Adam's goal

Adam's goal
Adam is going to be involved with the Boy Scouts of America National Jamboree in Fort A.P> Hill Virginia on July 26th through Aug 4th in the year 2010. The scout Council from this area is taking 5 troops and have arranged for a week long tour of the East Coast before attending the Jamboree. They plan on visiting; Niagara Falls and Museum of Natural History in New York. They will stop in Palmyra then travel to Philadelpia where they will see the LIberty Bell and Independence Square as well as Gettsburg. On the third day they will arrive in Washington D.C. where they will visit the Holocaust Muesum, Smithsonian Museum, Vietnam & Korean Memorial, Air & Space Museum, Mint Museum and the Ford Theatre and of course the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. A trip to Arlington Cemetery, the National Catherdral and the Washington D.C. LDS Temple are also on the agenda. He will also get to see Fort McHenry in Maryland. (this is the birth place of the National Anthem) He is also attending a baseball game in Baltimore.After all the touring he will be going to the Jamboree where they can; scuba dive, kayak, raft, trap shoot, archery, bike, play buck skin games, and much, much more. It's said to house18, 000 tents, 36,000 partrol kitchens and 43,000 scouts and leaders. The President of the United States will address them and big ticket entertainers are puttin gon concerts.So you can see this is going to be a chance of a life time.However, an event like this isn't free, so Adam is going to be raising money through various different fund raisers and work.The odd thing about this is, I (his mother) was so opposed to spending this money to go. It will be $2,550. But one Sunday morning I heard, "your son needs to do this." Adam has turned fourteen and for some you know what that means. I believe the reason he needs to be involved in this is to have a goal that he has to work toward. I'm excited to see him work to earn this chance. So we thought we would let you know that is what he is doing and if there is anything he can do for you (long distance is hard) then let us know. We apprieciate your support and love.

BillyBob

After going to the school and talking about a boy swallowing some gum, my mind has been going crazy. I have a story I now want to create. Billybob was one of the names this cute boy suggested when I was their talking with the class. SO it's only appropiate to use that name. I loved it the second he said it. SO on Sunday I wrote this quirky poem. (Yes, I was still listening to the meeting)

Billybob was not like other girls and boys,
he didn't spend hours playing with toys,
instead he used his time looking for his favorite treat;
which was usually found under someones seat.

Hidden under bleachers and chairs,
stick something Billybob thinks is as yummy as eclairs.

Wonderful colors like pink, purple and green
give Billybob a delightful sensation that makes him want to scream.

Though he has to pry them off with his pocket knife,
this brings him a smile filled with life.

"I'll combine at least three."
He exclaims, "they're all for me."

In his mouth they go.
Chewing ABC gum give him a sour glow.
"I just don't want anyone to know."

Favorite riddle

How do you get holy water?

Boil the hell out of it.

Is that the best or what?

Autograph?

Today I went to a second grade class to talk about writing stories. It was the highlight of my month, even though it took only a half and hour to give them my whole spill. They were good children. I spelled out PlOT and gave a description of what it meant by using each letter to the word. P was for people. We have to have people in our stories. I asked the class for names. (I couldn't hear or understand some of the names they said. I even had a few restate their suggestion and STILL couldn't understand. Maybe I listened to my music to loud as a kid, I should have listened to my mother.) I told them that's one thing I love about writing was naming my characters whatever I want without approval. (It's much easier than having to agree with a husband. I don't know maybe a publishing house will be like the husband and chose to change the brilliant names I come up with?) I told them about Airabell. I set out a picture of her I illustrated. A boy on the front roll said, "Why is her belly button hanging out." I had to tell him he would have to find out and listen. L was for lives we have to know about the lives of our people. I told them about Airabell loving to jump rope, but that's all she does. So her fuddy-dud story was suppose to have them see how important it is to have 'story problems' so something fun happen in the story. They listed off a few ideas, I told them let's say she broke her ankle and no longer could jump rope. O was for out-smart or overcome. This is where the character makes a change. We said Airabell learned how to play board games, which meant she had to play with others. T was 'the end' and this is where we 'take away' something from the story. We said Airabell learned to play with others with boardgames and she got a bigger rope so she could play with others doing double dutch. I then read my 'Sticky Gum' story. (Airabell enters the biggest bubble champanionship. There are lots of challenges she faces before the contest, like the sticky mess of sticking the gum on her belly button. (okay the story is about me mostly--But cute, If I say so myself.) At least the teacher laughed at it. I handed out gum and as I was about to leave a cute little girl asked, "can I have your autograph?" She had a tiny piece of paper with her pencil held out in my direction. I then ended up giving almost each kid an autograph. It was fun! Good thing I practice everyday by signing my children's homework. I did say, "If any of your parents are with publishing houses tell them about me." HaHa. I'll do anything, right!!! Ha. It made up for the rejection I got earlier this month.

Rejection

So I just received another rejection letter for one of my books. I think I'm getting use to this bad news. I did however try to project thoughts of it actually happening. I refuse to believe it won't. However, I do hope that it will be before the end of the world comes, or before the 20th book is written. I am addicted to the creative process of writing and I have learned a lot on this five year venture. So back to the grind I go. I did just submit another book I have written; so we will wait and see what happens with that one. Maybe if everyone crosses their fingers the sooner it will happen???
I get to go to a second grade class next friday to talk about writing books. I then will read my "sticky gum" story. I'm excited. I'll let you know how it goes. Hopefully they will enjoy it and not mention anything about my spock ears. Or rather elf ears. HA Kids and their truth serum they drink.--got to love them.

Handmaiden

My mom is now the Relief Society Pres. (and I know she will do a great job). She asked me if I would write her a poem that she could use throught the year. So I thought I would share what I wrote.

Behold the handmaiden of the Lord!
Who hears His voice and follows it with one accord.

Loyalty clings to every fiber of her being.
Devotion and duty to her King is what she sings.

Humbly she attends to others who need her healing hand.
For that's how it was planned,
to mimic and understand that love can conquer all the ails of man.

She willingly serves in attempt to preserve the Master's word.

Her efforts are showered with support from above.
And she knows she is God's beloved.

With gratitude she lives her life, reguardless of any strife.

Self-discipline does not rob her of compassion,
She does everthing with simple acts of fashion,
Caring and sharing without any thoughts of rationing.

But ultimately it's her spirituality that gives her a radiant glow.
Being faithful and patient are qualities she knows.
And if she serves to the best of her ability
She will receive sweet tranquitity
From the one she has devote her life to.

In her heart she will know that she's been nothing but true.