Eagle Scout Court of Honor III

After the ceremony in the church everyone headed over to the Fellowship Hall to celebrate. We served chicken,baked beans, cole slaw,bread, and vegetable trays. It was a lovely party! Some of the other Scout moms kindly set up the food which was being kept warm in the kitchen's ovens while the ceremony was finishing so we could enjoy the COH.

                                 George with several members of BSA Troop 204.

                                 Several family members enjoying their dinner!

Victoria, our grand daughter.

                    My husband and our oldest son Jamie chat at the front of the hall.

George's picture cake made by Publix. I wish I had ordered a larger cake but we also served cookies and cupcakes so there was no shortage of desserts!

                              George admires his cake and the dessert table.

George with our friend Galo.

George with our friend Debbie.

All in all, it was a wonderful evening. Thank you to all the family and friends who attended and supported George.

Eagle Scout Court of Honor II

The church ceremony was quite moving. I didn't cry but neither did I take any pictures as I just wanted to enjoy the moment.Thank goodness other folks present shared their photos with us!

                           Jack reads about the Star rank as part of the program.

Mr.Taft presents George with his Eagle Badge and pin while my husband and I look on. Mr.Chennell, the Master of Ceremonies is at the left.

                                        George with my husband and myself.

Sargent Hintz presents George with a Certificate of Achievement from the Army.

                   Mrs.Ludwig shares her memories of George as a young Scout.

                  JT remembers and shares a few stories about George.

Adam's turn to reminisce with George.

Grandma's turn to wish George well and Happy Birthday!

George's Uncle Larry (my brother) offers his congratulations.

Kyle remembers George as a new Scout.

Mr.Taft congratulates George.

Pastor Dibble prepares to close the ceremony. The Scoutmasters were so anxious to start the ceremony they forgot to have Pastor Dibble offer a prayer at the beginning of the ceremony. Pastor Dibble was very gracious about the "mishap."

My son George was awarded his Eagle Badge at his Eagle Scout Court of Honor on March 17,2012. As George's big day approached, I searched the web for ideas on how to to conduct the ceremony and party. The most helpful information I found was from a blog written by another Eagle Scout mom. I'm honored to share pictures and stories from George's Eagle Scout COH in hopes that another future Eagle Scout family might benefit from our experience.

             Thomas and Dad blowing up balloons a few hours before the COH.

We went with a patriotic theme which is typical for a Boy Scout function. The tablecloths and balloon weights came from Dollar Tree. We also printed some Eagle Scout badges and attached them to the balloon weights. Some Eagle Badge white balloons were given to us by a family whose son had made Eagle a few years ago.

George spent a lot of time and thought arranging his Scout memorablia to display at his Court of Honor. The flag is from Jamboree 2010.

A few of George's certificates and a newspaper clipping from 1996 when our family went corn gleaning in Belle Glade. It's hard to see it in the picture but George is in a basket used to collect the corn. My husband is holding the basket.

           Some of George's patches and cards from guests that evening.

                       George just before the ceremony began.

                  Inside the church before the ceremony started.

George chats with a representative sent on behalf of our Florida State Senator's office just prior to the ceremony .

                       Scout ranks displayed at the front of the Fellowship Hall.

 

My sister,nephew, and myself finished frosting about 6 dozen cupcakes for the celebration. We brought the baked cupcakes to the church and frosted them a few hours before the COH. It was easier to transport un-frosted cupcakes.

Our sweet grand daughter Victoria helps set up.

My mom and my son Jack before the COH.

Since this is already long, I will put more pictures in another post.   Thank you for visiting!

Shameless Parental Brag

Since my last post way back in October, a lot of things have happened to my family. I've been forced to deal with some things that as a Christian, homeschooler, and a parent I'd never expected to deal with at this stage of my life. However,some excellent things have also happened, one of which I will dedicate this post to.

My just-turned 17 year old son George made Eagle Scout on January 11,2012. He did his project last March but due to scheduling conflicts and other issues wasn't able to have his Board of Review until January.

