Aaaah--The Lazy Days of Summer

Happy Father's Day to all of my favorite men!

This past week has felt like the first true week of summer vacation for us--well, at least for the kids and I. That always means new work charts, new schedules, trips to the library, study and reading and personal goals, yard work and actually some room to breathe--I LOVE it! Wednesday we went to our tiny little Middleton library, spent an hour browsing, checked out a pile of summer fare to explore and walked to the little city park to let summer just soak in.Our tiny Middleton library is in the process of expanding and is set to open the new addition this summer. We are all hoping that will include a more expansive selection of good books; it is so limited now. Our librarian has tried so hard to be accommodating and has worked something out with the other libraries outside of our jurisdiction where she will let us request books from them and she will travel there and check them out in her name and lend them to us. We can only request two at a time and sometimes there is a bit of a wait, but it has been a kind service that has helped fill a gap. For the first time I watched Mikayla leave the YA section and wander over to the the classic literature section. I followed her and saw her looking through some Charles Dickens selections. She asked for my suggestion and I pointed out "Great Expectations". Has she really grown up that much in these last few months? I will be interested to see what happens when she opens those pages; it's a bit of a leap from Jerry Spinelli. I took a little genre leap of my own last month and read my first Louis L'Amour book. I was desperate and asked for suggestions. I wanted to be able to make a fair judgement, and because there was nothing offensive in the book, I finished it, but I can definitely say that I will not be classified among his numerous fans. I don't think I've ever read another book with more apathy. I have a dear friend who named one of her children after a character in a Louis L'Amour book, and maybe reading one book isn't a true test, but isn't it interesting how different we all are and how such diverse things can move us or disaffect us. Fred is still slowly reading Song of Years and I can see that it has it's claws in him (Mikayla and I are both silently waiting for his reaction to the pivotal scene), but some of my favorite people have shut that book after the first few chapters and never gone back. A kindred reading spirit is hard to find; but it's an intimate mental connection when it happens.

Fred continues to hold his breath or at least personify yoga-like techniques while internally hyperventilating--maybe it is the Respiratory Therapist inside. He flies to Florida mid-July to meet with CoARC, which is the accrediting body, to see if the Boise Campus will be able to finally receive approval to move forward with the R.T. college. Fred had to "attend" a teleconference with the owner and heads of the other two campuses in Salt Lake and San Diego. He called in, expecting to just listen in while doing his work, until the owner started talking about the importance of having a unified objective to overcome the hostility that CoARC has for Stevens-Henager. A bit surprised by the "hostel" news and concerned about flying into enemy territory, Fred asked for clarification. I guess both of the other campuses have had some major issues, where both R.T. heads have either been fired or been forced to step down and one of the programs has actually been put on probation by the accrediting committee. The owner assured Fred he had nothing to worry about because CoARC was very pleased with him. Fred tried to explain that he hadn't done anything different, in fact he had based his program on what he could glean of the example of the other two campuses and then asked if there was anything he could do to help put the other campuses in a positive light and Mr. Barney commented, "no, you distance yourselves as far apart from them as you can. You just go down and take with you your kind, innocent Idaho farm boy image and you'll be just fine." This man is originally from England and now resides in California and is an intense business man. Fred wasn't exactly sure what he meant by that comment and I have never met the man, so I can't presume to know, but I have noticed that the term "Idaho farm boy" has become a popular term in my lifetime and has seemed to connote hard work and honesty and humility and though it may also have other connotations associated with antonyms of intellectualism and refinement, I think Fred was being paid a great compliment. There are all kinds of leaders--Fred is the quiet steady that remains inconspicuously standing during the storm.

Mikayla took a culinary arts class her last semester this year and has become very interested in nutrition and cooking. She has set some personal progress goals in the same area for the summer and has become my constant helper in the kitchen. It is amazing how much more enjoyable it is to cook with helpful companionship. It is fun to work with a rookie "chef" and realize how much knowledge you glean over the years and take for granted. She has also taught me a few things with her different approach and insight. I am looking forward to that camaraderie for the next two months.

We are flying Jordan down for the 4th of July weekend. He wanted us to go up there and spend it with him, but with the price of hotels, it was just more economical to bring him home. We are all so excited to see him. Sophie tells me EVERY day, a few times a day, how much she misses him -- we all do. Fred made him seem a little closer this week when his "dumb little boy" side surfaced on Friday night. We had a little leftover piece of dry ice and Fred decided that it would be "cool" to make a carbonated drink with it. As he put it in a pop bottle with the Kool-aid and began to screw on the lid, I tried every persuasive argument, to get him to come to his senses but little boys" never listen to logic, especially when surrounded by an encouraging crowd, and as I finished saying, "if that thing explodes I am not cleaning it off of the ceiling!" it did, in his hands, with a deafening boom. Had Jordan been here, he would have been Fred's right hand man and they would probably both have had black and blue thumbs. "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree." Even so, I love my darling, juvenile men! We will be having our annual 4th of July Potluck Picnic Party at our home and viewing the City Fireworks down the block at the school grounds and all of you in town are invited! I'll send an e-mail invite soon, but we'd love for you to put it on your calendars if you don't already have other plans.

