Boy to Man

We had a very relaxing, much needed, lovely long weekend. Leah had school on Friday then worked that evening.  Blake and Dave had the whole thing off.  We had a grand start to the rain we need.  At church everyone kept saying thanks for the rain we got and I was like uhmmm thanks for the rain we have gotten SO FAR..... lets be hopeful here! We got a lot of things unpacked onto our new shelves in the storage room and all of Cora's boxes out of the spare room.  Still some work to do, but we are picking away at it.  Saturday Blake went to 5 Guys and to see End Game with Joe and Avery.  Leah had plans to go that night but then she had to work.  Much disappointment.

 from Leah.  She will try again next week.  Dave and I feed the missionaries Saturday and watched a movie after they left until it was time to pick up Blake and Leah got home. Sunday after church Leah headed straight to work.  We had a very quick dinner then Blake and Dave had some work that couldn't wait to be done on the coop. They got back in time for Toone's and the missionaries to arrive for milkshakes. Leah got a text just as she got off work about a party and her and Emily almost decided to go, but then thought by the time they could get there is would be winding down.  So they just hung out at our house for a while longer and picked outfits for their double date on Monday.  We found some gems.  Hahaha

Monday we were all home.  Cora called and we had a nice visit with her.  She said her mission is always so fun and has so many miracles and lots of work that by the time Monday rolls around to write a letter it is just to much.  They did have a lovely lady in their ward ask if they could do their laundry.  There is no washer in the flat and it takes a while to walk into town and switch loads etc. They were very grateful. After we had a great discussion with our Come Follow Me.  It has been a few weeks since we have had a nice long time to sit and really get in to it.  I love this program, it was so great to hear the insight and understanding our kids have.  Cora had even sent a message about some stuff she thought of that we included in our family discussion.  Then Blake was off to work and Leah off to her date.  Don't worry she didn't really wear either of those outfits. She had a great time and her and Emily stayed to go to a show after.  Dave and I puttered around, planted potatoes, more storage room stuff, Dave did budget for the farm and his mom.  It was a grand day.  As Blake headed off to work he took the 350.  I knew he was out growing the 100, that is why they have been fixing it up, but I had expected the 350 to still look big for him.  It does not.

I have found this process very interesting the last few months, as my son goes from being a boy, on his way to becoming a man. I know every mom goes through it, but still this is new to me. He is definitely shooting up.  He has grown 4 inches in the last 3 months.  He is now into a size 11 shoe.  His voice is starting to change.  I remember Taylor always having us look at his peach fuzz mustache, Blake has started to do the same, and his muscles.  He loves the physical work at Sis Smith's as he grows and develops.  We had thought about him becoming a life guard, but as he said, "you can't build muscles like this walking around a pool." :) But there is so much more than the physical. It is the maturing of his mind and his actions. He takes pride in himself. His appearance and his actions. He takes his responsibility as a priesthood holder of God very serious and makes sure his actions are always aligned to be worthy of that.  He wants to get better grades, he wants to work harder, he wants to go out and help his dad.  He is confident in who he is and his abilities yet always striving to be better.  He looks for the good in other and notices when they need something.  The world doesn't just revolve around him anymore, he sees others, their joy and pain.  Yet he is still a such boy and watches to many YouTube videos and makes weird noises. He sing songs over and over and over. He makes sure he gives everyone one of us a hug at night and whenever anyone leaves. He always tells us he loves us. He takes care of his sister and drives her crazy. I love hearing what he has learned and his testimony.  If there is something he wants he will try to make it.  A few days ago he made himself a discus and measured out the distance he is running for track and field so he can practice at home.  He loved working on the dirt bike and taking the engine apart to rebuild it.  Every day I am in awe of this man-boy of mine. As he decides what kind of person he is going to be and put it into action.  Because he wants to and not just because he is obedient to what we have asked of him.  He is starting to get more of a social life and make friends that are not just in this little school.  I marvel as I watch and am excited to see the man he will become in the next few years. 

