Youth Conference

Marty, along with some Youth Leaders and a few Young Men and Young Women, planned Youth Conference for our ward this year. Marty asked if I wanted to come along and I jumped at the opportunity. Marty is gone for a lot of different church activities so I try to come along with as many as possible. Brooklyn and Eliza stayed with Grandma and Grandpa Nowling and had a great time!
Youth Conference began Tuesday, June 22nd, in the early AM. Marty and I got to the church around 7 am to set things up and the youth began to arrive at 8 am. The theme for Youth Conference was B.O.O.T (Build Our Own Testimonies) Camp. Their were around 20 young men/young women and 6 adult leaders as well as 3 adults to help with the food.
We divided the youth out into platoons and had them change into their "gear" (camouflage T-shirt, bandanna, and dog tag). We ate breakfast, loaded their bags and other gear and started with a drill.
Tia Chapman made one amazing drill sergeant! I was impressed! She had these kids on their toes most of the time. The first drill was a series of commands to see if they could follow. The last one standing won for their platoon. Luckily enough, the orange platoon (our platoon) won! We one the privilege of eating lunch first.
Then we began our journey to Nephi, where we regrouped and traveled to our hiking spot. I must mention though that it's a good thing we prayed before we left. Marty was driving behind a diesel who knocked over a construction barrel and sent it straight into our lane. We were able to slow down enough to barely hit it, but it was lodged under our truck for a while until we could find an emergency pull off section. And the food committee was pulling a refrigerated trailer with a van of kids behind it when part of the cooler broke off and went down the road. It almost hit the van. Phew! It was a miracle no one was hurt.
Then we started our hike through Maple Canyon. It was so much different from what I expected. I thought everyone looked cool all lined up on the way to the trail head.
We hiked on rocks and climbed through all these rock formations. It was hard not to compare it a little to life with all the obstacles we have to go through with the ups and downs of life.
There was a rock somewhat like this where I stood up too fast and slammed my head right into it. It hurt so bad! My head is still tender from it.
There were parts where you had to use ropes to get up. There were a few boys that were very sweet to help others.
At the top of the hike, we had a little devotional by Bro. Carroll and then we headed down. The hardest part for these youth was the fact they couldn't play the whole time. It was Youth Conference afterall, so we had things planned for them to do. Part of it was fun and part of it was spiritual and educational.
After the hike, we ate lunch. We almost lost three youth in the mountain because they wouldn't listen to us. They went off hiking all by themselves after we asked them not to and we almost left them behind. This is when I started to get frustrated with a few of the young men for their lack of respect for adults. I caught myself frustrated with one boy several times the first day, until I had to take a step back and let someone else handle him. There were lots of good, well-respecting, youth as well, and for that I am very grateful.
Finally we arrived at our campsite at Palisades State Park, which is close to Manti, Utah. We were camped right along the lake and it was lots of fun. We set up camp and made sure to divide the boys from the girls of course. We let the youth play in the water and have free time. Then we ate dinner and had a devotional by Eric Hawker, who drove up from Salt Lake, just to talk to the youth. He gave a very inspiring talk about the Armor of God. Then it was off to bed, though we later found out that most of the boys didn't sleep at all.
Wednesday, was full of devotionals, seminars, games, competitions, water fun, eating, and later that night we attended the Mormon Miracle Pageant or the Manti Pageant. We were up late because the Pageant runs until about 11 pm. We got everyone back and off to bed. We waited up as leaders until around 1 am for the kids to got to bed and finally we crashed. Only to find out yet again that some kids waited up for us to fall asleep so they could sneak out again. Seriously? It was so frustrating but we had to sleep. Nothing bad happened, but it's the fact that we asked them not to. I was just more and more grateful that I don't have teenagers yet. I loved talking with them and learning more about them though. They are a fun, good group of young adults.
Tia had them doing push-ups when they didn't line up fast enough for roll call. On this particular day, we asked the youth to clean up all the trash they left everywhere and they said it was all clean. Then as leaders, we walked around and found LOTS more trash. I believe they did about 10 push-ups was all.
But then she had them run around the camp sites. It was all in fun, but hopefully they learned something too.
Thursday, we had one more devotional, a testimony meeting, and time to play in the water again. Then we headed back home. It was a fun time, but incredibly tiring!

