New York and a sweet reunion

Todays post has three pieces and they all happen to relate to the State of New York. How that happened, I don't know, but I think it's kinda fun.

NY #1
Remember when I said I had a big decision to make regarding this summer? (aka the P.S.S. of THiS POST.) Well, I made a decision, and I made it official. I am officially registered to attend EFY in Palmyra New York this summer!!! I am SO excited about this and it feels so right. This does; however, mean I probably won't be able to compete at the US Power Tumbling National Championships this year in Louisville, KY due to the fact that bank accounts aren't bottomless. I am super bummed about this, but I have prayed about this and NY is where the Lord wants me to be. I can't wait for this adventure!

NY #2
The second piece of this blog post is simply a link to something awesome. I don't know about you but I get sick of listening to stuff that is on the radio at times and I just need something else to fill the sound waves in the air around me. CLICK HERE to listen to some awesome recorded blog posts by the incredible Al Caraway {aka Al Fox}! I have been listening to them today and they are probably my favorite thing. How is this related to New York you ask? Al lived in New York before she moved to Utah. It's a big part of her awesome story. Go check it out!

NY #3
Number 3 is the main bulk of what I wanted this post to be about and it is related to New York due to the fact that my current scripture/seminary journal looks like this...

This thought originated from my seminary teacher but I thought it was so powerful that it needed to be shared.

This comes from Alma 17

This is the part in the book of Mormon where Alma is reunited with the sons of Mosiah.

It had been 14 years since he had last seen these friends (Alma 17:4). And these sons of Mosiah had not only been his friends, but they had shared a conversion story. They were there when Alma was first visited by an angel.

Now, Alma hadn't seen them for 14 years. And not had he not seen them, he hadn't heard any word from them. After 14 years of no word it could have easily been thought that they had perished in the land and that they would never return. Imagine how sweet this reunion would have been.

Alma 17:2 says "Therefore Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still is brethren in the Lord."

Think of the longest time you have been away from someone you love. How sweet was the moment when you were finally reunited?

Now, imagine what the reunion will the reunion be like when we go back to our heavenly home? What will it be like to go to heaven and see those you haven't seen in years, to see those who you thought wouldn't make it.

How will it be to see your Heavenly Father again?

I ask you, is this not motivation to live your life in such a way that this sweet reunion will be made possible in your life?

Have hope in this reunion.

Feel my sunlight

p.s. Seminary is a very good thing. Go to seminary.

p.s.s. Here is an awesome Mormon Message about being Strengthened in the Lord. Can you guess were the youth are from in this video? That's right! New York!!!

Last day of school

city creek a the beginning of the year

Well, this is it. One year later and there are no more tears. Our last day of school has come and I couldn't be happier. It is a very different feeling than last year. Last year consisted of mushy gushy feelings like THIS and, THIS. But today I don't think I will cry at all. To tell you the truth I still long for my Jr. High days because they tasted so sweet, but nevertheless, life goes on.

It has been a good year. If you would have asked me at the end of last year what I would have thought this year would bring I would have a very different answer than what really happened. I would have thought I'd at least gone on one date. I thought I would just have a million friends, I didn't know quitting theatre would have such an effect on my social group. Though some of this year has been bitter, It wasn't all bad. I wouldn't have thought I'd have gotten this close to my small group of friends and I wouldn't have thought I'd have met my childhood idol! This year has proven to be great for our little group of 5. I eat lunch in the park every day and I drive a minivan to school. Boys don't talk to me much, but the ones that do mean so much more to me. It wasn't what I thought it would be, but it was good nonetheless. Now I can't wait until summer!

Kellog's Tour. BEST DAY EVER!

Now while my time at the school wasn't my favorite, the time at the gym was. This year there has been a few changes and I am now one of the oldest. I have made many close friends this year that I have never had with anyone from tumbling before. I have become much better friends with my Co-workers and we have a blast every day. I can always count on them to pick me up when school doesn't go the way I plan. I know I made the right decision to continue in this and not theatre, even though it was difficult. I love you guys! And Stirfry, you will make a fantastic missionary! We are so proud of you!

