Finally, another update.

It's been a while since I've updated due to finals, dance, schedules and stuff. I finally got to do a group date that was awesome, although not what was expected. I made it through the semester, and now I'm a sophmore in college while being a junior in high school! Whoo! Exciting, eh? =] Mom says if I finish math, she'll graduate me. That would be cool to say. The Nutcracker is going well. Today my parents and the Millar's came. My parents liked it, and the Millar's said they enjoyed it. I'm glad they got to come.

I don't know how much I have to say, most of it is too jumbled. My mind is busy, though. That's for sure. Christmas looks sort of bleak, actually. But I'm sure it will be great, just as always. Meh, I guess I'm done. Not much to say without spilling a can of worms.

Thanksgiving 2009 and other stuff

Before I start talking about how much I love Thanksgiving (being my favorite holiday and all), I have to blog about the car wreck I was in on Wednesday.

I was riding home with Akisa and Kendall in Akisa's car with Akisa driving from The Nutcracker rehearsals. We were on the freeway going about 65 when the car in front of us slowed down WAY too fast, and Akisa couldn't slow down fast enough. We hit the car in front of us, who hit the car in front of it, and somewhere in there, we hit the car next to us. 4 cars were involved, 2 of them were totaled, Akisa's being one of them. No one was hurt that was involved in the accident. We think the person who caused the accident was drunk. But we don't know, because he ran off and didn't come back. It is such a huge blessing to not be hurt or dead, I am soooo grateful. Mom took me to the chiropractor for an emergency visit to fix my back and neck from whiplash. They hurt pretty bad at first, but after 11 hours of sleep on Thanksgiving night (AMAZING, eh?) I feel a lot better. We were even able to go camping like we planned! =D

So we (mom, Julianne, me, and the Sitze's: Sis Sitze, Timothy, Jeremy, Daniel) went camping for Thanksgiving. We got there at midnight Wednesday night. XD Not cool, but it was alright. It was cold this year, but not unbearable. I made sure to bring enough warm things. Paula was there. =D I've been camping with her every year since I was like....8, except for one year. I love her. <3>

Just kidding..... I forgot about the surprise visit I took to Dallas last weekend. Okay. So mom needed to go to Dallas to fix up some stuff and to get stuff for camping. I decided to go with her to help her, and so that I could go to the stake dance and see Dan Bergquist's homecoming talk. Mom and I got in Dallas in just enough time to get to the dance about 30 minutes late. (I wanted it like that. That way people were there when I walked in.) I heard Sis Swalberg say "Oh. My. Gosh!" when I walked in. She said that Zach had just been saying earlier that day that this would've been the first dance that I wouldn't be there for. She was so excited for her boys. Zach and Landon, and to my surprise, BURKE, were right by the door when I walked in. I wish I could've recorded their faces. It was priceless. I will never forget how they looked when they realized that I was there. Burke is my unofficially adopted little brother. It was his first dance, and at my old stake. =] It was the bomb-diggity, to say the least. I gave hugs to all of them, and was going to explain why I was there when a swing song came on, so I hurried to find Cristian.

I found Cristian near the dance floor looking for someone. I came around from behind, grabbed his hand, and pulled him onto the floor. He freaked out. Yeah, pretty much. He demanded to know what I was doing there, but I refused to tell him because right then we were swinging. He told me afterwards that he had just been wishing I was there so he had someone to dance with, and then I popped up! He as astonished. He says it's probably the best surprise he's ever had. I would probably have to agree with him. =P

The other person whose reaction is VERY much unforgettable, is Ashley Michelle. She wasn't there when I got there, and I saw her in the hall as she entered the dance. I went up to her with my arms out for a hug, and she screamed "WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!?!" very happily and grabbed onto me and wouldn't let go for a while. She was laughing, too. I think she was happy. haha I had told her a few days before that I wanted her to take her camera so she could take pictures of my friends, when really I was having her bring her camera so that we could take pictures of us and our friends. I was a very sneaky snook. hee hee.

I REALLY enjoyed my time with Zach, Landon and Burke. I danced with Landon 3 times, Zach and Burke twice each. I do believe I made those incredible young men very happy by being there. I loved being there for Burke's first dance. Neither of us knew that each other was going to be there. It was just epic. Better than the bomb-diggity.

