Katie's Blog: I'm Just Sayin . . .: March 2008

Quotes I Live By

“There are cycles of good and bad times, ups and downs, periods of joy and sadness, and times of plenty as well as scarcity. When our lives turn in an unanticipated and undesirable direction, sometimes we experience stress and anxiety. One of the challenges of this mortal experience is to not allow the stresses and strains of life to get the better of us—to endure the varied seasons of life while remaining positive, even optimistic. Perhaps when difficulties and challenges strike, we should have these hopeful words of Robert Browning etched in our minds: 'The best is yet to be'"--L. Tom Perry

"It isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out. Don't worry. I say that to myself every morning. It will all work out. If you do your best, it will all work out. Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us. He will not forsake us . . . If we will put our trust in Him, if we will pray to Him, if we live worthy of His blessings, He will hear our prayers."
--President Gordon B. Hinckley

"God the Eternal Father did not give [the] first great commandment because He needs us to love Him. His power and glory are not diminished should we disregard, deny or even defile His name. His influence and dominion extend through time and space independent of our acceptance, approval or admiration. . . No, God does not need us to love Him. But oh, how we need to love God! . . . For what we love determines what we seek. What we seek determines what we think and do. What we think and do determines who are--and who we will become." --President Uchtdorf

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Dad's Birthday

This last Tuesday was my Dad's 55th Birthday. As a suprise, my mom sent out an email to my dad's friends and family to send in cards and letters/memories of him. We got lots of letters! My sisters Kristalyn and Diana assembled a lot of the book while I was at school, and then me and my mom did some more for the rest of the day. I stayed up til midnight helping my mom but finally went to bed, and then she stayed up til 3AM. Poor Mom! Anyways, it turned out really great nad my dad was so suprised!! Everyone (except for Cindy and AJ and Daniel and David=[ who we missed!) came over for presents and dinner, as well as Grandpa Barker and Emmy. It was a fun night. Here's some pictures from the night :-)

Reading the card Grandpa Barker gave him =]

Dad always likes getting flashlights and tools!

Lexi was really sad that Grandpa got enchanted for his birthday. She wanted it!

Opening the Book! (with the help of all the grandkids!)

The little boys got a little bored, so they decided to play a game..jumping over hte couch!

Dad and Grandpa and Emmy reading the book

Me and Dad

Just some random pictures

Fiddler on the Roof

Alright, I've been putting off doing this blog, because I was waiting for my dad to burn the video of me/more pictures onto a CD..but he hasn't been able to yet, so I think I'll just write a blog and add those later. ANYWAYS, last november we started rehersals for my schools spring musical, Fiddler on the Roof. I auditioned and got the part of Grandma Tzeitel, the dead grandmother. I wasn't allowed to be in the whole first act, except for my scene, because of the insane makeup I had to wear, but I also got a smaller solo part in the second act. We had practices after school in November and December, and then twice a week during the evening during January and February. It's a lot of fun, but boy, was I ready to be done once our closing night came. It was a little bittersweet, being my last musical in high school, but it's exciting to not have those crazy late night practices with the directors yelling all the time..haha. Fiddler was a fun musical to do, probably my second favorite of the ones I've been in (In sixth grade, Tom Sawyer; 9th-Oklahoma!; 10th-Seussical the Musical--my personal favorite, and 11th-The Pajama Game). Like I said, my dad video taped it, and got the videos on his computer, but we haven't gotten them on mine yet..so stay tuned for those..Here's some pictures though!!!

Here's me in the makeup I had to wear...Do i look dead?

Me and Cortney

Me and My grandaughter Golde (Megan Bezzant)

Cool people in my cast :-)

Me in "normal" stage make up..haha

Me and Tevye (Joe)

Me and Corty sporting our awesome shirts on opening day

My little brother Michael got to be in the musical too, making an appearance inthe last scene of the show as Boy number 2. He had a lot of fun!

And finally..Most of my wonderful family was able to come watch me. They are the best. We missed Daniel and David though :( (and of course the neices and nephews who probably would have gone crazy if they had come..its a pretty long show!)