THANK YOU!!!

I cannot express my gratitude enough to all of you who signed up for cards. As I was finishing up the cards I couldn’t help but think of all of the people that this project will affect and I couldn’t have done it without your help. I am amazed. Thank you again for taking part.

And just a note to those of you who wanted to pay your own postage . . .I know every single one of you are capable of paying postage, but this is my little service project so I’m providing postage:). I just wanted to make it as easy as possible and sometimes a trip to the post office for stamps can delay sending for a few days (unless you are all better than me). But you can pay it forward :).

Thanks again for being willing to make a difference in the world.

And the winners are. . . .

As promised, 3 random people will receive a layout. Chandler and I had a quick drawing this morning for the winners. I know the pictures are blurry, but we were in too big of a hurry for me to switch to the macro lens, but I think you can still detect the winners. I will be contacting the winners in a few days with details. I will also post pictures of the layouts when I get them finished.

Without further adieu, the winners are: (click on the pictures to read the names)

Congratulations!!

The Power of One

In preface. . . this entry has been in my mind since the onset of this blog. It has grown from a small idea to a much larger one and I feel like it is finally time to share. This is going to be a long post, so hopefully you’ll read the whole thing and would like to join me in a challenge at the end.

To start off I’d like to quote President Monson: “We do not live alone—in our city, our nation, or our world. There is no dividing line between our prosperity and our neighbor’s wretchedness. “Love thy neighbor” is more than a divine truth. It is a pattern for perfection. This truth inspires the familiar charge “Go forth to serve.” Try as some of us may, we cannot escape the influence our lives have upon the lives of others. Ours is the opportunity to build, to lift, to inspire, and indeed to lead.”

Personally, I think this will be one of President Monson’s themes. Since he’s become prophet, I’ve listened to quite a few of his talks and they all carry the theme of the power of one individual to serve and do his part. Think about the power of one for a minute. One person can make such a difference. I’m sure that you can, right off the top of your head, think of many people who have caused a defining moment for you, lifted your spirits, offered charitable service, or have had a tremendous influence on you for good. And in most cases what they did was such a small thing. Let me give you a few examples from our lives.

Almost two years ago at a scout camp, a man in our ward, Brother McKenna, asked Cache in a casual conversation if he had ever considered earning all of the merit badges. At the time, Cache had 37 merit badges, which is more than most boys ever earn (21 is required for the Eagle) so he could have easily been finished. Whether he was serious or not, I do not know, but he planted a seed. That small conversation changed our lives and our posterity’s lives forever. Because of it, our family has experienced and learned things we wouldn’t have otherwise. Cache’s children and grandchildren will be forever influenced because of his experiences and growth through earning merit badges. The power of this man’s comment is amazing.

One more quick example. . . .I had been teaching for just under a month and was feeling severely overloaded. I was also starting to struggle with my confidence, especially about whether I should follow the curriculum exactly or focus more on meeting the kids’ learning needs. One day after school another teacher walked into my room and took interest in a few things I had on my wall. She was the first teacher to ever visit my room and take interest in me. Her compliments of a few of my methods gave me confidence that I sorely needed at the time. It also started a series of discussions about the current programs we were using and how to change them to meet the students’ needs. She became all the difference in me developing from a mediocre teacher into a good one. But more than that, we became quick friends. Her influence on me still is so powerful. (Thanks, Amy!)

So who has made a difference in your life? I know you have thought of a few people. Is it a teacher, a friend, a neighbor, a co-worker, a relative? Have you ever thanked that person for being in the right place at the right time doing the right thing that made such a difference in your life? Do you know how much power YOU have to make a difference in their life by expressing your gratitude? Keep those thoughts in mind for a minute. . . .

Now let me turn this around a little. Can you think of someone who could use encouragement? Can you think of someone who is lonely? Can you think of someone who could use a friend? Do you know the power YOU have to make a difference by sending them a note of encouragement or love?

