Friends for Life

Once upon a time there was a girl who was so incredibly blessed to be sent to the most amazing family. Yes, she loved her entire family, but, as we all know, sisters share a special relationship. And that is exactly what she has. They didn't always get along growing up--they had their fair share of arguments--and arguments they had...over boys, and clothes, and sharing rooms, and friends...and chocolate donuts for heavens sake! but they always found a way to make up. Oh the journeys they've been through...and the adventures they are yet to face. Here's to my amazing sisters!!

"A sister is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning of life. "



"Sisters are for sharing laughter and wiping tears."




Having a sister is like having a best friend you can't get rid of. You know whatever you do, they'll still be there"

♥ love is life in fulness ♥

"There are two kinds of love: We love wise, kind, and beautiful people because we need them. We love, or try to love, stupid and disagreeable people because they need us. This second is the more divine, for that is how God loves us...Not because we are lovable, but because He is love; Not because He needs to receive, but because he delights to give."

Sometimes it is hard to love people....hard to put away their differences and accept them for who they are. I learned a very important lesson this weekend. It was stake conference, and I attended the Saturday session. One of the members of the stake presidency was talking about 'The Family: A proclamation to the world.' He spoke of the basic principles outlined in the document and told about the importance of each. He then said this:

"The sixth principle is LOVE. When I first read this, I thought this was a little out of place. Aren't our marriages and families supposed to be based on love? shouldn't this be the first principle? And then I realized something: Sometimes love is more of a reward than a requirement...if we are following the commandments and the other principles of the Gospel, we will have the ability to love others."

How very true. Yes, it is difficult to love others. But I believe that if we are doing the things we are asked to do by our Heavenly Father, and praying for the capability to accept and love others, He will bless us and give us the patience to get to know others before we judge them, and room in our hearts to make a place for those around us. I believe ♥ love ♥ is the most powerful thing in the world, and if we take time to love, we can do anything.

This is a story about a girl...

Sometimes I wonder what I’m doing here. Looking back on this so called life, I’m amazed I’ve made it as far as I have. I get caught up in my insecurities so often. It’s easy to feel like I’m just a name, and that I’m not good enough. Amidst a sea of people in this world, I can’t help but think that nobody would miss me if I were to just disappear. The stresses of life get to me too easily and I just want to escape. Things would just be so much easier if I were just to run away and not have to face any of my problems. I want so badly to have a simple life, but I know there is no such thing. I feel so fragile at times, like at any moment, my life is going to shatter into a million tiny pieces. These negative thoughts fog my mind all too often. But just before I let them take over, I quickly realize that everything is alright. I’m instantly reminded that I’m never alone and I have so many things that I should be thankful for. I have true friends that love me and support me in everything I do. I am surrounded by simple things that make life worth living every day. I have an incredible family who has stuck beside me through thick and thin. I am blessed with many gifts in my life, the most precious gift being the Gift of the Atonement and the knowledge of The Plan of Salvation. I know that my Redeemer lives and I will do whatever it takes it live with him again one day. Life is a battle, and if I’m not careful, the enemy will sneak up and attack so quickly, I’ll never know what hit me. I have to take a stand and always stick up for what I believe in. I have to take life one step at a time, slowing down and always take time to stop and smell the roses along the way, and I have to smile and hold on to the photographs and memories of the good times in my life, for in the end, those good memories and the people you love are all that matter.

1. ♪ About a girl: the academy is…

2. ♪ looking back: jim brickman

3. ♪ This so called life: the pilot

4. ♪ Amazed: lonestar

5. ♪ Name: goo goo dolls

6. ♪ Good enough: summer obsession

7. ♪ Disappear : summer obsession

8. ♪ Escape: Enrique Iglesias

9. ♪ Runaway: Mae

10.♪ Simple Life: My favorite highway

11. ♪ No such thing: John Mayer

12. ♪ Pieces: Rascal Flatts

13. ♪Realize: Colbie Caillat

14.♪ Everything is alright: Motion City Soundtrack

15. ♪Never Alone: Lady Antebellum

16. ♪ Thankful: Josh Groban

17. ♪ True Friend: Miley Cyrus

18. ♪ Simple Things: Jim brickman

19. ♪ Know that My Redeemer Lives

20♪ Whatever it Takes: Tyler Castleton

21.♪ Battle: Colbie Caillat

22.♪ Stand: Rascal Flatts

23.♪ One step at a time: Jordin Sparks

24.♪ Roses: Rocket Summer

25.♪ Smile: Lonestar

26♪ Photographs and Memories: Jason Reeves

Changed for good

♫ "I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return

Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you...

