"Mini Vacation" Ok... driving 6 hours one day and 3 hours the next!!

Ok so this weekend I got the chance to go on a mini vacation. Ok 6 hours of driving one day and 3 the next. We went up to Flagstaff where William had stayed the week to go the Band Camp. We watched his preformance... which included Honor Jazz since he made the top jazz band! Then it was off to Payson to take him to Boys Camp. Since the week he was at band camp was the EXACT week our troop from our ward went he had to go the provisional week which means that troop is for all the boys who couldn't do with thier troop for whatever reason. He had a good hike when we were there! Then we went to the hotel that had lots of suprises along the way. We were all tired by then so we didn't do much. Then today we drove home and here we are!! Lucky us.

Memories

Story Time...
Here are the directions:

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2.Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you.It's actually pretty cool (and funny) to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. :) If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.

PS- look at the post below to see an update on me. Comment that too!

Update

My life is hectic right now... I know, not too suprising. Well here is an update about what is going on:

• William is going to be gone for 2 weeks! One week has already passed. I know, it's sad. This week he was gone for band camp so tomorrow we are driving up to Flagstaff to see the concert.
• After that straight to Pason to take him to Scout Camp. Then we spend the night in Pason and come home the following day in the morning.
• Yesterday Kennedy and I went swimming. Then she came to my house and she spent the ngiht. This morning we went to babysit.
• I am planning a party for the coming Monday. It's not for any reason other than William is gone and my parents gave me permission. It will be at my grandmas apartment.
• We found the blanket that Kennedy made me!! Brother Adams had it. We had giveen up hope.

So these are the major things that are going on right now. There are lots more but I am not gonig to bore you with them. What do you think?

Longest Post Ever!

Just to warn you this is going to be a long post... :). I hope that you don't mind and read the whole thing and comment.

Ok so today in church I was asked to give a talk about camp. I really enjoyed everyone and I thought that mine was pretty good. It went something like this (I am going to have to remember from memory so bare with me):

Good Afternoon brothers and sisters. My name is Katie Russell. Today I was asked to give a talk about camp. First off I want to talk about the most amazing and fun thing you can do at camp: and that's the hike. (I don't think that people got that that was a joke). I was very proud of myself because this year I did not hurt myself. I was not one of the first to finish but I did it without complaining and suprisingly I enjoyed some of it. The only thing that I don't get is why they always say,"Take a look at nature while you are hiking." I don't know how you are suppose to do that when you are always looking at the ground! Well, I guess I could tell you something about nature and that is what kind of rocks were on the hike.

While I was up at camp I had some issues with my anxiety. I was proud of myself because I worked through it and I am thankful to all the girls for helping me. I guess that Sister Johnson told my mom that she knew the anxiety was coming when I started pacing. I hadn't even realized that I did that. I learned something neww about me at camp.

To be truthful I was not that excited to come to camp this year. It's a hot place and I am not a nature kind of girl. I mean I think that it is pretty but I don't love being outside. We had fun last year but it was not enough to make me want to come again this year. I enjoyed the leaders last year. It was nice this year getting to know new leaders. Last year I knew both the leaders before camp and this year I got to meet new people. I am so glad that Sister Johnson and Sister Mitchell got to come and I am glad that they helped me through camp.

Last year was a fun experience but I always made the assumption that at camp you got this big spiritual filling that I did not get. I mean I felt the spirit but I didn't in the way I thought I would. This year I went to camp not thinking I would get it but hoping that I would and what do you know, I got it. Last year I just thought it was going to be handed to me but this year I looked for it and felt it and let in then rather than just expecting it to be there and not doing anything and then being disappointed when nothing camp of it.

I loved both years of camp. This year was spiritual and last year was fun. I honestly don't know what to expect for next year because both years were so different. I will go there hoping to find fun and the spirit. Sister Mitchell was always saying, "Camp is what you make it." I truely believe that. You do there thinking you are going to have the spirit you will. I know now that if you just expecting it to be there it will not be there. You have to look for it. And I say these things on the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Now I know that it was longer than that but that is basically what I said. I hope that you enjoed that. Moving on to the next thing I want to talk about. Sister Adams talked today in Young Women about trials and oppistionns. She said some things that really opened my eyes. Did you know that when Elder Maxwell had cancer that he said after a while he realized that he had it so that he could teach the poeple of the church better?! I don't know if I could ever admit that to myself. Ever trial that we have it for a reason whether you recognize it or not. I will post more later about this talk tomorrow... I really want to discuss it but my hands are betting tired!

I spent.....

The whole weekend excited for....





Oh ya, and I hung out with Shanci and had an amazing time. We played Wii, went shopping, saw a movie, babysat for the Bradshaws, went to Sonic, make smoothies, watched Camp Rock, listened to music, computer, and took pictures. I had an amazing time! =]

Girls Camp

So.... now that I posted pictures I am going to talk a little about girls camp. I was asked to five a talk about camp this coming Sunday so we are going to have to see how that goes.

