Mud....the kids & hubs love it......me~not so much!

For Young Men/Young Women's tonight they played in the mud.  Jaydan also loves the mud and since it was in our field he asked if he could join.  My kids were so excited to play in the mud.

They "geared" up with clothes that they didn't mind saying good bye to.  Jared borrowed his clothes from Jaydan...so I guess Jaydan was ok with saying good bye to a few things.  Actually....I am pretty good at laundry and so I go everything pretty clean except the white shirt.

The kids had so much fun Kimi invited more kids to come over the next night and do it again.  Jared had such a blast that he declined the invite to play water volleyball with Julie and Kevin.  

 There is a reason I don't play in the mud.  It's because I am the one that has to clean it up...so I just say "NO".  I guess even if my family cleaned their own clothes they would still play in the mud because they wouldn't care if they had to wash things a few times which happened by the way.

I just avoid more work for me if possible.  I could have played in the mud with everyone since I had clean up duties anyway but I still prefer to just stay clean.

When I was younger I didn't like messing up my make-up or hair once it was done.....I still tend to be that way just not to the extreme that I use to be.

I am probably missing out....or so some say.  I don't necessarily agree.  I don't feel like I have to experience  everything in my life to know if I would like it or not.  Heck....there are some things I am pretty sure I would like but know better than to try....mud has nothing to do with those things.

My family had fun and for that I am glad.  I love hearing them express themselves with enthusiasm and I really enjoy the muddy pictures that some of the leaders took.  That alone without me being in the mud makes me smile.

Who knows maybe when I turn 60 I will invite my friends for a game of mud football....or duck, duck, goose in the mud.  Makes me laugh just thinking about it....so maybe just maybe that will be how I celebrate turning 60.....I just might even include a few cans of "shaving cream"! (I reacted badly to shaving cream once....not a bad reaction....acted bad)

Registered and Ready for School

Yesterday Kimi registered for School but I didn't get a picture of her. (I was in SLC) Today Jared registered for School and since I went with him I did get a picture.  Actually he was in and out of registering so fast that we went to breakfast and that's were I got a picture.  We needed to pass a little time before we headed down to SLC for testing.  Jared and I have been going to SLC the last few days and spending about 3 hours while he is tested.  I have always felt that Jared has ADD or ADHD. Jared's mind is always so busy and I remember saying when he was just a toddler that I didn't believe it stopped until he fell asleep at night....who knows about then.

I talked to the school about it when Jared was in 2nd grade but his teacher was sure that since Jared is well behaved and her son who is very different from Jared had ADD that Jared didn't.   I filled out a bunch of papers but I guess his teacher didn't.  So....we just dealt with him struggling a little more than I think he should have in school.  I believe Jared just gets distracted and has a harder time concentrating than the average kid.  He's a smart boy but has struggled off and on.  Junior High has been a real struggle....the teachers no longer have the time for individual care and attention.  Jared's grades proved that and it was affecting him in a negative way.  The good thing about his struggles though is it forced me to get help.  I didn't know where to go for the help.  I thought the school did those kind of testing....they do but to really get the individual help Jared needed his school required professional testing.  YeeHaw....that kind of testing is expensive....really expensive and our wonderful insurance pays for none of it. (I'm no fond of insurance)  But....we were blessed and through many steps and tender mercies we were led to the U of U were students do the testing for a small price of $175.  Jared was even bumped up the list so his testing was done about 6 months earlier than it should have been.  

I know this is happening for a reason....I hope it will help Jared to feel better about himself.  Just saying that makes me think of the saying: "If only others could see themselves as we do...or better yet as Jesus does".  Grades are important but not nearly as important as Jared's self worth.  I wish society didn't put so much pressure on these things.  We are all so different and very smart kids and people sometimes just learn different than the stereo type.  

The good thing is that Jared went to testing each day with a great attitude and he left with a great attitude too.  I am very pleased with him for toughing this out.  I hope that there will be help for him when the tests results come back....if not at least he will know he is capable of doing whatever it is he is expected to do.    

Cheers!  I'm hoping for and expecting a better school year than last.  I learned from all that we experienced but I do not want to experience any of it again.  I wish it on no one!