second annual spring break of service

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There was a talk recently given by Elder Bednar that suggested that we need to "create" our day the way that Heavenly Father and Jesus created the Earth. He said it would take planning, preparation, prayer and a lot of work. I applied this principle to our second annual "spring break of service" and the result was . . .

Monday was our best day. Tony had the day off so we got up early and made the kids breakfast in bed. It was fun to see their faces light up when we walked in with muffins and sausage and the two of us got eat breakfast together and do scriptures without kids! We spent the rest of the morning scouring the house for things to give away. This resulted in a tidy house and three bags to give to the goodwill. We made dinner for a family that just lost their little boy in a drowning accident and spent the rest of the afternoon cleaning up trash along the roadside. After our reward icecream cones at the pharmacy, we delivered the meal to the family. Wilson was very upset and insistent that the kids stay in the car so we didn't flaunt the fact that we still had children and they didn't. It was a surprising show of empathy and resulted in a good discussion about grieving.

Tuesday our yardwork project got snowed out so we spent some time at the nursing home. We need to do that more often; it was a little difficult for the kids. We spent the afternoon indulging in our first experience ever at Kentucky Fried Chicken (may it also be our last) and going to the movie Monsters Vs Aliens. As we left the theatre, we bought four ticket, left them at the counter, then hid in our car to watch who we thought might get them. The kids were so excited but insisted that next year we stay in the lobby so we can see the recipients faces! That night we raised the roof with a family dance. We were truly bustin' some sweet moves and Eliza and Daddy were a fabulous ballroom dancing team.

Wednesday morning we all had our teeth cleaned (or pulled in Cooper's case). We delivered Meals on Wheels in Colfax then divided for the afternoon. Cooper collected cans of food for the food bank with the cub scouts, Wilson participated in a youth service project and the little kids and I spent the afternoon at the Hymas' house coloring alphabet books for the humanitarian effort. We spent a lovely evening at the Wilkenson's playing with Patty's awesome toy stash, building tool boxes and eating a delicious Quinoa salad and BBQ hotdogs.

Thursday was once again snowy white and I felt my momentum waning. Again our outdoor work project had to be cancelled so Wilson took Max to the gun club to shoot BB guns while Eliza played with a friend and Cooper baked sugar cookies. That afternoon we went to deliver cookies to Grandma in Cheney and went swimming at the University pool. It was a fairly painful experience as there was no shallow end which meant that three of my kids had to be worn like jewelry around my neck the whole time. As an extra bonus, Marcos was in a horrifyingly shrieking mood and I finally resorted to dunking him every time he uttered his glass- shattering -ear -piercing- scream. The primary benefit of the pool endeavor was that bedtime was easy due to worn out kids.

Friday we ditched Marcos with a babysitter and headed for Spokane. We did a 15 minute service project for Grandma Sue (one of the most successful activities we did because it kept everyones attention the whole time). Then we did a Costco run (only $220.00 over budget) and spent the rest of the afternoon at the Ronald McDonald House baking cookies. My big boys really enjoyed this activity and I would love to take them again to make a dinner some time. It did not go so well with the little kids who spent the time pawing through the cupboards and drawer, filling up rubber gloves with bubbles and water and playing "servant" a game where Eliza hits Max with a spatula and orders him around. I am going to have to nix this game in public for obvious racial reasons.

One realization I had this afternoon was that when the little kids do something to embarrass the big boys in public they don't know what to do. They attempt to resolve the situation by discreetly jabbing or pinching the offender which only escalates the behavior. I was glad for this realization and think we'll spend some time learning how to deal with embarrassing siblings in public places. Wouldn't hurt me to develop some skills with dealing with embarrasing teenagers in social settings as well.

Our final service hurrah this afternoon was another highlight of the week. Tony was on call so I took the kids to clean the church while Wilson attended the priesthood session. While we cleaned, we baked brownies to serve to the men after the session. They seemed surprised and genuinely delighted to have a treat. We concluded the whole week with a grease fest at Zips--bacon burgers, fries, onion rings and shakes. This whole week has been a little hard on our arteries, but what the heck.

So was the spring break planning, preparing, praying and work worth it? We still had the occasional low moments this week of fighting, disrespect, impatience and ingratitude (parents and kids). The weather really was as crappy as possible. We were not translated to join the city of Enoch. But, there seemed to be a little greater understanding when we read King Benjamin's words about service. And there were brief periods of total family unity. Our service vacation did cost a lot less than our average vacation (would have been way less had we skipped Costco). Like perennials in my garden the first year we try something our success is small. The second year it builds and hopefully by the third and and fourth year the pattern has been set, the tradition established and Spring Break of Service develops momentum and becomes an activity we anticipate for months. As my kids get older I hope they will be more involved in the planning and preparation. My goal to spend spring break in Guatemala on a medical mission as a family will serve as a great motivator for years to come.