All Grown Up

I am now the mother of an 18 year old. When I think back, I can still remember the day he was born and the doctor laid him in my arms the very first time. A lot of memories have been made since that day. He did not come with a manual but I tried my best. I made many mistakes but I think I did a lot of things right too! I hope he forgives the mistakes and has fond memories of the things I did right. Some of my fondest memories are as follows:

Giving him baths as a baby and toddler
Watching him coo in his crib or on the floor while playing with his toys
The way he ate cheerios when he was little by nibbling each individual O
Cubscouts and Boyscouts activities
Learning how to take care of him
Sitting in church together
His baptism
The first time he passed the Sacrament of the Lord
Doing yarden work together
Enjoying the same books and movies
Vistans ROC
Service in the community
Cleaning the church together
Our chats in the car, as we worked together, etc.
Family Home Evenings

These are some of my favorite memories........I look forward to the new ones to be made as my little dude ventures out to make new memories to be enjoyed.

Eagle Scout Helps Deployed Soldiers

Here is an article on Tobi's eagle project. He had his board of review on December 14, 2009 and is an official Eagle Scout.

HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii (Nov. 30, 2009) - When the Soldiers of the 558th Military Police Company held their deployment ceremony last August, they had no idea that one spectator in the crowd would play a big part in raising their morale months later.

Toby Bledsoe, a Boy Scout with Troop 135 here, decided to make care packages for deployed Soldiers for his Eagle Scout project after witnessing his first deployment ceremony.

"The ceremony was kind of sad because there weren\'t a lot of family members there, and the commander asked how many Soldiers were going on their first deployment and more than half raised their hands," he said.

Bledsoe, the son of a retired Navy Chief, organized the care package project from start to finish. He briefed the Boy Scout troop on his concept for the project, recruited the boys to go to the Hickam commissary to ask for donations, and coordinated with the commissary manager so that he could solicit outside. Bledsoe also designed printed flyers that the troop handed out to commissary patrons, listing non-perishables that shoppers could pick up during their shopping trip.

"The response was tremendous," said assistant Scoutmaster Scott Dooley. "The biggest supporters were the old veterans - veterans of World War Two, Korea, and Vietnam. One gentleman told me that he wished that the scouts would've done something like this for him when he was in Vietnam. He said a small gesture like a care package makes all the difference in the world when you're deployed."

Each time the project started to seem out of reach, Bledsoe reminded himself what the 558th MP Soldiers were enduring in Iraq.

"I can just imagine it being 120 degrees with all of their gear on, and maybe they are feeling kind of down, but then they get a care package and realize that someone cares about what they are doing," he said.

Toby shipped more than 400 pounds of non-perishable items like beef jerky, Chap Stick, drink mixes, canned nuts, and bags of trail mix, Nov. 28.

"The actions of this young man are truly what this nation and our Army are all about," said Maj. Chris Heberer, executive officer, 728th Military Police Battalion. "His selfless service and support to our deployed Soldiers cannot be measured especially during the Holidays when our Soldiers get ready to spend it apart from their families."

"A project like this teaches a young man like Toby a slew of leadership skills, such as how to task organize and how to bring a group together into a team to accomplish a job," Dooley said. "Toby contacted the 558th MP company commander, the rear detachment commander and got approval from the 728th MP battalion commander for the project, who presented him with a battalion coin."

Toby is a non-traditional Eagle Scout candidate, who just about gave up his dream of ever achieving the pinnacle of Scouting. He was failing out of high school until a friend told him about the Hawaii National Guard Youth Challenge Academy. Following 22 weeks of academics, physical fitness challenges, and lessons on life skills, Toby got back on track and credits his Boy Scout Troops leaders - Fred McMillan, Sr., Fred Gellert and Dooley - with motivating him to finish his Eagle Scout project.

"They are some of the best leaders I've had in Scouting," he said. "I must admit, I started to drift away on my project because I started going to college, working two jobs to pay for college so I was having second thoughts about finishing the project. They've helped me tremendously."

To achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, a Boy Scout must earn 21 merit badges; progress through the ranks of scouting; serve six months in a troop leadership position; take part in a Scoutmaster conference; plan, develop, and lead a service project; and successfully complete an Eagle Scout board of review. Since 1912, only five percent of all Boy Scouts earned the rank of Eagle Scout.
Bledsoe has some simple advice for any boy considering scouting.

"Do it," he said. "Not only does it teach you Scouting skills, it teaches you how to deal with people, how to put together a project, and do it well and on time, it teaches you how to be a better person."

Eagle Scout Helps Deployed Soldiers

Here is an article on Tobi's eagle project. He had his board of review on December 14, 2009 and is an official Eagle Scout.

HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii (Nov. 30, 2009) - When the Soldiers of the 558th Military Police Company held their deployment ceremony last August, they had no idea that one spectator in the crowd would play a big part in raising their morale months later.

Toby Bledsoe, a Boy Scout with Troop 135 here, decided to make care packages for deployed Soldiers for his Eagle Scout project after witnessing his first deployment ceremony.

"The ceremony was kind of sad because there weren\'t a lot of family members there, and the commander asked how many Soldiers were going on their first deployment and more than half raised their hands," he said.

Bledsoe, the son of a retired Navy Chief, organized the care package project from start to finish. He briefed the Boy Scout troop on his concept for the project, recruited the boys to go to the Hickam commissary to ask for donations, and coordinated with the commissary manager so that he could solicit outside. Bledsoe also designed printed flyers that the troop handed out to commissary patrons, listing non-perishables that shoppers could pick up during their shopping trip.

"The response was tremendous," said assistant Scoutmaster Scott Dooley. "The biggest supporters were the old veterans - veterans of World War Two, Korea, and Vietnam. One gentleman told me that he wished that the scouts would've done something like this for him when he was in Vietnam. He said a small gesture like a care package makes all the difference in the world when you're deployed."

Each time the project started to seem out of reach, Bledsoe reminded himself what the 558th MP Soldiers were enduring in Iraq.

"I can just imagine it being 120 degrees with all of their gear on, and maybe they are feeling kind of down, but then they get a care package and realize that someone cares about what they are doing," he said.

Toby shipped more than 400 pounds of non-perishable items like beef jerky, Chap Stick, drink mixes, canned nuts, and bags of trail mix, Nov. 28.

"The actions of this young man are truly what this nation and our Army are all about," said Maj. Chris Heberer, executive officer, 728th Military Police Battalion. "His selfless service and support to our deployed Soldiers cannot be measured especially during the Holidays when our Soldiers get ready to spend it apart from their families."

"A project like this teaches a young man like Toby a slew of leadership skills, such as how to task organize and how to bring a group together into a team to accomplish a job," Dooley said. "Toby contacted the 558th MP company commander, the rear detachment commander and got approval from the 728th MP battalion commander for the project, who presented him with a battalion coin."

Toby is a non-traditional Eagle Scout candidate, who just about gave up his dream of ever achieving the pinnacle of Scouting. He was failing out of high school until a friend told him about the Hawaii National Guard Youth Challenge Academy. Following 22 weeks of academics, physical fitness challenges, and lessons on life skills, Toby got back on track and credits his Boy Scout Troops leaders - Fred McMillan, Sr., Fred Gellert and Dooley - with motivating him to finish his Eagle Scout project.

"They are some of the best leaders I've had in Scouting," he said. "I must admit, I started to drift away on my project because I started going to college, working two jobs to pay for college so I was having second thoughts about finishing the project. They've helped me tremendously."

To achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, a Boy Scout must earn 21 merit badges; progress through the ranks of scouting; serve six months in a troop leadership position; take part in a Scoutmaster conference; plan, develop, and lead a service project; and successfully complete an Eagle Scout board of review. Since 1912, only five percent of all Boy Scouts earned the rank of Eagle Scout.
Bledsoe has some simple advice for any boy considering scouting.

"Do it," he said. "Not only does it teach you Scouting skills, it teaches you how to deal with people, how to put together a project, and do it well and on time, it teaches you how to be a better person."