So I don't know where that leaves me. Back in the gym I suppose? After the initial pool party, the burning of the homework, and the inevitable sun burn I guess I’ll find myself back in the gym 4+ days a week and blogging often. I’ll attend EFY, girls camp, 4^th year hike, trek, National Championships, and possibly EFY again this summer, but other than that you will find me in the gym. It will be one of the greatest summers ever, but then again, every summer is the greatest in my book.

Thanks for a great year guys! See you next September!

 

 

 

Feel my Sunlight




p.s. Is it bad that I think I'm more sad about finishing the last season of Jonas LA last night than I am about the school year ending?

things of the week

Whew! I haven't blogged in a while... like so long that blogger made me enter my password. What is this?! It has been a while, okay well only a week, but it still feels like forever. This week ranged from bombings to surprise parties, to musicals, to tumbling with the world record holder and his team and coach to NOT touching homework. It was a great week with a little bit of not so fantastic parts mixed in. My heart goes out to all of those affected by the tragedies of this week between the bombings in Boston, to the explosions in Texas. We are still thinking about you and are praying for you. Stay strong!
This week we threw a surprise party to one of my best friends, Katie. That was a blast. Happy birthday Katie!{yesterday} Love you so much!
Like I have shared before, my little sister, Danielle. had her musical this week. She was in Guys and Dolls and she played miss Adelide and rocked it. Great job to her and her cast for a great show.
Today I started off with a long meeting with my favorite people. Then tumbling with some of my other favorite people. To day I was at the gym from 9am to 4:30pm. We had a coaches meeting that was good and I learned a lot. Then Justen from team Revolution brought some of his kids down {including Kalon, the world champion.} to tumble with us and coach us for a bit. I always love tumbling with them and really appreciate them taking the time to do it. Thanks so much!

Now this week is over and I am overjoyed! Now, I can't wait to next week because it just so happens to be PARTY WEEK! I can't wait! Oh... and it is also the week we start conditioning out side... sorry team. :) Don't forget your shoes!




Feel my Sunlight




p.s. HAPPY BIRTHDAY STIRFRY!

1st day of spring

Happy 1st day of spring! Hope everyone had a fantastic day! {Now mother nature... it is officially "spring" now, therefore, you no longer have permission to use the snow machines. So please continue with the rain and maybe bring us some sunshine.}

Today one of my five year olds got very excited when she found out that I was a "REAL LIVE TEENAGER!" {her words, not mine}. I thought it was cute. Then she said to her sister almost giggling "she can drive!" gah! I love my kids.

Today my entire team decided to pretend we're British... including my coach. We spent the entire two and a half hours perfecting our hopeless accents. It was fun and I don't think I've laughed that hard in a while. I love you guys!

Note to the wise: clean your room. There is a possibility the bishopric could come over and want to see all your medals, and your hanging bed. I was not so fortunate to have receive this memo and greatly regret it. Consider this your only warning. 

Well, it's a short post today. I guess this is the second one of the day so that makes up for it right?




Feel my Sunlight



p.s. I'm bad at waking up on time. Anyone else have this issue?

life of a tumbling coach

After I read THIS POST over on The Life of Bon about how much she loves her high school students it left me thinking about how much I love my students. {Though mine are much littler, and I don't teach them grammar....since I lack the knowledge myself.}

I teach tumbling. I believe it is the best job out there. Now there may be people who disagree with me, but I bet you would feel different after you spent some time with my kids.


Yesterday one of my 4 year olds ran  to me with the biggest smile on her face and says "WHITNEY! I brought you a present!" he then hands me a piece of gum.  I call this little one Jellyfish since she wears skirts that make her look like a jellyfish when she jumps. If I were to pick favorites she would definatly make the list. As would the rest of her class, along with my Wednesday intermediate class. These kids have been working so hard. Every single one of them learned there power hurdle roundoff today and am stoked!

