33 Sweet Pieces of Advice for Finals Week

For finals, I wanted to make giant "candy bar letters" for Daniel and Jessie (our two college freshmen). But after thinking about it, I knew Jessie wouldn't want two huge poster boards as carry-on when she flies back to Salt Lake this afternoon. Talk about AWKWARD! Plus, I could just imagine the candy falling off and her leaving a trail everywhere she goes. So, I decided to individually wrap each candy:

...using scraps of wrapping paper from birthdays past.

I tightly packed them into a gift box.

Turned out, it took two boxes; so I tied them together.

I typed the letter on a standard 8-1/2 x 11 sheet of paper and taped it to BYU blue cardstock. They have to put the right candy in each blank to make sense.

Here's the letter with the missing answers included:

Finals week is fast approaching. Just be(TWIX) you and us, it's (CRUNCH) time! Be sure to do (MOUNDS) of studying for your Religion (WHATCHAMACALLIT), your math (THINGAMAJIG) and your (WHOPPER) history test. If you need to take a little break, (TAKE FIVE) or ten minutes to stretch, eat a healthy snack, and even (SNICKER) a little because everyone knows that laughter is the best medicine. Now, on your way to the testing center, don't be an (AIRHEAD) and drop your calculator! Those (BUTTERFINGERS) could cost you to (SCORE) a (BIG RED) (ZERO) on the final, which could affect the rest of your life. You don't want to end up unemployed in Greenland raising (TURTLES). Do your very best and bring your parents lots of pride and (ALMOND JOY). Maybe someday you'll end up on (5TH AVENUE) in (NEW YORK) attending the (SYMPHONY) and making ($100 GRAND) every (PAYDAY). Or maybe you'll be a famous astronaut who visits (MARS), soars through the (MILKY WAY) and explores the (ORBIT) of the moon. You never know! So, be sure to get up when your alarm goes off. Don't (ROLO) over and go back to sleep dreaming of giant (KIT KATs) and the adventures of the (THREE MUSKETEERS) while the hours (TIC TAC) away. You'll miss the big test and that would be a major (MILK DUD).

We love you!

--Dad and Mom

p.s. We don't expect you to be an (EXTREME) (NERD), just try (EXTRA) hard to be a (SMARTIE) instead of a (DUMB DUMB). :)

Fredette about it!

I've never been much of a sports fan; but lately, college basketball is one of my favorites. Specifically, BYU. Jimmer Fredette is freakishly phenomenal on the basketball court. He drops three-pointers like most of us walk across a room, and he's a total blast to watch. Last night, he lead the offense with 32 points in the first half. That's as many points at halftime solely scored by Jimmer as the Wisconsin team did in its entire game on Saturday. He finished the game with a career-high of 52 points. Anyone who's watched him play is not surprised he won MWC Player of the Year. He's a likely candidate for NCAA Player of the Year as well. He has such a dedicated following that his first name has become a common verb...and if you've been "jimmered", you've pretty much been knocked on your bootie. A current rap song that's growing in popularity says "Teach Me How to Jimmer". My favorite line is "Jimmer Fredette; nothing but net" and it's so true! That kid never hits the rim. The BYU testing center had a sign that read, "I hope you jimmer your exam." There's no question what it means. If you "jimmer" it, you blow it out of the water.

Jessie Girl

So I have this A-MAZ-ING daughter named Jessie. I named her after my mother, the most incredible person I've ever known, and she has upheld the name well. Jessie is an ideal young woman who daily blows me away with her cheerful, upbeat, helpful, hard-working, smart-as-all-get-out, always thinking of others, strong, amazing self. When David was in Japan, he told us that one of the Japanese ladies in his ward had tagged Jessie as "David's Genki Little Sister". Genki means happy and that's a perfect word for Jess. She is the happiest!

Jessica Lauren Drake is truly one in a million and I feel so fortunate to even know her let alone be her mother. I don't know what I did to deserve such awesome kids; but if I knew, I'd do it again. When Jessie left for BYU in January, the positive energy, spirit, and love that she brings into our home went with her. But, being the amazing daughter that she is, she calls me every day...not because she needs to talk to me, but because she knows I need to hear from her.

Jessie is a mature (do not look at above photo), nurturing friend to all. She is 17 years old and still in braces, yet attending a major university several states away. She always says and does things that build others up. One of her mottos for life is, "Don't worry about what people think of you; instead, focus on what they think of themselves when they're around you."

Jessie has an infectious smile, gorgeous shiny dark hair, and perfect olive skin. She has always been and still is soooo cute! When she was a little girl, she got so much attention for her darling curls and brown skin.

