Order of the Arrow for Jarell

Jarell was tapped out to be a member of the Order of the Arrow when he was at Summer Camp and this weekend he was invited to the Ordeal where he became an official member of the group. He spent the weekend on a cold campout up at the OA site on Mustang. He is the last of our six sons to do the Ordeal for the Order of the Arrow, a service group of the Boy Scouts of America. He was excited to go up and participate in this adventure. He spent part of the time not being able to talk to anyone. While they were there they helped with an Eagle Scout project, clearing the tamarisk from around the Recapture Reservoir. It is just part of the whole ritual.


The final day Dan and I were able to go up for a meal and to watch the ceremony as he was inducted into the brotherhood of OA. They have an elaborate ceremony where the boys are all tied with a rope and led around. Then they end up at the campfire with some of the older staff dressed in indian costume. They are given a lot of good advice and then they take an oath to continue to live the values of Scouting. The final part of the ceremony is when they are welcomed into the group and given the white sashes with red arrows to wear. Jarell had a good time and says he wants to stay in and do the Brotherhood and Vigil tasks when he is older. I'm so greatful for the good things he is learning in Scouting and hope he can continue.

He is working on his final few merit badges and then will need to complete his Eagle Project. Joel is currently working on his project. It will be great when they have all reached this goal. Being a girl I almost feel left out.

Pies, Pies, Pies!!!

We did it again! 30 pies for Thanksgiving and they were all gone by the day after, with a little help from the rest of the family. Colleen came over to help and we had a ball getting them done. I'm so glad I don't have to cook the rest of the Thanksgiving meal. The boys voted we have a lot of banana cream and they ate them all along with the pumpkin, apple, lemon meringue, cherry and blueberry. Thanks Colleen for the help!

I love Fall!!

The other day Cory brought over his girls and asked if they could "borrow" some of our leaves. They raked them up and invited the neighbor kids over to jump in them too. If you look close you can see Cory buried in the pile of leaves. Then he would jump up and they would all run away. The kids all had a great time and I think Cory enjoyed it more than all of them put together!

Drama at Primary Children's Hospital

Jayd and Joel have been working for months on some plays. Their friend Tori Black wanted to do this and was in charge of everything. There were about 10 students involved in the productions. They did two different plays and then did some improv too. The day before they traveled up to Primary Children's Hospital to perform them, we got to see them. In one of them, Joel was a cat and Jayd was the Pirate Prince. They had a lot of fun with their friends getting these plays ready. Doesn't it look like fun? They also did improv at the hospital and had a lot of fun with the children. Going Up, performing and coming back in one day makes for a longgggg day, but they said it was worth it.

Counting Blessings

I've been thinking about all of our blessings and decided I should make a list of them. We had a great weekend. General Conference was wonderful. We had a houseful. Jon, Colleen, Larrissa, as well as Colleen's mom, sister, and niece and nephews all came to watch it on our T.V. We missed the Saturday morning session as we were watching this:

Not really, Jarell did get actually get into the game a couple of times. Enough that his right arm has bruises all over it. He seems proud of them (probably wishes bruises could leave a scar. What is it with my boys and thinking scars are cool). They lost 12 to 0, but since it was against Moab it doesn't count because they're not in our league. (Actually I don't blame the loss on Jarell anyway, you have to be on the field more than he was to take credit for losing.) I guess this could be considered a miracle.

Blessing Number 1: A Raisor on a football team and he actually gets to play and didn't end up in the hospital. If anyone could get hurt only playing for a couple of minutes it would be Jarell too.

Anyway, back to conference. We had recorded the first session so we went home and watched it just in time for the second session. Lots of good talks and it was so nice to feel the spirit. (I know I know I should be able to revive my batteries every week at church, but by the time Primary is over I just want to crawl home and take a nap. Those 5 year olds wear me out! I feel good if I can convince Emma to let me give the lesson, not her, and if I can get Brandon, Brock, and Reagan to sit still for the first 5 minutes I am a success.) We watched the 2 sessions on Sunday and I guess that is what got me started being so thankful about everything.

