Updates Galore

I realize that my posts of late have dealt mainly with my inner conflict, general conference or rude people.  But is hasnt' given you much sight of what is actually happening on my life.  So today I'd like to remedy that.

1) The Boy passed his driver's test, so now we are just waiting for his birthday and the early morning opening that day of the DMV so he can get his "real license".  He can't wait.  I am proud of him, but know he needs a job to pay for all the "fun" he thinks having a car will be.

2) The Girl took second place in the Science Fair a few weeks ago and won $75 cash for her placement.  He project was also selected to win a scholarship to Westminster College in SLC, but that won't help her at Utah State in the fall.  But good job, nonetheless.

3) Genius Golfer was turned down (again) after an interview at BYU.  I keep hoping something will com e up that he will love, but so far nothing.

4) After interviewing twice for posts at the high school, and not getting them--and not even getting an interview at the other two posts within the district that I thought were good fits, I got online at looked into LDS Employment Services just to see what might be useful to me if I end up having to work in the fall.  I opened a .pdf file of a workbook they use and burst into tears at the computer.  I realized in short order that I don't want to work--that I feel like that would cheat The Boy and I'd have guilt form here to Timbuktu.  I really felt strongly that I'd love to have GG working again and earning an income for our family. That recognition and realization was both honest and discouraging.

5) Over Spring break I came to a decision that I am done with PTA leadership and will (happily) just do some support work from home next year--the website, email trees, and online sign ups.  I told our PTSA board in our meeting on Monday and by Tuesday had someone step up and willingly take the president's role for fall.  I think we can fill in the executive positions for her and they will be fantastic!  Sometimes, when people think that you'll "just do it if you have to" they don't feel the need to step up.  Luckily, I honored that  strong feeling I had over the break and took myself out of the picture.

6) My first tulips opened this week...with snow all around.  Must be Spring in Utah.

7) The Boy has an appointment with the plastic surgeon to see about finally fixing the lump on his left temple.  At first-- a few years ago--we were told it was a lipoma. The first dermatologist popped it like a zit, only to have it show back up a year or so later.  The second dermatologist sliced it open and tried to pull the "sack" out that held it in place. Now a third dermatologist has sent us to a plastic surgeon to hopefully remove it once and for all.  this guy does a lot of skin cancer repairs, so he is going to be a good one to take this project on.  I just hope it works.

8) The Girl has been complaining of pressure under her rib cage, toward the front of her chest--like a bruise on the bone--that hurts a great deal as she tries to eat. We can't figure out what might have caused anything abnormal, but we are keeping an eye on it in case it is something more sinister.

9) My dad has been in and out of the hospital in the past month which has been very upsetting as I am 900 miles away and can't really be of much help--to him or my mom.  His calcium had been off the charts high so the doctors removed 3 of his 4 para-thyroids.  then as that was healing his calcium levels bottomed out and he had to be given IV calcium to even out the levels.  There is hope that this leveling out will eventually happen, but in the meantime the swings are hard to manage.  Luckily the kidney is working well and that isn't what is bothering him.

10) Genius Golfer is registered to attend a BSA Wood Badge training course the end of this month that our stake is hosting.  The presenters are all wonderful folks I got to work with in my former calling and whom I respect and love.  I just hope he absorbs it and the effects help in all the aspects of his life--not just with Young Men.