Fish Tacos

1/4 c. paprika

2 T. Ground dried basil

2 T. ground dried oregano

2 T. Mustard powder

1 T. black pepper

1 T. salt

1 1/2 t. onion powder

1 1/2 t. garlic powder

3/4 t. cayenne pepper

1/2 t. sugar

In a mixing bowl combine all spices and seasonings. Rub on Halibut steaks.

**My brother has a friend who is a fishing guide in Alaska. Every once in a while he has extra and he packs it up and overnights it to my brother. We bought some of it last time. It is so good. My kids love it, too.

We didn't have plans for dinner a few nights ago, so Rick looked up this recipe on the internet. I made some cole slaw (Cole's favorite), Cole grated some cheese and the girls set the table. We sort of threw the meal together but it turned out so YUMMY.

More From the Daltons...

I have some more questions and answers from Aunt Dolores...

(2/1/2001)

foods...Another thing Grandma Ethel made was good bread. Again, no recipe and a certain size pan, etc. Often she would make bread on "wash day", Monday , in those days and for lunch we would have "fry bread". She would take a handful of bread dough, pull it apart, and fry it. We would call them scones now, but it was "fry bread" in those days. It was wonderful. She also made wonderful cakes, and she made good candy. She hated to make cookies and rarely made them. She said cookies took forever to bake and get done with, and the kitchen was a mess all day.

Family Home Evening?? Heavens, no. We had never even heard of it when I was growing up. The closest thing to Family Home Evening was watching "The Lawrence Welk Show" (Also, realize that this was after I was grown up and left home. When I left home at age 20 to come to Salt Lake, we didn't have TV yet in Circleville.

More advice from Grandma Ethel..."Let your head save your feet" In other words, organize. I still think of that when I come upstairs for two things and only remember to take one thing back down.

I think my father's best traits were his honesty and his work ethic. He was very honest, and very hard working. Also, he was very clean. he kept himself and his home and yard immaculate. He was very proud of having the greenest lawn in Circleville. Each spring about February, he would spread manure (he liked chicken manure best) all over the grass and it would be very green by March.

Mama was immaculately clean, and she couldn't stand dirty windows. She was always washing her windows, especially the glass in the front storm door. When we ate dinner, half the time she would clean up the table before we were through eating. Daddy used to say that Mama threw the paper away before he could even read it. Mama was really fussy about how her bed was made. She couldn't stand an unmade bed, and it had to be made perfectly. Mama was also immaculate with herself. She was always in nice, clean clothes, would never, never go around in her housecoat (unlike her daughters!). She always looked nice. She was always positive, up-beat, and good natured. She rarely complained, and never said she didn't feel good. When she was about 66, she fell and broke both her wrists. She was standing on the edge of the ditch bank, and slid on the grass. She put both arms behind her to catch herself, and broke both wrists. She was so independent that it was hard to help her. Daddy had to make the bed every morning and he said he about wore himself out, running back and forth around the bed, getting it made to suit her. She really had a hard time, depending on someone else to do the things she couldn't do for herself.

(This is a picture of me on the tire swing in the back yard in Circleville)

project 40

These were delivered today:

For a total of 20 newborn kits delivered.

10 more were packaged up this evening. (totaling 30)

The supplies for the last group of 10 are sitting in the living waiting to be packaged.

It's almost done.

thanks to all of the people who have participated.

I couldn't have done it without so much help from everyone!

swim lessons

Summer

Sierra

the girls were bumped from the class I originally signed up for to the highest class where they just work on lap swimming. They are both doing really well, they just need to work on their endurance.

Cole

Cole progressed rapidly, too.

He has never been the little fish that the girls have been.

But he gained a lot of confidence this time around.

He's confident and will now put his head under water and will even jump off the side of the pool.

Watch out 7 peaks. Here we come. (well, as soon as summer gets here)

Fish Lake

L to R

Back row: Whitey and Ethel

Front Row: Melinda Morgan, Kelli, and Brandi

I love so many things about this picture:

1. My Dad's green blazer on the left

2. Melinda's belly shirt & knee high socks

3. the way my socks are rolled down

4. Brandi is just wearing a diaper for pants

5. typical Grandma Ethel outfit, especially the necklace.

6. typical Grandpa Whitey outfit, especially the hat. love the hat.

Mom, when do you think this was taken? 1976?

