Girls Camp 2011 – Day 4 “It’s over already?”

Day 4:

WOW!! It’s over already??? How can 4 days go by so quickly??? I started the day by taking a few of the girls back to our secret spot to see the sun rise. It was beautiful!!! What a way to end a great week.

Sunrise on the lake

Kim, Jenni and Izzy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had to break down camp, take down all the tents, find homes for all the miscellaneous stuff that ended up on the picnic table, take down our Christmas lights and the clothes line and pack it all into the trailer.

time to go home

Before we got completely back to reality, we took the girls boating at a different lake (closer to home). We had a picnic lunch and lots of trips on the tube. I had so much fun with these ladies. I must admit that girls camp is better as an adult leader though!! Can’t wait to do it all again next summer. Thanks be to all of you for a wonderful week.

Girls Camp 2011 – Day 3 “The Hikes”

Day 3:

I have mixed feelings about “day 3″. It was the hardest and the easiest day at camp. The hardest because we had to wake up super early to go on our hikes. Breakfast was portable and easy. We also got a bag of snacks and a bottle of water for hike. Levels 1, 2 and 3 took a hike. Level 4 got to sit it out since they had a rough day on Monday.

I was assigned to Level2 girls all week so I got to go with them on their hike. This is our group before we started.

Level 2 girls and YCL's

Why is it the hardest? Level 2 girls were supposed to do a 5 mile hike, yeah right!! Since we had been experiencing 100 deg temps all week, the stake leaders cut our hike to 2.5 miles. We walked from the far north side of our camp area to the picnic area where my “stump” is located and back.

Avery and Kasenya on the Level 2 hike

For the Beauty of the Earth

 

 

The theme for the week of camp was “For the Beauty of the Earth”, after one of our hymns.

 

 

Why is it also the easiest? We got back so early from our hikes, we had a couple of hours to sing songs and play games at our camp sites. It was so fun to hang out and relax and get to know the girls better. Our group had such a great attitude all week long even though we had a less than desirable  situation i.e. sleeping in tents, 100+ temps, no showers, porta potty’s for bathrooms, no a/c, etc. We received several compliments from stake leaders about our girls and their great attitudes.

There is a really cool trail that leads down to some small cliffs near our camp site. I took a few of the girls that wanted to go. It was so pretty there. They were skipping rocks and enjoying the view.

Jenni, Izzy, Kim and Tanille at our secret spot

We had a baked potato and salad bar for dinner. After our evening flag ceremony it was testimony night with our Bishopric members. Before the testimony meeting, we had a 5′ long banana split for desert. Holy cow, I think that is the largest banana split I have ever seen.

Lined up at the "trough" for desert

5' of ice cream

There wasn’t much left when they finally finished eating.

Testimony meeting was great. We got to hear each of them express their love for their Heavenly Father and the Gospel.

 

 

 

 

 

Girls Camp 2011 – Day 2 “OMG, Sis. Andrus”

Day 2:

Surprisingly, it was pretty dry when we woke up. We were supposed to eat breakfast as a stake but, they didn’t cover the fire wood so, it got wet in the storm. We ate french toast made on our camp stoves we brought. Glad we were prepared!!

We did our normal morning stuff, flag ceremony, songs, certifications, etc. Lunch was served almost on time, they were getting better.

Our afternoon activities consisted of 1hour free swim, 1 hour swim, 1 hour crafts, 1 hour at the ball field. Today our craft was survival bracelets. It was kinda fun but, I am really bad at it. Some of the girls were really good and caught on quickly (Avery).  Our activity at the ball field is “Kiddie Pool Kick Ball”. OMG!! Our girls loved this game, especially the “Slip-N-Slide” to home base.

The preparation

Jenni sliding into home plate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was supposed to be a “homemade shower” contest. We are the only ward that had a fully functioning home made outdoor shower. Jenni was the first to test it out since she was the oldest and one of three that had been there the longest.

Model your feet

For dinner that evening we did Hobo dinners. They were good!! After dinner we had to fit in our skits from Day 1, devotionals from two great leaders and “Singing Trees”.

Sister Andrus spoke on Attitudes.She did an AH-MA-ZING job. She even took off her shirt for us. LOL

Attitude is everything

Our skit was GREAT!!! We did a “therapy session” based on our camp experience. Take a look at our AWESOME video here:

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150769165360722&oid=100607660023237

When I first heard about the “Singing Tree” idea, I have to admit, I thought it sounded REALLY cheesy!! We chose the song “Young Women Holding Hand Around the World”. The concept is each ward surrounded a tree (in the dark), turned on their flashlights pointed into the sky and sang their song. Once the song was complete, you turn off your flashlights and another ward starts. As each group sang, the spirit was so strong and it was an awesome experience. It was as though the trees were glowing with the spirit of God!! WOW!!!!!!!!

