Cooperation

Cooperation is our family word of the week-- Chance is passing off Wolf Achievement 10a.

Came across this today on CNN--about a football player who also marches with the band at halftime.  A good look at what "Cooperation" can do. Click here to view video on CNN

To Do List: sew on patches...lots of patches!

Chance had Pack Meeting on the the 16th and Jordan had a Court of Honor on the 24th.   This is where the boys get their awards.  Pack Meeting is for Cub Scouts and the Court of Honor is for Boy Scouts.  

 Scott is awarding Jordan his merit badges he earned at camp Wente.  Jordan also earned a 50 mile patch for the High Adventure backpacking trip to Yosemite.  That trip also cinched up his camping merit badge.   I also expect his Uncle Mike to either call him, email or text him about what is up with the uniform.   Jordan is a fully outfitted scout and this is what he showed up in!!  He is missing his scout pants and merit badge sash!  And this kid loves SCOUTS, so what is up?  I asked him, he was like... "I don't know".    Come on Jordan... need to wear the "uniform".

A bit more on the uniform... In May we had a very large "Little Philmont" with Pres. Dalqhiest, President of the Young Mens for the LDS church.   Uniforms was one of many, many scouting topics talked about.  The boys need to respect and wear the uniform.   They showed a picture of  a young man in his two uniforms,  his boy scout and his priesthood.  The priesthood uniform being the white shirt, tie, and dress slacks.   So... for cub scouts our committee decided we needed to "Up the Bar", the theme of "Little Philmont".  As leaders we needed to be in full uniform-- including the pants. (Can't expect the boys to wear a uniform if the leaders don't)  We then asked the cub scouts to come in full uniform from the waist up and then on pack meetings to wear a nice navy or blue jean pant.    Our Cubmaster then offered to do uniform inspections.   It has been great!  Here's the Wolf Den lined up for uniform inspection-- Chance is at attention, he was missing his Wolf manual.  But he passed on the rest... nails trimmed, hair brushed, shirt tucked in, neckerchief, slide, hat, and belt!

Award time...  Chance earned quite a bit over the summer.  He scored a bunch by going to scout camp and earned some speciality patches by attending our Family Pack Activities during the summer.    In fact, we gave out lots of awards-- $430.00 worth!  We have 27 boys and that was not ALL the awards as the Scout shop had run out.   Our Webelos who attended camp earned 8 activity pins!  We had a very productive summer.

The photos of him earning his Wolf awards with his den leaders handing them out did not turn out well.  The two below are him being awarded by the cubmaster with the Trail Trekker, Leave no Trace, and Outdoors Activity badge.

Scouting... it is a good thing.

What it has done for my boys and family--

backpacking trips with dad

hikes with mom

family home evenings on wolf achievements

leadership

hanging out with friends

doing lots of fun boy stuff-- like BB guns, archery, shot guns

doing even more fun boy stuff-- like camping, making catapults, baking cookies

record keeping on chores, exercise, healthy habits, and money spending

service to God and Country

Happy Birthday Natalie!

Natalie means "Christ's Birthday"

Natalie is the English form of Natalia, which is derived from the Italian "natale," meaning "birthday." The term refers specifically to Christ's birthday - the Italian phrase for "merry Christmas" is "buon natale!", literally "good birthday!"

Natalie's birthday was Sept 17.  Natalie is my niece, the daughter of my brother Kirk and his wife Monica.   She is as quiet and sweet as can be.   As I was searching through my photos for a picture of her,  I just had the urge to want to squeeze her.  What a sweetheart!

These photos are from the Surprise party Brenda threw for me last year, 2007.  Natalie is the blond right in front.

Natalie is on the end holding Jens.

Here she is again-- all the cousins are having a crazy picture.

Happy Birthday Natalie!  Hope you had a special day and wish I could run over and give you a squeeze.   Love, Aunt Karalene

Happy Birthday John!

