Girls Camp

I just got back from a week at girls camp. It was hot, sweaty, dirty and a complete blast. This year's theme was Arise and Shine Forth. And boy did these young girls get it. They were roughing it and there was very little complaining and happy cheerful girls all week. I took my camera but didn't take a single picture. I'm so glad Nadine brought hers and took at least 500 pictures so this week was documented. Most of these pictures I'm posting are for me so I can have all of my favorite memories saved. We went to a gorgeous VERY secluded area.
Only trucks could get across the river so the girls all had to cross the river a few times a day.

On one of the last days of camp all the girls sang to Bro Stribling our priesthood holder to say thank you. He broke down in tears and then shared his testimony with them. I love that every single girl is paying attention gathered around him. You can tell how much he is loved.

At flag ceremony I helped lead the banana song. It would have made David proud since I sing that to the kids all the time in the car when the kids need some entertainment.

There are probably fifty girls in that cattle trailer getting ready to go do a service project. It was definitely a sight... and you can imagine what went through my head as I saw them all load in. Mortifying and impressive all at the same time that they actually loaded right in.

Hiking to the caves. That's what a 31 week pregnant lady looks like at camp.

My buds Nadine and Jeni. We had WAY too much fun on this afternoon. Get ready for a million pictures of cave day.

Cedara and I in the cave.

Entrance to the cave. It was impressive how far we hiked back.

The little waterfall and pool. That water was FREEZING. This is one of my favorite pictures from camp. I think Nadine took at least 20 pictures of me laughing and in most of them I'm trying so hard not to pee my pants. This was one of those moments for sure as Jeni lost her balance and almost went under in the icy water.

Nadine, Jeni and I.

These are 4 of my beehives and their JC leader from our ward. The cave was super muddy on the way out so they all took mud baths. These girls cracked me up all week.

Then we all headed to the river to hang out and swim so the girls could wash off.

These are the Blau girls playing pterodactyl. The point of the game is not show your teeth and say the word pterodactyl to the person next to you and make them laugh. I lasted about 5 seconds every time we played because I was laughing so hard.

Last game of Big Bootie before heading home.

The girls in our ward on Bishop's night with Ben.

I was in a unique position to be with the stake and still have plenty of time with our ward girls and it was perfect. The JC girls were champs and handled all their responsibilities so well that my job was easy. I also got to spend a ton of time with the leaders and girls from St Robert and that was a blast. Part of me wanted to stand up during a testimony meeting and say to Jeni, Nadine, Tara and Melissa I LOVE you guys just like the girls say to each other every year. They all had me cracking up constantly and even humored me with one of the most fun rounds of the question game I've ever been apart of.

I've got a ton of real journaling to do tomorrow about everything I've learned this week... I don't know why I'm amazed by this but all my of spiritual moments didn't come in any planned meeting. It was all quiet unplanned moments with one of the girls or another leader. Once again I looked across over 100 girls ages 12-17 and was reminded that our future is just fine. These girls over and over would share with me that they knew they were daughters of God and that they knew who their Savior was. I got teary one night thinking about how for a couple of years my 3 girls will all be at camp together. I hope I get to be there to witness that someday.

Happy Birthday Army

I don't blog nearly as much as I should about our army experience. We love it. We love living on base and all the patriotic things we witness on a daily basis. Today was the Army's 237th bithday and to celebrate all the soldiers met together on a huge field and then did a 3 mile run at 6am. A helicopter got some really cool shots.
I circled DENTAC. That's David's little group.

Here they are running down one of the main streets. David says DENTAC was at the very end.

There is nothing like living on an army base. I love pulling out of our neighborhood and passing several groups doing PT at all times of the day. I love waiting in line behind soldiers dressed in uniform at the commissary and the PX. I love that we went to Sesame Street Live designed for military families last night for free. I love that the movie theatre plays free movies for families on Saturday and that before the movie starts they play the national anthem and the entire theatre goes silent and we all stand. I don't think I will ever love a neighborhood as much as I do right now with 4 families from the ward literally within a stone's throw. We may be in the middle of nowhere but we're in pretty much the coolest place to be in the middle of nowhere.

Pressing Pause

I desperately need to clear off some of the pictures from my sim card. As I look back at the last month and what else is coming up in the next few weeks I can't help but wonder who pressed the fast forward button on our lives. At the end of this crazy summer will we really have 4 kids?

Over Memorial Day we went to visit Jeffrey and Debbie in Wisconsin. I took two pictures the entire weekend. Evidence that we were too busy having fun for me to stop and click. Sometimes life is better that way. We had a blast staying up late playing games and the kids loved playing with their cousins. The Madison zoo. And here are the cousins sharing the stroller. Notice how Knightley is hanging on tight to Hannah while Bug is just relaxing.

The kids playing dress up last week. Mallie is mermaid spiderman.

And we were so glad Ben got called as Bishop of our ward on Sunday because that means we got a suprise visit from Nana and Papa! This is the only picture I took while they were here. At one point all three kids were sitting on my Dad dressing him up and poking and prodding him. Ashton and Hannah usually come straight to our room when they wake up in the morning but for the past few days Hannah would come in alone and we found Bug nestled in between Nana and Papa on their bed. The kids were playing dress up and thought Papa needed a costume.

