7 February 2011

Dear Scott,

We woke up to receiving a bit of snow last night.  We have only had one snow storm that I had to shovel since you have been gone.  And it really wasn't much at that.  We have not received much snow in the valley, it has just been super, super cold!  (It is taking a long time to write this letter, I read stories to the kids already this morning, helped them play some learning games in the ipad, now it's start Ben 10, get some juice, I want my vitamins, I want toast--but that is how it goes.  I think that I'll get up early to study and do some computer stuff, but most mornings the kids get up early too.) The cold has made it difficult to play or train outside.  

I'll give you a brief run down of how our week went.  It went fast and seemed so busy.  I honestly feel like I have so little time to do things and am always behind on my to-do list. Monday we went to the Tulett's.  I'm so grateful for their friendship.  I took the X-terra in to Honest One for Safety and Emission that day.  Carlee let me borrow her car to go to the gym in the afternoon.  It was way too cold and bad weather to run outside, and then I did a workout there as well.  Afterward, we went grocery shopping at Wal-mart.  Eric fell asleep in the car on the way home.  We got home just in time to have a FHE with Lloyd and Carolyn.  The I could put away groceries, get Rubie to bed, and then I was ready for bed.

Tuesday I did a strength training workout early in the morning.  We had breakfast and got ready for the day, then I took the kids to the playroom at the gym and I did a swim workout.  We got home to get Carolyn lunch and get her off to bowling.  Later in the afternoon the Pendleton kids came over to play.  Then Rubie had Little Gym.  Then Megan Riley came over (Jay and Julie as our home teachers visited Sunday, they offered their home and Megan to watch the kids for mutual and Church meetings if I need) and I went to Mutual where we had a blast playing human Foosball.

Wednesday I took the kids to the Pendleton's in the morning and had a 10 mile run in 2 degree weather.  The was a literal brain freezing.  With the wind it was SOOOOO cold I kept asking myself what I was doing and I just wanted to quite, but how would I get home, just better to keep going as fast as I could.  I was so frozen when I got home, my hands and feet were in pain, it was like I had a dental procedure done my face was so numb.  In the afternoon Eric had Little Gym, it was bring a friend day so Carlee came and brought Reid.  We had a relief society activity that night.  There was a nursery so after feeding dinner to Lloyd and Carolyn, the kids, Carolyn and I went to the Church for the activity.

Thursday morning I bike workout, then the Tulett's came over and I went to the gym for my swim workout.(By the way, Rubie is the biggest tease to Eric.  She is always trying to get a reaction out of him.)  That afternoon Carolyn had an activity at BYU with her RAH group.  I made dinner for us and Lloyd.  Carolyn told us her activity was over at 6:30pm.  Rubie, who didn't get a nap that day, had fallen asleep by then and Eric and Lloyd were still eating dinner.  So I left the kids with Lloyd and went to get Carolyn.  After waiting for an hour at our designated spot and trying to reach Carolyn on her cell phone, and her family members, and Lloyd, I finally left and came back home.  I was totally bugged of course because that was a huge waste of time.  I had Lloyd get out her RAH newsletter and calendar to see the details of the activity.  It got over at 8:30pm.  Well, that is my fault for not going over the calendar with her and just trusting her with the details.  So I was able to clean up dinner and then go back to BYU and get her.

Friday morning I took the kids to the playroom at the gym so I could swim and then Eric had preschool.  I was able to get a shower in and Rubie played.  Then we walked over to the Oakey's to pick him up.  It actually felt warm being in the 30s so we took our time getting home.  It is nice to sort of play outside with the kids.  Later in the afternoon Cassandra Wiscombe came over to do some things with me on personal progress.  Then Megan came over again to babysit and I went and got a massage.  When I got home I took the kids to Chucky Cheese.  They loved it and had so much fun.  The food is definitely not as good as Pirate Island, but that isn't really why we went there.

Saturday I had to spend 2 1/2 hours on my bike.  I took me over 3 hours to get done because I have to keep getting off my bike to take care of the kids.  After spending some time getting the kids ready and drawing for them and playing we went to Jolley's Ranch to snow shoe.  They had some tiny kid snow shoes that I rented for Rubie.  We spent an hour on their snow shoe track and went just under a mile.  They did great.  I didn't want to push them too hard because I want them to like it and want to go back.  In the yert they had little kid cross-country skis.  The kids were really excited about that and I think maybe next time we will try skiing.  Saturday evening Abby came over to babysit and Bob and Adriane came down.  We went to dinner at Rooster and then came back here.  Bob had his guitar and we listened to him and to music and just hung out.  That was nice, but it was too late for me.  I woke up Sunday morning with a bit of a cold and it is worse today.  I need to get more sleep I think.

