his final 6 merit badges but somehow I got missed (I certainly didn't mind not having to speak!). However, I still feel thanks are in order so I am posting these comments here.

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When Cache was 11 years old I informed him that I was getting remarried and that we were moving from Preston, Idaho to American Fork. This news was not welcome. He was comfortable, popular and excelling in his current situation. Leaving that behind was almost incomprehensible for him and was met with great resistance. I asked my dad to give him a blessing. In that blessing Cache was promised that this new surrounding would be a blessing for him. He was also blessed that he would have opportunities he could not have without this move and that he would excel and gain more than otherwise would be possible. That blessing didn't make things easier, but it expanded our vision so we knew to look for and take advantages of opportunities.

When we first moved into this ward, Cache was just turning 12 and still struggling with the move we had made 10 months earlier. While he was readily accepted, it took him quite a while to start to feel comfortable. Since scouting was so big in this ward we really encouraged him to take every advantage of it. As you can see, he has done that. It was through scouting that he slowly became comfortable with this new life. While much of this accomplishment has to do with his diligence, much of it is because of you. The monthly scout camps as a deacon, the merit badge nights, the consistent board of reviews and the overall emphasis on scouting in this ward has made all the difference and a life-long impact to at least 1 boy.

President Monson said, “Try as some of us may, we cannot escape the influence our lives have upon the lives of others. Ours is the opportunity to build, to lift, to inspire, and indeed to lead.” Almost five years ago at a scout camp, Brother McKenna, asked Cache in a casual conversation if he had ever considered earning all of the merit badges. At the time, Cache had 37 merit badges, so he could have easily been finished earning badges. Whether Brother McKenna was serious or not, I do not know, but he planted a seed. I believe that comment was a turning point for Cache in acceptance of his new life. That small conversation has changed our lives and our posterity’s lives forever. Because of it, our family has experienced and learned things we wouldn't have otherwise. Cache’s children and grandchildren will be forever influenced because of his experiences and growth through earning merit badges.The power of Brother McKenna's comment is immeasurable. We will be forever indebted to his influence on our family.

I want to publicly thank all of you for being an answer to a blessing that Cache received as a frightened 11 year old when his world seemed to be crashing in. Thank you for your examples, influence and help in the fulfillment of this blessing for Cache. You are all wonderful and I thank you.

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Cache ended up getting the robotics merit badge so his grand total was 130 badges. He ended up with 16 palms. A post will come later with the award the scout committee gave him.

My Husband

I came across these paragraphs in the little book Whom the Lord Loveth by Elder Maxwell that spoke to my soul. They describe my near perfect husband.

The Blessings of Meekness

If we peeled away from our many verbal communications the ego-driven portion (things said thoughtlessly, or for effect, or to achieve advantage), how much substance would then remain?

Meekness serves us well in this respect and in so many others. When, for instance, we are overlooked or bypassed, we can easily feel slighted. Meekness emancipates us from such a reaction, because it neither regards others as rivals nor as objects of envy. Nor does meekness spend valuable time decoding incoming communications in anxious search of praise, criticism, or hidden meanings. Meekness also avoids that added fatigue brought on by the breathless pursuit of preeminence.

Meekness thus provides a peaceful sanctuary from all such storms. There is a further bonus: more time is made available by not always having to keep score, whether in an unsettled marriage in need of improved communication or in a competitive professional relationship.

Whether at the office roundtable or in our neighborhoods, it isn't that the meek always and automatically have better information. Rather, they draw strength from a much more fundamental assurance: they know that God loves them (1 Nephi 11:17). They also know that the Lord is just and is "no respecter of persons" (Act 10:34), so they seek to please Him rather than playing for approval from the various niche galleries.

The meek are simply more free, more peaceful, and more cheerful."

I realize that it isn't very meek of me to post this, but he is such a breath of fresh air and reminds me through example to be more like him.

I love you, Tom!