Our Ward had been advertising a Ward Campout for a couple of weeks and Mike just wasn't excited about camping at Millerton Lake, saying, "It just doesn't sound fun, and it will be too hot." So we agreed just to go up in the morning for breakfast, and I left it at that, since I am NOT the camper in our family. Well, at the last minute, Mike changed his mind and so we went! The unusual cooler weather probably prompted the change of heart. Mike usually goes up much higher when he camps, for me, camping is camping. I liked that we didn't have to go very far up a curvy mountain road!
Mike came home from work and he loaded up the car. That's how it works around here. I plan, reserve, buy the food, pack it up, then I leave it to him to do the finishing touches on our road trips (meaning pack the car). I like this arrangement, cause by packing time, I am DONE and ready to go and don't want to do much more.
That's right! $5 Little Cesar's pizza for us! We were roughing it :)
We go to many occasions with our homemade food and then we drool at the family walking by with their boxes of pizza so......this time.....we were THAT family this time...OH YEAH!
Our Friends the Cooks
Checking out the snake that someone found
S'mores time!
Hanging out in the tent after breakfast
Let me tell you a little something about sharing an air mattress with someone heavier than you....not fun! Unless you like long hours of star gazing, alone.
Love the guy, but the air mattress was too aired up for me and I felt every single one of those grooves you see pictured, and I was laying RIGHT. ON. TOP of them without sinking in to a comfy position. Whereas, my counterpart was nestled in his spot, due to his extra mass :) In the morning, (after me not sleeping on the air mattress) we did a test, I asked hubby to let out the air until I said stop. We let out A LOT of air, and when I said stop, he was on the ground, and I was nestled in a nice, cozy position, NOT flat on top.
Might just have to get me my own twin size air mattress.
*sigh*
There was no leaving until we checked out the lake!
Water wars!
Muscular physiques run in the family :)
Practiced our rock skipping
My goofy boys. Hope they will always remember these good times with their family.
As I said, I did not sleep very well while camping and I spent an unknown amount of time staring at this scene pictured above (yet it was dark and there were stars). Anyways, in the morning I said, "I need to take a picture of what I stared at all night." (since it was a major part of the trip to me).
While laying there my mind took me back to our last family campout only a year ago, where I stared up at a similar sight, however, the only difference besides the trees were taller, this time, I was without one of my boys, Damien. This past month, even several years, I have truly had to place my faith in the arm of my Heavenly Father, and give Him control over the things I no longer have control over, yet He does. It isn't easy. Damien isn't dead (just away for a season while he figures things out, like any teenager), but moving on without him has been hard. Going on trips, outings, eating a favorite meal of his doesn't come without some sort of a sting.
With that being said, I have felt the comfort spoken of in Mosiah 24:14
"And I will also ease the
burdens which are put upon
your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon
your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions."
I know I am not alone in my parenting struggles and heartache. I hold fast to promises made to faithful parents. Each day I try to do my part that I may be a recipient of promised blessings.
Trials bring about good things, in time, whether it be a lesson learned, faith and relationships strengthened, hearts softened or another door opened. I definitely feel all of those things happening simultaneously in my life right now.
Last weekend's lesson: Enjoy the good times with your family, even if your heart aches!