Mother's Day Part 3

My very own mother has threatened me. She has threatened me to not continue posting such adorable pictures of her as a child. So, before she follows through with her threats I thought I would hurry and add a few more...

And conveniently enough these people cannot threaten me, so I will post a few photos of them:

Morgan Leon and Ethel Dalton

(this picture was taken by a professional photographer at the church. The ward arranged for families to come to the church one afternoon in the summer and have their photos taken. I am particularly fond of this picture because I was staying with them at the time and I went to the church with them to have this taken. I was making them laugh.)

This is another favorite photo of my Grandparents

(This was taken at Bryce Canyon. notice that my Grandpa is wearing an Arctic Circle hat.

We had gone on a family vacation to Bryce, Zion, and the Grand Canyon. I believe this was about 1980 or 81)

There is a Monster at the End of this Post

When I was a kid I had this book. I read it over and over and over. I don't know what ever happened to this book, but a few years ago I came across a used one and I bought it. Grover spends the entire book trying to convince the reader that he should not read the book.

Grover does not want the reader to reach the end of the book because there is a monster.

He "nails" pages down and then when you turn the page you find the boards all in a heap on the next page.

Then he build a brick wall to keep the reader from turning the page. And on the following page is a big pile of bricks.

It goes on and on.

It is kind of like this post.

There is a monster at the end of this post.

I am warning you just like Grover, please do not read the end of this post.

Fuzzy, lovable, adorable Grover begs you not to continue.

You were warned...i have something terrible to say. It has been bugging me for days. The only way to get it out of my head is to say it. or type it.

This is your last chance.

here goes...if you are going to host a Mother's Day BBQ at your brand new home, then you sure as heck better invite your own mother. and if you choose to attend family get togethers on a regular basis it is nice/polite/recommended that you contribute something to the gathering and don't expect to eat a hot meal if you are habitually late for the gathering.

I told you there was a monster at the end of this post. I feel better. thank you for not reading the end of this post.

Book Report

This is the book that we are currently reading with the kids. Well, it's actually 4 books (I guess that's why it's a QUARTET?)

The first book is A Wrinkle in Time (1962) (newbery medal winner)

The second is A Wind in the Door (1973)

Third is A Swiftly Tilting Planet (1978)

and last is Many Waters (1986).

all are written by Madeleine l"Engle (1918-2007)

Here is the first sentence of the first book...

On a dark, stormy night a strange visitor, Mrs. Whatsit, shows up at the Murry house and mentions that there is such as thing as a tesseract.

Mother's Day Part 2

Several years ago when I lived in Kirksville, MO and I was a (new) stay home mom to 1 child and I lived in a tiny apartment that took 2 minutes to clean, I found myself with extra time on my hands. So, one day I mailed (not even email!) my Aunt Dolores some questions about what life was like when she was a child. Here are some of her responses:

Question:

What meal do yo remember your mother cooking most often? Did you like it?

Our favorite meal that Mama cooked was homemade chicken and noodles. She made it all from scratch. I tried to learn her noodle recipe but you had to have a certain pan and certain size "handfuls". It was her own recipe and did you use precise measurements. She would make all the noodles for Sunday dinner, and leave them on the stove after dinner, and we would go back all day and get more noodles. No noodles have ever tasted the same.

She also made wonderful homemade bread.

Question:

What did you and your sister fight about the most?

Well, I just knew that NanNell was the most spoiled brat in the world, and she bugged me to death. Sharing a room with a sister 9 years younger is really a treat. She would get in all my stuff, dress up in my clothes, wear my lipstick, and--read my letters from my boyfriends. Before she learned to read, she took them to Daddy and had him read them to her. I was always wanting to take the car and drive around on Sundays, and she would beg Mama and Daddy to let her go with me. She was all ears, and repeated everything she heard my friends and me say. She was the worst!! Because she was the baby, she would bawl and whine if I even looked at her, and Mama and Daddy would take her part because she was little.

Tell me some good advice that your mother (Grandma Ethel) gave you:

Mama used to always say "Get up and shake the stink off and you'll feel better".

That meant to get out of bed, wash your face and brush your teeth, and get cleaned up and you would feel better--and it is true. Mama also told me to "never learn how to milk the cow". She knew if I did, that Daddy would know I could do it so he would not bother to come home and do it and it would be my responsibility. Well, I didn't learn how to milk the cow, literally, but figuratively I forgot her advise. I learned how to run the lawn mower, the snow blower, the edger, and do all kinds of things that I wouldn't have had to do if I had only remembered, "don't learn to milk a cow."

