Friday, July 29, 2011

Girls Camp

My only picture with the girls at camp!! I didn't do so hot on picture taking...
(Skit Night)

Since we were at the Island Park Scout Camp we were able to do lots of the activities they offered there. We were able to rock climb, rappell, shoot guns, do archery, swim, boat, canoe, kayak, etc. I say "we," but really I had nothing to do with the water stuff since you had to do a swimming test. First, I'm not the greatest swimmer.....and second I don't do cold water very well at all.

Some of the best camp memories: skit night--which I participated in since this was my first year of camp, quoting Nacho Libre with the best of them :), being mawled by mosquitoes, laying in my sleeping bag in total fear of the thunder/lightening and the possibility of a bear coming to attack-- thinking I was suffering in silence alone--later found out everyone was suffering in silence "alone." It was so fun to get to know the leaders and girls better and see them grow closer as a group.


This rain/hailstorm put our camping fun to an abrupt halt. Flooded tents and personal items required immediate departure, but did give us fun stories and brought a whole new sense of adventure to the camp. Because of our early departure, we weren't able to hold our testimony meeting or Bishop's Dinner at camp. I was worried it just wouldn't be the same (testimony mtg.) held in the Bishop's backyard for the next mutual, but I was happily wrong. The dinner and testimony meeting turned out very nicely. I love hearing the girls' testimonies and feeling of their strength.


Because of the hailstorm we were unable to do the high C.O.P.E. while we were there, but our Bishop arranged for us to return and have a go at it a couple weeks ago.


Drew took the pictures, I didn't teach him about zoom or anything....so it is a little hard to see me. I'm in a black shirt, the one up in the air on the left.


I'm the one in the air...



I learned something profound about myself while experiencing this aerial obstacle course. I have gone rock climbing/rappelling several times and I don't get all that scared to do it. But throw me up here in a new situation, with similar equipment but trying something entirely new, put me out of my comfort zone. I kept asking the Staff to double check my hook-ups and harness--I was a little reluctant to trust the equipment. :) How interesting. I imagine the same could be said of me and possibly others? when thrown into new and unfamiliar territory/experiences. When change is required it can be scary and sometimes Heavenly Father is questioned in His wisdom. Is this really the right path for me? Why is this happening to me? But He is the same forever, He is still there always, He still knows all and knows what we do not. My harness and equipment was just as safe as it was when I was rock climbing, but trying something new suddenly made me feel vulnerable and unsure. After I finally completed the first bit of the course I was able to see that I was indeed safe. Things were going to be ok. And no matter how scary and difficult this course was going to be, I was going to be fine.

Isn't life just like that?


My Girls Camp experience was great. I'm so glad I went.


While I was away, Jed took the week off work. He was the Dad/Mom the whole week and did a spectacular job, diapers and all. He was able to borrow his parents camper and came up to the girls camp the 2nd day we were there. Jed and the kids pretty much did their own thing. They went swimming at warm river, went to Mesa Falls, went on go-cart/motorcycle rides, learned how to tie knots, did crafts, fed the fish at Big Springs, etc. (Unfortunately I have no pictures to document it all, it was with me being unused!!) Dad is cool! And amazing. And many other wonderful things. Thanks hun for making it all possible!!!

Friday, July 22, 2011

Some of my Favorite Summer Memories..thus far





  • Sitting on the front porch and talking with Jed




  • Swimming in our little pool




  • Going on Summer adventures with the kids




  • Having picnics at lots of different parks




  • Playing cribbage with Jed-and actually winning last night! That feels good. :)




  • Playing tennis. I love that game.




  • Playing water soccer with Drew and getting myself completely soaked.




  • Morning runs. Perfect weather. Quiet and peaceful. So nice.




  • Playing pretend with Hannah. I loved when it was "bedtime" and she told me "The 3 Little Pigs." So fun to hear it from her point of view--since I tell it to her most every night. "The first piggy built hisself a house of straws..." so fun!




  • Jed and I watching our neighbors fireworks show on our porch late at night after the kids had gone to bed.




  • Reading books to my kids. We just read "Because of Winn-Dixie" and watched the movie and had a pizza party together. I loved the book and the movie--so many wonderful things to discuss and teach to the kids as we went along.




  • Our culture nights--I'll have to write more on that later.




  • Having the chance to bond with my YW girls and getting to know them on a whole new level at Girls Camp.




  • After Jed being away for a week with work, he came home with milkshakes for everyone!! Madelyn claims it was one of the best days of her life. You and me both Sis. :)


Now lest it seem like things have been picture perfect.......there have been tough times too.







  • Jed was gone largely most of this summer with work. He would come back on weekends...but they were always filled to the brim with to-do's. But he is back for good now. I hope!!




  • I have had to send myself to time-out a time or two.




  • We've had fighting/arguing


  • Visited Wit's End a couple times




  • Etc.


But I can't complain, because I have a much larger list of fun summer memories that makes me so happy and grateful for the time I've had with my kids and family. I love it! And our summer freedom is starting to slip away. So I hope we can jam-pack this last month of summertime with a great big list of more fun summer memories!!!