Blessing Number 2: Mom had her 71st birthday and is still healthy and we are so blessed to have her for a mom, grandma etc., what a wonderful mother I have been blessed with. And she likes me just the way I am, crazy huh?

Blessing Number 3: Becky's strange tumor was just a strange tumor and not cancer. Becky called to visit and said she is feeling a little better. Hopefully she can float through this pregnancy without all the nausea she usually has. Just think with all the storms, earthquakes, tornados and other disasters they have had this year in Illinois, they are all safe and well.

Blessing Number 4: Dan loves me. I have to admit that sometimes, not very often, but sometimes, I get mad and slam dishes around and stomp my feet and feel sorry for myself, and Dan still loves me. (Of course he stays out of my way until I'm done slamming and stomping).

Blessings Number 5 to 30-however many there are, I've lost count: I have great children. All of them. The two and a half dozen that were born to me and the chosen ones that have joined us and all the little ones with their smiles and their Raisor curls and their sparkling eyes that Heavenly Father has sent down to bless our lives. I love them all.

One Final Blessing: I know Heavenly Father watches me when I stomp and slam and do thoughtless things and make stupid choices, but he loves me anyway. In fact he loves me so much that when my older brother was hurting, he let it go on because he knew I could never come home without the price being paid by that brother. It will take me all of my life and forever to thank him for this one blessing and yet he has given me countless others. As I heard my dad ask once, "What have I done to deserve such a blessing?"

Pinewood Derby 2008

When Jarell the last of 6 sons, turned 11 years old we thought we were done with Cub Scouts. Then Dan thought it would be fun to start up a Cub Scout group in White Mesa where he works, so to make a long story short, here we go again.

The boys in the troop are anywhere from 8 years old to 11 years old. Dan teaches the Wolf, Bear and Webelos Dens all together. Last week he decided to have a Pinewood Derby. Since most of the boys don't have willing parent helpers, that meant he had to help make all 7 of the cars. Oh yeah, did I mention that he only gave himself 4 days to get ready? The idea was hatched on Monday, and on Thursday they had the main event.

I've been to a lot of Pinewood Derbies, but this had to be one of the funnest ones I've ever attended. The police car won and all the boys laughed about that and said that it seemed right. The boys had so much fun and even when the official race was over, they stayed for a couple of hours to race their cars and just have fun. They were so proud of their cars and even the slower cars were prized. For the first Pinewood Derby ever to be held by the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe Cub Scouts of Pack 1629 it was truly a Great Event.

L.T. , Andrew, Anferny, Terrence, Tremaine, Augustice, and Reginald

So, Dan now that you've helped make 27 derby cars, are you done yet?

The Wonder of Babies

Caberiel joined our family on September 19th. He weighed 6 lb. and 10 ozs. He was welcomed by his parents Tama and Caleb, as well as his brother Aidyn and his sister Aislyn. He has that new baby smell and that new baby awe surrounding him. Everything in miniature, a perfect little person. Aislyn is sure to let us know "My baby!" and Aidyn adds "he's cute huh!" And of course we all agree. He sighs in his sleep. I smile. Every child sent to earth from heaven, arrives tiny and innocent. We don't know what talents this child has, what his personality will bring, or very much about him at all, but he's one of us and we love him already.

Tea Parties

Do you remember when you were little, how much fun it was to get dressed up and have a tea party with your sisters and friends. The little dishes and little party foods?

Aspin

Tama, Colleen and I decided we wanted to have a tea party for us and the girls. We ended up with Charity, Kaylie, Aspin, Remington, Larrissa, Aislyn, Aidyn, the Bayles kids (Bree, Gracie, Ellie and Brock) as well as Ellen and her girls and a few more boys thrown in. We had miniature soup rolls with clam chowder, fruit (grapes, watermelon, apple and pear slices etc) Jarell made some appetizers with pickles, cheese and olives. We had 2 different kinds of drinks and Tama made the cutest ice cream pies that looked like little mice. We all had such a fun time. Tea Parties should be an annual event!!