Share a memory of going to church. Did your family go together?

Going to Church was weird in Circleville in the old days. We didn't go together as families as we do now. Sacrament Meeting was in the afternoon at 2. Then later changed to 7 in the evening. We would go and sit with our friends. Mostly the women went to church during those years. When I was little I went alone, then later I took NanNell. Sometimes I would ride my bike and pump her on the back fender. During my high school days, Mama and Daddy started to go. Daddy was always the first one ready, and he would announce that "this bus is leaving in five minutes." Then he would go out and get the car and pull up out in front and honk at us. I usually went to Church brushing my hair and putting on my lipstick. When Daddy was Sunday School Superintendent and Mama was Jr. Sunday School Coordinator, the phone would ring all morning, with people calling to ask questions or say that they would not be there and couldn't teach their class.

Happy Mother's Day

This is my mom (L) and her sister Dolores (R)

taken in front of their home in Circleville, Utah

(home to all of the infamous outlaws, remember?)

update: just the 2 girls and 9 years difference in age.

Crock Pot Lasagna

OK, totally not my picture so don't give me credit.

I searched the internet for recipes for Crock Pot Lasagna and there were a bunch.

Mostly, this is how it works:

Spray the sides of the crock pot with non-stick cooking spray. (didn't help me, but do it anyways)

Pour in in some spaghetti sauce of your choice to cover the bottom of the pot.

layer with noodles, mozzarella, riccotta, meat, veggies, onions, mushrooms, spinach, olives, the extra baggy of frozen tomatoes from the end of season last year that was found in the back of the freezer.

I used oven ready noodles so they can go in the crock pot straight out of the package--no boiling! But add an extra cup of water because they will absorb all the extra moisture as it cooks.

Most of the instructions suggested that you cook on high for the first hour and then turn the crock pot to low and cook for 5 hours on low. Mine only needed about 3 1/2 on low and it was ready. I turned it down to "keep warm" when the edges were starting to look crispy and the top layer of cheese was slightly brown.

The kids loved it and it was nice to have that done at 11 0'clock in the morning. Next time I would use two of the big jars of sauce (or the equivalent) and do another layer or 2 just so that I had a little more for leftovers because that is how I am.

Pea and carrot Coconut Curry

This is mostly for me so that I don't forget where I put this recipe. Because I do that. a lot.

In a large frying pan, saute 1 small onion, chopped; 1 to 2 T. curry powder; 1 t. salt; and 1 chopped serrano chili* in a little vegetable oil.

Add 1 lb. baby carrots, cut length wise; 1 c. frozen peas; 1/2 c. water; and 1 can coconut milk.

simmer, covered, until carrots are tender. Serve over steamed basmati rice and sprinkle with chopped cilantro.

* I had planned on making this and I had all of the ingredients on hand except the serrano chili. so, I went to the storage room and grabbed this:

a jar of peppers that i had canned last summer. It was the last of the peppers. I took everything that was left over from the salsa canning and just threw it into a pot and bottled it up and stuck it on the shelf. I had no idea that the Scoville unit was going to be about 4 million. So, needless to say that this was one HOT dinner. But the kids loved it. We just had to keep wiping our noses and eventually our eyes all through the dinner. I will certainly be making this again, I will just be a little more carefully about the heat level!!

It was so yummy and smelled so good when it was cooking that I didn't bother to get a photo of the dish after it was prepared and on the plate, so use your imagination.

Gardening

above:

Grandma Ethel and Bryan (my younger brother)

probably taken in the summer of 1985

below:

Grandpa Whitey and Grandma Ethel

Circleville, Utah (birth place of many outlaws, most notably Butch Cassidy)

I planted some peas today.

I LOVE fresh peas from the garden.

I've never really had great luck with planting peas, but I am optimistic this time.

Planting peas reminds me of my Dalton Grandparents.

Their garden was huge (at least it seemed to me.)

I would sneak out to the garden and eat peas until I couldn't eat any more.

If there was enough left when I was done, Grandma would make peas and potatoes--yum, my favorite.

