The Fall Post -

Since everyone has been posting about fall, I figured I would join the party.

The difference is, most people enjoy autumn because of the clothes, decorations, and flavors of drinks you can get at Jamba(kami).

For me, this time of the year is my favorite because of the traditions..

haunted houses

Bonfires/Campfires





Thanksgiving

Indoor fun

Rain activities <3



And much, much more....

(such as the lake house, which is gone now..boo)

All these traditions have something in common about them tho... they are all with people I hold closest to my heart.

Its gonna be a hard season without my boys

I miss you all

Pics That Get Right to the Heart -

Its these kind of pictures and moments that make me tear up a little....

I'm so glad you are home with your kids Mike. You all deserve to be happy together <3



Life Happens -

In highschool, you always heard people saying, "This is the time of our lives!" It never really occurred to me about how easy it was back then. Little to no responsibility, the comfort of your own group of friends, and not having to worry anything because things always seemed to work themselves out anyways. It was always the same routine; walk in, go to the wolf statue, give hugs down the row, ask "where is my best friend?", stand and chat til the bell rang, go to class, get harassed by Asher and Jarred, take a nap during my free 2nd period, go to class with Melissa, get a drink with Melissa, go to class with Melissa again, go home, BS my homework, head to a friend's....

Then this happened -

- and we were all SO excited.

The summer consisted of...

 camping

silly string wars

vacations

boating

swimming

(yes we are in normal clothes.. this was after a hike on a hot day)

getting tan

concerts

falling in LOVE with her dancing (Melanie Moore)

spending most of my time with these girls

losing these boys

and falling apart from this girl :( and being left with this (start at 3:16) thought

Which leads to the belief and understanding of why high school was "the time of our lives"

ps. not supposed to be depressing. just reminiscing. :)

Tease -

So maybe I am a tease to some...

but I learn it from this sign



Such a tease...

Pointless Post -

Got this idea from BreAnn Kimball-in'

I have trust issues

When I love, its always too much

I hold grudges

Sometimes my smile is just a mask for what is really going on in my life

My biggest fear is the future and what it holds

I get creative when I am sad

I run when I am mad

I have always thought my mother deserves better than what she has

My favorite accessory is sunglasses

Most of my closet is blue

I truly miss how easier life was back in high school

Kids drive me insane

My nieces are the most important people in my life

I would trade all my happiness just to see my grandpa well again

I L.O.V.E making people feel awkward

I'm best described as spontaneous

Family always comes first

There are people I wish everyday that I could just take away their pain, even if it means taking it on myself

I wish I was better at photography

When I am alone and have too much energy, I put on "concerts"

I am a country girl to the bone

I honestly believe I was born in the wrong time period

My dream job would be anything in emergent care; it gives me a rush

Love scares me

I have seriously proposed to an NBA player, and he said yes

I have more guy friends than girl friends

I never want to grow up

At my happiest, and at my lowest, Carrie Underwood's Some Hearts album is always with me

I miss my aunt Tarah terribly

Its almost guaranteed for me to have a thing for a guy as long as he is attractive and in his 20's

My favorite movies are Disney (Lion King is #1)

Grease is the best all time play/movie

I have a habit of falling for my best guy friends

There is only one person I hate with all my heart, might, mind, and soul

I forgive, but have a hard time forgetting

A "normal" picture of me usually consists of a funny face

Some of my best friends dont even live near me

I wish I had a pet dolphin to swim with in my pool

My all time favorite vacation is taken every year at Thanksgiving and is shared with the whole Shurtliff family

I have the joints of an old woman

I may have been a kissing whore for a while there in my life

I have a family of stuffed animals I sleep with every night

No one is ever too old for disney world/land in my opinion

My best memories have all been with my family (cousins)

If I call you a whore to your face, usually means I love you

When people dont answer my phone calls, I sometimes leave pointless, mean messages

The Notebook makes me tear up every time I watch it

I want to save my first kiss in the rain with the man I marry

I L.O.V.E watching dance

I'm almost always sarcastic

When things go wrong, I dont talk to family about it first, cause I would rather them not see me cry

I love you is the last thing I want to say to people, in case its the last time I ever see them

I am who I am, and I love that

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day?? -

10 years ago to this date, four planes were taken over by "a faceless coward"

I was in the third grade, when I had seen teachers walking around with tears rolling down their cheeks.

