"Up-Lifting"

7-Up-Lifting Ways to Start Your School Day

1. WAKE UP - Decide to have a good day. "This is the day which the LORD hath made, we will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalms 118:24

2. DRESS UP - Dress modestly, that if the Lord came tomorrow, you would feel comfortable to be in His presence.

3. SHUSH UP - Say nice things and learn to listen. Allow Holy Ghost to help direct your decisions.

4. STAND UP - For what you believe in! Stand for something or you will fall for anything.

5. LOOK UP - To the Lord. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Phillipians 4:13

6. REACH UP - For something higher. Have high hopes and always try to better yourself.

7. LIFT UP - Your voice in prayer. "Life is fragile and, therefore, should be handled with prayer."

Well there you have it!

As much as I hate to say it.. my summer is ending. My last summer as a kid. Do you know how scary that is to think about and have it become a realization? This was hands down one of the greatest summers I have ever had. I learned a lot about myself, who my real friends were, and what I want out of life.

If you keep up with me, you know that I went through a really rough time last year. Lately, people keep asking me about it and it's made me think. I was pretty much down and out. But I changed my attitude. I went through a time where it was just me and my family. No friends. Now I have a few of the greatest peope in my life that I can call my best friends. My family and I are tighter than we have ever been. I am so grateful for the problems and issues that I had to go through. They have helped me become the person that I've been trying to find.

My best friend is now a college student. It was so hard to say goodbye to him. He helped pull me out of a dark spot. When I needed a laugh, he would come over at 2 in the morning just to talk to me. My family is convinced we are getting married. Either way, I know that God sent him into my life to help me. He is such a blessing, and I honestly don't know where I would be without him.

The fabulous four. My soccer friends. More like my sisters. Moving to Forza was a scary thing for us. We didn't know the girls, the coach, or the playing style. Making that move was risky. I am so glad we did it though. We stick together. That has been out motto out of this whole thing. There is not a week that goes by where we don't call and check up on each other. It's hard to get together with Britt at Roy, Kates at Weber, Squid at Layton, and me at Syracuse. Friday night football games are our new way to hang out. We are all so different from each other that it doesn't even make sense how we are friends. But we make it work. We are all planning on college together next fall. These girls make soccer worth it.

I'm scared. Excited. Nervous. I mean.. do you blame me? I'm going to be a senior this year. I am turning 18 in less than 2 months. I will be a legal adult. How did this happen? Last I remember, I was playing dress up in the basement and singing along to the Cheetah Girls. Now look at me. I'm driving. I'm researching colleges. I am already buying things for when I move out. Sometimes I think to myself, "You know.. if I had to move out and live on my own, I could probably do it." Then there are times where I am gone for a night and miss my mom like crazy. The world expects us to be all grown up after 18 years. I don't think ANYONE is ever fully grown up. Especially as a teenager.

There isn't a day that goes by where I don't think of who I was. The people I used to hangout with. The boy I will always have feelings for. It will always be a part of me. But you know what? I'm so happy with how I have lived my life. I have no regrets. I am living life how I want to. I am grateful for the opportunities that have come my way. I am proud of myself for the decisions I have made with the church. My testimony is strengthened all the time.

This school year, I am making it a personal goal to blog once a week. That will be my journaling. Good luck to everyone with the new school year! Sending my love!

Summer Summer Summer

Well, the time has come. I am officially a senior! And how am I spending my summer? By being crazy, of course!

*Beware. Picture over load coming your way.

This is what I live for. Soccer on a daily basis. Hundreds of people watching one game, with one love. You will never fully understand the love someone can have for this game until you yourself play it. You think it's easy? Go ahead. Go play 90 minutes of soccer. Of pushing and pulling girls down around you, while being mentally prepared for whatever could come next. Try playing with no pads. It's just you and your bare body. They say on average, you run 3 miles a game. How many people can say they do that for fun? We love it. It is what we do, it is what had made us strong.

Don't talk about me, my team, or my sport until you have tried it.

I promise. It's a lot harder than you believe it to be.

The love of the game. That is my fuel.

    It's no wonder we don't have boyfriends. Staying in Park city for the Avalanche tournament with my three sisters. We have nasty soccer feet. Socks are our best friends.

Britt, Me, Kates, Syd.

The Fabulous Four!

Onto Forza we go.

                                                                                                                                                                   

    

Jackson Stewarts Graduation. I love him. <3

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Jeff at Graduation. So proud of my porcupine

She loves her Jeffrey Herbert. They apparently go to dinner without telling me.

Oscar! My swedish friend from this year. So glad I got the chance to meet him

We've been friends since kindergarten. On Tuesdays, we had matching outfits. Split up for a couple of years, and started talking again in Chemistry. Crazy how times have changed.

Skyelie and I after baptisms for the dead

The first two weeks of my summer have been dedicated to Euro 2012. I love my teams, Spain and England. Spain with a 4-0 win today.

Avalanche tournament with my 3 best friends

Running to get ready for Syracuse's graduation. Getting dressed in the car.

One year ago, we went to get slurpees after soccer practice. To this day, we are best friends. After try-outs for our new team, we decided to get slurpees again. Grateful for this girl in my life. Love you Britt Scadlock. Best friends always!

Parker and I! I just love him to death. Whenever I am down, he knows just what to say. He is a blessing in my life.

I love him! He is my number one guy in my life. I don't know where I would be without Jeffrey Ernest Herbert! He is off on an adventure to Saudi Arabia for 3 weeks. I have no clue what I shall do without him. He is my best friend, my porcupine, my Zeb.

  

Summer is here. Are you ready to party?