My last week in a nutshell..

Last week, I got the opportunity to go to Camp Lutherwood in Oregon. 

To start it off, the idea was totally weird to me, because like stated in previous blogs, I have been a Shoshone girl for almost 10 years. But I was given an opportunity to work with adults with disabilities which seemed like a great opportunity. I went with Nick and 3 other college age kids from church. I was pretty excited for another get away, but experienced some disappointments. 

I promise I will try to keep this post as positive as I can. 

I have gotten pretty used to long car rides, but this one was only half the length of what I am used to so that was a total plus on this adventure. When we got to camp, it was so different from what I am used too, and a lot less remote. The most irritating part was not being seen as an adult when we arrived, although they later informed us that was intentional, I don't quite agree with their tactics.

Having a bad first impression at camp is really similar to a bad first impression with a person, and it was hard for me to get over my initial reaction to things. It didn't help that I was not the only one feeling the frustration. Have you ever been around someone who has an attitude? I remember how contagious that is, and not that I want to blame someone else for my behavior and attitude, but lets just say it did not help. 

After a day and half of being irritated and comparing Lutherwood to Shoshone, it was finally time for the guests to arrive. I was very excited for this to happen and to get to the real focus on camp. The week with them consisted of many games of uno, lots of puzzles, and one rousing game of bingo. I loved every minute of hanging out with these people. I am sure it was way more eye opening to others to find how "normal"  these people are, but I already had a little idea because my best friend's brother is an adult with disability. And as for the communicating with others who can't communicate well, that part came a little easier as well because for 2 years I dealt with my grandmother who had a stroke and couldn't communicate well either. What it comes down to in those situations is you really just have to listen. Something a lot of people don't do well. I guess it is a skill that one must work on. 

The week overall was great, and I really wish I would have given myself an attitude adjustment from the get go, because I truly felt as if I missed out on things and didn't get all I could have gotten out of this trip because I was a debbie downer. If I had to pick out a favorite moment, it would be when I got to sit next to one of the campers, and we played bingo. I helped him out, and he really enjoyed the game. But what he enjoyed more was the fact that he got a number way more often then I did. In the time we played he got 3 bingo's, one of which was a blackout Bingo, while I got none. I am not quite sure how that is possible, but to see the fun that Will was having was worth more than a Bingo. 

And now jsut a few of my favorite pictures from the week. 

Friday's Letters

Trying this whole "linking up" thing.

Dear 4th of July, Thanks for kicking my summer into gear. I finally feel as if I am going to enjoy the rest of summer.

Dear blogger world, this is all still new to me, please allow me to become a better blogger.

Dear Brad Paisley, I am super stoked about seeing you in concert, and can't wait to be rocking out to this is country music, camouflage, and all your other fabulous songs!

Dear 15 year old teen kids who think it is cool to smoke outside the mall, it's not, and its gross watching all 8 of you pass around the same cigarette that you bummed off some person. Yuck!

Dear people who use profanity in every sentence, Do you realize exactly how uneducated you sound? Why must you add the F bomb to every sentence? It just sounds stupid and gross.

Dear Friday,  I am so thankful that you are my day off, and I will not be setting any sort of alarm tomorrow! Praise the Lord!!

Dear summer, Thanks for the nice weather lately! It has been nice enough to ride around with just the window down and enjoy the fresh air as I blast my country music. Yee Haw!!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!!

Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue

Hope everyone had an AMAZING and safe 4th of July. 

I started mine off right by a day of work. 

(with no holiday pay.)

But I managed to escape work early and head to my traditional spot at my best friends house.

Her block does a get together and makes really good food and dessert.

(the homemade ice cream is the BEST!)

I am trying to become a beer drinker, and the 4th felt like the perfect time to keep it up!

That bowl is full of homemade ice cream, my favorite ice cream in the world.

Last year I spent my 4th of July at the Murray dumb in Idaho, which may not sound like the best thing ever, but to be honest it was the most memorable 4th of July ever. As much as I love my 4th of July tradition, that one will always hold a special place in my heart. 

This year was fun though, and I love spending time with my Claire Bear, and sparklers are our thang fo sho.

And to leave everyone off with my favorite American song, because I am SO proud to be an Amurraycan, Toby Keith sings about America so well. Enjoy this song! It is a great song any day of the year. 

dreams are a wish your heart makes...

