Yuba Lake

Well, Tevita and Toni had to work on Memorial Day so we decided to leave right after they got off. We left our house at about 3:45pm on Monday and headed for Yuba Lake. I thought we would be camping right as you got there but nope, that wasn't the case. Tevita had to make 3 trips on the boat taking stuff and us to the campsite. We ended up on this little island where there was a nice campsite(outhouse included!) and a sandy beach. It was a really nice sight. We had enough time to set up camp and BBQ a hamburger and go to bed. Lia had me walk her to the bathroom and on my way there I was thinking, "how am I going to do this. I used to have my mom walk me to the bathrooms all the time because first of all I am a little scared of the dark and second I am afraid of those outhouses! I have to be brave and not show my daughter that I am scared". It turned out ok and we were just fine but wow, I realized that I am a mom and instead of me depending on my mom all the time, now my kids are depending on me. I don't know why this thought came now, after all, I have been a mom for 9 years but I guess I just needed to be reminded what a great responsibility I have. Well, last year I took an activity for work to Yuba. I ended up with heat stroke due to the fact of being in the water most of the day and getting so burnt that I couldn't even move for about a week. So, this trip I thought I would do better and I put even more sunscreen on than last year. Needless to say, I am red and swollen and having a hard time walking because my feet are so red! My kids and husband are nice and brown and look great and I look like a tomatoe! I really wish I could find some sunscreen that actually works. On Tuesday we took the boat out and Tevita and Toni couldn't resist the temptation of the water and jumped in. The water was really cold but that didn't stop them. Braxton just did a cannonball in without feeling the water first and I thought he was going to go into shock. We had to help him calm his breathing down and after that he was ok. Lia also just jumped in but after this trip I think she is part fish! She didn't want to get out of the water at all. We rode around for a little bit and then went back to camp and ate hot dogs. The kids decided to have a sand castle competition. This turned into Tevita, Lia, Sipola, and Mehi vs. Toni and Braxton. They told me that I had to judge. Both castles turned out to be great, and I called it a tie. After that, we went back out to play in the water. This time we took Toni on the tube and he had a blast! We were going back in and Braxton decided that he wanted to go on the tube but he didn't want his dad to pull him very fast. Well, Tevita ended up pulling Brax just as fast as he did Toni and I was so proud of Braxton for holding on! We were out a little past the buoy(I think that is what it is called) and Tevita told Braxton to get out and swim back to shore. Brax was very scared and he got half way there and started crying saying, "Dad, I need you. I can't do it alone." Tevita said, " Keep going, I'm right behind you and I won't let anything happen to you." Braxton made it to the shore and the tears started rolling down my face. Lia decided that she wanted to drive the boat and Tevita told her if she was going to drive she had to swim out to the boat. Again, we were a little past the buoy (I sure do hope that's what that thing is called) and here came Lia. It was like nothing for her to swim to us. She drove a little and then she wanted to swim back. She got three quarters of the way there and she said,"Dad, help. I can't go any further." Tevita said, "You're doing great. Keep going, I'm right behind you and I won't let anything happen to you." Lia swam the rest of the way and again the tears started rolling down my face. Tevita asked me why I was crying and I told him what a great lesson I had just learned. Especially after the last night's experience at the bathroom. I told him it was like we are with Christ. We are never alone and he is there, right behind us, not letting anything happen to us. Our kids are constantly watching us and depending on us and we have such a great responsibility to teach them what is right. Anyways, it was an overwhelming experience and I am so thankful it happened! The rest of the night we spent playing in the sand, having dutch oven chicken and potatoes, roasting smores, fishing, and having a great time. We went to bed and the weather was nice. I don't know what time it was but I was woken up by Sipola who was crying saying she was afraid of the wind. She was in the middle of Tevita and I and she just kept sliding further and further down under the covers. I really thought the wind was going to knock our tent over but it survived. Today we just cleaned up and headed back so Tevita could go to work. It was such a great camping trip and there were so many little experiences that I will always be grateful for. Our kids did great, no fighting, just playing all nicely together. Sorry this post is so long, but I had to get it all in:) Now I am off to find something to put on my burns. Oh by the way, there are no pictures because we forgot the camera:( We did get some on the phones, but I don't know how to put them on here.