Invention Ideas

While looking through Keilie's phone (which used to be Caden's) about a month ago, I noticed that it still has a few pictures that Caden took, as well as some notes he'd written.  One of which was "Invention Ideas."  Number 1 was: A robot to mow your lawn.  I am not even joking, the next morning while on a walk around the subdivision above ours I saw this...

There must have been an electric fence buried along the perimeter, because it never left the grass.  It came toward me in a straight line, turned around cleanly, and went back toward the house in a straight line, directly next to the one it had just cut.  I had to smile.  I had seen Caden's "ideas" the night before!  So, so neat.  Hi, Caden.

Wind?

When talking with some friends a few years ago about cringe-worthy anniversary gifts that Josh had gotten Kim, Josh told us that his brother had been working late on building his home one night and completely forgot that it was his anniversary.  Since he was returning home after many stores were closed, being quite desperate he stopped by the cemetery near his home and took flowers from one of the graves to give to his wife.  Sitting in my armchair, warm in my home, emotionally stable this morning, I can say at this very minute that if I knew that the flowers stolen were for that purpose, I wouldn't even care.  Especially since this happened, and I still can't stop the feelings of disappointment these many weeks later.

October 12

 October 13

 It had been quite windy, so I wondered if the wind had taken some of them.  I looked around the entire portion where Caden's is buried, but there was not a single bud.  Plus, if it had been the wind, other flowers would have been strewn about.  All around were bunches of flowers, nothing amiss, just as tall as these had been.

 But the closer I looked at them, it looked like the stems had actually been cut, not ripped at all.

 So I grabbed one of the flower heads and ripped it off.

 And found that is exactly what happened.  In less than 24-hours from the time my mom placed the flowers on Caden's grave, someone allowed their child (I hope it was a child!) to spend enough time out of their supervision (I hope they didn't actually watch it happen!) ripping the heads off of nearly the entire bouquet.

Because it was so soon to when they were going to take the headstone, I decided to take all decoration with me right then.  But if I'm being honest, I also felt a need to protect my things.  It felt a bit like a violation to see those stems stripped of their bulbs.  For a split second I wondered if it was some sort of hate crime, that's how violating it felt for a minute.  But when I spoke to level-headed Randy, he helped me realize it was probably just a little kid using their hands to see the beautiful flowers.  Maybe it was a little girl trying to make a daisy chain crown...

We do!

Tyson mentioned a bump on his finger a while ago, but I didn't really worry too much about it.  Boy, do I wish I would have worried about that bump before now.  It's now a massive wart on the middle finger of his dominant hand.  While on the way to Alma weekend, while Randy was flying back from out-of-town and I was hours away, I got a call from Tyson, "Mom, do we have any acid?"  You can't make this stuff up!  It was bothering him so much, we couldn't ignore it anymore.

Randy went Saturday morning for a freeze/acid kit and got started right away.  7 days of freezing and then twice a day burning until it's gone.  When telling him what needed to happen with the burning, he asked that I be with him while Randy cut.  When Randy said he wanted to get prepped while I took Brennon to school, he told Randy he wouldn't do anything until I was there.  I knew my Tyson was pretty scared.

Sitting up to the table, one that could rival any operating room set up, Tyson jumped up on my lap and slid his hand across the space to Randy.  Fingers gripped in his tiny hand, I could feel the sweating begin, along with a slight nervous tremble.  Randy noticed Tyson's intent stare as he sterilized the x-acto knife scalpel and told Tyson he probably shouldn't watch.  As soon as Randy said he was ready to start, Tyson did as I instructed and inhaled sharply, tensing every muscle, and held as still as possible.  After a few small cuts around the base of the crusted dome the acid creates, Tyson exhaled and asked for a pause.  During the pause, Randy doused and dabbed with hydrogen peroxide to keep it clean.  "Does the blood mean we're done?"  "No."  "It feels like dad is digging around with tweezers.  It hurts so much."

After a few more cuts and another exhale, Tyson asked for another break.  This time it was bleeding much more.  The tone Tyson used would be funny in another less-sad scenario, because it was so animated and confused (duh!- type), but I can't laugh knowing what he was going through.  "Ugh! Why do I keep looking?!"

