Contest

I am heading on vacation to Yellowstone National Park so I've scheduled some wildlife-related posts for the next several days.

Three of the stories are true and one of them is a lie.

Read them carefully and on Friday you may vote for which one is the lie.

If you are correct, you could win!

doctors beget doctors

I hate going to the doctor or taking my children to the doctor. This is partially due to the fact that one doctor visit always seems to lead to another.

I took Shanley for a well-child check-up this morning. Now I have to take her to the dermatologist, to an eye doctor, back to the doctor in 2 weeks for another urine test, back to the doctor in 2 months for another shot, and back to the doctor in 6 months for another shot.

Seriously.

Who has time for all these doctor visits anyways?

highlights of girls' camp

*saw a moose
*sang lots of camp songs
*did lots of service projects
*tied 2 quilts
*tried roasted Twinkies (yum!)
*gourmet s'mores (Reese's and Mounds were my favoritss)
*my talk to all the stake went really well
*awesome Priesthood leaders who helped set up our tents and cook!
*20 of the very best YW you could find anywhere!!!!!

Camp K

While Shanley and I are at Girls' Camp, Alec is spending the week at Camp Kostopulos. This is a great camp for people with disabilities.

Alec has gone every summer except one since he was 8 years old. That makes this year his 9th time.

This year is a bit different because I signed him up for a travel camp vs. residential camp. In other words, rather than spend the entire week at Camp K riding horses, swimming, doing ropes courses, and so forth, he is spending the week touring and doing activities around the Salt Lake area.

Alec really looks forward to this time on his own. I have to admit that having him taken care of while I'm away at girls' camp is great for me! I just wish he were able to actually tell me all that he got to do.

Girls' Camp - 20 years

This morning I am leaving for YW Rough Camp! I absolutely adore girls' camp! It is one of the best things in life! I enjoy camping, communing with nature, being around YW, testimony meeting, camp food, etc! And there is no denying how absolutely awesome that first shower is when you arrive home! Our stake property has showers which is nice but that first shower at home still feels incredibly good. It is better somehow.

I am especially proud this year because it marks my 20th year at girls' camp! That's right - TWENTY years! Wow!

I went 6 years as a YW,1 as YW 2nd counselor, 2 as asst camp director, 4 as YW president, 1 as asst camp director, 5 as stake/ward camp director (1 of those was also as YW 1st counselor) and 1 more as YW 1st counselor.

I hope I go 20 more times!

first day of school - Chandler edition

Last Monday was Chandler's first day of 4th grade! It was a bit depressing this year because we switched from D Track to A Track. That meant that rather than the 6-week summer that we're used to, Chandler only got a 3-week break. Ugh! That is not long enough!

I know I shouldn't complain because I pulled him out of school for a week in June to go to Yuba Lake and then to Cub Camp. Also, I am pulling him out for a week in August to go to Yellowstone. So, it's not like he doesn't get to have a fun summer but still...3 weeks?

Here's my "baby" on his first day:

Interview with Chandler:

What do you want to be when you grow up? an electrician
What is your favorite school subject? Math
What is your favorite color? lots of colors
What is your favorite movie? Monsters vs. Aliens
What is your favorite book? Harry Potter books
What is your favorite TV show? Phineas and Ferb
Favorite hobby? soccer!
Favorite food? pizza
Favorite treat? cookies
If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? Texas
Friends: Abby Nebeker, Jared Goins, Jeremiah Stone, Jeff Stratton, Joey Nokes

Resolution Check_up

Wow! July flew by! I've decided that summer wreaks havoc with my goals. I just play too much and don't work as much.

Lose weight - I started a weight-loss blog to help me with motivation. I lost 2 pounds the first week but only .2 the next. This coming Wednesday is my next weigh-in. Hopefully, I'll have a loss to report. Having to list my eating on my blog definitely helps keep me focused on losing weight.

Earn YW Medallion - I spent several more hours on my project.

Write my grandma's life history - I spent quite a bit of time editing and felt that I was really going to get this thing done. Then, my computer crashed and I lost everything! Sob! Huge alligator tears! I'm going to take my laptop in to a recovery specialist and see if anything can be salvaged.

Do major projects early
CPE - My total for the year is 44 hours. -FINSIHED in May
Christmas cards - I got the embossing done on them this month.
nieces and nephews birthday presents - FINISHED!
Christmas gifts - I finished only one more.

Write a book - Did almost nothing.

Get 7 hours of sleep per night - I didn't do too badly on this one (summer and vacations really do help).


Conclusion: Slow progress but a little progress is better than nothing.