All Sweet Stuff

I've seen some funny things over the years...

with different boys wanting to eat "unusual" things...

but drinking raspberry jam has to be at the top of the list.

He must have that genetic sweet tooth!

When in Rome...

Welcome to the ward activity, the King's Jerusalem Market. It was an event designed to cause us to reflect on Easter, and the life of our Savior.

This is Cooper sitting on the King's throne. The original king was very pompous, so Cooper is trying to fill his shoes, or slippers. Homage to the King tokens were given to everybody, and he demanded bows, chickens, and the like that kings demand.

Other booths included getting your name written in Hebrew, the seamstress (if you forgot a head piece), bread and (making) butter, olives, grapes, figs, dates, cheese, crackers (mid-day meal), lentil soup and flatbread strips (homemade tortillas - supper), and chicken salad and flatbread (dinner). A maiden sold (for a token) baklava on a tray.

Portraits with Pauline was another token, as well as the toy shop (dreidel kits), and carpentry.

This is Sawyer using his token to get his picture taken by Pauline, one of the few shops not under a tent.

Dancing with Deidre (above) was a fun token to use. She taught everybody to dance.

These are the Roman soldiers, also getting their portrait taken by Pauline. They were responsible for finding violators, and publically lashing them. Violations could be for not wearing a headress, to parking your donkey too close to the leper (Hunter) or dancing better than the king. Tokens also included a 'get out of one lashing' that could be used to rescue somebody in violation, as well as a 'love for the leper' token that encouraged others to attend to his needs.

It was a fun ward activity that closed with a clip of President Hinckley speaking about Christ while in Jerusalem... How are you celebrating Easter this year?

Camping in the Cold

The wind blows cold
And carries on it the scent of snow
Crisp, clear, crackling.
Perfect weather for a cozy fire
And a good book and salty popcorn
Yet here we are, Camping in this barren forest.

So though our cheeks are chapped red
And our noses continuously sniffle
We hike through the woods like pros.
Our feet push through piles of leaves
Crunch, crunch, crunch
We echo through the woods
Eerily quiet except for the wind howling past us
As even the squirrels know it is time to be
Inside somewhere warm.

Darkness falls like a curtain

Over the tall trees towering above us

And then it is time for sleep.

We lay still with eyes wide, staring into the darkness

And the night sounds of the forest

Come alive, like a small child creeping downstairs

For a forbidden glass of milk after bedtime.

The trees’ bare branches beat together like bones

Clacking in the wind

A steady drumbeat.

The rustling of ‘possums and raccoons
Drifts by now and then
And owls hoot softly, in the distance and now nearby
We listen in wonder, never having noticed
The symphony of sounds to be discovered in the woods
When people are not talking or walking
When we have time to just wait and be still.

We could be at home with a book
But instead we are here, sleeping among the wild things
Breathing in the aroma of pine and mold
Part of nature in its barren beauty.
Tomorrow we will fish and rock climb
Tomorrow we will watch for sparrows and woodlarks.
I drift off to sleep to the lullaby of the woods, An unusual but powerful tune.

That's it. End of a poem on camping from the Oklahoma State testing board. The boys had fun. It was very cold, it was Porter's first camp out with the scouts. I slept in my warm bed wondering how they were doing.

This is a great picture. The woods were full of trees chewed and fallen by beavers. Are we ready to go camping yet?

Rank and File Advancements in Life as a Scout

Tanner received his Silver Palm last night.

That means he's earned 15 merit badges

above the 21 required for Eagle Scout.

Hunter advanced to Life Scout.

Time to start working on his eagle scout project!

Porter received two merit badges, he's officially a Boy Scout!

Cooper received his Wolf badge.

He's looking for a good turn to do!

He also got painted.
Red is for bravery, and the courage to do what is right.
Yellow is for sunlight and walking down the right path.

The combined Pack Meeting and Court of Honor were a first here, and it was a fun event.

The scout program has so many good things for my boys to do and become.

Red Envelope Day

There's always been one thing about President Obama that has really bothered me, and that is the abortion issue. I received this from a friend, and thought it a great idea. Normallly I don't participate in political whims, but I think speaking for those who have no voice to do so themselves is important. So, get red envelopes and mail them on March 31st to the White House. You can buy them at Kinkos, or at party supply stores. On the front, address it to:

President Barack Obama

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Ave

NWWashington , D.C. 20500

On the back, write the following message: This envelope represents one child who died because of an abortion. It is empty because the life that was taken is now unable to be a part of our world.

Mail the envelopes out on March 31st, 2009. Share this event with your friends.

