Spring Break 2018

The kids had school off the first week of April, so Mike and I decided it was a great time to take our newly purchased camping trailer out for its maiden voyage.  We selected Moab, Utah--it was fairly close and a little warmer than our current climate.  Mike's parents decided to join us in our adventure and Mike's Aunt Sherrill also got to jump in on the fun.

Saturday night we colored Easter eggs.  Sunday morning the Easter bunny came and hid the kid's eggs and baskets.  Sunday night we had a yummy Easter ham, casserole, rolls and other delicious dishes.

Easter dinner

Monday we hiked to Corona Arch.  It is a large arch that isn't a part of Arches National Park, but beautiful and unique but less crowded.  

At one point in the hike, there were all these cairn markers.  People just keep adding a rock to a pile as they pass.

Tuesday we hiked to the ever popular, breathtaking Delicate Arch.

The whole gang under Delicate Arch

At the end of the Delicate hike are these petroglyphs

Wednesday, Mike had to work, so he headed home and the rest of us stayed.  Mike's Dad took me and the boys mountain biking.  Wow, what an adventure!  Our legs were sure wobbly and our bums rather tender after our four hour ride.  But we couldn't wipe the smiles off our faces. 

Taking a break and eatin' lunch in the back of Tim's truck

Our favorite trail.  Not too easy but not too difficult.

 Caleb and I rode the paved downhill trail into Moab to finish our adventure. Jake joined us at Arches.  Tim dropped him off and picked us up at the Moab city entrance.  

The paved bike trail had a speed limit!

At Moab city entrance

While on our adventure, the girls stayed home with Grandma Kessel and Great Aunt Sherrill.  They put on makeup, did each other's hair and played games.  This was just what Michaela loves!  She loves pampering, she loves all things girly.  But I know both girls loved it.  That night I taught the kids how to play the card game, "I Doubt It" or also known as "B.S."  That provided us with plenty of laughter.

 Mike had to work through Thursday, too, so the boys, Grandpa Kessel and I stayed at camp while the rest of the gang went in to shop the town and have a bite to eat.

Tim and Jake playing wiffle ball at camp

 Friday, Mike drove back to Moab and we hiked to Mill Creek Waterfall.  We were able to bring both dogs.  At the waterfall I really enjoyed watching the dogs frolic in the water.  Another group showed up with their dog and all three romped and splashed.  Cap was particularly funny as he stole other dogs' sticks, hauled a 10 foot branch to shore and pounced on Chewy every chance he could get. 

We had to cross the creek two or three times.  Daddy always carried the girls so they wouldn't have to get wet.

Jake is trying to act like the water isn't cold.  Caleb didn't try to hide how cold it was.

Cap hauling a 10 foot stick to shore

Saturday we packed up and came home.  Our first camping trip in our trailer was a success!  We had a few kinks, like our water heater didn't work and will be fixed this week.  But the campground had showers and I just boiled water to wash the dishes.  I was able to figure out how to bake in the trailer oven--made a yummy coffee cake.  We slept well.  The dogs were able to stay with us and we didn't have to worry about finding someone to watch them or pay for boarding.  We got to camp right next to Mike's family so the kids were able to go visit Grandma and Grandpa whenever they chose and we got to eat all our dinners together.

In June, we are planning to take a trip back east for 3-4 weeks to see LDS church history sites, Washington D.C., New York and to stop and see friends.  After having a successful week long stay in our trailer gets us excited for our extended vacation.  We learned a lot of what works and what we may need to modify or add to the trailer to make things more comfortable.  I also drove with the trailer on for the first time--it was a little stressful.  But Mike was a great coach and very encouraging and patient.  He will probably still do a lot of the driving and I will be the co-pilot helping navigate us and keeping the kids happy.  But at least I can now give him a break.  He isn't every really good at relaxing and sleeping while in the passenger seat anyway so we make a great team.  I just feel so safe when he drives! Maybe with more experience I will feel more confident....

See my pursed concentrating stressed out lips?

Life is too short

Today was a sad day.  Caleb sat in his third period class without a teacher for fifteen minutes wondering what was going on.  The principal and the junior high counselors walked in the room.  Through tears, the principal informed the class the reason Mr. Thornton, who is Caleb's favorite teacher, wasn't there was because he was killed in a car accident on his way to work.  Caleb sent me a flurry of texts.  