In this day of mass communication and email, there isn’t much like receiving a nice, hand written note via snail mail. Think of how a handwritten note stands out as a real treasure amongst the mountainish pile of junk mail we all receive daily—especially a handwritten note of appreciation for you. So I’m challenging YOU to make a difference. And I’m going to help. I have made 50 cards (as usual, click to enlarge). I’m going to send cards and stamped envelopes to the first 50 people who sign up for them. (for my international readers, you are more than welcome to order cards, I just won’t be able to provide proper postage.) Think about the difference this is going to make! I hope YOU will want to participate.

I need to say here, just as a side note, that as I have been planning this post and these cards, there have been times I have felt such strong fear of doing this. . .fear of what others would think of me, fear that no one would want to participate, fear that this is just a plain-‘ole-stupid idea, fear that it will draw too much attention to myself when I don’t want it etc. You name it, I’ve worried about it. But if there is something I’ve learned about fear. . .that when it is most intense, it is because Satan is trying very hard to stop you from doing something that God wants you to do. And so, I’m going forward regardless of my fears. I hope that you too will rise above any fear and send a card. I promise it will make a difference to someone.

I realize that 50 is a very large number especially considering the size of my reader-audience, but I have faith that you will rise to the occasion. . . . but to help my faith along, there are a few external things I’m throwing in :). First, I’m not going to make another post until all 50 cards are gone. . .mostly because I want this entry to stay at the top until they’ve all got a destination. I will make comments to this post as necessary so if you want to keep tabs on this project you’ll have to check there. Second, when you order cards, your name will go in a drawing for a scrapbook page—me scrapbooking your pictures for you. If you sign up for more than one card, your name goes into the drawing for the number of cards you order. I will give away 3 layouts. If you win a layout, you can either choose a regular paper layout or one for the wall (either 8 ½” x 11” or 12” x 12”). (See photo for sample wall layouts.) I also completely understand that you wouldn’t want this perk, and if that be the case, just mention it when ordering your card and you will be passed by. Also, I’m well aware that I’m not the world’s greatest scrapbooker, so I can’t guarantee that you’ll love my work, but I can assure you that it will be better than a poke in the eye :).

So if you would like to participate with me in making a difference in the world, leave me a comment telling me how many cards you want and what you want the card to say on the front (thank you, thinking of you, the power of one, just a note etc.) then send me your snail mail address to my fake email address: chart@utwire.net. Or if you know my real email address you can send it there. One final note for those of you who have blog-comment-phobia. . .you can email me your order and I will post a comment so others can keep track of how many cards have gone.

And to quote President Monson again: “The New Testament teaches that it is impossible to take a right attitude toward Christ without taking an unselfish attitude toward men. “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” We may think as we please, but there is no question . . . . there is no road to the heart of God that does not lead through the heart of man.”

Take this opportunity to be the power of one and make a difference to someone.

Thanks so much for reading to the very end.

Easter photos:

Surely Blogger has been inundated with Easter photos over the past few days. . .so I guess I'll also do my part in overloading the system :). However, I will try to keep the captions, explanations and anecdotal sides to a minimum . . .

My parents had an Easter party at their house on Saturday and as part of it, there was a cookie contest. Grandpa was the judge. He made everyone present their cookies 4-H style (3 on a plate) for judging. You can see whose cookies are whose and what prize they won (except Jonny's because I couldn't remember ). (click to enlarge if necessary)The kids also colored Easter Eggs, had an egg hunt and had some relay type games. Fun for all :).


We've always thought that Tess looked like Tom's side of the family. . . but this picture (above) looks like my cousin Kendi. Anyone else see that? (and as always she's got crooked pigtails. . .any remedy for her pulling out her hair?) I decided to try to be a good mom and buy Tessie an Easter dress. (She's just got so many hand-me-downs that shopping for her just hasn't been necessary. . . . and since I don't love to shop, that hasn't bothered me at all :). I found this little white eyelet one that I really liked, but it wasn't the smartest choice since she's always into everything and making some sort of mess. . . oh well, it was cute for a few hours :).

