Stake Talent Night

I got roped into being in the Stake Talent Night (this is what happens when the Stake RS knows who you are... It's ok though, I love my Stake RS, they rock!!). And since I was not going to do a talent all on my own, I signed up my presidency as well - HAHA Suckers!! Luckily they love me enough to look past the fact that I didn't ask their permission and agreed to do it with me. 

It was a BLAST!!! We did a routine to Buttermilk Biscuits by Sir-Mix-Alot. It's a rap-esque song, so we dressed up like gangstas with aprons and rolling pins as our props. We cut it in half and only did 1:30 of the 3-4 minute song. We came up with actions to go along with the lyrics and practiced the whole hour beforehand, none of this actually being prepared stuff for us!

Laura, Marcia, and I warming up our gangsta attitudes

In action with our gangsta-ness (In order it's Laura, Me, Marcia, Alaina)

While we did have a blast, we completely forgot what we were suppose to do.

We just danced like gangstas and threw our biscuits at the audience (we made some and put them in bags so we didn't make a mess when we threw them)

All-in-all, it freaking ROCKED!!!!

Marcia and me

I forgot to mention the fact that we had a flour fight outside the Institute just before we went on - we had to complete our look ;)

Alaina (or Al as I sometimes call her) swaying back and forth to a song being sung from another act.

Sister Topham (the Stake RS President), Marcia, and me.

 

Sis Topham and her presidency sang Dancing Queen for their talent.

They were amazing! It was awesome to watch them and cheer till my voice was raw.

After Dancing Queen, Sis Topham and presidency sang another song and invited everyone and anyone to come and join in the dance. Marcia got asked to swing by some guy I don't know. Alaina and I jumped up and danced our hearts out. 

Us with the Dancing Queens!

This is most definitely my favorite Talent Night E-V-E-R!!!!!! I love my Stake leadership and my ward! This past year as been the best year. I can't express how much I have loved living and enjoying it!

Night out with the chicas!

Sunday I went and chilled with my homies. We built us a fire and chatted till it was way too late! It rocked!!

Poor Kayley got a wicked sunburn. Alaina and Karrie attacked her with vinegar to help it heal faster. She complained about how she smelled like a pickle! 

Al tried to start the fire with gasoline (NOT a good idea!). When she went to light it, it whooshed up into her face. Singeing her hair, eyebrows, and lashes. I, of course, run to get my camera for a picture :D

Close up of the singe-iness 

Since Al refused to start the fire after being singed, Karrie stepped in and started it.

Karrie got a little fire crazy....it rocked!

FIRE!!!!

Kayley and Al chillin by the fire

We had a fun time playing Truth or Dare, though we all were too lazy to do any Dares and so we chose Truth every time. We were up till about 11, which after only sleeping 4 hours the night before was way too late. But I enjoyed being out with the girls. I'm sad that their all moving. I'll miss heading over there and chillin.

Be careful or the jello will get you!

The other day I was texting my friend Mandy Jo. We've had a lot of conversations about boys lately cuz we've both been having drama (lucky her, hers is good drama. Mine, not so much, but that's a story for another day). 

Here's part of our conversation (it was a long one full of crazy things, but this one takes the cake):

MJ (i.e. Mandy Jo): Daniel is coming over tonight! And then I won't see him for a whole week!! I am soooo ridiculous Katie Sue!! Liking guys cramps my style and makes me CRAZY...ER!!!

KS (i.e. me): At least this is a good crazyer :) I can think of a few that would not be good...like you lost your mind to school or jello or to some crazy cult or something....

MJ: jello....it could have been JELLO!?!?!?

KS: Hahahaha I mostly just wanted to see your reaction to that :D

MJ: I snorted!! It was epic!!!

I laughed so hard over that whole conversation that I just had to save it in my phone. The weird things we come up with.... The men we marry are going to have a hard time keeping up with us!

It's Easter!!!

