Teacher trip

This morning I sent Josh away for two days. I drove him to the Church and left him in the care of people I really don't know. They are going to play on the river about 4 hours from here.

I have many hopes for this trip. The main hope is that Josh will find new people. I hope he will connect with somebody here and begin new friendships. I hope the leaders will nurture the potential relationship and that they are wonderful men. I hope this next two days is nothing but fun and laughter for my boy.

Faith is letting your boy go play with strangers for two days.

Surprise

We were awakened this morning abruptly by a wailing fire alarm. Startled out of sleep at 4 am in the early pre-dawn darkness, Craig and I looked at each other in confusion. The windows were open, we could smell no obvious smoke. Craig turned to the device in our room to try and turn off the noise. I pulled on my clothes and looked out into the hall way. The alarm was more than just our apartment. The boys were still in bed (on the couches).

I told Craig it was complex wide and we decided to evacuate.

We looked for shoes and I got the harness on the cat. We joined other disgruntled residents out on the tiny "lawn" right next to the buildings. 

The air was heavy with pre-dawn ocean air and noise from the freeway. I still could not smell any smoke. I looked for any indication of fire. We milled around for a few minutes and the alarm turned off as suddenly as it had turned on.

People immediately started to return to the building. I hesitated a bit wondereing if there would be an all clear signal, a bit like the school fire drills that I have participated in while working with the kids. No such all clear signal was given, and Craig was looking at me to see that I was coming.

I heard one person say that if it went off again, he would just stay in his apartment.

I thought about the Church building in Gresham that burned to the ground, hours after an alarm rang out. The fire had smoldered in the attic and burst out hot and fierce after the fire department had already left.

It took me a while to relax and try and go back to sleep.

Eight hours later, there is still no word on why it went off. Life just settled back into the familiar rhythms. 

I wonder what other alarms and indicators we ignore because they are inconvinient. 

I am glad there was no fire. We didn't even see the fire department.

In California

We are back in Cali. Right now we are "camping" in a one bedroom apartment. Our three bedroom/2 1/2 bath will be ready to move in beginning of September. With our temporary address it is hard to register the boys for school. But I am working on it.

We were mobbed by kind strangers wanting to be friends at Church on Sunday. I have seriously never been in such friendly ward. I think these can be my people. I am looking forward to getting involved.

Craig had an evening meeting on Friday, when we arrived. I was tired after the drive. He came home with these.

They are lovely.

We are here to stay now. Just a future trip to close out the house. I'm not really sure when that will be.

Boaz has 11 year old scouts on Wednesday. Josh has a teacher overnight activity Friday and Saturday. Craig took me to stake choir practise on Sunday. We are getting ready for Stake Conference.

It is time to settle in.

Eagle Court of Honor

Today was the day. I have fretted and fussed all week. I've been focusing on the quilt. I finished up the last pieces of applique yesterday at the Oswald Family Reunion. More on that later.

Today I got up and started on my remarks. I let Josh read and edit them a bit.

This is the Program

 

Official BSA cardstock. I felt bad because I didn't send out invitations. I created a Facebook event  and also relied on word of mouth and announcements at Church.

 

This is the Program.

 

Eagle Court of Honor for Josh Oswald

July 19, 2015

 

Welcome: Master of Ceremony – David Holloway

Opening Flag Ceremony – Troop 257

Opening Prayer – Brad Oswald (uncle)

All Eagle Scouts invited to sit in the Eagles nest

Remarks – Wendy Oswald

Scoutmaster minute – Courtney Patten

Remarks – Josh Oswald

Presentation of Eagle Scout Award – Court Patten

Special Presentation

Closing Remarks – MC

Closing Flag Ceremony – Troop 257

Closing Prayer – Peter Knight (uncle)

 

Refreshments

Thank you for coming and celebrating with us.

 

We included a quote from Baden-Powell, the founder of Boy Scouts:

 

    "It's the spirit within, not the veneer without, that makes a man."