1-Student learns a big new skill especially when it was a struggle for them.
2-Hugs... there nothing like love from a 3 year old.
3-When the kids have intense excitement about what we are doing. His name is Whitten and he brings me joy.
4-GOOD BEHAVIOR! {this does not include bringing your naughty 4 year old to the gym a half hour early and let her run around the entire gym expecting us to babysit her! We have classes that need our attention for crying out loud!}
5-And lastly, watching them grow.

In the short few years I have been teaching I have watched y kids grow up so much and I can't help wonder who they will become. I wonder sometimes how much of an impact I could have on these kids and it makes me think about what I have to offer them. I truly believe that the greatest thing I could give them is love. I have had kids that have come from foster homes, a girl with epilepsy, and a girl that could barley walk just to name a few. I have had some kids who have had it hard. I will never forget standing by the trampoline and watching the girl who struggled walking jump on the trampoline without falling. My kids have given me way more than I could ever give them. They have taught me about courage, they have taught me out working hard, they have taught me about patience, they have taught me about victory. They have given me enough love to last a lifetime. <3

I'd also like to do a quick shout out to my team mate Stirfry. Double mini was rough and I don't know what I would have done without you today. Thanks for the support.

So there you have it! My tumbling thoughts of the week! I've got a meet on Saturday and can't wait! That's all for now! I <3 my readers!!!

feel my sunlight

p.s. I am officially registered for EFY! I don't have a room mate yet, so if you don't want to go by yourself talk to me. Everyone should go register ASAP I promise you wont regret it!

20~Sandy~12

Sandy

2012

A few months ago the world "sandy" would have brought on thoughts of summer, and beaches, and joy, but today the word "sandy" brings on thoughts of tragedy. Tragedy for a school, a city, a nation, and a world.

October 22nd to October 31st 2012 Hurricane Sandy took 253 total lives, and left behind $65.6 billion dollars in damage.

December 14th 2012 a gunman entered Sandy Hook and took the lives 28 people. Including 20 children between the ages of 5 and 7, 6 women that worked at the school, his mother, and himself.

These statistics are burned into the hearts of people everywhere. These two tragedies have brought many heartaches, and lots of tears. It is hard to express the sorrow felt by the nation at this point in time. These children killed had their whole lives ahead of them {read about these beautiful children HERE}, the survivors have watched the murdering of their best friends and teachers, and they haven't yet finished the first grade. This is something no person should ever have to go through, let alone a first grader.

These children, and teachers killed showed the greatest form of heroism. Many of them stepping in front of others to protect them. There have been many heroes in the efforts of Hurricane Sandy relief. People have donated both time and money to help the people affected. 

Though the majority of the world hasn't been affected directly, we have all been affected. I remember the way the nation came together after the attacks of 9-11. How people began to remember why we are all here. People began to turn to God and let him control our lives. During the years since then it has felt that people have forgotten. With these sandy tragedies we are beginning to return to God again. More prayers are being said, and we are becoming closer as a nation

In the words of JK Rowling...

"Times like these, dark times can bring people together or they can tear them apart."


We as humanity must make sure we are binding together. There is hope. Hope can be found in the most unusual of places such as a picture...






 a Facebook Page...

or a song.
{okay...I couldn't find the right version on YouTube, so look up Dearest Children, God Is Near You by Cherie Call on iTunes.}




We live in dark times and in the words of my friend, Hannah, "I have a feeling it is going to get worse before it gets better". I know that the 2013 theme for the youth was inspired by god. It is a call for youth every where to "Stand in holy places, and be not moved" These future days are going to be hard, even the very elect will be deceived, but we must be steadfast and immovable, we must always be abounding in good works, we must strong, we must have courage, we must not be dismayed, we must arise and shine forth, that our light will be a standard for the nations, we must stand in holy places, we must not move, for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever though goest. (Joshua 1:9, D&C115:5, D&C 87:8, Mosiah 5:15). Our future isn't going to be easy. People all around me are suffering from hardships of all kinds. {Read THIS BLOG HERE to read about an inspiring family I know.} I pray that you turn towards God in the times of struggle, that you keep those you love close, and pray like you have never prayed before.