Afterwards the Swalberg's, Burke, Paul, Jean, (Did I mention that she was uber happy I was there? I love hanging with Jean.) Cristian, and a few people that the Swalberg's brought with them to the dance, went to Braums to extend our visiting time and to get ice cream. I think there were like....6 guys all talking to me at one time. XD I'm loved, am I not? I feel very blessed to have such wonderful friends in Dallas.

The next morning I went to church and saw Dan give his talk. It was a very beautiful talk. =] Good job, Dan. I realized that day, sitting in my old ward's young women, that I missed my new ward. I love how the young women in my new ward actually like each other. I can feel their love. There's one girl in my ward that's in my seminary class, too. Her name is Kaely. I really miss her. I can't wait to see her in church tomorrow. Anyway, that's all for this blog. It turned out to be longer than I wanted. haha

November 18th, 2009

I keep waiting for some event to happen before I write a new post, but I couldn't think of anything that's coming up soon enough, so I'm just going to type what I'm thinking. Right now I'm thinking of one thing I'm thankful for every day until Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Reasons? Because it's in fall, which is my favorite season, it's in November, which is my favorite month, and I go camping every year and there's FOOD! Good food! I love me some good food. I love camping. It's the only time of year my family actually camps. Haha, I love how I can get dirty and I don't mind it, and how I cango right around the other way and enjoy doing my make-up, and wearing a pretty dress with high heels and my flashy purse.

College. Ugh.... I don't know why I'm taking the time to type this up. I have so much work to do before December 10th, it's ridiculous. But once the semester is over I have about a month of rest full of math (haha, rest. Funny story) before I go back to scool again. The only reason I tolerate this stress is because I know it's getting me ahead in school, which is great. But yeah, it's tough. Ballet Austin takes up a lot of my homework time every day.

Tasha Lea, bless her heart,is one of the most beautiful, obedient, faithful daughters of God I know. I so wish that we could spend some time in person. That would be a great blessing. She's moving to Colorado in the spring. I'm kind of jealous, as Colorado is GORGEOUS! And there, maybe possibly, I could visit her on my way to and from Utah. Who knows? She told me once that I'm going to be more involved in her wedding than just be invited. That excites me. I cannot wait to meet her husband. ^_^ He will be one spiritual giant to deserve a woman like Tasha. I am certain Tasha and I are friends for eternity. There's no way we could have a connection like ours and not be.

Living with the Sitze's is still hard. Sometimes I don't think I can stand it, but of course, I can. Just living right now is uncomfortable. Dallas doesn't feel like home anymore, but neither does here. I feel like I'm in a daze, and I'm just at a passover part of my life. Like, this is just an inbetween thing or something. I can't wait until I go to BYU. (If I get in, of course. That's my goal. ) Anyway......I think about Sean all the time, and pray for him, too. I'm trying to become the woman that will be the kind of wife that he deserves. I'm working hard for Sean. I love him. =]

On December 15th (now dubbed bomb-diggity day to the uber max) JESSE! is taking me to a concert. Brian'll be there with us, too. The concert will have some pretty good bands,but I am most excited about OWL CITY!!!! OMIGAWSH! I camnot wati! 27 days. The Fray will be there, too, and JESSE! really loves them. I enjoy their music, as well. Cannot wait. I LOVE OWL CITY! Adam Young is a musical genius. His music is so uplifting, happy, and wholesome. Definitely a tender mercy of the Lord. =D Anyway, that's all.

Happiness Is A Grateful Heart

This morning I went outside and sat on a bench, and said a prayer. I tried to make it a mostly grateful prayer. I think sometimes I am way too demanding of Heavenly Father and not grateful. In my prayer, I felt impressed to thank Him for my body. As a dancer, I use my body a LOT, and I need it in shape. I was really touched by the Spirit as I prayed and thanked God for my body. Having a body is the first step in becoming like Heavenly Father, which is my ultimate goal. I am so grateful for all of the wonderful things I can do with my body! I can dance beautifully with my body. =D I love my body.

