We'll Cross That Bridge...

This past Sunday was the Cub Scout Blue and Gold Banquet (themed from Indiana Jones!!) for Pack 664 of Muenster. An event planned for February that was rescheduled due to our ice/snow barrage. These boys (and parents) have waited a very long time for this day...the bridging over of our Webelo II Cub Scouts into Boy Scouts! What a journey we've had. Our den (Den 3) was blessed to have the BEST EVER den parents! Stick and Angelika went above and beyond in every way imaginable. Our mere words of thanks will never truly convey the feeling of love in hearts for how they loved, taught and nurtured our boys! I am so proud of this den of scouts. They have shown great integrity and compassion from Wolf Cubs to this moment. The den has remained strong over the last 4 years, and our boys have bonded well.

The ceremony for our boys to receive the Arrow of Light was done so beautifully. Each of the boys were so stoic, yet so excited that they had received their award for their hard work! It was serious business to them--and us ;). This is the only award that carries over from Cub Scouts into Boy Scouts. They were each presented with an authentic arrow made with real arrowheads, sinew, feathers etc...WAY COOL!

The banquet, which we've attended at other levels of our scouting, can run long. I remember as a parent of a Wolf Cub thinking it was WAY too long. Somehow, though, when it's YOUR baby crossing that bridge it doesn't seem nearly so long. I actually can't believe it's time for our turn...At the end of the banquet we parents each walked along side our scouts as they crossed the bridge symbolizing their entrance into Boy Scouts. Precious moment for this proud mama ;*)

Scouting has been such a blessing to our family thus far...the values and morals we encounter in scouting reinforce what we teach at home. Raising a child to think of others first, know what he believes and stand strong in that belief is a job we cannot take lightly. I am so proud of my boy as he is growing into a young man who exemplifies just these traits. The traits of Scouts, but more so the traits of a follower of Christ. Learning from our children is humbling, yet awe inspiring. We are blessed....

"Let no man look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe." 1 Timothy 4:12

Poised for Humility

How on earth did I get the privilege to parent this angelic being? This past weekend was the spring dance recital for Premier Dance Studio. What a fun time. I never took dance when I was growing up...not sure why, just didn't. I don't even feel like I missed out. Watching my daughter dance has become one of my favorite humbling, melting moments. WHY would God chose me to birth and raise this precious, beautiful one? Her grace on stage astounds me. She has poise beyond her years when she slips on those ballet shoes. Will she be a professional ballerina?...not highly likely, but I don't think I'd be anymore proud if she were on stage in New York or here in Texas. She makes my heart melt. And the crazy thing is, it's not even something she's wildly passionate about. She likes it, but would take a break...if I'd let her. I'm not for forcing children to participate in activities so that parents can live vicariously through them, however sometimes we can see what they cannot through their innocent eyes of youth. Will she be taking a ballet break?........not yet my dear, not yet. I think there's more in store for her than she realizes. I don't want to shortcut what might be a gift. While I received NO gift of dance, maybe she got my share.... "They should praise Him with dancing. They should sing praises to Him with tambourines and harps." Psalm 149:3.
Dance away, my daughter, dance away!

Laissez les bons temps rouler! !

In keeping with the name of my blog, I'm sharing about some 'roots' today. Next Tuesday is Fat Tuesday, but today was full of Mardi Gras at my house. Last year my dear friend, Chanda and I had both been craving a good king cake. Not being able to find one around these here parts, we decided to make our own. Let me say..It was unbelievably good, especially for our first time to make one. Quoting Dizzy Dean, "It ain't braggin' if you can do it." Well we did it alright! So good in fact, we did it again this year--times 4!! Four king cakes were magically created here today and 1 was completely consumed!!!

I found this card in a king cake I bought years ago. So for those of you unfamiliar with the delicacy, here's some background."The King Cake is believed to have originated in France around the 12th century. These early Europeans celebrated the coming of the three wise men bearing gifts twelve days after Christmas calling it the feast of Epiphany, Twelfth Night, or King's Day.
The main part of the celebration was the baking of a King Cake to honor the three Kings. The cakes were made circular to portray the cirucular route used by the Kings to get to the Christ Child and confuse King Herod, who was trying to follow the wise men so he could kill the Christ Child. In these early King Cakes, a bean, a pea or a coin was hidden inside the cake. The person who got the hidden piece was declared King for the day or was said to have good luck in the coming year.
In Louisiana, Twelfth Night also signifies the beginning of the carnival season, which ends on Mardi Gras Day. The beans, peas, and coins have been replace by a small plastic baby to symbolize the Christ Child. The person who gets the baby is expected to carry on the carnival festivities by hosting the next King Cake Party."

So today at our Second Annual King Cake party, we had gumbo, sweet tea and king cake...perfect combo for this Southern girl and her Texas friend who has lived around the Southeast almost as long as she lived in this great state. While you can find good food lots of places, Southern cuisine, in my opinion, cannot be matched. It's pure comfort for the soul! When it is matched with good company it's almost more than you can stand!!

While I'm not promoting the indulgences of typical Mardi Gras, I do love the food and fun festivities and want this tradition of baking and fellowshipping with good friends to be an integral part of my children's heritage...to take root in their lives. Blessing others and being blessed by them while having them in your home and kitchen is a Southern tradition I am thankful found it's place and took root in my life. It feeds my soul to love and serve those God brings into my life whether it involves the most extravagantly festive meal or the most basic ham sandwich. Giving of our time and ourselves are roots that give us wings.