And on a non-Easter thread. . . what do you all do for March Madness prizes? One year the prize in my sister-in-law's family, (Christine) was *not* having to tell 10 different people " (insert name) is the best March Madness predictor in my family." or something like that. In the past I know Dave and Julianna have had bets on who has to plan the next big date night. We've typically done a candy bar or a bag of Swedish Fishies but we want to change it up and haven't come up with anything good . . . no one won the grand prize of the millennium off of dishes for getting every single game correct (but I was close. heh). I suggested that whoever wins gets a week off of dishes. . .that has been bemoaned because Tom and I are in front and everyone else would have to pick up our slack. I'm really liking the idea, but we need some more ideas. . . anyone?? (no, this isn't a rhetorical question!).

Final pictures and an update . . .

Item 7: This is just another space filler. . . and before you get all thinking I’m super genius or something, you have to know that I lifted the idea from this (scroll down). I made my mom a heart-shaped one for her birthday way back in January and liked it so much I decided I wanted one for myself. The backing is a texture temple and since it is clear, it shows the color of the wall through the template (I’m just very boring and have a white wall :). . . .but it makes a very fun canvas methinks. {Instructions for my scrapbook readers: paint a shape on the back of the template with a dry brush so it is still translucent then stitch around the shape. Glue the buttons on. I got smart the 2^nd time around and used super glue to adhere the buttons instead of wonder tape. Then stitch the buttons on and add rub ons for the text. Then frame. I hot glued mine in. Easy and fun.}

The grouping: Took this shot a bit of an angle for a few reasons. . .could control the glares from the windows and I wanted to give a better idea of how it fits on the wall size-wise. The width of the grouping is about 47”. And I’m happy to report that after a few days, my counter still is clutter free. So cheery!

Update:

We haven't been up to much. . . busy, but not with super exciting things. . . here's a few highlights:

*Sunday: went to Jeff & Christine's for Roon's ordination.

*Monday night: had my cousin Marjorie and family over for supper and fhe. We all wore green and ate some green. It was fun to visit.

*Cache went to the U for a math competition on Tuesday. He made a mold of an ear of corn and poured plaster in it for the sculpture merit badge. It turned out a lot better than his jalapeño pepper did.

*Chandler has been home from school for three days feeling yucky---not even eating, which means he is sick since he doesn't usually go without his food. We've been reading a little extra Harry Potter.

*Tom was in charge of mutual last night . . .he had them play Mormon Jeopardy. The idea was that each question would be worth 1,2,3,4 or 5 Swedish fish. At the end each boy will get the number of fishies he earned, but it was more like open the Costco-size bag and every one grab what you can. The boys had fun.

*Caleb went to a junior high open house last night (yikes). He also went to den meeting (as the Den chief), did a boatload of homework and then went to his scouts. He always seems so busy.

*Tessie has been up to her usual . . . and trying to whittle her one nap a day down to an hourish instead of 2.5. She is starting to talk more and more each day. He latest word is Jesus.

*Me, see the immediate previous bullet. I did escape to Enrichment the other night.

*We got our tax return and we put it into a CD . . . sorry you can’t count on us to stimulate the economy with it.

*We’ve been filling out March Madness brackets. . .one at home the old-fashioned-paper-pencil style and the other on some cool Excel thingy Dave put together. Home front prizes are still being determined.

*The kids are all trying to make cookies for a cookie contest this weekend at Grandma Porter's. . . Caleb got his finished up last night (or more like I stayed up until 11:30 finishing them for him. . .he better win, dad :). Cache is doing his tonight and hopefully Chandler will be well enough to do his tomorrow.

Now aren’t you glad I only bored you with the highlights!

Happy day . . . .

Did you know that today is officially (I'm not quite sure, however, who the official is) 'Act Happy Day'? But it is a great sentiment. . . so I thought I'd announce it here so that you can Act Happy. Don't put any pressure on yourself to actually be or feel happy though, because it is only 'act' happy day. . .being happy might actually be too much work lol! (who comes up with these things?)

Item 5: This really isn’t a whiteboard.. . . . I’m just pretending that it is :). It's an 11x13 frame ($3) with patterned paper behind the glass. Just write on the glass with a dry erase marker and walla--a super cheap whiteboard! If you want to make one of these for yourself, make sure that you use a very subtle pattern on your paper or you won’t be able to read the writing. It just so happened that the paper that worked the best for me had handwriting lines on it—ah, takes me back to my teaching days :). At this juncture, I’m planning on changing the quote monthly and also using it for special messages like for birthdays and accomplishments etc.

