My maiden name is Bowers

Brody went on a campout with his 11 year-old scout troop this last weekend.  His first scout campout.  He loved getting out and adventuring as any boy his age would.  He was assigned to design and bring the troop flag, and he also helped to create a chant for the troop.  He was super delighted to come home and tell me that he won first place on his flag and second place on his chant.  This was a campout with many other troops so the competition was there to be had.  He was super delighted to have such success and acceptance.

Caleb last week realized the wonderfulness of 7-eleven slurpies.  We only live about a tenth of a mile away from a 7-eleven, and alas he has been very happy to go back twice to purchase some.  He was very generous and shared his new found addiction to his little brother and sister while Brody was gone on his campout.  

Doug announced his first event for OU last Friday.  He sounded great.  It was a girls soccer game and the kids and I sat just outside the fence to listen to him.  I believe that he really could get places with that great voice of his. 

For me the last week has involved me becoming a bit of a loose cannon.  You never know when I am going to let someone have it.  I have not been to excited about it, because along with a great story to tell, there comes some serious regret, retrospect, then repentance.  After communicating with my most adored sister in law Megan, I realized why I am flying off the handle and loosing my self control.  I have been so anxious.  Anxious about Doug.  His knee surgery has healed, but it also has caused some other issues that have bothered me.  I have been very worried and very unsure about what I should do.  I love that man of mine and I don't want to hover over him, but I am very much a mother and wife, so I feel like I need to hover just a bit.  What do I do to help him?  What should I feed him?  Do I make him get up and walk it off?   Do I call someone? I have been very unsure about so many aspects that I am feeling very out of control of everything.  Thus I need to apologize to the Lady at Sonic who honked her horn at me very rudely, I am so sorry for the confrontation that you had with me as I tapped on your drivers window asking in a not-so-sweet manner "What DID I DO?!"  Also I need to apologize to the bank teller who was just following protocol, I am sorry that you had to hear exactly my thoughts on the matter.     Luckily I kept it together when I went to Doug's follow up doctor appointment this week.  Instead of telling him all my thoughts, I just decided to keep my mouth shut....completely shut.  (He probably thought I had super glued my lips together.)  I did not make a peep at all.  I probably wasn't too warm and cozy, but at least I didn't explode.  

I don't know when this will get better, but it will.  I did get to see a bit of sunshine today...I just hope for more in the future.  I pray that with whatever comes my way I can practice taking it all very gracefully. I just need to remember my maiden name is Bowers.  

 written by Camille

A Prayer Answered

No, this is not a post about some amazing miracle that has happened. It would be wonderful for many of us if it truly was, but this is a post about something very simple. (Which sometimes is the miracle)

Over the last couple of weeks I have realized that I don't laugh very much.  I watch my sweet husband giggle through out the day at several things, and I wonder sometimes why I don't find all of what he finds comical. Why am I so serious all of the time.  I have really been pondering this since my sweet new friend Patrice asked me this summer when the last time I really laughed was.  Now, I do find things funny at times, I am not a grump or a Scrooge, I just want to have a little more laughter.

Thank you to step-mom who reminded me that as I ponder and think about things that they too are a prayer to the righteous.  So I guess according to her I have been praying for more laughter.

Well, the giggle bug hit.  I have laughed at people that I noticed are too serious.  I have laughed at my little treat in the mail that my father sent me. I have laughed as my son complained about how I pray too long.  I have laughed at a text that my dear, good, wonderful friend Peggy sent me. I have laughed at myself playing pool.  I have laughed!  I am so thankful for a Heavenly Father who would bless me with the ability to laugh.

I remembered this quote from Sister Marjorie Pay Hinckley, “The only way to get through life is to laugh your way through it. You either have to laugh or cry. I prefer to laugh. Crying gives me a headache.” 

Sometimes we all take life just too seriously.  Let's have a good laugh.

