Happy Father's Day!

Thinking about my Dad this weekend.  I love that we have holidays to help us stop and reflect on our parents.  I have so many wonderful memories of my Dad- thought it would be fun to share a few:

 

 

I worked as a secretary/organizer at my Dad's State Farm office for a few summers.  It was mostly just my Dad, his secretary (pronounced sec-a-terry) Ann and me.  My Dad literally whistled while he worked and would often suddenly burst into song.  I remember one day giggling as he sang "She's Out of My Life" by Michael Jackson with a bit of a southern twang.  He was very warm to everyone he spoke with on the phone and always quick to share something about his faith at any time in the conversation.  I would sometimes walk into his office and find him lying flat on his back on the floor, just taking a little stretch/snooze.  Sometimes we would walk (hand in hand) to the French Bakery down the road and pick out something sweet (I still dream about those cherry turnovers) but mostly he ate a healthy lunch packed lovingly by my mom in his large metal lunchbox.

 

My Dad loves science and is always interested to hear about any new discoveries or just to discuss chemistry or physics.  I think he's more of an earth science guy- don't remember him loving biology as much.  And I am the same way.  LOVE science and I wonder how much of it was learned from my Dad. Sometimes I regretted asking him a science question because he always gave me the answer and then some! By the way, the moon is supposed to be amazing on Father's Day.  Can't wait to see it!

 

I love how quick my Dad is to make people feel welcome.  Often after sacrament meeting at church he would ask me to come along with him and shake hands with someone new or visiting and help them to feel welcome.  Just this week I had a few friends tell me that one of my strengths is that I help people to feel comfortable and wanted.  Pretty sure I learned that from my Dad. 

 

My Dad's faith is so important to him and it shows in everything he does.  He loves God and his son, Jesus Christ and is a scripture studying machine.  When I was younger I loved to sit by him in church and watch as he carefully used a red velvet pen and a red colored pencil to marks scriptures that touched him.  Then he would take notes with a black velvet State Farm Pen in the margins.  He has always taken his role as a teacher of faith seriously and doesn't hesitate to educate his family about the gospel.  I love hearing stories from when he was a patriarch.  He had some amazing experiences giving blessings and interacting with people.

 

 

My Dad was always doing some kind of unusual project in our yard.  I look back and wonder what the neighbors thought.  I remember painting our chain link fence silver one year.  And of course working in our MASSIVE garden to pick zucchini, tomatoes and peppers to name a few.  He built us kids an awesome playset that I'm pretty sure he designed himself.  And you could often find my Dad tinkering around in the garage, fixing something that others might have just thrown out.  We would sometimes be driving through the neighborhood and he would stop the car in front of someone's garbage pile to check it out.  I was pretty mortified at the time.... but now I do the same thing.  I also HATE throwing things away and usually try to find another use for it, fix it or find it a new home: courtesy of my Dad.

  

 

My Dad always stayed after at church events to help clean-up.  I don't even think he considered not doing it.  And he was quick to volunteer to help someone move or just help wherever needed.  I'm so thankful for his example- these are only a small sampling of the many wonderful memories I have of him.  Thanks for everything Dad.  Wish we could hang out for Father's Day but instead here's this big cyber hug!! LOVE YOU!

PS: So thankful my husband is carrying on the tradition :)  Love you too Curtis!!

Cub Scout Day Camp Den Leader Info

So Cub Scout Day Camp is here again!  I've mostly served as a Den Leader and love this job so that's what I'm doing again.  I took a few notes from years past and hope this is helpful to new den leaders.

 

Each den leader is responsible for about 8 boys.  You need to contact them the week before to let them know a few things (below) and to find out if there are any allergies or behavioral issues you need to be aware of.

 

1. Cubs need to wear their camp shirt everyday (they will receive it on the first day of camp)

2. Cubs also need to wear close toed tennis shoes.  Yes, they will get wet and muddy!

3. Each boy needs a lunch packed in a gallon zip lock bag with their Den Color and Number on it (den leaders should have received an email with this information and need to phone each cub to let them know as well).  Nothing from lunch can be saved and don't pack too much- the boys aren't very hungry in all that heat.  Please don't pack soda or too many sugary treats for them.

(There is more info but they will email it to you!:)

 

Den Leaders take home all of the boys cups and neckerchiefs each night for washing!  If you want to make them really happy, get the neckerchiefs wet and stick them in your freezer for a cool surprise the next day.  :)

 

Den Leaders also need to bring a wagon decked out with PVC pipe (or some other creative building stuff) so that they can carry around  papers, beads, ribbons, their Den Flag (which you will be decorating together at camp) and of course the boys' cups!  Lots of examples below.  It's nice to have some sort of bin inside your wagon too.

 

 

 

 

As a Den Leader, you will be rewarding your boys with beads many times everyday.  Make sure to reward them for drinking and going to the bathroom (with a buddy of course), helping out, being friendly, etc...

 

I use a bead organizing box and write each boys' name on the outside so I can throw his beads in there.  Then when we are back at our den table the boys can put their beads on their lanyards.  I like to have a fishing bobber thingy on the end of each lanyard to keep the beads in place.  Day Camp provides regular beads but you may want to buy some special ones of your own.

 

 

Mostly have fun with these adorable boys!  They are so sweet and Cub Camp is just a great opportunity for them!