Day Trip to Harrisonburg

A couple of weeks ago Spencer had a day-long orientation at JMU, which is about 2 hours from our home.  We thought of having him ride up with a friend, but then decided that it would be fun to tagalong with him, so we could finally see JMU for ourselves and explore Harrisonburg as well!

I did a little research before leaving, so I had a handy dandy list of places to go, restaurants to visit,  and things to do.  Since his orientation started early, we ended up driving to Harrisonburg the night before and using our hotel reward points to stay for the night.  We woke up bright and early (hours earlier than Spence's normal summer wake-up time) and dropped him off at campus.

JMU campus is nestled right in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is actually quite a lovely campus.

photo source: 

Our first order of business after dropping him off was heading to the Edith Johnson Carrier Arboretum, which is part of JMU campus.   

It was a lovely place laced with walking trails and garden "rooms".  We strolled around, enjoying nature,  for almost 2 hours.  Their favorites were the duck pond...

and the rock labyrinth,

which kept them active and busy for over 20 minutes as they ran the course over and over again.

Next we headed to the on-campus bookstore, so we could outfit our family in some JMU Duke gear.  It was there in the bookstore that I became keenly aware that while  JMU is a beautiful campus filled with friendly people, it is no BYU.  I had to avert the kids' eyes away from some of the garbage they sold there.  

Next we tried to go to the on-campus mineral museum.  Too bad the website neglected to mention one minor detail:  

Oh well.  Off to lunch we went next.  We read rave reviews of this place called Grilled Cheese Mania that intrigued us.  I was a little surprised when we pulled up to the listed address to discover that it's literally a food truck with a permanent address.  Smallness of it notwithstanding, the sandwiches were tasty...

and the kids enjoyed trying out their famous limeade.  

After lunch we drove about 7 miles outside of Harrisonburg to a working lavender farm (White Oaks Lavender Farm).  We were all quite excited about taking a tour and walking through the fields.  

Too bad that the second we pulled into the parking lot was the very second that it started pouring rain.  

Although the rain was very heavy, we still tried to enjoy it the best we could by taking pictures out of the car window...

and venturing out a little....

so we could go into the lavender gift shop.    We had high hopes that the rain would pass while we were in the gift shop and that we would eventually be able to take the tour, but no such luck.   On the bright side, Ellie is enamored with the lavender seed necklace she bought there and it reminds her that we want to go back there again soon.

After the bust trip to the lavender farm (and the bust trip to the mineral museum) I was starting to run low on my list of things to do and I was getting worried how we'd fill the time until Spence was done.  

It was time to formulate a Plan B.  

What's a Plan B without a stop for a treat? We went to a place called Bruster's which had the biggest selection of ice cream I'd ever seen in my life.  

The cones were as big as the selection and we took our time savoring their creamy deliciousness, while I pondered what on earth we were going to do next.  

I left the ice cream store not having a clue where I was driving to.

Just as I was about to resignedly drive back to campus to see what we could discover there, when lo and behold, right across the street from the ice cream store was my salvation!

It was Sylvia's Pet Store!  And what a fun pet store it was!

We spent the next hour-and-a-half holding puppies, petting rabbits, trying to get the birds to talk to us, watching the fish, picking out a dog toy for Rocky, laughing at the owner's dog chase the owner's pet ferret around the store, and in general having a fun, relaxing time together!

It would never have made my list of things to do in Harrisonburg, but it was the absolute perfect way to end the rainy day.

Right as we finished up at the pet store, was right when Spence called to say he was done.   It was perfect. 

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Now I have a question to pose to any  JMU alum or JMU parents that happen to be reading this: 

What are your favorite Harrisonburg places to visit?  Are there any fun traditions we should be a part of?  Which restaurants do you love?  Any other helpful advice for some soon-to-be Harrisonburg/JMU frequenters?  

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14 month check-up

More than a year-and-a-half after entering the world of parenting a kid with cancer, we had a first at Spencer's check-up today.

I'd like to say that it was the first time I actually said something witty in public.  Or that it was the first time that Spence didn't mind getting his blood drawn.  

But no.  

Today marked the first day that I had a complete and total meltdown in front of the doctor.  I've had plenty of meltdowns behind closed doors before, but never have I let my guard down so completely in front of a non-family member.  