Also, I'm doing great in Austin. I have friends here. I don't have a whole lot of time to do things with them because of how crazy life is when school and dance are coupled together. I miss my friends in Dallas, yes, but the homesickness is not as intense as it used to be. I don't think of Austin as "home" yet, and I don't think I ever will. Since I'm planning on leaving for college Fall of 2011, this feels like a stop in between homes. But I am enjoying it here. I love my studio, and how much better I'm getting. I love the young women in my ward, and the friends I'm making in my stake. Life is good. As Zach said, I was sent here for a reason. So I'll just keep being my positive self, and I'm sure I'll do some good while I'm learning from this experience.

Love Language

Today I figured out what my love language is. There are 5 of them: words of affirmation, physical touch, service, receiving/giving gifts, and quality time. My number 1 is quality time closely followed by words of affirmation. It was really hard for me to figure it out, because I'm sort of balanced. I've noticed this in the last few years. It's always hard for me to choose one thing or the other. I'm usually right in between. Sis Sitze (who is a quality time person) spent some time with me and helped me figure out what love language I speak.

I think it's important to know what love language I speak so that I know how I like to receive love. It's also very important to know what love language others speak so that when we want to show love, we can "speak" their language, as it were, and make love apparent. I want to make sure I understand this for when I'm married. Or really, in any relationship. I also want to make sure I know it for my children, because I want to make sure they know I love them.

A few things I've learned about myself in the past year or so: I like to receive gifts. =] Especially ones that took thought, planning, and time. When people ask me what I want, I lovingly tell them exactly what it is that I want from them. (See, that way I'm answering their question. Everyone likes to have their questions answered, right?)

I like for people to remember things that are important to me. i.e., my birthday, my favorite scripture story, what makes me happy. I like to remember people's birthdays. That probably goes back to liking when people remember mine. I just want people to know that I love them, and remembering them is one way that I show that. I like attention. I like to be the center of attention. Not usually of a big group. It's alright for me to be the center of attention of a big group. But usually, one-on-one is better. Like when a guy asks me to dance, and then doesn't look at me or talk to me, and I so ticked! Haha. I really like to be paid attention to. I like to do things that get me out of my comfort zone. I don't ever want to regret not taking a chance I could've taken, or wishing that I hadn't lived a certain way I did. I already have one big regret, and I don't want any more.

I like to work hard. Haha. Let me rephrase that. I like being able to say, at the end of the day, that I exhausted myself, and then go to sleep. I don't actually like sleeping, though. I just like to be rested. I like to spend time with my friends. That goes back to quality time, the number one way someone can show me that they love me. I like to have heart-to-hearts with people I love about spiritual things. I love getting different points of view.

I don't like to be criticized, but I like to know what to make better. I want to do what Pres Hinckley said, and always try to be better. I just don't like it when people tell me I'm doing something wrong. Well, to an extent. I like corrective criticism when I have the Holy Ghost and I can take it the right way. haha I like to talk to my mom. She is an amazing well of information and words of wisdom. She has lived through so much, and continues to grow right before my eyes.

I like good food. Haha. I like to be outside. I like jewelry, dressing up, and doing my hair. I like to get dirty, too. Hey, that goes back to being balanced, again. I like to take notes during things that make me learn (like EFY, EdWeek, General Conference) so that I can look back on those notes later and see things to pray for. I love Michael Buble's music with a passion, and Owl City music makes me happy almost as well as Michael's. =P I like the old style movies. The ones that are black and white, (color's good, too) with the singing and dancing and where women acted lady-like. Movies from the '40's. I like to be lady-like myself. I like young men to open my door for me. I like to give compliments and receive them. I like growing up, because the older I get the sooner the best part of eternity starts. =] I like writing in my journal. One of my most favorite feelings ever is the feel of the pages of a journal I wrote. I filled in all those pages with my story. It's a neat feeling. ^_^ And most of all, I love my Heavenly Father and my savior, Jesus Christ. I know that my life will continue to be blessed if I make them the center of my life, of all I do. I love living the gospel because I know that it brings true happiness and joy. And joy is what men and women are supposed to have. 2 Nephi 2:25. =] "Adam fell that men might be, and men are that they might have joy."

