Sonlight Garden

First Class Scout

Just popping in to put up some pictures. Joseph received his second class and first class scout rank this past Wednesday. He has worked very hard these last couple of months to accomplish this. We are super proud of him.

 

 

(Hoping to post some more pictures soon. We have been busy with school (we are in a good groove). Mary Jane received her first Holy Communion (beautiful day). We went to the Jacksonville Zoo and I have about 400 pictures, more or less, to show for it. :0) I have limited my time on the computer. I have only allowed myself to check blogs about once a week. It is amazing how much I am accomplishing with all of this free time away from the computer. )

Notes From Today

Joseph set off today for his first hiking camp-out. They have to pack everything they need for thecamp-out in their backpack. This means food, water, clothes, tent, sleeping bag, everything. They are hiking 4 miles to their camp site, setting up camp and working on their second class rank requirements. The next day they will break camp and hike the four miles out and come home. Their backpacks shouldn't exceed 25% of their body weight. Joe's backpack should not have exceeded 26lb. Well let me tell you his backpack was way over the limit. There wasn't much we could take out. Everything was necessary. Well except for that extra can of Spaghettios for his dinner. We did take that out, but other than that he needed everything else. After I dropped him off at their meeting point and I returned home I realized he forgot to pack his utensils. "Oh no, how is he going to eat his dinner!" I thought to myself. "I guess he will just have to use his fingers to eat his dinner." But then I realized that I didn't pack any napkins for him either. UUUGGGHHH. I am sure he will figure it out and I know he will survive, but of course I feel a little bad. Good lesson learned for him though.

 

 

 

 And then of course we had soccer games today. Julia's team won 2-0. Patrick's team won 2-0. And Mary Jane's team lost, I think 4-0, I lost count. BUT, they all had fun. Paddy scored one of the goals in his game.

All of these pictures are action shots. I just love to watch my children running and being active.

 

 

 

Grandpa joined us today also.

Boy Scout Camp Family Night

Last Night was family night at the Boy Scout camp. Joseph is doing well. We are so proud of him for facing something so very difficult for him. He does not do well being away from Mom or Dad at night. This week long camp away from home was a huge hurdle for him. He is doing it, one night at a time. He has his fellow scouts to encourage him. They are in a very small troop and all of the boys are really nice kids. He is bunking with my friend's son Scott, a fellow homeschooler.

 When I was leaving last night Joe started getting a little teary eyed. (my heart was breaking) A couple of the boys put their hands on his shoulder and said "You can do it!" " You are almost done!" Very sweet.

 This was a tough decision to let him do this. The momma in me wanted to keep him home, keep him safe and not upset him. But after much discussion and prayer we realized we had to let him face this challenge and try. And he is doing it. He is realizing that he can accomplish something that is hard for him and not to give up. Those are the lessons learned here. And good lessons learned no doubt.

Here are just a few pictures from last night. For Daddy who is halfway around the world!! Thank you God for modern technology!!

This picture is of Joseph at the rifle range working on his Rifle Merit Badge.

Dinner at the mess hall. Crazy!

I had to post this one. The ever patient Amelia at the rifle range. This one is for you Daddy!!

Prayers For Joseph

 

Joseph left today for Boy Scout summer camp. He will earn 3 merit badges and will be able to be checked off on a bunch of skills this week. Due to unforseen circumstances Daddy (he is assistant Scout Master)  will be unable to attend camp with him as was originally planned. This is Joseph's first time away from home without being with mom or dad. Needless to say he is nervous and apprehensive. His mamma ;0) would be sooo grateful if you could send up a few prayers for him this week.

From Boy to Boy Scout

My little boy became a big Boy Scout this evening. WOW! I cried. I tend to do that very easily lately ;0) I am so so proud of him. These are the milestones in my children's lives that make me want to say "STOP! This is going by way to fast." It feels like yesterday, that I was cradling him in my arms, that he was toddling around, that he first learned to read. I realize he is only ten and that he is not heading of to college yet. But if the next ten years go by as fast as the first ten.....STOP!

I do realize time won't stop. He is growing up as he should. I am proud of the young man he is becoming. On a night like tonight it reminds me to savor EVERY single moment, the good, the bad, the ugly. It is life, and it is beautiful, and it is going by fast.

Here are some pictures from our evening.

My Dad, my Aunt Margie and Uncle Pete visiting from Pennsylvania, Grammy B, and Aunt Ann were able to be there for Joseph's big night.