Girls camp photos

Pictures from Girls camp.

The sign for our Ward.

The Young Women Before we left for camp.

Janae shooting an bow and arrow.

my Journeys after math.

Learning to live by the spirit

So this last 7 months I have had an amazing calling at church that brought me out of my comfort zone.  I was our ward camp director.  I have never been the one in charge of girls camp.  It was a bit unreal.  So knowing me I took off with it in January.   I found some ideas to help me. Created things that was never used. (That's all good.)  But most important got to know some amazing leaders over the youth in our stake.  I don't like to tell anyone what to do or where to go.  I learned that you can ask someone to do something and they will actually do it with out  giving you grief about it.  Coming from doing FRG for over 13 yrs where some places you did everything pretty much on your own (like the unit Dave is in now.) And you couldn't rely on hardly anyone to help. 
Our youth of today are so special.  They love each other.  Lift each other up when another is down.  It is so amazing to watch now that I have a 13 almost 14 yr old.   Janae cares so much about other people and their feelings.  She tries to include everyone even the leaders.  I love her so much.

Now about girls camp can I just say wow!  After 5 months of prepping it turned out amazing.  Our Stake did an amazing job and our young women's  presidency for the stake and the ward also did an amazing job.  I feel like I didn't do enough for our Young women but they said I did amazing.  These young women as truly daughters of God.  They try to live the young women values and you can see it in their eyes.  Our ward has a great group of young women who hardly complained and accepted strangers into our ward.  We had 3 visitors for Girls camp. 1 non member, 2 members who were family members, one was a cousin to a Beehive and another is the Stake young women's presidents niece.   They did amazing.  It's not very easy to leave home and go some place with complete strangers.

During girls camp the ward young women's leader put the Bishop, 3 of our youth that were visiting and myself in the hot seat.  This is where the Young Women asked us questions about ourselves.   I was asked "who is your favorite 1st yr?"  I had to say I love you all the same.  Then I was asked "what was the hardest thing you have ever done?" Now that was hard.  I thought back to the time when Dave, Janae and I moved to Guam.  We had no family or friends there and Kendrick was born there.  That was one hard thing I knew they might understand.  I have been through several hard things.  Right now going through a hard time but didnt want them to know that at the time.

As I was there we had 1 youth who is amazingly talented.  She can play the guitar and sing.  She reminds me of my cousins Jordan,  and Kate.  How amazing they are.  Well the second day this Young woman felt home sick and was missing her family.  I gave her a hug and let the other leaders know and some of the girls.  Well that evening Sister Hammond asked her to play her guitar for us.  I think that was the best idea and to hear her sing and the other Young Women to sing alone was the best thing that happened.  We became a family.  The best memories I have camping is when we all sang together.  Not everyone will sing on key but everyone can enjoy singing.   Alex shined that evening.  That same evening Sister Hammond and I had the girls in our cabin tell us 2 of their favorite parts of the day.  It was amazing.

My favorite parts of that week were spending time with my daughter, getting to know our young women, and getting closer to the other Women in our stake and ward.  We had secret sisters as leaders along with the youth.  I had the Stake Young Women's president as my secret sister and I got to come to know her and love her even more and she is also in our ward.

One thing we are about to embark on is Dave getting ready to retire from the Army.  This brings a lot of unknowns for us.  I am so scared but Dave knows that this is where we need to be.  It's hard because of all the tension he has to deal with on a daily basis since we got here.  But I know it's the right thing to do at this moment.

We have gone to church for the last 7 months only missing days where I am sick or was doing FRG stuff.  No longer will I miss Church for the Army.  I quit the FRG for good, it was taking me to bad places that I didn't want to go and it was hurting my marriage in fact it still is taking its toll but we are working on this together. 

I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is a true church.  The prophets are following and are in touch with the Spirit.  I know that My Heavenly Father loves me and is always there for me even when I don't think he is there.  I know that my husband is a true priesthood holder even if he is working on taking our family to the temple to be sealed so we can be together forever.  I believe in forever families and I know someday mine will be one too.  I know I am a Daughter of God and that he loves me even when I am doing the wrong things.  I know how much he cares and loves everyone.  I am grateful for several Families in our ward who let us be who we are and didn't judge us which helped us come back to Church. Heavenly Father sent them to us.  Bishop Hammond has been an amazing Bishop and the Schiess family even though they left us behind are an amazing family too.  Roger Schiess told me while I was doing FRG stuff that if I went to church again maybe some blessing would come and Dave might get promoted.  Well the promotion didn't happen but so many other blessing happened.  My 10 yr old was baptized. My 8 yr old was also baptized this year.  I love how the love they gave us and didn't ask for anything in return helped us.  I love the Gospel and I am working on becoming more like Jesus.  Jesus is perfect and I am not.  I love my Heavenly Father and my family.  I have a testimony of blessing that come from going to church.  My dad got his Kidney after we went back to church last year.  I made some new friends that I know will be true friends.  It takes a lot of courage to admit you were wrong and go back to church.  I thought Heavenly Father abandoned me when we had issues and problems in Utah but he didnt.  He just was there but I wasn't willing to listen.  Now I am more willing to listen to be a better role model for my children.  Yes we had fun when didn't go to church but there is nothing like the feeling of the spirit when you are at church. 