Things desired in Sean. =]

Just like my friend Tasha did, I'm going to put up things that I want in Sean, my future husband. =P It's kind of a long list, but I'm not expecting my Sean to have and be all of these when we get married. We're going to get all of these together. =] Some, of course, he has to have when we get married. Anyway, here they are:

-RM
-strong testimony
-active member of the church
-faithful priesthood holder
-puts the Lord first
-loves Heavenly Father and Christ
-hard worker
-intelligent
-my best friend
-faithful
-faithful to family
-makes me laugh
-loves to dance with me
-makes me feel beautiful and special, like a daughter of God
-gentlemanly
-musical/artistic
-wants to homeschool our children
-gentle
-unselfish/giving/serving
-optimistic
-patient
-kind
-confident
-wants to be like Christ
-brings out my best and vice versa
-I have to make him happy
-humble
-forgiving
-worthy Elder
-willing to engage in spiritual conversation
-gives me strength and comfort
-obedient
-attractive
-has the Holy Ghost with him
-respects boundaries
-enjoys outdoors
-has a good education

Okay, I know that is one heck of a list, but I'm shooting for the stars with help from Heavenly Father. And I know that I can't ask for anything I can't give, so I'm working on all these things myself. =] I love Sean already.

Building Character

Lately my throat has been really hurting me, and last night my mom finally figured out why. Allergies to the night air for one, but mostly it's because I have a candida infection. Candida is something everyone has, but starts killing immune systems and a lot of things we need when it's fed too much sugar, carbohydrates, processed foods, things like that. So......story in a nut shell, I'm slowly dying because candida is eating my insides out, and in order for me to make it go away I have to starve it. That mean I can't have yeast, most grains, fruits, any dairy, ummm.....pretty much anything except dark vegetables and some nuts. I think I can still eat rice. Just not a whole lot of it at a time.

Now that that's out, I'm going to tell you why my blog post is called "Building Character". I have a hard time controlling my food. I do. But with this, I'll sort of be forced to eat healthily and in moderate amounts. Really, this good be extremely beneficial to my dancing career. =] Yes, it'll be hard. When I go places, I won't be able to eat like, ANYTHING, but I'll be all right. I will be building character, and eventually my throat will stop hurting and I won't be as tired all the time. (those are symptoms of candida.) Anyway, that's all for this.

But in other news, Michael Buble is the biggest star on earth! Read this: http://gawker.com/5387012/how-did-michael-buble-become-the-biggest-star-on-earth

Yes, he's amazing. He should sing at my wedding. That'd be the greatest. ^_^

October 17th, 2009

On October 17th, 2009, I was in Dallas. Well, specifically, Cedar Hill, Dallas, McKinney, and Duncanville. But the Dallas area. I went up there for my friends baptism. (Kyla) That was the main reason why. But there was also a stake priest/laurel activity at the fair, and a dance that night with my old stake. The priest/laurel activity was a blast. I was happy it was at the fair, since I haven't gone yet this year 'cause we're in Austin. We split up in teams for a scavenger hunt. I had Zach, Moroni, Gavin, Carol, Beth, Jasmyn, Jacque and of course myself on my team. We went around finding things that started with each letter of the alphabet, and we got signatures and pictures. Lots and lots of pictures. Later, at the dance, I found out that my team won. Wicked awesome, eh? hee hee

Mom picked me up a little early from the activity because we had to get a move on to Kyla's baptism. I had clothes to change into so that I would be in appropriate dress. Cristian baptized her, which was super neat. ^_^ Mom and I sang a duet called "Have You Received His Image In Your Countenance?" Cristian said we did great, and I believe we helped bring the Spirit in. When Kyla was baptized, I was just about crying. I am so happy for this beautiful daughter of God to join Jesus Christ's church. Kyla deserves the blessings of the gospel. The Holy Ghost could be felt during her baptism. The whole program thing, really. When it was my turn to give the talk on the Holy Ghost, I said a silent prayer in my heart that I would have the Holy Ghost with me so that I could touch Kyla's heart on her special baptism day. During my talk, I started crying when I was talking about how the Holy Ghost brings peace and happiness. I saw that Kyla was touched, and her mom was crying. I finished my talk, and cried again when I bore my testimony. I really am grateful for Heavenly Father's gift of the Holy Ghost. I cannot imagine myself being myself (happy and confident) if I didn't have the Holy Ghost with me all the time. I really try to live worthily of it. After the baptism, we got some pictures. A lot of people complimented me on my talk and on the song mom and I sang. Like, a lot. I guess I did good. =] I gave Kyla a hug after the baptism was over, and we clung to each other and cried on each other's shoulders. I think Kyla must love me or something. =P Just kiddinggg. I know she does. And I love her back. She is very, very special to me. I'm so glad I was there.