John is my brother-in-law, married to my sister Brenda, and today is his birthday!  He is a happy go-with-the-flow kind of guy.   He is so good to my parents and calls them Mom and Papa.  When my parents moved from Blanding he helped throw out and pack all of the stuff that had collected through out the years. At my parents new home he helped sort through all the extra that had been brought up from the old home to the new home garage, clearing a way for the cars.  The list goes on...   He also spends many a Sunday evening with my parents, having dinner and playing games.

John has been a blessing to our family and I know he is perfect for Brenda.  And besides, how could you go wrong with a man who has read the Twilight Series!   I joked with him that he has his very own "Bella".   Just look at my sis... he made a sly grin.  Yes, I dialed into exactly why he likes the Twilight Series! 

 

John wake boarding-- Aug. 2008

John with nephew Palmer and daughter Katelyn

Have a great Birthday John!  Thanks for being so good to my family!

Happy Anniversary Jared and Marlo!

Jared and Marlo are celebrating 9 years of marriage today.   Marlo was living with Scott, Jordan and I while she was dating Jared.   Some things I remember... her car broke down a few times and Jared would be her knight in shining armor... him and triple A.   She would work all week at Rainbow Preschool and then travel 2 1/2 hours on the weekend to see Jared.  

When Jared and Marlo announced their engagement I was pregnant with Chance and he kicked me immediately after their announcement.   It was quite startling because it was his first kick and it was sooner in the pregnancy then I expected such movement.  We were all joyful over their engagement... including Chance! 

Jared and Marlo were married in the Oakland Temple.   After the pictures we had a wedding luncheon at the swanky club house where Scott and I lived!   I offered to do the wedding luncheon for Marlo-- our gift to her and Jared.  Scott cooked the marinated teriayki chicken.  I made lots and lots of sour cream potato casserole the day before and had a few friends baking it for me so it would be ready when we got back from the temple.  We had Costco rolls and I can't remember what we had for a salad or dessert.  Do you remember Marlo?  We played a "newlywed" type game.  Each had to answer 10 of the same questions without the other in the room.  It was fun to see how different or close their answers came to each other.   I believe they got most of them right.  

    

Some pictures Before Marriage

Marlo on her birthday... Jared's hand with the watch.  Only proof I have that he was there.  Should of got a picture of the two of the them, huh!

Jared addressing his Wedding Announcements.  Marlo is doing the same on the other side of the table.   Jordan, 6 1/2, and Scott in the background, his leg is in a cast because of a stress fracture from running too much.

After Marriage Picture

Last years Christmas picture.  They just added another boy to their family.

Happy Anniversary Jared and Marlo!   Enjoy your day.

With Love, Karalene-- Scott and boys too!

On the Off Chance....

Definition of Chance #6-  on the off chance acting on the slight possibility:  He told the teacher about his chores on the off chance he could be excused from his unfinished homework!

By Chance...

I have been having a hard time getting my homework done.  In fact, I had to tell my teacher my homework is not getting done because my Mom gives me too many chores!  You heard that right, I do not have any free time after school... it is work , work, work.   Even Saturdays and holidays are ruined by chores!  And my Mom pays me no money, I am just her slave.

Chance's Mom...

Yes, life is surely tough in our home.  Mrs. Martin definitely gave me an ear full a couple of weeks ago... since my sweet child unabashedly told her that his homework is not getting done because of all the chores he has... and then he listed them all.  She said that she would like him to come work at her house.

So a bit about homework... the first couple of weeks we were a little confused over what was due the next day and what was due in a week.  The above had something to do with that-- at least on my end-- I think Chance may of known better hence the "chore" excuse.  

For the fit that Chance throws about his homework you would think that this was his math...

No, it is Jordan's math.

This is Chance's math... thankfully we have overcome this obstacle and he has buckled down and gets it done in about 5 minutes.

Chance's Chores--- 

Here he is replacing the broken handle on the fridge.  Oh and you thought the duct tape was a permanent fix!  Really, I am not that much of a redneck!

This is the one consistent daily job Chance has... unloading the silverware.  Jordan unloads the rest of the dishwasher.  Most often this is done right before school because they are not allowed out of the house without the dishwasher being unloaded.  