And my heart wishes to have a wedding. Unfortunately, me and the boyfran aren't quite ready to tie the knot.  (although I am pretty sure our families are.)

I have decided that I watch WAY to much "Say Yes to the Dress", and I love looking at wedding dresses! One day, and probably sooner than later, I will be getting married, until then, I have decided to share my favorite dresses thanks to the addicting show. 

Alita Graham Sweetheart A-Line Gown

Pnina Tornai Sweetheart Ball Gown in Lace (LOVE Pnina!)

Hayley Paige Sweetheart Ball Gown In Organza

And to end it with my love for vintage:

Lazaro Sweetheart Sheath Gown in Beaded Embroidery 

These are just some of my favorite styles/designers. No wedding for me yet, but I am pretty prepared for when the day comes. :)

All dresses were found here, thanks to the show <3

I saw the Light

As you know from previous blogs, I went to camp last week. Shoshone Base Camp has been a part of my life for the last 8 years, including being my home all of last summer. I love that place with all my heart! This year, me and Nick, our church's youth leader, took 4 kiddos up there. It was an amazing trip! The car rides aren't exactly the best, but me and Nick won the music battle and there was lots of country. Woo Hoo!

This year, I got to work with some of my favorite people from the years past, and worked at one of my favorite Idaho residents! I blazed a trail for the horse camp the first two days, and then chopped and stacked wood. After packing up some rummage sale left overs. Overall, the week was amazing! Here are just a few snap shots to show my week.

Using a chainsaw

Playing Dress up!

Acting out a day of creation

Adorable little girls!

My Favorite people! 

That is just a glimpse into camp. If you ever want to go on a mission trip, and need a place to go, I high suggest Shoshone Base Camp! It is the best place ever!! Find out more here:Shoshone Base Camp

No fear of germs

So first off I am posting a blog from my iPhone. Oh what technology has progressed too. Just thought I would start off with that. Next, this is a quick blog that was on my mind,one about my great week at camp will come tomorrow with pictures. And now to the title of my blog. So I know there are a lot of people out there who freak out about germs (my sister included) and just can't stand sharing certain things. For example, my sister freaks out about sharing Chapstick and is not a fan of me bei thirsty and taking a swig of her water. My mom doesn't enjoy that ether but I think she has just tolerated my rudeness. But me, I am different. Things like that don't weird me out even a little bit. I learned this early on in life by the fact that whenever I was thirsty I simply would find a drink and drink it. I didn't care whose it was. Last summer, I realized even more how carefree I am about these things. I had a tendency to leave my water bottle in the office at camp, and people just drank from it. As opposed to being grossed out, I just decided to consider it a community water bottle. Although the germaphobics refused to drink from it. Beats being dehydrated if you ask me! Point of blog? I found my limit! The other day I learned even more that I was willin to tolerate. I had an ice cream cone, no spoon just a scoop in a cone, and a close fried of mind asked for a bite. I handed over my cone as he took a bite. No bg deal. Then a person who I had recently met asked if he could have some. I said sure and then he stuck his finger in my ice cream. This is where I drew he line. That was the first time I was grossed out by germs like that. So I told him he needed to eat off where he had just stuck his finger. A bite is better than a dirty hand! Yuck! It also made me think about sharing Chapstick. I don't mind sharing but why would I rather you stick your dirty finger on my chapstick instead of just usin your lips? Makes no sense to me! Anyways, here is my random blog post. Be ready for a better one next time!

A late throwback Thursday

I have really been wanting to do a throwback thursday blog, and every friday  realize I have forgotten. So I have decided to just make it a belated blog.

Throwback Thursday:

A year ago around this time I left to spend my summer in the beautiful Shoshone County in Idaho. Greatest summer of my life by far. I totally am sad I was not working there again this summer, but lucky for me I get to go there tomorrow for a week with my church. YAY! Here are my favorite picture memories from last summer. 

Beautiful Mountains.

Pirate Skits

Driving Trucks.

Left Hand Twin.

The Shoshone Creek.

Celebrating the End of summer. 

Learning to save lives.

Playing in the mud. 

Meeting fabulous people.

Summer was great. And I miss it. Can't wait to be reunited with Shoshone once again! :)