Reason for the Season

White Envelopes
It's just a small, white envelope stuck among the branches of our Christmas tree. No name, no identification, no inscription. It has peeked through the branches of our tree for the past 10 years or so.
It all began because my husband Mike hated Christmas. Oh, not the true meaning of Christmas, but the commercial aspects of it, overspending, the frantic running around at the last minute to get a tie for Uncle Harry and the dusting powder for Grandma, the gifts given in desperation because you couldn't think of anything else.
Knowing he felt this way, I decided one year to bypass the usual shirts, sweaters, ties and so forth. I reached for something special just for Mike. The inspiration came in an unusual way. Our son, Kevin, who was 12 that year was wrestling at the junior level at the school he attended, and shortly before Christmas, there was a non-league match against a team sponsored by an inner-city church.
These youngsters, dressed in sneakers so ragged that shoestrings seemed to be the only thing holding them together, presented a sharp contrast to our boys in the spiffy blue and gold uniforms and sparkling new wrestling shoes. As the match began I was alarmed to see that the other team was wrestling without headgear, a kind of light helmet designed to protect a wrestler's ears. It was a luxury the ragtag team obviously could not afford. Well, we ended up walloping them. We took every weight class. And as each of their boys got up from the mat, he swaggered around in his tatters with false bravado, a kind of street pride that couldn't acknowledge defeat. Mike, seated beside me, shook his head sadly, "I wish one of them could have won," he said. "They have a lot of potential, but losing like this could take the heart right out of them." Mike loved kids, all kids, and he knew them, having coached little league football, baseball and lacrosse.
That's when the idea of his present came. That afternoon, I went to a local sporting goods store and bought an assortment of wrestling headgear and shoes and sent them anonymously to the inner-city church. On Christmas Eve, I placed the envelope on the tree, the note inside telling Mike what I had done and that this was his gift from me. His smile was the brightest thing about Christmas that year and in succeeding years. For each Christmas, I followed the tradition, one year sending a group of mentally handicapped youngsters to a hockey game, another year a check to a pair of elderly brothers whose home had burned to the ground the week before Christmas, and on and on. The envelope became the highlight of our Christmas. It was always the last thing opened on Christmas morning and our children, ignoring their new toys, would stand with wide-eyed anticipation as their dad lifted the envelope from the tree to reveal its contents. As the children grew, the toys gave way to more practical presents, but the envelope never lost its allure. The story doesn't end there.
You see we lost Mike last year due to dreaded cancer. When Christmas rolled around, I was still so wrapped in grief that I barely got the tree up. But Christmas Eve found me placing an envelope on the tree, and in the morning, it was joined by three more.
Each of our children, unbeknownst to the others, had placed an envelope on the tree for their dad. The tradition has grown and someday will expand even further with our grandchildren standing around the tree with wide-eyed anticipation watching as their fathers take down the envelope. Mike's spirit, like the Christmas spirit, will always be with us.
Nancy W. Gavin
This story is a true story and inspired four siblings from Atlanta, GA to start The White Envelope Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting this tradition and charitable giving. The White Envelope Project founders are regularly in touch with the family in the article and are thrilled to have their support. The Gavin family and now thousands of others continue to celebrate the "white envelope" tradition each year. For more information about The White Envelope Project or to honor a loved one through a "white envelope" gift this year, please visit their website: www.WhiteEnvelopeProject.org

Christmas Spiritual Sunday

Today was our Christmas program. We did an awesome job of praising the Lord Jesus Christ through song and scripture. It was a lot of hard work and many practices but we did an awesome job and I know that He would be proud of how we celebrated His birthday!

In Sunday School we talked about the Savior and then saw a beautiful film the covered the aspects of His life.

In Relief Society the lesson was on the Martyrdom of Jospeh Smith. It was an uplifting lesson about how much he did for the world in restoring the gospel of Jesus Christ. We talked about the martyrdom but also the tremendous things we have because of his sacrifice. One of the sisters mentioned that we need to not just listen and hear the story but hold it in our hearts and become better people. To sustain and honor our leaders today, both our worldwide, stake and ward leaders. In so doing we are honoring the Lord.

Day of business a very Super Saturday

Yesterday was a very super Saturday. My sweetheart came and helped the sisters clean the church so we got there a little late at 8:30 a.m. Started at 8:00 a.m. but I was okay being late if my sweetheart was coming with me. Then he was so patient and sat and listened to our choir practice for today's Christmas program. We practiced until 11:30 a.m. Came home and we did laundry, worked in the yarden and did some other things around the house. It was a super Saturday that we got lots done but mostly because we did it all together!!!

The Family Year in Review

My Sweetheart and I have several adventures to note in 2009. First mom and dad S. made the wise decision to stop driving. So now we have the great privilege of going to see them and help them get stocked up for 6 months until our next visit. We are trying for every 6 months right now. In May I had a mixed blessing of going to Idaho. It had been close to 12 years since her last visit to see the family. She got to say good-bye to Gramps and now he is with his sweetheart. It was great to reconnect with family and make friendships again with her sweet sisters. It was also the first time to meet many of the nieces and nephews. What a blessing!! In October, Skinny Sis's family stopped in for a visit. It was very special and it was great to spend a whole day with the family. Uncle and Aunt are very proud of the children and what wonderful people they are growing into. It was great for the husbands to get to know each other and for the sisters to talk, bake and enjoy each other. It was sad to say good bye but we will see each other again really soon.

Mini Moo arrived in our home on July 3, 2009. She is a blessing and makes us laugh each day with her kitty antics. She looks like a little cow with her white coat and black spots. She is stealthy and we never quite know when she will pop into view. She is a treasure.

Little Dude is still living in the wonderful state of HI. He is enjoying it there and finished his National Guard Youth Challenge program in June. He has a beautiful girlfriend. He just obtained his Eagle Scout award on Monday, December 14, 2009. He is planning on having his Court of Honor soon on the USS Missouri. He is doing well and is now preparing to turn 18 and is hoping to join the military soon.