Item 6: This is just a space filler. . . had this frame on hand; the knob was $2.97. I thought it turned out kinda cute. I put a piece of heavy chipboard/matte board behind the paper, punched a hole then attached the knob, hung a chain with a word on it. Super easy—only took me about 15 minutes! Btw, you can click on all of these pictures to get a closer look.

Tomorrow is the last day of this and then I've got something fun with prizes and such coming up next weekish so you'll want to check back. (Tom is going to tease me unmercifully for this comment, but I think I can take it :).

Items 3&4

Item 3: organizer: $10 from Wal-Mart, we found a stud and just nailed it to the wall. This is a place for those papers that I need to keep for a few days, but don’t need to go into permanent files; or ones waiting to go in a permanent file. It also has a lovely pen/pencil holder and a little drawer for odds and ends—so nice to have all of this stuff off my counter.

Item 4: paper holder: board $4.29 from Roberts, used a 40% coupon, hooks $1.97 each. The ribbons are tied in a knot and mini clothes pins are hot glued behind it. I’ve had a Mormon ad hanging on my door that I change monthly; I just moved it to this. I’ll change out the kids’ artwork as new becomes available :).

Organizational attempts

I'm not a super organized person. . . .I definitely fit in the wannabe category, but I've never achieved even a slightly organized status. But I go in spurts of trying harder than others. And lately I've been trying. It all started with seeing this lovely media center from Pottery Barn . . . just seemed like the perfect answer to control the clutter that accumulates daily on my kitchen counter. . . . . but heaven knows I’d never fork out that kind of money for it. I looked around at other places trying to find something similar for cheaper, but I didn’t want to pay the other guy’s prices either. So, since me and the Deseret Industries are really good friends, I looked there. They of course didn’t have what I wanted, but, as always, they had cheap frames in an assortment of sizes. (which happens to be my standard fare @ DI; I could easily have a frames-only yardsale out of my storage room any day of the week; so I probably didn’t have to go shopping, but a girl can never have too many picture frames:). Anyway. . . .I got to work planning and figuring out what exactly I wanted, designing different pieces and playing around. . . And this weekend I finally got it done. I’m really excited about it. Wanna know the best thing about it?? I like it better than anything I could have bought because it is designed to fit my space and organizational needs, it has my personal touches AND it cost me about $50 to do. Plus I had fun doing it. . . .we have yet to see if it does anything for my organizational issues. . . Anyway, I thought I’d post a few pieces from it each day and then when I’ve shown everything, I’ll post a picture of the grouping. Just a note about cost: I had most of the scrapbooking supplies on hand so I’m not calculating those into the cost of the project. Also, I spray painted all of the frames black, I bought a more expensive spray paint and used one can for the whole project: $2.97.

Item 1: My most expensive piece was the magnet board. The frame cost $2; it is 8”x22”. The sheet metal was $6.77, the knobs were $3.97 each, and the magnets were $1.50. I added stickers to the magnets and a rub-on to the board.

Item 2: Just a piece of framed pattern paper with ribbon and a ribbon holder! Cost of the frame: $1.

Is she a toddler or what???

This photo is a picture of what Chandler has termed, “Tessa’s evil grin.” And we get it when she knows she’s up to no good! Tess gives us her share of your basic toddler behaviors: climbing, knocking everything over, dumping out drawers, emptying cupboards, temper tantrums etc.

However, there are a few Tessa Toddler Moments I’m hoping to avoid more of:

A few weeks ago the paper I was shredding stopped mid-shred because the shredder was full. Figuring that it would be fine until one of the boys could empty it, I just left it there. Soon Tess was over there grabbing at the paper and for some reason, the shredder started up again. Tom heard it start and by the time he got to her, she was screaming, I was screaming and her finger was stuck deep in the churning shredder (she must have not let go of the paper as it was pulled in because that slot is really small). Tom yanked it out and I was fully expecting to see mangled fingers, but thankfully she just got a *nasty* pinch. Now we keep the shredder unplugged just in case.

