Let me say that I love Cub Scouts. I didn't know that I was going to love Cub Scouts my whole life. It was a skill I was taught in Plano, Texas 4th ward (and I had some very good teachers/mentors.)
Years before when Gary pronounced the "name and blessing" on Scott, he talked about the importance of Scouting in Scott's life and the leaders he would have. At that time, lots of our friends commented to me that I better get ready to be a den mother. My mom had been a den leader and so I had always thought that if you had boys you "got" to be a den mother (Now of course I realize that many moms haven't had that chance. I feel sorry for you.) So I didn't worry about it. I did have a chance to be a den mother for both Scott and Ben and I am so happy about that. I loved it (most days anyway.) Scott's den mother was my first Scout calling and that begun my adventures and love of Scouting. This is the background for this Cub Scout moment----
Last Friday we attend the wedding reception for Chris Martin and his soon to be bride Karen. Martins are friends of ours from Texas which means we have know each other a long time about 20 years to be exact. Chris is their 7 out of 8 kids and just younger than Ben. He would have been 9 years old, give or take, when we moved to Utah. He may have seen us once or twice in the past 15 years but I did not expect him to remember us. We were attending the Orem open house to see his parents, our dear friends, Gemie and Jerry and to celebrate this happy occasion in their lives.
As we approached Chris and Karen in the receiving line, I reached out my hand and prepared to introduce us to Chris. Immediately when he turned and recognized me, he smiled and reached out to hug me. Calling me by name, he introduced me to Karen. I told him that I was surprised he remembered me. He said, "You were my Cub Scout leader, right?" Right!
And that is why I love Cub Scouts!!!
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Friday, August 17, 2012
"Empty-nester" practice
Now that our little trial in "empty-nesting" has been concluded, it is now safe to talk about it. With Ben moving to his new apartment on August 3 and Tosha with friends, Gary and I became empty nesters for a few days when Jena headed off for Girls Camp on August 7th. We tried not to make a big deal out of it because 1-we wanted to enjoy quiet time together; 2- we didn't want our kids to feel sad that we were happy to be alone (after all we love all of them to pieces and are so glad that they came into our lives starting over 29 years ago) and 3-it is just bad luck to talk too much about stuff like that before it happens. I am not one who is afraid of being left alone with Gary for the rest of my life. I actually can't think of anyone else I would rather be with. :) We actually will likely never have the traditional "empty nesters" experience anyway so we will grab our moments when they happen.
The Report:
Tuesday--After dropping Jena and some other friends off at Camp Woodland (our stake camp about an hour away, I arrived home to an empty house--very unusual for me since Gary is usually here working even if the kids are off somewhere. Gary had left for bowling league and I enjoyed 2 hours of quiet in the house. I then headed to the bowling alley to watch Gary bowl (something I usually can't do because I need to take Jena to and from YW). Afterwards, he and I bowled a couple of games and headed home............and arrived to two very wet and muddy dogs!! Some how they had knocked a pool hose off and mud and water were everywhere. Luckily none had come into the basement nor flooded our neighbors but we spent the next couple of hours cleaning the dogs, the mess in the house, and block off the muddy areas of the yard. Day 1.
Wednesday--Spent the day rearranging things in the bedrooms downstairs. I moved all of my scrapbooks and family history stuff into the small bedroom which had been Ben's and made the other bedroom just the guest and exercise room. My sister in law and her four kids were coming on Friday for the weekend so it was a good motivation to get that done. I was exhausted by the end of that day but both rooms looked ready for company.
Thursday--I had a day filled with errands and appointments. That night I helped with a bridal shower. Gary was busy with work and helping his mom.
Friday--My vacuum didn't work which is always annoying when you are getting ready for company. I had told Ben that I would take him shopping to get pictures for his apartment. I was walking out the door to the car when I fell and hurt my foot.....which is how our time together ended. Gary picked Jena up at 5 p.m. from Girls Camp and immediately when she got home, Gary and I headed off to the doctor's office.
It was one of those weeks where there was so much on our calendar that it was probably a good thing Jena was at Girls Camp. Otherwise it would have been very boring for her. It wasn't the candlelight dinners, I imagined, and I certainly didn't plan to end the week with a broken foot, but it is probably how life will be for us. With or without kids at home, life is busy. It is just another of the many changes of life which we all should expect---life is always changeable and filled with family, friends, and adventures. TO LIFE....broken foot and all.