"Get on you                 

knees and 

        pray, 

then get on your               

       feet and go to 

work."           

 Feel my Sunlight

p.s. all those UNDERLINED WORDS are links to awesome places. You should check them out.    

through the eyes of a child

Random picture of little girls feet at the gym last year

As most of you know, I am a tumbling coach. I coach the little ones. I've gotten to know a lot of little ones over the last 3 years, and I've grown to love every single one of them. Every child possesses something different, but every child possesses something beautiful. They see the world differently. I believe this is why Jesus told us to become like little children. After all, we are Gods children.


               SMILE :)
Last week I had the opportunity to teach two little boys that didn't speak any English. But I couldn't help smile because of their huge ear to ear smiles that never disappeared for the entire hour! {In fact I'm grinning stupidly here in my room all by myself thinking about it.} A smile can make someones day. I can imagine going into the gym might have been scary for those little boys, but these boys went in with a fantastic attitude that rubbed off on everyone around them, and they never had to use words. You don't have to say anything to be the highlight of someones day.  When life gets hard, Smile :)


                                                  Let your light SHINE
Little children know what's up. They have the strongest of testimony's, and aren't afraid to say what they know because they haven't yet learned that not everyone believes the same things as them. A few weeks ago I was showing my little ones a certain skill on the trampoline. My kids are always in awe at how high I jump. One of my girls said something like "I bet Jesus could jump that high!" Then another girl said "I don't think he would come down here just to jump on the trampoline." The way these two girls openly talked about what they knew about Jesus made me think. How often do we hold our tong when we have an opportunity to share something about the gospel with some one. Little kids say it like it is with no fear of what people will think of them. We should be more like that.


       
         Be thou an EXAMPLE
We don't always realize it, but people are watching our every move. I have had several little children who have told me "I want to be just like you when I get bigger!" That can be a scary thought if you aren't doing what's right. They listen to what you say, and watch what you do. Watch what you do at all times, you never know who's watching.



                                  Be Teachable
I am involved with a school club that is all about service. Today we had the opportunity to go over to the elementary school to read books with first graders. It amazes me how much we learned in those first few years of schooling. I remember sitting in those tiny chairs ready to take it all in. I remember the first time I walked into the gym and was excited about all the new tricks I could learn. If we could only live our lives with that same attitude of learning maybe we would be a little smarter. As I sat listening to the little boy tell me about warthogs and what they eat, and where they sleep I realized there is still lots I don't know. Lots that I can learn. Be teachable. Don't be afraid to learn something from someone younger than you. I know I learn tons from my students that I coach. Be like a child and have a desire to learn, and let yourself learn from the words of a kid.



          Live a life of INNOCENCE 
Children possess a sense of innocence. They can't do anything wrong. With my three and four year old class the worst thing I ever hear is "she butted me!" or "she touched me!" If only cutting in line, and touching someone was the worst thing adults ever did. Can you imagine the world if we all lived with high standards. Live with high moral standards. Live above the worlds level. Aim to live your life with an innocence of a child. Clean and Pure.



                                 Speak KIND words 
Today as I was sitting talking to two little kids one of the little girls leaned over to me and whispered in my ear "You're pretty, I like your earrings". I have a few little girls that I coach that always touch my sparkly toenail polish and tell me they like it. I have learned that kids give compliments freely. I have learned that I need to be more like that. When you like someones outfit, or the way they did their hair, don't be afraid to tell them. It just might make their day! Use clean language. I remember the time when "meanie head" was the worst name you could be called. Now when I compare that to some of the things I hear around school I want to plug my ears and run back to the kindergarten rooms. People base what they know about you on the words you say. Make sure you are only saying things you want to be known for. 



             Become as a little CHILD
We talked about this a little bit in Seminary today. Children are the best examples of Christ. If we want to be with him, we must be like them. 
 