Randy told Tyson that we could stop.  "We don't have to do this right now."  With all the courage he could force into his emotional voice, "Yes.  We do!  This needs to be done."  And Randy finished cutting the top off.

When Randy was done and Tyson was clutching a hydrogen peroxide cotton ball in his fist, I guided him to the floor.  "My head feels really weird and I feel like my stomach is sick."  Each inhale lasted about 10 seconds, and it was about a minute and a half after the last cut, so I knew this lightheadedness was due to shock.  Tyson had just sat there as Randy performed a small surgery on his finger.  It was slightly numb after using the topical cream they gave Caden, but he felt those tiny slits around the entire wart.  And he didn't move a muscle.

He's now had "surgery" three times.  Each time has been the same: Surgeon Randy with sterilized craft tools, Tyson on my lap, clutching my fingers in his sweaty hand, me holding on to my son for dear life.  "Mom, if I had one wish from the Geenie, it would be that I never have another wart for the rest of my life.  My second wish would be that I could be a billionaire."  Warts suck.

American Hero

While helping out at Chess Club this week, I found Brennon and Tyson's American Hero posters.

I love how close they were to the entrance of the school!

Our Scout Troop's Pack Meeting this month was a Veteran's Day Parade in West Richland.  Because of Shelby's dress rehearsals for the Tosca Night, she and I were not able to attend the parade.  Good thing a friend took pictures, because Randy didn't take a single one!

Brennon made a poster at one of his activities last week...

Brennon

Tyson

The one thing that made braving the absolute cold (it started snowing before the parade began) worth it was the candy throwing.

 (Brennon is far right, holding the flag with his poster at his feet.  Tyson is on his right side, with his poster at his feet, waving at the camera.)

(Brennon is second from the left in the front row, Tyson is two posters to the right of Brennon, eyes barely peeking over his poster.)

Randy said there were many times I would have cried.  There was a Veteran sitting right next to them that had many parade members come to shake his hand, thank him for his service, and give him things.  He said it was really neat.  He also said there were a ton of Corvettes, and probably six cars featured on Back to the Future (Delorian, I think it how it's said?).  He also said that Mira may hate parades more than laundry baskets, soccer games, cardboard boxes, and bath time.  She is not a fan of marching bands, whistles, or horns.  Lesson learned-- no more parades...

We are so proud of our very own American Hero, Darwin Dale Dirks!

Home of the Free Because of the Brave!

Tosca

Shelby is a member of the Mid-Columbia Mastersingers Youth choir.  Last night, the Mid-Columbia Symphony and Mastersingers combined to perform excerpts from Tosca, showcasing three opera soloists.  It was beautiful.  This was what Tyson thought of the performance...

He was so out, he didn't rouse at all during the long, loud applause, nor my face caresses while calling his name, not even after Randy bopped him on the head a few times.  It took Randy forcibly shaking his shoulders and nearly pulling him up for his eyes to roll forward in his face, completely confused and groggy.  Even then, he looked like he was walking in his sleep.  You can see the marks on his forehead from the 30 minute nap before he raised his head to his hand.  He. Was. Out!

"Why didn't I choose bed instead of ice cream?" he asked as we sat down to Blizzards at DQ.  It was a wonderful night.

Book of Alma

With the Slime Night behind me, I thought I would have a pretty relaxing few days to recuperate from the stress that began with the Alma weekend.  Then I had a feeling I needed to help at the Chess Club, which was good because two of the volunteers didn't show up.  Which then put me behind on making dinner for a friend whose daughter (I think she's 3) went in for major, major mouth surgery, so you know I became a fire-breathing beast of anxiety until it was delivered.  Then we made and ate dinner, I helped Shelby with homework until bedtime, only to wake up and do dishes that filled an entire dishwasher and counter with washed-by-hand dishes.  Once that was done, I thought, Great, I can play SkipBo and have lunch with Jamie until my Friday night full of back-to-back appointments.  And then I remembered that the boys are going to be in a Veteran's Day Parade and needed patches sewn on their shirts.  One thing after the other- all small things, sure, but still many, many things- has taken my time from pretty much morning until night until now.  I. Am. Tired.