My heart broke as I thought about this teacher and the positive influence he had been in Caleb's life last year and was fortunate enough to get him again this year.  Mr. Thornton and his wife had finally been able to adopt a baby last year. At back to school night he was just beaming as he talked about it to others who stopped to congratulate him.  

I was prepared to have Caleb come home emotional, understandably.  But he came home in a rather stable mood.  I watched him, wondering when all of his emotions were going to come out.  He kept searching the internet for news articles about Mr. Thornton's accident.  I finally gently closed the laptop and encouraged him to focus his energy on something that would uplift him.  He kept himself busy doing chores and going to scouts.  He walked in the door from scouts, threw on his roller blades and took off with his friends.  

But tonight, as I perched on his bed to tell him good night, the tears slowly made their way down his face and he buried his face into my chest, "Why, Mom?  Why did he have to die?"  Tears sprang to my eyes as well as I held him.  

"He was such a light in my life, Mom...."

"And you know what the last thing I said to him was????"

"I'll pass.  I'll pass.  Why did I say that?  Every day Mr. Thornton has this hat and draws out a student's name to say something and I told him, 'I'll pass.'"  

More tears, more questions and more if only's:  If he had just left his house a few minutes earlier he wouldn't have been involved in the seven car pile up on the freeway.  Why didn't God protect him? Oh, Mom, his poor wife!  His son will never know him. Why didn't I ever tell Mr. Thornton what he meant to me and how much he has done for me?

Finally, through his tear stained face, Caleb asked quietly, "Will you sing to me, Mom?"  Of course I would sing to him!  I curled up next to him and wrapped my arms around him.  As I sang about the Savior and how he would abide with us, I felt such a sense of gratitude that I have this deep soul named Caleb in our lives.  I feel honored to go through life with him and watch as he navigates these treacherous adolescent years.  How I love him!  How I hope that I remember how quickly life can be taken and to enjoy each day that I get with Caleb and the three other marvelous spirits in our home!  I am ever so grateful for our knowledge that we have a Savior that has truly suffered more than all of us and in turn comforts us as we go through such trying times.  I know that He is there always.  Always.  I have felt this peace through my darkest moments in my life.  It is this knowledge that helps me find comfort that Mr. Thornton's wife will not be left comfortless during this unfathomable time.  

New School Year 2017

The summer is gone.  I am not sure how I feel about it.  Two weeks ago, I was pretty sad it was ending.  Last night, as I turned off the lights to go to bed, I felt a sense that summer is never long enough.  But today as I waved goodbye to the kids and chatted with other moms, I felt happy and ready to move forward.

In my morning prayer, I fervently asked Heavenly Father to protect each child.  I prayed that Jake would make more friends and learn to like going to Sage Hills.  I prayed for Caleb, and that specifically he would be cloaked and shielded from the yuck that can be found in the world.  I prayed that Emily would feel peace and confidence as she embarks on this new all day school adventure and that Michaela would have the courage to continue being the sweet, friendly girl she is and notice those that need her friendship.  I love these little persons that have been placed in Mike's and my care as they grow into adulthood.

Last night, as is tradition as each school year embarks, Mike gave each child a father's blessing. For more information, click here.  At first, I was feeling a little cranky because Mike and I had a tiff that morning.  I almost said, "Maybe we shouldn't do it tonight."  I was worried my attitude may get in the way.  However, I decided, perhaps I needed it more than anyone.  We opened our family home evening with prayer and song and a short lesson from Michaela.  Then, Mike gave a blessing to each child as directed by the Holy Ghost.  I felt such peace and warmth and love as Mike gave counsel, guidance, and invoked blessings particular to each child's circumstances.  Caleb's blessing focused on encouraging him to never shy away from who he is and to never be afraid to succeed.  There was no end to what he can accomplish, that there will be those who may try to stop him but to hold to the love of his family and to what he knows is right. Jacob's encouraged him to refrain from judging and be willing to learn and try new things and he will be a shining light and example to others and to have fun, to watch over his sisters and see to their safety.

Michaela's main message was to encourage her to reach out to those who are afraid and scared and she would be blessed to make new friends that would feel of her warmth and love.  As she worked hard she would continue to pick up her math.

Emily's was blessed to strengthen her friendships and that her wonderful personality would shine through and that she would find comfort in that.