I wish we could send 50 million red envelopes, one for every child who died [in the U.S.] before having a chance to live. It may seem that those who believe abortion is wrong are in a minority. It may seem like we have no voice and it's shameful to even bring it up. Let us show our President and the world that there are voices who do not believe abortion is acceptable. Do not remain silent. Be heard. Together we can change the heart of The President and save the lives of millions of children.

Family Reunion

This is a picture my husband made out of our hands for one of my parent's anniversary celebrations. As I was looking at it this morning it made me miss my family, and think of the family reunion this summer when I can see everyone. What are your wishes for having fun family reunions, or do you bag the planning and just sit around together?

Poems with Porter

Fun Friday!

If there's only one way to view the weekend,

tackle it with a smile!

Think of this cute face and his self-portraits I found on my camera today,

and know that whatever life throws me,

I can find joy in my life.

There's just too much Sawyer around here not to be happy!

Used Cars

This is Jarrod's car. A 1990 Toyota Celica.

It has 208,000 miles, and dropped a transmission in the church parking lot last week.

This is a 1982 GMC truck, with 80,000 miles for $1,000. Probably could get it for $500.

This is a 2001 Volkswagon Jetta with 80,000 miles for $2,800.

There weren't a lot of options in the newspaper for cars available for sale. We looked in NC, OH, MA, WV and every where in between. It came down to who you know, their contacts, and asking the right people.

Which car did Jarrod buy, and did he make the right choice?

He bought the Jetta, it was a great bargain, and he just isn't a truck kind of guy.

(Can you tell I'm trying to be chipper? This has been a very painful process! I hate money!)

The Odds Got Higher

This is Cooper! He was not able to beat the odds...

He's in glasses! (There's only two left!)

"How to Cook Egg in a Hole"

One of our assignments for weekly family home evening is "MISSIONARY." When there are eight people, and everyone needs to participate, thinking of assignments is a creative challenge. This school year we instituted "MISSIONARY," in hopes of better preparing the boys for their missions. The person with this assignment can recite memorized scriptures, share scripture or church history stories about missionaries, or show us a skill they've mastered that will help them when they're on a mission, etc. Sawyer, by far, has filled this assignment with the most zeal and zest of any of the boys. His first rotation through this assignment, he clunked clunked the ironing board down the stairs, ran up and got the iron and a shirt, and stood ironing while teaching everyone how to iron a shirt (thanks Mom). Last night's video is self explanatory. This is what he would fix himself for breakfast. Next rotation: the grilled cheese sandwich.

The Thundering Herd Takes on the Tar Heels

The Tar Heels of North Carolina were visiting the Thundering Herd of Marshall University last week. In spite of their school differences, a wonderful time was had by all! We took them to all of the school activities, including the (above) Pinewood Derby...

we shared many meals around the table...

we let them help around the house (Zach taping old balls with duct tape for Ranger)...

we invited them to the birthday party (Sawyer's)...

and two little boys became buddies (sharing pineapple out of a can)!

Gabe and Miller painting...

Miller and Gabe just having come in from outside...

...and watching out the window together. They're gone now. There's no trace of them this morning. I was positive I'd find a toy, or a sock, or a little jacket. No such luck. Just a piece of paper. We miss you already! Come back soon....eight boys is better than six!

WWWF Kid Style, Finale

Sawyer in a "singlet," the one piece wrestler suit. None of the boys wanted to wear it so they put it over and under and all around their bodies - Cooper refused to put it on.

Cooper winning this round by default -

Porter beginning his round with a shake -

Sawyer gets pinned!

Vision of a Mom

This is Tanner having a difficult time getting his new contacts out of his eyes. He tried for fifteen minutes, then asked Jarrod to help. That didn't work. In came Uncle Zach and saved the day. I don't wear glasses or contacts or anything related to helping my vision become clearer, sharper, closer. I now have three (oldest) boys in glasses. What are the odds of them all needing glasses?

Hippity Hop and Cannot Stop Sawyer Turns Six

Pure excitement in the air - Hunter getting Ranger for the festivities!

Even Alana and Zach are doing all that they can to contain their excitement!

With a wonderful birthday box full of frog cups, plates, napkins, hats, blowers and table cloth, it made choosing a cake very easy!

Happy Birthday Sawyer! He didn't know candles number one and two were going to be a little tricky to blow out!

The frog's eye was THE place to take the bite. We had family home evening first, with one invited family (four boys) and Zach and Alana (two boys), and enjoyed an early Easter egg hunt and other festivities with TWELVE boys! It was a fitting celebration for somone who was turning SIX!