The other day we were working downstairs on some scrapping projects and she knocked over the garbage can. I figured it was fine because all I had put in there since it was emptied last was an empty package of candy and paper scraps. But soon I heard a chinking sound and thankfully I checked it out immediately because she was playing with a broken light bulb! ACK!

Then yesterday she pushed a chair over to the sink and climbed up. I got there before her and surveyed the area making sure there wasn’t anything that I didn’t want her touching or that could harm her. Things were fine so I went back to the other side of the bar and continued working. Next thing I knew I heard a click click click. . .she had reached over to the gas stove and lit it. I screamed and dashed to her. She jumped back at my scream and recoiled until I got there but she was crying. I figured it must have been because I scared her because I couldn’t see that she had been burned. But as I hugged her I could smell something funny. I checked out everything I could think of but didn’t find anything wrong. Moments later, however, I discovered that her right eyelashes had been singed. Talk about scary. Needless to say, we now are getting range locks.

We’re thankful for those guardian angels who protect the toddlers. . . hope Tessa’s are paid well because with her, it’s a constant job!

Speaking of Peeps. . .

Just found out that tomorrow is National Peeps Day. AND, this is amazing. . . I found a festival for you to attend in honor. (If you still have a few peeps left, Aunt Nancy, why don't you whip something up for that cooking contest :). Looks like one of those definite-must-attend events! (not!)

Maintenance

I listened to a talk once by Elder Maxwell in which he referred to his wife as “low maintenance but high yield”. I’ve thought a lot about that. I truly, truly try to be low maintenance. But I’m not all of the time. In fact, and unfortunately, there are times that I’m quite high maintenance. Sometimes little things (or big things) overwhelm me and my reaction to the consequential feelings often brings others down too. And sometimes I let discouragement take over. And sometimes I’m just downright grouchy :(. All of these things make me more demanding on others than I should be. But I’ve found that if I maintain myself, I don’t slip into that ‘high maintenance’ mode nearly as often. I like to think about it like a car. If I get the oil changed every three months, it is likely that it will not need major repairs as often. If I read my scriptures and do other spiritual things daily (for me it takes both), my overall demands on others and my levels of discouragement are relatively low. One thing very high on my maintenance list is listening to talks. They help me oh so much. So I thought I’d share what has been on my maintenance list lately: (at least the ones I’ve enjoyed the most)

Elder Holland This talk was given in 1980 right before Elder Holland became president of BYU. As always, he is a great storyteller and amazing speaker. . . he talked about not becoming discouraged.

Todd Parker He talks about finding happiness amidst our trials. Gives wonderful scripture references.

Mary Williams She told an amazing story about a lady taking crab and French bread to someone and it was the very thing that lady needed that day. Made me cry. Very good listen.

Greg Palmer Talked about all of us having gifts of the spirit and ways to tap into them. Very good talk. Need to listen to it again.

Carrie Wrigley This is a talk about overcoming depression. . . excellent listening even if you don’t fall into that category. She also gives some good scriptures that I need to go back and write down.

Brent Barlow I really liked the notion that the best of our marriage is yet to be. I’ve had so many great times with Tom; it means I’ve got a lot more to look forward to :). I like that. There is a lot more in this talk, I just picked my favorite strand.

. . now off to concentrate on that high yield part :).

Don't Worry. . .

Cache is single-handedly making sure that the World Food Program is well stocked. He has answered enough questions to donate 25,000 grains of rice to the stash. (Trust him to be the one to count out how many approximate grains are in a cup: 10,000. . . . which means he really has only added about 2 1/2 cups. Guess he'd better keep at it.) Maybe you'd like to help him. :)

In the Quiet Heart. . .

Last week I had a very strong impression that I needed to do something on my blog about “in the quiet heart is hidden sorrow that the eye can't see". But the flow of ideas came to an abrupt stop right there. I mentioned it to Tom and he said in a surprised tone, “What are you going to do with that?” I didn’t know then and I still don’t, but the impression came even stronger today . . . so here I am, (even though I wasn’t going to blog today because I’ve got too much to do).