My Mom helped me plan out a ton of camp stuff and watched the kids while I loaded my cart with 130 airheads, granolar bars, life savers etc to get ready for the hike. Then they hit the road. Saturday we had a 9-5 camp event and now I've got the next 3 days to finish planning devotionals for the all the YCLs and figuring out a way to make the hike more fun and a little spiritual without going the cheesey route.

Then on Friday one of David's best friend's is coming in with his almost fiance for the weekend. They head out on Sunday afternoon and Monday morning bright and early I head out for camp. 4 days after I get back we all board a plane to UT for 10 days which will be a much needed rest and lots of time with David. This new little girl will be here before we even catch a breath and we really wouldn't have it any other way.

Angel Wings

Atticus passed away yesterday afternoon. Here's the link to Cindy's blog. He will be greatly missed but his strength and courage will continue to be a force for such good in so many of our lives. I love this picture that Cindy posted on her blog and cry everytime I see it with a mix of heartbreak and joy. This is what Atticus looks like again healthy, happy and pain free. Cindy has said it so many times on her blog but I can be a second witness that this little boy really was wise beyond his years. I know Heavenly Father called him home early for a very important work and I feel blessed just to have known him and his family.

As I thought about talking this through with Ashton I searched Cindy's blog for pictures of the two of them. Cindy had documented every moment and memory of Atticus' life and I'm so grateful she has it all to remember. I loved this collage of their afternoon a year and a half ago at the Dallas Arboretum.

Ashton (and all of us) will have an extra friend from the beyond the veil reminding us to do our best so we too can live with Heavenly Father again. My heart aches for the Hansen family and knowing how much they will miss their sweet son. I'm so grateful for the knowledge Lord's plan and for eternal families. We love you Hansen family.

Texas and Turning Three

I'm starting to feel as if I don't blog my favorite pictures they will get lost in the abyss of picture folders on my computer never to be seen again. I know I should start making photo books but for now I know I can keep up with blogging.

When I decided to go to Texas to see Cindy I knew that meant packing up 3 kids and doing the 7.5 hour drive on my own. I've never roadtripped longer than a couple hours without David. They are used to be me being able to crawl to the back on a moment's notice for whatever they drop. This trip was a completely different story but they handeled it amazingly. Not a single melt down and no whining. We only took one stop to get out and stretch our legs and one other quick bathroom break. I was so ridiculously proud of them for being so great the entire drive. Ashton and Hannah are becoming pros at sleeping together. I checked in on them one night and this is what I found.

Since I didn't know I was coming to town until last minute and wasn't sure when I would have free time I didn't tell any friends until I arrived. I literally texted a few of my good friends and said "what are you doing in an hour?" and luckily for me I got to see them all. They were quick short visits but it did my heart good because I miss my friends like crazy. Ashton begged and begged for me to stop by Cici's pizza in Richardson so he could pick up some more ninjas from the quarter machines. Some friends met us there on short notice and the kids all got to sit at their own table. They loved it and Ashton didn't leave Max's side for the entire 90 minutes.

Hannah Turned Three!! I've avoided princesses and princess theme stuffed for an entire three years. This year all she wanted was a Cinderella dress. Look at this reaction. It was so worth it to give in. She also got a tea set. That all three of them love. Ashton knows it's girly but doesn't care because it's an excuse to get water from the sink all the time to make sure the girls' cups stay full.

You can also see the dress up shoes her Nana and Poppy got her which have been a huge hit around here.

I worried with onslaught of princess themed things her days of playing ninjas and army men are over. I was so glad this week to see she still plays regularly with Ashton's army men and loves watching Batman cartoons. I love this little girl. Her endless emotions leave me lost so much but she is the best snuggler and the first person to give me a hug and tell me she loves me everyday.

We flew David in town last minute (thank goodness for military discounts) so he could see his family, we could go to the temple and I would have his help on the way home. David's parents took such great care of us and the kids. It was so great to spend time with Cindy and everything else was a huge bonus!

A Different Kind of Mother's Day

Last Friday I read Cindy's blog and my heart just broke for her. I hadn't seen her since October and all I wanted to do was give her a hug. So I called her and told her I was heading to Dallas on Monday even just to see her for an hour.

This pictures is of the kids and I with our Angels for Atticus bracelets. It was a really really hard week for Atticus. I was grateful to spend some time with Cindy before their many ER visits. For those of you who read her blog and have felt of her incredible strength just through her words I can promise you that she and Eric are all that they seem and more. Amazing and incredible don't begin to describe this family and what examples they are all of pure courage in the face of adversity. Atticus is a special boy called on a special mission and his parents are equally special. I am blessed just to know this family and learn from their examples.

I love and adore my Mom but on this Mother's Day I can't stop thinking of Cindy and how she is one of the best and strongest moms I know. Please keep Atticus and the Hansens in your prayers.

Zonked

I've always wanted a kid that can fall asleep anywhere. The other day I fed the kids lunch when they were done I sent them to go play while I cleaned up the kitchen. I came into the living room to find Hannah crawling on top of Mallie trying to open her eyes. She didn't even stir. I apparently forgot to wash the peanut butter and jelly off her face. I picked her up wiped off her face and hands before I laid her down and she slept through it all.
Since then I've started to pay attention. Every day at 12:30 it doesn't matter where we are or what we're doing this girls is done. Gotta love those regular nap times.