There are 314 Eagle Scouts in the Mid-America Boy Scout Council this past year. Today, a bunch of them got together and celebrated what it means to be an Eagle Scout.

The boys were all called up by name and congratulated by a line of men who are community leaders and Boy Scouts.

Matt was the first Scout called up, and he went down the line and shook hands with his father,
Lloyd Roitstein-Scout Executive,
Hal Daub-Omaha Mayor Candidate,
Chuck Sigerson-Omaha City Councilman,
Rex Fischer-President of Qwest Nebraska,
Gary Gates, President of OPPD,
Scott Daniels-Omaha Attorney,
and John Gottschalk-National Boy Scout President.

I really love how Lloyd Roitstein reached out to give Matt a hug after the Scout Handshake.
It didn’t dawn on me until just now, looking at the pictures, what a line-up of Omaha’s finest businessmen that was!

A “class photo” was taken of the boys and it while it was fun watching the boys line up, the REAL show was watching the proud parents climb on chairs, staddle tables and skooch forward and back to get a good shot.

I had a picnic today with Megan at a restaurant in Lincoln called Bread and Cup.
And, I’m learning to use a new photo program called PikNik.

The real reason we motored in the momvan to Lincoln was to watch the ROTC Joint Service Chancellor’s Review.
I didn’t know what to expect. The University Chancellor, Harvey Perlman, spoke and reviewed the units, and many cadets and midshipmen got scholastic awards and scholarships.
Matt was in the Color Guard.

Midshipmen Hunt is on the left side.

At first glance, not much has changed since that day in August when we got to see him after a few days at “boot camp”.
But, he’s changed.
He gets up at 5:00 a.m. 3-4 days a week and does a military work-out. Matt does more before breakfast than I do all day.
He is learning so much in his classes, and not just academics.
He’s learning that school is hard and teachers sometimes don’t care and doing laundry is a pain.
He’s learning who to trust and who to respect and who gets both.
He’s learning that we are all just so proud of all his effort this past year.
OUT STAND ING, Mattman!

see scout pout.

The WHOLE yard available to her. The first really nice day where she can finally spend some time outside.
And where is that dog?
Curled up in the fetal position at the VERRRRRRRRY end of her leash. In the shade.
No dog rescued from the Humane Society has a worse life than Scout.

I’ve always had a “list” in my head. Not a list of chores…but a list of “TO DO SOMEDAY’s.
My husband has crossed off many of those items, including “meeting” David Cassidy.

But I’d like to write down a real list. Nothing that ever NEEDS to be done….. Nothing that HAS to be crossed off…Just a list.

Here goes.

1. Ride the Roller Coaster at Arnold’s Park in Okoboji.
2. Have every single room in my house clean at the same time.
3. Attend a real auction.
4. Attend a Big Name Flea Market.
5. Take a Road Trip to Anywhere.
6. Learn how to REALLY use my Photoshop Elements program.
7. Attend the Colorado Peach Festival.
8. Make a cookbook of my personal recipes.
9. Have my own store.
10. Grow a small garden.
11. Have a pedicure….(never have before!)
12. Fly on Virgin Airlines.

This is hard to do! I’m so Spoiled and Lucky….I’ve done so many fabulous things!

I’ll keep the list this way for now and add to it when I think of more.

…and re-take Reporting 101.

It has been a few years since I grabbed my Journalism Degree from good old Iowa State, but I remember learning not to BECOME the news. Reporters should Report.

In the meantime….

The Yellow Envelopes go to Obama Uncle Sam.