Girls Camp 2001 – Day 1 “What Stump”

Day 1:

Knowing we had a LONG day ahead of us, we met at 0ur church building at 6:45 am on Tuesday, June 13th. We only had 8 girls going up that morning since 3 had gone up the previous day. Breakfast was donuts, sausage kolache’s and juice.

Got on the road about 7:15. It should have been a quick 1 hour trip to Lake Murray in Oklahoma. But . . . our directions were awful and it took about 1 hour 45 minutes to get there. One and a half hours in, we thought we had gone too far and decided to turn around in a picnic area. I didn’t look where I was turning I just knew I didn’t want to drive all the way around the picnic area just to get back out. As I started to turn, my co-pilot (Michelle Scott) asked “Are you going to run over that stump?” As I asked “What stump?”, I realized what stump she was talking about. OMG!! The stump was huge!!!

As I finished making my U-turn all I could see were people in the other 2 cars laughing hysterically as they watched us dive over the massive stump. One of the girls in my car hit her head on the window because it was so rough. SORRY!!

“What stump” became our Ward theme for the week. LOL!! It doesn’t look like much here but, it was easily 4′ across.

What stump?

Once we arrived, we started to put together our camp. We had the BEST camp site in the whole area! It was wide with lots of trees. We began set up camp in the near 100 deg heat. We had 11 girls, 4 leaders and 5 tents. Everyone pitched in and helped, camp went up quickly. We had plenty of time to get everything together before heading up for the morning flag ceremony.

Izzy and Sis. Ritchie putting up our clothes line.

The girls separated into levels and went to do their certifications.

Lunch wasn’t served til around 12:30. With such a large span between breakfast and lunch we had some girls that didn’t feel well. After lunch, we were blessed with 2 straight hours of water time. Hello lake, we love you!! Being able to spend so much time in the water helped combat the heat.

Dinner was separated into levels. Each group was to make Dutch Oven Taco Soup. We didn’t eat til around 8. Again, a large span between meals isn’t good. We had some girls not feeling well. Two of our amazing leaders made a trip to Wal-mart for snacks for the rest of the week. We can’t be losing girls because of hunger.

That night we were supposed to perform our skits. Plans quickly changed as a thunder storm approached. We were all banished to our tents by 9pm to wait out the storm. As the rain started, one of our girls tents sprang a leak. Thanks to a quick thinking leader (Richele Ritchie) they were mostly spared. She put an easy-up awning over the tent so they wouldn’t get soaked.

Girls Camp 2011 – Preface

Girls Camp is one of the things I liked best about being a “Mormon” when I was a teen. It meant a week away from home with friends (that were a good influence), having fun, swimming, camping, snype hunting, etc. So when I was asked to be Camp Director for our Ward this year, I was totally stoked about going to camp.

Preparations started in March. I was totally new to this calling so I felt completely unprepared and unsure of myself. I had parent meetings to arrange, fund raiser to organize, and equipment to locate. I had some experience with these girls previously so meeting with them and their parents was a breeze. My family went camping for most of our family vacations when I was a child so, the equipment list wasn’t bad either. The fund raiser . . . that’s a whole other ball game!!! Needless to say, it was a little overwhelming. I started in March and it didn’t end until May (Mother’s Day weekend).

By the time camp actually got here, I was ready for it to be over. However, I was determined to have fun because I used 4 of my precious 10 vacation days to go to camp with these amazing girls. Boy was it worth it!!

Aren't we cute?

Cop-Out’s

I am SOOO tired of cop-out excuses!!! I don’t know about you but, it seems like that is all I hear lately from people. I don’t know why this has suddenly become a trend but, it’s getting OLD.

If you don’t want to do something . . . just be HONEST!!!

There’s a novel idea, HONESTY! Honesty is best for everyone. Quit worrying about hurting someone’s feelings and cut to the chase. You’ll get a lot more respect in the long run if you can “grow a pair” and tell the truth.

I believe the reason people have a difficult time being honest with the themselves and those around them is lack of self confidence. If you can’t be honest with someone else, then you really aren’t being honest with yourself.

My Hiatus

I haven’t posted in a looooooonnnnnnng time. So, I’m going to try to make up for it with a few new posts this weekend. Since I was last on here so much as happened.

April flew by. I was busy putting together details for a church fund raiser, selling pies for Mother’s Day.