Another favorite memory was Grandpa taking a little plastic bucket out to the garden and picking radishes and turnips. I have planted both this year as well. Grandpa would pick the turnips and radishes, and pull up a lawn chair under a big shade tree and turn on the hose to wash the fresh veggies. Cut the tops off, and we would sit and eat them all afternoon.

In the top picture on the bottom left hand corner is one of Grandma's flowering cabbage plants. How did she grow those babies? I still think she used magic manure.

I loved the rock planter that she is standing next to. It was always filled every year with red petunias. I seem to remember that my mom would take the petunias down to her every spring around Mother's Day.

(And I probably should not tell you that the orange/red rocks that you can see in these photos may very well have come from Bryce Canyon National Park, since it is slightly against the law to take anything out of a national park.)

In the bottom picture on the left side you can see the little pink poppy blossoms that still remind me of Circleville.

As I was weeding this afternoon I noticed that there are hundreds of those poppy plants growing in my garden (they are about 2 to 3 inches high). I can't wait to see them bloom.

I don't know why I am so sentimental when I garden. Maybe it's just the time of the year.

The photo above is a forsythia bush. They are blooming yellow right now just like this one.

In 1986 my Grandma lived at our home for a few months while she was sick just before she died. I was 16 years old. I just remember when she got really sick, she sat on the couch near the window and watched the blossoming forsythia bush just before she died. She died on April 21. So, every year when spring comes I look forward to the forsythia bushes to bloom because they remind me of my Grandma. I guess I could dig a little deeper and compare it to the rebirth of spring and how it compares to the Resurrection and that we will all live again just like the blossoming forsythia bush blooms again each spring. I will see my Grandma again.

1/2 marathon

Before the race.

This is where we lined up for the Start of the race.

They had these markers beginning with 6 min mile, 7 min mile, 8 min. mile, 9 min mile.

And then the 10+ min mile.

I thought that was kinda rude that they didn't have a separate starting point for me and my 11 min. mile.

Oh well. It all worked out.

I forgot to take pictures in the tulip fields at Thanksgiving Point.

I think I was too cold to remember that I had my camera.

Plus, it was probably prohibited unless I paid the extra $10 admission to the Tulip Festival.

Mile 5...along the Jordan River Parkway.

This girl was nice.

She kept a steady pace and I stayed a polite distance behind her for most of the race.

I got a kick out of her retro Nike swoosh shoes.

For a while I thought that maybe they had stopped marking the miles because it seemed like about 5 miles between the 10 mile marker and the 11 mile marker.

Or maybe I was just running much slower.

The battery was dead on my iphone so I couldn't consult "Map my run" after 10 miles.

That's probably a good sign that I just need to run faster.

This was right after I crossed the finish line.

Once I stopped and got my medal I realized that I had no choice but to fiddle with my camera and take a bunch of pictures because my legs hurt to darn bad to take another step.

Eventually I did manage to make my way to the water cups that were off to the side.

Then I sat down and stretched my legs while they read off the raffle winners.

As badly as I wanted the Garmin watch, I silently prayed that they DIDN'T call my number because I was certain that I would not be able to get up and walk to the stage fast enough to claim my prize.

Yes, it was cold (34 degrees) at the start.

Yes, my knees were hurting by mile 3.

Yes, there are some chafe areas.

And lots of other details that I will spare,

But, I am proud of myself considering that I have a pin, a plate, and a screw in one foot and a staple in the other foot.

And just one year ago I absolutely could not have walked 1 mile,

not to mention run down my own driveway and back.

So, I am glad I did it.

And my time was 3 hours and 23 seconds.

I could have shaved off those 23 seconds if I had not been taking pictures along the way.

Thanks Amara.

BTW, Amara and I were neck & neck until we crossed the STARTING line and then Amara got her second wind and blew right past me and I never saw her again.

It's raining

These are my peppers.

In 6 months they will be sitting in my storage room in the form of salsa and pepper jelly.

Really, what I am thinking when I look at this photo is that I really hope that it isn't raining like this tomorrow.

Because I don't like to run in the rain.

I am supposed to run a 1/2 marathon tomorrow.

Earth Day

Ok, I know Earth Day was yesterday. But I wanted to get this posted anyway. I have lived in my house for 3 years and I am proud to say that I have not ever purchased Window Cleaner since moving into this house.