Journey with Jesus

JOURNEY WITH JESUS

“And the angel said unto them, fear not for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11

Here is a special journey we can all take with our scriptures and journals to help us get closer to Jesus during this Christmas season. We need to remember that the way He lived His life, Atoned in Gethsemane, Died on the cross, and Rose again on the 3rd day is why we celebrate His Birth. Enjoy the journey.

How do I see myself as a daughter of God, and a sister to my Savior, Jesus Christ? How do I fit into the plan? D&C 18:10, Luke 15:4-10, Alma 42:14-15

Do I let my light shine? 1 Nephi 16:18-24, Matthew 5:16, 3 Nephi 11:10-15

Do I serve my fellow brothers and sisters? Mosiah 2:17, Mosiah 23:10, Alma 26:3, 2 Nephi 3:24

What is the pure love of Christ? 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, Alma 5:26, 33-34, Moroni 7:45-48

I hope you continue to enjoy your journey with Jesus every single day. I just want you dear sisters to know that I love each and every one of you and hope you find joy and peace during this Christmas season.

Renee Stuckrad
Vista 5th Ward Relief Society Presidency
1st Counselor

List of Accomplishments

So the list of accomplishments from Saturday to Monday night. I am only posting this, not to make you all in awe of me, but to show my self that I really did get a lot done. Sometimes no matter how much I do, I don't feel like it so I am doing this to have it in writing for myself.

Saturday: Breakfast date with hubby, shop at Target, shop at Michaels, shop at Sam's club. Two hours in yarden (raked and swept front, dug some holes for my spring flowers, took care of the jasmine vines, pruned our lilly, picked leaves out of the aloe garden, aerated the camillia, almost got stung by a wasp, pruned the bower vine, picked up cat poo from neighbor cat, picked weeds along the north side of house, etc.) Finished writing message in cards for the VA hospital service project.Got Christmas decoration boxes down and into the house. Washed and dried two loads of laundry, baked brownies for Ward Christmas party, cleaned up in bedroom. Took shower and Went to Christmas party at 6 p.m. and stayed until after 9 p.m. (There were only 4 of us cleaning the kitchen), came home and went to bed.

Sunday: Up at 6:30 to finish talk for Relief Society, ate breakfast, went to church for 3 hour block. Choir until after 1 p.m. Had lunch with my sweetheart and took 1 hour nap. 3:30 to 4:30 went with RS president to visit an sick elderly sister in the ward. I miss her so much!!! Read a book for an hour. Had dinner with my sweetheart. Now the rest are probably not approved Sabbath activities but..... Took down thanksgiving decorations and partially decorated the house with Christmas decorations. Did dishes and went to bed at 10 p.m.

Monday: Decided to stay home to work on list of things to do......Said good bye to my honey. Had breakfast, folded, hung and put away the laundry (YEAH!!), made draw string bags for angel tree gift cards service project. Made our Peanuts Christmas material pillow cases for the bed, finished putting up Christmas decorations, got the Christmas tree ready for the MR to put on lights, worked on a gift for Mom S, went to chorus practice for Christmas program, etc.

Whew!! This makes me tired just remembering that I did all of it!!!! Guess I can give myself a break now!

Time with my Sweetheart

One of my sisters commented on my last post about my sweetheart coming home to a wife in the afternoon. He loved it!! He was thankful to see me and we had lunch together and I flitted around and we talked and it was JOYFUL! He commented on how he wished we could do that more often. Me too! Mini Moo was sooooooooooo tired last night. She usually sleeps during the day....but Mom was home and working on things and so she was very nosy and into everything with me. She "helped" me make some drawstring bags. So yes, my dear sister, I LOVED IT!!!!

Stay at home day

Today I decided to stay home from work. I have too many projects, service and otherwise, that are pending. It is causing me much distraction. So it is rainy and very windy and I thought it would be a perfect day to just stay home and finish up some of my projects. I have done a lot and it feels good to get a few things done.

Mini Moo Flu

I waited to write this post because I was very scared. Friday, Mini Moo stopped eating and did nothing but sleep in one place all day long. I was really afraid. Saturday was the same. She was also very hot. Sunday I put some water on her lips but she didn't like it. She was wobbly when she walked. I just was scared we were going to lose her. But Mom S said that cats get sick sometimes and it was probably just a kitty cold or flu. She had been sneezing for about a week before but I just thought it was dust or something. Mom S says that if they can't smell the food they won't eat. So finally on Sunday evening, she ate a little bit and then off and on all night we could hear some little munching going on and a lot of drinking of water. On Tuesday the wobbles are almost all gone and she actually walked down stairs. She played for a little bit last night and played hide and seek with her toy again. So all is well and Mini Moo is better. Guess the flu is not just for swine.