The Princess Festival

Last Tuesday, June 15th, we headed out to Lindon, Utah to attend The Princess Festival. We attended this event last year and had fun so this year we wanted to go again. Brooklyn is a creature of habit so we dressed her up as Snow White again. It's actually the only dress up we have so it worked out perfect. This year we invited some new friends to come with us and we enjoyed our time there.
Brooklyn dressed and ready to go, along with her Strawberry Shortcake books for the car ride.
Eliza was too little to go last year and I wasn't planning on taking her along, but when the babysitter I had planned on asking had a few family emergencies, I decided to take her along. I didn't have to buy her a ticket since she wouldn't participate in any of the activities. She was a pretty good sport, but it would have been better to not have her there so I could help Brooklyn feel more comfortable. I didn't have any other dress up clothes so I just tied a tutu on her outfit and gave her a wand.
Eliza fell asleep on the car ride there.
We were scheduled to attend the 11 am session, but with traffic and construction and leaving a little late, we made it there 10 minutes late. Luckily, they didn't start our session until almost 11:30. The girls were excited when we arrived and waited patiently to begin.
Eliza had no idea what was going on yet.
Maddi and Brooklyn.
The whole gang: Emmi, Abbi, Maddi, Brooklyn and Eliza. The show is about to begin.
Princess Aurora planting a flower. Every year they change the story they are acting out. This year they were trying to save the Seasons, which just so happened to be princesses.
I think kids look so cute when they are watching something intently.
Look at all those pretty princesses in their gowns.
Here is just a few of the princesses and characters involved in the story this year.
Maddi and Mulan. I'm so glad some kids like to interact with the princesses. Last year, they had a witch at the very beginning of the show and this witch really scared Brooklyn so the whole time this year, she kept asking where the witch was and she was terrified to stand near any of the princesses. I had to wonder why I brought Brooklyn, but she had fun....from a distance! And besides that, the whole event is for charity and it's cheaper than Disney Land.
Time to stop and break for lunch. My friend, Tami (the mom to the pink girls) packed a Princess themed lunch for each girl. The girls loved it!
Brooklyn and Eliza posing a picture in the carriage.
We were there for a good 4 hours and then it was time to head home so I could get ready for Book Group at my house. We could have stayed there for several more hours.
This year, they added more characters than I have ever seen. There was a Prince for every Princess. Last year, Brooklyn enjoyed Tinker Bell. This year, they added Peter Pan and Wendy and Brooklyn didn't want anything to do with Tinker Bell. They also added a Treasure Hunt and there were lots of things to do. We made a few crafts as well. We could have stayed for a few more hours, but we needed to leave.

Then on Saturday, our neighbors had a yard sale and we scored several princess dress up clothes for a great deal! I only wish we would have had them before we went to the Festival so Eliza could have dressed up.
Here is Eliza in her Tinker Bell/Belle outfit. Excuse the Youth Conference mess in the background. We leave tomorrow and our house has stuff everywhere!
Look how cute Eliza's feet are in the shoes. She loves walking around in these high heels. :) It's fun to have girls to do all these girly things!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful men out there. I feel the influence of men in all of our daily lives. I'm so grateful for a Dad who stuck it through, even when it might have been easier to not be a dad. I didn't live in the same house as my dad growing up, but it was reassuring to know he was there when I needed him. I'm grateful to brothers who influenced me growing up. They taught we all about boys (I had no sisters) and helped me realize what I want in my husband. I'm grateful to a FIL and BIL's who helped my husband become the man he is now. I'm grateful to Grandpas who love my girls and enjoy being with them. I'm grateful to church leaders, friends, and so many others that I can't mention because there are too many. Men are wonderful and the world would not be the same without them.
I'm also grateful for my husband, of course, and since this is my blog, I think he deserves a little time in the spotlight. Marty has an amazing way of balancing so many things in his life. I'm grateful he works so hard for our family and supports us, not only through earning money, but supports us in all we do. He is an involved father and enjoys the time he gets to be with his children. His daughters love him. Yes, they get angry at him and vice-versa but they would not be the same without him and either would I! He is a great example to us!
He teaches us how to have fun and relax.
He teaches us how to work hard and help out.
He teaches us how to provide for our family.
He enjoys celebrating the holidays and doing crafts with his girls.
He is willing to go to "girly" things like Disney on Ice. He's a very good sport about it too.
He helps the girls learn homemaking skills. :)
And of course, he teaches them how to play his favorite sport, baseball! This is just a few of the things he does around here. He's a well-rounded dad!
The best part about being the Bishop, is that he has some say in what happens on Sunday so he canceled some meetings today. He is barely getting home now at 3 pm because he attended the new YSA ward they just started, but it was fun to have him home with us this morning for breakfast and we'll have more time together this evening. He got a new trimmer for his big present since ours broke 2 years ago. He also got a photo collage from Eliza and Brooklyn made him a cute craft at summer camp. He requested we keep today relaxing so we'll just be enjoying some time together as a family. We hope he feels loved!