Instead this is what I use: homemade window cleaner. (1 c. water + 1 c. alcohol + 2 T. vinegar)

I know that I could use newspaper to eliminate streaks, but I don't. It just seems like it would make my hands dirty. Some people do not like to use a recipe like this because of the smell of the vinegar. But it only lasts a few seconds and it really doesn't bother me at all. I think it works great. I get water spots on the shower glass in my bathroom and I really think that the vinegar helps get the water deposits off the glass very easily.

It's a bit cheaper, too. That is always nice.

There are other recipes out there. Some are extra strength and have other ingredients like ammonia. I haven't really needed anything more than what I have been using so I haven't tried them.

Sorry Earth. the homemade dishwasher detergent was a bust. I won't even try that again.

Diapers

Audrey & Amara and anyone else who wants to know...

The diapers probably can be sewn but I'm lazy.

So, I buy them at Walmart. They come in a 6 pack or a 12 pack. there are 2 styles--prefold and flatfold. They want flat fold. That means that they can be folded down to whatever size will fit the baby. So, if it's a premie, they can even be cut smaller if they need to. or folded differently to fit individual needs. The prefold ones are folded and sewn together so they are less flexible in their uses.

They are back by the baby stuff, but not the regular diapers, they are near the newborn clothing. they are usually just on the bottom shelf in a big stack. Just double check the label. Sometimes the prefold and flat fold are mixed together. I heard that you can get them at Babies R Us, but I haven't ventured up there lately since I can pick them up close by.

I usually just pick up a package of diapers each time I go to Walmart, but that hasn't been too often lately. And I needed over 160 diapers. I did get a pack from someone that was the prefold. I was going to take them back, but the package had been opened and they weren't all there. I am going to set them aside and donate them to the homeless shelter (do you think they have a need, Audrey?) if not, I will find a women's shelter or something for them.

I have put together 10 kits. I am starting on the next group of 10. I have almost enough diapers for that set of 10. So, I am pushing for diapers. (that's what I have been pushing for in RS for those who have asked.) I do still need 6 sets of socks and some soap. I have exactly enough gowns and pins. And I am still slowly sewing blankets. Thanks for your help.

Project 40

10 Newborn Kits all put together and ready to be delivered to the Humanitarian Center.

30 more to go. I thought it might be easier to manage if we broke it down into groups of 10.

Still needing a few dozen diapers--88 diapers to be exact.

It was so cute putting those kits together.

Deciding which color of gown to put with which color of blanket.

Talking about whether it will go to a boy or a girl.

Wondering what they look like and what their name might be.

Wishing we could see their faces when they were wrapped up in their little blankets.

Holding them close to see if they still smelled like heaven...

15 minutes of fame

Some of you may know this...

Rick has a co-worker named Dale. He has been doing Beachbody stuff for years. He was one of the first guys to be a coach. He talks about it at work ALL THE TIME. He has half of the staff at UVRMC coming to his house and doing P90X workouts. He has his own pilots license and flies to LA from time to time to work out with "Tony".

So, we've slowly joined the band wagon.

We pretty much love to get our butt kicked on a daily basis by Tony and the gang.

Recently we ordered Shakeology which is the Beachbody version of protein drink.

They contacted Dale a few months ago about being in a commercial for Shakeology. He mentioned that he had some friends/coworkers who were doing the program. So, they asked Rick if he would familiarize himself with the product enough that he could be in the commercial, answering questions and stuff. Rick thought it was worth the effort--they might even score him some free product.

So, after some phone calls to arrange scheduling and such, the Beachbody crew showed up at our house this afternoon for the big shoot.

I had to send Cole outside to ride his bike for an hour so that he didn't interrupt the interview. He didn't complain too much. They filmed for about 30 minutes. I'm sure they'll edit down to about 12 seconds. Can't wait to see it. As they were setting up, Summer whispered to me, "Do you think she knows Tony Horton?" So, I asked her if she knew Tony and she whips out her phone and calls him. Seriously. So, we chatted with Tony for a while on speaker phone. And he said, "Do your best and...." "Forget the rest!" about 5 times. I don't know why I think this is funny, but I do.

All in all it was an interesting end to an otherwise regular day. To see more about the program you can click the Shakeology image or the P90X image on the right--that's Tony in the picture.

