Parker's Graduation

Parker made it!  On May 30th he graduated from Lehi High School as part of the class of 2014.  We are very proud of him!

Path to President

In March I ordered some choir music for the church choir to sing  during the 2014-2015 school year.  Even though I don’t teach anymore, my life still seems better organized in school years than in calendar years.  When I ordered it, Ed looked at me and asked, “How do you know you will still be the choir director?”  I laughed it off, but I had had a similar thought. 

Towards the end of March we started trying to buy a new house down in the older part of Lehi.  The seller was not responsive to our offer at all, which was quite frustrating.  At the beginning of April we went on a cruise with the Rice family.  When we got home from our cruise, we put in another offer on the house (which was also ignored) but I had a weird feeling that I was going to get a new calling.  Not just any calling either- I felt like I was going to be called as the President of either the Relief Society or the Primary.  I didn’t say anything to Ed, because really, how do you?  That is not how things work in the Church, so I stayed quiet.

In May Ed made a third offer on the house- without telling me about it until afterwards.  I was pretty mad about it and still had the odd feeling, but if you are moving you are going to get a new calling, so I wasn’t concerned.  The house issue was eclipsed by my explosion about Ed buying a car off Ebay for Reed that we had also not talked about.  It was a rough week.  The offer was finally accepted and we started getting really excited about the changes that we were going to make to the house.  There were a lot of issues, but we felt like we could deal with them- despite the fact that the seller wasn’t being entirely honest with us.

One night towards the end of May we went over to walk around the yard of the other house.  While we were there we met one of the neighbors who gave us a lot of new things to worry about.  All of a sudden we realized that there were additional issues with property lines and access that might land us square in the middle of a family battle- since this property is the first one that will leave a huge block of family property.  As we were leaving, one of my former colleagues saw us in the driveway and stopped to talk.  She had another lady with her who, in the course of casual conversation, said that she had just been released as Relief Society president and was now the Primary pianist. I got a gut twist at that moment that maybe my calling wasn’t in the new ward.  Still. . . when your husband is totally committed to the idea of moving and you have agreed to do whatever he wants, how do you bring up that issue?

On Wednesday night of the last week of May, Scott Carlson stopped us out in the street to ask if he had permission to call Reed to the Stake Youth Committee.  We said yes- thinking it would be a short calling.  When Reed was issued the call a few minutes later, Brother Carlson specified that it was a two year calling.  We didn’t say anything.

On Friday night May 30^th Parker graduated from high school.  We had a party and the Egglestons were invited.  In true Cathrine fashion, it slipped out that we were moving.  I saw a stricken look on the Bishop’s face and thought it was weird that just a few minutes later I received a text from the Ward Clerk asking if the Bishop could meet with us on Sunday at four. Since the Bishop was still at our hosue, I knew it was an odd “coincidence.”  I was pretty sure I knew what was coming.

Sunday, June 1^st Bishop Eggleston showed up and looked quite nervous.  He said, “I’m not sure what to do.  This has never happened before.  I am supposed to call you to be the Relief Society President, but I know you are buying another house.”  I told him that I wasn’t sure what had taken him so long, but that he should hold off on making an official call until we could talk about it.  That was not an easy couple of days.  I knew what I was supposed to do, but Ed had his heart set on that house and Reed had his heart set on the new puppy I had promised him.  Ed was pretty frustrated because he felt like the call came out of the blue and was maybe an attempt to just keep us in the ward.  I felt bad because I had not shared any of my promptings, so although I was not surprised at all, he was caught off guard.  After Reed slammed around for a few days, I realized what the problem was and Miss Eleanor Roosevelt came into our lives.  Ed gave me permission to accept the calling saying, “How can I play “I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go for prelude music and then not be willing to do it?”

We walked away from the house citing many of the concerns that we had that the seller had not been forthright about.  All of a sudden he was in a big hurry to fix things, but some of the items were much too big for a quick fix.

So. . .  five weeks after the original call, I am now the Relief Society President of the Cedar Hollow 7^th Ward.  I have great counselors in Jayme Anderson and Torey Forbush and two great secretaries in Heidi Markland and Marilyn Robinson to keep things moving in the right direction.  It has been a difficult month, but I feel that I have grown a lot closer to Heavenly Father and I am already starting to truly love each and every sister in the ward.   It is such a relief that it is no longer a secret- that was tough.  Now we can get to work.    

Job Posting

When I see this job announcement, I'll apply.  Really.

Job Description

               We are looking for a creative person who has skills in music, photography, and graphic design.  This person will report to nobody, but is expected to produce anything needed.  Schedule will be flexible and travel to exotic locations is necessary.

Responsibilies

·        Make our business climate thrive by encouraging creativity and non- traditional approaches.

·        Facilitate and encapsulate short and long-range goals.

·        Meet with clients at luncheon meetings.

·         Encourage and support the use of the Adobe Creative Cloud products in the office.

·        Keep the company image fresh.

·        Establish new programs and training to keep workforce focused and forward directed.

·        Travel to conventions to hone skills.

·        Produce occasional work-related documents.

Qualifications:

• Four year degree in any field of arts education.  (Masters preferred.)
• Ability to use all forms of technology.
• Problem-solving skills and excellent teaching skills.
• Ability to work independently.