Chance tightens the screws on the kitchen chairs.

Chance unloading the dryer after he has started a load of laundry. 

You can't see this, but he is showing me a berry that went through the wash and dried in the dryer.  No doubt something that was in his pockets!

But the truth must be told,  

Chance spends most of his free time...  

playing the Wii.  AND... yes we have rules but they do not include "only on the weekend" crap!  He gets to sandwich his Wii time between his homework.  We do 10 min. of Wii and 10 min. of homework.  And when he sasses me about the 10 min. being shorter on the Wii then his homework 10 min. he gets threatened with no more Wii.   

Folks, that is the only way to light a fire under this kid, you dangle something fun in his face and he will hustle.   Oh... and the, "I have already done 3rd grade, not my work... but you can go to school without it done, I will NOT be signing your organizer and you can suffer the consequences!"  works really well.  Love the teacher, she has consequences for not having the planner signed and it means something to Chance... you loose recess time.

A Plea

Is your Christmas picture here? 

 NO?  

Well then you did not send us a Christmas picture for 2007, however you can redeem yourself for Christmas 2008.   

 Break the work up in to 3 months-- October is the picture, November the cards and/or newsletter and December you stamp and address.  Ta Da.... by Christmas my family should have Christmas Greetings from you and yours-- something we really look forward to.   If it includes a picture, we put it on our board for a year round visual reminder of all those we love.

Happy Birthday Joshua!

Joshua means "Jehovah saves"

Joshua is a hebrew name. In the Old Testament, Joshua was appointed by God to lead the Israelites after Moses' death. The Greek form of Joshua is Jesus.

Joshua is Scott's brother.   He is the son of Scott's Mom and her husband, Stephen.   He turns 15 today.  To my kids, Joshua is like a cousin, however he is really their Uncle. 

Joshua likes to play and watch sports.  I remember one time at our home he was watching a football game on TV; it was the most I have heard out of him the whole trip.   I always see Joshua quiet and reserved, but when he talks or watches sports with his Mom and Dad he lights up and becomes quite talkative. 

Joshua is a Life Scout.  He went on his first High Adventure week, canoeing down the Green River in Wyoming.

He also does well at school and plays the piano.  

Joshua age 13

At the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, Feb. 19, 2001. Joshua's sisters, Alyssa and Aalliyah.  Jordan, Scott and Chance peeking around in the backpack with the cute little red cap.  

Summer of 1994.  Alyssa, Jordan and Joshua.

Have a great birthday Joshua.  Hope you get some pasta and ice cream!

Love, Scott, Karalene, Jordan and Chance

Say You, Say Me

I spoke in church on Sunday-- a 12 minute talk on having a "Christlike Home".   I was given the assignment a month earlier and so those two words had been going through my head.   And I must say as I was putting together my song list-- (that was only going to be "Eagles Fly")  all the rest of the songs were added because they have to do with so much about life and our relationships.   Out of all that we have, what matters the most and lasts the longest is our families.   

I quoted from Stephen Covey's book "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families".   You can read the first part of the book here .    I talked about a few things from chapter one,  about being "off track" and the struggles and stress that we have in our families.  By clicking on the above "here" you can read his message, which I found empowering.  We often compare ourselves to other families and think how perfect they are... bottom line. every family has its challenges, its own bag of rocks!  But hope lies in the vision, the plan, and the ability to get back on track time and time again.

I quoted from our 'Worldwide Leadership Training, Raising a righteous prosperity" Feb. 9, 2008.  God has a pattern ( a flight plan to follow)  for our families and we can all strive for its realization the best way we can.  Each family is unique and has circumstances that differ. Individual adaptions have to be made and we must seek the Lord's guidance regarding our specific circumstances.  

I noted some of those patterns, like family prayer, family scripture, and family home evening (family time together).

I concluded with the first commandant Christ gave his disciples, " As I have loved you, love one another"   Our homes should have a pattern of love-- a language of love... and I read the below clipping.

Words You Should Never Say

 

Your words and how you say them have inestimable impact on your child’s sense of self worth. Children never grow out of needing heavy doses of praise, no matter what their age.

