One year older and wiser too?

Ahh the time has finally come. I am now 17 years old. I'm happy to realize that even though i'm older it's still so much fun acting like a two year old. My birthday was spent getting spanked way to many times (don't worry my butt still hurts.) getting sung to by cute orem boys at xc pratice :) and getting to run hills my favorite!! after practice i went to seven peaks with Bre and Ashley, having the best time going around the lazy river 20 times just to look at the attractive lifeguard. Also getting to see our girls coach melanie, no worries we recognized her by her taped arches. And getting to go down the new slides. Afterwords we saw baby mama and almost exploded with all the candy we ate. Yummy! over all it was a day well spent. :) hopefully the rest of my 17th year can be this great!

Flashback in time

This week has been so incredible. The experiences and feeling have one of a kind. I had the opportunity to go back in time and become a pioneer, trekking to Utah from across the country. The only supplies we were allowed to take were the ones we would be pulling by handcart with our "family" (we cheated a bit, a car took our tents and sleeping bags). Like the pioneers of old the only reason i went was because God told me (and them) too. So there i was, up in who knows where, separated from most of my friends. Thinking why the heck did i agree to go on trek. But then you start pulling up a hill, once you get up to the top, you see a gorgeous landscape in front of you, with rolling hills that never end. Suddenly I saw utah the way the pioneers saw it. I know why heavenly father chose this place for them. It's so amazing so see a little lake on your left, then when you look to your right you see something entirely different a mountain adventure waiting to happen. At that moment I knew trek was going to be a wonderful learning experience for me.
Being able to pull a handcart 30 miles along the diverse terrain was suprisingly harder than i thought it would be. But the hardest part of the entire trip was when all the boys in my family had to leave, symbolizing the mormon battalion leaving their families behind. Then, with just 5 girls we had to pull/push a handcart up a half mile steep hill. It was quite the daunting task in front of us. Before we started though all the girls got together and said a prayer, asking God to give us strength to get up the hill. The most amazing thing happened. There was so many moments when the handcart felt like it was going to fall down the hill, but it suddenly felt like someone was there next to us and gave it a push. Even just recreating what the pioneers went through, also gave us a chance to witness miracles that they had too. People who were sick magically got better, and one leader broke her toe but somehow the next day it was fine. I'm so glad that i could go spend time with my bestest friend and share her birthday with her. Ha. It was so much fun and I was able to get to know the members in my ward so well. They are all so incredible and we partied all time! i bet that's how the pioneers felt when they were bonding crossing the planes with their company.

Big brothers, ya got to love them :)

So i only get to talk to my brother once a week because he's on his mission. On monday's he gets to email all his family, usually i get his emails early in the morning. So i was telling him how freaken nervous i was for xc and i just wanted everything to be perfect. This was his reply. Isn't he the sweetest? ha

Here is your big brother advice, hopefully it motivates you. I thought about writing in all caps so it was like I was yelling, but that would just be annoying. I will start with a poem I wrote...(its actually by walter d wingle if you want to look it up)

If you think you are beaten you are;

if you think you dare not, you don't;

if you like to win, but think you can't,

its almost a cinch you won't.

If you think you'll lose, you're lost.

For out in the world we find,

Success begins with the fellow's will,

It's all in the sate of mind.

If you think you are outclassed you are;

you've got to think high to rise,

You've got to be sure of yourself before,

You can ever win the prize.

Life's battles don't always go

To the stronger or faster man;

But sooner or later the man who wins,

is the man who thinks he can!

So think HIGH!!! Find that inner will, the drive that you have always had. It doesn't matter where you start, it matters where you finish. So start where you are and work towards your goal. You are a state champion, you just haven't figured it out yet. Make the choice to be a State Champion now, and then force the circumstances to yield to your will. Time for another poem

When things go wrong as they sometimes will,

when the road you're trudging seems all uphill.

When the funds are low and the debts are high

when you want to smile but you have to sigh.

When care is pressing, you're down a bit,

rest if you must, but don't you quit!