 

"Verily I say unto you

                      Except ye be       

 converted, 

and become as little children,          

ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven" 

-Matthew 18:3

"For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticing of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a CHILD,

 submissive,

 meek,

 humble, 

patient, 

full of love,

 willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him,

 even as a child doth submit to his father." -Mosiah 3:19

                         

"Nobody cares what you do Vick"

As I sat in a certain class (you know the class where the teacher quit 3 weeks into school, so now we have a new "sub/teacher") We have been talking aobut goals, and future careers. It made me think. I have wanted to be the same thing since 2nd grade. I have written the same thing down on every paper that every school counselor has ever given me. Well guess what! I already am that thing. But it made me realize just how much further I could go with this job. It also made me question wether or not I really want to do this for the rest of my life. Don't get me wrong, I love it a lot more than my other job. I do love it a lot, but the thought of work in an hour makes me cringe. Mostly because I'd rather sit home and blog. Don't get me wrong, I am thankful for both of my jobs, but I favor one more than the other. But this class, and all this talk of work scares me. Because I don't know exactly what I want to do with my future. And every teacher, and every school counselor wants to tell you what you can and can't do according to the end of levels you got when you where in kindergarten (okay this is a little extreem, but not far from the truth) So I just put something that sounds inteligent down so they will stop questioning me, and move on. Because in reality, what counselor is going to come to you in 7 years and say "why aren't you doing the same thing that you said you wanted to do in 7th grade?!" NONE! "Nobody cares what you do Vick" {name that movie!} So there is my rant about work, and now I am headed to work...then I'm headed to my other work. OH JOY! {sarcasm intended.}

Feel my Sunlight


p.s. That quote was from Stick It. Teri, I sure hope you got that! :)

p.s.s Who else is super ready for the weekend? I seriously am so excited for conference.

All grown up

Today was an all grown up day. It made me feel old, mature even. I went to the high school with one of my friends, to get our pictures taken, and to find all of our classes for the year. It was fun seeing lots of old friends I haven't seen all summer. We were in awe at how huge the high school is compared to our little junior high. We wandered around the halls for a few hours, and I think I finally got the hang of it, after getting lost, and turned around a few times. Then after we toured the school I drove my friend home. I! ME! Yes ME, I drove! (Have no fear, my mother in the passenger’s seat) That in and of itself makes one feel old. Then I drove to the post office to drop off some books, then to work. WORK! It was my third day at work. It was good. I contemplated how I am old as I was facing the shelves. So there you have it. That little girl that was scared to cross the street until she was seven, and was the shyest person in the entire universe (I'm no longer shy) Is now going into high school, and working two jobs. This is crazy stuff. Even I think that!

Feel my Sunlight

P.s. So I miss homecoming by 3 days! 3 DAYS! I turn 16 14 days after school starts, and 3 days after homecoming. And am I going? Nope! :) It wasn't that hard of a decision, mostly because I haven't been asked yet. But if I do get asked, I'm proud to say I will not go. And that was my decision, not my parents. :)

Work & a nationals sleepover

After today there are exactly two Saturdays until school starts... TWO SATURDAYS! And do I have a SINGLE new thing as far as school clothes?? NO. And I still owe my parents $ for EFY... So now I am working two jobs. But hopefully I will have money soon.

I never told you about my Nationals sleepover! So here it is!

