This past December Weston surprised his Dad and I with news that he had started his Eagle Project. Let me give a bit of history behind the Eagle Project for this family. Weston had completed all the required merit badges and all that was needed was for him to choose and carry out a project worthy of earning him the rank of Eagle. I first told him he would not get his license until his Eagle had been obtained but that didn't work. Tom and I tried countless times to tell him he would seriously regret not getting his Eagle but Weston is SUPER stubborn (wonder where he gets that?) and he was not having it. He told us he was not interested and he couldn't come up with a project that knocked his socks off. He knew that he was letting us down but Tom and I decided to back off. I am a mom that refuses to do the leg work for my boys. It is the leg work/red tape/jumping thru hoops that makes the project your own, it is what makes you appreciate a job well done. Yep, I am a MEAN mom.
We did however keep the Eagle in the forefront of his mind by simple hints, for instance, he asked us what we wanted for Christmas several times and we would both simply reply for him to get his Eagle. He would simply shake his head, give a bit of an eye roll and say, Really? Yep, really that is what we wanted.
Well one evening he approached us and asked us if we wanted to know our Christmas present. We told him NO to surprise us on Christmas Day but he informed us he needed our help with it. That is when he informed us he had been working with his Young Mens President and his project was under way. He decided to do a warm clothing drive for the homeless men, women and children in Ogden. He had gotten all the approvals and was ready to go but he wanted to use our house as the drop off and to provide hot chocolate and doughnuts to the many volunteers who handed out 700+ flyers and returned to pick up the many donations. This mom cried like a baby and his dad was overcome with pride. That is Weston he will do it on his own time and under his own terms.
Our basement was full of donations
and it took literally 4 cars full to the rim to deliver all the coats, hats, gloves, scarfs and socks. It was a very humbling experience for all of us as a family.
Weston has also informed us that there will be NO Court of Honor. He doesn't like the attention unless it is on the soccer field. But he will receive his Eagle on February 28th and Garett will receive his Tenderfoot and Colton his Life ~ it will be a great night for the Leatherows. You are more than welcome to stop by if you are free and congratulate the boys.
Tom and I are super proud of all of our scouts and we are hoping that this time next year I will be blogging about another Eagle Scout.
