Friday, July 24, 2009
What's in a Name?
Hailey: "Buddy?"
Hannah: "No Butt-y."
Hailey: "A girl or a boy?"
Hannah: "Girl."
Hailey: "Um....she will get teased"
Hannah: "I'll just tell the teacher not to let kids tease her. I'll just call her 'Butt'"
Hailey: "She'll get teased for life. Besides, I don't think your husband will want to name her that."
Hannah: "I'm not getting married."
Hailey: "You can't have kids unless you're married. Well, you could adopt one. But why don't you want to get married?"
Hannah: "Because he would never agree on the name."
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
Too Much Fun
I have always loved photography. I think it is genetic. I’m pretty sure I inherited my love of taking pictures from my dad. And my DSLR has made it more fun than ever. For several years now, I have had the dream to have a side business taking portraits. Especially of babies (maybe it would satisfy my baby hunger just a bit…) I have wanted to improve my picture taking abilities, but find little time to do so. A little while back, I signed up for a a free online photo editing class through JessicaSprague.com. With girls camp approaching, I had no time to start the lessons. Until today…..
……..my laundry can wait, can’t it?………..
Here is what I have done so far:
Lesson 1….PNG Frames and Word art
Lesson 2……Brushes
Lesson 3….Vintage, Hand-tinted Look
before and after:
Lesson 4……Clipping Masks
Lesson 5……Textures
before and after:
This was a generic picture of the temple I found. I have been eyeing these temple photos at Costco for some time now….looks like I just saved myself a lot of $$$$.
Lesson 6……TTV (Through the Viewfinder)
before and after:
I loved this picture of Emma from the moment I took it….except the dark, graininess of it. With this look, the photo is salvageable!
Yippee! I’m glad I didn't have time to do the course when it was going, because I would have a hard time waiting until the next day’s lesson. Woohoo! I can’t wait to finish!
Finding the T.i.me
Hailey and I got back from girls' camp last Friday. I was finally asked to help……I have only campaigned for that calling for the past 15 years...... ;)
The theme for camp this year was “Find the T.i.me” (Testimony in me.) Back when I was released from Primary I prayed I would receive a calling that would strengthen my testimony. I have felt a little stagnant lately. So when received the call back to cub scouts, I was a little disappointed. I serve faithfully in that capacity, however, it just didn’t feel right. It wasn't the 'one'. Then one day, I got a phone call from the stake Young Women’s President. She was asking me if I would be the Assistant Stake camp Director. Immediately, I knew that was it.
Working on a stake level was fun, but challenging. I got to know so many people I wouldn't have otherwise- some I will forever be close to. Entertaining almost 150 teenage girls for a week was tricky- but we pulled it off!
In addition to my normal ‘duties’, I went with the 4th years on their overnighter. Randy tagged along with us on our backpacking adventure. He was so impressed with the girls that he told them they would make their husbands very happy some day. He is now affectionately known as "R-Dizzle"......
The scenery all around was gorgeous. I am so glad that Hailey got to go this year. I had person after person approach me and tell me how terrific Hailey is. Of course, I already knew that. She’s just like that. It’s nice to hear other people notice it, too.
Hailey got the hang of the canoes. ![]()
I couldn't quite get the hang of steering my paddle boat. ![]()
Wednesday night I danced like I never have before. Not that it was pretty, but MAN! What a work-out!
We had several fun crafts planned for the girls. Thank goodness I had an amazing YCL helping me out, otherwise, I could never have taught them all the beaded watches we made. I loved how unique they all turned out.
Every night, the stake leaders serenaded the campers. It was so fun to bring back that tradition that I have such fond memories of. And don’t think we didn’t get silly at times. Late nights with a cabin full of females tends to get crazy. We definitely didn't act our age. But I think we’re all entitled to that everyone once in a while....
I spent a good portion of Thursday throwing together the slide show. I won't ever do that again. The girls loved it, but I would rather put it together after camp and have a 'camp reunion' in month where we show an awesome slide show. Oh well...lesson learned.
Thursday night got a little emotional with everything coming to an end. I really connected with a couple of the girls and had a great time with the girls and the other leaders. We finished the night with a testimony meeting. Those are always the best.
By Friday morning, I was ready to get home to my family and home.
Now I just need to figure out how get asked back.....