BTW, Rick is a Beachbody coach. if you want to know more about Beachbody, P90X or Shakeology, call Rick. You can become a coach yourself in no time!! Coaches get 20% off the products. Rick has some samples if you are wondering about this Shakeology stuff. You can also checkout some of the P90X workouts, too.

April Showers...

I decided that because it was rain/snowing this morning when I got up, this was appropriate.

Last week when my mom was here, we did one of her favorite things...we went here and bought some fabric. why? not because we needed any more, that's for sure. Anyway, this fabric was too cute to pass up, so I picked up a couple of yards and made Summer a skirt and Sierra an apron.

Click on the photo it if you can't tell--they are umbrellas. too cute.

Now we just need the May flowers...

Boy Camp

While we were in Las Vegas for a medical conference/anniversary/birthday/spring break getaway, the girls went camping with my sister and her family. well, she has 2 girls. So, it was explained to Cole that he was not invited because it was a "girl camp".

The very first thing that Cole said when we walked in the door at Rick's mom's house was..."Dad, we have to go to Boy Camp"

Nobody really knows what "Boy Camp" is, so Rick made it up. The following morning he had tickets to a race thingy out at Miller Motor Sports Park. One of his friends that he likes to go out there with couldn't go, so Cole got to go.

He was so excited when he got up that morning.

We packed a little bag of goodies for him to take.

the only problem was that they arrived during the lunch break so there weren't any cars on the track. By the time the cars started racing, Cole only had about 30 minutes of attention span left. So, there was not as much race car viewing as Rick had hoped. Oh well. They left early.

About half way home Cole said, "Let's go back". Rick said, "Too late."

But there was another surprise for "Boy Camp".

We got our rebate back from REI and had a 20% off coupon for one item, so Cole got a bike for 67 cents. WAHOOOO!!

When they stopped at REI, Cole still had no idea about the bike. He kept telling Rick, "I'd really like a bike." FINALLY Rick showed him his new bike. It's been 48 hours since the new bike purchase and I think that he has put about 100 miles on the bike. he doesn't even take off his cute little bike helmet when he comes in the house.

(not really an action shot, but here is the bike. He seems to think he needs to stick his tongue out every time he sees me with the camera...note: he IS wearing the bike helmet so that when he tires of digging in my flower bed, he can just jump back on the bike!)

Some thoughts about Scouts.

This is me talking with my hands at Pack Meeting once again.

OK, it is time. Time to blog about Scouts.

Back in August when Brother G. "extended the call" to be the Cub Scout Master, my first thought was, "are you kidding? I don't know if I even believe in Scouts." Seriously. Then I started to cry. And I cried for like 5 days.

I guess this is what I was thinking about the whole Scout thing...

I believe that in our culture (Mormonism) most parents reluctantly allow their sons to participate in Scouts at the age of 8. The Mormon Church was the first organization to sponsors Scouts back in 1913, just 3 years after Scouts was introduced into the US. Notice that I didn't say SUPPORT their sons in Scouting because I don't think that they support them. But, by golly when it's time to tally up awards and merit badges and be accountable, many of those parents are quick to grab the Scout book and start signing off everything they can. It seems that to be deemed a successful parent of a son, one must be able to say, "my son is an Eagle Scout." And all of the glory goes to the parents, right. But what happens between the age of 8 and Eagle Scout is where things get all messed up. The last few months have reaffirmed my original impressions of Scouting. I think that there is a big lack of support for Scouts, especially in the younger days, then when it comes times to do the hard stuff, the parents haven't shown enough concern and support early on and so they have to play "catch-up" to get that Eagle award.

OK, I'll try to be specific. We have about 20 boys in our ward in Cub Scouts. The first month that I did pack meeting, there were 5 boys, some of them didn't even have a parent. The numbers have been up slightly since that first month. But I can count the number of boys on one hand who have ever showed up on time, with at least one parent. It was recommended that I should have an "on-time" drawing to help (bribe) the boys to be on time. It doesn't really help, the same boy keeps winning.

I've had one mom who keeps saying things like, "CJ just loves Scouts, you're doing such a great job, blah, blah, blah,". I finally said to her, "how do you know? You've never been to pack meeting." (Seriously, I can't believe I said that, but I did.) she said, "well, CJ isn't our oldest child, we have older children that just require so much of our time. We were very committed with (oldest child). We just don't have time for Cub Scouts like we did the first time around."