Life at our House

Beginning of May, both Leah and Blake had field trips the same day.  Leah went to a war museum for Social and Blake had a Science Talk day where he participated in some quiz offs and some building classes. They both really enjoyed it. That weekend they had a Stake Youth Conference.  This was Blake's first one and he was not super excited to go. As they drove out of the yard together, Dave commented how strange and cool it was to have both our kids going off together for Stake Youth Conference. Leah had a a very very rough week with school friends. Then a few more things went down that night.  She spent part of the time in the bathroom on the phone with me crying.  She almost didn't return Saturday.  I think if she had not had to give rides to people she probably would not have. But Saturday was much better and by the end of the afternoon she was good again and had even been invited with her boys to go into town for some game and a movie.  She was totally down for it, but had to give rides home to some people so she missed it. Blake had a great time.  He was nervous since the kids he knows are all a year younger and couldn't attend yet.  But he had some fun groups and watched out for his sister.  There is always lots going on at these activities and they do a good job of getting everyone involved.  Dave and I decided to go on an actual date Friday while they were gone.  We had dinner at the golf club and came home to watch a movie.  Here the kids are ready to take off Saturday morning.

Blake has been getting lots of hours in with his job. He can solve a rubik cube in under 30 seconds now and is saving up for a 12 sided one.  He has an app that he has solved a 4x4, 6x6, and 8x8.  He hopes one day to own them all not just on an app. He has really stepped up his studying. He is a pretty smart kid and has always had good grades, but he has started doing review tests at home and practicing writing assignments.  His grades have improved more and he is amazed.  We just laugh at him and say yay no duh!! :) 

Leah has been loving softball.  She can really bat well now.  Her goal was to hit the green by the end of the season and she is now almost constant with that.  She is working on grounders.  They make her nervous and she misses a lot.  Practice, practice.  They have won about half their games and she is getting better every day.  Stressing as school comes to an end and she is starting to review for finals.  We have been looking into scholarships and other things for college for her.  It is a weird time of life as they are getting ready to leave home.  We help as she moves forward, making plans, looking into schools, and be coming more independent at the same time you just want to keep them extra close before they leave. She got a job working at the canteen at our local campground.  Sunday was her first day of work and she enjoyed it already.  It is going to be good for her.  We just hope they give her a schedule more than a few days out as they get more organized.  This waiting day by day is annoying already.  She can't make any plans.

Leah had a tournament this weekend and a surprise birthday party.  She was a couple hours late to the party and felt kinda gross, but it was fun as usual.

Dave has had a few frustrating weeks. They have lost a lot of calves and a cow.  Work with the transition to new buildings has hit lots of daily snags.  He has been working 50-60 hour weeks and then still trying to catch Leah's games and help Blake with projects and do his share of farm stuff.  He is pretty exhausted all the time.  We hope and pray for some turn around soon.  But he likes his job and the people he works with.  And when things do go smoothly he loves it. He got some shelves built in our storage room and we are unpacking.  He said it is like Christmas an it is time to move in. :)

Blake has spent the last few days, in between work, taking apart the 350 and putting it all back together again.  He got it running, except a fuel leak.  So last night he took it apart again and has been looking for the problem.  He is so excited to ride this bigger bike.  He does have a bit of fear of the power coming out of it.  Which makes Leah and I feel better.  He will be a little cautious. He took it for a spin and LOVED it.

Cora is doing great still.  Loves the island, the people, flying.  She told us Sunday that so far she has had 18 flights in the last 3 months.  She flew out again yesterday for a mid-trainers meeting.  She absolutely loves her mission president and her companion.  Her new companion is from a farm in Idaho.  She plays sports and works hard.  They have a lot in common. Cora is training now, which totally freaked her out. I know she will be excellent at it tho.

She got to fly back for zone conference 2 weeks ago and got to see a few of her MTC zone.

They are having a great time.  Finding friends and teaching lots.

It is always so fun when she calls.  Cora has a love for life that is fantastic and makes everyone around her smile.  She has a unique personality that is so entertaining.  We have got a few letters from people, in response her mass email that she has me send out, and they all say how much they look forward to her emails for the fun point of view on life she has.  She loves the work and is fully embracing missionary life.  She is so in her element.

Nothing is new with me.  Never is:)  Running to kids games and activities, late night chats, RS stuff, always laundry cooking dishes cleaning packing lunches, making bread and muffins.  Just mom life.  We had my parents up for Mother's Day.  That was nice to spend a few days with them.  We love the Come Follow Me.  Sometimes Cora will tell us what she has learned and we share insights with her back. Life is just rolling along.  Everything seems so mundane and not important and yet even these quiet simple days can mean so much when we look back on them.  Building bonds, testimonies, and experiences on a daily basis.  Simple and small acts that hopefully have great rewards.  Just keep praying.