This next Sunday we will have to miss because we will be heading to Family reunion for The Grahams.  It will be amazing to see all of Dave's Siblings in one place.   I miss being close to Laura and Jason.  I love them all so much.  I love them as much as I love my own siblings.  When we told the kids we had to miss church they got upset.  I think we may have to go to a different ward before we head out just for Sacrament meeting. 

Well it's time to get kids up and moving for the day. 

Tried something yummy and all Natural

check this out! https://www.facebook.com/Quaker/app_211625668944148    Its a All Natural Oatmeal and its really quick.  I really Loved it.  You should check it out!

Oh wow Time has flown

Well everyone time has flown by with our move and everything up to Washington.  Yes I miss Utah and all my friends there but I am starting to make friends here that I know I can trust.  Living close to Dave's Mum and Dad is awesome.  Also living close to Cara and Kids, Ian and Christina, and living only 3 hours away from my Grandma and Granddad is awesome too.

Week 1 of Summer Break!

Well This week was interesting! 
 Let say it was Battle Assembly weekend for Dave.  I had to go to the unit to do some things for the last time and say good bye to some great friends who are Soldiers!

405th CABN  HHC, A, B companies

Dave receiving a int-arum Award He gets his Actual one tomorrow.

The Highlight to our week so far is we had a old Friend Liz come for a visit!  We went all over American Fork Canyon and over the mountain into Midway.  Now that was a interesting feat.   I got a little burned but not as bad as I have gotten. The Pictures are from Monday the 4th.

Kendrick, Jayden, and Janae at Silver Lake up in American Fork Canyon.

The View at Silver Lake

Our friend Liz showing Janae how to ride the rock as a Horse.

Stream that goes into Silver Lake.

Look how clear the water is.

This is a awesome View.   I love the Rocky Mountains.

I love this view.  Very calming.

The lake down there is Tibble Fork.  Its pretty small when you are looking down.

Zoomed in!  Wow its still so small.

Almost to the Top! 

This is Pole Line Pass.  We were up there and boy it was a bumpy ride.

So after the bumpy ride it would of been nice to go on a long hike.  But anyways It was a pretty site!

So Today the 7th of June we have the guy who comes in and inspects everything so he knows how  many boxes and how much stuff is getting packed.  I can't believe this is actually happening.

Schools out now its moving day!

Well Now the fun will begin.  We have been getting ready for our move for the last 2 months.  Dejunking and everything.  Lets just say I think we are almost ready.  This weekend on Saturday afternoon I will have to do more cleaning which will suck because I have a ton of cleaning to do.  But that is ok.  I have friends who are willing to help which is nice.

Well Since school is out now and I now have a 2nd grader, 5th Grader, and Kindergartener Its going to be lonely when the kids are at school next year..  

Well our plans have been changed a bit.  Dave was trying to take all of June off and they told him no.  So this really sucks.  I hope they will give him Jayden's Birthday off......

Family Pics

Our Family Feb 2012

Throwing snow in the air at the kids.

Kendrick, Janae, and Jayden

Dave and I 13 year and still going strong.

Janae age 10!

My Princess Growing up!

Kendrick age 6 (in this pic)

Icicile

Did ya know Snow is cold?

He is so sweet!

My Goof Ball!

"Guinn GQ" look

Daddy and Sons

Momma and Daughter

Daddy and Daughter.  She doesn't love him at all does she?

Momma and Sons.  My boys love me!

Another Family pic

Momma  is white washing Kendrick!

sliding into Snow!

Janae is a Goof Ball!

My Stress Relief

So my Stress Reliever is Line dancing!  I take all my frustrations out on the floor.  Well tonight 1 person really ticked me off, so I went and line danced and stomped on the floor  so I didn't go out and hurt this person.  This is how I Keep control of my anger.

My biggest pet peeve is when someone lies about something that seems important but its not to them.  Take Marriage for instant.  I think Dave's and my marriage is sacred and it is more than a stupid piece of paper.    Yes people do split up and they need to before one kills the other or abusive marriages.   But really people.  Marriage is between 2 people.  Don't accept excuses.  Marriage is a marriage its a bond between 2 people.

This person really ticked me off tonight as you can tell.  All I can think is Call my friend that again (its a cuss word not going in here) and you will not know what hit you.  I am protective of my friends!  I love them and no one will talk about my friends and Family that way ever!  Marriages are work not something you think is because you have too.  You marry a person whom you adore and love.   I am just glad this relationship didn't last more than 3 months.

What this person did in my book is called cheating!  you just don't do that crap.

Well we have a Report Date!

