a car, a cactus, and lots of country music

Fall Break has finally arrived. I have been anticipating this for quit some time now. I needed a break from school, and now it's officially here! and let me tell ya, first day of break was a glorious adventure. I began my expedition at approximately 5 o'clock in the morning. My whole family piled in the car, pj's still being worn and eyes still blurred from the early awakening. we were off to the land of Arizona. I was grateful to fall back into sleep for the first few hours of our seemingly endless journey. Unfortunately, I was unable to sleep the entire time, just the majority. For the hours I wasn't asleep I was graced by my father to listen to country music (no offense, but I have a strong distaste for country music) and then I also got to snuggle up with my little brother's feet, for little 6 yr. old Kolbein had entire rule in the backseat and he loved to fully recline and get all comfy for his naps and movie viewings, and for some reason he always had his feet end all up in my face...it's a good thing I love him. At one point in the 13 hour long drive I made my daddy stop so that I could take a picture of a cactus. Yeah, I'm pretty sure everyone thought I was insane as I hopped out of the car and hiked up a hill to take a picture of a cactus, but in my defense, it was a really cool cactus (I'll post the picture once I get my camera to computer cord thingy) so yeah, it was some really great family bonding time, and we eventually made it. Once we made it we went to dinner and ate the best mexican food around, the best. In fact, I ate so much that I'm pretty sure I already gained 5 pounds, but it was worth every ounce. It was great seeing the family and I met some of my cousins for the first time ever! I'm having a really hard time remembering all their names but I'm getting there. I was then able to go hang out with my awesome cousin Braedon along with all his friends. It's such a small town here in Thatcher, Arizona that I'm pretty sure by the end of the week I'll know the entire town. I love fall break and now I'm ready to get out of this hotel room and go party :) If I do anything too crazy I promis I'll come post about it.
Go be Spontaneous. Y.O.L.O

Memories of Christmas

I love those moments of reliving a precious memory,

it can be relived by telling it to another...detail by detail,

sometimes you just replay it over and over in your mind,

or its relived in your sweet dreams as you close your eyes,

looking at pictures,

holding a small item,

smelling that familiar fragrance,

they all bring back those memories.

The memories of Christmas

Today it was walking with my daddy  through those stores among Christmas crazed crowds...

going to the stores that we always have, for as long as I can remember.

Talking and walking beside my dad remembering all of our adventures in years previous

and living through some new adventures

and finally realizing...it's Christmas well almost

Today it was wrapping presents with my little brother, with him so very eager to help...

watching the joy it brings him to place another little present under the tree.

listening to Christmas songs

and singing along

and finally realizing...this is what Christmas is about

enjoy the little things, for one day you'll look back and realize they were the big things.

Count Your *bLeSsInGs*

I realize I complain a lot

that sometimes I'm negative

that you all have to listen to me whine

but I also realize that we live life once

that being positive makes life better

and that I have a lot of blessings.

Some look at the glass half empty, others half full...and then there's the ones who are just grateful for the glass :)

• my family
• the gospel
• my house
• my clothes
• my friends
• school
• my shoes
• a car
• dance
• the sun
• beautiful sunsets
• gorgeous sunrises
• daylight savings
• seminary
• the scriptures
• prayer
• church
• people at church
• this computer
• the internet
• paper
• homework (believe it or not)
• food
• people who smile in the halls
• friends who give me hugs
• a very special friend who brings me hot chocolate :)
• the sound crunching leaves make
• people who give compliments
• my mom and dad encouraging me to get good grades
• my little brother who makes me laugh
• inspirational quotes
• music
• the temple
• cell phones
• holidays to look forward to
• a warm house
• the piano
• hymns
• post-it notes (they help me more than you could imagine)
• sleep
• I'm grateful for you... no matter who you are I know you have impacted my life, whether big or small, and I appreciate that. 
• and I'm sure I could continue this list...but for times sake I won't :) 

Small Joys

A text from "that one"

A hug in the hall

A smile from an old friend

A compliment from an unexpantant personage

A taco tuesday trip

A good score on a test

A walk with the cutest little brother

A positive attitude and

A optimistic outlook on life...

I've come to realize in my past bi-polar days that's it TOTALLY up to yourself to make life worth while It's no one else fault other than your own if you have a bad day. Now I completely undersand there's hard things in life and things that get all of us down, but when you look and recognize the small happy things in life you can't help but light up with joy. I have no real reason to be particualarly happy on this day. I mean I took 3 tests and have a ton of homework with a crazy busy life but I love it 'cause there's all those tiny moments of pure glee that I can hold onto through out my days that fill my soul with happiness.  

Life...

Today I feel like i have felt nearly every emotion possible:
excitment and worry
stress and relief
happy and sad
spaztic and lazy
love and hate...well more just strongly dislike (hate's a strong word)
fun and kill-me-now
and yeah you get the point :)

Have you ever experienced a day like that? Kinda crazy.
So part of this mixed emotional day would be thanks to this silly little thing called drama. I hoped it would go away in high school but i was SO wrong. And then of course there's also wonderful things, like a spiritual day at seminary, and friends who help you with homework and a cute little brother.
And i must say that i so very much appreciate my friends that listen to all my crazy stories about life

He and Me... family, love, and friends

He would be 5,

I'm 15,

He's learning to ride his bike,

while I learn to drive a car,

It's his first days of kindergarten,

 and mine are in high school,

Although we are so far apart we're growing together

and I love him so much cuz He's my little brother

Love...

It's all in this song

"A Drop in the Ocean" by Ron Pope

I'm determined to learn it on the piano... it's my favorite

Friends...

Have you ever had those unexpected people come into you're life that you become best friends with and look forward to seeing EVERYDAY! well it's happened to me...and it's great, and yeah most of them would be boys :) and then when you don't see them for like two days you feel deprived, that's kinda how i feel but hopefully that will be fixed soon.

Love you!

Love,

   Blondie