Camp Outs

While Ryan was away on his week long scout camp, Dustin and I decided it would be fun to take the rest of us to our ward camp out. We had quite the quick little adventure.

We left early Friday afternoon. We found a nice little spot by the river. While setting up I noticed we had some little neighbors:



I realized we were out in the wild, smack-dab in the middle of "bear country" as the sign read. I took a deep breath and reminded myself it was for only one night.

The kids all had lots of fun exploring the surroundings. They were happy to discover gophers, squirrels, they even found a dead snake with its heart hanging out and ants were feeding on it! Only in nature.



We enjoyed making smore's with everybody. I have never seen such HUGE marshmallows! Becca really enjoyed them! She was a mess.



All the kids found their own walking stick and made sure to keep a hold of them while exploring.

We settled down for the night. The girls and I were in the tent while Dustin and Aaron roughed it under the stars in back of the truck. It was pretty nice. We never did get too cold.

In the morning we enjoyed yummy breakfast burritos. They were so good! Thanks ward activity people!

We played for a little while we broke camp and then headed home. I think the kids had a really good time. Becca let us know she did. "This is the best vacation ever!" she shouted. Who knew, forget Disneyland!!

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I just thought I'd let you all know Ryan survived. He did see a bear though. It just happened to be one of the older scouts in a costume! He said they were all so scared until they realized who it was.

He was excited to tell us all about "snipe hunting." It took me a while to convince him they weren't real. Aaron finally said, "Let's look it up on the internet." Then he believed me.

He only took one shower the whole week he was up there and that was his SECOND day! Silly kid. I told him to jump in and he did willingly. When he got out I saw his great sock line. I said, " Wow, great tan!" The closer I got I noticed it was a DIRT line! "Yuck, Ryan." He informed me it was there because of his lack of showering. I reminded him he just got out of the shower. "It will take a few days to go away," he said. I ran and got the baby wipes to clean it all off. I made sure to take a memorable photo.



Just goes to show the only thing I have to worry about when they are gone is is they shower enough! YUCK!!

A "First" for a mom of 12 years...

I woke up about a quarter to 6 this morning. Not to go running. But, to get my 12 year-old to his FIRST week long scout camp. Can I just say that I'm a little scared, depressed, and unsure!

What if he gets lost, or even worse... BEARS!! This is to much to handle!

He was excited though! I kept reminding him to be safe. His reply, "Mom, that's the 4th time you've told me in the last 15 minutes." I guess I'm being too paranoid, but I gave birth to him, so I have the right!!!

Now, I just have to make it through the week without worrying! :) We'll see.

PS Wish I had a picture of him trying to hold up the backpack he had on his back. that thing had to weigh almost as much as he did!!

The Value of Expectations

Our household has been running mad lately, and not because we are so incredibly busy. I have discovered it is because of the lack of expectations lately. There has been no completion of chores, no homework, no NOTHING. I've decided that life is a lot more chaotic when everybody is allowed to run around doing whatever they feel like.

I have discovered the value of expectations.

Today we woke up, they were allowed to watch TV for a moment, but then it was time to work. The dishes were done, garbage taken out, and rooms cleaned. I am getting ready to start bathrooms after this entry. :) What a difference! No fighting, no whining, grumbling, anything of the sort. They are much too busy.

This applies spiritually as well. We are expected to live to a certain standard and when it is not reached, I can tell. My life is not as happy and I am not very pleasant to be around. So this morning I put myself back on schedule to read, pray, and be thankful.

I find it funny that all we long for is a little freedom to do whatever we want. When we finally get it, we realize it wasn't as great as we thought it would be!

Here's to a lesson learned and a life time of expectations! I'll be better for it!

PS making expectation charts for each kid and what they need to work on. One for myself too. Treating ourselves when those are reached! I'll have to share when I get them done.

Going Home

This past weekend I had the opportunity to make the drive to Las Vegas all by myself. To be honest I was a little excited. It is something I haven't done with my 5 kids. Dustin is always worried, so I have never ventured out and done it. I was anxious to put his worries to rest. I'm a big girl!!

As I went under the final bridge, came over the hill to see the glorious sight of that HUGE city, I felt 18 again. I was just coming home for the weekend to see my family. My dad was still alive, my mom was that Sandra I knew when I was young. I'm totally unaware of all that would take place in the next 15 years. It made me sad. It made me homesick! It made me want those years back to do all over again. It went way too fast!!

I pulled into my mom's driveway, her new driveway, I was home! Yeah, everything is different, but the spirit of our home has not changed. It's quiet now, but the same peace and safety I felt growing up is still there. I want my kids to remember how they feel at Grandma's house. I want to make the best of the three days I have.

We spend the weekend enjoying each other, reconnecting and catching up. It's been a while since I've seen some of them. Their kids are so big, my kids don't recognize some of them, neither do I!

It came time to go home and sadness set in. It seems like we just started our weekend together. Time came too quickly. I want it back, again! I said my good byes. I did it without crying, but not my mom, she never could.

I got in my car. I'm sad to go, but my hubby is home. I miss him and want to see him. I can't wait to see him. I'm excited to be going home...again!




I love my family!!