Surprise, Surprise, Surprise

Guess what Genius Golfer and The Boy did today....

 Yep.  That is right.  they put up the trampoline that GG bought himself for Christmas.  Oy.  I told him he couldn't jump on it 'til we had life insurance on him.

This thing was like a neighborhood kid magnet.  They sensed what was going on even before the thing was identifiable.

So much for my life insurance threat.  GG and The Boy were bouncing and the line of neighbor kids was already formed the moment it was done.

This new development effectively makes me the "designated driver" in the event that GG (or anyone else) has to be taken to the hospital.

Another Way to Spend the Day

This morning I had a chance to work at the cannery not too far from our home.  I volunteered a two and half hour shift where we canned hamburger meat.  It is a loud, messy, happy place.

I mention the happy part because I don't think that is the first thing people think of when I tell them I had a shift at the cannery.  But it is.  It is a happy place.  Everyone there, except the cannery management, is a volunteer. 

By volunteering I have an opportunity to purchase the products that cannery otherwise makes just for the Bishop's Storehouses--kind of like mini grocery stores for people in need of some assistance.  Not necessarily full blown welfare, but for folks that need a little extra help for their families.  Those who get to "shop" the storehouse are sent there by recommendation of their Bishop, the local ecclesiastial/congregational leader.  The shopper comes with an order sheet that the Bishop (or his representative) has filled out with the family.  Then the family loads up with what they need and they go. 

The items from the storehouses are also sent to disaster stricken areas around the world.  Everything from toothpaste and diapers to beef stew and, as today's shift proved, canned hamburger is available for these kinds of relief missions.

It feels pretty good to do something that will help my family.  It feels even better knowing that what helps my family will also be ready to help others' families too.  And that is what makes it a happy place to volunteer.

It's Called an HONOR Code for a Reason

BYU's basketball team has had a lot of press this season.  Rightly so.  They have had a Cinderella season.  They have given the school, the conference, and the region a lot of reasons to cheer.  Both wins over San Diego State were tremendous--the only two losses SDSU have had all season long.  Not too shabby.

This week, however, the talk has shifted from their performance on the court, to the university's decision regarding Brandon Davies' (number 0, above) honor code violation and subsequent dismissal from the team for the remainder of the season.  It is a critical time to make roster changes to a team, but more so when that roster change is your third leading scorer, your leading rebounder and the biggest inside guy you have out there.  The conference tournament and the NCAA tournament--that crazy March Madness--are closing in.  The Cougars even had a chance to have a #1 seeding there.  Now that is looking doubtful.

Hey, I am a proud graduate from BYU.  I have been as excited as anyone else for the Cougs to be playing so well.  I found myself a little sick with Jimmer-fever myself.  That is what makes being a university alumna fun--I have a life long relationship with the school.  Last night's loss to New Mexico was more than a little disappointinging.

But in a world where the lack of honorable men and women in business, in politics, in general society  is repeatedly lamented, I am very proud of the university's decision to stick to its guns.  And I think Brandon Davies should be lauded for his, reportedly, volunteering the information which then cost him his spot on the team.  From the reports we have heard, the violation was not criminal.  That tidbit leads me to believe it was of more a moral issue--not that is any of my business, mind you.  It is hard enough to go to a leader--athletic, academic or religious--and confess you have made a mistake.  If you knew that your confession would cost you the high-profile athletic affiliation you've enjoyed on scholarship?  Well, that is a big risk to set things right.  And an honorable one.

ESPN commentators, among others, have spent some time talking about BYU's Honor Code as something so outrageous and unreachable that it was ridiculous for the university to expect anyone to live by it, much less a hugely popular athlete.  What they don't seem to understand is that many, many high profile athletes--as well as your average BYU student--have been living in accordance with that Honor Code from the first day of admission, and even before.  Everyone signs it.  Every year it is renewed.  No one is forced to attend BYU.  Especially when you factor in the high demand for the limited spots at the school for students.  

BYU is ranked as America's "favorite college"--meaning that more BYU applicants who are accepted actually attend than any other school in the nation.  Unlike Harvard, which is still high on the list, but where an applicant might try to be accepted without any intention (are ability) to attend there, BYU's applicants REALLY want to go to school here.  There are plenty of people who knowingly apply, are willing to sign the Honor Code and will attend and live by that code, as well as the academic expectations the university has set.

The key to the Honor Code is your PERSONAL honor.  Your integrity.  Your word.  Those things have seemingly less and less value to the world, yet BYU demands them be valued.  That goes for each student who attends.  That means, ALL students: Mormon or not; US student or international student;  Undergrad or graduate student.  Even the faculty have a high standard to which they are held.  Here is a whole university--35,000 or so strong--who value Honor, enough to require a signed Honor Code as part of their acceptance.

I was secretly hoping that the Cougs would beat NM last night, perhaps with some Divine assistance and then maybe prove how right this whole Honor Code thing is.  But they lost. 

Does that mean God isn't interested in the influence of this discussion of Honor Codes and BYU basketball on the world?  Students have jokingly called this "God's University" for many years.  Doesn't He have some sway here?  Couldn't He help them win and show the world that Honor still does has value and let the world see the Cougars are stronger because of it?  I'm sure He could have done that.  But it didn't happen.

Maybe this isn't a lesson for the world to learn.  Maybe this is a lesson for the university's students, alumni and supporters around the world to re-evaluate and re-examine their own behavior and determine if it is truly honorable.  Maybe it is a chance to have the world talking--not about the team's games and achievements but about the team's real priorities.  Maybe it is a chance for the world to recognize that honor and integrity are more valuable to society than sports and win percentages.