May:

• Made and delivered 175 pies for said fundraiser
• Spent Mother’s Day with friends in Houston
• Went to Nathan’s Dr. appointments in Houston
• Went to a Roughrider’s Game
• Had a Stella & Dot / Scentsy Party (it was a HUGE success) I got a TON of free Scentsy and Stell & Dot jewelry
• Nathan started a new job (and he LOVE’S it). Go see him @ Select Comfort in Vista Ridge Mall if you are in the market for a new mattress. It’s the best mattress you’ll ever have.
• More planing for girls camp

June was CRAZY busy too. I’ll talk about that in other posts. (notice post is plural, hahaha)

I’ll try really hard not to be gone that long again.

What is Endomitriosis?

According to the Mayo Clinic (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/endometriosis/DS00289):

“Endometriosis is an often painful disorder in which tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus — the endometrium — grows outside your uterus. Endometriosis most commonly involves your ovaries, bowel or the tissue lining your pelvis. Rarely, endometrial tissue may spread beyond your pelvic region.

In endometriosis, displaced endometrial tissue continues to act as it normally would: It thickens, breaks down and bleeds with each menstrual cycle. And because this displaced tissue has no way to exit your body, it becomes trapped. Surrounding tissue can become irritated, eventually developing scar tissue and adhesions — abnormal tissue that binds organs together.

This process can cause pain — sometimes severe — especially during your period. Fertility problems also may develop. Fortunately, effective treatments are available.”

In some cases, mine included, endomitriosis is hereditary. My mother had it and my grandmother had it. My grandmother had a full hysterectomy at the age of 30. My mom has also had a full hysterectomy. I don’t want this to be my fate. That is why I am working so hard to keep what I have left. I don’t want to take hormone replacement therapy (HRT). I have enough to worry about without adding the side effects of HRT to the mix.

Endomitriosis affects 20% of the female population in the world. Some have more severe cases, others have less severe cases. Unfortunately, I am one of the severe ones. I have “Stage 4″ endomitriosis. I don’t know many people who have endomitriosis as bad as I do. I can count on one hand the people I know personally who have had similar experiences to mine i.e. surgery, lupron shots, etc.

Some of the symptoms of endomitriosis are:

• Painful periods
• excessive bleeding
• infertility
• blood clots
• menstural cycles longer than 7 days

Endomitriosis is “fed” by the production of estrogen in the body. This is why I have been on the Depot Lupron medication twice. The laparascopic surgery is done to remove lesions. When my left ovary was removed my ovary had attached to my hip, intestines and my bowel. My ovary was the size of an orange at the time I had it removed. A “normal” ovary is the size of a walnut. My doctor was able to remove most of the lesions with surgery.

After sugery, Lupron shots will continue to remove any remaining endomitrioma. Because it can’t live without the hormone estrogen it “dies” off. Depot Lupron is an injectable medication that induces the symptoms of menopause. I didn’t have a period for 6 months but, I got to experience what menopausal women go through. Each time I took the shots I took them for 6 months. It was not an easy process and it’s also expensive. Each shot with my insurance cost $100 + $20 for the doctor’s visit to administer the medication.

It can only be diagnosed by laparascopic surgery. The only “cure” for this illness is hysterectomy. Pregnancy can give a reprieve from the disease but once the body is menstruating normally, the endomitrioma will begin to grow again. Once the Lupron shot are finished, your body will begin to produce the natural hormones again. Which will in turn produce the endomitriosis again. It’s a never ending cycle.

I have seen the same OB/GYN for 11 years. For six years, I saw my OB/GYN every 3 months for a sonogram. I have established an great relationship with my doctor. We have a non-typical Dr./patient relationship. Every time I go in we joke and laugh. He asks about my family and what is going on in my life. His nurses know who I am and are always happy to see me (probably because I pay them, LOL). They all greet me by name. I am glad that I can discuss different options with my doctor and he is willing to try things I ask him about.

In order to preserve what ovary I have left, my doctor and I decided to keep me on birth control pills. I am on LoSeasonique. So I only have 1 period every 3 months. It’s really great!! It manages my pain and my hormones. And the best part is that during the time I have been on these pills, my ovary has reduced in size. I am very happy with the results of the unconventional treatment that we are trying. As long as we continue to have this type of progress, we will continue this route. Now, I only have to go a sonogram every 6 months. It was a joyous day when he told me not to come back for 6 moths. I love my doctor but, I have seen him more than any woman should have to see her gyno!!!

Going to the doctor is always an emotional experience for me. I know that another surgery is inevitable. At some point he will tell me we need to remove the current cyst or worse. I know that a hysterectomy is in my future. I hope that day does not happen for a long time. I am willing to try almost anything to keep the ovary I have left.

Endimitriosis sucks

MY STORY:

I have endomitriosis. This this the cause of my portion of our fertility issues. Yup, I said “my portion” because Nathan and I both contribute to our inability to conceive. I don’t think he would appreciate me sharing his issues with everyone, though.