Friday, November 2nd

With the house clean and the kids at school, I was able to finally pack my overnight bag and start finalizing my "lesson" for my teaching portion of the weekend.  At the Trunk-or-treat, Christy asked if I would be willing to lead a "family scripture study" type lesson for Alma 15, 16, and 17: 1-18.  As she was telling me a little about what they had planned, a thought came into my head, "You'll speak about this."  I said yes.  Through the week, I read the scriptures and marveled that the scriptures could easily be likened to "our day" with the story I had to tell.  I am one that learns really well when I can hear a story from someone's life and liken it to my own.  Sometimes it's hard for me to feel that was with the scriptures, so it was really cool to realize that I could liken the scriptures to my own personal story, and then maybe someone else could liken my story to their own, which then liken's their life to the scriptures.  *Phew, does that make sense?!*

As I was getting thoughts put together in my head, one impression came that I should put together a little handout with ideas for their own "impressions."  I came up with a few different ideas for them to use that could jog their memory, or even have them kind of thinking of things that the Spirit could testify to them while we were reading the scriptures and while I was telling my story.  As we were driving up, Maren and Rebecca were telling me more about what we were going to be doing, reading some of the program, which included the word "impressions."  They, too, wanted the girls to recognize the "impressions" from the weekend.  Another testament to me that what we were embarking on was going to be amazing.  The Spirit was everywhere!

Maren and Rebecca picked me up at 1:00pm for the 2 1/2 hour drive to Camp Zarahemla.  They'd planned, purchased, and packed the food for 50 people for 4 meals and 4 snacks into Rebecca's Yukon XL.  I got the easy job by just showing up and being willing to do everything they asked me to do.  We arrived, set up a circle of chairs, couches, and benches around the fire, set out enough tables to have 50 people eat at, hung decorations that the girls had made themselves, started dinner, and got our stuff taken to our cabin.  Around this time, the girls arrived.  A Spaghetti and Meatballs feast was served.  It was my first time ever witnessing Gluten Free noodle being prepared-- they do not cook like any noodle I have ever known.

Directly after dinner, Maren and I cleaned the kitchen while everyone else began their programs.  I was able to sneak out to watch Keilie's skit.

 

 Because I have medication to take at night that makes me sleep, I went to our cabin at 10:30pm.  My FitBit registered that I'd walked 20,000 steps that day, most from the time we arrived at 4:00pm, and slept from 11:00pm-5:45am.  Perfect.  Especially hearing that the LEADERS were the ones that needed someone to tell them to go to sleep.  They held a small meeting until 11:00pm and then stayed up chatting, plotting, and pranking until 1:00am.  Let me just say, our arrival at 6:00am to begin breakfast must have felt especially early for them!

Side note: Today was Jennifer's 18th birthday.  Her parents came up to celebrate with her.  Rebecca brought a MASSIVE 7-layer German Chocolate cake, 24 decadent chocolate peanut butter cupcakes, and two homemade cheesecakes!  She is THE BEST BAKER, so you know it was all delicious.  In fact, there was so much left over, we had snack time again the next day.

Saturday, November 3rd

Directly after a Pancake, Eggs, and Sausage breakfast (where I was in charge of Gluten Free Pancakes that turned out much more recognizable than the noodles the night before), it was my turn to talk.  We read a few highlighted scriptures from my chapters, having exactly the number of scriptures as people in my circle.  I then used my Reaching post and my War!! post to liken the scriptures to me.

We had to put our trust in the doctors and the medicine, absolutely, but we put our Faith in the Lord (Alma 15: 6-10).  We knew were to go (Alma 16:5).  We fasted (Alma 17:3) for his help for the doctors, and for peace for our family (Alma 17:9-10).  We fasted for a Miracle, and got one.  Maybe not the one that we ultimately wanted, but one that we desperately needed at that time.  If we use our circumstances from the time we found tumors in his pelvis to the day of his death, that's just under 4 weeks.  If the scans that we'd seen March 2016 had proven correct, we can supposed that Caden would have had about 4 weeks to live, because of the aggressive growth of his cancer.  But, because we got our Miracle, we got to keep Caden for another 19 months!  It was nothing that the doctors did, nothing that the chemo did, but what the Lord gave to us, there is no doubt in my mind.

