Sometimes I wonder...

If this has taken over or enhanced our lives...

Sometimes we fill our time with time wasters... and sometimes with time fillers... and sometimes with time enhancers. So what is this?
At times I feel like we have filled our time (the time that has been given to us to become more Christlike and to teach and build our family) with something that is good, but maybe there is something better. For some reason this morning I have been weighing the pros and cons to this thing we do. Probably because 5 Saturdays in a row are being used by this thing not to mention the several week nights and lunch/quiet time breaks.
So what has it taken away from me?

• time with my kids


• time with my family


• time that maybe I could have been helping someone in need.

Ok, that is all I've got... But those are BIG things!

What has it given me?

• Something in common with my husband. This is something that we can do together. A common goal.


• One night a month that Matt and I leave the house together to serve others. We have the opportunity to teach and counsel other leaders that are working directly with young men to improve their lives.


• I have overcome my fear of speaking in public!!! This is HUGE considering I used to cry every time I gave a talk in church...or cry just thinking about giving a talk in church or anywhere else for that matter.


• I have learned how to communicate my thoughts and feelings better with my husband, kids, family, friends...everyone.


• I have learned how to manage conflict, this is so helpful as a mother! I'm not perfect at it, but better.


• I ave made some fabulous life long friends. Friends that are compassionate, selfless, have integrity and most of all they are my friends and Matt's friends. I love that we have friends that we both like equally.


• I have learned and gained a testimony of why Scouting is the activity arm of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.


• I have gained a huge testimony of Callings. I know that our Heavenly Father knows what we need more that we do and how to get us there. I am so thankful to my heavenly Father for planting me in a Calling that has helped me to grow so much.


• I have learned ways to instill values in my children.

I know there is more, but I can't sit here all day...

So I think that I can say with a surety that this thing we do called Scouting definitely has given me more than it has taken away. I have been blessed in so many ways through Scouting and I feel that it has made me a better mother.Thank Goodness the kids love it too.

Bitter Sweet

FYI . . . This post maybe long because of what I am writing about. This is basically a journal entry about being a scoutmaster. Scattered Thoughts

During the month of July of 2006 I was asked to be the Scoutmaster for Troop 423. I was excited as much as I was optimistic about the experiences I would have over the course of this 4 1/2 year journey. Today I was released as the Scoutmaster. This is a day that for the majority of my time I never hoped for but knew one day it would come. This journey is one that has changed my life forever and one I hope to enjoy again in the future. The day I accepted the responsibility I never new I would grow to care for these young men as much as I do. There were a lot of days and night spent laughing, prodding, encouraging, promoting, strengthening and preparing and everyone of those moments was worth it in my mind. People often praised me for what I did and I received several honors over the last few years. I never felt like I was doing anything special I was just giving it everything I knew how to give. It is funny how you always learn more from those you serve then what you give them. The moment I was called I made a commitment to my self the I would offer these boys the best scouting program I knew how to provide. Even though the program evolved over the 4 and 1/2 years. I can honestly say I have very few regrets. I know I have had boys upset at me and proably some parents but I knew that my first responsibility was to be a Leader and Second to be there friend. I know for a fact the happy, joyous moments far out way the times my pacience was tested. I have spent 60 + nights sitting around a fire on a cold evening then getting in the tent hoping to get some rest. I can't say that I ever got much sleep but I can say I wouldn't give back anyone of those nights if I could. I also spent add'l 15 night getting trained on how to deliver even more opportunities for the boys to grow into leaders. For Tami and I the sacrifice my family made far out weighs the blessing and joy we received. I never could of done this with out Tami, she never once complained about the time I was spending. No one truly understands what a scoutmasters wife goes through unless you see it first hand. There were many of night where we would sit up and I would tell her what was on my heart and how I wanted so badly to affect these young men for the good or wondered how I could help a boy that struggles. I have had some great experiences and seen so many places I never would have if it wouldn't of been for the troop. One of the things I enjoyed the most was the 50 miler. If you would of told me 4 years ago we would take 13 boys on a trip of a life time in the white clouds I wouldn't have thought it was possible. I am not really sure what I am going to do with myself other then spend more time playing with my kids and being with my wife. Who knows maybe I will take her on a date that doesn't consist of stopping at REI or Sportsman's Warehouse. However, with all that said I am sure the lord has other things in store.

Being scoutmaster has truly been a part of me. My kids don't even know any different then dad goes to scouts every week and he goes camping once a month. I was talking to a friend of mine and she says that often it becomes self defining. I would have to say that is probably the case for me. I don't really even remember what it is like to not be the scoutmaster.

