A letter to my sister

Dear Kyra,

Wow!! I sure do miss you. I (partly)composed this post while eating (read: scarfing) my lunch. I know you are asking yourself, "What did Mandi have for lunch?". I will tell you: lettuce that I grew in my own garden, tomatoes and avocados that I got from the Co-op pick up on Saturday, cheese that I MADE from yogurt that I MADE (oh, yeah, it's YUMMY), and balsamic vinaigrette that I bought from the store. Aside from the dressing, I am kinda starting to sound granola. Next thing you know, I'll be wearing Teva's, forgoing deodorant, and driving an Outback (sorry, Beef!).

I just got back from Girls Camp up in Wallsburg, Utah on Friday. I cannot believe how much fun I had. Apparently I still think I'm 16, so I fit right in. We had a blast... but as I'm sure you remember, there was a spiritual side to it, too. On the very first night, some of the girls and I had a great talk around the fire (that I built! Thank you, Dad.). As I have thought about the things we discussed, I have no doubt that I was prepared for that discussion.... even as much as 9 months ago. I am amazed at how Heavenly Father works in all of our lives, and knows what we need... and puts it into place for us. We also had a musical fireside by a group called One Clear Voice. One of the ladies in my ward is in that group, and I love to listen to her sing. I am even her Visiting Teacher. How lucky is that? I don't know why I didn't take my tissues everywhere with me, 'cuz I was sure crying a ton that night. Maybe I'll post some pictures later... they will have to be kept on the "D - L" because our YW president is a ball of fun, and has requested that "What happens at Camp, stays at camp." We'll see about that. (hehe)

Mitchell is off to Scout Camp today. They are spending the week at Bear Lake. Bishop asked last night what his goal was for earning Merit Badges, and he said, "At least one." The little stinker. I dropped him off this morning, and as I was leaving, he just gave me a wave from the middle of the group, and I said, "That's not gonna work for me." So I made him come over and give me a hug (I didn't want to embarrass him too much with a big fat kiss). Yeah, I'm THAT mom. It will be a sad thing to have him gone all week. I'm kind of looking forward to less fighting between him and Austin, though.

Austin (finally) learned how to ride his bike. He's still very wobbly, but we took a ride last night to the circle, and he did a good job. He was being a bit defiant (read: VERY defiant) last night, but otherwise, he's such a great boy. He always has funny things to say, and the neighborhood loves to hear it. A week or so ago, Rachel was being a chatterbox in bed while Austin was trying to go to sleep, and Austin finally pipes up and says, "Rachel, help a brother out." So great!

Rachel is still the cutest thing ever, but she sucks at cleaning her room. I swear I have to ask her at least 20 times a day to work on it. She has gotten a little better once I took all her toys away, but she can still find things to leave all over the floor. As you may remember, she rides her bike like a champ. We do have lots of scraped knees, though. She's tough. She also has a little body builder body. I think her biceps are way more trim than mine, or even Mitchell for that matter. I wonder how tall she'll be. She has such long legs, but she also got Mike's long body, too. It's so interesting to think ahead as wonder what your kids will become. Last night (and almost every other night, for that matter) she prayed that she would get a backpack for kindergarten, and that she would have fun at kindergarten... which doesn't start for 63 days, mind you.

We are heading to St George next week with the Blacks. I think we are going to do a couple hikes (VERY early in the morning), and the usual massage and pedicures, and shopping and swimming... lots of swimming. I'm a little worried about how hot it will be, but that's when we get the best stories! Then the week after that, Mitchell and I head back up to Bear Lake to Youth Conference for just our ward. I think I am even more excited about that than I was before Girls Camp. The first day we get to do the ropes course at USU. We'll see if I am coordinated enough to not trip all over my face.

I hope everything is great with you. I love to see all the stuff you're up to (even if I have to read mom's blog to do it). Hope to see you soon. Don't really know the plan yet, though.

Loves, Mandi