The Quote of the Week :)

So, I'm sorry I havent been posting, busy busy times these are :)

I have a book, its called "A Young Women's Quote Book"

It's a pretty great book, one that all young women would benefit having. One of the quotes that stuck out to me this week was,

"Those who stand for nothing, fall for anything"

I pretty much love this quote. I have it written on my mirror to remind me every morning and I think about it through out the day to remind myself of who I am and what I should be doing. It's so important in these years to stand up for what I believe in because others may not. Also, I am representing a large group of people (LDS). Plus, I've not stood up for what I believe in before and I promise you, I feel it...the guilt and sorrow really kills.

I also need to discover now what I believe in and how to stand up for my values. I dont want to be a person who goes with the flow and floats through what they want. As I stand up for what I believe in I will not fall for wordly things and the way satan is trying to sway me. I dont want to be a person who doesnt have the courage to stand up for what they believe in and falls for anything someone suggests.

I challenge you all to make a change this week. Look for an opportunity to stand up for what you believe in. Whether its defending your family, helping someone who is lonely, or finding a missionary experience, we all can do this. As we each take another step towards being better in this area, it will become easier and more natural. People will look to you as a role model.

And remember, pray for help, dont do it alone!

Lists :)

1. Personal Progress should be done in TWO WEEKS :)
2. I'm in Peter Pan, the play our school is doing this year. I'm also helping with sets and publicity.
3. We are moving...in three days that stress should be over.
4. I'm starting a singing service thing. I dont know how to explain it.
5. I'm finishing the Book of Mormon and D&C by Christmas.
6. I'm meeting some pretty AWESOME people :).
7. I LOVE MY SEMINARY CLASS!!!!
8. I have a lot of "play dates" set up. YIPEE!!
9. Going to football games, yay that the season has started!!!
10. I'm changing myself for the better!

Ahh, life is good :). Keeping busy is really good! And I'm so glad that I have some people in my life right now....now I just have to let them know in a non-stalker like way how much they mean to me...since they probably only know my name ;).
Unexpected, hard things came up, but so much is out there to be grateful for!

Quote from Bono (U2)

"At 16 you think you can take on the world...and sometimes, you are right!"

I love this quote! I think I'll try and remember this when I feel down....I've got just as much potential as anyone and I can start ANY time I want to, just because I'm a teenager doesnt mean I have to be held back!

Piano

Yesterday I was so mad at the piano! I couldn't get anything done it seemed, and I was playing horribly...this was the end point of a long tedious summer of playing the same old songs and not being able to play new ones. I was so frustrated I thought, this is the end....I dont want to try playing piano anymore. Then I had quick inspiration that I was so grateful for. I was reminded how fortunate I am to have my piano talent, Heavenly help was definitely behind it. I've only been playing for 2 1/2 years and I can play plenty of hymns and the Phantom of the Opera. Everything I know, I basically taught myself. I was so grateful and felt so blessed that I was able to remember that and how lucky I was I didnt quit, that decision would have changed my life.
Today, I had a great time sitting at the piano making up songs. When no one is home, I love to sit down and pound away. I came up with a pretty song, it reminds me of the spring when the earth is coming back to life. I doubt tomorrow I'll remember it, but I played a bunch of variations of it today! The feel of piano keys on my fingers was wonderful and the energy that feels my spirit is unreal. I think playing piano like that is what I imagine drug users get from their high, pounding away is my addiction.
I cant wait until more time is between the starting point and where I am, so my talent is more fully developed. I've got a long line of players ahead of me, and I hope one day I can be half of what they were, because they are all amazing! I'm lucky I have many I can ask questions and get support from, because piano is hard.
But for me, piano is so worth it!

More Happenings

Well, I know I promised you I was getting back to posting...life has just been so busy!

• I went to youth conference and had an amazing time! We went to raging waters the first day and had a blast. The next day we went to Welfare Square, The Humanitarian Center, the Conference Center and around Temple Square (all of those places I learned a ton about the church, what a neat opportunity!) The last day we went to the cemetery and had a long fun ride home. The car rides were the best!! What a fun group of girls.
• I also started school. Yuck Yuck Yuck. I suppose I'll survive this year, but things are changing, and I just dont want to go through the motions of this current high school. I got my pictures done....what a lot of pressure! 20 years from now my friend's kids will look at those, you've gotta look good! I was wearing an orange shirt and lots of blush cuz pictures usually make me look very white....well, my picture looks orange. Oh well! Its probably one of the cutest of my entire education life. I dont take well to those awkward pictures.
• I dont know why I made a bulleted list, that's all I really have to say!
  Hasta la vista!

Adios

Well, yesterday was a very sad day.

We woke up at 4:30, hopped in the truck at 5:15 and drove within miles of Texas to take my cousins halfway home. The drive, although I was exhausted from 5 hours of sleep, just felt like a normal Sunday drive, I didnt get "jet lag" or anything. Just felt natural....weird.

Up until 2 weeks ago I didnt even know my cousins existed, now it's going to be so sad not to talk to them! At the beginning they annoyed the heck out of me, now they're like my brothers.

It was worth the 15 hour drive to go down and drop them off but gosh was it hard to not cry as we drove away. Hopefully I can come back in December when they're visiting, otherwise it may be a long time before I ever even talk to them again!

What fun memories that were created this summer!

:)

Kaitlyn, Mike, and Little Jo

15, 15, and just about 14

Ready For IMAGE OVERLOAD?!

What I've been doing this SUMMER!

Climbing up waterfalls....in flip flops

Looking at rivers.
Going on walks on fast roads.



Seeing Ted Pass Out
Looking at funny signs. (Mother Kluckers)
Observing what God created for me
Hanging out with monkeys

Climbing up steep mountain paths

Dealin' with Texans

Having fun in antique shops.

Looking at the beautiful sky.

Taking pictures of water

Looking at old mines

Looking down at home sweet home for the summer

Still with me?!