Camp Kern

Trey had a fabulous time at Camp Kern.  He and his entire fifth grade from Summit Elementary, plus the entire fifth grade from Ayer Elementary, were there from Monday morning until Wednesday afternoon.  The weather was a bit hot, but they didn't get any rain, which was a blessing. 

He had a blast and I was SO proud of him for documenting it so well with his two little disposable cameras he took with him.  I guess all that photo taking rubbed off on him.  We managed to get detailed description of what he did, ate and slept, but the pictures made it even better because we could see where it all happened. 

(I had a good laugh when Josh asked to see the pictures and I told him I had dropped them off to get developed.  He looked confused.  I guess he can't remember before digital!)

The camp looked really nice, much nicer than I had at girls camp.  He was paired up with kids from both school in his cabin.  They had bunk beds with mattresses and slept in their sleeping bags.  He said they always had electricity and A/C.  He said he was hot, but slept well both nights.

They ate all their meals in a dining hall and it was all you can eat.  They had mac and cheese, hot dogs, waffle sticks, cereal, grilled cheese and tomato soup, spaghetti and bread sticks and had brownies for dessert.  I think I got the most details about what he ate!

He certainly need a good scrub when he got home.  The showers were very cold, so he said he was extra fast getting clean, but I wasn't surprised even with two quick washes that his legs were coated from the ankle to the mid calf in a thick layer of mud.  I threw out two pairs of socks that were beyond repair and made sure he scraped off the dirt in the yard so he wouldn't clog the shower with it. 

They really kept the kids busy.  Trey's two counselors were high school students from Anderson.  He had fun digging for fossils, completing his archery unit, going on a hike and playing tug-of-war and other games with the other campers.  He took picture of a boys who's shirt was covered in mud from 'full contact' football they were playing.  I was glad Trey did not end up looking like him! 

Trey said he missed us, but wasn't homesick.  Which is exactly what we had hoped he'd say.  We are glad he had a great time and that we've got him safely home.

 Trey's cabin

 Camp

Dining Hall

 Very cool Wright Brother Propeller

 Digging for fossils

 Archery

 Campfire (Trey learned a lot of fun songs he's been singing since he got home.)

 Hiking

Overlook

Authentic log cabin

Tug-of-war

137th Run for the Roses

The first Saturday in May is a beloved day to everyone in the Commonwealth.  If you weren't luck enough to get your hands on tickets (few do), there are celebrations a plenty in honor of Louisville's finest day.  The 137th running of the Kentucky Derby was extra special, since it is the last one before we move west.  It was made even sweeter spending it with dear friends we've had for over a decade.  We scored an invite to Melissa Mortenson's incredible Derby party and we wouldn't have missed it for anything. 

We drove down to Louisville after a busy morning of baseball and soccer games.  It was pouring rain in Cincinnati, but the skies cleared and the sun appeared making the drive down I-71 look like it had been taken out of a picture book.  The trees and grass were varying shades of green, the rolling hills had mist hanging low the bright sun bounced off the wet roads.  It was beautiful. 

Melissa had thought of everything.  We feasted on pork from Mark's Feed Store, homemade Kentucky Hot Brown sandwiches, delicious sides and fruit and an endless supply of drinks.  We gobbled up Derby Pie, Buttermilk pie, cookies, and Derby Pie inspired cupcakes. 

Traci Underwood made the race so much fun as she had every family draw 3 horses names out of an envelope and if your horses won, you got a fancy prize.  I, personally, was rooting for Mucho Macho Man, but we drew Shackelford, Twinspired and Nehro.  The race was wide open as the favorite Uncle Mo scratched the day before.  Dialed In was new the favorite with 5-1 odds, but it was the unlikely Animal Kingdom that beat out the other 18 horses to claim the victory.  Nehro took 2nd, and Mucho Macho Man came in 3rd.  The female jockey, Rosie Napravnik, was the sixth female to appear in the Kentucky Derby over its 157 year history, took 9th place on Pants on Fire.  The favored Dialed In finished in a lackluster #8.

The best part of the evening was spending with so many people we love.  The Underwoods, O'Briens, Julie and Matt Martinez flew in from Arizona and the Mortensons, it was most of the old gang from our days in Crestwood 1st ward.  Good times.  Good people.  So many good memories.

Thanks Melissa and Jeff for such a fantastic party! 

Here's to the Preakness in two weeks... though I think Animal Kingdom will be a one hit wonder, it's always fun to watch those horses run! 

Go, Baby, Go!

Churchill Downs

And They're Off!!!

ANIMAL KINGDOM!!!  20-1 odds  $2.00 bet paid out $43.20!

And he's off...

Trey was over the moon when he found out all the 5th graders in our school district spend a 3 day, 2 night adventure at Camp Kern!  We ordered his t-shirt, got all the items checked off the LONG list and got him packed up.  Summit and Ayer Elementary school left on Monday and will return on Wednesday afternoon.  The camp is about 45 minutes away and the students stay in cabins and have camp counselors as well as school teachers supervising the large group of kids.