I was diagnosed with this terrible disorder in April 2003. In march of 2003, after experiencing several weeks of excruciating pain in my abdomen, I went to my family doctor thinking I had a bladder infection. My doctor quickly informed me that the location of my pain was NOT my bladder. He referred me to the in-house gynecologist who performed an exam and sonogram and discovered that my left ovary was severely enlarged. He suggested I make an appointment with my regular OB/GYN immediately.

I was able to see my regular doctor a few days later. He performed the same exam and sonogram as the previous doctor. Upon seeing the size of my ovary, I was told I would need to have surgery that week to remove it. I was immediately scheduled for surgery that Friday.

We planned for a laparascopy, three small incisions in the abdomen, to remove the enlarged ovary. This is a day surgery and I would be home that afternoon. The back up plan was to do a “bikini cut” and remove the ovary if it was too large to be removed throughout the three smaller incisions. The “bikini cut” is similar to a c-section. This required a 2 night stay in the hospital. When I woke up from surgery, I was in a hospital room. I was told my ovary was too large for the laparoscopy. I got the “bikini cut”, oh joy!!!!

This brings on a new set of challenges  . . . staples to hold me together!!! My favorite After the surgery, I was rewarded with menopause shots, aka Depot Lupron!!! The purpose of these shots is to stop by body from producing estrogen. I was lucky enough to be able to take these shots for 6 months. I had the wonderful opportunity of experiencing the glorious symptoms of menopause for 6 months. All kidding aside, the next 6 months were torture: hot flashes, mood swings, night sweats, etc. Any symptoms that a menopausal woman would experience, I got to experience at 26. Nathan hated it!!!!

When my ovary was removed, it was the size of an orange. Normally, ovaries are the size of a walnut. Needless, to say I was in a ton of pain. The pain was so bad, that I couldn’t sleep. I would function normally throughout the day and go to bed around 10pm. I would wake up around midnight wanting to cry but, not wanting to wake Nathan. Riding in a car was not fun, any pot holes or bumps jarred my body and made the pain so much worse. I found myself bracing against the seat of the car hoping it would absorb some of the motion but, it never worked.

Since the initial diagnosis, I have had two more laparoscopic surgeries. Each was to remove a cyst that has grown on my remaining right ovary. Each of these two surgeries and subsequent surgeries have removed a portion of my right ovary. I also took another 6 months of Depot Lupron after the 3rd surgery. After each surgery I can tell when the cysts are coming back. I have learned to feel the cysts and I can tell how bad it is based on the pain level I feel during my cycle.

Currently, I am taking birth control pills to help control my hormones and estrogen production. My doctor and I are trying to prevent having another surgery. In the 16 months I have been on “the pill” my ovary has reduced in size. Each time I see my doctor, we are both excited by the outcome. Since I have been on the pill, I have experienced little to no pain even though I know there is a cyst waiting to be removed.

Camp Director

I accepted the opportunity to be camp director for our church’s youth camp for girls. I am SO excited about this opportunity. It has been nearly a year since I have worked with the youth. I have missed their beautiful smiling faces.

The year 2010 was a VERY difficult year for me. I was struggling with my identity and I felt as though my work in our youth group was the only thing holding me together. Each Sunday and Wednesday I looked forward to the optimism, love and acceptance that I desperately needed in my life. My girls at church were my rock. I was dedicated to their service. My life revolved around what I needed to get done for my girls and I loved it.

I was released from my calling as a youth leader at the end of March 2010. After I was released from my calling in the youth group, I was devastated!!! With Nathan working 4 nights a week, every Saturday and most Sunday’s I felt almost completely alone.  It took me the remainder for 2010 to work through the emptiness I felt.

About one week ago I was presented with the opportunity to attend Girls Camp this year with “my girls”, OMG, I wanted to say Y-E-S immediately. However, it wasn’t that easy. I knew I had to check with my boss first. I knew he was taking vacation days the week of Girls Camp. I also knew that if I was meant to go, Heavenly Father would create a way for it to happen.

Since he is my only back-up at work, he and I cannot be gone at the same time. I had to make my case very carefully. I was willing to be flexible and only take 2 of the 4 days so the showroom would only be closed one day.Needless to say, he really didn’t like the idea of us both being gone. But, he did offer a solution. He thought his plans might fall through. He did some checking and guess what??? His plans fell through!!! What a blessing for ME!!!!

One of the few things I liked about being a youth was Girls Camp. It was an escape and an opportunity to help me grow spiritually at the same time. It’s an opportunity to get out of the normal grind and become closer to your Heavenly Father and learn more about yourself and the person you want to become. What more could you ask for as a teenager?? This is why I love Girls Camp so much.

I truly hope that I can meet each of our awesome Young Women’s needs and expectations and make this year’s Girls Camp one they will never forget.

LET’S GO LC1st!!!!!!