After the baptism I went to the dance, which was the 2nd best dance I've ever been to in my life. The music selection was fabulous, almost everyone I wanted to be there was there, and a certain thing happened that made me smile. OH! They played Michael Buble's "Haven't Met You Yet." Wow. Amazing. =D But, yep. That's it. =]

On Contemplation

This morning in seminary we talked about avoiding pride. I thought it ironic that this morning I seemed to be kind of prideful when I answered questions. I wasn't very happy with myself. For the remaining ten minutes or so of seminary after I figured out that I wasn't being very Christ-like, I didn't answer any more questions. I just want to remember that I'm not better than anyone else. I regret to say that I have a big problem with that. I seem to forget that others are valued just as much as I am in God's eyes. Anyway....

I let Jeremy open my door out of the church, and my emo-ish friend, Violet, kind of freaked out and was like, "Be independent! Don't depend on males!" And I just didn't like it very much. Jeremy likes to open my doors. I like for guys to open my doors. So what's the big deal? I didn't respond very nicely to her freaking out, either. I wasn't proactive, I was reactive. If you've ever read "7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens", that will makes sense to you. I didn't respond charitably. I was disappointed in myself, to say the least. So I just left and started walking home without really saying bye to anyone.

On the way home, in about 20 seconds, my thought process went something like this: I was feeling ashamed of myself for acting so prideful and un-Christ-like, and I couldn't believe I would do that, and I expected better of myself and all that great stuff. Then I thought about how at least I recognized my flaws and faults, and that way I can improve on them. I also thought about how I really am a wonderful daughter of God with spiritual gifts and talents, and Heavenly Father recognizes them. He knows I'm not evil and malicious just because I reacted unkindly. I also thought about how my friend, Reed, told me that I'm able to see the silver lining in every cloud. That made me feel better. I certainly try to see the best of things. That also reminded me of a line from an Owl City song: "Every mushroom cloud has a silver lining." And so they do, we just have to look high enough to find them. And so, I am looking at the silver lining of this situation. I have recognized what I need to repent of, and now I right my wrongs, and replace those bad habits and un-Christ-like thoughts with better ones. =] How wonderful the atonement is, eh?

I told Jeremy all this on the way home from seminary, and he said, "WOW! All that in 20 seconds? Contemplative doesn't even begin to cover it!" I thought that was funny. How the differences between males and females make me laugh. Ahaha.

So, that's my little thought shpeel for today. Hope you enjoyed being inside my head for just a little while. =]

Week Update

I don't think I have one specific thing to say, but once I start typing down things that have happened and what I've felt, I'm sure I'll have a lot to say.

Living in Austin has its ups and its downs. I'm glad that I get to be near my dad, which is something that I needed. Our relationship is becoming better. But it's really hard to live with another family. The other day something happened that was just hard to handle. The way they operate their house is different from what I'm used to, the way they spend their time is different from what I'm used to. It's just plain hard sometimes. I've noticed that life right now is just not comfortable. At all. I'm tired all the time because of seminary, school, homework and dance. And of course that I'm not where "home" is in Dallas where I've lived my whole life practically, and I'm living with another family.