A couple of the boys jokingly said they almost started crying. Some of them said why can't you be the scoutmaster forever. As good as that sounds there comes a time when you have to step aside and let someone else take the reigns. All I know I will do my best to jump back on the wagon in hopes of enjoying some more of the ride.

I met many adult scouters that have also affected my life. People not of my faith who truly showed me what it is to love my savior. People who gave so much of themselves to better the future of the people they served. One of the things that had greatest impact on me are the men and women in the battle right along my side. Just like my boys know I would do anything for them, if these mentors needed something I would be there.

Bitter
Not having an excuse to go camping once a month
Not having an excuse to buy more gear
Not being the one directly responsible to help shape young men into men
Not being there to watch them grow physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually
Not seeing them realize they are capable of what ever they set their mind to

Sweet
Time with my kids and family
Camping and hiking with the family
More bike rides and family outings
Watching these young men prepare to go on mission
Time to run and hike

I just hope and pray that in some way I affected those around me as I served. This definitely isn't the end of the book. It is however time to start a new chapter.

2010 Centennial District Awards Banquet

Every year our Scout district has an awards banquet. Last year we had sick kids so Matt went alone, but this year I wanted to be there...I knew a little secret!
Matt was awarded Scouter of the year for the service he had done in the district. I was so excited and Matt had no clue! (I wasn't a very good photographer, in the moment I forgot to go up and get a closer picture)
Matt and I were also awarded Scout Couple of the year and we were each one of the brightest stars in the district along with several of our friends. Matt wore his grandpa's uniform to the banquet...he looked so handsome!

Court of Honor

Kelly awarding David (SPL) the Overall Champions Award for Klondike

Kelly giving a lantern to the troop. He commented on how impressed he was with the boys and their attitudes when they found out there was a scoring error and they were the actual winners of the Klondike. He told them their example is a light to all those around them.

David, Ben, Brandon, Nathan, Sonny, Jake, Tyler and Dallon listen to me praise them for their Klondike performance

Tyler putting a the First Class pin on his Mom

Jake receiving his Tenderfoot Rank

Brandon receiving his Second Class and First Class Ranks

Sonny receiving his merit badges

Ben receiving his First Class Rank

We had a good Court of Honor the other night. A lot of boys and parents were able to make it. Kelly came to represent the Bigfoot District Klondike Committee. He praised the boys for their great performance and good attitude. Then I awarded them their Klondike Patch and Klondike Champion Certificate. After this we awarded the boys their merit badges. We had several boys advance to 1st class and one advance to Star.

Tyler finished up his Eagle Scout Rank and now he is waiting approval from National.

Adam has his Eagle Project approved and is planning a fund raiser in May

Caleb and Mitch both have approved Eagle and will be completing their projects this summer.

On My Honor Award

At the Court of Honor Tami and I earned the On My Honor Award for our time and dedication to the scouting programs and our callings. It was exciting for us to earn the award together.

Bishop Clegg talking about the On My Honor Award

Matt awarding Tami her award

Tami giving Matt his Award

Matt and Tami wearing their On My Honor Award

Klondike 2009

In February we had the Klondike competition for Scouts. Friday I got off work at noon and met Brian, Nathan, Sonny and David. We went up to Camp Glenwood before the rest of the troop. When we got there we set up camp, watched the elk and hung out until the rest of the troop arrived. Around 7 o'clock Eric, Dave, Brandon, Jake, Tyler, Dallon and Ben showed up. We ate some spaghetti and the boys played around for awhile. We went to a fireside where they all sang songs. Then came back and got our fire going and had our own little fireside on "Accepting those around you" and did some last minute preparation for the next day's competition. We got up early Saturday morning ate some breakfast and the games began.

The first event was the pancake race. David, Brandon and Tyler competed in this event. In two strikes of the flint they had the fire going. They had a full on fire in 30 seconds, then they put the # 10 can over the fire and cooked their pancake. The pancake was cooked in a little over a minute then David ate the half cooked, hot pancake. They finished this event in 1:35 and got 2 minute bonus for starting it with flint and steel.

David eating the pancake

Then next event was the flag pole raise. The object of this event is to create a 12' flag pole by lashing poles together with their patrol flag on top. They had to do 6 round lashing and they chose to do a longer pole then 12 feet. For every foot over 12' they got a 1 minute bonus. Their time for this event in 1:31 and had and 18 foot pole. This picture is the whole troop getting ready to start the flag pole race.

Nathan finishing up the lashing while Brandon and Jake encourage him.