At the end of the War!! post is a picture of the very women in that room, the very youth that ministered and supported and encouraged and loved Caden (Alma 15:18).  They're the ones that brought another facet of my story back to the scriptures.  They didn't always do massive things, like parade down our street with an ice cream truck, sometimes it was just a smile or a phone call or a text.  But always, always, these young women were there for him, carrying him during his most difficult days.  They were truly there to "mourn with those that mourn."

The Spirit was so strong as I ended with my testimony that reiterated words from the song I highlighted and played for the girls, Close Enough to Touch: "I Know 'He's Close Enough to Touch.'"

When not in the kitchen preparing Pulled Pork Sandwiches (with cake and cupcakes for dessert) or veggie tray and pretzel snacks or on-the-road pizza dinner, I got to watch the girls reenact battles from the Book of Alma, one of which touched everyone deeply because they "lived" it, not just read it.  Like many things, it is one thing to understand what you read, and another to actually live it.  Like cancer care.

 

As they left their "camps" in their tribes, called to fight for their loved ones, they knew the gathering place, the place of battle.  Screams and calls could be heard through the woods, from the three sectors that the tribes were coming from.  Upon gathering at the battle field, ready to commence the battle, the green team immediately bowed down, refusing to fight.  The Blue and Red teams came at them, but kind of sputtered and stopped seeing them bow down.  It hit them how wrong it felt to take the lives of those humble people.  While it was not a real battle, with fear and true indignation, it hit home, for both the fighters and the humble, a small portion of how it must have felt.  It got really quiet then, the Spirit bearing witness.

 Alma 26:32 For behold, they had rather sacrifice their lives than even to take the life of their enemy; and they have buried their weapons of war deep in the earth, because of their love towards their brethren.

They talked about what "weapons" they wanted to bury, to get them from their sight, to not be tempted to take them up again.  Each person was handed a popsicle stick and a marker to write their "weapons" on and then they buried them, literally, in the ground.  They committed to work on those weapons, whether they were physical, spiritual, or emotional, they will work to do and go without their weapons in their everyday lives.

 Captain Moroni

Alma 46

And it came to pass that he rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it—In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children—and he fastened it upon the end of a pole.

13 And he fastened on his head-plate, and his breastplate, and his shields, and girded on his armor about his loins; and he took the pole, which had on the end thereof his rent coat, (and he called it the title of liberty) and he bowed himself to the earth, and he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren, so long as there should a band of Christiansremain to possess the land—

28 And now it came to pass that when Moroni had said these words he went forth, and also sent forth in all the parts of the land where there were dissensions, and gathered together all the people who were desirous to maintain their liberty, to stand against Amalickiah and those who had dissented, who were called Amalickiahites.

Pool Noodle swords and cardboard shields, pajamas and sweatpants, modern-day wood burning stove in a beautiful lodge filled with eclectic treasures may not seem like the most spiritual setting, but it really was.  It was an unforgettable weekend, one that I was privileged enough to be invited to join.  I didn't join all discussions (most times I tried to be silent while banging around in the kitchen), but those that I did see were amazing.  How wonderful to bring the scriptures to life in so many different ways.  Reading, listening, acting and likening brought the scriptures to life in sometimes fun, always spiritual ways.  It was an incredibly beautiful weekend!

Slime Night

Alright, one more major thing was completed last night, so hopefully I can take the time necessary to write about my Book of Alma weekend.  But first, the activity that had me all in a dither: Slime with the Laurels.

Back in September, Jennifer came to me with a request.  "As we were coming up with activities to do, we talked about how much fun it would be to get together at your home and learn to make slime.  Your website was brought up, and we would love for you to teach us how to make slime."  You know me, I can't say no, especially coming from a cute face.  My first thought was to say, "You do realize that I have never made an ounce of slime in my life, right?  I can't stand the feel of it on my hands, nor the mess of it in my home.  Plus, also, that website was made popular because of slime-- that's why Spencer and Randy bought it.  I don't do slime."  Instead I said, "Sure.  When were you thinking?"

