Eagle Scout

Eagle's Nest

Miles away from home to a place of thorns and thistles, 

Gone for a purpose to be gained for Father’s glory.

I hear my Homeland guiding me from all the whistles

‘Til I am with the Wings that kept when I was weary.

From a distance, its Voice calls for the depths of my soul

While all the angels in their songs keep me uplifted

In thoughts of grace through the times and seasons as they roll, 

And in merry stanzas of what Inspiration said.

To soar above storms when strength flies with me in the air

Until on the Rock a rainbow says it is done

After all past memories to face a new affair

Then say to my spirit that I will always go on.

I take wing for love and life as I cleave to the Heart

That carved and gave this world to me then guided the way.

Now all I have inside is the mission of my part

As I keep soaring above all forms of life and clay.

No reason to look back or to be selfish in this

For there is a reward waiting me after the quest.

In the everlasting skies, there is a golden bliss

Where I will be ever found glad in the Eagle’s Nest.

 by Prince Obed de la Cruz

Why so early?

5:30 am came entirely too soon this morning!  Devin tried telling me that they had cancelled Seminary for the week and I really wanted desperately to believe him... but I knew otherwise.  I think I look for excuses, even more so than the kids as to why there might not be seminary.  I know in my heart there are rewards for those that make the sacrifice to get up early every morning and study the scriptures. However, I just can't help but ask why...why does it have to be so early?  I have so enjoyed my Christmas Break with evenings spent staying up late watching movies by a warm fire. Even better is slipping into bed late at night knowing there is no alarm to set.  Here's to a New Year and to many more years of setting alarms!

Twas the day before Christmas

Oh my! Can it be Christmas Eve day already? It's been such a great month...really impossible to try and back track and recapture all of it so I guess highlights will have to do.  I think taking our Christmas Card photo would have to be number one on my list.  Picture a stack of greasy old railroad ties, kids in bare feet, chickens running around, a goat jumping over the top of the family, a pile of weeds in Gerald's pocket, chicken feed on top of Savannah's head, Gerald's gruff demanding voice,  Savannah's sweet little 9 year old friend Emma behind the camera and lots and lots of laughter!  This is our life in a nutshell...quite comical everyday!  The key ingredient to it all is laughter...lots and lots if it.  Can't get enough of it...it feels good, looks good, and is magic to my ears.

Second on the list, but none less comical than our family picture was Devin's water polo banquet.  It was a beautiful afternoon on the pool deck eating carne asada and laughing hysterically while watching the water polo team play a game of inter tube water polo against their fathers.  Again...lots and lots of laughter. Final score was LQHS Team 8 - Old Guys 7  

Devin was honored as one of three Seniors this year.  

The last highlight of the month actually happened at the very end of November.  We took a final trip to our condo in San Felipe.  It wasn't our normal Mexico get-a-way, being that we have sold our condo and had to move everything back.  Upon arriving at 2am in the morning, we found that there was no water or electricity working and to top it off...no clean sheets on the beds!  Gerald managed to get the water working and with flashlights in hand we founds pillows and blankets and a soft place to sleep.  The weekend was busy selling and packing and moving but we did manage to find time for a walk on the beach picking up sand dollars and a good old fashioned game of football.  It was sweet to hear the kids all talk about each of their memories throughout the years in San Felipe.  Again, lots of laughter...

Laughter really is the best medicine of all!

Dad really is boss...

So, I have to admitt...I've gotten a little used to making all the decisions around here lately! Gerald has been so busy the last few years making things happen everyday that I have assumed the role of making all the decisions for our family and kinda telling him how it is. It's my way of relieving him of having to think about one more thing in his busy day or maybe I am still rationalizing why. Anyhow, I was quite offended last night when Gerald came out and told me what our Saturday would consist of.  He most definitively did not realize I already had the day figured out and he didn't even have the courtesy to talk with me before making his plans!


Silly me...when I stepped back from the little picture to take a look at the big one, I realized I was simply getting a taste of my own medicine!  So here it is...Gerald, thank you for wanting to spend your Saturday with me and your four children.  You reminded me last night of one of the many reasons I fell in love with you ...you have a keen way of knowing what I need and an even keener way of always get what you want... I Love You!

Our Pumpkin Patch

Natalie's   ~    Savannah's   ~    Devin's   ~   Jessica's

Great things come in small packages

Savannah (also known as fish bait or little shrimp around the house) had her first flag football game this week. She is playing corner back for her elementary school and having loads of fun despite the fact that there are only 3 girls on the team out of 31 players. This does not discourage or intimidate Savannah in any way. In fact, it probably puts fuel on the fire and motivates her to be even better.

Natalie and I had fun watching Savannah and her teammates defeat the Lions 18-12. I have to admit...I was getting a little frustrated at the number of missed tackles she had and was relieved Gerald wasn't able to make this particular game knowing his patience level is much different than mine. In me heart, I felt she could have done better!

At the close of the game the cheerleaders formed a victory tunnel for the players and the game wouldn't be complete without snacks right? All of this fluff for a elementary flag football game! I was done and ready to move on to the next thing on my to do list. Coaches gathered their players together for a pep talk and then I find out that after each game, the coaches award a offense and defense player of the game. Another 15 - 20 minutes for sure!

Through the years, I have learned the art of breathing deep through my nose and exhaling long and hard through my mouth. Somehow this helps get rid of those negative comments and thoughts that come out at the worst of times. I was actually counting how many games we had left, trying to make sense of why we were doing this.

As I approached the huddle to hear what the coaches had to say, I was impressed by their positive comments and how they really built the kids up. The offensive player was awarded a football and then the coach began talking about the defensive player. She commented on how important it was for each player to to their part and if they did their part the team as a whole would be successfully. The defensive player of the game was Savannah! The coach went on to compliment Savannah on how well she played her position and was always in the right place at the right time. "A great defensive player is not determined by how many flags they pull, it is about playing the position correctly and being ready".

I was reminded this week by a elementary school P.E. teacher that I need to be a better cheerleader! I need to do a better job living in the now and learning the lessons that are being taught around me and my children during our every day lives.

Thank you Savannah for reminding all of us daily that great things do come in small packages!

My Boys Of Fall





There is something about the Fall...I have to admit the desert's warm weather confuses my Pacific Northwest senses a bit.  However, the cool mornings and evenings are welcome and nothings beats the view of the mountains just after the sun sets.  They turn a deep dark purple and the sun behind them radiates a glow of pink, orange, purple and blue.  This best describes my view just after half time as I'm watching the sun go down at Blackhawk football game.  

The view at a water polo game is much, much different.  Quite a few less clothes are worn which is really amazing because this sport is just as rough if not more so than football.  Their practices are tough.  In fact, the football coaches have been known to send their players to the pool to get in "real shape".  As you can imagine, this poses to be a good discussion around our household. 

Bottom line...The Boys of Fall are strong, dedicated, focused and love what they do whether it be in the pool or on the field.