Thanks, that makes me feel so much better. It all makes sense now that I know where my place is. All of that time and effort that I, the committee chairperson, and the den leaders have put into the program is just not as important as all of your other commitments. good. now I know.

I was voicing a few weeks ago my concerns about the Blue and Gold Banquet. I was worried, #1 that I had NEVER been to a Blue & Gold Banquet, and #2 that I had to idea how many people would show up considering the low numbers at Pack meeting and den meetings. This same mom said, "well, we'll be there. It's a big deal. We try to support THAT."

Whatever.

I have been thinking about a lot of different things that pertain to Scouts since last weeks General Conference. Even though the speakers do not necessarily coordinate their messages, there seemed to be an underlying theme of families, and returning to the basics. That parents are responsible for the spiritual education of their children.

This is what I think parents are teaching their sons when they discount the importance of Scouts...

they are teaching them that they can be a part of something and only give half of an effort,

they don't have to show up on time or at all if they don't want to or if something better comes along.

They don't have to participate in the activities/lessons/merit badges to pass off the requirements. That mom or dad can just sign something off right before the deadline and it will be fine. It's almost like they don't even have to be honest.

One boy showed up to the Blue And Gold Banquet and I swear he had NO IDEA WHATSOEVER how to participate in the flag ceremony. And he's 10.

One boy will only come/participate if the den leader goes to his house and picks him up. The parents can't even be responsible enough to get him dressed and down the street to den meeting.

here's the thing...

I wish that if parents were too darn busy to bother themselves with supporting their sons in Scouting, then they should not have their sons in Scouting. It's a waste of my time, the den leaders time, and everyone else who is trying to make this program work.

I have developed a testimony of Scouting in the last few months, however, I do believe that many parents have not realized the importance of Scouting. there is no such thing as commitment, work, responsibility.

I read today that Lance Armstrong will not be participating in a cycling competition/training in the Netherlands later this month as he had previously planned. The reason is that he withdrew from the competition so that he could participate in the Pinewood Derby with his son, Luke. Way to go Lance.

Here are some things that helped me understand the vision of Scouting...

First, if a prophet God thinks that we need Scouting, then I think that we need Scouting.

Here is what President Monson has said, "In this world where some misguided men and women strive to tear down and destroy great movements such as Scouting, I am pleased to stand firm for an organization that teaches duty to God and country, that embraces the Scout law. Yes an organization whose motto is "Be Prepared" and whose slogan is "Do a good turn daily."

"the Aaronic Priesthood prepared boys for manhood and the weightier duties of the Melchizedek Priesthood. Scouting helps our boys to walk uprightly the Priesthood path to exaltation." (ensign, Nov. 1993, 48-50)

"Brethren, if ever these were a time when the principles of Scouting were vitally needed--that time is now, If ever there were a generation who would benefit by keeping physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight--that generation is the present generation." (ensign, Nov. 1991, 47.)

Elder Mark E. Peterson said this: "If Scouting would not make better Latter-day Saints, we would not have Scouting in the Church. But because Scouting does make boys better Latter-day Saints, we take it into the Church...you cannot divorce Church work from Scouting. When you are building Scouting in your boys, you are building the work of God and helping to establish the kingdom of God on the earth."

wow, strong words. I guess it's good that I have had this experience with Scouting before Cole reached Scouting age. It's been good to build my testimony about Scouting before I had a son involved in the program. I just hope that he has leaders that have a testimony of Scouting.

PS.

Thank you to my friend, K who I work with in Scouts. You are awesome and you don't step on my toes at all. At least I don't think you do--I still don't really know what I'm doing.

Thanks Audrey for guiding me and K.

Thanks to Erica for blogging about Cub Scouts. We used your idea to have the boys decorate their own cakes for a cake decorating contest for our blue and gold Banquet. It turned out great.

Thanks also to LeAnn, melissa and Julie (friends from medical school days) who have also blogged about their boys turning 8 and making it a big deal for them. I think that when parents make a big deal about getting a scout uniform, then the boys also see the value that is placed on Scouts. I appreciate your examples.

Today is our 15th Anniversary

to celebrate, this is what we did...

First, we are in Las Vegas.

I slept in while Rick went to some classes for a medical conference.

I ate an apple and a diet coke for breakfast.

I blogstalked for a while.

Rick met me in our room when it was time for lunch.

We decided to go to the mall to see what we could find to eat.