I wish I could convey the immense love that filled the room among all of us.  I am so so grateful for Mike, for his goodness and how he leads our family.  That stupid tiff that had happened earlier in the day was forgotten and I was filled with gratitude that we all get to journey through life together. As a young girl I fretted that I wouldn't be able to have a family, that I wouldn't have the opportunity to be married or perhaps not have children. Or perhaps that if I did get married it wouldn't be happy and we would end in divorce.  I think most children worry about it--but I did particularly because of coming from a broken home. That's only natural.  But all of my dreams have come true and it is because I crossed paths with Michael Timothy Kessel.  I am so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ that has solidifies our marriage and our relationships with our children.  It provides opportunities for us as a family like last night, that remind us of how much we love each other.  Hugs were given all around when we were finished, there was no squabbling.  It was a great way to start off the school year!

You can tell how much Emily was feeling the love.  This was her throughout everyone else's blessings.

First day of 8th grade for this guy

Emily is in 1st, Jake in 5th and Michaela in 4th.

Kids from the 'hood that walked together this morning.  Love where we live.

Birthdays, Retirement Party, School is out!

Since my last post, we have celebrated Caleb's 13th birthday, attended Tim Kessel's Department Retirement Party, attended an orchestra concert, dance recital, dance festival and welcomed the school-year's end.

Caleb took a group of friends to a space simulator for his birthday.  There was lots of planning and discussion about whether or not he wanted to invite girls to his party.  It was mostly revolved around one girl he has been friends with since second grade but knew he couldn't just invite her, so he selected two of her friends to come with her and four other guy friends.  When I picked them up from the space simulator, they chatted the whole way home about the experience.  They seemed to have a memorable time.

The next day, Mike and I headed down to California to attend his father's fire department retirement party.  It was magnificent to get away together just the two of us! We biked along the beach, went to the movies, slept in, played board games and just relaxed.  Many thanks to my mom who willingly stayed at home to watch the kids.  It was heartwarming to see the kids hold on to the car's passenger side as we were leaving for the trip asking me, "Mom, couldn't you just stay home and Dad could go?"  Oh, and to be woken up one morning  at 6 AM by a panicked teenager not able to find something for school made.  All this made me feel very loved and missed.  It's good for the kids and Mom to take a break from each other.

May was a busy end of school year time.  Caleb and Jake wrapped up their soccer seasons.  Caleb had his final orchestra concert.  He has done well in his first year at playing the violin.  He was made first chair of intermediate orchestra.  Pretty impressive.  The girls had their final dance recital.  We are so fortunate to have a talented dance instructor in our neighborhood.  She choreographs the dances and designs most of the costumes.  The girls have certainly enjoyed their first year of dance.

The elementary age kids had a dance festival at school.  It's always fun to watch them dance to pop music with their classes and teachers.  This year has been one of the kids' biggest adjustments with transferring schools.  Michaela has made the adjustment smoothly--in fact, it benefited her the most.  She flourished under Mrs. Wilbur's encouragement in math and mastered her multiplication facts and made several good friends.  Last year, there were lots and lots of tears shed over schoolwork between us.  Mike and I pondered and discussed a great deal about what to do and if we should transfer the kids to the neighborhood school and pull them out of Spanish. It was heart-wrenching for me to tell the kids, drop them off their first day; spend each night that first week wiping tears and holding them as they sorrowed over the adjustment.  Jake had a particularly difficult time and still mourns over it.  He was blessed with a good teacher this year, fortunately.  I pray that Jake will eventually understand that loving your children often involves making difficult decisions, even when you know that at first, it will cause some emotional pain but be better in the long run.

I digress.  Let's get back to what the Kessel family did these last six weeks. As I ran from activity to activity, I also put in more of our backyard landscaping.  Mike helped me dig eight tree holes.  What I could accomplish in one hour, he did in less than fifteen minutes.  Sigh.

The boys, desperate to get the dilapidated trampoline replaced, took the old one apart and put the new one up, ALL ON THEIR OWN.  I anxiously watched over my shoulder while they did it, and thought perhaps they were going to give up a few times, but they persevered and succeeded.