The next event is the shelter construction race. In this event they had to create a shelter that would cover 4 people. They had to use the taut-line, two half hitches and the clove hitch in the construction of the shelter. They did this event in 1:26


The next event was the first-aid event. In this event the Senior Patrol Leader was attacked by a Yeti and had a lower left leg fracture, right collar bone fracture and an open wound on the left arm. While Nathan and Brandon took care of David the other boys made a stretcher.

The boys carrying the victim on the stretcher, right before the finish line they dropped him. They finished this event in 3:53 and got a 2 minute bonus for treating the collar bone fracture properly. The judge told them the were only the second troop up to that point to treat it correctly.

There was a mystery station that we didn't know anything about. They had to answer several questions on winter camping then they had to pop a balloon about 12-15 feet away. They could only use the supplies they had on their sled. The boys decided to lash together some poles and duct tape a pocket knife to the end. They had a little trouble with one of the questions. They constructed their pole really quickly but had a little problem popping the balloon. The event time was 8:22.

This event was called Yeti or Knot. Each boys was required to tie a sheet bend. Then they had to work as a team and tie a clove hitch around Tyler. I was really proud of the boys on this event. Sonny had worked hard on his knots and it payed off. We had practiced it the night before but at the event there were a couple rules they weren't aware of. The first time they did it it took them several minutes but after a couple tries they were able to finish it in 29 seconds. It was great to see them communicate and adjust as a team.


The next event was the ice flow rescue. In this event they had to tie several ropes together with a sheet bend, Square knot, Fisherman's knot and then tie a bowline on the end to rescue the victim. When we practiced this event their fastest time was 1:30 seconds. At the competition it was competed in 46 seconds on their second try.

This event is Non-Verbal communication. Prior to the event the boys created a signaling system for the entire alphabet. The boys were given two phrases and they had to signal their partners 150 feet away. If you look way in the distance by the bushes you can see the receiving group. Ben was the receiver and Dallon was the sender. They did this event in 5:30.

This was the Himalayan Grouse hunt. They started with an elapsed time of 15 minutes. The troop got 50 shoots to hit 10, 20, and 30 second targets. For every target they hit, the amount was deducted from the total time. They hit the target 15 times for a time deduction of 4:10, giving them a time of 10:50. This was their final event. We went back and broke camp, then the boys went sledding until the awards ceremony.

These are all the boys that participated. They are a great group of rambunctious boys. The boys went to the awards ceremony with high hopes. They had practiced hard and competed very well. They knew based on their times the could possibly win the whole event. As they all sat there anxiously, they announced the 3rd place winner with a time of 55 minutes. All the boys looked at each other because they knew their time was in the 30's. They announced the second place and then the first. It was now time to announce the Grand Prize winners. I was excited for the boys because I knew they had won. They announced the winners (41 minutes) and it wasn't Troop 423. The boys looked around and didn't know what had happened. After everyone had left and the prizes had been awarded they came and asked me if they could go see their score. I told them go ahead. They all went to the scoring table and looked at their score card. They quickly realized where an error was made. The event they did in 29 second was entered in as 29 minutes. Even with that error they still placed 5th. The committee quickly recalculated and realize that the boys of Troop 423, were the KLONDIKE CHAMPIONS with a time of 29 minutes. I was really proud of the boys. I didn't hear any complaining or blaming. I quickly gave them a high 5 and let the know that I was proud of them and that all that mattered is they knew they did their best. Yeah, they were a little disappointed they didn't get the recognition but they were excited that they had achieved the goal they had set out for. The Klondike committee is going to come to our Court of Honor in April and make it up to the boys. It was a good experience for all the boys and us leaders. Some of the best teaching moments are unintentional and I think everyone walked away a little taller.

Jump Creek Campout

For the January campout we to jump creek near Mashing. There are some really cool rock formations and a water fall. David, Brandon, Sonny, Chris, Dallon, Ben, Tyler and Nathan all went. Friday night we got there set up camp, cooked dinner, did a night hike up the canyon. I hid behind some rocks and scared Nathan twice. That night one of the boys decided to down a town and it started a little fight. Those are always fun. On Saturday we practiced our Klondike events then hiked up the canyon and played in the canyon and caves. This is a great place close to home. The boys tents down by the creek

Eric coming out of the cave


Eric and Nathan on Devils Ladder


Tyler and David climbing down Devils Ladder

Devils Ladder from the top

Jump Creek Canyon

Camp is in the distance

The Troop across the valley

David at the water falls edge

David climbing the technical part of Devils Ladder

Jump Creek Falls

Matt at the falls

Practicing for Klondike