I think it was due to a combination of factors--mostly having to do with the 10-lbs Spence has lost since his last appointment without trying--that I was in high anxiety mode.  At some point Spencer got irritated with me doing the appointment and that embarrassment combined with the worry and the lack of sleep it has caused me,  made me totally and completely lose it.  

It wasn't pretty.  

Happily though, despite the meltdown and the unintended weight loss (no fair!), I am happy to say that Spence is still healthy.  

And I can now say that I've been hugged by a doctor. 

  

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Clinic Stats: 
Weight:  68.3kg (almost exactly 10-lbs. less than 2 months ago), WBC=4.5, Hgb=15.3, Platelets=125, ANC=2140

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Girls' Camp in Pictures

After all the nightmare stories I had heard about last year's YW camp, I was a bit nervous about going  to camp this year.   With 100+ degree weather all week, black widow ridden cabins, and the final night that ended with a derecho, I understand that it ended up being a somewhat miserable week.

Happily though,  this year proved to be much more enjoyable.  Minus out the buckets of rain on Thursday night and the vomiting fest on Friday night, this year turned out to be a smashing success!  The girls were awesome, the weather was not stifling hot, the food was excellent, the activities well-planned,  and all in all it was a great week getting to know the girls and other adults from around the stake.

Some highlights of the week included the "Tweet Line," Spa Day, the tasty food, the devotionals, craft time, the water slide, the "pond," and of course THE video from the young men.  And I certainly won't complain that the hot and sticky weather stayed away  until this week, when I can stay in the AC all day and night!

Here's a glimpse of the week in pictures.  Let me know if you want me to email you any specific photos.   Enjoy!

Have I mentioned lately how much I love these girls?



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Sweet Sixteen

Sixteen years ago on a hot and steamy day much like today, I was huge and a week overdue to have our second baby.  Early on the morning of July 15 I checked into Greater Baltimore Medical Center and was hooked up to some pitocin to help our baby get moving.   It was a long day, but by early afternoon I was thrilled to be holding a  plump rosy cheeked little girl in my arms.

Camille Rose, whom we always called "Cami,"  weighed in at 8-lbs. 15-oz. and had a healthy appetite from day one.  The nurses oohed and ahed over her cute round head and chunky little thighs and called her the most perfect newborn they'd ever laid eyes on.    We didn't disagree with that assessment and were instantly smitten with our firstborn daughter!

Big brother, Spence, was also smitten and made her his best bud before she was even old enough to sit on her own.

She stayed chunky longer than any of my other kids and it wasn't an infrequent occurrence when someone called her "sumo baby".   She was an early talker and often surprised people with her articulate comments.  I specifically remember one time when she was about 18-months-old when someone commented about what a cute baby she was.  She got offended at being called a baby and was quick to correct them with a clear statement of "I am NOT a baby.  I am a big girl," except that she couldn't say her "G" sound yet and it came out more like, "I am a bid durl."

Today she is sixteen-years-old and still stunning people with her beauty and intelligence.

She is a hard-worker always striving for excellence and we couldn't be more thrilled with the lovely young lady Cami is becoming.  

Happy Sweet Sixteen to our Cami Rose! 

We love you! 

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Beautiful!

I've just returned from 5 days at YW Camp and despite the fact that my body wants nothing more than to collapse into bed right now, I couldn't resist taking a few minutes to blog about a few of the highlights of the week.

It was my first time attending camp since I was a young woman myself  and I was surprised to see from a leader's perspective at the stunning amount of work and effort that goes into making these happen.  However additionally I was also surprised at how meaningful of an experience it was for me as well as for the young women.  

The highlight of the week for the girls was the showing of this video that the young men of our stake had made for them.  It turned out beautifully and it meant the world to the girls.  

The YM kept the whole project surprisingly underwraps and I only found out about the video shortly before it aired....just long enough to pull out my phone and videotape their reaction.  You can't see their faces, but you can certainly hear their reaction when the singing starts!  

Despite my 4 nights sleeping on a cot in a tiny tent, the seemingly nonstop rain, and the long lines for the bug filled showers, I completely adored spending the week with  these amazing young women and I sincerely look forward to attending again next year!  



And now don't mind me while I check out for a long awaited date with my pillow.

