Saturday, June 27, 2009
Michael at Scout Camp!
Michael just got back from Scout Camp and was as happy as he was smelly!! He earned his Enviromental Science Merit Badge and his Leather Works Merit Badge. He also completed a C.O.P.E. course. He loved it!!
Jasen at Scout Camp!
Jasen just got back from Scout Camp and he had such a blast. He earned his Indian Lore Merit Badge, Canoeing Merit Badge, Enviromental Science Merit Badge and Leather Works Merit Badges. His favorite part of camp was canoeing and kayaking...he was a natural!!
Friday, June 26, 2009
NINE WORDS WOMEN USE
NINE WORDS WOMEN USE
(1) Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.
(2) Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.
(3) Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.
(4) Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!
(5) Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to # 3 for the meaning of nothing.)
(6) That's Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a woman can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.
(7) Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or faint. Just say you're welcome. (I want to add in a clause here - This is true, unless sh e says 'Thanks a lot' - that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. DO NOT say 'you're welcome'. That will bring on a 'whatever').
(8) Whatever: Is a woman's way of saying F-- YOU!
(9) Don't worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking 'What's wrong?' For the woman's response refer to #3.
(1) Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.
(2) Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.
(3) Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.
(4) Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!
(5) Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to # 3 for the meaning of nothing.)
(6) That's Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a woman can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.
(7) Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or faint. Just say you're welcome. (I want to add in a clause here - This is true, unless sh e says 'Thanks a lot' - that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. DO NOT say 'you're welcome'. That will bring on a 'whatever').
(8) Whatever: Is a woman's way of saying F-- YOU!
(9) Don't worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking 'What's wrong?' For the woman's response refer to #3.
JEALOUSY!!
I am so JEALOUS....
I want to run away to the mountains. I want to canoe and kayak. I want to walk across rope bridges, 50 feet in the air. I want to spend 40 minutes every day out in the wilderness just meditating. I want to swim in a lake that I fish in. I want to sit around a fire and laugh and tell stories. I want to carve with a pocketknife and watch deer in the fields. I want to watch my boys learn new things and grow and face fears and make friends.
And mostly, I want someone in the Mess Hall to make my meals, EVERY DAY FOR A WEEK!!
I used to think that the Boy Scouting program was designed to rip young men from their mother's tender loving arms. I now think that as they drag my babies into man-hood they are laughing as they go!!!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
SEMPER FIDELIS, ALWAYS FAITHFUL
On Sunday, Elder Bednar came and spoke at our Stake Conference. Ben got to speak also and this is his talk
Brothers and Sisters, I am so grateful for the opportunity I have today to be able to speak to you all. I am Ben Dawson. My friends call me Ben, the kids on my soccer team calls me coach, my 4 kids call me Daddy or Dad, my wife calls me sweetheart and wonderful, and my Marines, they call me Staff Sergeant.
As a Marine I have gone many places and done many things. There have been many occasions when I have needed to protect myself. In the Marine Corps we wear eye protection, ear protection, and body armor. We wear helmets to protect our heads and boots to protect our feet. We even get shots and take medications to protect us from chemical agents and disease. You could say that we try to be as protected as possible both inside and out. Without this protection our missions may not get accomplished.
As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints I have a different brand of protection. I have made covenants in the temple and by keeping those covenants I am protecting myself spiritually as well as physically. I strive to live according to the gospel standards and principals that have been given to me, and like the spiritual “armor of God” spoken about in D&C 27, I know that if I will cherish and honor my covenants I will be protected from the evils of the world.
Before one of my deployments President Reese came to my house and gave me a blessing. In his blessing he said that if I would uphold the promises that I made in the Temple I would be blessed and protected by Guardian Angels.
In Iraq I was involved in 3 roadside bombings which left my vehicles and fellow Marines damaged and hurt. Now some might say that it was luck that I was not injured, but I know that because I had been keeping my Temple covenants I was physically protected.
Deployments are long. I spend months away from family, friends and sometimes church meetings. I am often surrounded by people who do not have the same standards that I do. I am so grateful for the daily reminder that I wear under my uniform, of the temple covenants that I have made.
There is a motto in the Marine Corps that we live by, it is a Latin phrase that I try to follow everyday. The phrase is “Semper Fidelis” which means, “Always Faithful.” I have taken an oath to be “Always Faithful” to our country, our Marine Corps, and to my brothers in arms. Without this oath, or covenant, it would be easier for me to lose sight of my goals, possibly jeopardizing a mission and the safety of my men.
As a member of the church I have also made covenants to be “Semper Fidelis” or “Always Faithful”. I will keep those sacred covenants that I have made in the temple. It will take honor, courage, and commitment but in the end I will be blessed with the needed protection that has kept me safe in times of peril on and off the battlefield as well as bring me happiness.
