Camping With Girls

This year was my last year at camp. (Insert bittersweet feelings)
I feel like I've had quite the journey with Girl's Camp. My first year we were snowed in and just became living popsicles for a week. My second year was Trek. My third year, my sister was a YCL and it was technically my first official year of camp. My fourth year, we only had 7 girls in our ward. Fith year I was a ward YCL and we doubled our numbers (14 girls. woot.)
And let's see....my very last year I was a Stake YCL, watched the tire on our trailer blow up, packed and unpacked said trailer 9 times, was evacuated from Shalom, and stayed in a million dollar cabin for the remainder of the week. Yep. This week was a winner.
So this whole "getting away from society" thing didn't exactly work out the way I had hoped. Camp was not what I imagined it would be. And I won't say it was better, because I'm not sure that it was, but I know that it happened exactly how it was supposed to.
SO on the way to Shalom, the tire on our trailer burst into flames. Awesome? Yeah, check. So we had to haul the rest of our belongings in the suburban and truck that we had. It took us two trips. We carried 7 million coolers, 500 hundred camping chairs, 3 canopies (that number is actually real), and a billion sleeping items up the mountain. We became very tired and were relieved when we were all settled in and could actually relax for the first time all day. At least that was what I thought.
We went to Waterfront and Confidence Courses, ate some dinner, bonded. Things were going great! I felt like this was the best year of camp ever!
PSYCH!
I woke up at 5:30 the next morning to a loud male voice in the cabin. Scary? Yeah, just a little bit. He said, "Is there a leader in here?"
"Huh...what?" was the obvious 5:30 in the morning reply.
"Is there a leader in here?"
"Huh? No..next cabin."
"Okay, well we're evacuating the camp. The stake president decided the fire was too much of  a threat. We are not in immediate danger, but everyone needs to get out. Get your bags and sleeping bags and go down to the bus."
Awesome. Bain sort of sits up and says, "Is this real life? I mean, I just want to make sure this is really happening before I get up."
But guess what. It was really happening. That morning was so surreal. We just sort of went through the motions. We sent the girls off on the bus, packed the trailer...AGAIN. Realized that we hadn't even been there for 24 hours, and then left.
The ride home was long. It was just me and my daddy in the car. I felt sorry for myslef. I didn't think our ward would do anything to make up for it. I just couldn't believe it was all over. I came home, got in the shower, and before I could drift off to sleep, my Pa told me that they had developed a plan b afterall and we were going to stay at the Thompson's Cabin! WOOT!!
This cabin is HUGE, super luxurious, and pretty legit. And then I heard that the other wards were staying in people's back yards and stuff...and I didn't feel too bad for myself.
We left at 4:00. We got there and just enjoyed the luxury of it all. We started a movie (classic camping activity, right?) and then had some delicious dinner. That night we put together a "non-talent show" that included Rachel and I wearing mustaches and a sick....routine. That was great. We had a little devotional, watched Despicable Me, and went to bed.
The next morning we woke up, had French Toast for breakfast and then went on a nice hike to Stewart Falls. As we approached the falls, we met up with the 6th ward. We felt kind of sheepish when we told them we were staying in a fancy cabin and they were staying in someone's backyard. It's fine.
After the hike we came back and watched Confessions of a Shopoholic and followed that up with some quality girl talk. Basically my life is super dramatic, boys are dumb, and....life goes on. I'm pretty sure I told the same story 17 times. And that number is NOT exaggerated. Then we played in the bonus room. I'm really bad at pool...it's fine. Then we had some dinner, coregraphed a little dance to put on for our leaders, had a Bishop's Devotional, testimony time, delicious cookies, and then it was time for bed. But instead of going to bed we played Sardines..in the dark...with glow sticks. Yep. We rock. And just as we were going to bed, Sister Woodbury came in and told us the story of her and her husband. And so we stayed up until 2 in the morning:)
This morning we came home and I basically slept all day.
So...yeah. It was pretty legit. It was crazy, but it was fun. We made it. I still had a great time. And I know that things happened exactly the way they were supposed to. Of course it wasn't how I planned or imagined, but that's okay. I still learned, I still grew, life goes on.
So my friends, the moral of the story is: if you ever get evacuated from Shalom, ALWAYS go to a really nice cabin instead.
Oh, and P.S.
Showering when you get home from camp is NOT a debatable subject. Especially if you're going to be spending time elsewhere...with people..in public...in a nice cabin. Hygiene. Gotta love my beehives:)
That's all for now!

Holy Love

My life is officially CRAZY!!! I worked a TON last week. And the AC in Jamba is broken. So it was like 89 degrees...awesome..awesome. Not awesome. But I am getting payed money so that I can have a   prosperous life..so all is well.
On top of work I had plenty of rehearsal. I'm really excited to do this show. Don't miss out on seeing it! August 3-18.
BUT. I am mostly just excited that in a little more than 12 hours, I get to leave my crowded schedule behind and go to Girl's Camp. No cell phones, no facebook, no dumb boys, no worrying about appearances, no impressions to make. Just me and my favorite girls, in my favorite place, working on my relationship with my Father in Heaven. If you asked my if I was excited for Girl's Camp I would tell you no. Because it is such a hassle and a stress and a big commitment, obligation, etc. But deep down inside I just can't wait. I've been stuck in a rut lately. Nothing is going wrong in my life, but nothing is going right either. I am so ready to separate myself from the world and just focus on me. My testimony, my relationship with God. Mine. The time is now.
Pray that the wildfires stop so we can actually have a campfire. Pray that I won't die of heat exhaustion. Pray that Mom and Dad won't miss me too much while I'm gone...;). Pray that the potguts will be extra fat this year.
Darn..just remembered I've got to get stuff together for Snipe Hunting. This year we're going backwoods West Virginia (that one was for you, Natalie)
See you in a week! Praise.