Before Trey left Rich and I had some great discussions about obeying the rules, not giving in to peer pressure and making good choices.  This will be Trey's first time being away from the family for a few days without siblings or grandparents.  It is strange to think my oldest son is nearly twelve, and will soon be going on week long boy scout camps, but these experiences are so important to help him develop, mature and one day be ready to serve a mission. 

I got Trey over to Nagel Middle School by 7:45 am this morning.  He had his duffel bag packed with everything on the list: sleeping bag, water bottle, flashlight, rain poncho, toiletry products and warm and cool clothing that will last 3 days.  He had a big grin on his face and if he was at all nervous, it didn't show.  He was so excited to take a little disposable camera to document his adventure.  He also was eager to do the archery class he signed up for.

We can't wait until Wednesday to hear all about it.

Mothers

Being a mother has been the most life altering, challenging and rewarding experience of my life. It has brought me boundless love for my children and husband. It has made me change, grow, cry, worry, smile, laugh, pray, practice patience and understand more fully how much my earthly parents and Heavenly Father love me.

Motherhood is my greatest gift and I am thankful for my little ones every single day. I can reflect back over the years and can recall exact moments during different trials when I found myself pleading to the Lord for my children. Sometimes it was a prayer in my heart to help them on a test or with a struggle. A few times its been a desperate 'help me right now, please!' when a little one had wandered away and we didn't know where they were. There are other times when it was for a very specific problem. I will never forget the night when Zach was in my belly and and I was having so many problems with the pregnancy and while on my knees I pleaded with Heavenly Father to let me have this baby. I had watched him for weeks on the ultrasound and had fallen in love with his tiny fingers, his little legs, his sporadic kicks. This little baby was worth more than any earthly treasures. I begged and asked, but then had to have faith that no matter what happened, Heavenly Father knew me, loved me and that I could withstand the outcome, come what may. I know many times things we pray for don't go as we had hoped, but this time, the Lord blessed me and my tiny baby and we got our happy ending. I will be forever grateful for my little Red and the miracle that brought him to Earth.

Yes, there are times when I get frustrated, down or mean, but that is part of being a mom. We are not perfect, we make mistakes, but after those instances, I think I become a little bit better, a little softer and hopefully I don't repeat my past errors in parenting. Children are innocent and sweet and kind. Often, I'm the one learning from them. I know with time and maturity, they'll understand and one day be in my exact spot. I try my best and I love them to pieces and those are the things I think they'll remember the best. Those moments that they know without a doubt that there is nothing more important in the world than them. I never take them granted or wish my life was different. They make our family complete. They are my life. They are my joy. They are the future hope for the world. And I thank my lucky stars that they'll be mine forever.

Happy Mother's Day to my mom, Rich's mom, my grandmothers and to the countless women who have taught me through example the divine role of Mother. They love, teach, sacrifice, open their hearts and spread kind words and deeds to others. All women are given the gift of nurturer and I know the world is a more compassionate, lovely, beautiful place because of Mothers.

Mother's Day 2011

My family did an outstanding job of making me feel so special all day long! I was woken up early with a paper and pen hanging over my face. Josh need the recipe for pancakes. Soon after yummy aromas were floating in my room as I tried to go back to sleep. It's wasn't long before Trey and Josh proudly came into our room with the fanciest, most delicious breakfast in bed I've ever had. It was impressive! Bacon, egg whites with turkey, cheese and tomatoes and homemade waffles.

Later Josh and Matt gave me flower pens they made at school. They were perfect since Kaitlyn also made a pen and a flower pot with beans to put it in. Brynn made me a beautiful fancy pin, that I wore with pride on my dress.

Zach even made me a darling little card in nursery. Rich brought him into my classroom after church and my back was to the door so I didn't see him. I heard a sweet 'Mama' and when I turned around there was little Z proudly showing me his work. I'll never forget that.

Rich found treats for me from Stanford and the biggest hit of the day were the See's chocolates he bought at the airport. Once they were opened, it was like a feeding frenzy of piranhas. Lots of movement and eating and soon nothing was left but wrappers and an empty box.

I called my mom before church and had a wonderful visit.  She's been my ultimate example of a wonderful mother.  I lover her so much.  I called Rich's mom the day before to visit.  She is always so cheerful and loving and I am blessed to have her in my life. I talked to my grandmas as well. One very special part of the day was when my little brother Rhett, who is serving a mission in Ecuador, got to Skype us for Mother's Day. I enjoyed it so much, that I didn't even snap a picture. That is saying a lot. We talked for half and hour and it was so fun to see and hear Rhett. Very cool.

It was a wonderful day that made me realize how lucky I am to have so many amazing, thoughtful, beautiful people in my life. I am one blessed girl.