Making Kodak Moments

Life is about experiences. Life is nothing without doing amazing things and creating memories. Lately I have really been wanting to play tennis, since I haven't played in so long, and it reminded me of one of my favorite days. I don't remember how old I was, maybe 14 or so. My sister Brittany was about 16 I guess. We really wanted to play tennis but it was pouring rain. So we did what any teenagers would do. We found some of our crappiest tennis balls, grabbed our rackets, and went to the tennis court anyway. I don't think I have ever had more fun playing tennis than I did that day with Britt in the pouring rain. In fact, I have a lot of really good memories of playing tennis with Britt.

I remember one time when I was about 16 or something, it was really late at night. It had been snowing for a long time but it had finally stopped. My sisters and I decided to walk to Nielsen's Grove park in Orem, which was about a five minute walk from our house. When we got there, the entire park was covered in deep, untouched snow. Needless to say, it didn't stay that way for very long. We played in the snow until we couldn't feel anything anymore and then trudged back home. I loved that night. 

I guess what I'm learning from all these memories that are coming back to me is that my sisters are awesome and I should hang out with them more, even if they are old and married now lol. 

Amy, Leann, Me

Brittany, Me

Tara, Me

Me, Tara, Amy

Cat, Me

 

 Very crappy picture of me and Cat

 

Sadly, I don't have any pictures of me and Holly but she is hilarious. Don't think I forgot about her.

Anyways, enjoy

Freedom Isn't Free

Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Today is also the day that my best friend was deployed to Afghanistan. He will be in Texas for a little bit at first but then be flown over to Afghanistan. Dealing with this is possibly one of the hardest things I have had to deal with. There is a chance he many not come home alive. There is a chance he may not come back in one piece. There is a chance that he will be psychologically traumatized by what goes on over there. You never know. 

I was lucky enough to be born an American, where I have freedoms, rights, and opportunities. I think a lot of times we take our blessings for granted. I know I do sometimes. Our rights and freedoms did not come for free. Millions of people throughout history have fought for freedom and given their lives for it, like Martin Luther King Jr. I have been feeling very grateful today for all the people who have made my freedoms possible, and it really opened my eyes to how ridiculous we can be sometimes. People at work today were more concerned about getting a good deal on a snowboard instead of realizing that there are more important things to be worried about, and definitely more important things to get upset about than me not accepting a coupon that expired over a month ago. 

I wish it would be easier to encourage people to open their eyes and realize all the wonderful things they have in their lives. Yeah, nobody's life is perfect, but if it was there would be no room for growth. We go through trials for a reason. We are obviously supposed to learn from every moment in our lives, especially the bad times. It helps make us stronger as people. I know having my best friend in Afghanistan for a year is going to be tough, but I know we will both be stronger people because of it. I can only hope and pray that God will protect him and if it is his will, that my friend will return home safely. And I really hope that he does.

Moms are Great

This is me and my mom at my high school graduation

 

Isn't she a babe? I think so. I think my mom is great. She is possibly the most amazing woman I know. She is a single mom who, while going to school full time, was working a full time graveyard shift at the hospital, and taking care of 7 children. Now she is graduated and working as an accountant and continues to be a stellar mom in my opinion. 

My mom is always there for me. Anytime I am sad, frustrated, mad, happy, or anything she is there to listen to me and give me the best advice when I need it. Prime example was last night when I really needed some advice and had nobody else to talk to, my mom talked to me for at least an hour and was completely supportive and gave me perfect advice. I don't know what I would do without her. 

My mom is an amazing, gorgeous, talented, sweet, spiritual, loving, fun person and I am very lucky to have her as my mom.