We had a sandwich. Yum. and a Nutella crepe. Double yum.

We walked back through the mall without making a purchase.

We drove back to Caesars Palace where we are staying.

We watched a Faith, Hope, and Charity (Sunday School lesson) by Glen Beck.

I had a nap while Rick watched the news.

We went to dinner for our anniversary.

We thought about going somewhere fancy (since it was our anniversary AND because Rick's portion would be reimbursed).

We thought about going to the same restaurant we ate at when we were here 15 years ago when we were here on our honeymoon.

We had a salad at the food court. It was one of the best salads I've ever had. Even though I had to drink Diet Pepsi.

We talked about going to a show (cirque, blueman group, Lion king). then we decided that was too expensive and decided to see a movie. Except that the movie we wanted to see does not start until tomorrow. Oh well. We'll catch it later this weekend.

So, now we are back in our room waiting for our show to start...30 Rock.

This is what we have decided:

We are boring. We both know it. And we are happy. I love you, Rick.

Blue and Gold Banquet

OK, seriously. I have tried to recruit a Historian for our Pack. Well, you'd think that I submitted the name of the Stake President or something the way that they laughed at me. Soooo, to make a long story short. Summer is the Pack Historian. Which means she takes the pictures at the meetings and compiles them into a Pack History Book along with the awards, newsletters, and other important information for the future Scouts and leaders in our ward.

Well, Rick had to work the night of the Blue and Gold Banquet, so Summer had to wear her other hat (other mother hat) and stay home with Cole. That means that I did not have an official photographer. So, I gave the paparazzi camera to the table of leaders at the front of the room and asked them to take photos of the evening. Seriously. You'd think that it was the first time any of them had seen a camera. The photo above is the best they could come up with. No kidding. That's going to look great in the History books.

And for the love of Pete, you'd think that they could make a Scout Uniform that was even the least bit flattering considering that I paid $40 bucks for that shirt.

OK, if any of you know my Dad AT ALL...

This looks more like I photoshopped my own head onto my dad's body with this ridiculous hand gesture. What the hell am I doing with that left hand?

And some stupid leader sitting on the front row took a picture of me doing it.

And yes, I know I don't have any patches on my shirt.

I couldn't afford the patches by the time I paid for the damn shirt.

That's all.

Actually, I have a lot more to say about Scouts, but I have a rule about limiting my swear words to 2 per post. Maybe another time.

Newborn Kits Update...

This is a little sneak-a-peak at some of the supplies.

Here are the stats:

socks: need 8 more pair

diapers: need 100

soap: need 28 bars

blankets: have about 10 completed/donated.

Need help serging/sewing 30 more. (Supplies already purchased--just need free labor)

gowns: ENOUGH

pins: ENOUGH

Thanks for your help, everyone.

Thanks to Audrey for all of your publicity.

I took a little bit of time off from this project over the last couple of weeks to tackle the Blue & Gold Banquet and to do a little yard work, and sewing for my kiddos and my mom.

My sewing machine is going in for a yearly service/tune-up this week while we take a little Spring Break. But, by next week I'll be sure to break some child labor laws as I recruit my girls to help tackle this project and get it done before the weather warms up and we kiss winter good-bye once and for all.

Thanks again for all of your help.

I can barely talk about this project without getting teary eyed.

Happy Easter

This is a picture of my mom when she was 2.

(She's the girl on the right)

My aunt Dolores says that my Grandma Ethel made the bonnet.

Dolores tells it in her own words...

"It is so funny, but I can look at that picture of Nan Nell and remember her like it was yesterday, and I remember her bonnet. Mama made it and yes, we called them bonnets. Usually the front came forward to shade the face, but I think Mama must have pushed it back so the light would be on Nan Nell's face. They were made with several layers of fabric, some of it felt, and trimmed with ribbon and pinking shears. Also, she made shoes for infants using felt, with embroidery on the front and pinking shears. I remember them all so well. All the little girls had bonnets! The boy in the background is J. D. Reynolds, Shirlely's older brother. He and his sister, Ann, were my age. Shirley was born in the Richfield hospital the same day as Nan Nell and always looked skinny and anemic. Somewhere there is a hilarious picture of Nan Nell and Shirley in their "buggies", no strollers in those days"

I wish I had found this picture a little sooner and I would have made my girls an Easter bonnet.