Last Saturday, March 17, we celebrated George's Eagle Scout Court of Honor and his 17th birthday. Everyone who attended was overwhelmed with the accomplishment of this boy.

I had a medical accident when I was pregnant with him. Someone close to me said, "You don't have to have this baby." My husband and I never considered any option but to leave this decision to the Lord. Seven and one-half months after the medical accident, George was born. He had glaucoma in his left eye, 3 holes in his heart, a heart murmur, and was missing a kidney. We cried and prayed for this boy constantly. He had 5 surgeries before he was 2. One of the surgeries removed his left eye. It was a tough decision.....once the eye was gone, there was no going back!

George developed slower than other children. The school system wanted to put him in a special needs school. I rejected this and told the educators we would handle his education ourselves. Over time, I prayed that George would find a "thing" that he was comfortable doing. My youngest son asked to join Cub Scouts because his church pals were in Scouts. First the youngest, then George joined Scouts. He has thrown himself completely into Scouting beyond my wildest dreams. He also was a state finalist in the National Geographic Geography Bee in 2009.

This post is waaay too long and there is so much more I could add. There are still some tough situations coming my way in the very near future. Once again, I've drawn closer to God for comfort and wisdom. He's also send several very wise,goldy people my way to advise and comfort me! One moment at a time is how I try to live my life.....can't change the past or predict the future. But for now, I'll bask in the pride of this extrordinary young man who is my son.

Here is a picture of George and a family friend. We were so busy that evening that neither myself or my husband took pictures!!!!!!

Seasons Change

Here in South Florida,we don't get to see the spectacular changing of leaves like most folks do in the rest of the United States. But the last few days have brought a lovely 5-10 degree drop in the temperature, as well as a cooler breeze from the north! I thought we would never get cooler weather,especially since we've had temperatures in the 90s since April. Finally we will be able to open the windows.......and lower our electric bill at the same time!

My family has changed a lot in the last 6 months as well. Our daughter graduated from homeschool/high school. She attends a nearby community college.Most of her tuition was paid for by Bright Futures, a Florida program which rewards students who have good SAT scores,communtiy service, and good grades with partial or full scholarships to state colleges. In May,she will have her AA, at age 19!

Jack,our 15 yo son now attends high school. He is enrolled in a Culinary Arts program and JROTC. He is doing fairly well despite the fact that we had a very rough time with him at the beginning of the summer. So far his grades are good. I worried that when he went to school for the first time in January that he wouldn't be abe to keep up academically at school after being homeschooled his whole life. His academics are good, now to keep him on the straight and narrow!

George,our 16 year old son,is close to completing his requirements for Eagle Scout. I am so proud of him. When he was young and having developmental delays, I prayed that God would allow him to find a "thing" that he could excel at. He found his way to Scouts and hasn't looked back since! He is still homeschooled and will most likely stay so until he graduates. George had a bit of a disappointent when he took the test to qualify for dual enrollment in community college. His scores were much better than last year's but he will have to score higher in order to be able to take classes at the same college his sister attends.

Thomas is at home as well and in 7th grade.This morning we planted strawberries in one of those upside down baskets. It was on sale at Winn Dixie for $4.99 but rang up at the register for $2.50! The last time we tried one of those planters was about 3 years ago. We got ONE tomato out of it. So we'll see what happens this time! I love doing things like this with Thomas because he is creative and energetic. He had a great time a Boy Scout camp this summer and was chosen to be the patrol leader of his contingent. God has blessed him with leadership qualities!

October means I am popcorn chairman of the boys' Scout Troop...again! For sure, this is my last year doing it! Sales were a bit slow this weekend, but we will be hawking our popcorn until the end of the month. I am especially blessed that the weather turned just as we begin to do our "begging" in front of grocery stores,Dollar Tree,etc!

It is strange to be homeschooling just 2 children now, after having them all at home for so many years. I enjoy the time I have with George and Thomas. It reminds me of when Marie was the only one I needed to "school" because she was the only one old enough at that time. There really is a season for everything and they are constantly changing!