Life is queer, with its twists and turns,

as every one of us sometimes learns,

and many a failure turns about,

When he might have won had he not struck out!

Don't give up though the pace seems slow,

You may succeed with another blow.

Success is failure turned inside out

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt

And you never can tell how close you are

IT may be near when it seems afar

So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit

It's when things seem worst that you musn't quit!

So just keep doing you best! Its the accumulation of training, of trying harder every day, that makes someone successful. Not one day. So don't worry if you have a bad day.

The average runner sprints

until the breath in him is gone

but the champion has the iron will

that makes him carry on

For rest the average runner begs,

when limp his muscles grow

but the champion runs on leaden legs

His spirit makes him go

The average man's complacent

when he does his best to score;

but the champion does his best

and then he does a little more!

Now with all that said, I am going to quote the prophet Lehi when he told Laman and Lemuel "Oh be wise! what can I say more?" Don't be stupid. Success takes true commitment. Its the commitment in all things, little and big, that make someone successful. You have already shown commitment to the big things, so now just do the little things. Eat right, stretch, ice, wear good shoes, build your miles properly. You have to have enough confidence in yourself and in your training program that you can overcome the little bumps in the road. I remember indoor track my senior year, I had trained too hard that winter, and by indoor state championships I couldn't even run a warm up without tons of Bio freeze and iboprofen. But then I remembered that my goal was to win outdoor state, not any other meets, not win in practice, win STATE. And so I did what I had to do. I would run as much as I could without hurting my self, and then I would go to the rec center and do water work outs. Jody didn't like it, the other guys didn't always like it, but I did what I knew I needed to do. So that is my advice to you. You know your body better than Jody, Steve, mom or dad. If your body says don't run, then don't run. But find something you can do to truly push yourself so that your championship will stays strong.

Anyways I hope that something in there helped you, remember that I love you, and that I already know that you are a State Champion, even if you don't know it yet. And most importantly, remember that you have a father in Heaven who loves you and knows what is best for you. And if you go to Him he will consecrate all things for your gain. You can find the most comfort, trust, love, support and motivation in the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Even for running. He suffered everything. He knows what it is like to be injured, to have it hurt to run. He knows what it's like to taste disappointment. He knows what it's like to give your best and still come up short. He knows it all. He suffered through every single thing you have suffered, and HE, much more than me, can give you the big brother advice you need. He is cheering for you, and He wants you to do your best! Remember I love you, and remember to have fun!

If you aren't having fun you are doing something wrong!

Liebe

Andrew

Strawberry days

Well i finally made it back. Home sweet home, no time to rest though. With only 66 more days of summer one can not afford to take a break. So i spent the night with my besties soaking in the splendid smells and poop (personally i think it was just dirt, but who can be sure) at Strawberry days in pleasant grove. This was the 90th year that they have done strawberry days and i am appalled that i have never gone before. It's like being in idaho or montana, where cowboys roam free, and it's not out of the ordinary seeing a dozen or so horses all at the same spot. Going to things like this make me wish my life sort of was like the hannah montana movie. Growing up in a small town where everyone knows everything about everyone, and your backyard is an adventure to play in, you can find something new there everyday. What would it be like to grow up like that? well go to the rodeo and you might just get a glimpse of what you are missing out on.

Swimming

As the days get hotter, only one thing is certain. It's time to swim!! It's a guaranty way to beat the heat. There is no better way to spend summer days then lounging about at a pool, getting tan and perhaps participating in a water fight of sorts. Yes, i think i have officially transitioned from dreary school days to lazy summer nights. Look no further for an exciting day of summer than the closest pool. Fun times await, see you there!