 

This is my talk:

 

I have been thinking about our scouting journey. I have been remembering the names of leaders who have been there for my boy. Names like Tracey Jenkins, Ryan Sayer, Shananndoah Trombley, Dean Smith, David Dougal, Terry Carson, Courteny Patten, David Holloway, Weldon Richardson, and of course Bishop Mendenhall. Those are the obvious names. I’m sure I am forgetting some. And there are other names that I don’t even know. Those who gave up a month during the spring for Scout Pow wows. Those who gave up their summers for Scout Camp. Those who showed up for boards of review. Those who showed up at the pool and at weekday activities. I am indebted to all you.

This was basically my goal. I bribed my way here. Josh is a good boy and he complied with the program. When things got hard and he asked why, I told him that scouting would help him grow into a man. I told him that when we sustain people in their callings, we need to go to the activities they plan for us. I told him that school came so easy for him, he needed something that was hard so he could learn to do hard things. I told him a lot of things, but those are the ones I remember most.

I have watched him grow while he was on this journey. And while it is true, he would have grown anyway, there are somethings that I can definitely attribute to scouting.

In scouting he was introduced to pull-ups. The physical fitness is more than just pull-ups, but his dad does the other stuff. I remember him working so hard to get that one pull-up. I bought a pull-up bar and it sat around mostly. Occasionally it would be pulled out and used. It held his hat or his jacket. It was a decoration on his door. I was surprised when he recently came home from school (I think) and proudly reported that he had done 20 pull-ups. That is huge.

Scouting introduced him to running. He would have gotten there in school, but his first timed mile run was for scouting. At the end of this year in track he ran a mile in 5 minutes 24 seconds.

Scouting introduced him to camping. Honestly, as a family we go to hotels or family cabins with running water and electricity. Actually, just yesterday, we were at a “cabin” that is more like a mansion. This cabin is nicer than any home I’ve been in. Our summer vacations are based more on family gatherings, and we gather at water parks, in cities and in each other’s homes.  Josh has learned how to make fires, although just yesterday his uncle Brad showed him he is king at this skill for the moment. He can set up and take down a tent. He can pack his pack and has snow-shoed. He knows the importance of keeping his feet dry and warm. He has caught fish and knows how to clean and cook them.

Josh learned how to cook with Dutch ovens and portable stoves and open flames. We have some in our family who are absolutely fabulous with Dutch ovens. We are happy to let them be fabulous. Josh has learned what he knows about Dutch ovens from scouting. I listened with a bit of wonder last month as Brother Patten reminded Josh about how to cook breakfast, and Josh was confident and not worried. I’m not sure if he actually cooked breakfast in the Dutch ovens, but he knew how to do it.

He learned about cars at scouting. He learned about welding at scouting. He made a knife – and it is really a cool knife. He made a model rocket and learned about space. He learned about guns. He learned about kayaking and canoeing. He has learned about zip lines. He learned about first aid. And then he learned about first aid. And then he learned about first aid again.

He learned how to plan things. I remember when he was in fourth grade, he was put in charge of a class party. He didn’t know how to do it and he didn’t want me to help him. I tried to tell him about delegation and assignments. I tried to tell him that he didn’t have to do everything. The teacher helped out and assignments were made and it was fun. Those basic skills were practiced and honed in his years in scouting. He has learned how to be a leader. He has learned how to plan. He has learned patience with those he leads. He has learned how to make phone calls to peers and leaders. He has learned how to talk to strangers - peers and adults.

He has learned how to conduct a meeting: how to begin and how to end. He has learned how to write an agenda or plan and then he has learned to follow it.  He has learned how to involve others and share the load. He has learned how to speak in front of people.

He has learned about service. He has worked in other people’s yards. He has shoveled snow, and snow and more snow. He has cleaned up camp sites. He has helped in the community dinners. He has helped people with disabilities.  He has helped with the cows – and that was an education. And so many things that I can’t remember at this moment.

Scouting has taught Josh how to set goals and work towards them. It has taught him diligence and endurance. Because, let’s face it, the citizenship badges and communication badge require diligence and endurance. He has learned how to do hard things. He has learned how to be part of a team. He has learned the joy of shared success and accomplishment.

His idea of what a man is has been expanded by all the good men that he has worked with. He has more knowledge and information. He has seen different styles of what being a man means. All this will help him as decides what being a man means for him.

Eagles are magnificent animals. They are apex predators. They have no natural enemies. They nest in impossible places that keep their young safe from everything but the elements, and they provide protection from the elements themselves. They can see clear and long. They fly and glide in the thermals, up so high that is all but impossible to see them from the ground. They are BOSS!