Nannying and Fiddling

Whoa. This summer has been CRAZY!!! Probably I just need to accept the fact that I'll never have a life and move on haha. All of last week I got to nanny THE MOST adorable girls. It was every day from 9:30-4:30 and it was great. The pay wasn't the best, but it was totally worth it. We played dolls, had tea parties, went to swimming lessons, and I did LOTS of hair. It was great. 

I stayed busy after nannying too. Monday night I went to work at Jamba, Tuesday I went on a hot date with Andrew Olsen, Wednesday was a YCL meeting and then Mutual, Thursday I auditioned for Fiddler on the Roof, and Friday I had another shift at Jamba.
Daddy was out of town this week. He was in California helping Melia move. So Mommy and I had some great bonding time. An Iceburg Chocolate Shake, good long cry, Laverne and Shirley, and a sleep over. It was the best. :) I love that lady.
So there you have it. I wish I had more to say..but I don't. So...go read someone else's blog:)
PEACE.

OH WAIT!!!!! I totally forgot the most important news of ALL!!!!!!
Remember how on Thursday I auditioned for Fiddler on the Roof?? Well I got in!! I will be playing the role of Chava! (The youngest of the 3 daughters) I am SO excited!!! Come and see it!

It went a little like this..

I survived the end of the year. Praise. So here is my school year in review. Kick back, relax, and enjoy a nice flash back session of my life :)

AUGUST

Back to School!

SEPTEMBER

Homecoming with Kennen Brooks. Such a fun date!

OCTOBER

Billy S. Hakespeare 

BIIIGGG Cup Noodles

Time with friends.

Shakespeare.

NOVEMBER

Performing with the YA's

11/11/11 at 11:00 in the 11th grade. :) Singing some Birdhouse in Choir.

DECEMBER

Senior Ball

Passing of Grandma White. 

Lots of family:)

JANUARY

 Preference with my BEST friend :)

 Ashlee's Wedding 

Secret Garden

FEBRUARY

Eva and I became published authors...sort of

 And saw our bestest friend Brian Johnson in 'My Fair Lady'

MARCH

 The stake dance that made me cry over and over agian

 And Spring Fling with Caleb Tinney :)

APRIL

My Birthday

And Choir Tour :)

And Thoroughly Modern Millie

MAY

Prom :)

 Senior showcase

And finally, graduation. 

LOVE these kids 

So there you have it! A whole school year in review. Holy love, it's been a wild ride. But words cannot describe the joy that I feel now that it's over and I can start this new chapter in my book. Life is so good right now. :) 

Summer is already AMAZING! I've just been playing hard and living it up! And also, I made this fantastic cake for my dearest friend Eva on her birthday.

I'm basically the best friend ever. 

Peace.

"My Kindness Shall Not Depart From Thee..."

Last night was the last choir concert of the year. My last concert with all my senior friends. :( It was an AMAZING but loooong night. 

My favorite girls in the world. 

My favorite PEOPLE in the world.

Next year? It's gonna be a blast. :)

I am so honored to be next year's A Cappella President. We already have so many fantastic things planned and I can't wait to get to know people. We all know that I'm going to probably go crazy, make everyone else crazy and I'll probably end up killing the whole choir...but HEY! At least I had fun doing it, right??? Plus Haley, Kennen, and Aaron are my ALL TIME favorite people in the world.

I've struggled a lot with this whole 'all my friends graduating' deal. But last night, I got the reassurance that I'm going to be okay. I had my moment to cry, to be sad, and let my friends go. But I also got the opportunity to be with the people who I get to start the next chapter of my book with. And I can't wait! Chapter 3 of High School might just be the best one yet. Now my problem is I'm stuck in this in between stage of still saying goodbye to everyone, but trying to move on. I know the bridge is going to burn, so why can't we just burn it now? I know the bandaid has to come off, but let's just rip it off now and get it over with. I'm ready. I love my seniors, and I'm ready to love my juniors. :)

SO! Life is happening. And it's good. And I'm excited for next year. And I'm okay with saying goodbye to this year. 

keep the faith,

build the kingdom.

today I woke up.
clothes are nice for wearing.
math is.
sewing machines are funny.
choir makes me cry.
drama is drama is drama is drama.....

ONCE UPON A TIME

mommy is sweet.
so is Jamba.
visit me at work.
don't lie.
always take a bathroom break.

Time for a post :)

LIFE is good :)

Once upon a time I went to Prom with Nate Harper. It was the best. date. ever. In the morning we hiked to Stuart Falls, played around and had a lovely picnic lunch. Drives up and down the canyon included a sun roof and One Direction. :D
That night we went to Brother Heaston's humble abode for DELICIOUS food and great company. We chilled there for awhile and then headed to the dance. Please listen to these 2 theme songs of the night, as you enjoy these lovely pictorials.

It was basically the best ever. Good fun, good company, good times. 

Oh. And my dress? Don't worry, only $50. We added the skirt on the bottom. It's actually my skirt from Ashlee's wedding. 2nd time I've worn it for a dance. ACE. :)