About 5 or 6 years ago we planted a Rhododendron on the north side of the house. Because they like acid soil I have tried various fertilizers, water, no-water, etc. Finally this year I told Mom I was going to dig it out and get rid of it. Well, it must have heard me because there are three blossoms and more on the way. It's just like in the scriptures. You have to dig around it and dung it and then things will happen.
Yesterday was the Fathers and Sons Outing. I kept waiting but none of you showed up. I went up alone at 1:00pm and because I am always the first one there they sent me up with the key. I unlocked the gate and settled back for some relaxation. I wandered around, took a nap and read off and on. Finally about 4:30pm people started to show up. There was quite a large turn out. There were a bunch of new people that I didn't know and then all the old-time regulars showed up. I enjoyed sitting around the camp fire in the evening just visiting and then the next morning we had the usual breakfast. Then we sat around some more and visited. Finally it was just the Woodbury's and me (Lacey, Dustin was there with Carson). I left about noon and they were still sitting there. I had to get back to some scout work.
Yesterday afternoon I had to be in Potlatch to do four Eagle Scout boards of review. These are four adopted boys from one family. They all suffer from different disabilities. One has ADHD, one has Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and two were born to a mother who was an alcoholic and drug addict. Their skills and abilities ranged from about early teens down to about 7 years old. Physically they are all between 17 and 19. The local scout leaders (in the Potlatch LDS troop) have been a pain in the neck but the boys were amazing. They had the most wonderful spirit about them and I enjoyed each one. Instead of spending about an hour with each one, we spend 15 to 25 minutes with them depending on their skills. They had each earned all the necessary requirements, completed an Eagle Scout Project, and had a stellar scouting career. We are putting two of them through as "regular" scouts and two of them are going through as "Alternate Eagles". We had to petition National BSA but then the age limit of 18 is waived and they are given whatever time they need. Even with their handicaps they have done more than a lot of scouts without handicaps. They all expressed a desire to serve a mission and help others with similar handicaps. Their parents have adopted 8 children and then out of nowhere had three children of their own. Their family now consists of 11 children. The parents are about 40 years old. You have never seen a more proud set of parents in all your life (unless it was your own with their 5 eagle scouts). I talked about them this morning in my testimony and as usual I cried all through it.
Mom only has three days of teaching left. She is busy with report cards and autograph books. She has done the books for so many years they are now a tradition (and legend) at McDonald Elementary School.
It is about 95 degrees outside right now. I am sitting in the basement where it is quite comfortable. It is supposed to cool down tomorrow and by Tuesday it is supposed to be in the upper 50's for the high. The weather has been a regular roller-coaster this spring.
This morning in Ward Council we decided to have a ward camp out. Probably the last weekend in July. We will probably go to Laird Park. I bet you can't guess who's idea that was?
That about it for now.
We love you. Dad and Mom
