Prank Wars

 While at work last week, I had to run to the office to speak with the secretary. My friend was there, and I playfully cut in front of her, telling her she was taking too long. She said, "The only reason I am letting you go is that you are old, and I was taught to respect the elderly." I laughed and said, "Yeah, well, I'll say something really funny in 30 minutes when I can think of a comeback!" We all laughed and went on our way. 

I told my sixth graders about the encounter, and they started spewing comebacks. So I made a list of the comebacks like, "I'm not old, I'm limited edition" or "Well, you have crusty toes". I folded the list into a paper airplane and threw it into her class while she was teaching. My class and I thought we were so funny. 

When I got back from lunch, I found a gift on my whiteboard. I guess the war is on. 

BeckCat

Dave and Cheryl got mousing cats. Most of my kids are allergic, but not Beckett. He enjoyed the kitten snuggles, and everyone else watched jealously. 

 

FOURTEEN

My sweet boy, Cache, turned 14 this month. I am in denial. The past year has been so good for him. He has grown by leaps and bounds. His social awareness is stronger, and he has found a cute group of friends. He has always had a lot of friends, but it's been fun for him to be a part of a group that seeks him out. His social calendar is filling up. This week, he played night games at someone's house and went to Stake Dance. It's so fun to watch him flourish. 

His obsession with tarantulas is coming to an end, though he is still full of endless random knowledge. He still loves Taekwondo, but I feel like this time there is limited. Which is what we wanted. It served him so well and taught him so much confidence, and now he is ready to use that knowledge in the real world. 

Cache is bright and never stops moving. He asks endless questions and seeks endless answers. He is everything good, and I am so grateful to call him mine. I can't wait to see what growth awaits him this year. 

 

Senior Night

We recently celebrated Tayden and his senior year of football. It hasn't been what he had hoped for with a broken collarbone, but he has endured this trial with faith and the best attitude he has been able to muster. To say I love him isn't enough. To say I am proud of him is a gross understatement. I have watched him in awe and heartbreak as he has navigated the past two months. 

I didn't feel emotional until they called his name. My heart hurt knowing he is walking away from high school this year and into the unknown world. I don't know how we got here. It feels like yesterday that we were watching Finding Nemo 12 times a day and eating cowboy pancakes. However, I refuse to waste this precious time with him. I'll keep cheering him on and watching him conquer the world.

 

Cross Country

Joining cross country has been such a game changer for Cache. Cross country was so much more than a sport. It was friendship and belonging. It was discovering his grit and doing hard things. He wasn't ever the faster runner, but he got better each week. Now, he is looking forward to track season and cross country again next year. I am so proud of his perseverance and can't wait to watch him tackle more challenges.  

 

Conference in Ashton

After months of staying home, we finally made it to Ashton for the afternoon and listened to General Conference. It was a peaceful afternoon. The weather was perfect, and the boys were happy. We took Luna, and she didn't love it as much as I had hoped. It stressed her out, and I'm afraid that will be the last time she experiences Ashton. 

 

Civil War

Hillcrest vs. Bonneville is the season's biggest game. It was closer than we'd like and uglier than we expected, but we still got the win. My favorite part was watching my boys celebrate with their friends and fellow students. They are living their best high school life, and I feel so lucky to be a part of it.