emphasis on the H: Caleb and Scouts and Orchestra

Caleb I want you to know how proud I am of a these two time consuming parts in your life: scouting and music. In terms of scouting, I know that you have really enjoyed your time here (and in the YM's program in general) and getting to head out on a campout every month has been great fun for you. Your leaders always come back with the same report: Caleb is a great friend and leader (you are the senior Patrol leader) and he makes efforts to ensure everyone is having a good time. I see you do that here at home and so it is no surprise to me that you do the same things for your friends.

A few weeks back you headed to Seneca Rocks, WV for a winter campout after we had gotten back the night before from our Snowshoe ski trip. You were stoked to have a new sleeping bag, new winter boots, new hiking boots and Dad coming along. The boots were found the night before after my Zappos order failed (we discovered this when we got home at 6:30 from Snowshoe). But, we were hugely blessed because what was ordered would not have fit anyway..... your shoe size went up again in the matter of two weeks and instead of being a woman's size 9 (men's 7, which are so stinking hard to come by), you are now a men's size 8! And our local Dick's had the Sorels Dad wanted for you and a nice Goretex hiking boot. The two of us were giddy driving home with such a blessed 60 minutes of effort!!

I would also like to tell you how in awe I am at your skills in piano, cello and jazz drums....you truly amaze me! Not only am I impressed with your musical talents and gifts, I would also like you to know that I'm grateful for all the work you put into to making sure you are ready for lessons or rehearsals. Each morning after I take the 3 other boys to school you spend the next 30-45 minutes practicing one of your instruments and even though you drive me crazy sometimes with the getting up and down for this or that, and breaking out a little Van Halen after you work on your assigned pieces, you really do a nice job staying focused. I also want you to remember that I have noticed one of the best parts of being in the Evans orchestra is the weekly ride you get from Steve and Isabella. The three of you have a grand time and like your scout leaders, Steve always reports back to me what a great kid you are and how much fun it is to have you with them!

I love you my first born hero!

A few photos to remember this time in your life: Winter camping in Seneca Rocks, WV