It was love at first sight when I saw the movie “Once I was a Beehive” announced on Facebook. I adore, cherish, and still laugh over my memories from Girls Camp as a teenager. Once I was a Beehive perfectly encapsulated all those nostalgic memories and more in a 119 minute family film. From nonsensical camp songs to camp crushes to tear-filled testimony nights, it was a delightful peek back into a classic right of passage for teenage girls.

While my daughter and I giggled through the camp skits (sneak peek here) and camp leader Carrie Carrington’s  (Lisa Valentine Clark’s) spot-on one liners, the core message of the film is what stole my heart. Specifically this quote:

Before I get any further into my review, here’s a sneak peek into the film that opens in theaters across Utah TODAY and a brief synopsis!

In ONCE I WAS A BEEHIVE, Lane Speer is a 16 year old girl who spends her family vacations camping in the mountains. She takes the memories for granted until she loses her father to an unexpected bout with cancer. Only a year later, as Lane is still reeling from her father’s death, her mother remarries a guy that Lane hardly knows. To top it off, while they are on their honeymoon, they arrange to have her stay with her Mormon step-aunt who takes her away to a bible-themed girls camp with a bunch of young Mormon girls. Confronted with memories of camping with her family, she tries to find peace with her new surroundings and deal with the death of her father.

What did I love most about the film? It was beautifully and hilariously relatable. I saw a little bit of myself in each character in the film.

Take for example the typical Mormon mom Holly Valentine (Hailey Smith) and then note what I unknowingly wore to the prescreening in the picture above and in this typical day outfit below. Nailed it with the colored cardy and polka dots. From the Indiana Jones references to the girl who pushes the side of the tent when it starts to rain, I promise you will be laughing and thinking of your own camping experiences.

The over-the-top camp leader Carrie Carrington one-liners were definitely highlights for me. From the outburst on the trail with her daughter (Well, we say it in mine!) to the lack luster launch of Noah’s ark, I swear I’ve been there. Poured hours of prayer, preparation, and superglue/glitter into sharing times/activity days/etc. only to have the end product fall a little short. Love the message of doing your best and then it being worth it as long as it brings everyone together.

The entire cast captured my heart and I love how the characters developed throughout the movie. While the film had some of your typical stereotypes (the diva, the girl who is there because her parents made her, the boy-crazy girl, the wilderness survival leader, etc.) what stood out to me was the humanness and relatability of those characters. We all have our mean-girl moments. We all go over the top sometimes. We all know people like those depicted in the film.

The best part? We all NEED each of those people in our life and that was showcased perfectly in the film. The characters recognized their flaws and when push came to shove – they worked together to help each other. It’s just like life. None are perfect – we all throw a snowball or two – but so much good can be done when we come together.

For any who have lost a loved one, Once I was a Beehive will warm your heart. The scenes between Lane (Paris Warner) and Nedra (Barta Heiner) by the fire as well as the closing scene between Lane and Phoebe (newcomer Mila Smith – who is darling!) spoke of the hope and the subsequent joy that will come when we are reunited someday. The movie made me want to squeeze my little ones a little tighter and take one last camping trip before school starts.

Once I Was a Beehive is the perfect family activity for this weekend before school starts. Check out showtimes here and make sure to request it in your city! Opening week is so important for films like this – let’s fill the seats and show Hollywood that we need more family films like Once I was a Beehive! I, for one, would love to see more from producers Maclain Nelson, Lisa Valentine Clark, Hailey Smith, Jake Van Wagoner, and Claire Niederpruem.

Check out what other bloggers and Youtubers have had to say about Once I was a Beehive:

How Does She – Alison was at the prescreening with me in Logan. My daughter was over the moon excited that she won one of her darling penguin sleeping bags. Thanks Alison!

Behind the Scenes on LDSLiving

Good Things Utah

Top 10 Reasons to Watch Once I was a Beehive by Something to Shout About

Celestial Shine

Be sure to check out Once I was a Beehive on their social media for more behind the scenes and updates!

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What is your favorite camp memory?

What is your most hilarious camp memory?

What is your favorite film from this summer?

The post Once I Was a Beehive – Opening in theaters August 14 appeared first on KeepMovingForwardWithMe.

I received a KLUTCHmom box to review for this post. I was not compensated in any other way. This post contains affiliate links for the products I love! All opinions are mine.

As a mom, I am always looking for simple, easy ways to keep my little family healthy. Thank goodness for the Internet! I’m a big fan of on-line shopping. Should I have something shipped to my door or should I take my three little crazies to the store with me? Doorstep, please!

Lately I’ve been loving subscription companies like Kiwi Crate, Citrus Lane, and KLUTCHclub. This month I  had fun checking out the KLUTCHmom Box – love that it meets my mommy needs! Each month KLUTCHmom (don’t worry, they have boxes for just men and women, too!) sends out boxes full of supplements, nutritional bars, healthy snacks and beverages, personal care products, fitness DVDs or online memberships, and gift cards for fitness apparel and accessories that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. Each box guarantees at least $50 worth of value for less than $18 per month. Love me a bargain that comes straight to my doorstep!

My box included:

• Queasy Pop Kids! – Will be trying these out as soon as the kiddos get sick … hopefully not any time soon!
• Kirk’s Original Coco Castile Soap. The soap came with a recipe so that I could make my own laundry soap – way cool!
• Doc Holder – This is perfect for in my shower! Keeps my razor out of the reach of little hands. Love it!
• Ola! Vanilla Almond 100% Natural Handbaked Granola. My breakfast typically consists of greek yogurt + granola + fruit. This granola was delicious. Loved the full size almonds. Yum!

• Smarty Pants Gummy Vitamins for Kids (2) – Both my six year old and my three year old love these vitamins and were begging for more. 
• Smarty Pants Gummy Vitamins for Adults (2) My husband and I were a fan of the taste of these vitamins.
• 3 months free unlimited access to Yoga Vibes – I haven’t tried this yet, but I love yoga so I can’t wait! It is a $60 value.
• Nature’s Bakery Whole Wheat Fig Bar – This was our favorite item from the box!
• Just Chill Tropical Drink. This refreshing drink helped me survive my gigantic coupon shopping trip Saturday morning!
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The star of the box for my family was the Nature’s Bakery Whole Wheat Fig Bar. My three year old has a refined (aka picky) palate and sometime it is tricky encouraging him to try new things. I dread buying an entire package of something at the store only to discover that no one in the family really likes the taste of it. Cortland loved the whole wheat fig bars! You better believe they were on my shopping list and I picked up another box of them at Smith’s  last week. Cort has already finished off that box and we will definitely get more! Healthy snack score! Sorry, no pictures because my little buddy scarfed them down too fast!

The KLUTCHmom box was a perfect fit for my family. There was something for everyone and we have a need for every item in the box. We found some new favorite projects that we are very excited about!

Be sure to KLUTCHclub out on facebook and twitter, too!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

What are your favorite fitness products?
Do you have any fun monthly subscriptions?

The post Family friendly fitness & foods! KLUTCHmom Review appeared first on KeepMovingForwardWithMe.