Cub Scout Adventures

At the beginning of the year I was asked to help with the cub scout program in my ward. We live in an older neighborhood, and right now we only have 2 boys in the program. They are delightful, and I am enjoying this assignment. We started out with a pinewood derby, and since we have so few boys, there wasn't a lot of competition, but they and their younger siblings and dads had fun racing their cars.

Pinewood Derby

At the fire station

Then, a few weeks ago, we visited a local fire station. Fireman Gary showed us around the station,  taught us the difference between fire trucks and engines (engines have water tanks), showed us his gear, let the boys try them on, and talked about fire prevention. Just as he finished putting his gear away, they received an emergency call and had to leave. The boys watched with wide eyes as the firefighters sprang into action, and left the station with sirens blaring. It was a good reminder about how important it is to be prepared for emergencies.
Fireman Gary also talked at some length about working together with other firefighters and fire stations to put out fires. As he put it, "we can't put out a fire alone. We work as a team to control fires and to help those who need help." And so it is with mental health issues. We have learned how important it is to work with each other and the doctors to control David's illness. It's important to have a mental health team to maintain mental health.


Update on the family: We've been happy that David hasn't had a serious psychotic episode this winter, but he has had his share of ups and downs. Right now he is working through a mixed episode, likely triggered by worrying about money and my health (I've been fighting a nasty sinus infection for the last several weeks).
His doctor prescribed Perphenazine toward the end of January. An anti-psychotic drug, it seems to be doing its job. David says his dreams and moods aren't as dark since he's been using it, and he's sleeping better. However, as with most medicines, it also has possible side effects, which is why it is so important that he keep seeing his dr. and having his blood checked.
Soldier Brian and his family welcomed their new baby, Henry this week. We also had grandchildren Brad and Gabby spend a weekend with us, and had fun taking them on a walk along the river, and having some neighbor children over. Our house felt alive again with the noise of children laughing and running around. I find that we are more patient with the grandchildren than we were with their parents. I suppose because we don't have the day-to-day responsibility for them, but also because we're aware of how fast children grow up, and this time with them is precious.