I was young and ignorant to the situation, until the principal got onto the intercom, told the faculty to turn their TV's onto a certain channel and have the children watch what had just happened to the twin towers.

The very first thought that went into my mind, which immediately brought tears to my eyes, was, "My uncle lives there..."

After watching the towers fall, the song I'm Proud to be an American came on throughout the whole school...

The lyrics, "where at least I know im free.. and I wont forget the men who died who gave that right to me," hit me so hard that my eyes just kept flowing with tears, because even at 8 years old I KNEW with 100% certainty that we would always be free; no matter who tried to break us down.

My class was was gathered in a circle at this time, and we all shared our thoughts about what we had just seen and felt.

"My uncle lives in NY and works near those buildings.. I just pray that he is okay and alive."

When school was let out early, I gave my mom a giant hug and asked her about Rich... she told me that we had no word from him yet, but she was sure he safe (which she just said to comfort me).

I remember the feeling of such relief when my dad had gotten that call from his brother.

10 years ago was one day I will ALWAYS remember.

10 years ago was a day I will NEVER forget.

So.. tell me, where were you when the world stopped turning that September day??

I hear people saying we don't need this war
But, I say there's some things worth fighting forWhat about our freedom and this piece of ground
We didn't get to keep 'em by backing down
They say we don't realize the mess we're getting in
Before you start your preaching let me ask you this my friend

Have you forgotten how it felt that day?
To see your homeland under fire
And her people blown awayHave you forgotten when those towers fell?
We had neighbors still inside going thru a living hellAnd you say we shouldn't worry 'bout bin LadenHave you forgotten?
They took all the footage off my T.V.
Said it's too disturbing for you and me
It'll just breed anger that's what the experts say
If it was up to me I'd show it everydaySome say this country's just out looking for a fight
Well, after 9/11 man I'd have to say that's right

Have you forgotten how it felt that day?
To see your homeland under fireAnd her people blown awayHave you forgotten when those towers fell?
We had neighbors still inside going thru a living hellAnd we vowed to get the one’s behind bin Laden
Have you forgotten?

I've been there with the soldiers
Who've gone away to war
And you can bet that they remember
Just what they're fighting for
Have you forgotten all the people killed?
Yeah, some went down like heroes in that Pennsylvania field
Have you forgotten about our Pentagon?
All the loved ones that we lost and those left to carry on
Don't you tell me not to worry about bin Laden
Have you forgotten?

Have you forgotten?Have you forgotten?

There were four planes that day... our people were brave and strong enough to fight back and bring one down... They sacrificed their lives, to save the lives of others.

That is America

First Song -

This morning I woke up in the most pissy mood. Kami had texted me about taking our friend out to lunch for her birthday. I honestly didnt really feel like going because I knew I would be no fun to be around, but since it got me out of the house, I decided to go.

I had the radio off on the drive to Kami's because no country stations were playing any songs, and I truly believe that the first song you listen to in the morning can make or break the day. When I walked in her front door, I heard these lyrics playing, and I knew from that moment on that it was gonna be an amazing day.

After getting ready, we left to surprise Kenna with a birthday poster we held up in the middle of the mall where she was. We gave her her presents, had a small convo, and left to visit Ashley at her store.

Me and Kam planned possibly the dumbest prank to pull on her when we got there.. we were going to walk in, wait til she saw us and came to say hi, then right after she made contact with us, we were gonna leave without saying a word. We are cool, its fine. We spent about two minutes in there til she even gets remotely close to us, but she never realized we were there.. until of course when I turned around and saw her standing literally 2 feet from us, which was when I shoved Kami and we started running out of the store. Of course thats when she noticed.. So being the nice friends that we are, we went back in and talked with her for a while until we got hungry and then left her for food. While eating we get a text from her that says, "someone just asked me if I have seen my car, which I havent yet, but you guys are douchebags." Granted, we have been caught by her a number of times for sticky noting her car.. but WTF!! WHO SNITCHED?!?!