On Tuesday I was at work at 4:00 to coach. I worked my two hours, then I had the choice to either go home and come back, or stay. I chose the later. I helped Teri with her crazy class (It used to be my class a few months ago.) then waited for her to be done coaching. Then we hung out for a few hours until the rest of the team got there at 9:00.
When everyone got there we had war. By this I mean we took sticks (made out of foam) an wracked each other. We also threw things like mats at each other, an tried to throw each other in the pit. We played tag for a bit, then B, and Stir fry went to go read scriptures upstairs. After a few minutes Teriyaki and I went to join them. We read the last few chapters of Helaman. Anedy, Eden, and Brinna (the little girls) came up and listened for a bit. It was awesome to read scriptures with my teammates. We joked that pretty soon we will have a big "CTR", or "Mormon Tumblers" painted on the wall, after all, we already prayed at Nationals as a team. Haha! When we where done the older kids went and discussed lots of things with Jill while the little ones played. From leotards, to fundraisers we talked about it. (want to know a secret?! Levels 8+ are getting blinded out Leo's this year! An they are WAY cute, Ive wanted to get one for forever. The only downside... They cost over $200!) after that we played some more games, and ate tons of junk food that our coach bought us (haha yes I said coach.) until after 1:00am. Then we started stick it. We where going to watch it with the projector, but the tv we had didn't have a DVD player. So we put it in Jills laptop, stacked it up on mats, and crowded around it. I was hard to hear, but most of us ha it memorized anyway, so we just quoted the whole thing. We fell asleep around 4:00 am. I slept on the X mat on the tumble track. Not the best place to sleep in the gym, but it was fine for the few hours of sleep I got. We got up around 8:30 and ate donuts for breakfast (again bought for us by our coach... Haha) we talked for a bit, and headed home around 10:00. I came home and read all day. We had tumbling at 6:00. And let's just say everyone who was at the sleepover was delirious, and exhausted. We had fun though, and out coaches where nice to us and gave us easy burnout for a day.

I had so much fun and cant wait to do it again next year!

Now I'm off to work. Wish me luck!

Feel my Sunlight

Change- A schedule, and a grocery bag

There are T- 18 days until school starts in my neck of the woods, and I'm not sure how I feel about it. Am I really ready for high school? Truthfully I am ready for high school, I just don't know if I am ready for the stress, and the homework that comes with it. I am excited to see my friends that I haven't seen all summer. I'm ready to be 16, but I'm not ready in the way of school clothes! (the most important part of back to school!) Here is my schedule...

1.  Harris-     Biology
2.  Follett-    Guitar
3.                 Seminary
4.  Adams-   World Civ
5.  Munns-   Clothing & textiles 1
6.  Price-      Drivers ED/D & Al
7.  Taylor-    Algebra 2
8.  Brown-   English 10 honors

Pretty much every one who has seen my schedule has told me that I have some crazy teachers. Oh help me!

Today I start work at Bowmans. My dad has worked at Bowmans my entire life. One year for Halloween I was a little Bowmans worker, and my little sister was a grocery bag. I was looking through my old scrapbook and found the scrapbook page. Isn't it just awesome?!

So Whitney now has two jobs (I'm not sure why I wrote that in 3rd person....But I think I'll leave it.) I feel so old. Lots of things have happened in the last year that have kind of freaked me out, and made me realize I'm not a little kid anymore. For one I went to my first work party, where people brought dates, and spouses! (have no fear, I brought my dad.) I have started thinking about dating, high school, and college. There are many more things like that, but I'm sure you don't care for me to list them all.

So there is my life, and how it is changing!


Feel my Sunlight

crossing the Delaware

I french braided my cousin Spencer's hair today while we watched the closing ceremonies. Haha isn't it cute?!?

Today was a normal Sunday. I saw mama Loureiro at church today. That was kinda weird. I said hi to her and talked to her for a minute. (she was their for a missionary homecoming in our ward.)

Did you guys get sick of girls camp posts? because I did. That's why I just stuck with pictures for the last few days.

I got my schedule for high school yesterday. HIGH SCHOOL! This is actually happening. This little girl is going to be in high school in 22 days! And I am going to be 16 14 days after that! Crazy stuff!

Today was the last day of the Olympics! I absolutely LOVE the Olympics! I'm kind of an Olympics fanatic. While we where watching the closing ceremonies I french braided my cousin Spencer's hair. Then he pretended to cross the Delaware. haha it was funny!

GUESS WHAT! I start work at Bowmans on Thursday! (as a facer) AND I start coaching again on Tuesday. I'm quite happy about this! And I'm really glad I will have some $ soon!

Sorry that was kind of a post about nothing.

