Woes of Change

Now that I'm married, I need to change pretty much everything about my identity: legal papers, education profile, driver's license, and my {least} favorite: e-mail account and blog management. This is a nightmare. Hopefully things will change over smoothly...especially with the blog.

Wish me luck!

America's Birthday Party in DC

My God! How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy!

-Thomas Jefferson

I love the Fourth of July to the max!

The entire Evergreen office traveled to Washington DC for our holiday weekend! Our owner's family lives in DC and invited the whole gang to come stay at their house. We had such a wonderful stay there {thank you Allred family}!

Liberty is the breath of life to nations.

-George Bernard Shaw

I am especially grateful that our country created and sustains our Bill of Rights, giving every American rights and freedoms to allow us safety and fulfillment throughout life. Because of our divinely inspired forefathers and founders, we are allowed to exercise religious beliefs freely, which has been the biggest source of happiness and fulfillment {as my religion is intricately woven throughout every action and thought in my life}.

I believe every American MUST celebrate Independence day {at least once} in Washington DC during their lifetime. Not only did we get to do the whole BBQ and park festivities that are traditional 4th activities, but we also saw spectacular fireworks {literally lasted nonstop for 15 mins}. Being able to wander around the Mall and see all the War and Presidential Memorials made the whole experience extra special and memorable. I really felt like I connected in a way I never have before to all those who fought for freedom and to create, preserve, and protect our country.

goofing off at the Washington Monument

I'm related to Abraham Lincoln, pretty cool eh?

This memorial was closed because of fireworks, so we couldn't get very close,
but we still saw it from a distance

Ryan's favorite memorial is the Korean War Memorial. He loves the individual soldiers from each of the countries that participated.

This quote at that memorial hit me hard. Freedom is not free. Millions of men, my ancestors, my father have fought risked and even given their lives so that we can remain free. I am ever so grateful for them.

My favorite memorial is the Vietnam Memorial. I love the simple minimalist style. I love that it is crisp and straight edged, with no 'fluff' distracting the viewer from the emotional mixture of solemn, gratitude, horror, and respect. You are hit dead on with a reflective mirror with all the names of the men who sacrificed their lives for another country's freedom. There is no escaping this wall as you see yourself in it knowing that you have been affect by all those who have and will one day serve. I especially feel connected to my veteran father, who served in helicopters for the Air Force in Vietnam. I love you daddy!

You can see your own reflection in the memorial. We're with Ryan's buddy Hayden

Thank you to all of those brave men and women who are currently serving to protect our country. God Bless You and Your Families!

The day after the 4th, Ryan and I {and the reps} got to go to King's Dominion Amusement Park. I had a BLAST and it was the perfect summer 'life-me'up' the office needed to continue with the grueling work ahead. There were some rides I enjoyed more than others {see my terrified look below} but, overall, it was a success! {I didn't puke at a local Ihop like I did after a long day at Lagoon in SLC a few years ago}

If you look really closely you'll see Ryan, James, and Paul LOVING
the ride while I {2nd person}, on the other hand, fear for my life with horror....

Valley Forge Girls Camp

Me and Brie with our 2 favorite girls @ GC

Luckily, I didn't get maimed by a bear or a puma however there were 3 sightings during my first 'real' camping experience.

Last week, I had the amazing opportunity to be an adult leader for 5 days at the Valley Forge Stake Girls Camp.  I have been to girls camp before back home in St. Louis, however our form of camping at Cuivre River consisted of lodges with bunk beds, running water, showers, mirrors, and electricity so this was indeed an adventure.  Ryan laughed at me when comparing this experience to 'Camping Barbie'--but, in all reality it was a pretty accurate parallel.

The theme of Girls Camp was Princess Academy.  All of the devotionals and groups were centered on different Disney Princesses and focused on how we each possess individual worth and talents that make us unique daughters of our Heavenly Father.  At first, I was a bit leery about the theme thinking it would be too girly for outdoor camping, but this was actually wonderful.  I LOVED it so much because I personally, learned a lot about myself and found a lot of inner traits and talents to be grateful for that I wasn't aware of pre-camp.  These are the 23 amazing young women I got to spend most of my time with:

 

This was my hut.  I don't know what to call it because it's not a lodge and it's not a traditional tent, so I deem it as a 'tarp hut':

I did not sleep a wink the first night I was here because I desperately missed Ryan AND because I was deathly afraid of wild animals getting into our quarters easily: bears smelling food/smelly toiletries or snakes crawling into my sleeping bag to stay warm.

The second night was equally terrifying because some of my older girls played a prank on me and the other leader by spraying silly sting into our sleeping bags... When I crawled into my bag to go to bed, I felt it and thought a snake was at the bottom.  I panicked--majorly--jumping 3+ feet in the air and out of my sleeping bag, squealing, and then proceeded to hit my bed with my flashlight {thinking about it now, a flashlight wouldn't have killed a snake, but when you're frightened, logic doesn't usually set in}.  Needless to say, my friend Brie and I created this masterpiece with the culprit's jammies behind our scare:

 

The shower and bathroom situation was terrible--5 showers for 125+ girls and leaders located on a distant remote path.  {lame}  Toilets were equally terrible if not worse...

Despite these 'extreme' camping conditions, I had a wonderful time.  The weather was perfect and the surrounding nature was beautiful!  Every time I went from our sleeping area to the mess hall, I got to walk along a path and see this:

 

 

 

We did a lot of exhilarating activities like boating, archery, and hiking.  I'm not sure which was my favorite, but I had a BLAST trying everything.  But, I saw 2 river otters while kayaking, so that automatically trumps everything!

Me with one of my girls

The beautiful lake where I canoed and kayaked 

First time shooting an arrow

...this is where it landed

The dreaded 5+ mile hike

Brie and I survived the hike and loved seeing the waterfalls along the trail 

I loved Girls Camp.  I am so grateful I was invited to come along for this unforgettable experience!