 

The 5-to-1-praise principle is a good rule of thumb to follow: balance every negative comment you make to a child with five positive comments.  Think before you speak.  Ask yourself if what you want to say will build up or tear down your child. Each day look for ways to affirm you child’s unique giftedness and personality.  Encourage others in the family to do the same with each other.

 

Words you should never say to a child

1. You’re just no good.
2. You’ll never amount to anything.
3. You got what you deserved.
4. What’s wrong with you?
5. When are you going to act your age?
6. Can’t you do anything right?
7. I’ve had it with you.
8. All you ever do is cause trouble.
9. Just wait until you have kids.
10. When will you ever learn?
11. You are stupid.
12. You are lazy.
13. Who do you think you are?
14. You’ll be the death of me yet.
15. Haven’t I taught you anything?
16. You need to have your head examined.
17. Don’t you care about anything?
18. What makes you think you’re so special?
19. Don’t you ever listen?
20. When are you going to start obeying me?
21. If I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a million times.
22. I can’t wait until you’re gone.
23. Why can’t you be more like your sister?
24. You are so much trouble.
25. I don’t know why I had kids.

 

Words you can’t say enough to a child

1. It is such a blessing to be your mom
2. You’re an incredible person.
3.  You did that so well.
4. If more kids were like you, then the world would be a better place.
5. It’s so good to be with you.
6. You’re the best!
7. You are such a nice person.
8. You’re learning fast.
9. You mean so much to me.
10.  You are very bright.
11. You have unlimited potential.
12. You’re on the right track now.
13. You’re getting the hang of it.
14. That’s the best you’ve ever done.
15. You’re getting better every day.
16. You’re such a quick learner.
17. I appreciate your attitude.
18. I can tell you are trying.
19. I knew you could do it.
20. Keep up the good work.

"SAY YOU, SAY ME;  SAY IT  FOR ALWAYS, THAT IS THE WAY IT SHOULD BE 

 SAY YOU, SAY ME; SAY IT TOGETHER, NATURALLY"  

The power of words---

Happy Birthday Mackenzie

Mackenzie means "child of a wise leader"

Mackenzie is my oldest niece, she is the daughter of my brother Nielson and his wife Kristen.   And the daughter of Shannon and her husband.  I remember when Mackenzie was born, I was so excited to have a cousin for Jordan.   I always remember them getting along and having a great time.   I try to spend some extended time with my parents once and awhile.  In the past years it has been when Jordan is unable to come due to scout camp.  When I see Mackenzie I wish that I brought Jordan along.  They have not seen each other for 4 or 5 years!

Mackenzie has beautiful red hair and these cute cheeks.  She turned 14 on Sept 6.  She is very sweet and is a big sister to 6 siblings.   

Jordan (5)  and Mackenzie (4), family reunion 1998, Park City.

The 5 and younger group race.  Jordan, Mackenzie and Hayden- the three oldest of my parent's grandchildren.

Mackenzie with Duane and Hayden,  Family Reunion 1998, Park City.  Do you think that Duane had to constrain her for this picture?  I see the look of, "I don't have time for this... I got things to do!"

Madison, Mckenzie, Jaidyn, Jordan, and Rachel- Nov. 4, 2000.  Nielson and Kristen's wedding, St. George Temple

Mackenzie with Jaidyn, Palmer and Dallin,  2005

July 16, 2007, Deer Creek.  Chance, Palmer, and Mackenzie.  

Mackenzie and Jaidyn.  During this boat outing I found out that Mackenzie is a great wake boarder.  And I tried wake boarding-- so I was very impressed in her skills!  

Happy Birthday Mackenzie!  Hope that you had a great one.  Love you.

Aunt Karalene

In Honor of Patriots Day

"Eagles Fly" by Sammy Hagar is the first song on my playlist... and the reason for the playlist.  It was going to be the only song.  Song came out in 1987- the year I graduated from High School.  

I can't exactly pin point any memories of this song or why it gives me chills-- but it does.  The Eagle symbolizes so much.   The Eagle is present among a great number of beliefs and philosophies through out history. 