I hope the discussion turns that way.  But I also hope the Cougs can win their last home game and still have a great showing in the MWC tourney in Vegas next week.   And I really hope BYU can pull themselves together and play with the strength and heart that comes from living up to your word and earning respect for not only their play throughout the season, but for having their long term, personal priorities in the right place. 

But, let's be really honest here, a good showing at the Big Dance wouldn't hurt my feelings either.

Just Say "NO"

It is that time of year again.  I mean, Girl Scout Cookie time.  YIKES!  I know, it is so hard to avert your eyes, much less your taste buds.

Having many opportunities to sell delicious yummy things as a child as part of a fund-raising program for something or other, I can relate to the girls trying to make their troop some money.  Having eaten more than my fair share of GS cookies each year for the past several years, I can relate to the niche these girls have in the market.  But, to set these girls loose on us, worn down as we will be by this winter-time blues, is just evil.

My personal favorite is the Tagalongs, and I prefer them frozen.  Oooh.  They are de-lish.  The thin mints are pretty dang good too, especially with some ice cream.  The others, while I'm sure they are good too, but it is hard to compete with those dang peanut butter and chocolate mint ones, in my opinion.

Once the little scout-lettes deliver the pre-ordered ones, they will suddenly show up at my favorite grocery store, selling the boxes of temptations right outside the store.  Dangit.  That means I'll have to avert my eyes, make a mad dash and ignore these cute little girls and their moms and leaders on my way back to the car.  And that is just rude.

Wish me luck.  And really, it makes me wonder what makes these little delectable treats so addictive...I'm sure it is legal.  But is it not nice.

Relativity Time Theory

The Girl had some kind of school wide testing day.  All sophomores took some pre-SAT-like test today.  All the juniors took the ACT.  Seniors had the day off. Lucky ducks. Everyone else got out of school before lunchtime.

Now, I think I have written here before about the ridiculousness of the 'early out day' conceptually.  Or possibly on the actual Super-Early-Out-Day that our district has implemented this year in lue of Professional Development Days which used to be the whole day: kids off, teachers work.  Now, with Super-Early-Out-Days, or Minimal Days as they are officially called, I get the kids off to school, turn around twice, touch the carpet and the kids are on their way home.  Or something like that.

This testing day, high school kids come home early day?  Well.  It is sick and wrong.  Add to that, it has been sunshiny and gorgeous all day.  The Girl coming home while I am eating lunch really messed up my kind of fluid plans.  But her making her own early day plans with her friends and not really telling me what those plans might be REALLY messed me up.

She and her friends had a picnic.  I get the need to have lunch "al fresco" on a day like today.  But she still has swim practice and I still have to pick up the junior high carpool.  And those times are non-negotiable. 

She called me about 5 minutes later than we should have left to get her to practice and she asked if I could come pick her up.  So I run over to her friend's to get her, bring her back to the house, she picks up her gear and I run her to practice.  Then, I run back to get the Jr High carpool where they have been waiting almost 15 minutes, albeit, happily in the sunshine

The relative term here is "DRIVER"S LICENSE".  She needs to practice so she can get it at her birthday.  And then she can drive herself to practice or work or her friend's.  Everyday.  And home, everyday too.  Then she will have to face the theory of getting somewhere on time.  By herself.  And I won't have to take her.
July 31st cannot come soon enough.  So long as she gets all 40 of the driving practice hours.  And she needs to be interested in driving at all to do that.  I think I am coming to the point where I might be interested enough for the both of us on that account. 

Come on, August!!

Do As I Say, Not As I Do

I went with some friends to see The King's Speech on Saturday.  Today I am rejoicing that my favorite Mr. Darcy himself, Colin Firth, won the Best Actor Academy Award last night and am even more excited that the film won for best picture and best director.

But here's the rub.  It is rated R.  That is for restricted.  As a young women's leader and a mom I have taught my kids to listen to the prophet's advice and follow it.  Well, President Hinckley specifically said "no rated R movies".

Here's my justification of the 'do what I day and not as I do' philosophy:  The ratings system is messed up!

This film had two strings of profanity--including the f-bomb--and that earned it an R rating.  There was no nudity, no sex, no violence.  Not even a heaving bosom, like many otherwise benign period dramas.

A few weeks ago, Genius Golfer and I took The Boy to see The Green Hornet.  We paid actual money--American money--to see it.  It was filled with crude, lewd and raunch.  But it was rated PG-13.  I should have walked out.  What kind of example am I setting for my son?!  I wouldn't want him to think I think that kind of humor and treatment of women was ok.  Not at all.  But we didn't.  I should have listened to my gut on that one.

I researched The King's Speech a little bit, and in all I heard and read of it, it sounded like a charming, real life inspiring tale of triumph.  It was.  The fact that Mr. Firth was in it just added to it's appeal for me.  With other adult friends to go with to see it, I jumped at the chance.  It was marvelous and very deserving of the Oscar attention.

The only regret I have is that for me to see this uplifting and inspiring movie, I went against the teachings I dole out to the youth I work with and my own kids.  And the really sad thing?  They hear this kind of language anyway, in real life.  The difference is that in the movie the profanity is not directed at any person in a put-down sort of way or even in a blasphemous way.  I chose to rebel just enough to not be "exactly obedient" and that gives me a little guilt, to be honest.  But I also feel that this was a much better choice than the Hornet disaster.

Hypocrisy is a fine line to follow, I guess.  But I still loved seeing the triumph and sensing the overcoming such tremendous obstacles by a man who stood up and answered his call to nation and duty and family.