“In the quiet heart is hidden sorrow that they eye can’t see”. . . .Those words are ones that go through my head often. I think I can say I know what that is like. I lived so many years where I kept many hurtful things quietly in my heart. Car repossessions. Wage garnishments. A lying husband. Home foreclosure. Bounced checks. Unending creditor phone calls. Judgments. Winter nights without heat. Those are just a few but enough to make a point. I didn’t tell anyone about those things. I carried them quietly by myself. Such a burden!! There were many times my prayers were along this line (to quote another hymn) “Master, with anguish of spirit I bow in my grief today, The depths of my sad heart are troubled. Oh, waken and save, I pray! Torrents of sin and of anguish Sweep o’er my sinking soul, And I perish! I perish! Dear Master. Oh, hasten and take control!” I think of those dark years now and truly wonder how I didn’t just crawl under my bed to die. I know I felt like it many times.

(So what?? I’m wondering that at this point too!!)

Well, eventually troubled seas are calmed; the winds and the waves will obey His will. God truly desires us to be happy and to be at peace. And if we put our life into His hands, we will find happiness and peace, even if it is not the way we envisioned the storms being calmed. My storms were not calmed the way I had hoped at the time. I wanted that marriage healed, but that wasn't the answer. And like most people after hard things are over, perspective and gratitude come. Looking back I'm so grateful I wasn't granted those things I prayed for with my limited view--they would not have produced the kind of appreciation and happiness I enjoy now.

Another thing I'm truly thankful for are the lessons I learned, especially how much quiet hearts can hurt and yearn and desire to do better, but unable to because of things that bind down. Everyone wants to be living up to their fullest potential and to feel at peace. I truly believe that. We all are Heavenly Father’s children and have divine urgings to improve ourselves and find happiness and peace. But sometimes burdens get in our way and things bind us down preventing us to take care of those most important things. Everyone from time to time has quiet burdens in their heart; sometimes they are bigger than others. It is just part of life. So I guess my point is that if you have a wounded heart right now, hang on, things will get better and for the rest of us, who are having a reprieve from a sorrowing heart, let us do what the next verse of the song says: “To the wounded and the weary, I would show a gentle heart”. Unfortunately, I forget that charge too easily. I need to remember to give the benefit of the doubt, to withhold a judgmental thought or word, to listen compassionately or just to smile at someone who might need a lift. I’m committing to do better!

(and so sorry to write a novel. . . if you read to the end you should get a prize!)

ETA: I'm not super comfortable sharing all of this. . . just really felt like I should.

So funny. . . .

Today Tess and I were having lunch . . . it was a lovely stay-at-home entrée of peanut butter toast and milk. (Still trying to figure out portions on some of my menus . . . enough to fill my teenage boys up and have 2 left over dishes—one for Tom’s lunch, one for Tess and myself; last night’s Kung Pao Chicken was gobbled down and I only managed a meager portion to send with Tom.) Anyway, back to the peanut-butter-toast lunch. . . I had to get up quite a few times for more milk and more toast and each time I came back to sit down, Tessie folded up her arms for a prayer and wouldn’t budge until one was said. So we had 5 blessings on the lunch today :). Now we just need to get her to keep her arms folded the entire prayer instead of for just the first word!

Time to get your Peeps, folks. . .

Just a friendly reminder that if you like your Peeps hard and chewy and delicious instead of soft and squishy and borderline disgusting, now is the time to buy. Get them today, open them up and put them in a safe place until Easter. They’ll bring you much more eating pleasure than if you wait until the last minute.

He thinks he’s playing. . .

Caleb is the world’s greatest built-in babysitter. On his own accord, he takes Tess with him wherever and whenever he can. This morning she was up before breakfast and he was working on scouts. He got her a stool, gave her a few pens to play with and finished working on scouts with her next to him. He takes her on his top bunk to do homework (he is very careful :). He takes her outside and downstairs. He even takes her to play with his friends. (see photos—this was totally his idea to take her sledding) And all this time he just thinks he’s having the time of his life, but in reality he is saving my life by giving me much needed breaks!!! I know he would love some babysitting jobs for others, but I just don’t think I could share. (btw, his dream church calling is Nursery Leader!)