The Eagle represents spiritual protection, carries prayers, and brings strength, courage, wisdom, illumination of spirit, healing, creation, and a knowledge of magic. The eagle has an ability to see hidden spiritual truths, rising above the material to see the spiritual. The eagle has an ability to see the overall pattern, and the connection to spirit guides and teachers. The eagle represents great power and balance, dignity with grace, a connection with higher truths, intuition and a creative spirit grace achieved through knowledge and hard work.

In honor of 9/11 here is a slide show to Eagles Fly (pause the playlist first)

God Bless our Troops, 

thanks for your hard work and sacrifice on my behalf,

and God Bless America

Finally...something that will work for me!

Scott has been concerned I have been using blogger because of the possibility that I could lose all my blogs.  (could that happen?!)   Of course I would not want that-- since this is were I have been documenting my families life for the past 5 months.  This is my equivelent of a journal-- and my family is lucky enough to read it and not have to wait until I die!

For a while I have been trying to figure out how I could get my blog to a hard copy. (print it does not work-I've tried) I came across blurb.com and just want to share it with my fellow bloggers.  Check it out!  The software is free and you do not pay a thing until you publish.     And the publishing cost is really reasonable-- considering you get quality pages full of photos and text. Awesome!  

Currently I am making a book for Chance from blogs I have posted about him.   I have worked on the Elementary School yearbook for the past 3 years and using blurb is very similar to how we design the yearbook.  However, it does have its limitations as I can only use the program's template and can't create my own.   But they do offer lots of variations-- I can work with that! 

Wanted to share my good news and if you have found a way to scrapbook your blog-- let me know!  

...And since I have found this nifty program from blurb I now have the incentive to update my blog with some of the trips and activities that I need to do- like 4th of July!  

Peace on Earth was all it said

A few weeks ago I added the playlist of songs.  I know it can get irritating-- you can just move the curser over and pause it or you can turn the volume down on your computer.     Or you can click on "One Tin Soldier" and listen to it while I explain why I choose it.

"One Tin Soldier" was sung at my six grade graduation in 1979 (from Elementary School).    There were a couple of versions  to pick from and I chose the Elementary kids singing because that is how I REMEMBER the song.  

As a bonus-- Scott was singing along to the words while hearing it on the blog.  He said that he also remembers singing it in grade school.

I did a little research.  Many different singers sang it through out the 70's- it was an anti-war song.   It became a theme song in 1971 for a movie called "Billy Jack"  which had a number of sequels. 

Doing the research I found that the song had been popular a number of years before I heard it, which explains why I remember feeling like I was the only on in 6th grade who did not know the song.   

 I choose "One Tin Soldier"  because  I liked the catchy tune, the message of Peace on Earth and that we needed to be kind to one another.   

This video is of  Sonny and Cher -- icons of the 70's themselves.  Pause my music first, before you watch the video!

Welcome Baby Jace!

Jace is a form of Jason- meaning "the Lord is my salvation"

Jace is my newest nephew; he is the son of Marlo and Jared.  Born Sept 6, one month early and healthy.  

Marlo is my sister and see how amazing she looks in this photo.   Well, actually she is just amazing all around.  This is her 5 baby- 4th boy.   Her oldest is Brianne, click here to see my blog of her 8th Birthday.   And to add to her excitement she is the cub scout leader for the Wolf and Bears, practice for all those boys she has.  And if that is not enough... her husband is the Bishop.  (A bishop is a non-paid priesthood leader over a ward or congregation, who oversees the spiritual and physical needs of the members-- in addition to this he has a full time job to support his family).   And of course,  she is the amazing mother of 5 children.  Yes, my sister is a pretty awesome all around person!

Baby Jace,  happy to be in his new home.

Congratulations Marlo and Jared-  another joy to add to your lives.

Love, Karalene

Friday Night Football at the local High School

Top ten reasons I would prefer not to go to another football game this season...

10- After the kick off I realized I do not like watching Football.

9- What would people think if they saw me reading a book?  Could I say "Oh, I'm just here for the Marching Band."