It is very important to me to help our children become independent, contributing members of society.  That is why I allowed them to dive in to the trampoline project.  They need to feel the sweet sense of accomplishment that comes from doing hard things.  That is also why I am going to have them cook one meal a week during the summer.  Caleb was the first one, starting today.  He made clam chowder and baking powder biscuits.  I stayed close by and jumped in when the milk was about to burn, but otherwise, he did most of it on his own and it was delicious.  I want them to feel confident about their ability to take care of themselves when they fly from the nest.  It is very rewarding, as a parent to watch them grow and to develop their abilities.

We have spent our first week of summer vacation.  It has been delicious.  It has been relaxing and there hasn't been too much sibling fighting.  I. LOVE. SUMMER. VACATION!  LOVE I-T!!! I love the laziness to do whatever and whenever we want as a family.  We eat breakfast late or early.  We sleep in.  We head to the pool.  We camp.  We hike.  We are just together.  It's the best.

And that, my folks, has been our last six or seven weeks.  I hope all of you have some relaxing, lazy summer plans, like us.  I am going to milk every last drop of this summer by just being.

Here are some pictures of our activities:

Celebrating Caleb's birthday.  Love all his freckles

The birthday party gang

Cap keeps me laughing every single day

Mike and I riding along the beach--it was so good for the soul

Funny pictures from the retirement party

Caleb's orchestra concert--he is directly left of the conductor.  It made my momma heart swell when he led the orchestra in tuning their instruments as first chair.

Some of Caleb's soccer team.  Wish I had gotten one of Jake's team. He had a great season, had some awesome saves as the keeper and really developed his footwork on the field.

Girls' dance recital.  Mike came right from the fire station.

Emily's school dance

Jake's school dance

Michaela's class dance

Our kindergarten graduate

For my birthday, Mike and I hiked up some of the Timpanogos trail--until we hit too much snow to continue on.

I had to take this picture because Mike was always in the lead, testing the snow, making footholds for me so I wouldn't slip down the mountain.  Sigh. I just love his guts so much.  I would follow him anywhere.

The boys' finished product! (See the two new trees off to the right?)

Caleb's homemade dinner--scrumptious

Musings

Yesterday, April 12th, 2017 was a very busy day.  I loads of laundry, vacuuming dishes to do.  I needed to prepare for a presidency meeting, shuttle kids to activities and hold a 3 hour presidency meeting.  I fell in to bed and was asleep in seconds.  I just wanted to take a few seconds and document a few experiences that I had.  First, Sandi Dodge dropped by a dozen yummy rolls--just because.  Here is a recent widow who lost her husband tragically and is serving me.  Me, just an average mom.  Then I had the opportunity to serve someone that needed some assistance and see how this humble, passionate person expressed gratitude for the trials she was experiencing and the growth she has experienced.  Next, Sandi shot me a text in the morning asking what she could do for me today and then called and offered to help me shuttle kids to and from their activities! 

Truly, I am brought to tears with gratitude to have the opportunity to learn from such Christlike, humble, loving, compassionate people.  There is so so much good in the world. 

This morning, I braided hair, made scrambled eggs, poured glasses of milk, washed dishes, helped with homework, pumped up bike tires and kissed cheeks as they rode off to school.  This is all possible because of Mike's dedication as our provider and protector.  I'm so grateful he's mine.

 

Caleb worked hard to become certified as a soccer ref.  Last time he reffed his first game.  He was so cute and "official" I juast had to snap a picture.  Man, my boy is growing too fast.

 

While dropping Caleb off to ref, I swung by to pick up Jake's glasses that had come in.  He is nervous about wearing them, but he looks so studious, or Clark Kentish, don't you think?

 

Sure love this lady and glad she moved here.  She has impacted my life in a huge way in such a short time that I have known her.

February 2017 happenings

February 2017 was an emotional month, mostly for me.

It started off with our church congregation boundaries being reorganized.  This happens when our congregation reaches 600 members or so.  Three congregations were reorganized into four.  With the new reorganizing all leaders are released and new ones called.  I knew this reorganizing was going to be needed as we live in a newly developing area and families were moving in about 3-4 a month.  But what I wasn't prepared for was how I would feel when I was no longer the Relief Society president over the women in our ward.

Sunday, February 5th, I attended church having been told it was the day the new boundaries would be announced.  I walked into our sacrament meeting the Relief Society President and left not being the President. I wasn't surprised or sad--at first.