Sunday we had church, I had a presidency meeting, dinner with Lloyd and Carolyn, then we went to your parents for FHE.  The kids and I were the only ones to show up.  Your dad was actually at a stake meeting for the first hour that we were there.  So we had that time with just your mom.  It was really nice.  She had planned a lesson and an activity of making valentines and had a treat.  The kids really enjoyed it.  Everyone else had excuses of not feeling well to the Super Bowl, to who knows because we couldn't get a hold of them, for not showing up.  But we enjoyed the time with your parents.

We are looking forward to just as busy a week as last.  It sure makes the weeks go by quickly.  I hope to get more house work done this week and more quality time with the kids too.  We'll see how it goes.

We miss you a lot.  We pray for you multiple times each day.  We know you are doing well.  You are a leader and a good example for others.  Thank you for your example to us.  Every where I go people ask how you are doing.  I was so glad to get a letter from you.  Now I can actually report to others some information about you.  I love hearing about your experiences and look forward to hearing about more.  The Lord is really blessing us, the kids, especially Eric have been so good.  He has been very obedient.  You can be proud of him.  The ward has been so good.  Everybody, and I do mean everybody has offered to help me.  It will take the whole time you are gone for me to take everyone up on their offers to help.  That really tells me the Lord is aware of us.  I love you and do miss you.  Life is so busy though I don't have any moments to wallow or focus on that.  Eric and Rubie love you and miss you too.  Be great!

Love, Jen 

Letter from Scott, received 4 Feb 2011

I was so excited to finally receive a letter from Scott.  I have started checking the mailbox each day with the anticipation of hearing from him.  I tried to scan the letter with our printer to a file, but I can't get it to work.  Things like that, spending the time to figure out technology, that I need Scott for.  So I'm going to type the letter he sent us. 


Jen:
Personal time is practically non-existent leaving me unable to write as much as I'd like.  We are waiting for a class to start and this will likely be the only "times" I'll be able to write.
      Life has been intense pretty much since the moment we got off the bus at reception.  In fact the days really blend into one big day.  At reception we had very little sleep (10 hrs in 3 days) while here at BCT we get about 7hrs/night however I've had 1 shower in five days.
2011-01-19
2316 hrs. finally laying down to bed.  Long day, mostly traveling from SLC to Atlanta, then to Columbia.  Had six soldiers in my group (Torres, Tidwell, Ortiz, Stallings, and Olsen).  When we got to CIP there was a USO lounge where they welcomed us and then put us on a bus.  There were about 40 soldiers in the bus.  40 minutes later we got off the bus at reception at Ft. Jackson.  had chow, a quick orientation were then issued linens, canteen and taught how to make a bed with hospital corners.  Marched over and issued PT gear.  I am in A co. Platoon 67 and my number is 470 (A470-67) this only applies while I'm in the reception battalion.  As the night went on I was amazed at how many new soldiers were showing up.  More will come tomorrow as well, maybe Friday.  I'm going to read some BOM then lights out.
2011-01-20
1741 hrs. long day with only 4 hrs of sleep.  so far we got our pay cards, a hair cut (cost $5.95), audiology test, eye test and they drew blood.  We've been issued most of our uniforms.  The day is spent mostly in lines and/or sitting.  Also we had two "moments of truth" opportunities to divulge any undisclosed legal and or medical issues.  It sure is nice to not have any skeleton's in the closet.  It has been interesting experiencing so many emotions.  i find a lot of aspect similar to the MTC experience.  Watching the unit come together is also fun.  you can see the personalities begin to emerge on essentially two extremes 1)those who are cool to get along and 2)the more difficult individuals.  Also I've been a little surprised by the number of soldiers my age or older, far more common than I expected.  There's a good number of lDS soldiers as well.  so far the only thing I know is that I'll be in Charlie "C" company when I get to BCT.
2011-01-21
Had some excitement last night, at almost the same time we had a page we assumed was DS (drill sargent) roach when we got down in formation the MPs we're responding to a suicide alert on one of the PVTs, then while DS Harris (the senior DS) was discussing with the PVT and the MPs the paramedics arrived as another soldier had collapsed in the barracks.  As we headed back up DS Harris caught us and proceeded to smoke us because the barracks he had seen were an "embarrassment."  With a day and a half of sitting and the
2011-01-27
It's 2:45 am.  The DS was here about 1/2 an hour ago checking on the cleaning job the night watch had done.  That commotion woke me, I'm not falling asleep as I just as well write.
I've spent the first week in a half proverbial full body cringe in anticipation of what the experience would be.  I've been waiting for the other shoe to drop and have a DS up in my grill and doing push-ups and insane amoutn of time.  That hasn't been the case, I don't think it will be.  At reception (120th) the DSs used pretty much every curse and profane expression in the book while berating us.  They often expressed a desire to kill or do physical harm.  There at BCT they won't even use as much as a damn or hell (although as more of a cultural norm they take the Lord's name in vain).  I'm not sure hwy there is a difference between BCT and reception; however, I do know that at BCT they have strict guidelines of how they can treat us.  I was probably most surprised to see our DSs joking and being "real" people with us as early as teh first day we were here (Saturday).  I'll say this the DSs at both places (the 120th reception battalion and here at BCT) are top notch professionals.  I like them.  Other soldiers are already developing an aversion to various DS, I don't agree with their views.  Any how we've done so little intense physical activity that I am now volunteering to do pus ups.  For example we've been given a set of beads to wear to indicate how many canteens of water we've drank (hydration beads).  Last night while waiting on someone, the DS asked who did not have theirs on, PVT Marh didn't so as he made his way to do pus ups I stepped up as his Battle Buddy (even though he isn't my formal battle buddy) to do push ups with him.  I know that eventually they will smoke us as a group but they have been very conscientious of a) how much we've been taught, B) any PT tests/assessments or other events we might have coming up and C) our physical capabilities.  Therefore as a group we haven't been dropped for more than 10-15 push ups.  at the RSP the returning BCT graduates always said that BCT never smoked us more then they did at the RSP and that we'd need to look for PT opportunities on our own, I'm beginning to believe them.
The day before yesterday we did the "fit to win" course which is basically the iconic obstacle course you would expect us to do at BCT.  It was fun.
Today we have a march with some (a small portion) of our battle gear to victory tower.  This is where we will rappel about 50'.
Friday we have a march where we will camp over night then Saturday morning we have the gas chamber.  I'll write about those experiences once they happen.

