I Pay for Torture Part III

I was on the phone with a friend before it all began. I had a feeling things were going to get bad. I tried to convince myself things would be OK. She reassured me. It would be fun, she said.

Torture in it’s worst form: school shopping. I don’t enjoy shopping anyway (I know, I’m a freak of estrogen nature.) Maybe it’s the laying down the cash; maybe it’s that I can never find what I like. I just don’t love it. I have been advised to avoid Back 2 School shopping sprees, but people- I can see my kids’ toes through their shoes. It’s time. And when my son has worn the same 3 shirts and 3 pairs of shorts for the past 2 years, I think we’re overdue. And to top it off, people tell me the shopping is only going to get worse when my daughters reach teenagerdom. If that’s true, they can wear clothes fashioned from tissue paper, because it aint happenin’. Seriously. 6 1/2 hours, and the only fruits of our efforts were: 2 shirts, 2 pairs of shorts, and some socks

That’s it.

OK, so we might have gotten a few school supplies and clothes for some other kids……some people are a little pickier than others....I’ll give you a hint: his name rhymes with a department store he would never step foot in.

Scout Camp ‘09

Being the scoutmaster’s wife that I am, I have  grown accustomed to the week spent every summer without Randy.

People ask me how I do it. It’s not bad, because I know that he loves it, and he's good at it.

Here are some highlights from Scout Camp this year:

The scenery: breathtaking.    

The Polar Bear: temporarily losing your sanity and sitting under a rush of nearly frozen water for 10 seconds.

    

The Kaibo: daily trips to the stinky outhouse and retrieving fallen camera from said hole.

Canoe Trip: canoeing across the lake…..

……building your own shelter, and peeing in front of a bear during the night.

The Bull Moose Award: receiving the highest award given at camp.

Home: arriving  safe and sound, albeit filthy.

What's in a Name?

Hannah: "I'm going to name my kid Buddy."

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."

Priceless

Found this gem as I downloaded pics....

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.....

50 Years and Counting

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Gordon and June

For time and all eternity June 25, 1959

This week was a celebration at our house. We celebrated my parent’s 50th wedding anniversary. Most of the family was here and we thoroughly enjoyed the time spent together and the memories we made.

We started at the water park on Wednesday. I’m pretty sure my kids could live there and be perfectly happy growing gills.

Thursday morning we headed out early to the salt lake temple. It was neat to have my parents stand on the very steps they posed on 50 years prior. But even more special was entering the room where they were sealed for time and all eternity. Later that day, the entire clan toured the Oquirrh Mountain Temple before its dedication.

Friday, Randy hosted one of his famous Pinewood derbies. After a few minor modifications- and some small adjustments to the cars ;) we were on track. (Pun intended.) Grandma and Grandpa fed us all (thanks guys!) and surprised us with a slideshow of family pictures; many of which I had never seen before.

Saturday culminated in a Luau at our house. Complete with Kalua pork and a full Hawaiian spread, it was heaven. We took a break from the festivities to capture a family portrait at a local park. Upon returning, we broke out the shave ice machine (on loan from my good friend.) and other desserts.

We presented my parents with a scrapbook of pictures over the last 50 years that coincide with the Proclamation. It turned out nicely (if I do say so myself!)

Kickball was played until dark while some sat and chatted on the patio, enjoying the company.  My kids and I were not ready for the night to end as family started packing into their cars.

So today, one last hurrah was in order before the last of the family traveled home to resume their lives.  We gathered for some delicious ‘Dole whip’- famous in two of my parents’ favorite spots: Disneyland and Hawaii.

Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

We Love you.