October - the month of service

Our ward is not doing the Super Saturday of craftiness and madness that we have usually done.

This year we are challenging the ward to do small acts of kindness and service all month long and then we will gather at the end and celebrate and remember.

The cub scouts giving out cookies was part of that.

Yesterday, I was given a large zucchini and a recipe for zucchini bread. After grating it, I had six cups, enough to make six loaves of bread. I froze two cups for later and only made four loaves. 

I talked with the kids and we decided to give three loaves away as part do our month of service.

While Josh was finishing homework and calling the boys for scouts! Boaz and I walked a loaf over to my sweet friend who took Josh to school on Monday. She said it was no big deal. I still happen to think it is a huge deal.

One loaf was delivered on the way to the swimming pool to the scout master. His wife is with their youngest son, who is in second grade, in Salt Lake City. He will be receiving treatment all month long at the Huntsman Cancer Institute for a stage three melanoma that was removed before school. It's not chemo per se. I'm not really clear on the details, but my heart aches for this faithful family that still fulfills time intensive callings in the middle of this huge health crisis.

The ward is eager to support this family that has served others so long and so well.

I hope they like the zucchini bread. (I've been telling the boys it's sweet bread. I peeled the zucchini so it is invisible. So far it's been working.)

The last loaf to give away will be sent with Boaz today after school as the snack for cub scouts.

I hope this will be a good memory of service for the boys. I need to involve them more in giving to others.

Catching the bus

I walk Boaz to the bus every morning. His school is five miles away. We are on the southern border of the boundary. Just a block or two the further souh, and into a different stake - or across the railroad tracks and in the other half of our ward, we would be in the boundaries of the closest school. The school where I used to work and now substitute at.

We rarely miss the bus. I don't want to drive out there in the morning.

Josh's school is just down the road. Last year he had his trombone or tuba every day. His dad got in the habit of taking him to school on his way to work.

Josh has really enjoyed that privilege.

Now Craig is in North Dakota. Sometimes I have to be at work before Josh's school is even open. And let's face it, I am always in a rush on those mornings. The extra fifteen minutes to drop Josh off don't really fit in my routine.

He has had to catch the bus a few times. I tell him he has to text me that he's made it.

Monday was the first day back to school after a long weekend. He had brought the tuba home to practice. That was the intent. I don't think he ever did. He is using his safe time at school to practice this year. I had a job where I had to leave early. He was not happy. He had to catch the bus carting the tuba and it is a monster.

I left for work after giving him clear instructions to text me when he got to school.

I got a text five minutes before the bell rang that he had missed the bus. He didn't plan enough time for the tuba and he had lugged the thing the two blocks only to watch the bus drive away with out him.

What could I do?

I couldn't leave my job and take him myself.

The tuba's case is broken and he couldn't really walk the mile with the monster.

I called my good friend and asked her for a huge favor. She said no big deal and Josh made it to school.

I told him that if he missed again, he would have to walk, and to leave the tuba at school and practice there.

Today, I am not working and I took him to school.

I told him he is spoiled.

Swimming merit badge

Josh has been in and out of swimming lessons since he was three. I never learned to swim and was determined my kids would know how to be safe in the water.

He reached level five, the level that is all about refining technique and complained enough I let him be done. 

He tells me he doesn't like to swim. He likes to play in the water, but not the endless laps of perfecting strokes. (That last little bit is my interpretation.) 

His scout leader is amazing at advancing the boys in the program. There are three merit badges that the boys can choose from to fulfill one requirement: camping, bicycling or swimming.

We have talked about which merit badge Josh would work on. The camping was not really considered. Our family likes to camp at hotels. Josh is half way through the bicycling merit badge. Craig used to do this one with the boys when he was in scouts. This one was our plan.

Through out the year, I have been taking Josh to the pool for scouts. He hasn't enjoyed the process, but I told him to do his best.  I, the non-swimmer, was trying to give him tips. Try and relax and keep your body still in the water and let your arms and legs do the work. 

Last night was one of those nights. I told him to do his best and keep his body streamlined in the water. He said, "I know Mom." 

I just wanted him to come home after working hard.

He came home with a completed blue card.

He has earned his swimming merit badge.

I think it is a miracle.

Tradition

I wanted the boys to look forward to General Confrence weekend, so I started making cinnamon rolls. They talk about cinnamon rolls, and Boaz comes to help in the kitchen. Craig texted me about them from North Dakota.

I also made Creamy Taco Soup. I found the recipe on Pintrest. Josh ate two big bowls. Ther were no tears around the dinner table today.

The good word of God should be accompanied by good, easy food. I think anyway.

One more picture

One more picture of the beast.

I'm happy knowing there is satellite radio so they can listen to Conference.

He is missing the cinnamon rolls, but he still can hear the word of The Lord.

I'm not sure what that structure is, maybe the disposale sight where they clean the use water.

The truck

Craig sent me a picture of the beast he is driving. 

Wow. It is big and shiny. You can see it coming. That is a good thing.

Cub scouts service

Our little bear pack went and delivered cookies yesterday. My friend had a great idea. I joined them as they drove around to people and gave a cookie in a bag to people they wanted, with a bit of guidance from the adults.

Near the end do the hour, we started to blanket streets to get done. They boys had some favorites that they all wanted to give to. My friend took some great pictures.

The boys with a basket of goodies to share.

Delivering to our good Bishop.

Delivering to our good friend, Brother Pearson. (Formerly in the bishopric and now in the scouts program)

A good memory of service that was fun.