Well Dave will have orders this weekend or on Monday!  But we have our report Date for our next duty station.  We will be going to Marysville WA.  Near Dave's Sister, Father, and a Wonderful Step Mum.   We are looking forward to this move.  Ever since we have been married I have wanted to get closer to Dave's Father and the other half of Dave's Family!  Now we get the chance to do that.  Yes I will miss Jason and Laura and hopefully we will get a big enough house that when family comes to visit they can stay with us.  But Anyways

our dates is July 16, 2012!  Can't tell we are excited.  


So far this month and it is just the beginning of the month we have, Gotten our Report Date,  Kids had their Authors fair and Janae has gone on a field trip and tonight I am going to hang out with some friends.  Going to try to hang out with as many friends and family as I can before we move.  

Old pictures of Family

Uncle Dean, Grandma and Dad

This was either Thanksgiving or Christmas I don't remember

Aunt Meg, Dad, and Mom

At my Wedding

Peter Guinn (Cousin) Grandma, Aunt Meg, and Sarah Guinn (Cousin)

My Side of the Family

My Grandpa Guinn

My Grandma Guinn

Uncle Dean (Death Jan 2002), My Dad David Guinn, Uncle Jim (Death March 2009)

Grandma Guinn (Death June 2007), Grandpa Guinn (Death 1992)

My Dad is only one surviving right now.

Uncle Dean, Grandpa Guinn, Uncle Jim, Dad

Aunt Meg, Grandma Guinn, Aunt Melody, Mom

My Grandparents and Dave's and my parents at our wedding 

Get Ready California Suzanne is coming again.

LOL.  The title says it all.  A Much needed vacation.  A lot has gone on the last 2 months which some of it is sad and some of it is exciting.

In Feb I received an award for hours spent helping the Family Readiness Group.  500 hours is a lot of hours but hey its all for the Soldiers and their Families.

In March my Aunt Melody passed away from cancer after a really long fight.  Yes it was hard but now she is no longer in pain which is good and she is with my Uncle and grandparents.  

Guinn Women in 1982.

Left to Right  Aunt Melody, Grandma Guinn, Mom (Debra Guinn) and Aunt Meg

I am so glad for pictures to remind me how happy my Aunt is.

Kendrick and Janae had Spring break in April but also in April we got to see Baby Bostons  Blessing.  We love our Nephew/Cousin.

The Utah Graham Clan  With Mom and Dad Graham

The Kids love their Grandpa Graham

Mom Graham and Baby Boston.

Janae loves her Grandma Graham Only get to see them maybe once a year.

Jason, Laura and Baby Boston.  

Yes I call Boston Baby Boston,  going to have to break myself of that when he turns 1 but until then he is Baby Boston.  

What we did during spring break!

Well first we went to Baby Boston's baby blessing.  Then Monday and Tuesday we kind of just hung out and we were watching our friends kids so she could visit her husband.  Tuesday was Kendrick's Birthday yes my lil man is 6 yrs old.  Also on that Tuesday my Uncle Ben passed away from Colon Cancer.  The rest of the week we cleaned out the garage and worked on Dave's Christmas/Valentines day/Birthday/Anniversary present his boat.  Its looking a lot better then when we first got it.  It was a steal of a deal.  

Will Post more later.

Okay now I can finish.

So California.  This has been in the planning stages since Dec.  I have been needing a vacation ever since Oct.   and one that didn't involve lawyers or anything like that.  So my lovely Sister in law Chrissy suggested I come out for a girls weekend just with her and her husband.  They live near San Fran!  I am just excited that I get to meet Sam and Chrissy and I am going to have a blast with them.  So excited for everything that is going to happen.  But in January I bought my ticket to California and I was going to cancel it a couple of times but Dave wouldn't let me cancel it due to he knew I was in need of some alone time without kids and without the stresses of everyday life.  So when I should be doing laundry I am here writing on our Family blog.  Also should be packing too and getting my outfits ready for the weekend.  A lot of things to do and don't have motivation to do any of them haha.  oh well.  they will get done if not today tonight.  

I have read a Army's wife post about what has gone on in her life since she moved from WA to SC.  It was scary to read but reality popped in.  A lot of things have gone on in the last 6+ months for us and the way this Army wife posted somethings made me think about how I have been feeling with the loss of my Aunt and Uncle  within a month of each other and then 2 years earlier my Uncle Jim passed and of course Grandma before that.  But thinking of the past 6+ months I am so thankful for several people who have pulled me up when I was feeling down.  My Friend Heather who is going through a lot of things has been there and will talk to me no matter what happens at all times of the day and sometimes during the night.  And there is Catherine who is the Chaplin's wife and a very good friend.  I can email her and her husband and both have been there for me through all that has happened.  Only really close friends and Family know what has been going on since Oct and it will probably stay that way until this is all done and over with.  

I want to tell all my Family and Friends how much I appreciate them and what they do for me.  You all have brought me out of a deep depression and I do have days where I feel down but wow I have more good days then bad days in a month because I have family and friends.  I love you all for having to put up with my depression .

Signing off 

Suzanne