$money$money$money$

$$$ this little symbol has given me some grief recently. See I've been coaching since I was 13. I didn't apply for the job, my coach just started calling me when she needed a sub. I eventually got a few of my own classes. It was only 3 hours a week, but at 13 I had about 0 expenses. So $100 spending money every month was fantastic! (I did pay my tithing & put some in savings)
Then this January Young women's changed to Tuesday night... The night I coach!! >:( mean face! I had to drop my 3rd class in order to still go to young women's.
I was okay with 2 classes. My life was busy with theatre stuff (I was kinda in 2 plays and I assistant directed the school musical.) I still payed my tithing. I didn't have to save as much for Nationals this year because it was in California and my whole family was coming. We made it a "family trip" so I didn't have to pay for food, hotel, plane ticket, or fun stuff like Disney Land. I just had to pay my competition entrance fee of $120 (plus Nationals appeal, which is a must) I wasn't worried.

I didn't save much for my summer expenses.

I decided to do overnight EFY. $400+. My mom agreed to pay half.

I owed my parents $320. But didn't have it saved up.

I lost my only source of income for the rest of the summer. (since I'm not old enough to have my own classes by USA Gymnastics rules. We had 2 teachers, and bigger classes that we split. Numbers of students dropped dramatically when summer hit. There where no classes big enough to split. Me, being the youngest coach, has no classes to teach.)

This was where my stress came... It came with lots of "what ifs" and "hows"
...what if my coach doesn't have any classes for me in the fall.....what if I can still only work 2 classes.....how will I pay back the $320 that I owe my parents?.....how will I pay for school clothes?......how will I pay for things like competition fees?... How will I pay for EFY next year?..... How will I pay for my Nationals trip to missouri if my family doesn't come and we don't make it a "family trip"......

My mom offered me a deal to work off my debt to her. I could work for her doing miscellaneous cleaning tasks and helping her with her book business. I have worked like 15 hours for her, but still have a ways to go.

I am down to a large wad of one dollar bills. I need new clothes for school, but wont get any money from anyone.


I got to work the annual 24th of July Bowmans Breakfast, like I have for the past 2 years. (I payed my tithing on what little $ I earned)

That got me thinking...(with the help of my moms encouraging brain...)

Why don't I work at Bowmans?!

I have an almost automatic in. (My Dad is the grocery manager)

My dad would do my schedule so he could work around my tumbling.

I asked my dad and guess what?!

I HAVE A JOB!!!

Yay! Oh happy day!

As a facer

Moral of the story:

Pay your tithing!

It helps!

A lot!

(I still might coach a few classes in the fall if I can)



Feel my Sunlight

EFY counselor

hmmm... what to write about???

This is a weird feeling. Not knowing what to write about. I always have something to write about. But not much has changed since yesterday so I don't know. I guess I havent written about EFY in a bit (haha funny how I write about EFY so much, yet i've only been twice) So I have this dream that I am one day going to be an EFY counselor because I have had some fantastic counselors. (Randi, Kjarinda, and Braden) I just want to be like them, and I want to do what they do. They had such an influence on my life I want to have that same influence on others. It started with Kjarinda my very first year, then Randi and Braden this year. I love them all so much and think about them constantly. So I have big plans for my life and EFY. I know these are kinda ridiulous and not that exciting of plans, I was just being funny and letting my immagination run while making them up with my best friend one day about a week after I got home from EFY. I thing it would be a good life, so here you have it:

I will start with attending EFY TWICE next year. One special edititon in Salt Lake with my best friend, and one stay at home sesion with my sister.

Then I will go to EFY every year at different places until I am too old.

Then as soon as I turn 20 I will become and EFY counselor

I will eventually become a BC

Then I will marry another EFY counselor

we will both become speakers for EFY

Then we will start a family

Our kids will go to EFY

We will become session directors for EFY

Our kids will become EFY counselors

We will become the CEOs of all of EFY in the whole world (My session director from my 1st EFY was the CEO for the whole world)


Now isn't that exciting?! I told my friend these plans and she laughed and said "just watch, you will be the one that gets married as soon as you get out of high school at 19 and you will never have the chance to be an EFY counsulor." Oh how I hope that doesn't happen... Because I realy want to be an EFY counselor!!! So there you have it, another post about EFY!