8- The constant... "Can I go buy (fill in the blank) at the snack bar?"  No- we just ate!   I have snacks in my bag. 

7- The excruciating boredom of my 8 year old-- as he agonizes over his starvation.

6- Longest hour  until Half Time.  

5- Made the mistake of sitting in the back of the student section!  Hello-- bad choice.

4- All I saw was rear ends- lots of them.  That is awkward!  No one sat down until half-time.

3- Did I mention the 8 year old who was bored and starving?

2- Hard to hear the half time show because even though the rear ends were on the bench, the mouths kept yapping.  

1-My husbands video-- much more enjoyable!

Pause my music first--so you can hear the video.


The Marching Band Pre-Game  (side note- can you spot the formation mistake, off by 5 yards.  They had it ... then moved back again.   Can you imagine being a new freshman-- very overwhelming! )  Of course, this is just the pre-game...

Marching Band Half-Time Show  (But this, this is part of the first third of what they will be doing for competition)

Uses for Duct Tape #2

Hem the marching band pants! 

 Did this last year when I realized I could not figure out how to hem them and it was too late to send them to a tailor.   Rule is that no length can be cut off-- and we had at least 8 inches of hem that had to be accommodated.    Trick is that the side seam needs to be opened up to make it possible to hem.   

The duct tape did not work... by the end of the routine Jordan had duct tape hanging out and stuck on his legs and shoes.  Pins would work better. 

 I used this picture for the Band Newsletter last week to remind parents to get the pants hemmed-- so this would not be them TODAY.    Tonight they are marching for the first football game of the season... how many will be wearing duct tape?     Not Jordan!

Uses for Duct Tape #1

Scott:  What is the duct tape doing on the fridge?

Karalene:  It is holding the handle on.

Scott: It is going to leave a sticky residue.

Karalene: Oh, a little residue is easy to fix.  (said not so nice)

Then... the next morning I opened the freezer.  Apparently both sides needed duct tape.

Rest assured though... we have still been able to access the ice cream without any complications.

No Labor Day

Jordan wanted to go to San Fransisco for Labor Day, to Union Square, the Sony Metreon, the Apple store ect.  I suggested we go to Fisherman's Wharf and go the Mechanical Museum.  I think he had fun... what do you think?

At the Mechanical Museum watching Scott play BATTLEZONE.  He said he used to play this for hours- you know back in the 80's.  I like the look of "awe" on Jordan's face.  This building holds the beginnings of the game systems he has at home.

The Star Wars- another game Scott played.

Chance playing BATTLEZONE.  When he had his last quarter, this is where he spent it.  He says it is like the movie "TRON".  Which he likes also.

Nathan, Jordan's friend, arm wrestling with the help of Jordan and Chance.  Afterwards we read the instructions-- you were supposed to start at the lowest level, he has superhuman strength!

The museum sits right next to the bay and the USS Pampanito- a WWII Submarine.  We took a break and did a tour.    The boys in the engine room.

In the dining room.

In the front torpedo room.

On deck.

Back in the museum.

We went mid- morning and the City was just waking up.  But when we left the museum, the streets had become crowed and it was apparent it was a holiday weekend.    

Eating at Bubba Gumps on Pier 39.  It was yummy!

Chance visiting Forrest Gump who is has his box of chocolates.  He gives Chance a piece.

We then looked through the shops.  This place had lots of hats.  The picture is not very good because I was far away (how else was I going to get a picture).   This is the hot dog hat, I love Jordan laughing.

Went to Dept 56 and found a Snowbabies Airstream, go to my Silver Twinkie Blog

to see a picture.   We also saw some Elders- missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints- something I have never seen at the Pier.  The man behind the boys had taken them to lunch.  They are from Orem and Colorado.   See the future missionaries standing next to them? 

At the Lefty Shop-- everything for left handers.  Jordan is trying out a pair of scissors.

We had a fun day and we did not need our long pants or jackets.  It was a warm day in SF! Jordan returned to honor Labor Day with homework and mowing the lawn.