But the next day, emptiness enveloped me and occupied my thoughts frequently.  I knew about a ward member's health condition.  Gerry Dodge was going to be scheduled very soon for surgery. I contacted, Sandi, his wife, to get an update.  Friday, the intensive heart bypass and valve replacement surgery was scheduled.  I hung up the phone and paced the floor.  Who did I call to have help available to Sandi should she need it?  Normally, it would be the Relief Society president.  But we didn't have a Relief Society president.  Should I call the one day old Bishop and lay this in his already burdened lap as he began to call new leaders for the various ward organizations? I didn't want to burden him further. I paced some more.  I said a silent prayer and the thought came to just send a text to him and his two counselors with the basic details of the surgery.  I shot off the text and felt relief when they responded with deep felt gratitude for the information.

As the week went on, the emptiness remained and I yearned to feel closure.  I pleaded silently for help in letting go and moving on.

 But the emptiness wouldn't leave.  One night I finally broke down in tears to Mike expressing my sadness and yearning to move forward.  It helped some, but in the morning I found myself in my closet on my knees asking for help. After the emotion was all spent I got up and walked into the kitchen.  I received a phone call from the Bishop's secretary asking if Mike and I could meet with him that night.

That night, I was asked if I would serve as the Relief Society president over our newly formed congregation.  Peace replaced the emptiness. The next 24 hours,  I pondered who I could ask the Bishop to consider as my counselors.  I felt at peace about calling all the same women to serve who had served with me previously.

Through the weekend I checked with Sandi on Gerry's progress.  The surgery was longer than they expected. He had a rough few days but then was doing better.  Tuesday, Valentine's Day, we had our
traditional red velvet pancakes as a family.  I did heart shaped hairdos on the girls and began to do my daily household chores after the kids left for school.

Mid morning, I received a phone call from Sandi's daughter letting me know Gerry's heart had stopped. They were putting him on life support, were waiting for the last daughter to arrive from out of town and the were going to say goodbye.

I fell in a heap on the floor, crying.  No, no, he had been doing better!  They had just moved here from Texas right before Thanksgiving and did not know too many people in our neighborhood yet.  Fortunately, all of Sandi's family lives here in Utah and I knew she wouldn't be entirely alone, but I didn't want Sandi to feel that her neighbors did not care about her.  I dropped Emily off at school and jetted to the hospital.  My mom agreed to come and meet the kids after school until I got home since Mike was working.

I sat with Sandi and her family in the heart intensive care waiting room while they waited to hear about Gerry's condition.  They were given a small glimmer of hope that maybe Gerry was still alive. A few times doctors and nurses came out to give small updates.  But mostly we all sat.  I got to know Sandi's sweet, wonderful family in the six hours I sat with them.  Such dear, dear people!  As dinner time approached, I needed to leave.  As I drove on the freeway, the tears fell in sorrow for Sandi and what seemed like the inevitable especially on Valentine's day.  Mike called me to see how I was doing and I poured my heart out to him.  "Hey, where are you right now?"

Me, "I'm at 90th South, why?"

"Why don't you get off at the next exit and meet me at my station?"

Feeling Mike's arms around me after the emotional day sounded wonderful so I got off and in a few minutes I pulled up to Station_______ to see my uniform clad husband grilling steaks on the grill.  He wrapped his arms around me as I got out of the van, kissed me and I held on to him and his aftershave smell.  He took me by the hand and led me into the bay (where the fire engine is kept).  A long table with mismatching tableware and chairs were set up.  Mike turned to me, kissed me and said, "Happy Valentine's Day."   My heart couldn't hold anymore emotion and I started crying all over again.  He pulled me into his lap and I held him.  Tears fell for Sandi and her loss.  Tears fell in gratitude that I had my husband to hold.  Tears fell in realization it hadn't been too far in the past that my husband had had his own heart health issues, but we had been blessed to still have our husband and father in our life, but Sandi and her children did not.  When the tears no longer fell, I sat in my own chair and Mike dished me up a simple, yet delicious meal.  For a short, sweet fifteen minutes we enjoyed eating and talking about the day.  I knew I really needed to get home and relieve my mom, so I lingered for one more hug, one more kiss and my voice muffled in his shirt as I said, "I love you, Miggy.  How I love you."

The next week entailed helping organize an after funeral family luncheon.  Our church congregation poured in with food to the Dodge's.  Sandi was mostly a stranger to them, but they buoyed her and showed love and compassion.