Eagles have characterized power and nobility. They represent vision and protection. They are a symbol of fearlessness and freedom.

Josh you have achieved a great thing. The full value might be hard to see right now. I am confident the value will grow through out your life. You have joined an elite brotherhood. I am so proud of you.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Brother Patten did a fabulous job. Josh did an amazing job. I was a little glow-y through the whole thing.

 

I had Kayla take a video of the ceremony. I didn't take but two pictures. Shame on me.

 

I did one with his good friends.

 

 

 

Chelsea Brown, Mia Toussant, Cami Dougal, Hannah Ricks, Josh, Cade Ricks, Seth Campbell.

 

This is such a good group of kids. I will miss them and Josh is trying to be not fall apart at the thought of moving away from them. We will be coming back, and I say we will come to Church in Blackfoot when we visit. Plus we will be living in a highly desirable vacation location. And there is FB, Xbox, texting, etc.

 

This is the amazing cake. I cut too big of pieces and ended up not getting a piece for me. But I snuck a taste of my sister-in-laws. It was yummy.

 

 

 

Shout out to Paisley Cakes for making an awesome cake. Yellow cake with chocolate Bavarian cream filling. Delish!

 

 

I didn't have a guest sign in book. So I had Boaz help me try and remember the people.

 

Josh, Boaz, and I.

 

Mom, Deb, Devon, Raven Nicko, Brittney, Wyatt Paraso, Willa, Peter, Kayla Knight, Ivan Harris.

Dawn Oswald, Sandy and Alan Cooper, Brad, Kris, Ashlyn, Bowen, Tayven Oswald, LuRose and Tony Mecham.

 

Bishop and Vickie Mendenhall. David Holloway. Robert Smith. Dean, Staci, Jesse, Zach, Logan and Kayden Smith. Ryan, Lynette, Ben, Kelsey, Rachel, and Rob Sayre. Jason, Becky, Clara, Jacob, Martha, Sarah, Hyrum, Emma and Benson Arnold. Mikkal and Cami Dougal. (David got called away just before we started. I'm still counting him.) Greg and Candy High. Tim and Diana Pearson. Reed and Melanie Hanni. Mia and Miles Toussant. Bobby Jo and Seth Campbell. Cade and Hannah Ricks. Bart, Dana, and Chelsea Brown. Courtney and Ralene Patten. Weldon Richardson.

 

I am so grateful for all the love and support we were showered with today. We have made amazing friends that we count as family. I am so happy to be able to share this with these wonderful people.

 

Splintered

We came back to Idaho so Josh could go on his high adventure that he has helped plan this year. Sunday we are going to do his Eagle Court of Honor. That is and was the plan.

That leaves Craig alone in the small apartment in CA working so we can play. He is very lonely.

That leaves Boaz without his big brother and playmate. He is lonely and bored.

That leaves me missing both Craig and Josh and driving myself to get Josh's Eagle quilt done enough that I can give it to him on Sunday.

We have cut our TV service, so Boaz and I have been watching movies. I sit and sew and sew and sew. Boaz rides his bike and splashed in the back yard and reads and wanders the house.

Saturday Josh will come back from his backpacking trip in the evening. That is also the Oswald Family Reunion. I was hopeful that we would all be able to attend, but I will just be sending Boaz. He'll have a fun day on the water with uncles and cousins to watch over him. I will be home sewing and writing a little talk to give at the Court of Honor. At least that is the plan. I might get mopey.

I am reminded by this how much we need our families and we need to be together. I am projecting already that in three short years Josh will be off on his mission and we will be smaller. I see it happening with my sisters and brothers and Craig's sisters and brothers. Kids grow up and moms and dads let parts of their hearts just wander the world.

This is a bit sad and pathetic. Soon our joyous new chapter will be in full swing and I'll be listening to Josh complain about summer homework and wanting a quiet moment to myself in the one bedroom aprartment full of bored boys. I'll be sending them off to school wondering what I will do with my life. But now I just want our scattered family to be togehter.

A picture of the eagle in progress.

It's kinda' weird lighting because there is more contrast than the picture shows. The background is grey, not tan. But it's the idea.

