The Coast!

For Thanksgiving, Bubs & I went camping at Fort Bragg! Just so ya'll know, this was like my first ever time camping in my whole life! (Aside from that one time my fam went "camping" like 6 years ago. But I don't count that because it was only overnight) The Coast was so magical! At first, I was anxious and nervous because I tend to stress out in new situations. Especially overnight situations. But it was awesome! I'm already pumped to go again next year! I got to hang out with some amazing peeps/adopted fambam aka the Willis'. I love love love them! (They sort of adopted Bubs when he was a teenager, and have been super close ever since! (I'm super glad they adopted me too!) So without further ado, The Coast!

 On Wednesday 11/26, we woke up at like 5:30am & finished packing our last minute things. Our ride was late. Bubs insisted that I wear this blanket as a poncho, but I didn't want to, so he wore it instead.

 This is what we took with us. Not pictured (& already at the Coast) was our tent, mattress pad & millions  of  five blankets.

 It was a 4 hour drive to Fort Bragg. Karissa aka Kissy & Erin (her friend visiting from BYU-I) were asleep for most of the drive. I listened to Travvy & Bubs sing/chit chat. They never disappoint.

 We made periodic stops along the way. When we stopped at Safeway for gas, we got donuts & milk. FTW! (brunette=Kissy, redhead=Erin)

 "You guys! We're like, in the forest!"

-Erin

 I stole this baby from Camie every chance I got. She's the cutest little babe ever in the whole universe!

 We got this tent for free from my parents. I don't know if they've ever even used it. It lasted until Friday when it started to rain & we discovered the holes. (Leave it to my parents to troll from across the state. Ha.)

 This is the Man Cave. I was made from 4 pop-up tents with the sides zipped together. The Willis' & Fahning's hooked up a generator & had a very elaborate gutter system installed as well. These people know how to camp!

 After we unpacked, we hung out for a bit. Then most of the crew went Abalone Diving for like 4 hours. I hung out in the Willis' trailer & played with Baby & baked cookies. It was the best! (Pic=Travvy packing up the Ab Diving gear)

 Camie & Baby & I went for a 2-3 mile walk in a loop around the campsite. We all loved it! Then I helped make dessert. I love this place.

 That night we watched Expendables 3 in the Man Cave. Always a win.

 On Thanksgiving, we did the Turkey Trot. I opted to walk the 5k, while Camie ran the 10k. I hung out with the "dad's club". Me & the baby & the boys walked & chatted while we took turns pushing the baby. :) I was very entertained watching Travvy, who decided to race Martin, each one with a stroller/child. It was hilarious.

Wrestling is a Willis standard activity. Everyone was really excited when they found out that Erin went to state competitions for wrestling! She was a beast!

...and then you have these guys...

I made this & two pumpkin pies. I'm still pretty proud of myself.

Our group consisted of 50+ people. It was the best potluck-camping-Thanksgiving ever!

That evening, everyone walked down to the beach & played Fireball. (In case you were wondering, the fireballs consist of balls of 100% cotton yarn that are soaked in lighter fluid & lit on fire. Then you play catch with them. No gloves allowed.) Needless to say, I was kind of stressing each time the ball came flying in my direction. I was just an observer. Maybe one day I'll be brave enough to play.

On Saturday, Steve & Jackie (heads of the Willis clan), Kissy, Erin & I drove down to Sand Dollar Beach. It was freezing.

These crazy girls went wading in the freezing ocean in the rain to find sand dollars. They found one tiny sand dollar.

They had these fancy gutters in the Man Cave made from PVC pipe and zipties. They caught the rain that came in between the popup tents and filtered it to the edges. Pretty smart.

Because of the rain, we spent our downtime in the Man Cave. Most everyone had a book or some type of activity to do.

Peppy Hot Chocolate is my favorite kind!

One of our activities was to harass this cute little baby. "This is what she looks like with hair!"

We went into town & hit like 4 thrift stores. Happy Chanukah!

We found this hippie grocery store. They had flower oils that cured very specific ailments. "If you're feeling bossy when in charge, take (insert name of oil here) to help you to inspire!"

*Sings* "All I want for Christmas is this wheel of cheese..."

This kind of blew me away. You bring in your own mason jars to fill up with these sauces! They had vinegars and fancy syrups...talk about hippie...

The men tenderized the abalone they caught diving & we made it into chowder. Talk about delicious! It had bacon & everything.