First, I have to say that this year I had amazing camp directors. Sister Mitchell and Sister Johnson are amazing. They spent their own money for us. We ended up getting 3 shirts, 2 bags, a thing to cover your eyes, a necklace, a hair pin, candy, sweatband, bandana, and bracelets. I think that was one of the best parts, seeing that our leader's cared enough to do that.

I also really enjoyed testimony rock. I posted many pictures of testimony rock on the post below. It was very spiritual. I think that it is amazing to see exactly where the fire and how "coincidently" it did not get our camp. That has to mean something in terms on the church.

I loved it when we did the scavenger as the ward. I think that was a great way to build frindships in the ward and to work together and show our shine as a "star." I applaude whoever came up with this fantastic idea. I really think that we had a good stake this year.

I would also like to talk about the program what was put on this year. I knew everyone who sang and talked at the program and I felt special. I really like seeing precious sing because I could tell that that was hard for her but she did it anyway because she loved the lord. Jessica was amazing- that is the only was to discribe it. And myriah is so musically talented. She is going to go far in life. It made you feel the spirit.

I would like to point out to Sister Golding that I finished the hike this year... in the FRONT! I was one og the first ones the whole way and it came easily to me. I didn't complain once... I was very proud. That was also a good experience.

So that is a small synopsis of my camp. Hope you read the whole thing.

Camp '08 Pictures

Well....

Yesterday I got my back brace. It hurts and digs into my hips but I guess it is going to be worth it in the long hull. Last time the flight was horrible and things like that but this time it all went smoothly.

I've been tagged!

Uno, Dos, Tres
How to play this game. Post these rules on your blog. List 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 goals, 3 current obsessions/collections, 3 random surprising facts about yourself. Tag 5 people at the end of your post by leaving their names.

3 Joys:
1. My dog. I love him so much!
2. Clothes. It's in my blood. My mom worked at nordstrom for 7 years and I guess it just catched on.
3. My family and Friends. They are my support system.

3 Fears:
1. Someone taking me... I have anxiety and that's the big one!
2. Someone close to me dying. I think that obvious.
3. Not death... how I am going to die.

3 Goals:
1. Get married in the San Diego Temple
2. Graduate from BYU
3. Become a journalist... political

3 Current Obsessions/Collections:
1. Blogger. I am addicted.
2. Taco Bell's slushies. Love the texture.
3. Clothes. Forever and always.

3 Random things about Katie:
1. I can flip my tounge upside down.... easy right? I can do it really fast both ways.
2. I can like wiggle my eyes. You would have to see it to understand.
3. I have kyphosis. Got my backbrace today!

People I tag:
Kennedy, Tina, Shanci, Sister Garner

Babysitting the Garners

Austin insisted on taking pictures... so we did!

Question....?

So... I have had a wonderful weekend with Katie Duffin and Shanci Slaughter. We has so much fun at the pool, spending the night at Katie's, and doing lots of activities. I had a blast. It was so much fun and I really enjoyed the company of these girls. But the result of this is the one question that I have that I NEED answered....

Why am I put in a ward (and I LOVE 1st ward. I would not change being there for the world..... all the amazing adults and people who help me get through hard times. It's one of the only wards that will do it's part for the stake and more) where I feel so alone? I DO NOT like the youth. I mean most of them are nice, I will give them that, but they NEVER, and I mean none of them in the Beehive program, go out of their way to make sure that I am ok... that I feel good in the ward. This really is a problem for me. It becomes an issue when you know longer feel welcome in the youth programs and activities at church. Also no one asks me to babysit or to come over. I really enjoy babysitting and I know, and this is not gloating, that I am wonderful with children. They are some of the only people that you can completly trust and I know that I love them.

So can you please responde to this... telling my WHY this is the way it is. I know that God wants me to face challenges but I HAVE prayed about it... numerous times. I have gone out of my way to call girls in the ward to hang out or I talk to them at church but they find a way to not talk to me... I need to kow why!

KATIE

Wow!!!

So, so far summer has been laying around the house ALL day. Which is totally fine with me. I am glad tht today I am actually going to get out of the house. Katie Duffin and possibly Shanci are going to go to the City Pool with me and I'm excited. My first time this year!!


Sorry there is not much to post about :) Please reply and talk to me!!

Things I love

Ok so I am sitting here at this computer.... trying to motivate myself to read. I love reading. There is nothing better to do in Summer than sit down with a good book and lose yourself in it. But for some odd reason... I can't motivate myself to do this? Why can't I? It's much better than sitting at this suffy old computer desk and visiting the same site again, and again, and again with nothing new. So I though... that since I am not motivated to read at this moment I would try to do something on this blog. Now I know... no one replys to my blog but I would like all of you to try to reply. What I am going to do it write down my favorite things that I love to do. Now here is what I would like you to do for me when replying to the post.