Snow

When i hear the word snow i start to shudder and dream of days when i can lay out in the sun. It's summer now and any thoughts of snow should be banished with the past memory of February right? wrong. I am now spending the week up in the canyons where 10 feet of snow in the middle of summer is entirely custom, not out of the ordinary of all! ahhh i could die. This is like a never ending nightmare, to make things worse the snow isn't even good packing snow. It's disgusting and icy. ugh. yuck. My hate of snow has increased with the following event of the day, Riker and I were walking on snow (shudder) to get to the park, but the snow isn't exactly stable and after several turns of falling in knee deep into this white, freezing, disgusting stuff Riker had the brilliant idea to just think light thoughts and sprint as fast as we can. He made it through no problem, but I ran into a bit of a problem. I was thinking as light as i could and made it almost half way across, when, sadly I sunk into the snow thus cutting my leg up. Riker had no pity on me :( now i'm stuck with a terrible cut up leg and my hate for snow has increased. Hopefully i'll survive the week and when i get back all thoughts of snow can be hidden away until november. :)

girls night!

Today is the first day up here at snowbird. Both my dad and Riker were busy today so they're coming up tomorrow. So it's just me and my mom up here. We've spent the entire time having a gilmore girls marathon. It's official, i love it!!! Gilmore girls is my favorite show now. Ha. i've enjoyed just chillin and pigging out on junk food and making myself sick by drinking way to much sunny d. gawl, that stuff is good. I'm turning into a big fat marshmallow, good thing i'm going to exercise tomorrow.... hopefully. ha we'll see how well that plan goes.

hannah montana

Don't worry. Only slightly obsessed. But truth be told, hannah is my hero. She taught me well. Best songs: The Climb I can almost see it that dream I am dreaming but there's a voice inside my head saying "You'll never reach it" Every step I'm taking every move I make feels lost with no direction

My faith is shaking but I gotta keep trying gotta keep my head held high

There's always gonna be another mountain I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose ain't about how fast I get there ain't about what's waiting on the other side it's the climb

The struggles I'm facing the chances I'm taking sometimes might knock me down
But no, I'm not breaking I may not know it but these are the moments that I'm gonna remember most, yeah Just gotta keep going

And I, I got to be strong
Just keep pushing on 'Cause there's always gonna be another mountain I'm always gonna wanna make it move always gonna be a uphill battle sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there ain't about what's waiting on the other side it's the climb, yeah!

There's always gonna be another mountain i'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle somebody's gonna have to lose ain't about how fast I get there ain't about what's waiting on the other side it's the climb, yeah!

Keep on moving, keep climbing keep the faith, baby it's all about, it's all about the climb
Keep the faith, keep your faith, whoa

this song no joke inspires me. Whenever i hear it i think of that day we ran squaw peak for cross country and JaNae was running with me the entire time. I don't think i've ever been in so much pain. it was one of the hardest things i've ever done. and right when i was ready to give up, slow down and just let janae beat me, she turned to me and said, "this whole thing reminds me of the song The Climb. it makes sense right?" Just thinking of these lyrics changed my entire thinking. I kept trying and made it up that beast of a hill. Good old hannah montana. Wherever I Go Lyrics Here we are now everything is about to change we face tomorrow as we say goodbye to yesterday a chapter ending but the stories only just begun a page is turning for everyone So I’m moving on letting go holding on to tomorrow i’ve always got the memories while I’m finding out who I’m gonna be we might be apart but I hope you always know you’ll be with me wherever I go wherever I go So excited I can barely even catch my breath we have each other to lean on for the road ahead this happy ending is the start of all our dreams and I know your heart is with me

So I’m moving on letting go holding on to tomorrow i’ve always got the memories while I’m finding out who I’m gonna be we might be apart but I hope you always know you’ll be with me wherever I go

Its time to show the world we’ve got something to say a song to sing out loud we’ll never fade away i know I’ll miss you but we’ll meet again someday we’ll never fade away

So I’m moving on holding on to tomorrow i've always got the memories while I’m finding out who I’m gonna be we might be apart but I hope you always know you’ll be with me wherever I go so I’m moving on letting go holding on to tomorrow I’ve always got the memories while I’m finding out who I’m gonna be we might be apart but I hope you always know you’ll be with me wherever I go Wherever, Wherever I go

Ahhh. this song. love it. :) end of story.

As one adventure ends....