I just realized my pictures are out of order. Oh well. The boys wanted to play Axis & Allies, so Bubs spent 45 minutes setting up the gameboard. And they played for like 1.5 hours. Silly boys...

On the way home from the Coast, everyone stopped at Foster's Freeze for icecream! We got chili cheese fries & a Mint Oreo Shake! So good!

Overall, I had a blast! Now for a new segment I like to call #TallGirlProblems!

Random:

 

The top of the bathroom stalls came up to my shoulder. I could see into the other stalls standing flat-footed. Talk about awkward.

The struggle is real!

I've decided to do something a little different for Thankful Thursday this week. So instead of listing off things that I'm thankful for, I thought I'd share with you something that's really special to me.

Thankful Thursday:

As you may or may or may not know, I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I love this church. I love that it teaches there are true prophets on the Earth today. These prophets speak truth that resonates with me deep into my core. I know that they are mouthpieces for our Heavenly Father and that they speak only truth. I believe very strongly that this is the only church on this Earth that is 100% correct. I have a strong testimony of the Restoration of the gospel. I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God and did see both the Father and the Son in the sacred grove. I believe that we are here on this Earth for a grand purpose: that we are here to experience trials and learn and grown and be tested. I know following the teachings of Christ in the Bible and the Book of Mormon will lead us to happiness. I love the Word of Wisdom. I have witnessed the blessings that come from following it closely. I am so so so blessed to have had the opportunity to be in the Young Women's program as a youth. I love the words of the Young Women's Motto:

"We are daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves us and we love Him. We will stand as witnesses of God at all times, and in all things, and in all places as we strive to live the Young Women's values, which are:

Faith

Divine Nature

Individual Worth

Knowledge

Choice & Accountability

Good Works

Integrity

and Virtue

We believe as we come to accept and act upon these values, we will be prepared to strengthen home and family, make and keep sacred covenants, receive the ordinances of the temple, and enjoy the blessings of exaltation."

Wow. Talk about powerful. This is by far my favorite thing I have ever learned in this church. Just saying it gives me chills and I feel the Spirit so strong. (Like right now!) I love this so much, that I bought a plastic cover for my temple recommend with this on it!

Everytime I look at this, I remember that the worth of my soul is great in the sight of God. Yours is too! I have a testimony of the divine nature that I have. Quite often, I struggle with feelings of inadequacy. This reminds me that I am of infinite worth. There is only one of me. There will only ever be one of me. We're all like snowflakes, really. Each of us is unique and one of a kind.

Sometimes I feel like the kid in the picture: alone and lost, not knowing which way to go. But then I remember that even when I am alone, I'm not really alone. I know that I have a loving Heavenly Father and older brother, Jesus Christ, who are ready and willing to listen and to lift my burdens all the time. I have a very strong testimony of prayer. You guys, it works! I know praying is the easiest way to lift my spirits when I am sad or stressed out. I know that prayer is like being on a spiritual phone with God. I know that He hears and answers my prayers.  Sometimes Often, I am impatient and I want an answer right now. And not just any answer. I want things to work out according to my life plan. But here's the thing: this isn't supposed to be all about me controlling everything and always getting what I want. This is about me learning to have faith and trusting that things will work out. I feel like this will always be my struggle. But I'm working on it. I love knowing that my Heavenly Father is patient and loving and always willing to listen. I love that Jesus Christ paid the ultimate price for me. Me! With all my faults and with all my mistakes I have made and am going to make. He loves me that much. That blows my mind. This gospel has taught me that love can be infinite. I am trying to love Bubs and myself like Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ's examples. Sometimes, Bubs' snoring annoys me. Sometimes, we argue over trivial things. Sometimes, I look in the mirror and wish I could change the way I look. Sometimes, I think "if my nose was smaller, then I'd be happy" or "if I got paid more, then I'd be happy". But that's the thing: these are not things that will make me happy. True happiness comes from living the teachings of the gospel as best as I can. And that makes me feel better because I can control that. I am the pilot of my own plane. I have the capacity to do all that is in my power to make sure I am living right.

I love this gospel with all my heart. I love that it is so liberal with salvation. I love the Atonement and am so grateful to have its healing power in my life. I am very infinitely grateful to have to gift of the Holy Ghost. It has saved my life many times and probably will more than I will ever know. I am grateful that Bubs found me and that he was brave enough to be sealed to me for time and all eternity. He loves me no matter what, and for that I am so grateful. I am grateful for my life and the opportunities that I have to learn and grow. I am infinitely blessed.