So we head back out to her car, which had her windshield only half filled with a full wad of sticky notes taped on.. And finish the other half. Now, this might look from a third person point of view like a hate crime, but coming from me and Kami, it deffinately shows love.

After we left the mall, we went to Blockbuster to rent Something Borrowed. While in the middle of enjoying this wonderful movie that described my feelings about a certain someone, we got a call..
Kami answers, "what do you want??"
A very angered, but knows its funny, Ashley, "YOU TAPED THEM?!?!"
"no."
"Yes you did! This way is so much harder to take off!"
"Hope you have a long lunch."
"God, I only have 30 min."
"bahahaha, well that sucks, better hurry."
"ugh. I hate you both. bye"
We finish watching our movie, which ended around 4:30. This was around the time that me and Kami had the same thought (which actually happens pretty often)... Silly String Attack!!!! When pondering about who to attack, I remember, "hmmm.. Ashley gets off at 5!! If we hurry, we can buy a couple cans and make it back to the mall in time."
So we arrive back at the mall, where we hide for like 15 minutes, decide to go see if she is coming, almost get caught by her as she is walking out, and silly sting the daylights out of her.

Night goes on, and we get back to my house just in time for my parents to invite us to Tepanyaki. SCORE! It was a really busy night for them, so while we were waiting, I got this WONDERFUL pic of Kam.



During the show, this kid on our table starts to cry.. no worries, he is maybe like a year and a half old. The chef pulls out a sucker and hands it to the crying child... "what?? no fair.. if I start crying, do I get a sucker too??" you hear Kami ask. With in SECONDS later, me and kami had a marshmellow on top of a chopstick and a bowl full of fire in front of us to roast them with.. pretty sure we got the better end of that deal! Stupid baby! haha



The night concluded with a trip with my mama and Kam to JC Pennys for their 80% deal they had going.

I am so grateful for my cousin, who knows when I need some cheering up, and knows EXACLY how to turn my day around. I love her with all my life. She is the best little infant I know. Thanks a million, I owe ya!

<3

Damn It -

Pardon my language, but damn it!!!

Today I watched Something Borrowed with my cousin Kami. If you havent seen the movie, its about these two best friends who have been together since childhood, and now they are in their thirties. One of the best friends, refers that friendship to "her first marraige." Throughout the movie, the single best friend tells the fiance of the other best friend that she has always liked him, and he feels the same way. They sneak around until the end when the marriage gets called off. The now newly single friend finds out about their little affair, and the best friends "get divorced."

This is the story of my "first marriage." It doesnt necessarily have to do with any affairs, but it does have to do with chosing a man, that your not even sure marriage is an option with, over your best friend.

The other day I was driving on my way up to Salt Lake. I was blasting the radio and singing along to all the songs.... I looked to my right at the passengers side, and my ex-best-friend wasnt sitting in that seat singing along with me. She wasnt next to me at the party up there, dancing with the same guy "on the count of three." I didnt have her there to have fake fist fights with. Lastly, she wasnt around to have a heart to heart with on the drive home.

When you lose someone, someone you love, it's honestly the hardest thing you could ever go through. And no matter how much time has passed, it never really goes away. You may think things are starting to get better, then all of a sudden a flashback comes to you, or you hear a song that reminds you of that person, and it hits you all over again. You start to fall apart for the hundredth time, and you're tired of feeling this way. It's almost as if you'd feel bad if you moved on.. but in reality, that person you lost only wants you to move on and be happy. Without happiness, it's hard to find love ourselves, and with that; causes it hard to love others. - Tiffanie Allen

One of the last lines between the two friends in the movie was from the friend that always gave everything to the other.. She would always come it second, just so the other friend could win. The line went something like, "I miss you... I think about you every day, and I'm so sorry" the winning friend says, "youre sorry you slept with my fiance?" and she replies with, "No. I'm sorry that I hurt you." That line is exactly the way I feel. every day I miss her and I feel sad and sorry.. not sorry that I called her out on things she needed to hear, but sorry that those things said, caused her enough pain that she turned her back on me and walked away for good.