Jessie has more personality than just about anyone I know. She can definitely laugh at herself which is a great quality to have. She can make almost any situation fun and can see the positive in everyone and everything. She is also a very determined, hard-working individual. "I can't" is not in her vocabulary. If you tell her she can't, she'll show you she can... and she WILL! She never accepted her role as "baby" of the family very graciously. She's been a leader from day one.

On April 30th, my Jessie Girl and I are going on a week-long trip to celebrate her graduation from high school. She has no idea what we are doing or where we are going other than it will hopefully be sunny. I can't wait to spend this one-on-one time having a blast with my amazing daughter.

New Kids Court

My daycare business started in 2007 when my oldest left home. Initially, it was exclusively for infants (birth to 18 months), but it wasn't long before I was so emotionally connected to these precious babies and their families that I just couldn't let them go. (It's hard enough when they move away...Macie, Olivia...).

Business Shmiziness! When Brookie turned 18 months, we agreed, "Let's hold off until she's two." At two years, we said, "How about two and a half? She'll be potty trained then and can move on to a preschool setting." At two and a half, we said "Three. Definitely THREE! Her baby sister will be born and she'll need Brookie's spot." Well, funny how things work out. I now have three-year-old Brooklyn AND her baby sister. I'd like to keep them both until they go to college. Sweet Finley Kate has also grabbed onto my heart and I'm fastened tight for the long ride.

"Brookie"

"Bay-bay"

"Finley Kate"

As the little girls in my care grow and mature, I accumulate age appropriate toys, games, and activities for each stage of development. Most recently, I toddler-proofed the backyard with a new "kid court" to keep them safely off of the teared yard and large boulders. This was a huge project, but so much fun and I'm thrilled with the results.

The framework was created using PVC piping.

The fabric panels were sewn from nylon, canvas, and see-through mesh fabrics.

Velcro was adhered to the sewn-on straps and holds the fabric in place.

Now, I just need to decide on the flooring and the project will be complete! Next project is to put an e-gress window in the basement. For that, I'll hire a good contractor.

Daniel's an EAGLE SCOUT!

Attaining the Eagle rank is often the ultimate goal of a scout and his parents. It looks good on a resume and shows commitment to a program over an extended period of time. We are so proud of Daniel for accomplishing this goal!

Daniel John Drake, Eagle Scout

Daniel's Eagle Board of Review, April 15th, 2010

Scott Mosher, Brian Symons, Daniel Drake, Greg Whitaker, Brian Weinert

An Eagle Court of Honor was held on Wednesday, December 22nd...

...to recognize the achievements of our son, Daniel Drake, and his fellow troop member, Daniel Merrill.

Bishop John Dokos conducted and offered some opening remarks.

Brian Weinert, Young Mens' President, gave an inspiring message.

Brad Shumway, our good friend, lead the boys in the Eagle Charge.

Greg Whitaker, the boys former Scout Master, shared his thoughts and memories of the boys.

Brother Whitaker also presented the awards..

...and pins.

Daniel gave some closing Eagle Scout Remarks.

He was followed by Daniel Merrill.

Both boys recognized Brother Whitaker with the Eagle Mentor Pin. He presented them with these unique hand-carved, hand-painted walking sticks.

Proud Parents

Time for cake!

We express sincere thanks to Danile's scout leaders, fellow troop members, family, and friends who helped him accomplish the rank of Eagle Scout. He could not have done it without you! Daniel's Eagle project was to provide large shelving for Heart to Heart International--a relief and development organization that specializes in volunteer action and worldwide humanitarian assistance. Thank you to all who assisted with his project!

Eagle Scout (Boy Scouts of America)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Eagle Scout
Medal, palms, badge and square knot
Owner	Boy Scouts of America
Country	United States
Created	1911
Recipients	56,176 (2010)[1]
Scouting portal

Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). A Scout who attains this rank is called an Eagle Scout or Eagle. Since its introduction in 1911, the Eagle Scout rank has been earned by more than 2 million young men. The title of Eagle Scout is held for life, thus giving rise to the phrase "Once an Eagle, always an Eagle".

Requirements include earning at least 21 merit badges and demonstrating Scout Spirit through the Boy Scout Oath and Law, service, and leadership. This includes an extensive service project that the Scout plans, organizes, leads, and manages. Eagle Scouts are presented with a medal and a badge that visibly recognizes the accomplishments of the Scout. Additional recognition can be earned through Eagle Palms, awarded for completing additional tenure, leadership, and merit badge requirements.

The Kansas Drakes - Reunited

It's so good to have everyone together again. For a couple weeks anyway...

The day after David returned from his mission, we had family pictures done by Mark Lineback Photography. Mark, and his assistant Kelly, did an incredible job and we had such a great time. Check out more of Mark's work here.