Ice Cream Mouse

Charity all dressed up and ready to party.

Larrissa enjoying the food!

Remington

Aislyn (she's ready for the camera flash)

Gracie, Bree, Aidyn and Aislyn

Kaylie

How Do They Know?

It happened again! I don't know why it happens, it just always does. Jarell came in the house with a big smile on his face and said, "Hey Where did that little kitten come from?"
Of course I just looked dumb and said "What?"
"That yellow kitten on the front porch. Where did it come from?"
"Oh no! Not again." This I just thought to myself. Out loud I said,"Don't touch it! Don't feed it! It doesn't live here. If we just shun it, it will go away and find another place to live!"
"It was eating out of the cat bowl, Mom. I think it's hungry."
"Just come in the house and leave it there. Maybe it will leave."
"But Mom look, it's friendly. And it's purring."
"You're not shunning it. What is it doing in the house? Why did you pick it up? Don't you know what it means to shun. It means ignore it. Don't pay it any attention."
"OK mom." He puts it down in the middle of the living room. There are five people in the room. The yellow kittens jumps up on the couch and climbs onto my lap and then climbs up by my face, curls up and lies down. I can feel the vibration as it purrs.
"Remember mom, we're shunning it. Just ignore it. It will go away." Jarell snickers and then goes to get his brothers to come see.
They come up and they are all laughing. "Let's call it Mat. It stands for Most Awesome Tiger."
"You can't name it! It's going to be leaving soon!"
"Yeah, we can see that Mom. Hey, Mat you're a cool cat."
"Jarell, get the camera. It will be fun,"
"Joel don't encourage him."
"Oh I'm not mom, we just might need a picture of the cat for when it leaves, so we can remember it."

"Mom can put it on her blog." This from Jarell.
I look down at the kitten curled up sleeping. I hope it's a boy. They like to wander off when they get older. Anyway two cats is enough. We don't need any more. He is kind of cute though. I can still feel the vibration as he purrs. Does he know his fate is being decided as we sit here?
Of course he does. Just like all the other strays that we've had over the years. And how do they know that I'm a pushover?

Brian and Brock

When I was a teenager, Linda and Lloyd adopted Brian when his older brother was just 6 months old. Having 2 little boys so close together as well as two other little kids was sometimes overwhelming and I did a lot of babysitting and cleaning to help out Linda. Later, Brian was in our Blazer class and also one of Dan's scouts. What a fun time that was. He was the one who always came up with new things to try and fun ways to challenge the teachers (us). It was fun to watch him as he grew up and went on a mission and got married. When he married Suzie and they began raising their family right next door, it was a joy to watch the man he had become as he spent time with his little family playing, working and loving them. As a neighbor he always had a wave and a smile for us. His jokes and his sense of humor livened up our lives.

It was with disbelief that we learned he died in a plane crash this week. I hurried over to Suzie's to give her a hug and see if there was anything I could do. Sometimes life just hits us in the face and we have to pick ourselves up and try to go on. Lloyd was at the house comforting Suzie and the kids. He gave Suzie a blessing and the spirit in that home was so strong. I just knew that Brian was there watching over them. His son Brock is in my Primary class. He reminds me of Brian when he was that age. I asked Brock if he wanted a blessing too. He just looked up at me and said, "I'm not sick! I'm going to go play at my friends!" I hope Brock always has that great attitude. He's a real character and I hope he challenges me and his other teachers just like Brian did and turns out to be a man just like his dad!

Sisters

I just had the most amazing couple of days. It started when mom decided that all her daughters were going to go with her to the Van Leuven Reunion in Lindon. She started making plans and Ellen, Robin and I fell in behind her.

Since we just had the Bob Jones reunion, I have been feeling a little down. Missing those that had gone home, feeling bad that I couldn't be with Becky when she had her surgery. Missing children that I haven't seen for a long time. I was having a hard time and depression had hit bigtime.

