Cub Scout Fun Day

The first couple of pictures are for my friend Kathryn.  First off, Shanna in Henri's pjs.


And then some of Elden for you!




Cal told me: "Mom, I want you to take a picture of me here so I can remember this when I am a dad." Here you go Cal!




A couple of weeks ago Lee, Clark and Cal went to a Cub Scout Fun Day. Clark has been in Cub Scouts for a few weeks now.  He and Cal LOVED it.  I am glad they could go.  It makes me excited for all the fun things my boys will do in Scouts.  (I ALWAYS wished I could have been in scouts when I was little...oh well.)








Here you go Roger and Britt!

Conversation with kids....gotta love 'em

Lee visited Clark at lunch today. He had this conversation with one of Clark's peers. Boy: Who is Clark's babysitter?
Lee: Clark doesn't have a babysitter.
Boy: Well, what time do you get home from work?
Lee: 5:30, 6:00.
Boy: But then what does Clark do after school?
Lee: His mom stays at home.
Boy: She stays home all day?
Lee: Yes.
Boy: LUCKY! (Lee assumes the boy thinks Clark is lucky to have his mom home)
Boy: She gets to watch TV and drink coffee all day!

Happy Anniversary? What?

Ha ha ha...I can't believe Lee and myself. Only we would BOTH forget our 9th anniversary is today and guess who remembered two minutes ago? Lee. It's probably a good thing we forgot. We don't have money in the budget to go out to eat or for Lee to buy me flowers. We even had rice and beans for dinner! Too funny. Happy Anniversary Lee!

PS

There were a few things I forgot to mention in the last post. 

1.  I joined the PTA!  Unfortunately the general meetings are on Monday nights.  We have family night that night, so that won't work out too well.  But, I volunteered to take on a project--handing out bags to incoming kindergarteners when they come for a school tour and lunch.  I make sure there are enough bags for each kid, make sure they are stuff, and make sure they get handed out.  Sounds simple enough! In addition to now being on a committee (that happened when I volunteered for the project) I get to go to the "executive" meetings and they are on Thursday nights.  Perfect!

2. We don't have a disposal.  This is definitely one of the top things I miss from our old house.  Not to mention the trash gets smelly.  YUCK! 

3.  We have been eating a little more Ramen than normal; I am sure you are all shocked!  So far we had it one time too many anyway. [Can't decide if "time" should be "times", please pardon the grammar.  But I am not a good writer anyway!] Good thing it's cheap at Family Dollar!

4.  I guess there is a calling in the works for me.  The counselor was going to extend a calling to me on Sunday but then the Bishop told him not to tell me about it yet.  I am curious what it will be! 

Okay. That is all.

It's Great to be 8!

This summer Clark turned 8!  He is our oldest and our first child to be baptized.  His baptism was wonderful! We planned my family reunion around his baptism.  All of my family was able to be there except for 4 people. (We missed you Roger, Britt, Lexie and Andy!) We had almost a room-full with my family alone; and some of our good friends from school, church, and the neighborhood came. 

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we believe that little children are innocent and need no baptism till the age of 8.  At that time (age 8) they have learned between right and wrong and can be responsible for their own actions.  What I love about this doctrine or teaching is that if a child dies before age 8, he or she will automatically go to heaven and will receive the fullest blessings from our Heavenly Father in the life after death. Jesus Christ desires all of us to return to him.  Because of his sufferings, death and resurrection, all mankind can repent and return to him and our Heavenly Father.  And also because of his atonement, little children are innocent and need no repentance until they are accountable (age 8). You can read more about baptism on www.mormon.org.

After Clark was baptized and received the gift of the Holy Ghost a few people from church talked to him.  One of them was Renalle Stroud from Primary.  The spirit was really strong when she talked about Clark serving a missionary someday.

 

One of Clark's teachers from school came to the baptism. (Later that day she took some pictures of our family!  Thanks so much Vicki!  Check her website: www.vickihowephotography.com).  She had recently been diagnosed with cancer.  Lee and I had the opportunity to meet with her and the Bishop and he gave her a Priesthood blessing.  It was amazing!  I am thankful the power of God is here on the earth today. Also more about the Priesthood at www.mormon.org. All is all it was a great morning. We're proud of you Clark!

Small Town Living

Everyday life has been going well in our small town.  Right now the only "extra" activity is Cub Scouts--Clark recently joined and loves it! I love being able to walk or bike everywhere in town.  Lately we've been using our van only two or three times a week.  I'm not really a "green" person (sorry Matt), but it sure is nice being fairly self-reliant and not having to worry much about gas prices.  

While I've been here I've discovered two stores that I love! The first is a local thrift store EAUS (Elkton Area United Services).  I have been a couple times and am excited to keep going and going!  The other day all children's clothing was $0.25 each.  I bought a few awesome items! 

Here is my first treasure for the day.  Though not an article of clothing, still nice.  Especially for $1!  I don't have a china set or anything of the sort.  But I have started a set of white serving dishes.  Don't laugh, but this is the third piece of the "set".  I got a free gravy boat w/dish last year the day after Thanksgiving (thanks Yonkers!) and recently I inherited a nice white serving platter from my mom.  When I saw this piece I almost didn't buy it reasoning I don't need it, only if it is $1.  But I changed my mind and I am glad I did!  It would work well for veggies, sauces, candy...I am sure I will use it somehow!






So, on to the $0.25 finds.  I got a few things for a $0.25...like a fleece pull-over for Clark when he's 10 or 11, a couple shirts for Elden, a couple of jackets, a Gymboree dress shirt for my nephew and these two beauties:

Yep, an Express sweater.  I told the lady up front that it was a women's item, but I found it in the children's section.  She still gave it to me for a $0.25!


And this quarter find is currently up for bid on eBay....I couldn't resist! 


The next store that I love, and is fewer than two blocks from my house: 

I think I first saw Family Dollar in Memphis.  The stores were normally in undesirable parts of town so thus my opinion was formed and I think I had frequented them not more than a couple of times. When I saw one here I didn't go there for a few weeks actually.  Eventually I went, and I can't remember the reason for the trip, but wow!  I am SO glad we have a Family Dollar here!  There are many items for $1 and really it could be called the local five and dime. It has a great selection and some things are just a great price.  Where else can you get evaporated milk for $0.80??  Or a six pack of ramen, ha ha, for $1??  There is wrapping paper for $1, along with nail polish, craft items, hairbows, combs. candy, papertowels, etc. all for $1.  Plus I can get practically all of our household and personal goods there!  Oh so sweet.  Now if there was only an Aldi in town....

There have been a couple of changes in our day-to-day life.  For one: no microwave.  Our microwave that we bought in Memphis in 2004 died on us RIGHT before we moved--about three or four days prior.  I have tried to get some free ones on Craigslist, but not luck.  Microwaves are EXPENSIVE and we won't be buying one anytime soon.  I still need to find out if someone around here (that I can walk to) fixes them. There have also been changes (small and big) in using an electric stove, mowing our own lawn, and riding the bus to school, among others.  All in all life is good and Lee enjoys having his own business.

This picture won't mean much, but the other day my mom sent out an email about their adventures at the Puyallup Fair. She mentioned that Sheldon and Sheldon shared an elephant ear together.  I wondered if Sheldon was a twin, but at birth was separated from my mom at the hospital.  Roger and Britt had proof of his lifelong twin and he did show up at the fair!  In any case, my family had a good laugh.