Like I said....... Damn it!! 

A True Believer -

Something happened tonight that just reminded me so harshly, that everything we do and go through happens for a reason..

Me and Kami had plans today to hit up the mall to get her friend Kenna a birthday present. Today was the only day we were able to do it together, cause I work during the day, and Kami dances almost every night. We couldnt hold off for tomorrow, cause Kami was planning to leave out of town.

I almost had to blow the whole thing off because I wanted to go celebrate a family friend's birthday at a BBQ, but it turned out that it was an "Adult Only" party.

So, I show up at the Reiser's house to pick up kami (a little later than we had planned, but it didnt make any difference at the moment). We leave to get some Panda, cause niether of us had eaten. After dinner, we hit up the mall, where we parked over by a half empty parking lot so I can show her the "secret door" Ashely had once told me about. There were about 4 stores we walked through before we stopped at XXI, which is were we found the present of our choice and checked out. Kami decides she wants to go back to store #3 so she can participate in this WONDERFUL deal; 7 for $25 at Victoria's Secret.

After check out, on our way out, Kami decides, "hmmm Pina Colado Orange Julius sounds delicious!" So of course we stop. We start heading for the "secret door" when we see a woman trying to hold up her OBVIOUSLY shot up boyfriend. As I walk by, I asked if she needed help of anysort, but she refused and said that he will be fine.. Me and Kami start walking towards the door again, but then two things occur to me; first off, his skin was pale as freaking Edward Cullen's, secondly, leagally, in a matter of life or death, I cannot leave until help arrives.

This girlfriend tries to get some sort of reaction out of her non-responsive boyfriend, but fails. She tries to give him water, but it just trickles down his short beard. Finally, she tells him, "Lets get you outside so we can get you some fresh air." Once again, I walk back over and ask, "Can I at least help you get him outside?" She accepts. Half way out of the hall, this nice man offers his sexy, strong, testoserone filled muscles to get him out faster (not in those words though).

Outside, we take him to the alley between Nordstroms and the food court, where we sat him down again. The girlfriend again tries to get a response out of him by asking him if he wanted to go to the hospital. Nothing. So, I gave her my two-cents and told her with his skin being so pale, he needed to get to an ER whether he wants to or not. She asked for a cell phone to call 911, but it then occured to me that druggies dont usually have health insurance or money to pay for a $10,000 ambulance ride; I offered to give them a ride.

Me and Kami run to my truck, jump in, and speed to his rescue. When we get him in the car and start to drive away, I watch his breathing every chance I get. I coulnt get an exact respiration count, but I can say it was WAY below normal. His pulse was slowing to almost a stop. He was COMPLETELY unresponsive at this point; he wouldnt even twitch when I would smack him.. not to mention his girlfriend started to fade out aswell, to the point I kept having to tap her face and tell her to stay awake.

We get to the hospital, and the girlfriend tells me to take him in while she ditches some stuff. I send kami in for assistance, because lets be honest, I cant lift him myself. He wakes up and opens his eyes when I stand him up. Thank God. The nurses were grateful we got him in when we did, because his vitals were almost too low.....

Everything happens for a reason... What if Kami hadnt danced all those years?? we wouldnt have had to schedule this adventure for today. What if it hadnt of been an all adult party?? I would have blown the mall off all together today. What if we hadnt gone to get dinner?? we wouldnt have even been around during the time he was there. What if we hadnt of gone to the 4 stores and then gone back for the deal?? we would have been done earlier. What if we hadnt of stopped for an Orange Julius?? wouldnt have walked by when his girlfriend was in need of help. What if I hadnt of felt the need to show Kami this secret door on this exact day?? we wouldnt have even walked by them. What if I wasnt leagally obligated to stay there til help arrived?? maybe we would have just kept on walking. Hell, what if me and Karoline never got in that fight?? I probably would have been with here tonight instead anyways.

I am a true believer that everything happens for a reason.. The reason may not always affect our lives. The reason may not always be THIS eye opening.. but every breath we breathe, every step we take, every choice me make affects our lives and the lives of others.. EVERY SINGLE THING!!