Rock Climbing

Because we had a day off of school today for "4th Quarter Break", a few of my friends asked me to go rock climbing with them. Kendall Wilkey, Taylor Anderson, and Dylan Cafferty took me for my first time to go rock climbing! We started out small with just a 30 footer and then they convinced me to do a harder one that was at least 40 feet tall! It was a fantastic adventure that lasted all afternoon! Unfortunately I was incredibly sore for softball practice. And I still hurt very badly!!! ha ha my arms hurt so bad I couldn't lift my blanket up... and my legs hurt because I had to run in practice... Oh man, rock climbing takes a lot more work than I thought it would!!! But it was so much fun!!! I truly had a blast!!!

One Chance

I took a deep breath and walked onto the stage. My steps were steady and I concentrated on that one movement. One foot up, forward, down. Over and over I walked until I reached my seat on the broad stage. I hadn’t tripped on my way on, no thanks to the floor-length black formal or the high-heels my sisters had talked me in to buying. My flute was held delicately in my right hand and I sat slowly upon the plush red velvet chair. I knew the hundreds of people were here to experience my elegant sound along with that of the small ensemble filling chairs around me. A few short hours ago I felt like I had practiced so much I could play the songs in my sleep, but now I was wishing I had practiced more. A chair scraped slightly, startling me out of my reverie and I looked at the crowd. The lights on the stage made it impossible to make out anything except knowing people were watching, waiting, and most of all expecting great things. The conductor walked onto the stage amidst clapping, he took a bow, turned, and stepped on the podium. I immediately lifted my flute to my lips and they curved naturally on the cool metal. Our maestro lifted the wood baton, gave a short up beat and immediately started into the swift song. The music was flowing through the hall as if on a river of wind, but it gently swayed through the crowd until they were enraptured by the sound. I stood at my solo and blew with all the beauty and elegance I possessed in my being and played my heart out until the audience, and even I, was taken up by the sway of the song. Before I knew it, the performance was over and the roar of the applause was deafening. It was a miraculous performance.

PREFERENCE!

Last Saturday was my school's preference, unfortunately when I asked Corey Kimzy to go with me, I was unaware of my softball tournament that day. Luckily for me, Corey had a track meet, so I didn't let him down! ;) Well, we still went to dinner, got pictures done, and went to the dance. I was so sunburned that my red dress blended in with my skin!!! It was way fun, though, and I wouldn't trade it for anything! Even if we were a little crazy after the dance due to lack of sleep and way too much time in the sun! Tia was the only one around to do my hair, and she did fabulously!!! It looked great!!! :) She was so fantastic! I will get pictures up as soon as possible!! :) I promise! :)

Jr. Prom

In January I had the opportunity to go to Jr. Prom with a really nice guy named Ryan Kelly. I had a blast!!!! :) For the day date, we went and played tag in Walmart, then went to another girl in my groups house to watch a movie. After that we went on a picture scavenger hunt that ranged from taking proposal pictures with the temple in the background to most interesting barber pole pictures. It was so much fun!!! After we got done with the scavenger hunt I returned home to let Jessica and Jocee beautify me! I really needed their help to look good ;) They did really well with making me look gorgeous!! So, here is my public thanks for Jessica and Jocee for making me gorgeous, and Jordanne for having a fantastic dress!! :) Thanks Everyone!!!! I love you all!!! :)

Beaver

This past week I got the opportunity to drive up to Beaver to spend a few days with Jocee. It was so much fun!!! I also had some interesting experiences while I was up there. I had my first opportunity to drive in the snow, as well as got hit with snow from a passing snow plow.
I went up on Monday afternoon and stayed until yesterday afternoon. During my stay, I got to go sledding, watch my niece and nephew, and watch "Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure"(which was a very cute movie) :) I really enjoyed going sledding with Brejden and Mily, but it was a little cold and our adventure was cut short when Mily informed me "I haf to go potty." I ran her and Brejden to the car as fast as I could, buckled them in, and drove as quickly as I dared in the snow. When we got back to Jocee's, she said "I don't hafta go anymore, Aunt Jill." little did I realize that she had gone in her underwear...but Jocee found out and sent both her and Brejden to take a shower. It was freezing cold up in the snow, but very fun! :)
On the Tuesday I was there, Jocee had to take Cartr to the doctor to get him circumcised. The doctor was in Cedar, so I got to watch her kids. When they woke up from their naps I played Candy Land with them, then a few other games. After a little while we decided to watch a movie and that was when I saw "Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure". A very cute movie :) I really enjoyed it :) Jocee brought home some pizza and we ate that for dinner.
On Wednesday it snowed all day. We went to a friend of Jocee's just to visit and hang out, and I got to see their beautiful horses :) It was a lot of fun visiting with them and seeing Shiloh again (who went with us to the Taylor Swift concert last May). When we were leaving, Jocee had already climbed into the car, and the two boys were all buckled in. I was doing Mily's buckle up when all of the sudden a loud car was coming down the road. I didn't think anything else of it, but then it passed. It was a snow-plow and I got a back full of snow as well as a lot in the car itself. Mily was complaining because she got a little wet too. It was really funny though, and makes for a great story! :)

Giving Thanks

This past Thanksgiving gave me a lot to think about. There are so many things we each have to be thankful for. We have friends, family, and just so much for. I'm grateful for so much, like time. We all have the same amount of time, even if we don't necessarily use it wisely. We have enough time to play and to work, to sing and dance, and to learn and sleep.
I am very grateful for my family, especially to get to know the new, wonderful people that are my step-family! I get to learn and grow from these great people, and hopefully help each of them to learn and grow. I'm also glad I got a chance to grow closer to each of my sisters (including Rachel!). I am happy to say that the members of my family are my best friends!
I'm grateful to my friends and for the examples they are to me. They help to stay on the right path in so many ways! They keep me going through the hard times, and help me not go too crazy during the good.
I am glad I have so much time to do the things I want to do, and to do the things I need to do. I know the importance of working hard, and of playing hard.
I'm grateful for beautiful music. I can perform on the piano, and on the alto saxophone. These are blessings to me, and a relaxation tool. Hearing the music makes me relax, and knowing I've done it brings this amazing feeling of pride, and awe. But more about that at a different time :)
And lastly, but certainly not the least important (it may even be the most important) I'm grateful for my daddy. He took the time to teach each of us such important things, like how to work hard. I know I complained a lot, but he was there to keep me going. He continually encourages me to do my best and to get the best possible education. But, with all this, he wants me to make my own decisions and to be able to take care of myself.

A Trip to the ER

Last night at about 8:15 I had a really bad headache. My dad told me I should take some Excederin because that usually helps his headaches go away faster. I did what he said but within 5 minutes I was really hot and swelling up with hives. It started in my head and worked down. After a while it started getting really hard for me to breathe. kinda scary in my opinion... after we got to the emergency room the wait was long. I was improving a little so dad wanted to just leave, but I was still bad enough he decided not to. I finally got admitted at about 9 but then another wait took a little while. Eventually I saw the doctor but by the time we left it was 9:30. We went to Harmon's and got 3 prescriptions filled and then just went home. Gotta love those trips to the ER. Not. :)