Getting to know cousins

One of the perks of driving from Idaho to California and back is we get to see cousins that have been too far to visit before. We stop in Southern Utah and hang out with my brother, Joe and his family of four boys.

This past month we have visited twice. I've taken a few pictures to capture moments and help us remember.

The first stop we brought our legos. We need to reduce, reduce, reduce. My boys haven't really played with legos in a long time. So we decided to share one of our previously favorite toys with cousins. Joe's boys were thrilled. Kade is intent on seeing all the pieces and Dallin just wants to carry them in his shirt.

He gained a few pounds of lego weight. Too cute.

All the boys together. Josh and Boaz are a good look ahead for Ben. He's a great kid who has an old soul. He looks forward and anticipates the future. He is studious and responsible and is a great help with his brothers. 

Kade looks for the fun in everything. He is full of energy. He is a deep thinker and tries to focus on the moral issues of growing up while still releasing his pent up energy. 

Carter is happy to be included in whatever his big brothers are doing. He would rather look down on life from high perches and is frequently found sitting on countertops and tables. 

Dallin seems to be locked out of things. He's locked out of the bigger boys' room while they play with legos. He's locked out of the bathroom. He's blocked from the kitchen while meals are being prepared. The chairs are put out on the deck so he can't use them as ladders. In spite all of the noes that he runs into, he is happy and determined to learn and grow.

On our trip back to Idaho, Dallin decided that he liked us. I got to sit with him and read his favorite book with him. He's about 1 1/2 and working hard to learn new words.

Here is a picture of Josh with Carter and Dallin. I sent it to Craig back in California. Dallin was happy with all the new laps to sit on.

On our next trip through we will take the Zoobooks and the little top things - bay blades. I'll have to look and see what else we can share.

Too much to write

I have struggled with writing about all our changes. I have struggled with putting down a timeline, disclosing locations, and expressing hopes and fears.

We are moving!

Again!

To a new state!

We are leaving family and friends and familiarity and stricking out on our own again. 

Craig has accepted a job in Southern CA. Close to Santa Ana - I'm being ambiguos on purpose. The scary people on line and all that. He has been there for more than two months, learning a new job, new people, and new responsibilities. 

The boys and I stayed in South Eastern Idaho to finish school. Josh then spent a week at BYU-Provo at the Young Musicians Summer Festival. An amazing opportunity that we - Craig and I - pushed him into. He enjoyed it. He met new friends, learned a lot more about music, and had random/planned spiritual experiences. Basically, it was awesome.

Boaz had his first ever scout campout. I picked him up early, took him to the house where he showered, and we loaded up the cat and drove to Provo. We sat through an amazing concert. It was supposed to be online, but I still haven't checked. Then we drove to St. George and stayed with my amazing brother and his sweet family. I don't like to drive on Sundays - I've had a few flat tires on Sundays, and that was absolutly no fun. So we went to Church with Joe, hung out for the day and early - ish Monday morning we were on our way to California. 

I worried how I would react to the traffic. I worried how I would react to the masses of people. I worried how we would make it in a one bedroom apartment. I worried how the cat would adjust. I worried how the boys would adjust. I worried how I would adjust. I worried how I would like the ward. I worried if the boys would meet nice people in the ward. I worried about finding a more permanent home that would fit our needs and our budget. I worried about selling our beautiful home in Idaho. Basically I worried - a lot.

About the traffic, we are not right down town. We are in a cute little community - that is huge but feels like it is not huge. And last month Craig bought me a new car. This car was my salvation. It has GPS and will take me where I want to go. It actually gives me several options. I can drive from one location to another and just drive to get a feel for where I will be living and then I can ask it to take me home, and it does. I am not scared that I will get lost in big, bad California. That is huge. I have noticed that it likes freeways. Instead of directing me on the city streets it will take me to a freeway - the 5 more often than not. The 5 is rather horrible, but I have found out that I can drive on it. California drivers are way nicer than Oregon drivers. Most will let you change lanes when you signal instead of cutting you off.

The masses of people are still spread out a bit. It is not as overwhelming as I was afraid it would be. And, as I mentioned before, we are not right down town. The traffic is more than I have had to drive in for a long time, since Portland actually. But I can do it. Salt Lake traffic seems a bit more daunting than Santa Ana traffic, and that is really weird.