The Report:
Tuesday--After dropping Jena and some other friends off at Camp Woodland (our stake camp about an hour away, I arrived home to an empty house--very unusual for me since Gary is usually here working even if the kids are off somewhere. Gary had left for bowling league and I enjoyed 2 hours of quiet in the house. I then headed to the bowling alley to watch Gary bowl (something I usually can't do because I need to take Jena to and from YW). Afterwards, he and I bowled a couple of games and headed home............and arrived to two very wet and muddy dogs!! Some how they had knocked a pool hose off and mud and water were everywhere. Luckily none had come into the basement nor flooded our neighbors but we spent the next couple of hours cleaning the dogs, the mess in the house, and block off the muddy areas of the yard. Day 1.
Wednesday--Spent the day rearranging things in the bedrooms downstairs. I moved all of my scrapbooks and family history stuff into the small bedroom which had been Ben's and made the other bedroom just the guest and exercise room. My sister in law and her four kids were coming on Friday for the weekend so it was a good motivation to get that done. I was exhausted by the end of that day but both rooms looked ready for company.
Thursday--I had a day filled with errands and appointments. That night I helped with a bridal shower. Gary was busy with work and helping his mom.
Friday--My vacuum didn't work which is always annoying when you are getting ready for company. I had told Ben that I would take him shopping to get pictures for his apartment. I was walking out the door to the car when I fell and hurt my foot.....which is how our time together ended. Gary picked Jena up at 5 p.m. from Girls Camp and immediately when she got home, Gary and I headed off to the doctor's office.
It was one of those weeks where there was so much on our calendar that it was probably a good thing Jena was at Girls Camp. Otherwise it would have been very boring for her. It wasn't the candlelight dinners, I imagined, and I certainly didn't plan to end the week with a broken foot, but it is probably how life will be for us. With or without kids at home, life is busy. It is just another of the many changes of life which we all should expect---life is always changeable and filled with family, friends, and adventures. TO LIFE....broken foot and all.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
The Garden
I am not a gardener, but we did manage to add a few more touches to our crazy backyard. This continues to be a work in progress but the flowers are beautiful.
Jena is posing with our first carrot. I don't think our garden boxes are quite deep enough for our carrots as they all have a "J" form. Picked several red peppers today but my tomatoes aren't quite ready to be picked and made into salsa--my goal when I planted the peppers.
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| Our new orange gate--I know it is quirky but I like it. |
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| Flowers lining our sidewalk |
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| I love sunflowers and have three or four different types in the backyard. The finches love them. |
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| Our square garden. |
And the fun times keep rolling...
or hopping in my case.
After living my whole life without breaking a bone, I fell on Friday and managed to break one. I walked out of my house into the garage and missed a step. I went flyng on to the hood of my car and slipped to the floor. No major damage (except to my phone which fell into three pieces. Fortunately I put it together after climbing after the piece on the floor and it worked. ) I called Gary in his office to come and help me off the garage floor. I thought I had twisted my foot and headed off shopping with Ben for pictures for his new apartment. After a couple of hours, my foot started hurting much worse so I headed home to stick it in ice. When that didn't help that much, we went to the doctor and sure enough I had broken off a piece of bone in my foot. I am now in a walking cast for 4-6 weeks...not the way I watned to spend the last weeks of summer---no swimming, no bowling, etc.
After living my whole life without breaking a bone, I fell on Friday and managed to break one. I walked out of my house into the garage and missed a step. I went flyng on to the hood of my car and slipped to the floor. No major damage (except to my phone which fell into three pieces. Fortunately I put it together after climbing after the piece on the floor and it worked. ) I called Gary in his office to come and help me off the garage floor. I thought I had twisted my foot and headed off shopping with Ben for pictures for his new apartment. After a couple of hours, my foot started hurting much worse so I headed home to stick it in ice. When that didn't help that much, we went to the doctor and sure enough I had broken off a piece of bone in my foot. I am now in a walking cast for 4-6 weeks...not the way I watned to spend the last weeks of summer---no swimming, no bowling, etc.
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