Fly Like an Eagle(s)

Thoughts-On Saturday I had the pleasure of going to a double Eagle Court of Honor. Both of the young men are Brothers, Tyler and Jacob Grow. I was their Young Men's President at Church for over 3 years. We had lots of fun experiences together in Scouts and Church including the goofy Videos we made for the Cinematography merit badge. It has been amazing to see these two young men grow and mature from 12 year old Tenderfoot Scouts to Eagle Scouts.

These Two young men also have the blessing of having very loving and involved parents.

At the end of the ceremony the Eagle Scouts themselves presented three awards/pins. One is for the Mother and one is for the Father and the third pin is for a Mentor. To my great thrill and honor, Jacob Grow presented me with his Mentor Award Pin. He stood before the audience and told everyone how I had made an impact in his life even before he was a Scout and he tried to do everything I told him to do. I could not have been any more proud at that moment. To know that I had made such a difference in this young teenagers life and had been an example and mentor was and is a great feeling.

(Jacob and I after he pinned on my Mentor award)

Words-The Scout Law-A Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent.

Deeds- Saturday Afternoon Seth and I went out and started making a snowman. Pretty soon Joseph was out helping us. Then Julie and Hannah joined in by finding the items we needed to complete our Super-Snowman!!!
(I Love the eyes...)

Thirty-Ate

Thoughts-I turned 38 this week. Is that old? I used to think so but i'm not 40 so I am not THAT old...We watched "Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy". I warned the kids that it was funny but would probably make no sense to them...I was right. We had lemon bars for dessert. Dusty called me for my birthday which was really nice. Julie and the kids got me a really super warm and soft micro fleece. Seth also got me some basketball socks. I have been playing basketball every Saturday until we have had the recent snowfalls. Speaking of snow I think I have been shoveling snow every day of my 38 year old existence.

After last Saturdays record snowfall we then had another foot of snow on Tuesday/Wednesday. Its like the most snow in 100 years in this area.

Deeds-This Saturday we went to Manassas. I had been wanting to visit my Grandma (95 years old) for awhile. I had called her a few weeks ago after she had been in the hospital for chest pains. It turned out to be nothing but I still needed to visit her. So I dropped Julie off at the movie theater in Manassas to get tickets for "The Lighting thief" while I went over to visit my Grandma with Todd. She could not believe how big Todd had gotten. We laughed and talked about old times and memories I have like picking string beans in her garden with her. She really got excited when we started to talk about her model trains. Those are some great great memories of playing with her model trains at her house growing up. She even got out some of the ones she still has and we took some pictures of them.

It is amazing that she is still as sharp as a tack and can remember everything. She was telling me about the first radio her family had. I love her very much and I am so thankful to have been able to have her in my entire life. It is amazing to think she was live during WW1 and WWII. After visiting with her we went to the movie theater and saw the Lightning Thief and then went to the Golden Corral for dinner. It was kind of a Valentines Date for the whole family. After being shut in due to the snow for the past week it was nice to get out.

Words-I LOVE JULIE!!! HAPPY VALENTINES DAY LITTLE LADY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Once There Was a Snowfall...Tall...Tall...Tall...

Words: It began yesterday morning and Ended about 5pm this evening. The biggest snowfall that I have ever experienced in my life. We had snowdrifts in our backyard that were well over 3 feet deep.

Deeds: I Started to dig out the driveway in front of our garage. I only dug out one side just in case I had to back the van out. It wouldn't go very far because they have not plowed our alley yet. This pile of snow below was at least as tall as me when I was done. Joseph tried to sled down it. He was outside today more than any of us. Here he is climbing (or hugging) the snowpile I made.

Thoughts: Spending time with the family in the snow is lots of FUN!!! Except why is it that as soon as I step foot out the door I get hit by snowballs or have shovel loads of snow get flung at me by the three other "Boys" in the house...?

(Of course tomorrow is the Super Bowl so I made sure I risked my life to ensure that the Satellite Dishes were snow free...one of them was completely buried...Priorities...)

Catching Up with Steve Mode

Thoughts: Okay so only a few people might get the joke/reference of the Title of this post. Yes I have not written in 2.5 months but mostly because it has been one of the busiest times of my life. I decided to do a timeline to get caught up and then I can continue with the random posts.

Deeds:

November 20-Seth does a "Backflip" off the couch and lands on the back of his neck

November 23-We are planning to leave for St Louis at night. Julie takes Seth to an Urgent Care to check out his neck because he has been holding it to the side since his fall. They do not like the look of the xrays and send him to the hospital. The hospital does not like the look either and they send him by ambulance to Childrens Hospital in DC.

November 24-Seth is still in the Hospital and they produce a grim diagnosis that includes the possible need to put him in traction

November 25-After extensive tests and scans they determine that Seth has been misdiagnosed and that the cause of his neck problems are simple muscle spasms that are brought under control by mild sedatives. Thank goodness for Priesthood blessings. (See Julie Blog for full details). Seth is released from hospital and cleared to Travel to St Louis (Wearing neck brace).

November 26-29 Fun in St. Louis with Blakemore Family.

November 29-Brianna's Baptism and we drive back to WV.

December 04-We go and get Christmas Tree.

December 06-We (The Charles Town Branch) have a special combined meeting with the Harpers Ferry Ward. A boundary change is announced and the Charles Town Branch becomes the Charles Town Ward. Branch President Nelson is called to be the Bishop and I am called to be in the new Bishopric as the Second Counselor. I am also ordained a High Priest.

December 15-We take Christmas Pictures

December 18-We celebrate Christmas #1 with Grandma V (My last day of work for the holidays).

December 19-We have the largest snowfall in years approx. 18 inches.

December 20-We celebrate Christmas #2 as a Family with Emily in the morning. I take Julie and Emily to the airport to leave for Germany to visit Tami and Jer for Christmas.

December 21-Kids have a sleepover at our house with the Postma kids.

December 24-We celebrate Christmas #3 with Grandma V again this time with Dusty, Amie and Eric.

December 25-We celebrate Christmas #4 as a family minus Julie but with the LDS Missionaries, Elders Godfrey and Crandell.

December 26-The Mitchells come over and spend the day with us. BJ fixes THE Pinball Machine of all remaining problems including replacing the powercord.

December 27-We visit the Christy's and sing Christmas Carols for them and give them our Christmas gift and cards.

December 28-We all get haircuts including Hannah

December 31-We pick up Julie and Emily from the airport. They are exhausted and do not make it to new years.

January 02 (2010)-We celebrate Christmas #5 with the Pickett side of the family.

January 03-I conduct my first Sunday Sacrament Meeting.

January 09-I celebrate Christmas #6 with the Twinbrook Crew and Asif at outback steakhouse in Rockville. I give out video game wristbands.

January 16-Julie and I go see Avatar. Amazing movie especially the 3D experience. But not my favorite by any means.

January 17-We visit MLE in Arlington VA for an UNFORGETTABLE Birthday celebration just for her and we eat Super Nachos.

January 23-Seth's first indoor soccer game. He scores 2 goals. One for his team and one for the other team. I go to the Washington Capitals game with Ben. They win 4-1 against the Coyotes.

January 29-I go with Todd and the rest of the Youth Ice Skating in Hagerstown. My 4th year attending the event.

January 30-We get another 4 inches of snow. We go and shovel snow at the church.

Words: I think that pretty much sums up the last 2.5 months. The month of January was my busiest month with a Church calling (and the most rewarding) and it was also one of my busiest months at work ever as we implemented all new processes and began using a new Tool for tracking issues. Time to get back to posting other weirdness...

This picture sums up everything in my mind.