....another one begins. I just finished my 3 day babysitting gig. Wow, i'm so glad it's over! but even now there's no time for relaxation. A vacation starts tomorrow. To snowbird we go! My family goes up to snowbird every year for a week during the summer. But this year it will be much different before. Mainly, because Andrew is gone. It's nice having more than just 2 kids around. Then when two of them disagree there's a mediator there. But now, no mediator. Hmm.... we'll see how well this goes. goodness, what happened to summer being a time for rest and relaxation? i feel like i'm more busy now that school is over. I miss summer days when all that was on the agenda for the day was to lay out and get a tan. Good times. Ack. I smell like dog. Time to take a shower :(

day 2

Today is day 2 of babysitting my two little cousins. My aunt and uncle went on a trip for 3 days and decided to leave me in charge of their children, dog, and house. Holy cow. Now i know how those girls on 16 and pregnant feel like. Child rearing is tough stuff. I never even imagined it would be this hard. Like babysitting is easy, but being the one to make sure the baby doesn't stop breathing at night and making sure you're awake when she cries. It's so hard. I must have woken up about a billion times last night thinking that my baby cousin was awake when psych. She's not. Besides that it's just hard to keep two children happy at the same time! I lose track of who is where and what they are doing. Ahhhh. Lesson learned. I'm not having children for a VERY long time. Now hopefully i just survive the next day. It's still worth it. Aren't they cute? :)

Pass of all Passes

Yup, i have bought the pass of all passes. next stop seven peaks, trafalga, or perhaps an owls game. this summer is gonna be great.

Running, i'm just a little obsessed

I'm so excited to see all of these girls again! i love being around them!

Hopefully we can repeat region champs this year!

These girls are my favorite! i love every single one of them!

The whole team from last year

With cross country starting soon i can't be blamed that lately my thoughts have been turning to running. I start to wonder what adventures this season will bring. If it's one thing i've learned it's that every season is so much different than the ones before. With it being my senior year i want to make it the best cross country season ever. it's important to me to have no regrets this season. I want to stay positive no matter what, even when i'm having a bad day. It's important to me to really appreciate this season for all of it's wonderfulness. I'm sure it's going to be so much fun. But what i'm really excited for is seeing all these girls again! It feels like ages since i've seen them. I love every single one of them. It makes me so happy just being around them. They have such wonderful personalities and are so nice to everyone. Each one of them has helped me so much in me life. I know that they have my back no matter what. They are all so selfless and always think of others. It's amazing to watch them as we go on runs and such. They're always encouraging everyone, even when we're all gasping for breath. I'm gonna be so sad when i graduate next year. I have no idea what i'll do without these girls! They have helped my so much. My life truly has been better because of them.

Come unto him.

Today was stake conference, i don't know if it was just that i was fasting, or that i got to sleep in a bit, but i really learned a lot and it felt as if the talks were specifically meant for me. One talk in particular was given by my stake president. He talked about his granddaughters performing a dance recital. He told us how proud he was of them, and he realized that Heavenly Father is proud of them for developing their talents. At that moment the thought hit me that Heavenly Father is proud of me for trying to develop my talents, especially with running. I never had thought of it that way before, that even though sometimes it's hard to be proud of how well you did something, say a test in school, or a sports game, he's proud of us just for trying. I really needed to hear that. This summer i'm going to try much harder to read my scriptures everyday and hopefully finish the book of mormon, i'm also going to try and read all the talks from general conference. I've learned that i can rely on my savior no matter what and i want to develop and strengthen my testimony even more. The gospel has been such a blessing in my life. I'm so grateful that i have a heavenly father that loves me and cares for me.

Got prom?

So today i received (finally) my PROM pictures! Prom was full of every emotion you could think of. There were good times, bad times, and some down-right scarring times. but overall it's a time that i will never forget, after all it is the most important dance of the year. Now here are some pictures just for your enjoyment :)

Suprise! i'm a senior!

This blog is to document all the crazy adventures that happen while trying to make my senior year summer unforgettable!