We are managing in the one-bedroom apartment just fine. It has a pool and a workout room. When Craig gets home we are doing more things together. The boys are sleeping on the couches in the  living area, obviously it is not ideal. But it will work until we move into the house.

The cat was freaked out by the drive. She was freaked out by the constant freeway noise. We live right off the exit. Convienent for errands, but constant sound. It becomes a white noise kind of thing. After a few days she adjusted. She let the birds out the balcony play with her sanity a bit. I'm sure they loved knowing she was just far enough away to ignore. It gave her something to think about, so it probably was a good thing.

The boys got up with Craig at 4:30 am to workout - not me - and then they came back and slept again. They played in the pool. We found a local library and they read books, and more books and some more books. The complex has TV in the cabanas by the pool and they would go check that out for a bit. They also have free wi-fi at the pool. Since we are so short term, we have not started any of that service. That made blogging challenging also.

I became confident getting around to where I needed to go. I got a little bit of quilting done, not as much as I wanted to. I read some books. I found a cute little quilt shop. I met some very nice ladies at Church. I've met some nice people in the complex. I am just fine.

Actually, one of the things I like about moving so much is meeting such nice people everywhere we go. The ward we attended is no different. They are nice, easy to meet people. The gospel is the same everywhere we go, even in California. Now that we know where we will be living, we are in a different ward. The same stake though. Craig went to the new ward today and met nice people who were excited to learn we were moving in. From what I understand, they have already requested our records.

The stake youth meet together a lot. So the people the boys have already met, they will still get to do things with. Craig says the youth program is a bit bigger in the new ward and he had identified boys of the same age as our boys. They will be fine. I found out that the 11-year old scouts meet as a stake group, so he will still get to see the boys he has already met.

The new house, we are renting, is less than half of the size of home that we have now. Rent is more than double our current mortgage. But it is in a nice area. There is a pool that we can swim at. It is close to parks and good schools - another worry that I failed to list earlier. The back yard is basically a sidewalk with roses bordering it. I can find a way to put in a lemon tree. The landlady is very sweet and said I could put one in where ever I wanted to. I could even pull something out to make room for it. Craig is talking about making a little outside bedroom - cabana style out there. There is a good fence. Hopefully it will keep the cat in. The new job is such that we can afford the house. In fact it is in the bottom of our range. I didn't want to commit all our funds to housing. We will be fine. I'm not sure where we will put our food storage, but we'll make it work. I know where the piano will go. We don't share walls with anybody, so the boys will be able to practise the trombone and trumpet. Perfect.

What still has yet to fall into place is we haven't sold our lovely home in Idaho yet. I keep telling myself to have faith. It will all work out. We are still praying.

Craig has made friends with a less active man at work. The man brings up Church topics and Craig has been having fun talking about gospel issues and feeling that the Lord is using him to accomplish and realize blessings in his new friend's life. He has found another friend that he has been able to help outside of the work arena. He is confinent that I will be able to find similiar opportunities. That will be fun.

Most of my worries were just that - worries. There are still a few bumps in the road, but we are moving forward with our new adventure. We have played in the ocean. The temple is less than 30 minutes away. We have found a Lindor chocolate shop and I have a source to feed my obsession of fine chocolate. The band program is reputed to be excellent and they have a track team.

The boys and I are back in Idaho for a week and half - maybe. Josh has his high adventure that they have been planning all year. Next Sunday we will have his Eagle Court of Honor. It was a miracle that he got it all done, but he did and he is now an Eagle Scout. Boaz and I will hang out while Josh is away. I will work on the eagle quilt for Josh. We will visit the dentist. We will work on the lawn and try and get it green again. It has been hotter in Idaho that it has been in California. Tomorrow we will mow the lawn and call and get the cake ordered for the ceremony on Sunday. I will quilt, Josh will work on getting ready for the campout and focus a bit on summer homework. Boaz will practice his trumpet. They will both practice the piano. The cat will wander the neighborhood and revel in being outside. She has no idea that we will be heading back to California where she will be grounded - poor kitty.

We are beginning a new adventure.

I am excited to meet new people.

Oh, and did I mention that Craig has to go to Hawaii three times a year? Guess who is tagging along.

This will be good.

We will be fine.