What a Week

This last week we....
Enjoyed a relaxing Labor Day and let Doug rest to let his knee heal a bit more.
Watched Caleb play in his first football game, as his proud daddy announced.
Lost all of Drake's shoes, then thanks to Caleb found Drake's shoes.
Served lunch at the Institute for Friday Forum.
Let Doug stand in as a grandparent for Leah's school's Grandparent Day celebration.
Went to Leah's elementary school book fair.
Taught Leah to mow the lawn so that she could earn money to spend at the book fair.
Made a cute ruffly apron for my sister for her birthday.
Dropped Caleb off at a "Camp and Shoot" campout for the Boy Scouts.
Went cowboy/cowgirl boot shopping, then bought me some cowgirl boots.
Helped to clean the church.
Took Drake to a birthday party.
Picked up our first Bountiful Basket here in Oklahoma.
Watched the OU football game.
Started Fantasy Football.
Created more Art.

We did all of this along with the regular dishes, laundry, cooking, homework, grocery shopping, etc.
We are breaking into the wonderful life of living in Norman.  It is fun.  I mentioned to someone this week that it always surprises me how much there is to do.  I guess we are never done.

Today we went to a missionary farewell in a little place called Anadarko, OK.  We found that there is a family who had moved from our old Kuna ward a few years ago to Oklahoma.  Funny thing is that part of Doug's new assignment is over this area.  So we have been in contact a few times with this family in the 2 months that we have lived here.  We even invited them over for dinner and thoroughly enjoyed our time together.  When we lived in Kuna this family lived just at the end of our street, and I worked in  Young Women with Sister Bateman, and Doug was the Young Men's leader and seminary teacher for their two oldest boys.  Brother and Sister Bateman's youngest son is currently getting ready to serve a full time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ohio.  He is going to be a great hard working missionary, and we were very honored to have been invited to come and visit.

I highly enjoyed the drive out to Anadarko.  It was about an hour drive from Norman.  I had been mentioning to Doug that I would love to see more of the surrounding areas so that I can visualize where some of the other places are that he visits.  As we drove to the Bateman's home for the open house I was awe struck at the beauty.  I love the red dirt.  I love the rolling little hills.  As we drove to the crest of one of the hills and I looked out I realized that it did look quite a bit like Melba.  I didn't feel homesick, I just loved it.  There is a beauty out there that not everyone appreciates, but I can tell you that I certainly do.

The Bateman's attend church in a smaller building with a smaller group of members of our church. This is often referred to as a branch rather than a ward.  The members of this branch were all so welcoming. I met some great people there that were very willing to visit with both Doug and I.  I noticed as our children came from their church classes that they had had a very pleasant experience as well. (Even Caleb our oldest who is usually very reserved I observed was visiting with a boy his age.)

As Doug and I drove home we both were very happy with our choice to go out to support that good, good family.  Hopefully our relationship can continue during our time here.




One of my most favorite things to do in our daily routine is to read to the kids a bedtime story.  I first start with the little kids, then move over to the older two.  Tonight I decided to snap a few pictures of this most delightful part of my day.

Aren't they just the best little treat to have at the end of they day?  Leah and Drake get a little Five Minute Story,and  Caleb and Brody I read to from The Hunger Games.  I love how ALL of them love to listen to a good story.  How it settles their spirits and lets them get ready to go to sleep.  I hope one day that this will be one of their memories of growing up.



Last but not least..... a little bit of a fun story.

So, I have been very impressed by the size of bugs that live here in Oklahoma.  I have to admit, I am not a fan.  As I looked around my yard the last week I mentioned to Doug that it sure would be nice to have a pair of artificial inseminating gloves that my dad uses so that I can work in the yard with out the fear of getting those giant creepers on me.  Well, Doug called my dad and look what came in the mail.


I must truly be loved.  Apparently there was even an offer of sending the gloves with a little "fertilizer" already on them. (the gloves came fertilizer free)  This little package made my day.  Thank you DAD!  I am sure that it is an uncommon request.  You sure know how to make a daughter smile.


written by Camille Sturges

Adventurous Pictures

Here are some pictures of some of the things that we have done since coming to Oklahoma.  Every week it seems that we have more added to our list of places to go and things to do.  I love it!

Leah loving the brass tortoise in the Oklahoma City Zoo 

Brody, Leah, and Drake enjoying the Splash Pad!

Having a great day at the Natural History Museum near  our house.

Brick Town Water Tour

Matinee Movie in Brick Town, OKC.

Seven Stitches for Brody.