Anyway to make a long story short, I decided to go to the reunion. We had a good time visiting and shopping all the way up to Provo. Then Robin and Ellen were doomed to ride with me around Provo, warning me of the red lights, pointing out the stop signs and enjoying my great city driving skills. We only got lost a couple of times and it was fun every time. Its a good thing they were wearing their seatbelts!! I'd forgotten how much fun we have when we all get together. Lynette and Leah drove down to the reunion and met us there. We had so much fun laughing and sharing our growing up stories. I miss having them closer. I have the most awesome sisters. Heavenly Father must have loved me a lot to give me my sisters. I'm grateful for a mom that knows when we need a lift and that family is what strengthens us. Now I'm back home and everything seems a little brighter. I'm thinking of Uncle Ivan and Aunt Jean and Aunt Ruth with a smile on my face. Chuckling about some of the stories that were shared and just wishing I knew some amazing glorious words to describe how much I love my family. If you know the right words, just imagine them here and that's how I feel!

Family Reunion

We had a great Bob Jones Reunion. We camped at the Nizhoni campground until the 4th of July. It was great to get away from all the distractions of home and visit with family. It was fun to watch the littlest grandkids as they got acquainted. The picture is of Larrissa (Jon and Colleen's little girl) and Brayden (Chris and Becky's little boy). We even enjoyed the time we spent cooking and eating. Two of the things we do best.

On the 4th we had fun watching the parade with Becky's family and visiting at home with everyone. We got caught up on what everyone is doing and remembered and missed those who weren't here. We enjoyed playing games, laughing and eating.

It's a wonderful thing to have a family that loves us. We are so grateful for the blessings we have been given. We love our family!!!!

The Fires at Bigfoot Camp

This year at Scout Camp we had a forest fire. The best idea as to how it started, is that lightning hit a tree during a rain storm two weeks before and the log smoldered until it hit a pitchy part of the wood, causing it to explode. Fire and debris showered the surrounding area. A couple of nearby campsites heard a small explosion and then turned to see the fire start and immediately ran for help. Some ran over to try to put out the fire.

The camp staff followed their emergency fire plan. The camp was evacuated to Dry Wash, while staff and firefighters available at camp raced out to fight the fire. It was contained then brought under control fairly quickly. The Blanding Fire Department was called and they responded, as well as the BLM and Forest Service personnel. A helicopter arrived with a fire bucket. The evacuated boys and leaders were able to return to camp after a couple of hours.

That is the basic story of the first fire I wanted to write about, but the real story came out over the next day or two, as people shared their experiences. Many miracles occurred in order for this story to have a happy ending. Here are a few:

-Two weeks earlier at the exact place on Blue Mountain an LDS girl's camp was held. The girls were having a fun camp even though it rained on them. The thunder and lightning didn't worry them and they slept through the night to wake up to snow covering the ground. Camp was moved to town where the activities were held in the chapel. If the fire had started during the night while they were sleeping, who knows how this story would have ended.

-One of the troops closest to the fire was led by Mr. Ivy, a fire marshal.

-There were at least 7 trained fire fighters in camp. They as well as many young staff members (including our boys, Joel and Jayd) raced to help put out the fire. The response was immediate and quick. They just grabbed the rakes and shovels and ran toward the fire.

-There was a small fire truck nearby as well as two other water tanks that have spraying abilities.

-The call to the Blanding fire station caught the fire fighters at their monthly meeting, so they were able to respond immediately.

-The only ax brought to the fire, was the one some of the young boys had been sharpening to pass off some of their advancement requirements. There was a tree that needed to be felled the right way so the fire wouldn't spread. It was chopped down in record time and fell right where it needed to go.

-The aquatics staff said that all day the wind had been blowing north, which would have blown the fire toward camp. While fighting the fire those digging fire breaks, said that the wind changed and blew the fire away from them three seperate times as they moved from one position to another.