Girls Camp

MIDDLETON IDAHO STAKE
ZION'S CAMP FOR YOUNG WOMEN

Stake YW Presidency; L.I.T.E Leaders, Stake Camp Leaders

Arriving at Pine Top on Tuesday. Surprised to be met by Bro. Coles (in blue shirt), who served in Bishopric with Dad from the old farm ward, serving a mission as camp caretaker.

Olympic theme: "Go For The Gold"
Parade of Nations



Opening Ceremonies


Skits

Preparing to sleep out for 4th Level Adventure


Early Morning Faith Walk


Watching and Pondering the Spiritual Implications


Certification Relays


Free time in the 70 degree pool on a 60 degree day.

Freezing!


Hike Day--Endless UP!


Taking a rest

Looking down from "the top of the world"

Surveying the damage from a major forest fire

"The last leg" of 5 miles

Repelling and Spiritual Analogies

Preparing for Bishops Night and the White Shirt Dinner

(Akin to getting ready for Prom) :)

Keeping off the rain in costume

The L.I.T.E. (leaders in training excellence) presentation

Preparing for ward testimony meeting with a new Bishop (at top of picture)

Closing Ceremonies

Just Keep Swimming

We just got done talking to Jordan on the web cam, which is so much more fun than having a conversation on the phone. He is happy and chugging along. He's been selling for a week and has made two sales, but he says things feel better each day as he gains experience. All of the other boys are doing similarly, except Dillon who has a previous years experience and is a born salesman so is doing quite well. Jordan says their ward is "different" and that he is pretty sure that the further you move from Utah the more "different" it must be. I told him I thought Utah wards could be pretty "different" themselves, but I have a hunch that much of the "difference" can be attributed to the fact that this is the first time any of the boys have been out of Young Mens and in Elders Quorum, and I think in truth the further you move from the youth the more "difference" you see. I'm sure things will eventually feel more like "home".

I do worry a little about their eating habits because they have no time to cook since they get home at around 9:00 every night, but he says they are eating lots of pasta with canned sauces and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. He said fruit is too expensive. Oh, I remember those days and it makes me want to send care packages every week. I am also a little worried about their lack of time, because he said they have decided to cut each others hair. I'm just positive that they will lose credibility at the doors, but he assures me that he will be wearing a hat. I'm very anxious about next weeks web cam call:0
"Hello, is baldy there?"
"Which one?"
We miss him and his friends and their enthusiasm. Mikayla told him today that home is kind of boring without him here. It will take some time for us all to find our own comfortable niches again.

Our Bishop drove back into town, from Kansas, this weekend to be released and a new bishopric was put into place. The transition has been so much more gradual with the way things have worked out that it has been nice not to have that emotional shock that comes with these types of changes. We love Bishop Waltman and it is hard to say goodbye, but I know that change is always reinvigorating and helps us grow.

Mikayla and Eden and I head off to girls camp this coming week. It has come so quickly on the heals of Jordan leaving and school letting out that I don't feel emotionally prepared to leave home so soon, but prepared or not here we go. I'm sure it will be a great experience, it always is, but being in an administrative role with that many female hormones all in one place, always makes me a little anxious. Last year I had to make some hard calls and that is often lonely and never fun.

I am looking forward to getting back and being able to just breath in and out and let summer soak in. Unfortunately Fred's school schedule is as fast paced and stressful as ever in the summer, so we will still have to structure memorable family time, but we have no calendared plans the rest of the summer except an "adopted family" reunion that is close by talk of going to Blackfoot to see Fred's friend Rick and going on a family camp out somewhere.

Fred was able to capture a goldfinch couple that have been frequenting our yard this week. They are so tiny and have such "bouncy", energetic flight patterns that at first I thought we had some hummingbirds visiting. They kept perching and feeding on our cornflowers which have such fragile meadow flower-like stems that it was quite amazing. Just to give you some perspective, the fully bloomed flowers in the picture are about the size of a quarter. I was curious so I did a little research: the male is on the right and the female on the left.





We are anxious and empathetic and excited for the new direction that Joseph and Camille's life has been directed in and our hearts and prayers are with them as they are with all of you. Isn't it interesting and comforting (in a wrenching kind of way) to know that we are not solely in charge of our own lives. I mean we can be if we want to limit ourselves to our puny understanding and insight, but He sees the end from the beginning and will guide our steps if we let him. I told Mom and Dad that I feel like the ranch has been His potters wheel--shaping and molding so many of us in so many different ways.

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Posted By Once Upon a Time to KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES at 6/07/2009 03:37:00 PM

More FX Concert Pictures

End pose to "Knights of the Round Table"

Jordan and Zoey's duet "The Song that Goes Like This"

"I Believe" dance

Senior Recognition for FX Show Choir