But hey! I've got lots of blessings. Don't think I'm ungrateful. If I hadn't moved to Austin, I wouldn't be at the wonderful studio I'm at. I wouldn't be in The Nutcracker as a rat. (which is a totally awesome part, by the way) If I hadn't move to Austin I wouldn't be near my dad. If I hadn't moved to Austin I wouldn't be as close to my mom and sister like I am. If I hadn't moved to Austin I wouldn't have ever felt the sadness that came with leaving my friends in Dallas. And with that sadness, I realized that the reason I cried over leaving them, was because I love them. So much. Specifically Zach and Landon. Man, Zach and Landon are just about the best young men I have the pleasure of calling my best friends. I cry about them all the time. Sometimes not even because I miss them. Just because I'm grateful for them and I love them so much. I know Heavenly Father loves me because he let me have Zach and Landon as best friends.They treat me like who I am, a beautiful daughter of God. So yes, I'm blessed, and in a way glad I moved to Austin. But I still have my home-sick moments.

I've been talking to Cristian on the phone a lot this week. I talked to him on the phone for about 2 hours on Thursday night. We just have so much to say. The day I moved, Cristian was volunteering at the zoo. He was in the middle of talking to a friend when he gasped, and his friend ( a girl, but I don't remember her name, so I'll call her "she") asked him what he gasped for. He said, "Audrey's moving today!" She asked who I was and he said that I'm like his best friend that he's only known for his whole life. A different time he was talking to her, and she asked if we would stop talking now that I've moved. Cristian just laughed. Then he said, "No, we'll probably talk more!" And more we do talk! Haha. We talked about boys for me, girls for him, next weekend when I get to go up to Dallas for Kyla's baptism, and whatever else might have come into our mind. Cristian makes me laugh. =] We're really close friends. Even when we're old, we'll be friends. Forever, I'm certain.

John Bytheway has talked about what kisses mean, and how they're sacred and such. How like...having an arm around someone means "I like you", holding hands means "I really like you", so that maybe kisses mean "I love you". I already love my future husband. I do. I really do. I pray to Heavenly Father a lot to bless my future husband (I'm going to call him Sean from now on. It's an Irish variation of "John" which means "God is gracious" or "gift from God." I think it'll work perfectly in referring to who I'll marry someday.) in whatever it is that he's doing. I hope Sean is out there somewhere living worthily of marrying me in a temple someday (because we WILL marry in a temple). I hope that Sean is working for the Lord every day. I try to. And I know I can't ask anything of my husband that I don't ask of myself. I pray for Heavenly Father to prepare Sean for me. And to prepare me or Sean. I want so badly to live with my Father in Heaven again, that me and Sean have got to work together towards the Celestial Kingdom. I want to be worthy of marrying a man that is one of God's chosen. I want the best of the best. That means that I have to be the best of the best, though. And I have to work on that. And I am. Anyway......the whole point of this is that I decided to not kiss anybody but "Sean". Because I love him. And my kisses mean that I love them. =]

I have to make a shout out now to a very, very special, beautiful daughter of God in my life. Tasha Lea, you are a shining beacon in a world full of sadness. You are the bright light and shining example to all who talk to you and they are lucky, so lucky to partake of your sweet spirit. I wish I could talk with you face to face and enjoy your spirit in person. You are an example even to me. You work hard, you love, and you love your Father in Heaven, everything that I strive to do. I love you.

Alrighty, that's pretty much a lot for now. XD I'll leave my entry at this, and hope that people read it. =P -Audrey Michelle

~There are shortcuts to happiness, and dancing is one of them.~

Ballet Austin

BIG NEWS! I auditioned for Ballet Austin, which is actually a company, but they have an academy for students, and I got into level 6 of 8! I'm super excited! Also, what's great about this studio is that I don't have to wait for the year to be over to move up a level. I can do it when I'm ready. So when I work really hard, they'll move me up. =] Ballet Austin gives all of the Upper Level students (levels 5, 6, 7, and 8) one free ticket to all of the opening night ballets. They're doing Fire Bird and part of Swan Lake this Friday, and I get to go see it! For free! Amazing!!! =D Good studio. Great class. I'm going for at least 1 hour and 45 minutes every day except Sunday. The classes are intense, and I can already see the difference in me while I'm dancing. Hopefully dancing there can take me somewhere when I'm older. Also...... (lol, I have a lot to say) tuition here is like uber expensive. But I got a 50% scholarship, so I can afford to go there all year! Wow, life is amazing. Heavenly Father sure has blessed me.