As I have reflected back on these events I am humbled and grateful to have been a part of all of it.  Sandi was so strong through all of it.  She opened her heart to me and allowed me to serve her, and became a dear friend over night.  I am grateful for many many tender mercies that I witnessed: that just a few short months after moving here where she would be surrounded by her sisters and brother, her husband passed from this life; that she didn't have to go through this hearth wrenching experience with a new Relief Society president, although, with Sandi's openness, she would have made a friend out of her just as she did me.  I got to witness such Christ-like love from our ward members as they reached out to Sandi, a stranger, and took her in.  People are just so good!

Mostly, I am grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ.  With that comes the knowledge that Gerry's spirit lives on and is waiting for his companion to join him when it is her time.  I am grateful for the knowledge of the Resurrection, that some day we will all get to be resurrected, whole, and be together with our loved ones forever.  While this knowledge certainly doesn't remove the sadness we feel in this earthly life, it does remove some of the sting of death.  And I am grateful for my calling as the Relief Society president.  Because of this opportunity, I have been a witness to people's goodness, to their strength, to their love and their inner greatness.  While I have been asked to serve, it is I who is blessed.

Mundane activities, extraordinary moments

This week has been a relatively quiet week.  The kids had their usual extracurricular activities, choir, dance, scouts and Jake started up indoor soccer.  Due to bad weather, one of Mike's AirMed shifts was cancelled and was able to be home unexpectedly, which is always nice. Due to this, he was able to take the boys shoe shopping and to get haircuts while I took Michaela out for a Mommy/Daughter date to dinner and a movie on Friday.  Saturday, a neighbor and friend's daughter got married and Michaela and I attended the wedding reception.

On the way home from the reception, Michaela spoke to me about her feelings regarding marriage.  She expressed her concerns that she hoped she would be able to marry the "right one."  It was an opportunity to discuss how it's important to date a lot of people and take time in making this very important decision.  We were also able to discuss that even after getting marriage, it takes a lot of effort, effort that is worth it, but takes a lot of work.  I explained that the first few years of Daddy's and my marriage were very difficult and we had several conflicts but we both worked very hard to get through them.  She expressed, "But you guys never really argue."  I explained, "But yes, we used to before you were born.  What you see now is that we have worked through most of our issues and have a very solid marriage."  I was grateful for this impromptu talk and the time I had to spend alone with her.  It reminded me that I need to be always prepared and seize these parent teaching moments with our children.  They can't be planned and scripted.  I have to be ready and available so that they can happen.

But what I mostly wanted to document this week, was an experience I don't want to forget.  Tuesday morning I was saying my morning prayers and asked, "Heavenly Father, who can I help today?" Sue McCombs popped into my head.  I am her visiting teacher and had made an appointment to go see her on Thursday to visit and see how she was doing.  I tried to rationalize that it was silly that Sue was the one I needed to help because I was going to see her in two days.  So I prayed again and again her name popped into my head.  I got up and went about making breakfast for the kids and pondered on this.  I couldn't shake the thought of helping Sue so I sent her a text message.  Surprisingly, she wrote back saying she had been thinking of me and wondered if there was anything she could do for me.  Immediately, what came to mind was a situation I was having with someone.  I didn't want to go into details so I asked Sue to pray for me.  Sue decided to come over and we chatted for about an hour.  She has been a Relief Society president and was able to offer advice that no one else could have offered.  I felt a lot better after she left.  This experience has taught me that God is aware of each of us and loves each of us and yearns to help us be happy.

Interestingly, on Thursday, Sue got sick and had to cancel our visiting teaching appointment so I wouldn't have been able to visit with her on the day we had planned.




On a lighter note, Caleb sure keeps things funny and interesting around here!







Not only does he comically dress the dogs, but he keeps me rolling with laughter during family games.  For Family Night, he chose to play Guesstures, a charade type game.  He had four words to act out in one minute and the first thing he did was pull down his pants including his boxers and strip naked.  I was so shocked I couldn't speak, but Michaela yelled, "Naked!" He gave her a thumbs up and he quickly pulled up his pants, rolled them up and acted out swimming for "swimming trunks."  I could hardly breathe from laughing--tears rolled down my cheeks.  Sure love that boy and the craziness he brings to our lives.