The Law of the Pack

Cub Scouts - Wolf pack ... and so it begins:

The Law of the Pack:

• The Cub Scout follows Akela
• The Cub Scout helps the pack go
• The pack helps the Cub Scout grow
• The Cub Scout gives goodwill
  

Ian is so excited and loves his new shirt!

I am still trying to figure out how I became Den Mother ... but I am. It's a little intimidating but I'm looking forward to it. We had our first meeting tonight and met the other boys that are in our pack.

Ian learned the Cub Scout promise and the secret handshake. Next week? Flag!

It's only 1 hour a week ... I can do this ... it will be good for us.

Do Your Best!

It's been one of those days (part 2)

Some days, even though there is nothing out of the ordinary, turn out to be extraordinary. There are memorable moments that open your heart and make such an impression that they become part of you.

Yes, It has been one of those days...

Take two plain words:

Simple \sim-pel\ a: Sheer, unmixed. b: free of secondary complications

And:

Pleasure \ple-zher\ a: A state of gratification. b: A source of delight or joy

Together:

Simple Pleasure: Sheer, Unmixed [free of secondary complications], state of gratification; a source of delight or joy ...

~~Life is FULL of 'Simple Pleasures' ~~

• A Sunny Afternoon
• Crisp, clean spring air
• The smell of fresh cut grass
• A Touch
• A Kiss
• Talking
• Laughing
• Sharing
• A Child's hug
• A Toddler Reading the Story to 'you'
• The words "I Love You" -- never said too often

Today .... was a 'Good Day!'

It's been one of those days ....

Have you had a day when you didn't know what to say? Have you had a day when it seems things turn out the wrong way? It's been one of those days...

All right, in all honesty it's not that bad ... but when you let your guard down and are suddenly blindsided with 'life' it can humble you just a bit. One simple action ... a reaction to an action ... can cause such a swell of emotion that floods your senses and makes it difficult to breathe. It is as if the ground beneath me has turned to sand and it is rapidly slipping out from under me.

I miss my mom today ... I have so many questions ... so much to say ... and only she'd understand. She'd know what to say to give me back my confidence ... my control. She'd know how to get me back to solid ground. But she is not here ... and I must once again figure it all out on my own. I know this gives me strength and builds character ... but today I wonder ...

I've learned that I'm strong and I can do it. I can conquer the world! I've finally learned and accepted that it's OK to take care of myself and to do things for me ... and yet when life catches me off guard I find myself questioning all my decisions.

I wish I knew all the right things to say. I wish for one day that was completely carefree ... one day without responsibility, without conflict, without worry.

I am thankful for the gifts in my life ... for my children and for the people who love me. I suppose I just needed a moment to let some of this out ... to tell mom how much I still need her... to let go of some helplessness so that I could continue my journey ... continue the climb ... to be able to get back on track and take control back!!

It's been one of those days ...

But it's OK. I'm OK. And it's because of these days I can truly appreciate every day!

Easter Egg Hunt at Shannon's

Thank you Shannon and Jeff! What a wonderful Easter Sunday afternoon.

The food was incredible!

The kids had a blast ... big and small.

Eggs were hidden...

and eggs were found!

and friends had a most excellent time!

Looking forward to next year!!!

The Easter Bunny was here ...

Sunday morning brought smiles and giggles ....

The eggs were found, the baskets were full

After all the goods were inventoried it was off to Easter Mass

How blessed am I to have such a wonderful family?!

As we celebrate the resurrection of Christ and the renewal of life that Spring brings I look forward to new beginnings. I welcome change that is long over due. I smile with the thought that I'm right where I am suppose to be and I open my heart to let in love and happiness and all that is in store for me.

Easter egg coloring = fun!

Easter egg coloring = fun!

We started with 16 plain white eggs....




Then with
smiles,
imagination,
and
many,
many
colors
to choose
from the coloring began...


Let the creativity flow....



I hope the Easter bunny likes 'em!

There were a few 'cracked' eggs ...



And a few tears ...





But in the end
we ended up with 16 colorful, beautiful eggs.... and a great afternoon!

Easter!

I have to share my story of Anna and church.

A couple weeks ago as we (Ian, Anna and myself) sat thru Sunday Mass I found myself lost in my own thoughts and revelations and I let my eyes fall on the sculpture of Jesus on the cross above the congregation. Anna must’ve seen me looking up and decided to share her infinite wisdom with me. As the church silenced and the priest prayed my sweet baby girl decides it’s the perfect moment to get my attention. In her attempt of a whisper (which is not really a whisper at all) I hear “Mom, mom, mom!?!” As quiet as possible I ask, “What?”. She then tells me (and all those sitting around us) that “Jesus DIED on the cross!”. As I smile and nod in agreement and whisper back yes … yes he did … My too smart for herself 3 year old finishes with, “But it’s ok, he comes back on Easter!”.

Thank goodness for the perception of a 3 year old and her aptitude to share all she has learned with me!

As we grow older why must we lose our fearlessness?

With age we gain experience and with experience we gain wisdom and with wisdom comes enlightenment and with enlightenment comes freedom …. Right? And yet it seems the more ‘experience’ we have the more cautious we become. I wish I could make the leap without over-thinking the situation. I wish I could trust with my whole heart without bracing myself for disappointment. I wish I could let go of a disagreement with the abandonment it deserves. Instead, because of past ‘experience’ I find myself guarding my heart, my soul, my being. I miss the carefree days of blissful ignorant youth. The days we’d charge into battle without consideration of the outcome. Taking on a new job simply because it sounds fun. Jumping feet first into love without reservation. Wanting to conquer the world!

I suppose knowledge and ‘experience’ do have their advantages. Especially when raising two young children and wanting to teach them the beauty and amazement of life. But if we could all let go of our insecurities and trust in our hearts and emotions and where they want to lead us I think we’d all reap the most wonderful ‘experience’ of all … LOVE – unconditional, unwavering, indestructible LOVE!

I cannot say I’d change things … or change anything about me. Looking back on youth we often say “if I’d only known then what I know now” … but would you really change a decision or make a different choice?? We could not … then what we know today would be different.

Every ‘experience’, every decision has brought me to this moment … and while I find my path to be unfamiliar and undefined I do choose to believe I am exactly where I am suppose to be … at this exact moment. And all will happen as it is suppose to … even if I don’t know exactly what ‘all’ is.