Yesterday:

So life has been busy and yesterday fit that scheme too. The boys were home from school so there were 3 more to keep up. Here was what I did yesterday:

*Did breakfast dishes
*Cleaned out 3 game closets (yes, you read right, three. I tried to throw out a few games but the boys wouldn’t allow it so we ended up just reorganizing them; I’m a sucker and caved in because I love games just as much as they do.)
*Printed out pictures of Flat Stanley visiting China for Chandler to take to school (Grandma and Grandpa Waddoups have been emailing him pictures and notes and Chandler has been overly excited about it)
*Took Caleb to the library to get sources for an upcoming school project
*Went to Wal-Mart to get blue thread and bacon
*Gave all the boys haircuts
*Fixed lunch then cleaned up
*Made cinnamon rolls for FHE treat
*Drove over a bag of dry clay chunks with the van for Cache (it has to be powder and then reconstituted with water to work with it)
*Took Tess for a walk (she has to be outside for part of the day or she drives us all crazy)
*Mended holes in Caleb’s jeans
*Finished decorating this scripture tote (I moved the bookshelf out of the dining room so we would have more room, but I still wanted to store the scriptures in this room; at this juncture it is our table décor.)
*Helped Caleb make supper for a Duty to God requirement (Navajo Tacos, he did a good job)
*Went to the Bean Museum for a reptile show to meet a requirement for the Reptile and Amphibian merit badge (Tess was so funny there. Every animal is a dog to her so she ran around barking and barking. Sounds like “rooroo, rooroo” She also snuggled up to some BYU student sitting on the floor watching the show. This girl didn’t quite know how to react, but was patient with Tess--it was so cute to watch since Tess isn’t much of a snuggler.)

Today is busy too. I’m making these for all of the kids in the Primary. (105 total) They have to be done by Saturday for our Quarterly Activity. I’ve also got to crank out some assignments for my class and I’ve got a few other projects up my sleeve. So why am I blogging you ask? Good question. I’m procrastinating. Not a good reason!!! Better hit my list.

Update

A conversation from Thursdayish:

Tom: Honey, you haven’t updated your blog for a while.

Me: {sigh} I know, I’ve been so busy.

Tom: I know, I’m just saying it’s been a while.

Me: Yes, but I have some blogtations set up so I don’t worry about that.

Tom: I know, but I’ve missed not having more to read.

How sweet. He’s the only reader I care about ever reading this blog. So that was nice.

And yes, this past week has been crazy busy and I’m not seeing too much of a reprieve ahead, but I will try to get a few posts in. But for now, here's a scouting update:

It’s March and that means there are only 30 days left until merit badge cards are due for the next court of honor. The month before that deadline is *always* out of control crazy trying to get last minute requirements finished up. Here is what we are working on for this court of honor:

Cache:

Surveying (finished)

Dog care (finished)

Snow sports (finished)

Pets (just has to meet with the counselor)

Reptile and Amphibians (going to the Bean Museum for a reptile show tomorrow night for FHE; then a little more research)

American Labor (nearly finished, just has a little research to finish up)

Cinematography (finished, needs to meet with the counselor)

Metalwork (waiting for a neighbor to finish up the last few requirements on this)

Pottery (almost finished; we’ve had a mess of clay all over my counter the past little while forming coil bowls and the like)

This will leave him 14 left to have all 121 merit badges. Yay!

Caleb:

Family Life (finished)

Pets (just has to meet with the counselor)

Bird Study (needs to go bird watching one more time)

Aviation (needs to meet with the counselor)

Astronomy (needs to meet with the counselor)

Personal Management (waiting for Jeff Rich to meet for the discussions)

Genealogy (doing at pow wow this month)

Safety (doing at pow wow this month)

Crime Prevention (doing at pow wow this month)

This will give Caleb a total of 29; he only needs personal fitness (working on) and environmental science (will do at scout camp) to have all he needs for his Eagle; he will become a Life in August so we’ll start looking into Eagle projects. (and I need to get pictures of Caleb in uniform!)

I never ever thought I’d be a scout mom, but here I am!!!!