Getting Ready for Girls' Camp

Girls' Camp is on Tuesday and after months of stressing about the details, things are finally starting to fall into place and it actually seems like it's all going to come together just fine.    It's amazing to me how my one little contribution can take up so much time and there are so many others that have put so much more into it.  I'm grateful for all of the people over the years who have given so much to provide these fabulous opportunities for our youth.

 I can't say that I'm excited about five days of sleeping in a tent and being away from air conditioning in 90+ degree weather, but I am excited about spending time Cam, Emma, and the other young women.

 The collage  above shows the woodburning craft they will be doing at camp.  The teacher of the class needed some help to make a sample or two and Cami was happy to volunteer for the job.  It will be Emma's first year to attend camp and she is so excited that she has been packing since Thursday.  She has color coded her packing list and if her enthusiasm is any indicator it's going to be a great week!


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After rereading this post, I realized that it doesn't flow very well. Sorry.  That's all my brain has right now.  :) 

The {almost} Great Idea

Most of the 16 years we've lived in the area we have been perfectly satisfied to celebrate  Independence Day within a few miles from home.  We have two shows within a couple of miles of us and they are decent enough and way easier to navigate than the DC fireworks.  Then a couple of years ago they moved one of the local firework shows right across the freeway from our neighborhood and  it's made us even lazier yet and now we just stay at home until 5 minutes before the show starts and walk half a block to get a slightly better view.

Every once in a while though we randomly decide that it's time to step things up a notch and that we should join with the rest of free world and watch the fireworks in downtown DC!

Except we weren't quite that brave.  

So instead of going all the way into the city, we decided instead to just go down to the Iwo Jima Memorial in Arlington and watch the DC fireworks from the Virginia side of the river.  We heard  people say that it was the best place to watch the national fireworks without  having to drive as far or brave as many crowds.  

It was an awesome idea...

Except apparently everyone else and their cousin heard about its awesomeness too...

The crowds were almost to the same level as they are downtown except the parking situation was much worse.  WE knew we were in for a long night when Glen dropped us off and ended up parking 2.5 miles away (literally).  He joined us barely in time to watch the fireworks....

and NOTE TO SELF:  

If we ever go there again,  we shall sit about 20 feet to the left.  

Ah well, at least we got our adventure. 

Happy Independence Day!!! 

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O beautiful for heroes proved In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved,
And mercy more than life!
America! America! May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness,
And ev'ry gain divine!

All the Things I Haven't Blogged About Yet...

Constant clouds and rain notwithstanding, we are well in the throes of summertime here.  At our house that means waking up late, swim team, playing with friends, craft time, popsicles, time at the pool (when it's not storming), trying to police the electronic devices, and in general trying to keep the kids happy and engaged.    Somehow,  although I thought it would get better as they got older,   I still struggle to  find the time to do things for myself  in the summer.  Exercising, reading, and blogging all seem to be taking a backseat right now.  After starting several blogposts and never getting past the titles and maybe a picture or two, I  figured I better get caught up on blogging the last few weeks, so that I can stop feeling behind the times.

We'll start at the beginning of losing my brain.....the end the school year.  It was a few weeks ago (June 18th was the last day), but I didn't want to let these cute pictures of Ellie at the 2nd grade end-of-year party get lost into photo lala land.  Although it had mostly rubbed off by the time she was so excited to get her face painted.  And what would a party be without your best friend?  She loves Andie!

I had a hard time getting the kids to settle down for a nice last-day-of-school picture, so instead I got them racing up the sidewalk from the busstop.  They were all very happy to be done for the year!  

Ellie was so excited that she couldn't even wait until she got home to kick off her shoes!

Then a week after school got out, was Glen's 42nd birthday.   The cake was made by Emma and decorated by Cami.   The sunblock was just a nice prop to really spotlight the fact that the sun has occasionally poked through the clouds this summer.

It was nowhere near 42 candles, but it still took our "old man"  several tries to get them all blown out!

Here are a few more Youth Conference pics I found on Cami's camera:

I love Youth Conference!!!!

And last but not least in my catching up, what would summertime be without a little dress up time?

Although normally prone to dressing up as a princess or a pioneer, this week Ellie randomly decided that dressing up as Nacho Libre was the thing.

After I stopped laughing,  I tried to think of what made her decide to eschew the fancy dresses for pillow stuffed belly and a bathrobe cape and all I could think was that it must have been the nachos Spence made for lunch that day...


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