I still miss my old studio, though. I love my teacher, Mr. Ozsoy. He will always be my teacher. Forever. He's the greatest.

In short, I love dancing and the joy it brings me.

Dance!

Alright, I love dance. I'm a dance-aholic. A dance addict. A dance druggie. And guess what! I love dancing! It really touches me, and it makes me feel so good not just physically, but spiritually, too. I really loved my studio in Dallas. The location, the teacher, my fellow students. I found a studio here in Austin that I'm hoping I'll like. I just took my first class there tonight. I took a tap class. I was all by myself, so it was like a private lesson. Which is great because I've never taken tap before! It's like I'm getting a crash course in tap. Haha. That's great because someday, after taking tap and ballroom, I'm going to be the next Ginger Rogers! Haha, not really, but I would certainly love to be able to dance like that. Yeah, that's my little shpeel for the day. I love dancing!

HEB Camp - Best place in the world

I just got back from the best place in the whole entire world. (Other than temples, of course) HEB camp always brings me so much happiness, it's amazing to me that some people don't go every year. I absolutely love the friends I was with. I will now type up their names and probably a few things about them so that people reading this will know about them if I refer to them later on.

Kelsey - May I just say that I love this girl to eternal life? 'Cause I do. Kelsey can laugh and joke with me, and she's sweet and caring, and she loves her friends and family. But most of all she loves Heavenly Father, and it is so nice to have someone who cares like I do.

Ana - Ana is so sweet! She has the bluest eyes I've ever seen. She is very tender and can make me feel at peace very easily.

Reed - Reed is growing up. When I first met him like 2 years ago, he was still a boy. Now he's crossing over to being a man, and it's a shocker! But he is such a gentleman, and he has a bright future ahead of him. He let me talk to him about all my tough stuff while I was at camp.

Ben - Ben and I actually met each other at HEB camp in 2004! Whoa! lol He is still amazing, and he cares about his friends a lot. It's evident. He wore my hat a lot. He likes it. My Jacob hat. Haha, that's what I call it because Jacob gave it to me. That shows he has good taste. =P

Burke - Burke is my unofficially adopted little brother. He loves having me as a big sister. It's a wonder why, when I'm so goody-goody, and he's.....not. But I think he loves that about me, so all is well. He's a cool kid. Only 13. Wow, I have young friends. haha

Sebastian - Sebastian is the first young man who did gentlemanly things for me. He won't sit down unless all the young ladies around him are sitting. Now I won't even open my door if a guy is around. And Sebastian started it all. =]

Saryn - Saryn is my friends little sister. But she's definitley my friend. She's fun to laugh with.

Nicolette - At first I didn't like Nicolette. But she's way cool. =]

Landon - Landon. Where to start? This kid is so amazing, I almost cry every time I talk about how amazing he is. He can play the guitar really well. I actually wrote some lyrics, gave them to him, and he wrote a tune for it. It sounds amazing. I need to relearn it, though. He taught it to me at camp, you see. He listens to me, he talks to me, he dances with me, he plays the guitar while I sing. I can go on and on about all the awesome things we do together, and I can tell you all his attributes, but I won't. He and I will be friends forever. I know it. (Let it be known that I also love his brother Zach. He just didn't get to go to HEB camp, so he's not in this blog post. ='[ I wish he had been there. )

I actually danced with Landon, (one of my very favorite people) during Everything by Michael Buble, (my very favorite song) during a dance, (my favorite favorite thing to do) at HEB camp, (my very favorite place on earth.) I don't know if I've ever been that happy at camp. It was perfect. =]

Kelsey and I had a joke going on Thursday. Can't say what it is, but it was funny. tee har har

I got sad on Thursday night because I was tired, frustrated at myself, and very, very homesick for Dallas. I actually had to go and leave. Reed and Ben were amazing. They went looking for me. Apparently they said like 5 prayers for me. =]

The best thing about HEB camp is that everyone loves everyone. I felt loved all week long. There was never one time where I didn't have someone to hang out with. Not once. Even when I had kitchen duty, my friends would come help me. How awesome is that? Very! Anyway, this blog is long enough. Sorry there's no story line or anything. I just love HEB camp and my friends, and I needed to write about it.