This list could go on and on, with all the little miracles that happened, but the real miracle of the camp is this-

For years Blue Mountain Summer Camp has been a place where boys go to do their scouting and the staff gives them much more than they came for. The honor trail is a hike the boys go on where they commit to live the Boy Scout Oath and Law. The staff does all that they can so that the Honor Trail is a spiritual experience. The final campfire the boys go to on Friday night is a very special event. The best skits, the funniest songs and the cutest run-ons are all presented to the boys. The final event is the staff singing a song by Kory Kunz "Our Mothers Taught Us". This is a song telling the story of Helaman's stripling warriors. This is followed by "I Am a Child of God" and other church songs that the staff chooses. Over the years countless numbers of young men have been touched by the spirit and their testimonies of the Savior and his church have grown. Some of my own sons and daughters have been part of this great campfire.

This year was no different. The boys attending camp this year were mostly young 12 and 13 year old boys. After the staff stood and sang the last songs, there was the same reluctance on the part of the boys, to leave the campfire. Many boys left with tears in their eyes as the spirit touched them, and they didn't want to lose that feeling. The next day I know of seven boys who came and asked what they had to do to staff next year, and I'm sure there are more I don't know of. Testimonies were strengthened and many were just started. So the real miracle of the camp was a fire. Not a fire in the trees, but a fire that started in the hearts of the staff and spread to the hearts of the boys, and I hope it never goes out.

Jarell's Environmental Science Merit Badge

(Let me see, which requirement am I on... Oh I see)

"Requirement 4: Make three visits to a study area you have selected, staying for at least 20 minutes each time and observe the living and non-living parts of the ecosystem. Take notes of your visits."

(This is going to be so lame!!!!)

Day 1

Magnificent pine trees, sage brush is scattered everywhere. There is a slight breeze making all the leaves move. Pine needles are all about the ground. The wildlife moving around everywhere. (even the gnats).

Day 2

I am sitting on a great magnificent rock. The great pine trees overtowering me, a field of sage brush 100 yards off. Dead trees around the rock. Patches of yucca. Gnats forming around my head. A family of lizards under a rock. Rocks in patches off to the left. Cactus in patches. A spiderweb glistening.

(Maybe this is not so bad!)

Day 3

A perfect spiderweb glimmers in the suns bright rays as I look down to see a lizard running hastily. A Robin in the bushes finds a small juicy treat. Rustling in the fine needles catches my ear to see a tiny chipmunk proud as ever can be. Many beautiful song birds are humming happily as gnats eat away my face.

(Yeah! I did it, and it wasn't as bad as I thought!...except for the gnats)

Our Family Traditions

I have been reminded this week how important traditions are and how they are carried on. The reminder came in the form of a phone call. It was Jarell's scoutmaster asking if I was really going to bring pizza for the whole troop next week at scout camp. I started laughing and said, "What day do you want it delivered and how many boys will be there." The scoutmaster seemed surprised that I was really planning on doing it. I almost changed my mind when he told me there would be 20 boys and their leaders. I assured him we would have pizzas to them on Thursday. After I hung up I started to laugh and had to tell Dan he may not be getting very many pizza's in the staff area this year, since 10 had to go to the troop.

This experience has caused me to reflect on how our traditions get started. I believe the first time we took pizza to scout camp was when Jeremy and Josh were going. I told them before they went to camp planning meeting that I would help with the food. They volunteered me to take pizza up that year much to the scoutmaster's and my surprise. It was kinda fun though, walking through camp like we were doing pizza delivery. I've been doing it every year since. Jarell has heard the stories and I guess he figures its up to him to keep the tradition alive.

This year I'll be taking up 10 pizzas to troop 906 and 4 to the staff, one each for Dan, Jayd, Joel and Sade. They'll all share, or (as Jon did) sell them by the slice.

When people ask what family tradition we have, I don't even think of the scout camp pizza run, but how many years does it take to make it tradition? This will be year 12.