For Mother's Day our children gave me a "morning with a photographer" to finally update our family picture (we haven't had a new once since before Justin left on his mission 3 years ago)! We had a great time, I so love being with my family!

The Jeff & Diane Bates family has blossomed into...

Jason & Kimberly Bates family

Jared & Julie Bates family

Ryan & Kathrin Bates family

Cory & Amy McDowell family

Justin & Alexis Bates family

The best thing about being

a parent is being a

GRANDPARENT!

The whole Bates clan from oldest to youngest!

You just can't beat this...

In September the whole Bates clan, minus Justin (he had to be in classes), enjoyed 2 days at Disneyland. Jeff and I loved watching the grandchildren as their eyes would light up on every ride and around every corner as they would see a new ride or Disney character for the first time! It's wonderful to watch our children interact with their children and those who don't have children helping those who do. We are so grateful for a family that loves and cares for each other and overlooks the imperfections that every family has. We love you all!

Trying something new, dangerous, life-threating!

So guess who went to Girls Camp this year as the cook...You guessed it! I won't give you a detailed report of everything that happened but I did try something new and challenging... Repelling! Yes this 51 year old grandmother repelled down a 60 foot cliff! I attached a picture, although not the most becoming picture of me, you have to remember that I was taking my life in my hands and was very intent on listening to Kelly Corder's (the experts)instructions. But even with all my attention focused on Kelly, I still managed to lose my footing, hit into the side of the rock and end up with the rope in between my legs. How that happened I still don't know, but I do remember looking up at him and saying, very calmly, "What do I need to do?" He told me to swing my leg up and over the rope and get my feet underneath me, which at the time made absolutely no sense to me, but I knew, that he knew what to do and I had to put my faith in that. So I did exactly what he said and was able to get my footing back and finish my decent. Thinking about that experience later, I compared it to my relationship with my Savior. I need to constantly work on building my trust and faith in the Lord so that when I lose my spiritual footing I will know without a doubt where to look, and say to Him "What do I need to do?" and then have the faith to do whatever needs to be done, even if it doesn't make sense to me at the time, to get my "feet" underneath me and continue on the path to my goal, Eternal Life with those I love.

A Counselor in the Bishopric is calling, should I answer the phone?

I got a phone call from Bro. Long (Bishopric Counselor) this week that went something like this:

"Sister Bates, your name has come up"

"OK"

"The Bishop said that is was OK for me to ask you this, but that you are only to do it if it won't overwhelm you, because we know that being Relief Society President is overwhelming enough.  Just know that you can say 'no', I promise I won't make fun of you over the pulpit for it, I may make fun of you for something else, but not for this!"

 "OK Rich, now your scaring me!"

"Your name has come up as someone the YW's leaders would like to have be in charge of the kitchen at girls camp."

At this point memories of being in charge of the food for Stake Youth Conference several years ago are flooding through my mind and my insides start to churn as I hesitantly ask,

 "Is this stake or ward girls camp and where in the desert are we camping?"

My stomach begins to settle when he replies,

 "It's ward camp with 6 girls in the Scow's family cabin up in the mountains."  

My breathing returns to normal as he continues,

 "You would be responsible to plan the meals and purchase the food but everyone is expected to help prepare, serve and clean-up."

So let's think about this, I would be "camping" in June at a cabin in the COOL of the mountains, with a stove, refrigerator, running water, inside plumbing = warm showers and good friends.  Except for the fact that Jeff won't be there, what's not to love about this?  Now, I know what you are thinking - "that's not camping!" - and it may not be for a bunch of strong, young women, but for this "girl" it's about the only kind of  "Girls Camp" you're going to get me to cook at!