Old Toys and Memories

I've been going through boxes as I pack stuff away so Alisha can move in while we are gone on our mission (no - we don't have our call yet...) and found a box of old toys. Most of them were Dawson's Star Wars stuff (which I took up to Barrett - see past blog). For some reason I had saved these old cardboard blocks of Dawson's. I have no idea why - they are very well worn from all his playing. He would play with these blocks for long periods - stacking, then knocking them down, then restacking and knocking them down. And all the while he would laugh. Maybe the blocks had an influence in his going into construction (with occasional demolition work on a project...).

I don't know why I kept them but in finding them I rekindled a memory of a fun time when Dawson was little...

Little Mermaids

Katalina celebrated her birthday with a swim party at the Apex Center in Arvada (CO). It was a fairly warm day in March but as we were driving over we had snow flurries. But no worry - it was plenty warm inside. Here's the Little Mermaids taking a break. Kat is the one with the goggles.

The Paperwork is IN - Now the waiting begins!

We clicked the little submit button at the bottom of the webpage and up popped (in bright red) "Recommendation has been submitted" - Our mission paperwork is in!
We met with the Bishop this afternoon (Sunday) for his interview and he will click his button tonight! Next comes the Stake.
Hopefully, everything will be to Salt Lake within the next two weeks and then we wait...

My Birthday!!

It's My Birthday!! #53!!
I have always loved birthdays. I guess when I was young it was because of the party and the presents, but not always. Birthdays are a reminder that I'm still here - still going strong - the Lord still has a purpose for my being here. It's an affirmation of my life on earth - not just another number added next to my name. So celebrate your life in my honor!! Happy Birthday to everyone!!!

Talansia

My talansia are in bloom! So what you say? What's a talansia? Talansia are tropical air plants. I have to have a piece of the Florida Keys at our house so our bathroom (with the highest humidity in our house) has several varieties of talansia and staghorn fern (also an air plant). It's exciting when it blooms because with our arrid air here it only happens every few years.

Silver Beaver

I was honored to be presented with the Silver Beaver Award from the Great SW BSA Council. This is my 23rd year in Scouting. I'm a Wolf Den Leader again - just where I started at the beginning when I was Dawson's leader!

The award was presented at the Council Volunteer luncheon on Sat. Feb. 21st. The Council Pres., Paul Sowards, presented my award. He was our Bishop when we first moved to Albuquerque and remains a good friend. I helped his three sons with their Eagle projects.

At our February Cub Pack Mtg, the Pack gave me a special plaque they had made. All the cubs and leaders had signed the back. It's great! One of my 8 yr. old scouts was so cute - when they said I received a Silver Beaver he asked to see my beaver - thinking it was a real beaver.

Barrett and Grandpa Alan