Education Week

Education Week is kind of like the classes they do at EFY on steroids. That's all Education Week is from Monday to Friday. Classes. Classes, and more classes. They are so amazing! Okay, so Education Week was August 17-21. I knew some people that were going. Most specifically, homeschooled friends. Zach, Landon, ( I love those young men SOOO much! ^_^ How I miss them. ='[ ) Kelsey, Matt, Lizzie and Dakota. Dakota isn't actually homeschooled. He lives in Utah, but he used to live in my stake in Dallas. That's how I know him. Anywho...

I don't think I've ever felt as good as I did at Education Week. Really. The Holy Ghost was with me all week long. I've gone to things before that made me want to be better, but never of this intensity. I've never felt so much hope in my life before. It was exactly what I needed just having moved from the only place I've ever called home. My favorite teacher is Scott Anderson. Oh, he is so amazing. I'm going to start a new paragraph now so I can talk about his classes. =P

Brother Anderson taught perfectly. He could get us to laugh, (which makes us teens teachable, you know) and he always had stories that fit perfectly into what he was trying to teach us, and he taught by the Spirit, and was able to let the Spirit teach us. Sometimes he would even go off of the lesson he planned, to tell us something the Spirit was telling him to tell us. He has one of the strongest spirits I know. He is super strong in the gospel. He told us about this son of his. Oh wow. This son. If he wasn't old and married, I'd swear I was going to marry him. He has the best sons. They are so righteous, with such a burning testimony of the gospel, I've never even heard of a man like that that actually existed! His sons just sound so perfect! Well, not perfect, but pretty dang close. Anyway, the point is.....I want to be the kind of woman that is worthy of a man like that. I have a lot of work if I'm going to be worthy of such a man, but I think I'm on the right path, and that's encouraging. =D

At Ed Week there was a youth dance. That was probably my last dance with Zach and Landon. I love them so, so much. I don't think I've ever cried over friends like I have cried over them. Just that I won't get to be with them the same as I did when I lived in the Dallas stake. Now I live so far away from them. The whole week, I was trying to enjoy being with them. Just, remember every happy moment while I was there. I don't know if other people do that, but I am sooo guilty of it. I just don't want to forget how they make me feel. They make me feel like a very special, talented, sweet daughter of Heavenly Father, and that I make a difference if their lives. If only I made as big of a difference in their lives as they did in mine. Well, maybe I do. I can't ever know that I don't. But I really love Zach and Landon so much. They are two of the best young men ever. I know it. They are worthy priesthood holders from a chosen generation who try to do what they should. And they love me! How amazing that is! I will miss them so much. Good thing I know we'll keep in touch. They are some of my best friends in the whole world. Forever. <3

To Blog Or Not To Blog?

I used to not care about blogging, but for some reason I'm getting into it. So I thought I might start a blog. But at the same time, I was like, "Who'd actually read my blog?!" But I decided that it'd be kind of nice to have a blog for the friends I know that have ones. (Thanks to you, Tasha, I'm starting a blog!)

I already write in my journal every night, so this is kind of redundant for me. But I guess it's not, since this stuff is for my friends, not my own thoughts. I guess I'll just blog something easy at first, because I have to go to bed soon.

I am blessed, blessed, blessed. I have amazing friends, living parents that are still married, (and I thank my Heavenly Father for that all the time) a place to live, a body to dance in, talents like singing, dancing, and making friends, knowledge, being able to read and listen to music, having the internet to connect with said friends and family, and lots and lots of people that love me. I get to do a lot of neat things, too. I've actually been bowling now, because some of my best friends took me before I moved.

Oh, moving. I moved to Austin from Dallas at the beginning of August. I have lived in Cedar Hill practically my whole life. Same church building, same streets, same city, same friends for my whole life. Moving was a big, big deal. Especially since I'm not even in my own house. We're living with some friends. My mom and dad are seperated right now, but they're doing better, and because we live in Austin, mom and dad can get together to go on dates. That's a good thing. Very encouraging. =]

This summer I went to girls camp, EFY, youth conference, and Education Week. Education Week is by far the best of them all. I'll have to blog about those tomorrow, though. Good night!