I think of you often and miss you so much.  I miss the children as well.  Being away from my family is proving to be the single greatest challenge.  I know the Lord is preparing each one of us for some future time and the personal struggles and growth we each experience will be key to that preparation.  I pray that the Lord is watching over you and caring for your individual needs.

My appreciation is growing daily for so many things about my family, I truly am blessed!

I love you, 

Scott

2011-01-26
Eric:
Daddy has been very busy but I want to take a free moment to tell you how much I miss you.  I think of you every cay and miss cuddling with you to watch the news in the morning.  I hope you are having fun with your Lightening McQueen car that we built and your bear that we made.  I'm sure you are being a good boy for mommy and helping Rubie too.  Just think when Daddy gets home we'll go see the new McQueen movie.  Remember, you're my Little Hero, I think of you every single day.
Love, 
Daddy

2011-01-26
Rubie:
How is Daddy's Little Princess?  Yes I know "Sleeping Beauty."  I miss you so much!  Have you been taking good care of Belle Bear? I had so much fun with you when we went to the store.  Are you enjoying "The Little Gym"?  I'm sure you're doing the tricks.  Is Eric being nice, are you being nice?  Are you helping mommy?  I'm looking forward to coming home and going to Pirate Island with you.  I also want to go on a date with my Little Princess, be thinking of what you want to do.  I think of you every day.
Love,
Daddy

Sledding at Sharon Park

Before the Jarvis left to go back to Arizona, our friends the Warner's (Mandy, Fay, Kimball, Julia) came to play too.  It was a beautiful day and so we went sledding at Sharon Park.  It is a great place for the little kids to go sledding.  The hills are just the right size for them.  We totally enjoyed ourselves.

 

Beware of Pirates

Eric turned 4 years old on January 2, 2011.  To celebrate we had a birthday party for Eric at our home on Saturday, New Years Day.  I thought that some of the 8 kids invited might not come because of the holiday, but they all showed up.  Some with siblings and parents, for which I was so grateful for the help.  We invited Eric's preschool friends, ward friends, and his friends that are the kids of his mom's friends: Hannah, Kambri, Emily, Alex, Noah and Max, Reid and Link, Dylan, and Rubie.  We went to the party store and let Eric choose the theme for his party. He chose to have a pirate party.  Scott helped Eric deliver his pirate party invitations dressed in a pirate captain hat, sword, and eye patch.  We played some fun games: a treasure hunt, pin the flag on the map, musical chairs, and a pirate ship pinata.  For lunch we served chicken nuggets, peas, and oranges.  For dessert we had skull shaped cupcakes.  Eric and his friends had a blast.  I'm glad that Scott and the kids took a nap after the party, that allowed me to clean up the fun from the party.  It was crazy at the house for awhile but it was worth it for the kids to have a fun time.

Happy Birthday pirate style.

Explaining how to do the treasure hunt.

Eric and Alex ready to hunt.

Everyone is getting their map and getting into teams.

Helping the kids figure out the clues.

Finding the pieces of the map puzzle.

Pirate Captain Eric.

They found the treasures.

Pin the flag on the map.

Eric really likes Emily, Noah decided that he liked her too.  Eric and Noah always made sure they were sitting on each side of Emily.

Musical chairs was probably the favorite game.

Swinging at the pirate ship pinata.

Now Daddy wants a turn at the pinata.

The kids went crazy over the treats that went everywhere.

Enjoying lunch.

The pirate cupcakes.

Eric's friends were very generous.  We have had lots of fun with the toys and games they brought.