Klondike 2011

I can't believe it's here again, but the teenager packed up and headed out to Klondike (camping in the snow) last night.  This year, he was invited to go as a leader.  He LOVES, LOVES, LOVES this camp out, it's his very favorite of all times!

 We were a little worried that he was prepared, since he walked out of the house in slippers and short sleeves.  But he assured us he had snow gear and boots, it's just always too hot riding up in the car and he would rather dress when he got there.

 He was a little jealous of all the new improvements they made to the scout trailer, adding shelves.  Very cool, would have been nice... he has loaded unloaded and taken inventory in this trailer more times that I can count.  The scouts coming up should really appreciate how nice it will be to have the shelving in it.

 And they are off, nice pose, and a silly pose.

And for probably the first time, I am not really worried about him.

I ran through all the scenarios in my mind and anything that I could think up, I KNEW he could handle.  It's all good :)

 Instead of a fun date night with my strong silent mysterious man, we came home and were total couch potatoes, watched some gold rush show he likes.  Then messed with the dogs a little.

 They weren't in the mood.  

And we all went to bed, with one extra dog in our bed since she won't sleep in Jacob's bed without him there.

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I was really looking forward to a promise to take them hiking this morning, we were up early had an early volleyball game with the young women, cleaned the church and some how while I was getting ready to go, my strong silent mysterious man climbed back in bed and is fast asleep.  When I woke him to ask about the MUCH ANTICIPATED hike, he said "later, when it warms up... mumble, muble" and drifted back into a full snore fest.

I am so bummed!

I guess I will clean house until the monster awakes.

I just HATE getting my hopes up for something and having to wait for it, or get let down by it.  I just hate that (stomping my foot)!!!!

He is a brave man going to sleep and leaving me in a huff, I tell you, good thing I really love him.

A February Christmas...

My Mom told me in early December that my Christmas present would not be here on time.

And with that, because she was so excited about what she was giving (I think I get that from her), she could hardly contain herself from telling me, but managed to skip all around it by throwing in a disclaimer that she really hoped I was excited about it as she was and that I wouldn't be disappointed when I got it. 

What in the world could be that good, that you have to wait for, that I don't already have?  And that we both would like (we have really different tastes in allot of things... the source of nearly all of my teenage years arguments with her... sorry Mom).

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So I tried to just put it out of my mind and be patient and just wait and see, hoping if I didn't like it, I could either be honest, or FAKE it really really well.

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Then in mid January when my parents were in SC, and my Sis was watching their house... she called me and told me my Christmas present that Mom had painstakingly tracked down, and finally ordered and had shipped to me, arrived back at her house instead of mine... and she was so shocked because after all the time and pain  Mom went through to get it, she worked right next to a store that carry's them and she could have picked it up for her in December.  

But that she would get it back in the mail to me.

So much for forgetting about it and being patient.

What was it???  My curiosity was really working on me.

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So then yesterday, Sis calls and says she finally got my package in the mail and it was out for delivery!  (this was at 8am and UPS doesn't deliver until 4-5pm... the torture!!!!).

And added another teaser, she hoped it wasn't broken. Ahhh!!!!!!! Killing me!!!!!

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Yay!  It arrived!!

 First some things Sis added to the package for Valentines sursee's for all of us... she had hinted that mine was NOT food related.   I couldn't imagine what that could be, but excited to find out.  

Satsuma, the yummiest flavor ever made in body stuff!

 See's chocolate anything is the teenagers fav!  But a chocolate peanut butter bear... I hope I can stay out of it until he gets home.

 Yay!  All of the family pictures from my Dad's 80th birthday party last April... now I can get copies made and in the frame she sent me for Christmas :)

 See's caramels for my strong silent mysterious man... he is so spoiled.  He LOVES caramels... thanks Sis, so sweet that you remember all of our favorites.

 So now to the infamous Christmas package... it was wrapped so well in bubble, I almost broke it getting it out of the wrapping.  That would have been bad.

 Ahhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Susan Butler platter!

Oh how I LOVE LOVE LOVE her work.  She is from Indianola Washington and has such a creative way of capturing a Northwest feel in her pottery.  She makes rain happy!!  I fell in love with this design years and years ago displayed in a store at the airport in Seattle.  But just couldn't part with my first born to afford to buy a piece.  She now has a studio on Poulsbo,Wa and I think it just might have to be on my list of places to visit on my next trip!!

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Thanks Mom, I LOVE IT!  You nailed it.  I am probably one of those people who think they are easy to buy for but are in reality, really really hard to buy for, but you totally nailed it with this one!!

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Now I have to redecorate one wing of my home to make a special place for this!

So worth the wait!

One more last goodbye...

The teenager attended his last boy scout court of honor... well his last as a teenager anyway.

He had earned one more Eagle Palm award before his 18th birthday, and was invited to the court of honor to receive it.

 He said he was a little embarrassed attending, because he is so much older than the other boys.

But when we encouraged him and let him know it could represent an example of continuing on that path even after the Eagle was earned, he agreed to go.

He was teasing about some green scouting shorts, that we have in a box that are waaaaayyyy too short for anyone we know to wear... he was going to wear them to make a "statement".

So glad we didn't have to talk him out of that at the last minute.

He thought it was so funny, Jim and I hardly ever get his jokes or humor, I have no idea where he gets it, but he came with it and has had a really funny side since he was a really really little boy.  I feel bad that we might have probably squished that side of him to a certain extent, but I am glad at moments like this, even though I can't bring myself to laugh out loud with him, for having to hold back the words "no you can't", that he has a wonderful fun side to him.

 I just could not be any more proud of that kid.

And I LOVE that he had the scouting program to give him some direction for his energy, and that it was a very good thing for him.  It really isn't "the thing" for all boys, but Jacob still LOVES it and it has served him well.  I am guessing he will continue in any capacity that he is allowed, to follow the scouting program throughout his life.  

Friday night he was invited to attend the Klondike Derby camp out... his absolute favorite of all camp outs.

I think this is the only year I might not be a worry wart mom at home praying every minute that he is gone, pacing and anxious for his safe return.  See I am making progress!

I am as excited for him to go, as he is this year.  That is huge for me.

I love you Jacob, and am so proud of the choices you are making to enhance and build your life.  And even though I don't share your same sense of humor, I totally embrace that it is a special gift you have been given directly from Heaven.