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good

It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart

And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend...

Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you

Because I knew you
I have been changed for good

And just to clear the air
I ask forgiveness
For the things I've done you blame me for
But then, I guess we know
There's blame to share

And none of it seems to matter anymore
Who can say if I've been
Changed for the better?
I do believe I have been
Changed for the better

And because I knew you...
Because I knew you...
I have been changed for good..." ♫

There are people in my life that I wouldn't trade for anything in the entire world....people that have truly changed me for the better.

A lot can happen in 8 years....and lemme tell ya, a lot has. We've been through everything; good and bad. Amber knows more about me than anyone on this planet. There's not much I can really even say about a friendship like this...except that nothing can ever come between us. Best friends forever.

Carrie and I have grown very close in the past year or so. It's amazing to me that I can still get along with someone 3 years younger than me...I've learned that age really is just a number because I feel like we're just the same age. I love that she accepts me despite my insanity and all we do when we're together is laugh.

About a year ago, I set out on an adventure...I knew there were going to be crazy times and that I would learn new things...But I didn't know that I was going to meet my best friend. Ashly understands aspects of my life that nobody else can understand. We share so many hopes and dreams, and I know that together, we can accomplish anything.

Tressa helped me through one of the hardest times of my life: high school. We faced the challenges together and I know that we will face many more to come. We can be kind of negative when we're together, always talking and complaining about our trials and life in general, but we have good times and tons of laughter as well.

Way back in the '90's

I think it's crazy how things change over the years. Fasion, toys, hairstyles, games, movies, technology....they're all ever-changing. Every now and then I like to take a blast to the past and remember the rockin' fads that came and went. Here are a few things I remember from the 90's. :)

These made writing fun....well, writing notes anyways. ;)

Who doesn't love brownies cooked by a light bulb?

Let's Stick some plastic pegs into some holes and make 'em glow.

Gotta catch 'em all!

Who cares if they smelled like plastic? These shoes rocked!

They were sooooo coo.....and so attractive!

Who thought of a bear you could draw on, then stick it in the wash?

I had some that changed color in the sun!

Why did we think it was cool to look like a baby?

I used to keep myself busy for hours with these things


Pack one in your lunch, and you're thee coolest kid ever

Remember her? Britney spears? Before she became a slut?

"Look Not Behind Thee..."

It's that time of year again...a time of fresh beginnings and goals. It's a time to focus on the things that matter most, and forget about the past...You can't do anything to change it. Don't look behind you, only ahead. Here's to a good year!

Spiritual

1. Read The Book of Mormon
2. Take an institute class
3. Attend the temple once a month

Physical

1. Lose 25 pounds
2. No sugar for at least six months
3. Work out at least 3 times a week
4. No pop

Mental

1. Read Grandpa Pugh's History
2. Learn Something New Every Day

Emotional

1. Learn to love and accept myself

The big Two Oh!

240 months. 1,040 weeks. 7,300 days. 1,051,897 minutes. 631,138,519 seconds. I guess it doesn't really matter how you put it, but today's my birthday, and I'm twenty years old. Wow...where have the years gone? It's weird to think that I'm such an old geezer. Life absolutely soars by. I seriously feel like I've just blinked and I'm to this point in my life. But as I ponder the past, I realize how much I've gone through to get here...I realize how many lessons I've learned, pictures I've snapped, Breaths I've taken, and memories I've created to get me to where I am right this second. It's been a long journey, and I sure as heck have a long road ahead. But I guess I shouldn't really keep track in numbers, for "life isn't measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away."