Salary Range

$75, 000.00-$100,000.00 per year with benefits package that includes medical, dental, disability and life insurance, 401K match, a new car every two years, top line Canon photographic equipment, and excellent computer and other technologies.

Are you kidding me?

This photo was from last weekend.  Parker took it.  I love it.

On Monday I took Parker up to the University of Utah Orthopedic Hospital for a check-up with Dr. Burks.  He thought Parker was doing very well and that he could return to any activities that did not cause pain.  Of course all Parker heard was "You can do any crazy thing your 17 year old mind thinks up."  On the way home he wanted to stop at Scheel's to get a shooting sleeve and some head gear.  I honestly think he was planning on wrestling this weekend.  As it turned out, his knee is still sore- especially after a practice!

On Tuesday they got home from practice around 5:00.  Reed had tears streaming down his face and was dragging himself.  He got to the couch and then I took a look at him.  His knee was HUGE.  I immediately got some Advil into him and got some ice on the knee and he started to calm down.  I called the doctor's office and to my amazement I got to talk to someone who scheduled us an appointment at the urgent care.  Although that was a nightmare, I was grateful to get in so quickly.  Reed had x-rays that didn't really show anything, but the doctor told him that he was pretty sure that something was torn.  Poor Reed fell apart.  He's watched Parker and Dania, so he knows what the deal is.

On Wednesday we got in for an MRI.  I am still stunned at how quickly everything happened.  

 On Thursday the doc called with the results- torn medial femoral ligament and patellar tendon.  Patella has a slight fracture.  And the best part?  They mentioned that the cup that holds his femur in place is pretty shallow and that predisposes him to a dislocation.  LIKE I HAVEN"T HEARD THAT BEFORE???? After giving Ed and DiAnna the news, I kinda fell apart.  Parker called while I was bawling, so I think he gave Reed a heads up, because Reed took the news remarkably well.

Parker was recognized that evening as one of the senior wrestlers.  Colby and Danaca made the effort to come for that which meant a lot to me.  

On Friday Ed and I decided to go up to the wrestling tournament at Highland to support the team even though our boys weren't wrestling.  All of our kids were doing really well.  Garrett Batley was decisively beating his opponent when his knee went.  He was on the mat screaming.  It was WAY too much for me.  I did not see Parker or Reed get hurt, but when I saw Batley it all came crashing down on me.  I grabbed a bunch of trash and headed for a trash can that I knew was kind of under the bleachers.  I lost it.  Could not pull it together for a couple of minutes.  All of a sudden I had big strong arms around me telling me that Batley was going to be ok.  That Reed would be ok.  I have never been so grateful for those arms on my son Parker.  He was so sweet and so caring.  I have really noticed a difference in him lately, but I tear up every time I think about him hugging me on Friday night.  I did finally calm down but was weepy all evening.  Heavenly Father really blessed me with a tender heart, I guess.

Reed went back up to the tourney with the team yesterday, but Parker stayed home for his day date for Lone Peak's Preference Dance.  Reed is being a trooper.  His knee is huge but he is not complaining.  He just keeps plugging along.  He'll ice or take Advil if I give it to him, but not on his own.  What a blessing.

Here's a funny- while Parker was on his day date with Ashley, Cheyenne came over and left an invitation to Westlake's Sweetheart's Dance.  Oh my heck.  The boy is a playa.  

This was about the happiest event of the week.  

Parker had fun with Ashley Klingonsmith at Lone Peak's Preference.  

He was actually scootching down in the photo above!

What a Blow

One of the young men in my Sunday School class has been very excited to serve a mission.  When the age changed to 18 he started making arrangements to graduate early so that he could leave before the big rush.  About 2.5 months ago he put in his papers and he will graduate next Monday.  He had been studying and preparing for years and is much more of a scriptorian than I will ever be!  Today during Fast and Testimony he announced that he will not be able to serve a mission but has been given an honorable exemption.

What a horrible moment.  Of all the young men I know, this young man is the most willing and most prepared to serve.  Tears immediately sprung to my eyes for his loss. And His loss.  What amazed me was the testimony that this young man bore.  He is accepting the Lord's will.  He has no idea what to do or where to turn but he has faith that things are in Heavenly Father's hands.

During Sunday School he taught part of the lesson and discussed how we can hear the voice of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ through the scriptures.  He was totally composed and taught concepts that I had never even thought of before.  I am humbled.  I know he will do great things, but I am sad that he will not have the blessings of serving a full time mission.

Still Troubled

Last year at this time I had a concern.  I hardly dared to think about it- never mind write about it.  I truly hoped that the events of the year would solve and alleviate my fears.

Unfortunately, things are far worse than I even imagined.  I feel like everything I have wanted and worked for for the last 20 years is being ripped apart and I have no idea how to fix it.  I have prayed.  I have read articles.  I have cried.  But I have not found an answer.

At this point I think there are two options:  one that I don't know that I can live with and another that I'm not sure anyone else can live with.  And so I will do nothing.  Except continue to pray, ponder, and cry.  And hope that my heart will be softened and I will be able to accept whatever the Lord has for a plan.

It isn't easy, but I don't know what else to do.

Maybe in a year things will look better.

2014 Resolutions?

We didn't set a bunch of resolutions that we couldn't keep.  We each set one goal.

Ed- Put the phone down.

Kaye- Focus on hands.

Parker- Be kinder.

Reed- Be more friendly.