"Not Me" Monday

So I was reading the blog of a co-worker, and I found this link on her blog.

I. LOVE. IT. SO. MUCH!!!!!!

I have recently decided that too much of my life has been about living up to other people’s expectations of me. Sometimes the expectations others have of you can be encouraging, motivating, even empowering. But so much more often, they can be the monkey on your back (you know, like the Capital One commercial . . .)

Anyway, Not Me Monday is a way for me to say, “I don’t live up to anyone’s expectations but my own, and I’m not afraid to say it!” Imperfect? Yes, I am, and “Not Me Monday” is my way of proving it. Ready? Here we go . . .

I didn’t gain 3 pounds this weekend because I shamelessly overindulged ALL weekend long: at Abuelo’s and Cheesecake Factory on Friday, at a pitch-in dinner where I ate way too much dessert on Saturday, and on Sunday with leftover pitch-in dessert (a la mode), Culver’s Frozen Custard and cheese curds, AND fresh chips and salsa with sour cream. Nope, not me!

I didn’t buy myself a new, sure to be awesome, by my favorite author, sappy love story book to read, nevermind the almost 2 dozen other books that I already own and haven’t yet read to completion. Nope, not me!

I also didn’t sit and read said book for over an hour yesterday afternoon when at least a half dozen loads of clean and dry laundry sat in baskets around the living room getting wrinkled while waiting to be folded. Nope, not me!

I didn’t get just a *tinge* of baby envy while playing with the cutest 7 month old I know, little miss Naomi, this weekend at the pitch-in dinner, even though I have told my husband repeatedly that I no longer get the urge to have more children. Nope, not me!

And, finally, I didn’t wish that my little one would wake up this morning with a random fever that was just high enough that she couldn’t go to school so that I could call in sick and crawl in bed to snuggle the day away with her. Nope, not me!

So, what do you think? Like it? I. LOVE. IT. And, if you don’t like it, please don’t tell me because I have decided that I am no longer living up to your expectations. I like it, and therefore, I will be doing it again. YEP, that’s ME!

The Good Scout Award

Today, a man in Lafayette was given a very high honor, the "Good Scout" Award. That man is Joe Bumbleburg.

Today, a mother and a father were given a very high honor, to be the parents of a "good scout" of our own! That Scout is our son, Hayden.

We were asked several weeks ago if we would consider allowing Hayden to come during the school day to the Union Ballroom at Purdue to speak at this special event. The event serves as a fundraiser for the Tecumseh District of the Sagamore Council of the Boy Scouts of America. So, we said, "Sure, why not?" We know that Hayden can speak in front of a group, after all, he's been doing speeches since 1st grade. A man from the Council came over one evening and interviewed Hayden. He asked all sorts of questions about what Hayden likes to do, and also what he likes about being in Cub Scouts. After the interview, he wrote up a short speech for Hayden to practice.

And practice he did.

And speak he did.

At a podium.

With a microphone.

On stage.

In front of a room of 150 + people!

This picture doesn't do justice to the number of people who were there.

I don't know what I was expecting, but when I arrived and saw the room and the stage, it really sunk in . . . this is a big deal. Then I saw the people who started arriving: mayors, past mayors, state representatives, well known lawyers from established firms in town, property owners and managers (like rental properties), etc. Overall, some fairly important people in our area, to say the least.

I can't even begin to tell you how many people stopped us on the way out to say how well Hayden had done, congratulating him, thanking him for speaking, and telling him how they, as adults, couldn't have done as well! He was the only child on the program to speak. His talk lasted about 3 minutes or so. He had great volume, appropriate pauses, and did a good job making eye contact with the audience. I knew he could do it, but when grown ups say that they could NOT have done it, now that is saying something, don't you think? What an honor, for both us and for him!

Today's event was a big success, for Mr. Bumbleburg, for Hayden, and for Scouts - over $14,000 was raised as a result of this luncheon today! Amazing!

He was amazing. And we were so proud.

Here is a photo of his name in the program.

He also got a little award of his own to take home. How special is that???

Hayden had his picture taken with Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski.

And also with the Good Scout Honoree, Joe Bumbleburg.

A Scout is prepared, so here is Hayden practicing before the luncheon began.

During the luncheon, I was trying to video tape and take photos, and wipe my tears, too (Spaghetti), so I didn't get the entire speech recorded. I only got bits and pieces. I tried to upload it, but couldn't get it to work. Need to work on it. I will try again later - so check back!

Did I mention that we are so proud of him???