OUR BAMA TRIP!!!

So I am finally catching up and will hopefully stay that way! We went to Alabama this weekend for Marc's uncle's wedding. Paul is only 3-4years older than Marc and I and is his mom's baby brother. We were grateful to be able to witness Paul and Tricia pledging their love and lives to each other. The ceremony was beautiful and the bride was GORGEOUS and the groom was HANDSOME!! The reception was at a beautiful southern mansion and was loads of fun!! Marc and I danced and laughed and so did the girls!!! Here are some pics of the beautiful day!



The bride and groom :)


Nana Britt and Paul.


My Princess and Doodlebug!!( Please ignore the tatt.)

Marc and Mom.

Nana Britt and Maya! She loves her Nana!!


Peggy and I getting down!! (Pic courtesy of Megan)

That is one HOT Nana!!! Can you believe those are great-granddaughters?

IT'S GREAT TO BE 8!!!!!!!

So my little girl turned 8 on April 6th! I cannot believe it!! She was baptized on Saturday April 17th, 2010 by her Daddy! She has been looking forward to this day since she turned 7!! It was a family affair to remember. Her Papa happens to be the Bishop so he conducted and presided. Her Nana gave the opening prayer. Sister Kiser was our pianist and Megan loves her SO much!! A friend Mike Upchurch spoke beautifully about Baptism. Her Daddy performed the Baptismal Ordinance while her Papa and Big Papa stood as witnesses. Her beautiful cousins sang "I Am a Child of God" and her Uncle Brad spoke to HER about the Gift of the Holy Ghost! Her cousin Elma gave the closing prayer and then we had the yummy cupcakes that Megan and her cousin A made all by themselves. (maybe a little help from Mimi). A special thanks to her Mimi who helped me put together the programs and make the refreshments, I would've gone crazy that day if she hadn't helped. THANKS SOOOOO MUCH MIA!!!! Megan and A made funfetti cupcakes, frosted them and put 2 lifesavers on top (to make a 8) and they did a beautiful job! Thanks to all who were there to share in that wonderful moment in Megan's life!!!

GIRLS CAMP 2010!!! I SURVIVED!!!

So as you may know I am lucky enough to be the Apollo Beach Ward/Branch Camp Leader. There is NO sarcasm in this at all, I truly LOVE going to Girls Camp with these AMAZING Young Women!!! This is my 4th year attending and I hope I never get released!!! I was so proud of our girls, they were wonderful representatives of our ward and the gospel!! The YCL's were great examples and served the other girls as the Savior would have. I was also lucky enough to have my wonderful mother-in-law as my assistant. Now, she has done her share of camping (8 years actually) and it's not her favorite thing to do, but she was a trooper and the girls really enjoyed having her there!!! Another thing that I think the young women really enjoyed was having their Bishop there all week!!! They enjoyed getting to know him and spending time with him! I believe they gained great love and appreciation for him that week!

Another reason that I LOVE Girls Camp is the fact that I get to spend an entire week with my nieces Reina, Elma and now Laura Linda. I love these girls like they were my own and even though I know there mother misses them a lot, I'm glad to spend time with them and watch the gospel touch them while they are having fun, learning and serving!

There were a lot of cool things at camp this year: horseback riding (Joy was a nice horsey), archery, rifle shooting, crafts, chores, path building and much more!! We were fortunate to hear from our Stake President and Pres. Jensen the things that the youth needs to hear and some of us adults also.

There is so much pressure on our youth today and I think that a week at Girls Camp away from the world and all the noise helps put into perspective for them and us that we need some quiet in our lives to feel the Spirit and get direction in our lives. I am very thankful for the opportunity that I had to learn from these young women and for the love and respect that I gain for them year after year!