It weighed heavily on my mind from the moment we made it back from Camp Zarahemla, gaining near-hyperventilating proportions an hour before the girls were supposed to show up.  I watched Trisha's videos, I read all of Trisha's recipes, and prayed, prayed, prayed.  My angel came in the form of Keilie.  She's been our resident slime expert for years now, so when she offered (at Randy's suggestion) to stay and help, I jumped at the chance.  Little did I know that she would be even more needed as the activity progressed.  If someone was having a problem with theirs, she'd walk around, touch the slime, and then make suggestions to fix it.  She was amazing!!

In my anxiety, I forgot to take pictures of the set up.  Around the table I had red bowls (purchased for my fezzes from last weekend-- I'm still so proud of those!) set out for each of the girls, along with a small cup containing 1/4 of liquid starch.  I also had 6 cans of Barbasol Shaving Cream spaced around the table.

First, each girl poured 1/2 cup of white Elmer's Glue (I bought a gallon and used less than 1/4 of it for 14 girls!) into their bowl.  Next, they came to our counter to add their food coloring and glitter.  It was a blast to watch the girls choose their colors of both.  They asked for suggestions from one another, gave praise for colors chosen, and really thought hard about what they wanted.  **You add the additives (glitter, confetti, beads, etc.) that you'd like directly into the glue, instead of at the end, so that they actually incorporate into the slime.  If you wait to the end, it will not stay in the slime as much**

Once the glitter and coloring were added and stirred, they added 1/2 shaving cream and stirred that around as well.  I was worried that the bowls were actually going to be too small, but Keilie assured me they were just right.  She really was a relief sort of angel throughout the entire night.

 As soon as that was stirred in, they then added 2 Tbsp. liquid starch.  Almost immediately it started to form.  A few swipes of the spoon and they were ready to pick up the glob and start kneading it in their hands.  Even though I had measuring cups, measuring spoons, and scrapers (you know how I love to be exact), some of the girls were a bit more "heaping" than others with their shaving cream.  That was where Keilie's expertise came in quite handy.  If you have too much glue the slime will be too gooey.  If you have too much starch your slime will be rock hard.  We reiterated time and time again to add slowly, slowly if they needed more starch.

 And then we just played.

 And played.

 And played.

And snacked.  I had made some Oatmeal Scotchies and a Raspberry Peach cobbler (I now have all of the cook times perfected and picture ideas so I can post it on Momdot soon) with vanilla ice cream for the occasion. 

I tried to get a picture of all of their slime, but a few girls had taken theirs into the family room...

 For a game of Guesstures.

Jenni Edvalson told the girls we'd have two rounds, since we pulled the game out at 8:00pm.  It was a blast to watch the actor and the guessers.  If I thought 14 girls around a table crafting was loud, it was nothing compared to the screamed guesses, cheers, and laughter.  So. Much. Fun!

And then the night got real when Randy suggested that we have a battle: Sister Edvalson vs. Sister Dirks.  You better believe I put my hair in a ponytail and rolled up my sleeves, bouncing on my toes in a way I never could master at my first (and only) kickboxing class at the gym.  It was cool because my first card pulled to act out said, "ponytail."  I knew I was going to smash it.  And let me just say, never has "cowboy" been acted so expertly, horse and all.

Keilie: "I love the laurels.  They're so much fun.  They talk about the funnest things!"  I couldn't agree more!

1/2 cup White School Glue
Glitter and Food Coloring
1/2 cup shaving cream (not gel)
2 Tbs. liquid starch, + drops at a time if you need to add more.

Because I have SO MUCH of all ingredients, and because they want me to turn in the receipt for the ingredients that now litter an entire kitchen counter,  I sent a text to the Miamaids leader, offering a similar night to them.  They want to!  I'm ready for the next one... because Keilie is actually a Miamaid:)

Math

I have so much to catch up on from this weekend, blogging being one that is not as pressing, so I will just write something small that just happened and get back to my cleaning, unpacking, laundry...

Tyson was sent home a homework booklet as an extra math supplement. *Side note: I love it when teachers do this!!*  He was so excited to get this booklet!  He had the same reaction a few years ago when we got him a book of mazes and similar puzzles.  Honestly, how many kids gets excited to be given extra math books and actually cannot wait to fill them?  Tyson, that's who.  He, himself, said, "Mom, I think I'll do a sheet of this and Xtra Math every morning." The boy was giddy, I kid you not.