Yay!! for bunny rabbits, candy, dyed eggs, and candy! Sadly, I have none of those things....but it's all good. I still love Easter, even if I don't get to pig out on junk food. This is such a wonderful time of year. It is so nice to be able to walk outside without freezing!! I love the change in the weather, it just makes me want to dance for joy at seeing the sun and the new green blades of grass poking through. It's nice enough outside that I might just take a book and head over to my favorite spot on campus and read. In fact, I think I will! (after finishing this of course ;) ) 

Before I head off, I just wanted to share with you my thoughts. These past nine months with school and being called as Relief Society President have been some of my most trying and yet most gratifying times of my life so far. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have had to be here in Cedar with some of the most wonderful, crazy people I know. I have learned so much this past year and grown in so many different ways that it is astounding to look back at who I was and see how far and how much I have come. I have a greater understanding of Christ and the love He has for all of us. I have felt that love for me, but mostly I have come to know how much He loves everyone. I didn't use to believe people when they stood up and said that they loved everyone in the congregation. I didn't think that there was any way that they could love me, they barely knew me. But now I know what they were feeling because I have felt that too. They were feeling Christ's love for me. And when you feel that, it is impossible to not love that person as well. I'm grateful for that love and kindness. It has helped me, and will continue to help me, through some tough times. I can't express how much I love my Savior and how grateful I am for the sacrifice He made for me. I can't wait for the day I'll see Him again and be able to tell Him myself of the blessings and joy He has brought into my life. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter! Remember the true reason we celebrate this day. I know I will, forever and always.

Remembering Grandpa

This being General Conference weekend means that it has been six months since Grandpa died. We had his funeral the weekend of the last General Conference. I've been thinking a lot about Grandpa this whole week. I still miss him like crazy. Going up north just isn't the same without a quick visit to see him and Grandma. Part of me can't believe how long it has been, while the other part thinks that it was just last week that I got to go and say my goodbye. 

While I was with him that last week, I had the hardest time understanding why he had to go. And during his funeral I was amazed at how mad I was at him for leaving. I had plans that involved him that can't happen any more and it hurts. I was going to make my husband (whoever he may be) visit Grandma and Grandpa to see how they treated each other, especially how Grandpa treated Grandma. And let him know that that was how I expect us to be when we're old and senile (not that I'm calling Grandma senile...Grandpa, yes. He did have Alzheimer's you know :) ). And that's just one of my plans...I tend to plan a lot.... My plans aside, I couldn't figure out why I was so mad during his funeral. Until I read one of my books that I got for Christmas. In it the main character talks about the anger you feel when a loved one dies: "It is a senseless rage burning inside you, first against the person you loved for leaving you alone, and then against the fates that took them away." When I read that, I flashed back to Grandpa's funeral and I realized that that was why I was mad. Grandpa left and there was nothing I could do but sit there and deal with it. Luckily the past six months have helped my anger to lessen and I have learned many lessons from this whole experience. 

I didn't realize how much I loved him till they closed the casket for the final time and it became real that he was really gone. Poor Dad had to see me at that point, when I literally broke down and sobbed. I think that was the first time I've ever seen Dad that close to crying. Followed closely by the second time 20 minutes later when Dad had to give his talk. 

Whenever I think of Grandpa I can't help but feel that he's right there next to me, listening in on my rambling memories of him and laughing with me. That is the greatest comfort and blessing to me. To feel as though he's here looking out for me. Because that means that he knows who I am and loves me. I don't have many memories of Grandpa from when he knew who I was, before the Alzheimer's. I can't tell you the comfort it is to know that because of the atoning sacrifice of Christ my grandfather can once again know me. That when I see him again he'll come running over to give me a huge hug and let me know that the only reason he forgot me was because of his mortal body's weakness. That his spirit never once forgot. And that is the greatest comfort of all. 

My two favorite pictures of Grandpa:

Grandpa and Shelly 2006

Me and Grandpa September 2008

Someone lied to me!

Whoever told me it is Spring, is in BIG trouble! They best be heading for their secret hideout cuz I'm gonna come after them! This is just....UGH!!!! There are no words for how I am feeling right about now. Maybe a few pictures will help ya understand my annoyance. Exhibits A-C:

This was all between 10 am and 1 pm. And it's still snowing. UGH!! Why, does this always happen to me? Why, oh why, oh why.... (Ten points to whoever can guess that reference)