Split open for a good game of tag.

The Oklahoma City Temple

My Anniversary Golfing Date.
We made it 14 years!

Mow the Lawn on Wednesday

Thursday the trash guy comes to collect all organic items that come from your yard, so Wednesday I decided would be a good day to mow.  I found some special things as I mowed.  I hope you enjoy!

Bigger bugs than Idaho!

I didn't get a picture of everything that I saw.  But maybe I will leave some surprises for later.

Labor Day Weekend

Always a good time around here.  We just plain enjoy hanging out together and not doing too much of anything.  This Labor Day weekend we are hanging out watching Doug as he recovers from his knee surgery he had on Friday.  He had a torn meniscus and we has been SO excited to get it fixed.  We knew that this was on the horizon before we even moved to Oklahoma.

Friday was not too eventful.  I had Doug home with his knee propped up by 10 a.m. Because he was still under the effects of anesthetics he slept quite a bit.  Drake and I worked on a little bit of preschool homework and then it was time to go grab Leah from school.  Friday Brody received his tuba from school and needed to bring it home, so instead of riding the bus I needed to go grab him from school.  (It was kind of funny watching that 11 year old boy try to carry such a large instrument.) Caleb has football practice until 6, so at that point I went and snagged him.  I did feel like I was running around all day to grab people.

Friday night Caleb was telling me that he had made a couple of friends at school and they had been planning to possibly sell lemonade near OU just before the football game on Saturday.  He had been asked to bring the lemonade and cups, so he needed to go to the store.  (I don't know how many of you know me well enough to know that I despise shopping.)  Because Caleb has struggled the most with the move here and it takes a while for him to make friends I decided that this was worthwhile for him to do.  He and I began driving in the car.........then on our way I was pulled over by a police car and told that I had been speeding.  You would be impressed with the patience displayed on my part.  I have enough Bowers still in me to want to rip into this guy, but I just kept my mouth shut.  I was handed my pink piece of paper and then was able to go on my way.   To say the least my mood wasn't super delightful and sweet for the evening.

Saturday. Caleb was ready to get his lemonade stand set up.  We went and met his buddies and set up the stand in front of the Institute building where Doug works.  A great spot.  I did learn that 12 year old boys don't plan things too well.  I was blessed to run more errands for the little fellas.   They worked from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  It was a great idea to sell lemonade on Saturday because it was one of the hottest days that we have had here since we moved.  Caleb came home with a sun burned face.  The temperature in the car read 104.  I was very happy that we were in an air conditioned home all day and not going to the game.   (I have to apologize because I do have some inadequacies and one of them includes that I forget to take pictures.  I do wish I had a picture of Caleb and his buddies selling Lemonade.)

Saturday evening we were invited to come to Elder and Sister Homan's home to watch the game.  We brought our potato salad and enjoyed the company of institute students.  Elder and Sister Homan are the missionary couple serving in the institute.  They are amazing.  Very generous, and very cheerful.  It was very kind of them to open up their home to all of us.  Leah and Drake loved it there because Sister Homan had a chest full of toys.  Brody and Caleb enjoyed the food and the game.  Brother Homan was very kind to allow Doug to sit in his beautiful leather recliner.  It was very nice to be invited out.

Sunday, September 1.  My Birthday.  It was the first birthday we have had to celebrate since we moved.  A few weeks ago I decided to sign up to feed the missionaries on my birthday.  It was great.  Our ward has four elders serving in it.  Since the prophet announced the change of age for missionary service last October the missionaries in the mission field has doubled.  Thus we all have double the missionaries every where.  It was so fun to have them.  I made enough birthday cake in the end to feed many more missionaries, which was a good thing because the sister missionaries who serve in the single adult ward in the institute came by to wish me a happy birthday and I was able to share some cake with them.  While the sisters were here our new friends Rob and Merrill stopped by to visit Doug because they knew he was down with his knee.   I was very happy to serve them some cake.

The Giant Birthday Cupcake.

Tonight, Monday, we have been invited to spend the evening with a family in our ward.  It seems to me that Norman is a warm welcoming place to live.  I am enjoying the many opportunities we have had to serve thus far and also to get to know people here.  Our lives here are getting started and it is going to be great.