I know that Temples are the houses of our loving Heavenly Father. I know that if we will keep the commandments and live by the covenants that we make in Temples we will be truly blessed and protected. I will continually strive to live “Semper Fidelis” to all of the covenants I have made in the Temple. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Brothers and Sisters, I am so grateful for the opportunity I have today to be able to speak to you all. I am Ben Dawson. My friends call me Ben, the kids on my soccer team calls me coach, my 4 kids call me Daddy or Dad, my wife calls me sweetheart and wonderful, and my Marines, they call me Staff Sergeant.
As a Marine I have gone many places and done many things. There have been many occasions when I have needed to protect myself. In the Marine Corps we wear eye protection, ear protection, and body armor. We wear helmets to protect our heads and boots to protect our feet. We even get shots and take medications to protect us from chemical agents and disease. You could say that we try to be as protected as possible both inside and out. Without this protection our missions may not get accomplished.
As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints I have a different brand of protection. I have made covenants in the temple and by keeping those covenants I am protecting myself spiritually as well as physically. I strive to live according to the gospel standards and principals that have been given to me, and like the spiritual “armor of God” spoken about in D&C 27, I know that if I will cherish and honor my covenants I will be protected from the evils of the world.
Before one of my deployments President Reese came to my house and gave me a blessing. In his blessing he said that if I would uphold the promises that I made in the Temple I would be blessed and protected by Guardian Angels.
In Iraq I was involved in 3 roadside bombings which left my vehicles and fellow Marines damaged and hurt. Now some might say that it was luck that I was not injured, but I know that because I had been keeping my Temple covenants I was physically protected.
Deployments are long. I spend months away from family, friends and sometimes church meetings. I am often surrounded by people who do not have the same standards that I do. I am so grateful for the daily reminder that I wear under my uniform, of the temple covenants that I have made.
There is a motto in the Marine Corps that we live by, it is a Latin phrase that I try to follow everyday. The phrase is “Semper Fidelis” which means, “Always Faithful.” I have taken an oath to be “Always Faithful” to our country, our Marine Corps, and to my brothers in arms. Without this oath, or covenant, it would be easier for me to lose sight of my goals, possibly jeopardizing a mission and the safety of my men.
As a member of the church I have also made covenants to be “Semper Fidelis” or “Always Faithful”. I will keep those sacred covenants that I have made in the temple. It will take honor, courage, and commitment but in the end I will be blessed with the needed protection that has kept me safe in times of peril on and off the battlefield as well as bring me happiness.
I know that Temples are the houses of our loving Heavenly Father. I know that if we will keep the commandments and live by the covenants that we make in Temples we will be truly blessed and protected. I will continually strive to live “Semper Fidelis” to all of the covenants I have made in the Temple. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
The 8th Grade Dance...My Baby!!
I was in charge of the 8th Grade Promotion Dance this year. We chose a "Hollywood" theme, and with the help of wonderful friends and parents we pulled it off. The kids had a great time!!
I Shouldn't
I know that I shouldn't love this picture so much, I mean she is obviously in distress, but I do...and I had to post it for you to love also. 
Promotions, Graduations and Re-enlistments
We had a really exciting first week of June. Spencer graduated from ASYMCA's Mommy and Me Pre-school Program and will now be attending Concordia's Pre-school Program 5 days a week/ three hours a day!! How exciting, for the both of us!!
Michael is now a Middle School Graduate and an official High School Freshman...sniff...He was awarded nearly every award his school offered, including Honor Roll, Sportsman of the Year and Service to the School awards. We are very proud.
Ben re-enlisted for another 5 years in the Marine Corps. He was also just selected to be promoted to Gunnery Sergeant. His promotion will probably take place in October or November. We are super excited. It is a well deserved promotion!!
Jasen is excited to move on up to 7th grade and was presented with the Principal's List award for his fabulous grades. Emma is thrilled to move up to 2nd grade and was awarded the Citizenship Award for her class. I got a root canal...and didn't cry...much!! Yeah, me!!!
Michael is now a Middle School Graduate and an official High School Freshman...sniff...He was awarded nearly every award his school offered, including Honor Roll, Sportsman of the Year and Service to the School awards. We are very proud.
Ben re-enlisted for another 5 years in the Marine Corps. He was also just selected to be promoted to Gunnery Sergeant. His promotion will probably take place in October or November. We are super excited. It is a well deserved promotion!!
Jasen is excited to move on up to 7th grade and was presented with the Principal's List award for his fabulous grades. Emma is thrilled to move up to 2nd grade and was awarded the Citizenship Award for her class. I got a root canal...and didn't cry...much!! Yeah, me!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
