My Favorite Present

My favorite present that I have received is a boom box.  This was my introduction to music.  That Christmas I had asked for several CDs.  After that Christmas I was hooked on music.  Since I was four years old I had been taking dance classes, so music already; played a role in my life.  Through my pre-teen years I would spend hours in my room creating dances to my favorite songs.  Whenever I am stressed out I like to make up dances I always feel better after.  Where my music is played has changed over time, but my love for it has never wavered. 

Puppy

In October my family got a new puppy. I do not remember the puppy days with our previous dog. She passed away last summer. I was only nine when we got her.

As I said previously I work with kids a lot, but not so much babies. Watching a puppy during her first couple months of life has been a learning experience for me. The day my parents brought her home she hid under a desk. I first met her on Thanksgiving break. She was so little and loved to be heled. I played with her a bunch over Christmas break, but the real bonding began this summer. I work during the day and the first few days home she would guard the door not wanting me to leave. This made me feel guilty. Eventually she figured out that I came home each afternoon. After my job we go for a walk.

We just got back from a vacation where she swam for the first time. I was so proud of her. She used to avoid water like the plague. On the afternoon walks we would take her to a stream to warm her up to water. She was so funny in the sand she loved to dig holes and put her head in it.

I am so thankful my family got her. She is the sassiest dog I know. She makes me smile every day

5 songs I’ll listen to for the rest of my life

1.    The Climb

a.    This song means so much to me!  I have had to work hard to get where I am today.  I have had people tell me I can’t, but I have proven them wrong.  The speaker at my high school graduation talked about how sometimes in life you will get knocked down in life, but you have to just get back up.  Each time in college when a test didn’t go well or I had a struggle I thought about this.  I think this song has this message.  This song also talks about how you have to enjoy the journey while getting to your destination.

2.    The Best Day

a.    This song describes my mom and my relationship to a tee.  She is my rock and I do not know where I would be without her.  Sometimes when I get stressed out I put on this song and it calms me down thinking about my mom. 

3.    At the Beginning

a.    I love this song.  It talks about transitions in life and I am in that period in my life where there are a lot of transitions.  You never know who you will meet and who will have a big impact on your life.

4.    Same Love

a.    This song talks about something that I am passionate about.  I believe one day my children will ask about what it was like not to have gay marriage legal.

5.    Let It Go

a.      This song reminds me to not care what people say and to be true to myself.  People my age are constantly criticizing each other.  This song is a true reminder to not listen to them.  I had a wonderful friend my freshman year of college that taught me this and this song always reminds me of her. 

Little

Dear Little,

I hope all your dreams come true.  Sometimes life has a way of creating dreams that we did not know existed.  You have so much to offer the world.  Always keep your beautiful smile.   Being your big has been so amazing and it will be something that I always remember about college. It has been so great to watch you grow as a person.   I’m so glad that you embraced our pirate family.  Thank you for never judging me.  I really think it was fate that made us big and little.  I mean what were the odds that we had class together as freshmen and lived in the same dorm.  I will never forget the fabulous sign you put on my door freshman year for my birthday.  It was pretty impressive you got it up without me knowing.   You are obsessed with the same tv shows as me, so I will be texting you next year to get your opinions, but remember you don’t watch detective shows right before you go to sleep.    You are going to have a wonderful life with your future hubby.  He’s a great guy and he has a good sense of humor.  You’re going to be a great mom.   My biggest wish for you is that you are happy.

Love,

You’re big 

22 Things I Learned 22

1. Don’t be afraid to be yourself the people that matter will stick by you

2.    Alone time is ok you don’t have to social every minute

3.    Study hard it will pay off

4.    Working during breaks will teach you so much

5.    Work out – it helps with everything

6.    Take small risks

7.    When you are really interested in something don’t be afraid to totally nerd out

8.    Read a lot – books have so much to teach you

9.    Dance whenever you feel like it

10. Don’t be afraid to give people a second chance

11. Let those close to you know how much they mean to you

12. Write letters – people have so much to teach you

13. When you listen you learn so much

14. Sometimes you should stand up for what you believe in, but choose your battles

15. Children make you see the world in a new way

16. Wake up with a smile on your face

17.  Even though you may not see some friends everyday they still mean the world to you

18. Loss is hard

19. Driving is not as scary as I thought it was – plus it gives you a lot of independence

20. A little boy can make you see teaching in a new way

21. The important moments are usually the little moments

22. Love life 

Growing Up

You know when you were a kid and someone asks you what you want to be when you grow up.  The thing you don’t think about is paying rent and paying for car insurance.  This week I had to get a new car battery and faced some of the realities of adult life.  At the car place they called me mam.  That was weird.  When I go to schools for field work they often mistake me for a student.    

            There are perks to being an adult though.  You can hop in the car and go to the library when you want to and yes I am a nerd.   You can work a job and make your own money.   I love my job and honestly it probably is where I am happiest.  You get to have deep friendships that mean the world to you.   Some of these friendships will turn into heartbreaks, but other amazing friends will be there to help you through that time.  

My Grandma and McCallie

          I know it has been a while since I have written, sorry this past semester was super busy.  I spent a ton of time in the classroom this semester doing field work and studying.  Now I am at home enjoying my break with my family.  I am feeling really grateful for my family.  My brother is coming home in four days after being away for a while.  I am really excited to see him.  My grandma had surgery today.  She has been on my mind a lot lately.  She is a daily inspiration to me.

            My grandma has not had an easy life, but somehow each day she wakes up each day and finds beauty in everything.  Every time I talk to her on the phone she makes me smile.  She makes me feel so special each time I talk to her.  She is a very giving person.  She collects soda tabs for St. Jude.  She came for both my graduation and my brothers, which is a big deal because she lives in California, so it is a journey to get here.  She has taught me what is truly important in life.

            The other big event in my life is that my family got a puppy.  Her name is McCallie and she is full of sass.  I love her so much.  She greets me each morning.  She loves to cuddle and be held, but she also likes to chew on things.  I was upset when I found that she had chewed a whole into my PJs the other day.  My new strategy is to give her a toy when she is on my lap, so I do not become the chew toy.  She is very smart, but I might be a little biased.   My dad taught her how to high five.  It is so cute!   She also knows how to roll over.  She has brought my family so much joy.   I can’t wait to see my brother meet her.