The week of June 18 to 23 was Girls' Camp!  I had three girls who went and my sister, Maggie's two daughters, Rebecca and Emily, so five girls left from my house to attend.  Wow!  From my vantage point, and however limiting that may be for you, this blog is written from my vantage point, it was heartbreaking. I spent much of the week wondering why I couldn't have gone, too and why I wasn't asked and why it was causing me so much pain and how I would ever forgive those who hadn't invited me.  It was one of my worst weeks ever.  But then, that is how self-pity works!  I have now had my girls back for a whole week and I am feeling much better.  I believe myself now when I tell myself that everything is fine!  I guess . . . I don't know.  I really don't know why it affected me so badly this time around.  I usually am a pretty non-sentimental kind of gal.  I must be losing . . . something.  In any case, I seem to need all my children with me to maintain my balance.  It's a good thing they're back!

While they were gone, Maggie's other daughter, Elizabeth stayed and hung out with Mariah.  They were as thick as thieves all week.  They had a lemonade stand, went babysitting together, slept in a different place each night, and dressed the same!

They are holding their hands like that to show you their
matching monkey rings.

We also went to the splash park while Elizabeth was here.  It's the only one like it around here, so it was pretty fun.  It was a bit windy on the day we went, so as soon as the girls were wet, they were freezing!  We had a picnic, though, and still had a good time!

The camping girls came back Friday morning!  They had a great time!  I heard stories of hiking to the lake, canoe rides, challenge courses, zip lines, service projects, secret sisters, silliness, devotionals, and a phenomenal testimony meeting.  It sounds like it was everything camp should be!  They came back tired, dirty, and very happy.  I am grateful to all the leaders who sacrificed to give them such a great experience.  It was great for them!

Yes, even Kevin got to go.

Did I mention that Carmen Rasmusen was there?
She talked about her experience on American Idol.

The YW president took the time to paint every girl's toenails.
They were all sparkly!

Home again, home again!

So, the girls came home Friday.  (Ahhh, complete again!)  And my best friend, Kim, came Friday night with her family.  (Yay!!!)  Her husband, Mitch, needed to be at their ward's scout testimony meeting which just happened to be up here in Payson Canyon, so they made a vacation of it and spent the first night with me.  Yay, again!!  First we left all the kids here at home and went out to eat, just us grown-ups.  Nice!  Then Kim and I stayed up until 1am talking.  Apparently, Kim comes over and I am a teenager again!  They left early the next morning to hit all the fun spots in SLC, or as many as they possibly could in one day.  It was wonderful to spend some time with her and get a glimpse at all her fun kids.

After that, it was off to Fillmore to return Rebecca, Emily, and Elizabeth to their rightful owners.  We had our second picnic lunch of the week with Maggie and Rick at the Fillmore city park.  I think we might be its most frequent visitors!  It was fun to visit with Maggie and Rick, as well.  I like them a lot.  They were going to stop at Cove Fort on their way home.  Fun!  As for me, I came home and went back to bed!  It was a busy couple of days! . . . and a week to which I was not sorry to say goodbye.