Feel my Sunlight

400 page views!

400 page views already?! I had no idea people would want to read my thoughts! YAY I decided that when I get to 1000 page views I will write you a surprize story. Its a realy great story and I know you will love it so read away! {it involves an embarasing moment and a sunburn.}


I worked the Bowmans 24th of July Breakfast today. It was good. Made some money to make up for not working at the gym this month. Hmmm I might have to get a job there soon.


Happy Pioneer Day!

inside my head

My very most favorite place in the whole wide world.

Frustration and nothing productive to do. Okay well that last part is a lie, but I just don't feel like doing any of those productive things. My new iPod case came. I finally gave in to getting what I like to call "the military grade case." It's not really military grade but I have been making fun of my parents for their huge, unattractive cases since they got them. But since shattered the screen of my last iPod I figured it might just save me a few bucks if I end up dropping it again. I can't get the screen protector to go on without a bunch of little air bubbles. I hate air bubbles so I figured I'd try again later. But hey, its purple so it can't look to bad right?! These last couple of days have been thought provoking. thoughts like this:
holy cow the end of my fabulous summer will eventually come to an end!

How will I make money with no job??

Why am I wasting these last few moments I have of summer in my pjs?

  I'm going to be in high school soon.....

I want to go back to EFY, Youth conference, and Nationals

Carina and Lauren are the only two friends I've seen all summer! I'm so thankful for them, but where have all my other friends disappeared to?  

What will I do for the rest of my life? 

I think I'll write another blog post even and I hope someone reads it.

What if my boss doesn't give me more hours it the fall?

Will I have to go get another job?

I don't want to grow up!

But maybe I do...

I miss mamma Randi, and mamma Kjarinda, and Daddy Braden...and my upbraideth not siblings!

Theater...that was fun...and now just a memory    

My neighbor is getting married...Emma and I used to play with her....weird!

Olympics in 9 days...that's exciting!

my room is a mess.

My front door just creepily opened all by itself!!! AHHH!

I think I'll go read my scriptures.

So there you have it folks. A day in the life inside my head. Quite exciting right??? Not so much, but I hope it gets exciting soon because I'm starting to get board, and worried about the future. I know it will all be okay in the end, but what will I do until then?

  

 

"assistant"

There are things about being a coach that make you a better person. I've gotten to thinking about this today because I am on the verge of no job for the rest of the summer. See, I've been coaching since age 13... Since there are USA gymnastics rules against it, and because parents could get mad if their kids are put in a class with a 13 year old teacher I have been given the label of "assistant". So basically a co-worker and I get a larger than normal class and then we split it. I take kids to trampoline, while my co-worker takes the other half to floor, then we switch. I do the same amount of work as everybody else, but because of my age I can't have my own class. (I will be 16 soon so I will hopefully get my own classes. Keep your fingers crossed!)
Through these summer months tumbling students tend to quit, or take the summer off. With tiny classes there aren't enough students to split a class so that I can work. Leaving me jobless until next fall. (The worst part of it is I will be loosing my primary source of income for about a month and a half)
Today was the last day I will probubly be working for the summer and I've realized just how attached to these kids I get. Today at work two of my favorite sisters told me that they where moving and it was their last week. Then after work I went swimming and saw one of my favorite students I have ever had, aswell as one of my current little students. I got to thinking about just how many students have gone through my classes. From my little epilepse girl, to my little one who ran up to me every day and greeted me with a great big hug, to my tiny little twin sisters who where still in dipers, to my fun 8 year old who was just so close to her back handspring that I started making deals to motivate her to get it. I have had so much fun with these little ones and I can't wait to come back in the fall and I will miss it so much until then.

Feel My Sunlight