• list the 3 favorite things that are on the list that you love to do
• list your least favorite 2 items of things on the list
• give me two things that you like that aren't on the list

Sounds easy right? Well than why don't you give it a try for my sanity... and even if you don't know it, your sanity. I know you are just dying to do something, even if you feel interested in something else. Here are my favorite things:

1. I love reading. This has to be at the top if my list. Who doesn't love to curl up with a great book and lose yourself in the pages? I love mysteries the best. There is always something new to them and it's not the same love story again and again just by a different author.
2. I love dogs. All kinds. They just make me so happy to see thier smiling faces and when they lick you... it makes you melt. I love curling up with my dog in my bed at night when I go to sleep.
3. I love cell phones. This is probably my favorite new advances technology. I love being able to carry a phone with you whereever you go and know that if something happens you can just call someone. And texting... I won't get started with that!
4. I love clothes. There are so many stores that I like. I love expressing myself through the many clothes that I have. This also includes shopping. I love looking at the different outfits and trying them on to see how they look.
5. I love blogs. Ok I had to add this. When I am sitting at the computer because I am not motivated to do something else I love just typing on my blog. I love looking back and seeing all the wacky things that I love done.
6. I love my family. I know they annoy me some much but I would be lost without them. They are my rocks... they help me through everything.
7. I love music. Any music... rock, pop, classic, country, oldies, anything except rap. I hate rap. It's so awesome because there is a song for just about anything you are feeling and the story behind that feeling. Like a guy who is a friend and likes someone else? Try "Teardrops on my Guitar" by Taylor Swift. Feel sad that you can't see someone who is in heaven? Try "Someone's Watching Over Me" by Hilary Duff. Feel like everything is hard? You constantly are fighting- that you always make mistakes. Try "Battle" by Colbie Colliat.
8. I love writing. It's the best way to express yourself. And what better thing to love than writing when I want to be a journalist when I grow up? And not about who you should go out with... does he like you?... no not that. World issues like war, presidents, ecomony, and recent happening.
9. I love the trombone. Just absoluty love it. That's all I love to say about that.
10. I love fish crackers. There is always a bin filled with them sitting next to the computer and I eat them none stop when I am on. I am addicted. It's not my favorite food but it's what I what I eat the most.
11. I love scrapbooking. I have not done it in a while but I love it. We have rooms full with scrapbooking stuff. My mom even has a scrapbooking room! It's so much fun to see what you can create out of nothing.

Now I am just going to list somethings that I love... not write about them. Those things are: Food, computer, library, surfing, the beach, california, girls camp, church, mutual, paper and pens, teen stuff, tv, cold case, gilmore girls, babies, baby sitting, apple store, bath and bosy works, bady spray, headbands, friends, magazines, soda, and T&M pizza.

There are so many more things that I love but if I put them you probably wouldn't be able to come up with some of your own. So please.... reply! Sorry if this was too long.

Marisa and I

These are two of my favorite pictures of Marisa and I on our fun weekend. Just like I promised here they are. I look pregnant in the first one.... I even have ny hand on my stomach. :)

Summer has arrived!

Summer has arrived and right on time. I am both sad and happy that this school year has come to an end. I had a great year thanks to many people who made it special!

Well it was officially my first "weekend" of the summer and I got to spend it with my wonderful friend Marisa LeBret!! We had a wonderful time and did many fun things. Can you believe that she has never seen Forrest Gump?! Niether can I. We watched that... and she loved it. We stayed up til about 3 in the morning!!!

Today we went the movies with Ben, Marcus, and Jacob. There were some hilarious things that happened and I will love to share them with you another time. At this moment I am about to get ready to go to Royce Bruno's wedding reception. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT HE GOT MARRIED! I will also post pictures.

Pictures of Me

relation ship between me and my mom


You two are practically twins.
You and your mom are so much alike. If it weren't for the age difference, you'd seem more like siblings than mother and child. Your relationship probably involves lots of sharing -- whether it's family secrets, relationship advice, or a big bowl of popcorn during a movie you both love. You trust your mom to help you make decisions, because you know she understands where you're coming from. You and your mom have tons in common, but sometimes all those similarities start to get on your nerves. Wouldn't it be nice to have a mom who didn't borrow your stuff without asking? Yup, and she probably feels exactly the same way about you! Share this quiz with your friends... or your mom!

So Proud!!!

I MADE MY LAYOUT!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! Leave comments on it. If you want me to make you one... I will. Just reply with the colors and I will.

Wow! Things go by soooo fast!

This have been going by so fast for me lately. This week has zoomed by- me being left with little memory of the things that occured. Yes, I know it sounds silly! Life that goes by fast?! No way! But it's true. This week has been the best of times and the worst of times. My favorite part was probably this weekend. We went to see Iron Man in school and that was a "delight." Kennedy spent the night and that was a "joy." We had GALS and watched a movie abouy boys and that was "fantastic." And we went to a play that was "hilarious."

School is almost out which is both a relief and a disappointment. I am not going to be in Casa Grande that much this Summer and I am going to miss seeing all of my friends. But I am excited for the annual going to California and going to Girl's Camp. Sister Golding and Sister Mitchell are going and we are going to have a blast!!!!


Thoughts??

I've Learned This Week

I've learned this week not to trust trust anyone with your whole heart. It will be broken. Friends WILL come and go- most don't stay forever. Don't make the stupic mistake that I did thinking that when they say that they will never put a guy before you or that you are their best friend that its true. It's not no matter what they say. You are just going to get hurt... don't get in too deep. Never give your whole heart to someone... it will be broken.