The Bachelorette

This is a completely random post about nothing important but I felt like writing a post today and this is what came to mind. BTW, if you are Jessie or Holli reading this, just stop now because I already shared my thoughts about this with you today.

Anyway, so I haven't watched The Bachelor or Bachelorette in a LONG time. Well, one night a few weeks ago I was tired and just wanted to veg in front of the TV. Most of my shows are not on right now because it's Summer so I got on the Internet and decided on The Bachelorette. Well, now that I've started I feel a little invested and I'm still watching the trashy, sleazy, yet very entertaining show. I love watching reality TV shows because I love watching people period. I'm the quiet type that's often the one observing others. It fascinates me! I am a Psych major you know?

Anyway, so there are 25 guys trying to date one girl in a very short amount of time and to do it in front of the whole world to see. Crazy scenario. Why would anyone volunteer for that? I'm not sure. It does take all kinds to make the world go 'round. To that, I'm grateful or else the world would be a little boring. I also understand that some of these people on reality TV are trying to make themselves known to become actors. However, as I was watching this week's episode, I wondered if these guys are for real or playing a part. Really? I had no idea guys acted so strange over a girl. I'm sure they feel the competition and guys get a little crazy over competition, but really?!? Kasey, for example, went completely psycho this week.

I do have to admit, I was a little psycho over a certain guy in High School and I'll be the first to admit there is no wonder I didn't date much. I was so attached to one guy that I became a little obsessive, but I was young and had no idea what I was supposed to do. These guys are in their late 20's and still a little psycho. I'm so glad I don't have to date anymore!! And I'm so glad that I would never date 25 guys at one time. I mean, how can you kiss one guy and then another and then another all in one night? Obviously, a kiss doesn't mean too much but you also have no option because you only have so much time on this show and they expect you to pick someone when it ends.

Another odd thing, when I watch this show I always have an odd feeling when it's over. I sticks in my head and I try to figure people out. It also brings back a few memories of when I was dating and the experiences I had. Crazy what a little show can do.

For now, I'll admit. I'm addicted to this show and I have no idea how she is going to possibly just pick one guy in the end. But don't worry, I'll be watching to see who she picks!

Time for a little change

My white door has been in need of some help. Not so much the door, but the door trim. The elements have gotten to it and slowly chipped away a good portion of the paint and it started looking a little ghetto to me. Besides that, the door had the small trace of the foreclosure sign that was stuck on the door by the previous owners. So it was time for a little change.We tried to incorporate a color that would work well with the bricks and siding and decided on brown. I spray painted it. It's OK, but looks a little blotchy so I wish I would have painted it with a brush instead. Then after I picked the brown paint, I couldn't find a paint for the trim that would match that wasn't spray paint so I stuck with white and brushed that on. It looks so nice and crisp again and definitely not ghetto.
And while I had the white paint out, I went ahead and painted the railing to get rid of all the rust spots.
I would like to paint my shutters to match the door, but I'm a little worried about taking off the shutters so they might just stay white. Now I just have to get used to my door being that color so I don't think the door is open all the time. :)

Take me out to the Ball Game!

On Memorial Day, we went to a Bees Game with our friends, the Fairbanks. The weather was perfect and it was something fun to do on a holiday. We stayed out late and had a great time!
The Bee's lost 6-7. They hit two home runs and Marty managed to miss both of them because we arrived late and because Brooklyn needed a bathroom break.
Brooklyn was pretty entertained. Just don't mention the Bee mascot. She was terrified from a distance. She had to know where he was at all times.
I don't think Eliza had any idea what we were watching. It was really hard to see the ball from where we were sitting. I had to watch really closely to even see it. She had fun climbing up and down the seats.
And we always purchase kettle corn at such events. It lasts a long time and my kids love popcorn!
Do you think she liked it?
Brooklyn and Marty were ready with their baseball mitts to catch a foul ball. No such luck!
Here's our lovely family shot. That's what you get when you try to take a picture by yourself. :)
It's a small world too because we ended up sitting on the same row as the 1st counselor in our Stake Presidency. Marty had mentioned to him that he was going to the game that night since they are both baseball fans. Turns out, President Vance thought it was a great idea and took his family too. Now what are the odds that we would sit on the same row?! It was fun!!!