After all other morning chores were complete, Tyson just looked at the clock and said, "I have a little time.  I guess I'll just do another page in my math book."  I could only stare at his back.  He's already spent at least 20 minutes on math (he even rechecked his work, wanting to get them all right even though no one is going to grade him on it!), as well as 60 minutes reading this morning, in addition to making his bed, eating breakfast and brushing his teeth, making his lunch, and packing his backpack.  *Another side note: Remember that my kids wake up at Satan's Hour.  They always have hours before school.*  Other kids may want to just veg for a bit, but Tyson wanted to do 4th grade math.

Destination Imagination meetings begin on Friday.  We, and I do mean "we," are super excited!

Fez

Keilie is participating in a skit tonight or tomorrow, where she is in charge of bringing 3 fezzes and 3 mustaches.  I admit, I had to google what a fez is.  It's a hat, in case you didn't know what it was either.

I went to the party store to try and find them, but there was only one available.  Turns out, I wouldn't have wanted to buy them anyway, seeing as they were $15.99 each.  With the purchased mustaches and fezzes from Party City, I would have paid $50.00 for a 3 minute skit prop among many.  So I decided to make them.  I have to say, I'm pretty happy with how they turned out, if I do say so myself.

The most expensive thing about these are the tassels at $2.00/each.  My total...$6.28.  Feels great to save that $44.00, and even greater to love the finished homemade product more than the purchased product (because who wants three fezzes lying around?).  Keilie is worried that they may have too many things in their hands for them to be able to hold the mustaches, so I have tape just in case.  I've thought of everything... I hope.  

Now I am off for a overnight retreat with the Young Women, where we will read and liken the Book of Alma  from the Book of Mormon to our latter-day lives.  I'm not sure exactly what we'll be doing, since I am not a leader in Young Women's (I will be helping prepare food), but I do know that there will be a "Battle with the Bishop."  FUN!

Coming?

That moment your daughter says, "Can we just pray, so I can go to bed?" when her friend (the only one of eight invited) leaves after arriving 1.5 hours late for a 2.5 party that includes pizza, the entire junk aisle from Walmart, sodas, and hot tub/movie.  Sometimes I wonder if cancer care is the only reason that my kids are invited to things.  Keilie had a hard time making friends before Caden's diagnosis, and now is rarely invited to anything and rarely has people show up to her parties.  Granted, she couldn't invite the entire school, since the hot tub only holds 8, but she had friends that said they could come that didn't show up, didn't answer her texts of "Hey, are you still coming tonight?"  Crickets.

Clincher: When Keilie asked her "best friend" if she was coming, that "friend" told her that she "had plans with her friends already."  To her face.

After prayer, Brennon said something about wishing they could have gone trick-or-treating longer.  I had followed Randy's urging, begrudgingly, to allow the kids to show some independence by letting them go alone, but gave them my phone and told them to "check in" with me at 7:00pm.  They interpreted that as "you're done at 7:00."  I thought they came home then because it was so windy and cold.  Tyson, upon finding out they could have gone longer, said he was "disappointed with the night."  Keilie: "Well at least you got to go trick-or-treating."  She could have would have if she wasn't waiting around for friends to show up, who as it turns out, were trick-or-treating themselves.

Halloween didn't turn out how any of us wished that it would have.

UPDATE:
Tyson: "Mom, isn't it weird that more kids came trick-or-treating to our door when we had our lights off than friends came to Keilie's party?  It makes me wonder, why didn't her friends want to come to her party?"

Because Randy was out-of-town, and because I didn't want to have to watch Mira have high anxiety all night from all of the doorbells and knocking, I chose not to hand out candy for the first time in our entire marriage.  Even with all of the lights off out front, and again with all lights off inside, we still had trick-or-treaters come to our door.

Crazy thing: we even had more last night when we didn't want them than we ever had while living on Jason Loop, a circle of 90 homes with minimal walking between front porches.  Still cannot believe how few kids actually went through that neighborhood.  In my opinion, that is a neighborhood of trick-or-treating dreams!  Especially since the neighborhood across the main street is one where bus loads of kids are driven in from poverty-stricken Pasco.