Have a Blessed Fall Season. Our awesome God has brought me through another season of life.The fact that He is a God of order,never changing, and always present has guided me through this time of change. He is there for all of us, we just have to let him into our hearts!

Finally,I found this picture on the Cake Wrecks Blog. It makes me laugh! Can you imagine going to the store to pick it up for a loved one's birthday and finding this?!

The Long,Slow,Happy,Sad,Busy Summer!!

My last post was prophetic and a bit of a "curse" as well. Shortly after I signed off, several events happened that totally changed what I had planned for this summer. The unusual quiet was replaced by some turmoil and heartache.God clearly had other things in mind for me. I've spent most of this summer flying by the seat of my pants due to the unexpected happenings in our household. Through all of the trials and triumphs, I know He is polishing me to be a better wife,mother,daughter,sister,homeschooler,church member........

So now as the summer hurtles to a close after seemingly standing still for a time,I'm glad I had this opportunity to draw closer to the Lord. My prayer life and quiet time have become more consistent in the good times and bad times. Several people have stepped forward to help me when I've felt like I've been in over my head and at my wit's end......another God-thing!

This coming school year I will have "only" two of my children to homeschool. Another child is going to community college full time and another will be a sophomore at a public high school. I'm looking forward to starting the school year with a renewed sense of purpose as for the last few years we've been barely moving forward. My youngest is now 12. I would really like the next 6 years to be the most energetic years we've had as homeschoolers! Big dreams,for sure,but with God anything is possible. Still, I do expect the inevitable bumps in the road. Knowing where to go and what to do when I encounter the bumps helps me to move forward and not get stuck in self pity or anger modes!

My brother came to visit us in FL this summer before and after his family took a cruise. I really wasn't happy about it because it meant cleaning and spending time that I didn't have going out and about. BUT,being able to relax (well,maybe after the credit card bills for some of the outings are paid for,lol!) with my family and seeing my children plus my nieces and nephews all together was the antidote for the sadness I felt earlier in the summer. The cousins who were together are 18,16,15,15,14,13,13, and 12. All the babies are gone! Overall they all got along pretty well. We visited a waterpark,the beach, pool, and playgrounds. Had dinner at Chic Fil-A and Golden Corral. They saw the new Planet of the Apes movie.Monday night,I had 7 kids sleeping in my living room. My brother left about 8 last night and his most recent FB post said they had already made it to Maryland. I'm already missing everyone......

Anyway,this summer has been one of extreme ups and downs. Still,God holds my hand and sends me what I need exactly when I need it.

Here is a picture of two of my children and my nephews and niece. We almost didn't go to the beach that afternoon as it had stormed heavily and it rained most of the 45 minuted drive to this particulaf beach! Safe to say, we all had the time of our lives the three hours we were there!!!

Memories to cherish!!!!

Unusually Quiet

This week has been much less eventful than the last few weeks....PTL! Right now, my husband is taking our daughter to a nearby church. She attends Sunday night Youth Group there. The group is leaving for a missions trip to North Carolina to help refurbish a church. The youth will be painting, sawing, cleaning, etc, for a church in need. I am so proud of my daughter for going on this trip.

Our two older boys have been at Boy Scout camp since last evening. Their event is an Order of the Arrow Summer Pow Wow. They will return on Sunday, then leave again Friday to work at camp for several weeks (not necessarily continuous) during the summer.

The youngest son is at a dear friend's house. He is supposed to come home after middle school youth group tonight. I bet I get a call this afternoon asking if he can stay at his friend's house tonight!

So it's the pets and myself here at home. Once again I'm reminded that it isn't too long before he children will head out into the world on their own. Given recent events, I worry about their future.....will they make good choices? Will others take advantage of them? How will they support themsevles? Lifting them up to the Lord is the only option, as I will not be able to control it all!!!! Even on the midst of change, there is a sweet calm knowing that He is there to help them. I'll be praying for all my darlings' safety this weekend, as well as a hedge of protection over them in the future.

Meanwhile, I should get something done. I complain I can't get things done with everyone underfoot. Now everyone's gone and I'm on the computer! Have a Blessed weekend!